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GOD DAMN INTERNET IS TOO DAMN UNRELIABLE HERE.
And all I really want to do is look up two frickin' words in an online Korean dictionary, but it's taking forever. I ought to just shell out $400 on a good electronic dictionary, like an iRiver or something.
Anyway, feel free to post about whatever happens to be frustrating you here.
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A singular lack of jobs available in the area. By the time I hear about a job, fifty applications have already been bloody submitted. It's one of the few reasons to not like living where I live...this lack of jobs. Really freaking frustrating.
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Yoruichi is smokin', but fictional. Frustrating!
Nah, the right people know what has been frustrating me for months.
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How many threads do we have where we rant about stuff we hate?
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Fuck you. Fuck all the whiny, oversensitive, passive-aggressive sons o' bitches out there too. And fuck people who complain when everything's wrong but don't bother following up with a "it works now" or "it's still broken" when you try to fix something for them. And fuck this Internet connection that doesn't work when you're trying to do what should be a 2-minute task tops, turning it into 30-40 minutes of wasting your time, and then picks up the moment you finish doing everything.
Just fuck everything. I'm going to bed.
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Thank god your net is working now so you could make that heartwarming post.
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That was killing me though. It makes me miss having the server in my room. Bandwidth was tight, but at least problems could be fixed in a couple of minutes. I felt like I just wasted 2 hours.
Anyway, we're definitely switching to better hosting now. There's not question about it.
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Damn it he made another post. Ah well, I've been working on this for ages... I'll post it anyway.
Zoom Me! (http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x25/MsBlacktro/rasmus_comic.png)
Edit 2009-02-22: Above image removed during maintenance. Contact me if you want it.
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Haha, good stuff!
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Wow. Ramsus curses like the stereotypical sicilian mother of 8-or-more children.
If he was a Chrono Cross character his weapon of choice would be:
(http://www.lojadolar.com/imagens/prod/produtos/1/10017_032.jpg)
Edit: Mama mia! Questo ragazzo que se va ala puta que lo pario, fuck motherfucking shit ass cunt nips, OMAGOD va tomar en el medio de lo culo!
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Only on the Internet, because I hate computers and stupid people, and people tend to be dumber than normal when they're anonymous.
Normally I don't swear except in very normal situations like stubbing my toe or missing a swinging rope and falling into a pool of nasty water...
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Here's the typical Sicilian cursing you need:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10OR2Ks7mg0
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Pokemon Diamond and Pearl's GTS (Global Trading Station). Why? Because people request the most ridiculous trades there, like Mew, Dialga, and other legendaries that I am NOT going to trade for a fucking Starly. And it's not just common little beginning-of-game Pokemon, it's everything. A fair trade isn't easy to find, which defeats the purpose of the GTS.
I also get pissed off when I read YouTube comments. Most are mindless, lack any grammar at all, and have some stupid arguing, like:
shut the hell narushit is sucks bleach is better combine
narushit becomes a bigger shit than it isso shut the hell up
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Yes, the world is populated by cretins. And yes, Web 2.0 has given them a voice. The guy in 1994 who loved how quality discussions could happen all over the internet and Usenet had no idea what AOL and Web 2.0 would do.
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Yoruichi is smokin', but fictional. Frustrating!
I know! Everyone wants her.
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What frustrates me is when your trying to explain to a complete an utter moron about the most simple little thing on Earth. I mean, I try to explain to him there's an arrow next to this box and they're like WHAT THE FUCK ARROW?! when it's like 1 cm away from the box. DX
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I'm mad, because I always get in trouble in an animal crossing forum. I mean well!
Man, I'm surprised I haven't been banned yet!
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That Magness is stuck in some kind of frozen time dilation field due to my comp still being ufcked...and it's been that way for...damn, how long has it been? Over a year? Two?
...And all things sucked and all manner of things sucked.
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I'm not really frustrated about anything right now. I'm just about to finish off a six-day vacation. To be honest, I'm feeling pretty good. But if anything comes to mind, I'll let you know...
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That Magness is stuck in some kind of frozen time dilation field due to my comp still being ufcked...and it's been that way for...damn, how long has it been? Over a year? Two?
...And all things sucked and all manner of things sucked.
What's wrong with your machine? Is it hardware or software? If it's just Windows being screwed, there are ways around that, like Knoppix.
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Today is August 1, 2007.
(http://cc.herograw.org/Zeality/First_Strike____Initial_Lotus.jpg)
Today is a continuance.
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/dbrittain39/TV/IchigoHollow.png)
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That Magness is stuck in some kind of frozen time dilation field due to my comp still being ufcked...and it's been that way for...damn, how long has it been? Over a year? Two?
...And all things sucked and all manner of things sucked.
What's wrong with your machine? Is it hardware or software? If it's just Windows being screwed, there are ways around that, like Knoppix.
Yeah, my Windows is screwed...I don't even HAVE my comp now. I gave it to my brother to get one of his friends to fix it and he's had it for almost half a year now (maybe longer) and hasn't done anything with it and I'm kind of scared not having it with me any more to be honest and now I want it back...V_V Even though the only friend of mine that could help me I haven't talked to in a few months for reasons unknown to me.
Well, anyways...as for a NEW-ish frustration...I was in that Bleach thread even though I've never seen it and was looking at some of the pics when the guy at the comp next to me said, "Hey, is that Dragonball Z?" I hate those damnedable anime illiterates who can only see anime in two different types: DBZ or Pokemon. I have nothing against DBZ except that it mostly sucked (and that Dragonball was far better) but it's like someone seeing someone else reading a book and going, "Is that the new issue of Vogue?"
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Dragonball Z is all I can remember from my childhood :(
Well, that and Ocarina of Time :roll:
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Dragonball Z is all I can remember from my childhood :(
Well, that and Ocarina of Time :roll:
Silly rabbit! You're still in your childhood. I remember buying myself Zelda (and a brand new N64 to play it on) as an 11th grade completion gift for myself. That was toward the tail end of my childhood, and I'm ten years older than you. How did you even play Zelda when you were five or six, and manage to win?
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It's not like the Zelda games are that hard, dude...Although I could never find the freakin candle in the second one...But that sidescrolling piece of crap was barely a Zelda game anyways...
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Well, here's the scary bit: I actually never owned Zelda - my friend did, and I played it at his house. He was a bit older than me, and he used to touch me when we were alone tog- I mean, Zelda was our favourite game. And basically, that is how powerful Zelda was. Awe inspiring, memorable scenes. I even remember playing the game, walking through towns and such, quite vividly.
And I think I played OoT back in...'00 maybe?
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Crap. My Age of Empires III always crashes when I try to play a Skirmish game. I can play it via the WarChiefs expansion, though, and, in fact, it is better via the expansion than not. Still, I hate these kinds of freaking unexplainable (to me, at least) crashes, even if I can avoid them with no actual loss.
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I remember playing Doom 2 at the age of 5.
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Well, here's the scary bit: I actually never owned Zelda - my friend did, and I played it at his house. He was a bit older than me, and he used to touch me when we were alone tog- I mean, Zelda was our favourite game. And basically, that is how powerful Zelda was. Awe inspiring, memorable scenes. I even remember playing the game, walking through towns and such, quite vividly.
And I think I played OoT back in...'00 maybe?
Ah, 2000, that makes more sense. Yeah, it's a memorable series...for me as well.
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I'm now angry that I can't download this game that I really wan't to play!
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I hate that I'm so out of shape that riding a bike for 12 (residential) blocks totally winded me and wore out my legs...At least I get to rest here sitting at this damn comp, I guess...V_V
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I hate that I'm so out of shape that riding a bike for 12 (residential) blocks totally winded me and wore out my legs...At least I get to rest here sitting at this damn comp, I guess...V_V
Twelve residential blocks? On flat terrain? That's not "out of shape." That's "OMG you're at death's door."
"Out of shape" is me:
I love to bike--it's my favorite sport and the only sport I like more than backpacking. But I'm pretty unfit right now, and I've put on weight over the past year. So when I had the opportunity on a vacation earlier this year to take a long bike ride, I was dreading my performance. And it was bad. I couldn't handle the hills; had to slow down all the time; and my heart rate was usually closer to maximum than target.
But that was seven miles on a valley floor, and I could have gone further than that if the damned seat hadn't turned my butt into a throbbing pain factory.
You, my dear V, might consider getting some more exercise! Aim for...eighteen blocks! And go from there...
On topic, might I say how frustrating it is to clean a shower? Those damned discolorations do not come out.
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Well, there's always the ride back...:lol: I wasn't really whiped out...but I was kind of out of breath pretty soon...and some of my leggy muscle things were a little tired afterwards...but still...pissed off.
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Disclaimer: I'm not lecturing anyone here. As usual, my hatred of the complication of fitness as passed off by commercial businesses has led to a longer post than I intended...
The important thing is to challenge yourself. Walk for 30 seconds, jog for 30 seconds, and run your maximum for 30 seconds. See how many of those you can last, and give it 200%. When your legs rest up a couple days later, do it again. The objective is to work on your lungs.
There is so much idiocy in the fitness world that it's staggering. Here's a factoid: sit-ups are utterly, completely worthless unless part of a circuit training routine, and they're only good for cardio as part of that. We all have six or eight packs. But most of us have them obscured by a layer of fat. Sit-ups will do nothing but increase the overall endurance of your abs. They won't melt away the fat, and neither will they develop the muscles so that they somehow show through. Working a part of your body does NOT remove the fat there. When you work out, your body removes fat from all over in a balanced way. That's why you don't see utter blobs with perfect, washboard abs, or overflowing pear-people with perfect, chiseled legs from walking.
Health begins with your heart and lungs, and challenging yourself with hard sprints is the quickest way to health, even if you're well over your acceptable body weight. If you have developed cardiovascular health, you can live jollily overweight and still enjoy great performance (though not your maximum, by any means). Even in that scenario, you can eliminate risk of heart disease, some forms of cancer, and other causes of death almost as much as your thinner companions who are also in good health. Studies have shown that those who sprinted even for 30 seconds as part of a walking workout of a few minutes saw greater gains in well-being than their slower peers.
Weight loss begins with long work. If you want to lose weight, it's perfectly fine for you to walk 50 miles a day. But if you do not challenge yourself (being out of breath means it's working), your cardiovascular health won't improve much. To achieve both, develop your wind until you can jog freely. At that point, you can work off weight a lot faster than those who must still walk because their bodies simply can't handle going at a faster pace. The longer you work, the more cutaneous fat is burned.
All you need are a track and two feet (and a physical to make sure you don't have some kind of heart condition before working at your maximum). Nutrisystem, elaborate plans, wonder-machines, and paid trainers are all compensatory tools for a lack of will power. If the few articles I've read lately are right, at some point in the diet world the self-will was written off as an inadequate tool and restrictive, slavish plans were imported to keep one's habits in check. To those who wish to improve only as a passing desire, these mindless methods may work. But to those capable of visualizing success, seeking it logically, and unleashing their passionate will to improve themselves, self-will and some good cross-training shoes are all one needs. I pity people who pay small fortunes for diet plans and special treatment. Protein shakes are worthless; unless you live in the third world, chances are you consume enough daily! Gatorade and other energy drinks corrode your teeth and are meant for fast, transitory performance during athletic games, not overall health and endurance. And the other steroids are all not worth the health risks involved. Some of the fault lies with the companies who appeal to their ignorance with "easy plans" or proliferate misinformation about physiology. Science alone prevails!
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Zeality, that was a great read.
Once my damn wisdom teeth stop hurting I'm going to take your advice.
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Thank you, Zeality. That'll certainly help me.
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Zeality hits the nail on the head again. I see too many people coming into the gym and going straight to the weights. These people do literally nothing on any of the cardiovascular equipment nor any flexibility training. Now, admittedly, they may go walking, jogging, running or cycling outside the gym, but I'm pretty sure a majority of these people don't. Kids go on each piece of cardiovascular equipment for perhaps five minutes then stop. It's obvious who is in better shape: the twenty-somethings with all their muscles toned who spend all their time on weights or the fifty-somethings with little body fat, toned muscles, who go pretty much exclusively on CV and last an hour on the cross-trainers and will probably live over a century. There is truth to 'No pain, no gain': my mother is at least morbidly obese if not super morbidly obese because she has a pain-free routine that she scarcely follows. She claims to have 'little time' but sits in front of the TV for hours, orders in take-away regularly and over-eats. Zeality's right. A personal trainer can not be on-hand 16 hours a day to tell you to get your ass of the couch, stop eating and start exercising; a baseline level of willpower is needed.
In my case, it seems unfeasible to go to a track, but when I do jog and run, I can simply go to the park. Did prehistoric man have tracks, treadmills or personal trainers? No. Exercise was simply part of their life, and unintentional, as it was required for survival. If we can exercise with personal trainers, gym equipment and technology, why is our health going down the tubes? Because of all the junk we eat. People sue McDonalds for making them fat when it's their own fault. People need to stop palming off responsibility on other people and face up for their own actions' detrimental effects on their health, then act on it. Pontification doesn't suffice.
Here's a few tips:
- Drink water. A vast majority of your body is made up of water. Keep a bottle with you by the computer, at work, at school, during exercise, pretty much where possible. Aim to drink at least 2 litres on days you don't exercise. When exercising, drink water after each exertion. For example, after 10 chin ups, sip some water. You'll be amazed how much better you feel and how little water you drank before. Whenever you crave something to eat but aren't hungry, drink water.
- Cut the crap. If you don't possess the willpower, ween yourself off of problem foods, e.g. fast food, ice cream, fried food, sweets, coke etc. e suspicious of any drinks other than water and 100% fruit juices, smoothies etc. or some combination thereof. If unsure, don't drink/eat it. In a good diet, one shouldn't need anything other than water to drink. Which brings me on to my next point:
- Eat fruit and vegetables. They contain many necessary nutrients such as various vitamins. Fibre helps you excrete waste. On this front, unless it has 'bits', juice isn't as good as the actual fruit. Potatoes are an exception. You can probably cut them out altogether. If you're feeling particularly bold, consider taking up a near-vegetarian diet, but make sure to have fish at least once a week and land meat once a week. Avoid fried foods.
- Don't add sugar to your food. Only add extraneous salt to food if you want diabetes. Many ketchups are predominantly sugar.
- Contrary to popular belief, milk (not milk-based products) is not necessarily bad. Some studies have shown milk is only fattening in conjunction with other particular foods. If you do weight training or run on hard surfaces, milk will probably help by strengthening your bones. However, cheese, cream and butter are no-nos. A vast majority of butter is fat. Margarine is only slightly better than butter. White bread is hard for your body to digest, aiding indigestion.
- Fish, garlic and onions thin your blood (which is generally considered good). Avoid if you're planning on getting stabbed any time soon.
- With many foods, simply thinking about how natural something is can aid in avoiding problematic foods. For example, would a caveman have eaten reconstituted 'Chicken Nuggets'? I don't freakin' think so. However, don't be scared away from supplements. Even Bruce Lee used supplements as part of his diet, but don't take supplements you're unsure of the authenticity of or that can be obtained through more natural methods (e.g. Vitamin C from an orange).
- Do occasionally indulge. Having a chocolate bar once a fortnight or take-away once a month or so won't kill you, and, if anything, may make you happier. The points I've made here are guidelines. Often your body will be able to tell you what's right and what's wrong. This means in the long-term, not your body saying "This chocolate bar sure is delicious!".
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information. In Coke, for example, there are teaspoons of sugar and there's aspartme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame_controversy), which has been linked to conditions such as Alzheimer's, lymphoma, brain tumours and lesions and a plethora of other long-term conditions.
- Consider joining a Pilates and/or Yoga class. The two can improve respiration, flexibility and mental wellbeing. Additionally, sports are a great way to improve strength and fitness: having someone else motivates you and the competitive element also encourages one to give it '110%'.
- Consider investing in a bicycle. Bikes can increase fitness, stamina, strength and burn fat. Swimming is also a great all-round exercise for people of all abilities, and is often part of the package with leisure centre memberships along with the gym. Dancing can also be a fun and challenging exercise as well as improving coordination. Ballet, Ballroom, Salsa... whatever, give it a shot. If necessary, save up. Your body will thank you in half a century.
- Don't smoke. Avoid smokey environments, especially pubs and seedy joints. For the few that don't know, smoking leads to a variety of complications (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_tobacco_smoking), including, most notably, dozens of forms of caner. Again, pontificating isn't good enough. Don't just complain that people shouldn't smoke and tolerate it, remove yourself from the situation. Similarly, avoid drinking alcohol. It has many negative short- and long-term effects (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_consumption_and_health).
- Wear sunglasses and sun cream when necessary. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_radiation#Safety_aspects_of_UV)
I apologise in advance if there are any grammatical, punctuation etc. errors. I apologise in advance if (though I doubt it) any of this post is incorrect factually or misleading.
@Glennleo: Why wait? Your teeth hurting doesn't prevent you from swimming, running, cycling, calisthenics... it pretty much doesn't prevent you from any exercise. Perhaps you just need some more willpower.
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Oh I am really, REALLY mad now. The water pump for our house has broken, and so we will have no water for the next few days at the least. ARGH!
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MsBlack, you've given a lot of good information, but there's a bit of an inconsistency. You say avoid alcohol, then provide a link that suggests that for health, you should drink in moderation. Which do you actually advocate, abstinence, or moderation? For my part, the information I've seen suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is healthy, and thus, I drink in moderation. That said, I've cut out soda almost entirely from my diet. I did this at the same time I started taking long walks, and the way my body felt was much better. Soda is crap. If you want to drink something sweet and flavorful, drink orange juice.
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You make a good point, do point out any other inconsistencies if you see them.
I can't prescribe a specific plan unilaterally. It depends on one's situation and willpower. If one thinks that overall drinking a moderate amount of alcohol is beneficial and one can resist the temptation to drink excessively, by all means go ahead. However, some people become inebriated after consuming what, for most of us, is a miniscule amount of alcohol or suffer from other detrimental effects. I suppose when I wrote that, I mainly had in mind the kind of people who get totally drunk on beer every weekend. Personally, I abstain.
EDIT:
From http://www.makeupyourownmind.co.uk/questions/how-do-you-operate/opening-times/
Who do your town centre restaurants close at 11pm? When I roll out of the local boozer totally trolleyed at 11.20pm, I want burgers!! And not kebab shop burgers
It's that kind of mentality I refer to.
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I guess I'll throw in one last thing:
Don't worry about the all-or-nothing mentality. Too many people start working out and try to launch themselves into complete dietary changes and workout regimens right off the bat, and end up getting exhausted. Rome wasn't built in a day. I take in more soda than I should (eheh, Radical_Dreamer knows that gourmet soda rules), but I'm still working out. Eventually, I'll improve my diet and other parts as well.
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@Glennleo: Why wait? Your teeth hurting doesn't prevent you from swimming, running, cycling, calisthenics... it pretty much doesn't prevent you from any exercise. Perhaps you just need some more willpower.
Eh, your definitely right. Will power is something I lack for sure.
I just don't feel 100% while I'm on these pain meds. Once I get my tooth fixed tomorrow, supposedly there is an air pocket in my right bottom one, I'm hoping I feel better.
But you are right. I have to work though pain. Otherwise how would I continue to work out after I get sore? I wouldn't.
It's all motivation, and at the moment I don't possess much at all. Something to work on, that's for sure.
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...exercise floods your entire body with blood. If you have some kind of open wound like that, the sheer motion and blood pressure might agitate it.
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...exercise floods your entire body with blood. If you have some kind of open wound like that, the sheer motion and blood pressure might agitate it.
I know. That's half the reason I didn't go tubing yesterday. If I smacked my cheek on the side of the tube, that could have been a bloody mess. Plus the doctor said tot take it easy for awhile, so I'm in no hurry to do something stupid.
Thanks for looking out though.
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We still don't have water.
Glennleo, I sympathize...my father has similar teeth issues.
Also, I managed to get myself lost on my "short" walk and ended up walking an hour and a half longer than I had intended, and this was supposed to be my day of rest from the gym. (Six days a week, then one day of rest. Repeat.)
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We still don't have water.
Glennleo, I sympathize...my father has similar teeth issues.
Also, I managed to get myself lost on my "short" walk and ended up walking an hour and a half longer than I had intended, and this was supposed to be my day of rest from the gym. (Six days a week, then one day of rest. Repeat.)
It's not a teeth problem per se, it's just that I had my wisdom teeth out. I ought to be fine in 3-4 more days I'd think.
6 days on, and 1 off is a pretty good work out routine to stick by. How the f did you get lost walking? In the wood I take it?
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Sort of. The homes around here are spread out, and if you've ever been on country roads, you'd know how much they twist and turn.
My problem was being a dumbass and assuming I came out onto the main road far east of where I actually came out and walking the wrong way for a couple miles before realizing my mistake. And when you're in the shape I am, having only one small bottle of water and your dog--without a leash, I might add--with you, that's not a fun mistake.
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Ahh got ya.
Yea I could see doing that. Hell I've done it before, but usually in my car.
"Hmm, just a few more miles til I'm home. Hey wait a minute! I've been going the wrong way for a how many miles! F*%^!!!"
A simple mistake like that can easily double your distance. Ouch.
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Sort of. The homes around here are spread out, and if you've ever been on country roads, you'd know how much they twist and turn.
My problem was being a dumbass and assuming I came out onto the main road far east of where I actually came out and walking the wrong way for a couple miles before realizing my mistake. And when you're in the shape I am, having only one small bottle of water and your dog--without a leash, I might add--with you, that's not a fun mistake.
The solution is, clearly, a leash and a larger water bottle.
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I have a much larger water bottle, and I've have taken it if it weren't for the fact that the WATER PUMP IS BROKEN! (Not yelling at you. And to clarify, it's one I refill all the time to use everywhere. The water bottle I took was a smaller one from a package of water bottles. )
And the leash is normally not necessary with Chester. The lack of it just got annoying in a couple of instances...instances that would have been avoided had I not dumbed.
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Disclaimer: I'm not lecturing anyone here. As usual, my hatred of the complication of fitness as passed off by commercial businesses has led to a longer post than I intended...
The important thing is to challenge yourself. Walk for 30 seconds, jog for 30 seconds, and run your maximum for 30 seconds. See how many of those you can last, and give it 200%. When your legs rest up a couple days later, do it again. The objective is to work on your lungs.
There is so much idiocy in the fitness world that it's staggering. Here's a factoid: sit-ups are utterly, completely worthless unless part of a circuit training routine, and they're only good for cardio as part of that. We all have six or eight packs. But most of us have them obscured by a layer of fat. Sit-ups will do nothing but increase the overall endurance of your abs. They won't melt away the fat, and neither will they develop the muscles so that they somehow show through. Working a part of your body does NOT remove the fat there. When you work out, your body removes fat from all over in a balanced way. That's why you don't see utter blobs with perfect, washboard abs, or overflowing pear-people with perfect, chiseled legs from walking.
Health begins with your heart and lungs, and challenging yourself with hard sprints is the quickest way to health, even if you're well over your acceptable body weight. If you have developed cardiovascular health, you can live jollily overweight and still enjoy great performance (though not your maximum, by any means). Even in that scenario, you can eliminate risk of heart disease, some forms of cancer, and other causes of death almost as much as your thinner companions who are also in good health. Studies have shown that those who sprinted even for 30 seconds as part of a walking workout of a few minutes saw greater gains in well-being than their slower peers.
Weight loss begins with long work. If you want to lose weight, it's perfectly fine for you to walk 50 miles a day. But if you do not challenge yourself (being out of breath means it's working), your cardiovascular health won't improve much. To achieve both, develop your wind until you can jog freely. At that point, you can work off weight a lot faster than those who must still walk because their bodies simply can't handle going at a faster pace. The longer you work, the more cutaneous fat is burned.
All you need are a track and two feet (and a physical to make sure you don't have some kind of heart condition before working at your maximum). Nutrisystem, elaborate plans, wonder-machines, and paid trainers are all compensatory tools for a lack of will power. If the few articles I've read lately are right, at some point in the diet world the self-will was written off as an inadequate tool and restrictive, slavish plans were imported to keep one's habits in check. To those who wish to improve only as a passing desire, these mindless methods may work. But to those capable of visualizing success, seeking it logically, and unleashing their passionate will to improve themselves, self-will and some good cross-training shoes are all one needs. I pity people who pay small fortunes for diet plans and special treatment. Protein shakes are worthless; unless you live in the third world, chances are you consume enough daily! Gatorade and other energy drinks corrode your teeth and are meant for fast, transitory performance during athletic games, not overall health and endurance. And the other steroids are all not worth the health risks involved. Some of the fault lies with the companies who appeal to their ignorance with "easy plans" or proliferate misinformation about physiology. Science alone prevails!
That reminds me... A friend of mine in college did a research paper on exercise and weight loss, and he said that according to his sources, you had to do at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise like running before your body would even start burning fat, because first you had to burn through your glucose energy and stuff. Even then, the rate you burn fat is pretty slow, so you'd want to do about 1-2 hours of continuous running, swimming, or heavy cycling to lose any real weight through exercise.
Also, I've heard that anything you eat within 3 hours of sleeping usually gets stored by the body, and that eating inconsistently (say, you skip breakfast and lunch every Friday) causes your body to do weird things and store food as fat instead of metabolizing it as usual.
So the way I understand it is if you eat healthy, with more energy food in the morning and light food near the evening, and no food at night (making sure to eat the same consistent amount on a daily basis), and you run/swim/cycle for an hour every evening, you'll lose fat pretty quickly (even a few pounds a week is pretty good when you're changing your entire lifestyle).
However, if you eat a lot of heavy food, especially protein and fat, and you cut your calorie intake by half once a week, then you do certain anaerobic exercises to muscle failure three times a week, and you avoid aerobic stuff, you'll put on weight like there's no tomorrow.
I can't test any of that though, because personally, I want to stay the way that I am, so I don't want to experiment with myself. I just want to be as fast, flexible, and strong as I can become without really changing my size or composition.
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Well, I'll test it for you then, Ramsus, because while it sounds like more work for me than I had originally thought, it's worth trying.
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I didn't think it took that long. My university course and textbook stated that in the first ten seconds of working at maximum, ATP is burned away with explosive energy. For the next 1:50, glucose and sugar are burned. From there on, it's oxygen-intensive fat burning.
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Well, the extra exercise certainly can't hurt, right?
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The body acts 'weirdly' when one eats inconsistently as a survival mechanism. Again going back to early man, an inconisistent intake of food would indicate a shortage thereof. The body therefore stores more fat so that during the periods of food shortage, it can work off the fat. That's why crash dieting is a crock.
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Perhaps the fate of this frustration thread is a symbol of the times we live in and the values our culture espouses. Yawn...
Anybody who wants to get into whatever level of shape (including totally out of it) can figure it out easily enough. It's no big secret; it's just application. If you're training for the Olympics or recovering from a significant illness or injury, then sports training may be right for you. But for everybody else, all this talk is just that much more time wasted where you could have been out exercising or cooking up a healthy dinner.
Lame.
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Anybody who wants to get into whatever level of shape (including totally out of it) can figure it out easily enough.
Well considering the level of obesity here in the UK and over there in the States, I'd say that's not enough. I personally find discussion like this valuable information and great motivation to get off my ass and exercise.
If you're training for the Olympics or recovering from a significant illness or injury, then sports training may be right for you. But for everybody else, all this talk is just that much more time wasted where you could have been out exercising or cooking up a healthy dinner.
Ha, I haven't ruled out the possibility of finding a strength and seeing how far it goes, but I don't plan on heading to the Olympics just yet. It's true the time spent on this particular aspect of this thread could have been spent on what it advised, but what is your point? Are you suggesting surplus exercise takes precedence over any [other] leisurely pursuits and pursuits pertaining to informing oneself about exercise? Contributing to this discussion and exercising are not mutually exclusive,
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Anybody who wants to get into whatever level of shape (including totally out of it) can figure it out easily enough.
You'll still find professional sports coaches making their players stretch before games (decreases muscular performance up to 5%) and athletic sages doing sit-ups. Good information needs to be proliferated.
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But how much "good information" do you see in these endless dieting discussions? There may have been a couple of quality diet-exercise posts in this particular thread, but I'm rather dismissive toward people's tireless desire yet unflagging incompetence to discuss the issue meaningfully. Bad medicine abounds, and wacko theories and sheer hearsay drown out the good information--which is simple and unassuming and, I say, easily learned...provided one is willing to accept it.
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But how much "good information" do you see in these endless dieting discussions? There may have been a couple of quality diet-exercise posts in this particular thread, but I'm rather dismissive toward people's tireless desire yet unflagging incompetence to discuss the issue meaningfully. Bad medicine abounds, and wacko theories and sheer hearsay drown out the good information--which is simple and unassuming and, I say, easily learned...provided one is willing to accept it.
What do you mean by "these endless dieting discussions"? I assume you mean on the Compendium, which would be the only place seemingly relevant to this (Compendiumites discussing the subject). On this assumption, you kind of answer your own question: there have been a couple of good posts on the topic, therefore surely there is some beenfit from the posting, is there not? You go on to admit you're dismissive to 'people's'' desire and incompetence to discuss the issue meaningfully. Again, this seems irrelevant due to your prior admission some good information has come out of this thread and the fact the people earnestly discussing the issue here seem capable of interpreting the information presented here. Add to that that most, if not all, of the information is based on personal experiences and is presented as such and/or backed up by scientific studies and you can surely see that their is beneficial information on the issue in this thread? You conclude by saying that good information is simple, unassuming and easily learned. Therefore, surely providing the information in order for it to be learned is a valid reason to post what we have been posting?
Perhaps you were genuinely curious as to what good information we see in "these dieting discussions". Personally I see all the information that has been presented and how it can benefit others. Kyronea, Radical Dreamer and Glennleo have already acknowledged the value of the information, and Radical Dreamer helped me to clarify what I'd contributed.
Maybe I'm completely misunderstanding you here, correct me if I misinterpreted something (or everything!).
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today i am damn pissed off!
after i finally finish my side scroller maker, no one even downloads it and trys it out!
man, i figured my friends would fucking care atleast enough to try out something i care about so much, but i guess all my friends just fucking suck.
what good is doing work if no one even sees it? its enough to make me wanna stop coding -.-|||
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Did you want to make this side scroller? Did you feel a sense of accomplishment from doing so? Did you learn by the experience?
Who cares what other people think of your works. You did it, and there is merit in that. The next thing you do will be better than this one, and the next even better still.
Also, hasn't it been like, a day, since you posted it? Give it time dude.
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I am frustrated at Seiji Mizushima(director of Full metal Alchemist) for Killing of Nina Tucker, and the Maes Hughes. What the hell is wrong with that man. Nina and Hughes were that to best characters in the whole show. I do have to give Mizushima credit for making the one show that nearly brought me to tears. But Nina was so adorable.
(http://accel5.mettre-put-idata.over-blog.com/0/11/37/00/izumi/nina-2.jpg)
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Wow, gotta love those posts by Dr. ZeaLitY...he could give that Phil guy a run for his money! Wait, who did I just insult?
Anyways...I did the whole bike-riding thingy again...apparently, it's been so long, I forgot about that stupid callus that I don't have on my inner thumb (kinda where the web-like part is) and so now that's all a torn skin, bleedy mess...I blame the stupid grips...And also, it was all rainy and the wind was coming at me...I also might be at fault because my bike has various gears of which I've never understood how to properly use...but I'm not going up hills anyways, so maybe that shouldn't even matter...
Man, I know so little about so much...
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You'll have more torque (?) at lower gears (the bigger ones next to the wheel), so it's easier to accelerate and go up hills or to pull more weight, but once you're going and you have inertia helping you, you can use the higher gears to maintain your high speed with less effort.
I haven't ridden a bike in 11 years, so I'm not sure how useful the bicycle gears really are. I guess, if the wind blowing against you is making it harder to ride, try downshifting a few times.
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My parent's blatant hypocrisy and disregard for being sensible is really pissing me off. Despite the fact that the new water pump installation--completed this morning, and we've had water for the past seven hours now--supposedly stretched our budget tightly, they're going out in the bloody van to bloody King Sooper's just to pick up meatballs.
What's worse, they outright told me to leave the television in the family room--a hulking 36'' beast--on while they were gone, despite the fact that NO ONE IS WATCHING IT and they would be away for a MINIMUM of FIFTY MINUTES!
Basically, they're wasting gas--a horrible idea right now given that Peak Oil is around the corner and we're just a step away from rounding that corner--as well as power for no bloody reason. (They also told me that if the TV was off when they returned they'd shut down power to my entire room, but I'll face that bridge if it comes to it.) Of course, as soon as they were out the door I turned it off, but still...bloody idiots.
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I guess I have another thing to blame on myself about the whole bicycle thingy...Seeing how I didn't eat or drink anything beforehand (it was about 12~2PM)...Not to mention I'm 5' 7 1/2'' & weigh 115lbs...*heh heh*
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Are you anorexic?
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Terribly unhealthy...anorexic...same diff, I suppose (don't want to take anything away from those truely diseased anorexic people). But I only throw up when I drink too much...or...am really in horrible pain.
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I guess I have another thing to blame on myself about the whole bicycle thingy...Seeing how I didn't eat or drink anything beforehand (it was about 12~2PM)...Not to mention I'm 5' 7 1/2'' & weigh 115lbs...*heh heh*
Meh, that's nothing. And no, Ms Black, I doubt he's anorexic. It's probably a mix of things like genetics, metabolism, stress, and eating/sleep patterns. That's what it is for me, at least. I'm 6'0 and 140lb, which probably works out the same as V's weight for height. I look awefully scrawny, but I never purposefully starve myself. I just tend to miss meals when I'm at school, not get enough sleep, be awefully stressed... coupled with metabolic and genetic factors, the weight's not a big surprise. I assume V is about the same. It might be a touch unhealthy, but speaking at least for myself, I'm not wholly unhealthy, and have at least a bit of stamina (I was able to do a 2.5km run in 15min without even slowing down at all during the run a few months ago. It winded me entirely at the end, but I survived it at least. After a bit of a rest I probably would have done another lap if I hadn't had a blister on my foot.)
Anyway, about bike riding, yeah, gears can be bloody helpful, but so can the weight of your bike. What sort is it? Road bike (bleh), mountain bike? Sort of a cross? I mean, I'm fortunate in that my bike probably only weighs a little over 20lbs and has twenty one speeds. What's the point? On the road, not much. I usually only keep things mid-gear on the road unless confronted with a VERY steep hill, or unless I get enough speed, in which case I start gearing down to increase my speed. But road biking is meh. I'm more prone to offroad stuff. That's where things like gears are helpful. When you're riding down a path that will variably go down 30degree and then up again, with roots all over it, mid range gears would be too difficult. You have to shift, well, on my bike I prefer what I call 1-3. On the major gear (front, I suppose, with three gears on it) have it on the big, easier gear, and on the back gear on the 3 (out of seven.) On the easier side, but anything more and you'll lose control over the roots and hit a tree or something. Not to mention that going above 10kph on a trail like that will be extremely rough, even with shocks (I've done it, though; I've gone down trails like that and hit roots at 25kph... lots of fun, actually.) Interestingly, I don't usually eat or drink anything around going biking either. Of course, you shouldn't eat JUST before, but even when I'm biking I tend not to drink water. Strange, but it doesn't bother me too much. I get really thirsty, but meh, I manage. I've actually not done much biking this year, though. Only once or twice. Snapped my chain, actually (first a rock bent one of the cogs, then the chain snapped.) Bleh. $150 to get repaired. But yeah, bikes are fun, and gears really do help.
Oh, and Kyronea, yeah, I know, the oil peak is probably near. But you wouldn't think it seeing the way this bloody province handles things. My parents are the opposite when it comes to energy consumption, particularly my dad. He designed the house I'm living in, and when he built it fifteen years ago he built it to energy conservation specs that would still be pretty good today.
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Did you want to make this side scroller? Did you feel a sense of accomplishment from doing so? Did you learn by the experience?
Who cares what other people think of your works. You did it, and there is merit in that. The next thing you do will be better than this one, and the next even better still.
Also, hasn't it been like, a day, since you posted it? Give it time dude.
oh, turns out it was cause you had to register to download ^^;;
i fixed it, and now anyone can download it here (http://www.twilightskies.net/forums/index.php?topic=316.0).
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We can post any kind of frustration here, right?
I can't bring myself to tell the girl I like I love her. I want to, but I'm afraid she doesn't like me (I've already had that happen to me twice this year). My friends and her friends all want me to ask her out, but I just can't do it.
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We can post any kind of frustration here, right?
I can't bring myself to tell the girl I like I love her. I want to, but I'm afraid she doesn't like me (I've already had that happen to me twice this year). My friends and her friends all want me to ask her out, but I just can't do it.
dont tell her you love her. tell her you LIKE her, and you'd like to get to know her better. love + non-gf = SCARY STALKER.
also, after a bit of getting to know her better tell her you'd like to become bf/gf.
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dont tell her you love her. tell her you LIKE her, and you'd like to get to know her better. love + non-gf = SCARY STALKER.
also, after a bit of getting to know her better tell her you'd like to become bf/gf.
eh, all her friends say she likes me, but I don't think so.
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We can post any kind of frustration here, right?
I can't bring myself to tell the girl I like I love her. I want to, but I'm afraid she doesn't like me (I've already had that happen to me twice this year). My friends and her friends all want me to ask her out, but I just can't do it.
dont tell her you love her. tell her you LIKE her, and you'd like to get to know her better. love + non-gf = SCARY STALKER.
also, after a bit of getting to know her better tell her you'd like to become bf/gf.
eh, all her friends say she likes me, but I don't think so.
you got 3 choices
1) tell her you love her (not recamended)
2) what i said
3) dont do anything and cry about it on the internet.
sounds like you dont wanna try though.
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We can post any kind of frustration here, right?
I can't bring myself to tell the girl I like I love her. I want to, but I'm afraid she doesn't like me (I've already had that happen to me twice this year). My friends and her friends all want me to ask her out, but I just can't do it.
dont tell her you love her. tell her you LIKE her, and you'd like to get to know her better. love + non-gf = SCARY STALKER.
also, after a bit of getting to know her better tell her you'd like to become bf/gf.
eh, all her friends say she likes me, but I don't think so.
They have made statements that can be verified experimentally. Science commands you to ask this girl out!
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They have made statements that can be verified experimentally. Science commands you to ask this girl out!
I may be going to her house tomorrow, so I'll try then.
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We can post any kind of frustration here, right?
I can't bring myself to tell the girl I like I love her. I want to, but I'm afraid she doesn't like me (I've already had that happen to me twice this year). My friends and her friends all want me to ask her out, but I just can't do it.
dont tell her you love her. tell her you LIKE her, and you'd like to get to know her better. love + non-gf = SCARY STALKER.
also, after a bit of getting to know her better tell her you'd like to become bf/gf.
eh, all her friends say she likes me, but I don't think so.
They have made statements that can be verified experimentally. Science commands you to ask this girl out!
I may be going to her house tomorrow, so I'll try then.
NO DON'T KILL HER!
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NO DON'T KILL HER!
Congratulations, you've totally proved to me that you're an ass.
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We can post any kind of frustration here, right?
I can't bring myself to tell the girl I like I love her. I want to, but I'm afraid she doesn't like me (I've already had that happen to me twice this year). My friends and her friends all want me to ask her out, but I just can't do it.
dont tell her you love her. tell her you LIKE her, and you'd like to get to know her better. love + non-gf = SCARY STALKER.
also, after a bit of getting to know her better tell her you'd like to become bf/gf.
eh, all her friends say she likes me, but I don't think so.
They have made statements that can be verified experimentally. Science commands you to ask this girl out!
I may be going to her house tomorrow, so I'll try then.
NO DON'T KILL HER!
Congratulations, you've totally proved to me that you're an ass.
lmao, no, i read that part of your sig as part of your message "soon it will all end...:devilface:" rofl.
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lmao, no, i read that part of your sig as part of your message "soon it will all end...:devilface:" rofl.
roflmao lolololzorz flofmao loalz jhitalrol
Edit: So very true, Lord Jayzor. It's fascinating how it still annoys me less than huge posts with similar points of view written with a completely different perspective, under the absolute lack of capability to actually detect such thing. I guess it's because you land your eyes on it and you automatically know you won't have to read anything before the last quote, as opposed by the huge & repetitive point-makings that everybody makes on incredibly relevant topics. Or, perhaps, it's just that I'm an idiot.
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Since this is the frustration thread, it's a pet peeve of mine when people chain-quote other people's entire posts when small snippets will do.
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Yes, that's one thing that really bugs me. Is it possible to install something in the forum to prevent that? To strip out all other quotes in a quoted post, I mean.
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Pay me $100. I'll have it done and activated for your profile.
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Pay me $100. I'll have it done and activated for your profile.
...you are an extortionist.
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Yeah, chain-quoting is lame...I thought it was, but it doesn't look like it is, but it should be part of the Code of Conduct (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Chrono_Compendium:About.html#III._Code_of_Conduct).
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...you are an extortionist.
I'll even throw in a special ignore feature for just $50 more.
Really though, you'll just have to live with it for now. If it really bothers you, you can always install Greasemonkey and use some Javascript/DOM to remove the nested quotes.
Yeah, chain-quoting is lame...I thought it was, but it doesn't look like it is, but it should be part of the Code of Conduct (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Chrono_Compendium:About.html#III._Code_of_Conduct).
It'd just dilute the code anyway. Besides, it's better to just ask people to be more polite instead of making some rule for moderators to have to enforce.
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I'll even throw in a special ignore feature for just $50 more.
Really though, you'll just have to live with it for now. If it really bothers you, you can always install Greasemonkey and use some Javascript/DOM to remove the nested quotes.
Meh, I'm too lazy to do that.
But you're right. Best to ignore it when it happens and ask people to politely not do it rather than try to enforce it.
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Something frustrating? My life.
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Yeah, chain-quoting is lame...I thought it was, but it doesn't look like it is, but it should be part of the Code of Conduct (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Chrono_Compendium:About.html#III._Code_of_Conduct).
It'd just dilute the code anyway. Besides, it's better to just ask people to be more polite instead of making some rule for moderators to have to enforce.
Yeah, but it'd give people something nice to copy&paste. And if nothing else, I like having stuff to copy&paste...>_>
Anyways...about the whole height & weight thingy...whoever said stuff was right: high motabolism+not eating right+not sleeping good+stress/depression=bad santa...er...skinny boy. Lookit that! One's a movie and the other one's a band (I think)!
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Yeah, sorry for the chain quoting.
I was kind of rushing. I'll go edit my posts right now.
EDIT: Fixed!
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Thanks!
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Thanks!
No, no thanks, you're supposed to show frustration! This isn't the good feelings thread.
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It frustrates me that you would turn down my thanks. ^_^
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It frustrates me that you would turn down my thanks. ^_^
Nice!
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It frustrates me that you would turn down my thanks. ^_^
:lee:
Something that frustrates me (well, not really frustrates, just bugs me) is when fangirls watch an anime, see two characters conversing (even for a moment), and instantly yell "LOLPAIRING!!!" or something along those lines. It annoys me even more that they choose to care more about random, impossible pairings than the characters' backgrounds or development.
Wow, I can't write today.
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:lee:
Something that frustrates me (well, not really frustrates, just bugs me) is when fangirls watch an anime, see two characters conversing (even for a moment), and instantly yell "LOLPAIRING!!!" or something along those lines. It annoys me even more that they choose to care more about random, impossible pairings than the characters' backgrounds or development.
Wow, I can't write today.
I have never heard any one ever yell "LOLPAIRING!!!", and I now some freaky people.
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He doesn't meant that term literally. Basically fanpeople--though more commonly fangirls for some reason--will take two characters who might otherwise have nothing to do with each other in a romantic sense and pair them up. This can be done for any set of characters, really. The first example--or at least first popularly KNOWN example--is that of Kirk and Spock.
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I'm 5' 7 1/2'' & weigh 115lbs...*
Well your beating me
<-- 5'5 Weight: 100 lbls. >_<
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http://2. University students enrolled in less than 15 hours for Fall and Spring semesters will pay a Use Fee of $ 4.00 for each hour their enrollment is less than 15 hours, and who possess a properly validated I.D.
F-U-C-K Y-O-U
If my university didn't spend exorbitant sums of money on building excessive new edifices, they wouldn't be doing this OR tactlessly asking for more donations the day after meeting their $million fund raising goal.
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GOD DAMN INTERNET IS TOO DAMN UNRELIABLE HERE.
Atleast you have internet. :wink:
My rant is: GOD FUCKING DAMMIT I HATE NOT HAVING INTERNET! (soon... though.... soon...)
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I am frustrated by my comic ideas not doing themselves :<
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Okay, now I'm fucking pissed.
I finally asked the girl I like out, we were so happy (and in love). Then, I go on vacation for a week (got back yesterday) and she's avoiding me like the plague.
I don't know what happened. I've become so depressed.
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Whats Fustrating nightmare975, is the fact that I've never had a girl friend, I also have a hard time talking to people of any gender because of my hobies and likes revolve around video games, and anime. And most people that have the same intrests as me usually hate me for some odd reason, I olny two sources of places to get info on games and anime: 1. the internet (mainly this site as well as sites like Nintendo.com, Capcom.com and the sort) and 2. My Subscriptions to Game Informer, and Game Pro. No one in my school has never herd of Chrono Trigger. The majority of the people in my school don't know the deffinition of the word f**k. My parents won't take me driving so I can practice for the test. My data of Chrono trigger Got currupted on my memory card (thankfully Chrono Cross was on a different one.) as well as every other save on it. My little brother makes stabs at the Chrono series until I run him out of my room. People who see Magus in my school think its Piccolo and Vegeta fused together and think Crono is either Tapion, Gohan, or Goku (I've shown some poeple in my school pics of the main characters of Chrono Trigger.) and I'm now ranting about the negitives in my life. That is Fustrating. I may not be depressed but you will never see me that way. Its EXTREEMLE hard to get me angry, and depressed. you will always see me either acting goofy to make people smile or smileing my self. :D
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Tell the chick you think she's been avoiding you and ask her what's up. TALK, PEOPLE! Maybe she just needs space or something.
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Tell the chick you think she's been avoiding you and ask her what's up. TALK, PEOPLE! Maybe she just needs space or something.
Well said.
Just call her out on it. Not in a mean, bad spirited way, but in a calm collected tone.
If you can't do it calmly, just wait a bit until you can bring it up calmly, or figure out a different way of approaching it.
Maybe you came on too strong? I know you might not think so, but to girls it's a whole different ball game.
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Glennleo, you should start an advice collum. That was very well said I could have worded it nearly as well as you have just done bravo!!! :D :D :D
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Maybe you came on too strong? I know you might not think so, but to girls it's a whole different ball game.
She flirted with me, I fell in love last. And she doesn't want to talk to me.
I forgot to mention: While on vacation, I tried to call her and was only able to get her voice mail, even on her house phone. After three days of worrying, I finally got a hold of her, after that, she's been avoiding me. Even after I told her I was sorry.
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Maybe you came on too strong? I know you might not think so, but to girls it's a whole different ball game.
She flirted with me, I fell in love last. And she doesn't want to talk to me.
I forgot to mention: While on vacation, I tried to call her and was only able to get her voice mail, even on her house phone. After three days of worrying, I finally got a hold of her, after that, she's been avoiding me. Even after I told her I was sorry.
Girls are like that. Just don't let it get to you, and make sure you keep a grip on your senses. Otherwise it'll just get worse.
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Glennleo, you should start an advice collum. That was very well said I could have worded it nearly as well as you have just done bravo!!! :D :D :D
I wouldn't go that far, but thank you.
As far as the love troubles. If she's avoiding your calls, you did something. Even though you probably don't think you did, you did. I've found trying to cal girl over and over again, just pisses them off. 3 is probably the max amount of times you should call in one day or sitting.
Just approach her at school, and ask her if you guys can talk. Don't put her on the spot right there, but just simply let her know you want to know what you did wrong, or what's going on. Just show some general concern, and it should initiate a conversation at least. It might not save the relationship, but you'll at least know what's going on with it.
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As far as the love troubles. If she's avoiding your calls, you did something. Even though you probably don't think you did, you did. I've found trying to cal girl over and over again, just pisses them off. 3 is probably the max amount of times you should call in one day or sitting.
Just approach her at school, and ask her if you guys can talk. Don't put her on the spot right there, but just simply let her know you want to know what you did wrong, or what's going on. Just show some general concern, and it should initiate a conversation at least. It might not save the relationship, but you'll at least know what's going on with it.
I know I called her too much. But now she avoids me (Although she will talk to me on myspace). I asked if she wanted to go out on a date. She replies with a no. She then starts complaining about how she doesn't have a ride to band camp. I offer to give her a ride, another no from her. I just don't understand.
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She's trying to be nice about it.
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No, what she's really saying is, "STALK ME STALK ME OH WON'T YOU PLEEASE STALK ME?!?" Heh heh...
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As far as the love troubles. If she's avoiding your calls, you did something. Even though you probably don't think you did, you did. I've found trying to cal girl over and over again, just pisses them off. 3 is probably the max amount of times you should call in one day or sitting.
Just approach her at school, and ask her if you guys can talk. Don't put her on the spot right there, but just simply let her know you want to know what you did wrong, or what's going on. Just show some general concern, and it should initiate a conversation at least. It might not save the relationship, but you'll at least know what's going on with it.
I know I called her too much. But now she avoids me (Although she will talk to me on myspace). I asked if she wanted to go out on a date. She replies with a no. She then starts complaining about how she doesn't have a ride to band camp. I offer to give her a ride, another no from her. I just don't understand.
Just forget about it for a while. You're not going to understand by being pushy about it, and you'll just seem needy and weird.
If you run into her, just greet her and ask her if she's okay. Ask her about how she's doing and if there's something bothering her that you can help with. It might not even have anything to do with you.
And if you don't run into her, don't worry about it. If you have to know, try asking someone who knows her if something's wrong, or if you're causing her grief.
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Bah, turns out she never loved me, she lied to me so she hurt my feelings. >_<
Newsflash, you hurt me more than if you had said no.
What's worse you ask? She doesn't have the guts to say it to me. Instead, she tells my best friend and he has to tell me.
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Sounds like a bitch. Be glad you're rid of her and move on :D
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Sounds like a bitch. Be glad you're rid of her and move on :D
You know what? You're right.
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I know I called her too much. But now she avoids me (Although she will talk to me on myspace). I asked if she wanted to go out on a date. She replies with a no. She then starts complaining about how she doesn't have a ride to band camp. I offer to give her a ride, another no from her. I just don't understand
- Isn't it a bit odd that people say try to talk to her calmly and you pop out with "Wanna go on a date :D!" question? O_o...Maybe that's just me...
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I know I called her too much. But now she avoids me (Although she will talk to me on myspace). I asked if she wanted to go out on a date. She replies with a no. She then starts complaining about how she doesn't have a ride to band camp. I offer to give her a ride, another no from her. I just don't understand
- Isn't it a bit odd that people say try to talk to her calmly and you pop out with "Wanna go on a date :D!" question? O_o...Maybe that's just me...
That was before I knew she was avoiding me. Now, I'm just trying to keep our friendship.
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Trying to keep your friendship with someone you've established is a lying bitch?
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If I were in Nightmare975's shoes, I'd try and keep on good terms for a couple months, see if she will admit her faults in this matter, and want to go back to being friends and put everything in the past. thats when I'd show how much of a good person I am inside and say yes! :) But thats just me! 8)
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If I were in Nightmare975's shoes, I'd try and keep on good terms for a couple months, see if she will admit her faults in this matter, and want to go back to being friends and put everything in the past. thats when I'd show how much of a good person I am inside and say yes! :) But thats just me! 8)
A couple of months? Yeah right, we're still friends, she felt pressured by our friends to like eachother.
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If I were in Nightmare975's shoes, I'd try and keep on good terms for a couple months, see if she will admit her faults in this matter, and want to go back to being friends and put everything in the past. thats when I'd show how much of a good person I am inside and say yes! :) But thats just me! 8)
A couple of months? Yeah right, we're still friends, she felt pressured by our friends to like eachother.
Man do I freaking hate that. Friends who think they know who you like, or who you want to be with.
That's a load of BS right there. Being forced into a relationship, especially by your friends, is the worst way to start any type of relationship. Whether it be a friendship or something more.
Whoever forced her, or you, or however it happened is a jerk. I know they meant well by it, but you can see what happened because of it. It caused you nothing but grief, and it almost cost you a friendship. I hate people who try to play matchmaker. Things never work out they way the should.
Relationships form on their own. You can't concoct out of thin air, and whoever thinks they can is a freaking idiot.
Sorry for that rant, but I hate people who think they can play matchmaker. It just pisses me off to no end.
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My frustration? I've got these beautiful baby back ribs that are now marinating. But I don't get to eat them tonight. It'll be a day or two. Instead, my dinner is Cheerios. Now, I've got nothing against Cheerios, but, compared to ribs, well...
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I'm frustrated with my textbooks. It's my senior year, and every book features tiny black and white text with hardly any pictures, charts, or graphics. It's an ugly little mess, one that tests my patience for reading. Honestly, it's like at this stage in the game, all the textbook writers become humorless bastards.
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The damn new library computers have 1 hour time limits! WTF!?!
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I'm frustrated with my textbooks. It's my senior year, and every book features tiny black and white text with hardly any pictures, charts, or graphics. It's an ugly little mess, one that tests my patience for reading. Honestly, it's like at this stage in the game, all the textbook writers become humorless bastards.
Personally, I never much liked textbooks. I much prefer reading actual, original works by significant people and comparing them in class, instead of having someone else interpret everything and summarize it all in a single book.
Given that we have computers now, and even better than that, cheap eBook reading technology with high-contrast, high-resolution screens and long battery life, you'd think things would be different.
I mean, imagine if we had large libraries of media, especially books, freely available to instructors to selectively use and build on, with collaborative databases of course materials, all freely available and easily copied/distributed...
In fact, that's my dream project for the future.
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Nevermind my 1 hour complaint...when the time limit hits "5 minutes left" it gives you the option of an extra ten minutes if you click the thingy...so you just have to keep clicking the thing when it pops up every ten minutes after your 1 hour expires...it's lame & frustrating, but at least now I have access to the desktop, Word, Paint, and other crappity-crap-poop.
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I mean, imagine if we had large libraries of media, especially books, freely available to instructors to selectively use and build on, with collaborative databases of course materials, all freely available and easily copied/distributed...
In fact, that's my dream project for the future.
What a thrilling idea! I sure hope you can beat me to the Patent Office, Ramsus. Oh, and to spice things up a bit, I have utilized my evil powers of feng shui to augment your path with laser-equipped bird flu ninjas.
KATAKA!
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cupn00dles' constant spamming is annoying. If all you can say is "HAHAHAHAHAHA" than don't reply at all you stupid fucking piece of shit.
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cupn00dles' constant spamming is annoying. If all you can say is "HAHAHAHAHAHA" than don't reply at all you stupid fucking piece of shit.
Your constant trollish behavior and general rudeness is getting on my nerves and probably the nerves of many others as well.
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cupn00dles' constant spamming is annoying. If all you can say is "HAHAHAHAHAHA" than don't reply at all you stupid fucking piece of shit.
Your constant trollish behavior and general rudeness is getting on my nerves and probably the nerves of many others as well.
I wouldn't have to be a troll if people would quit spamming, and defending those who do. Plus I wouldn't call what i do trolling as much as Ii would self-defense.
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Your stuck in a loop your "trolling" provokes them which makes your even for annoying, which give people like cupn00dles more fuel for the fire. The key? Just stop and forget about your ego, and your pride. Let them have the last word and get on with your life.
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Hahahaha.
When there is something ridiculously funny, one laughs. When there is a pattern of ridiculously funny behaviour, one laughs in all-caps.
It's that simple.
You can't blame me for the fact that I have an humongous ammount of fun when provoking users who make tardie posts/topics. It's just too damn funny.
Besides, a thread that is spam itself can only home spam posts. Spam = spam.
It's that obvious.
By the way, it's great to see at least one tardie topic has hit the road. Good riddance, have thee, tardie topic!
Edit: Too bad now there's another one =[[
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I am frustrated that I have stooped so low that I am eating Chef Boyardee for lunch.
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I am frustrated that I have stooped so low that I am eating Chef Boyardee for lunch.
That's not too bad. Most of the time I just drink coffee and work on stuff during my lunch break.
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Anyone remember the Whose got the best Hair? poll well this goes with my comment there. My mother forced me to get a hair cut for portraits. I no longer have hair long enough to look similar to Crono. I will grow it back eventually, until the next time she thretens to take away my PS2, Xbox, GCN, SNES, N64, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, GBA, GBA SP, and CT to boot. :x this one of the very few times I've been angered at all.
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I am frustrated that I have stooped so low that I am eating Chef Boyardee for lunch.
I eat pop tarts. they're are what I call one of the many gaming snacks. the term is given to any food that is easy to eat, takes little to no time to make, dosen't require a utensle to eat with, and dosen't fudge up your fingers so you can continue to play while you eat.
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You're wrong on that last count, unless you eat them with utensils or a napkin. Pop Tarts will grease up your fingers, and that's a big no-no among those of us who out of respect for our electronics try to keep them clean. Anything with any trace of fat or oil in it will grease up your fingers.
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You're wrong on that last count, unless you eat them with utensils or a napkin. Pop Tarts will grease up your fingers, and that's a big no-no among those of us who out of respect for our electronics try to keep them clean. Anything with any trace of fat or oil in it will grease up your fingers.
Most people seem to have greasy hands anyway. That's why I always keep some rubbing alcohol around.
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Which would serve the double use of disinfecting the keys! Cleverer and cleverer, Ramsus ol' boy. Today I take a page from your book.
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Fucking dad>_<
"EHHHHH, CAD isn't a college math course, you need to take Pre Cal if you want to go to college!"
Thanks dad, for fucking up my already broken scheduale.
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My school won't even give me a math class I should be taking AP Calculus.
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I am frustrated that I have stooped so low that I am eating Chef Boyardee for lunch.
I eat pop tarts. they're are what I call one of the many gaming snacks. the term is given to any food that is easy to eat, takes little to no time to make, dosen't require a utensle to eat with, and dosen't fudge up your fingers so you can continue to play while you eat.
(http://www.pillsbury.com/images/products/photos/toasterstrudel.jpg)(http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8671/greaterthanaw8.jpg)(http://www.almostvegan.com/archives/images/blueberrypoptarts-sml.gif)
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Every single time I eat Pop-Tarts I vomit 1 or 2 hour later, it my be an allergy, but I doubt it because I don't have this problem with any thing else I eat.
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Yet another reason why Pillsbury Toaster Strudels are vastly superior. ;)
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I download Temporal Flux just to see how it work, and I can't even figure out how to get the exits working. My god what is wrong with me.
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Getting stuck behind people who walk really slow
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Getting stuck behind people who walk really slow
Tell me about it... Some girl was in my way in front of one of my classrooms, and there was a large crowd. When I stopped to wait for her to move, a guy near her said "Oh, do you want to go through?" to me, started making a mocking 'go right ahead!' gesture and took a bow as if I was royalty. Smug bastard.
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Ha! I'm a slow walker and I say TO HELL WITH YOUS! I'm walking slow and if you want to get around me, go right ahead, nobody's stopping you. In fact, I'm making it quite easy since I'm walking slowly!
Anyways...
I don't remember what exactly sparked it, but I hate it when people say speaking against the government is "Unamerican". Speaking against your government if you don't approve of it is, in fact, one of the MOST "American" thing there is. Hell, it's basically what the country was founded on. Then again, I think the term "American" is too broad and that the United States needs to call itself something else...but whatever...
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I think I can top all of yours:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33955 (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33955)
WHAT THE HELL!?!
I am ashamed to be an Americanight.
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Pfffft, who cares what G.I. Joe stands for? As long as Snake Eyes is in it all cool like he always is, isn't that enough?
(http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/6/6f/250px-Snakeeyesposter.jpg)
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I think I can top all of yours:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33955 (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33955)
WHAT THE HELL!?!
I am ashamed to be an Americanight.
So a cartoon based on a line of toys changes something.
I fail to see the relevance of this.
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I'm walking slow and if you want to get around me, go right ahead, nobody's stopping you. In fact, I'm making it quite easy since I'm walking slowly!
Unless we're stuck. But, if I ever see you and it happens, I'll just barge past you then.
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Yeah, I'm a slow walker, but I normally make opportunities for people to get around me if need be...
Anyways, I didn't know it until watching the CW's second airing of their fall lineup, but they gave Veronica Mars the axe! WTF!?! It was easily their best, not to mention best written, show! Is it because Kristen Bell's movie career hasn't been that hot? No, it's probably because they gave the show a horrible time slot! Damn it, first ABC with Clerks then FOX with Family Guy (which at least came back a bajillion times) and now this! V_V It sounds like Kristen Bell is the voice of Gossip Girl...but I'll be cold & dead before I sit down & watch that suckfest...DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!!!
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I'm getting kinda annoyed with this person always asking me to do shit for him. Always ends up asking me to make sprites, whcih I don't mind but he's always going. After this can you do this, then this, and this, don't forget this. Then he ends it with "Don't we make a great team?" Which I almost exploded at him. Meh, That's the last time i'll help him with stuff for awhile.
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Good god I wish the library computers were somehow compartmentalized...not for pornographic reasons or even privacy issues...but good god I hate kids. Why must they stink so bad? WHY!?! The B.O. is so horrible and I'm barely one to talk since it was freakin POURING rain outside so my clothes mostly smell like wet dog...but that's far more pleasant than the pungent aroma of bastard children spending their time on MySpace or playing some goddamn Flash game on Newgrounds...V_V ...Anger...Rising...
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WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE THE NIBS OF PENS STICKING OUT UNNECESSARILY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME (http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/techchron/2007/05/29/livescribe_pen_600_dpi_ps_1__Fost328x350.JPG)
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414055/
I thought, "hmm, Cate Blanchett creeps me out, but England's victory over the Spanish armada would be damn awesome to watch."
And then, while reading the reviews, I find out that there is no Francis freaking Drake.
WHAT THE HELL!? Instead there's Raleigh, who didn't even participate in the battle. How could such an elaborate, multimillion-dollar film have such a glaring historical inconsistency? And how could ANY contemporary be cooler than FRANCIS FREAKING DRAKE? He's like the proto-pirate! For crying out loud, the ship he sailed in the battle was named the HMS Revenge!! Replacing Drake with Raleigh = fail.
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414055/
I thought, "hmm, Cate Blanchett creeps me out, but England's victory over the Spanish armada would be damn awesome to watch."
And then, while reading the reviews, I find out that there is no Francis freaking Drake.
WHAT THE HELL!? Instead there's Raleigh, who didn't even participate in the battle. How could such an elaborate, multimillion-dollar film have such a glaring historical inconsistency? And how could ANY contemporary be cooler than FRANCIS FREAKING DRAKE? He's like the proto-pirate! For crying out loud, the ship he sailed in the battle was named the HMS Revenge!! Replacing Drake with Raleigh = fail.
Shit like that is why I stopped going to the movies. I'd say I'd rather go read a decent science fiction novel, but there hasn't been any of those lately, either....
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I can't Stop eating any yogurt product. F.Y.I. the pop-tarts I eat are frozen constantly so my hands recive minimal greese, and I have grip controlers, as well as air-flow (yes I'm a lucky ... well.. you know. :lol:) but some one help me with my yogurt addiction, and maybe my courtisy issues. I swear people say I'm too polite for my own good, I agree because I'll apologise for somthing I did not do, or to someone who makes fun of me (very few do that now).
Somthing is really (excuse my typing) Pissing me off, Some (excuse typing again) douche bag who is not a gamer thinks he can beat me at any thing so at a challenge he dose what I expected and chickened out. That guy was full of crap I hope none of you have to deal with someone like this guy. If you do I feel for you :(
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My biggest frustration is ALL THE GOD DAMN WIGGERS! Jesus fucking christ, why do people try to act "gangsta?" I've had some fucking idiots say to me "Rap ain't your culture yo". Since when the FUCK was rap ever a culture?
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I dealt with the DMV today. 'Nuff said.
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I dealt with the DMV today. 'Nuff said.
I feel your pain.
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Ok, pretty childish thing to be pissed off...somewhat.
On Saturday, we got like 3 inches of snow and alot of freezing rain, so the roads were covered in Ice. Well, the stupid public service dind't do shit about the roads so they stayed that way until yesterday. Monday, we SHOULD have had a day off. 4 busses were stuck, lots of car accidents, school was on a back-up generator for christs sake. Not even a 2 hour delay!
Now today, yesterday we got bout 5 inches of snow and we still have ice under the roads cause of the melted snow freezing over night. We had a scheduled 2 hour delay today but it'd be another thing to have a day off. They didn't plow streets worth shit so there's like 2-3 inches of snow on the roads still..
This just goes to show that either the people in charge are fucking idiots or they're just not paying attention to what the hell is going on with-in the state.
Then again, a school bout 30 miles out from us got the day off. They always get a day off if there's a fucking flake of snow..
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...why do people try to act "gangsta?" I've had some fucking idiots say to me "Rap ain't your culture yo". Since when the FUCK was rap ever a culture?
By any chance would these be the same sort of people like to sip their Jamba and Juice (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/08/03)?
But really, culture is the only way rap does sell (lord knows it isn't on musical merit). A rap album by Stephen Hawking wouldn't sell, he isn't "in the culture." A rap album by M.C. Hawking (http://www.buyswag.com/brashmusic/product.aspx?id=554), however, might.
Now if you want to talk about frustrating, then you need to talk about Texas drivers. No where else in the country have I ever seen someone stop and backup on a freeway when they miss their exit.
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They talk exactly like that...makes me want to rip out their vocal cords and stomp on them.
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My biggest frustration is ALL THE GOD DAMN WIGGERS! Jesus fucking christ, why do people try to act "gangsta?" I've had some fucking idiots say to me "Rap ain't your culture yo". Since when the FUCK was rap ever a culture?
One of the reasons I consider Idiocracy a documentary not a comedy.
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Oh, we'll all die out before anything like that actually happens.
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I JUST GOT ATTACKED BY MY BED! Ugh! We went almost the ENTIRE day without heat, so I was wearing...
-A T-Shirt
-Flannel PJ Pants
-My mother's fuzzy slipper socks
-My Happy Feet (worn because my brother, with his talons of toenails, would steal them OFF MY FEET)
-My bathrobe
And, for half the day, -Gloves
On top of this, our stupid bitch of a landlady raised our rent $100 because my sis and I, who were involved in foster care for a good 5 years, moved in about a year ago! I bet she decided to do that because we called the board of health on them for NOT FUCKING FIXING OUR STOVE! We went the WHOLE SUMMER without that stove, making do with our toaster oven! UGH!
On top of ALL THIS, I am getting bloody EYE SURGERY this Friday! OI! So I can't get sick or pick at anything (skin infection) and MY METAL BED JUST ATTACKED ME AND I AM BLEEDING!!! How am I supposed to not get sick from this?! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!
... that felt good...
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Eye surgery, ouch. I can identify with skin stuff; I get itchy in the winter and it's a real frustration.
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Ah the joys of eczema and daily moisturising.
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Eye surgery, ouch. I can identify with skin stuff; I get itchy in the winter and it's a real frustration.
Strange, I feel that I'm one of the few who don't get itchy in the winter. I do, however, get horrid stomach bugs. That's somehow worse. Personally, I'd rather deal with the fact that I'm like a piece of bread with a light coating of butter left on a hot metal pan for too long.
... in other words, I'm very fair skinned and burn VERY easily.
But, yeah, eye surgery, best friend being a pseudo-emo bitch ("I cut myself! Oh, random boy I decided I like! Wah! WAH! We're not friends anymore and I'm gonna be absent when you said to give back your book! WAH!!!") being too damn annoying to handle ("My good red-haired friend, if she doesn't show up with that book Wednesday, you have my permission to PUNCH HER IN THE FACE." GRHF: "AWESOME! An excuse to punch that bitch in the face!"), AND bloody eye surgery. Fun.
AND we still have to put up our tree.
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I had a second-degree sunburn on both my shoulders. That was the week from hell. I'm getting a small sample analyzed just, just in case there might be residual cell damage.
What's being done to your eye?
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What's being done to your eye?
It's kinda hard to explain...
My eyes sometimes go straight ahead. But if I switch my focus into one eye, the eye that I'm not using wanders off to the side. It does it on both sides and shnap, my fish sticks fell into my mustard. ... fudge. ... Anywho! It does it on both sides and it scares people. What my ophthalmologist (eye doctor) is gonna do is tighten the muscles on the insides of my eyes. I had something similar done 10 years ago when I was 5. They loosened the muscles on the outside. (they aren't doing that again because they operated as much as they could there)
... I just forgot...
I DO NOT LIKE HADDOCK! Makes me kinda sick... oh, well.
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I guessed that'd be exotropia? Well, good luck. I hope it's painless and successful.
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Thank you, and happy holidays! I like my hat... fuzzy...
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My current frustration: Having issues with my heart, and being too fucking poor to be able to even try to do anything about it. Oh, and having a weird thing happen with my arm the other day (feeling like it's asleep and kind of hurting, and my ring finger & pinky were numb), that my dad says might be a sign of having diabetes... utterly depressing.
Do you realize how sad it is, that I wish to win the lottery... just so that I could take care of myself? *sigh*
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I've got a couple stitches on a cut. First time. This foreign matter really feels weird and stings right now.
Do you have an arrhythmic pulse?
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I have instances where it feels like my heart is doing 'flip-flops' inside of me (like it's whirling around or trying to whack against my ribs), and sometimes it even makes me gasp for air. It's especially unpleasant if I'm lying in bed. Also, it happens to me at work sometimes and that really makes it hard to do my job (BK cashier). Then there's the days that I get unpleasant aches in my chest, and I feel like I'm not getting enough air (which isn't true, but it sure is a weird sensation). That is often accompanied by my left hand falling asleep & turning red (which sucks if I'm at work... I use that hand for taking people's orders).
The thing that happened to my arm was surprising, because it was my right arm/hand that felt tingly. Very odd, and all the more to make me scared that something is really wrong. I'm at the point that if this isn't heart-related, then my dad might be correct in thinking that I might be on the edge of getting diabetes...
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So you can't get anyone to look at you for the time being?
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Hell no... cuz it would cost me money just to do that. And I'm broke.
(even if I were to try and use money from my next paycheck for it, I really can't afford it with how poor I am)
Jeez... it's times like this that I hate having a crappy job even more (I'm a cashier at BK).
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Well, the surgery was yesterday. My eyes HURT LIKE HELL. The part of my eyes closest to my nose are red, and it looks like when my eyes water (which they like to do a lot) I'm frickin' crying BLOOD!!!
My doctor said I'd be out of the hospital around noon maybe.
I came out of pedi around 5 o'clock. My first AND ONLY meal yesterday was four waffles. I was STARVING... and I still feel like that... but I can see.... and we're gonna go down to a mall to finish shopping.
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On a lighter note... don't'ya just hate it when you can't get all the melon off a slice of melon because then you'd have to eat it perpendicular to your mouth?
(http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/753/276047.JPG)
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On a lighter note... don't'ya just hate it when you can't get all the melon off a slice of melon because then you'd have to eat it perpendicular to your mouth?
(http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/753/276047.JPG)
That's actually kinda fun for me. But I'm a freak, so...
On a side note, orange juice hurts my eyes. As well as antibacterial cream.
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You know what I hate? When little fucking spammers make an insult to someone and then lock the fucking topic so they don't have to take any backlash.
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i hate how theres no law that says children cant use the internet.
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If that was a law, I think you'd be gone =]
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If that was a law, I think you'd be gone =]
except that im 19, your right.
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There's no way in hell your 19. You act like a 12 year old who just barely hit maturity..
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Stop, everyone! For the love of all that is decent!
@Justin: Check the "you-know-what" thread and see what you think of the revision.
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I did =P Found it funny ^^
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There's no way in hell your 19. You act like a 12 year old who just barely hit maturity..
I'm 19. nothing you say can change that.
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There's no way in hell your 19. You act like a 12 year old who just barely hit maturity..
I'm 19. nothing you say can change that.
Just because you're a certain age doesn't mean you act like one.
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There's no way in hell your 19. You act like a 12 year old who just barely hit maturity..
I'm 19. nothing you say can change that.
Just because you're a certain age doesn't mean you act like one.
Eh? when did i say i acted 19? o.O lol
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...Touché
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ouch, I think that's more of an insult to him though
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Wow, that thread was great because of ZeaLitY's posts...I thought he could lock threads too though, wtf? Love the Ramsus summoning though. If ever there's a Compendium ROM hack of some kind (ala the Something Aweful FFVI ROM hack), he should totally be a Summon...:P
Uh, anyways...I hate holidays with gifts because I don't get anyone anything and I don't get anything in return and it all just turns into another day only everything's closed.
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Uh, anyways...I hate holidays with gifts because I don't get anyone anything and I don't get anything in return and it all just turns into another day only everything's closed.
Why don't you get anyone anything? That's kinda Scroogish.
You know what REALLY sucks?
When your left thumb gets a cut right on the side and it gets infected. That really sucks because I use the side of my left thumb for my spacebar finger. (the typing program I used said you should use both thumbs, but I never got the hang of that) So almost every time I type a space, it hurts.
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Not everyone has money to afford gifts for other people. I feel guilty every Christmas because people get me stuff and I have no way of getting them stuff in return.
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Uh, anyways...I hate holidays with gifts because I don't get anyone anything and I don't get anything in return and it all just turns into another day only everything's closed.
Why don't you get anyone anything? That's kinda Scroogish.
Not everyone has money to afford gifts for other people. I feel guilty every Christmas because people get me stuff and I have no way of getting them stuff in return.
Ta-da! A quote to answer a quote!
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V is getting Godlike powers.
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I can't find the bloody 'make a poll' button. That's angrifying. ... actually, I did find it. It was in plain sight...
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Thread Zombie! OH NOES!!!
Anywho.
My friend at school asked me for a music file (A Cruel Angel's Thesis, sung by the girls from Evangelion), so I put the song as well as Time's Scar and a bunch of pictures in a folder on my flashdrive. At lunch today, I then gave him the flashdrive (he let me borrow his NewType magazine to show my sis [IT HAD KAMUI AND SUBARU IN IT] in return) and we went to our next class.
When I got home, my sister revealed to me that last night, while I was asleep, she had taken my flashdrive and used it to bring some of my brother's files over to his new computer. She then accidentally deleted my folder with MY stuff in it. Needless to say, I'm kinda pissed about it. But since she's under the weather... as long as she gives back the NewType magazine, I fear my friend will KILL me if that thing is ruined!
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This isn't a true frustration but it just pains me that typing "Kitty Pryde" in to google image then tries to spell check me Ellen Page.
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*tries "Kitty Pryde" search*
What? No it doesn't! Who the hell is that anyways? It sounds familiar...
*Googles Ellen Page*
Oh, the chick from Juno...Well, she DID play Kitty in that horrible X3 movie...
As for my own frustration...Stupid Aeris Dies...You and your lame bandwidth! V_V So many pix...If you're unfamiliar w/the site, it's a hentai & doujin site.
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... I was kinda happy when the girl died...
... but hentai equals ick and I have NO CLUE (nor do I WANT to know) what doujin is.
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No, Aeris Dies is a site...She didn't die quick enough in FFVII...and she should have brought Clod & the Yuffster with her...but w/e...doujin is just unofficial fan-made manga. As such, a large portion of it is usually hentai.
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No, Aeris Dies is a site...She didn't die quick enough in FFVII...and she should have brought Clod & the Yuffster with her...but w/e...doujin is just unofficial fan-made manga. As such, a large portion of it is usually hentai.
And what was up with that loli purge? Nothing seemed to have been removed.
On a frustration note, WTF!? I just fucking read Oh! My Dog! and that has to be the sickest piece of trash ever!
Next to 2 girls 1 cup of course.
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Thank god for not reading/watching any of those.
Onto the frustration note, I hate it when you really like someone that your extremely close with...but you never nothing can ever happen. Fuck Valentine's Day
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I hate it worse when you like someone, and they like you too, but they like someone even more.
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No, Aeris Dies is a site...She didn't die quick enough in FFVII...and she should have brought Clod & the Yuffster with her...but w/e...doujin is just unofficial fan-made manga. As such, a large portion of it is usually hentai.
Well, if she brought Cloud with her, Tifa would angst for the rest of the game. And, eventually, Vincent would shoot her.
But, yes, Yuffie = evil.
I think my sis has a cute little picture from a doujin... it's like a little Chibi Vincent thing that flies around and drives everybody nutty. Nutty as a good ol' cup of Nutella cocoa (cocoa with hazelnut stuff in it).
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Well, if she brought Cloud with her, Tifa would angst for the rest of the game. And, eventually, Vincent would shoot her.
Well that sounds almost perfect!
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Well, if she brought Cloud with her, Tifa would angst for the rest of the game. And, eventually, Vincent would shoot her.
Well that sounds almost perfect!
Almost because, if Vincent shot Tifa, Barret would shoot Vincent and then I'd kill Square, even more than I plan to.
Also! It bugs me to NO END when your media player hates your guts. Listen, Windows! Compie didn't like you, so I had to use iTunes! IT WAS A NECESSARY EVIL!
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Aw, like Vincent couldn't survive a little case of getting shot...
and, yeah, I use Media Player Classic (at least for videos anyways)...
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Aw, like Vincent couldn't survive a little case of getting shot...
and, yeah, I use Media Player Classic (at least for videos anyways)...
Mouse (The Amazing Graphic Compie) got a virus, once, and since my sis had to wipe the hard drive, he's slow as all hell. It's a pain to open up the media player, let alone use it. I'm watching the Task Manager and one second it says, 'Running' the next, it says, 'Not Responding'. Back... and forth... and back... and forth... like swings!
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VLC media player is top notch, if anyone is interested. Plays just about anything, from my experience.
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I second Placidchap's testimony regarding VLC Media Player. It's free too!
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VLC is definitely pretty handy and its one of the *few* players that support flash video playback (flv).
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I hate that every freaking school had the day off today because it was like -20 outside, but us college folk, who walk outside between classes, still have to go.
I know it's college, and we are adults, but it still frustrates me when my sister is gloating in my face lol.
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Being an adult and being in College/University means you do not have to go if you do not want to, unless there is a test or assignment due.
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Being an adult and being in College/University means you do not have to go if you do not want to, unless there is a test or assignment due.
Pish posh; being a child and being in college means that you do not have to go to class if you do not want to. Being an adult and being in college means you do what you must, even when you don't want to (and even if you’re the only one forcing yourself).
Of course, those are rather metaphorical definitions of such words.
Now what is annoying (for Americans) is when your college doesn't get President's Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter, or anything else of the sort off... but it does take Cesar Chavez day off. I know a holiday is a holiday, but Whisky Tango Foxtrot? How is Cesar Chavez more important than ol Honest Ab, George Washington, or a religious holiday?
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You can easily study at home. A 'child' in this context is usually does not have a choice in the matter, where as when one becomes an 'adult', you have the choice of going or not. For college classes, it really depends on the class and the professor. Some teach straight from the book, with nothing extra added to the cirrculum. In this case, it depends on if you prefer to hear the professor speak or read on your own time. If the professor includes participation and/or custom lecture notes only available if you come to class, then it is probably in your best interest to go, assuming there is nothing more important that needs to be done. Even if you do not go to the latter class, it does not necessarily mean you are 'childish'. You can copy the notes from someone else and/or you can study on your own and try your best. It is more about responsibility than 'doing' or 'not doing'.
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Sheesh didn't mean to start a debate on what defines a college student lol.
I see validity in both points being made. But it is, more often than naught, a good idea to go to class.
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VLC is definitely pretty handy and its one of the *few* players that support flash video playback (flv).
MPC can too.
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My Senior year thus far is really annoying. For one I'm actually tired and have been falling on my bed intantly going to sleep without even getting in it. I'm usually asleep for over twelve hours dayly now, so I'm running out of space to do home work and struggling to keep my grade above 80%! Also I have a friend who hugs Me (yes they are a girl) and says that its fun to do so because my face goes compleatly red and complains when Another friend and myself poke her sides to get her to sqeak! It's really amusing to do. So I guess besides the lack of sleep thus far my life's going good.
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How many times have I made this a zombie? Too many.
My sis and I were getting ready to buy posters and stuff. She agreed to get some CT/CC stuff that she could stand, so we looked. We found none. Our searches yielded... nothing. No posters, very little other stuff... what got me was that there were no plushies. Seriously. A Magus plushie would complete my ultimate fangirlishness. Just what I need, a blue haired mage with a scythe sitting on my dresser/bed/closet. As if we aren't fangirl enough... we have Kamui from X, Rei from Eva, Jack Sparrow, Ed from Full Metal Alchemist, Syaoran, Fai, and Kurugane from Tsubasa Chronicles, Yuna from FFX-2, and a GIANT wallscroll of Tifa from FF7 Advent Children. There WAS gonna be a Squall from FF8, but he got canceled.
... I should sleep now...
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A) Midterms.
B) Essays.
C) Finals.
D) All of the above.
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Students and/or student papers.
Seriously, when an “essay” (250 words?! That’s a paragraph, not an essay) starts out with "what us[sic] history" you know something is royally messed up.
You might as well just write, "if it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college."
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That's funny...I was just talking to a friend about Lewis Black (and how he kinda looks like Al Franken...or vice versa).
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My alt key is missing, and the"c" key is loose and falls of.
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I only use my alt key for ctrl, alt, delete.
What other amazing :shock: things can it do?!
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I only use my alt key for ctrl, alt, delete.
What other amazing :shock: things can it do?!
It works wonders at work! If I am typing something and I have to hit "Ok" on the top, I can just quickly hit Alt+O, and it "presses" Ok for me. 8). So in other words, if you are too lazy to move your arms from the keyboard or it is quicker to hit the alt shortcuts....then Alt is sexy.
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I only use my alt key for ctrl, alt, delete.
What other amazing :shock: things can it do?!
If you're honestly wondering:
These are some that I use reguraly>
>>Alt+F4 close current window
>>Alt+Tab Switch between active windows - Very useful when your computer locks up
>>Alt+F6 Switches between active windows within a given program
>>Alt+Space Opens the system menu (Restore, move, size, ...)
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Let's not forget alt codes!
We get such cool letters as Ash (æ), Thorn (þ), pi (¶), and the copyright sign (©) by using Alt Codes.
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Don't screen captures use the Alt button? Isn't it Alt+Fn+Prnt Scrn?
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Just print screen captures the screen.
I'm not really frustrated more or less just pissed off to hell. My friend is on the D and F list in school so now he has an assigned seat in Study Hall. If you try sitting next to him, the troll (yes troll) fucking snaps and bitches at you. He's the only person in this god forsaken class/school that I can really talk to about anything and now I can't do that during school and I can hardly do that after school. I'm about ready to fucking explode and go on a mass murder with a pair of scissors if I have to...
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Well, yeah, but my Prnt Scren button is on my F11...so you can't just hit that to screen capture...>_>
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Well, yeah, but my Prnt Scren button is on my F11...so you can't just hit that to screen capture...>_>
Laptop, huh... that explains the aforementioned Fn button.
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Didn't mean to turn this topic into an alt key discussion. :lol:
Was being semi-sarcastic, but those features are nice to know and get a refresher on.
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If it wasn't so hilarious, it would be frustrating.
Apparently Democrats want voting "do over" in Florida (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080306/ap_on_el_pr/primary_scramble)
Apparently this time they aren't even waiting for the national election
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oh goodness... don't get me started... don't EVEN get me started.
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The governor of Florida isn't smudging the numbers again in favour of those Republicans again, is he?
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dear politicians,
please waste our money.
love, the general public
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To be fair, it isn't the fault of the average registered-Democrat voter in Florida that their party decided to hold their primary so early that the national Democratic organization was forced to disqualify it. I can understand that they'd want their votes to still count (especially given that a single state could actually determine if Obama or Clinton gets the nod).
Still, there is something hilarious and depressing in seeing Florida making the news again on the matter of recounts.
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Yeah, wtf was up w/them doing that all early anyways? Why couldn't anyone stop them or w/e?
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Hey, when I zombiefied this thread, it's staying a zombie! Yay!
Um... something that bugs me... uh... um... can't... think of... any--WAIT! I got it! I can't find an appropriate top for my costume for a musical! ... what? I'm a pseudo-dramy*. I love doing musicals!
*dramy: noun. a person with an obsession with theatrical productions. tends to be quite scary.
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Tops are overrated.
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I totally agree...wait shirts or the spinning things?
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Tops are overrated.
Yes, Translanka, I'm going to go up on stage and run around without a shirt on. Do you WANT me to commit... WTF?! Just went from one remix of the FF7 boss music to another!! *skip* Better. Anyway. Do you WANT me to commit suicide?!
And, yes, I'd need a spinny top for a costume. A SHIRT, silly!
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i'm talking about additional layers of reality that are difficult for our three-dimensional minds to comprehend.
This has alway felt like such an argent and cop-out answer.
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(http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/5227/topmanvl1.jpg)
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sigh, time to vent out all my frustration. I'm not going to use real names except for Morgan, because he's a fucking jackass.
A month or so ago, there was this girl, Sally who was doing a play with me. It was raining, so I offered her a ride in my car. Long story short, we fucked. In my car.
Not so bad.
Sally later stops doing the play and we go on to a contest. This other girl, Nikki, and I talked for a while during the contest, and next thing I know, we go fuck at her house after the final performance.
This really should go in the happy thread, shouldn't it?
Anyways, I finally fall for this other girl, Lisa. We like each other, but she likes this other guy more. She also still talks to her ex, Morgan, a womanizing fat sack of shit, who has mentally, and most likely physically, abused her.
Here comes the frustration...
Sally, really likes my friend Sam. So she doesn't want to go out with me.
Nikki, and my friend Andrew are on a on again, off again relationship. Sad thing is, I left my pants at her place. Now he knows and isn't too happy about it.
And Lisa has now decided to go back out with Morgan. Who is also going out with a friend of mine as well. Let me just say, she is pissed off as well.
I feel like a lonely idiot.
There I have vented.
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Goddamn noobtoober spawnkilling martyrdom airstrike spamming bitches. I hate Wet Work. Seriously.
Also, how can an awesome game such as Crysis have such a shameful multiplayer?
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Don't worry about it. Plenty of women in this world. And plenty of guys to have as friends. If you are in high school, you won't see most of them ever again. Every year that goes by, you forget about more and more. And every year that goes by, you meet more and more. At least you got some nookie out of it. Feel bad for those who are lonely, with no fun, as you are having.
edit: FPS (e.g. Crysis) are crap. Especially those that have the shiny new graphics and nothing else.
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sigh, time to vent out all my frustration. I'm not going to use real names except for Morgan, because he's a fucking jackass.
A month or so ago, there was this girl, Sally who was doing a play with me. It was raining, so I offered her a ride in my car. Long story short, we fucked. In my car.
Not so bad.
Sally later stops doing the play and we go on to a contest. This other girl, Nikki, and I talked for a while during the contest, and next thing I know, we go fuck at her house after the final performance.
This really should go in the happy thread, shouldn't it?
Anyways, I finally fall for this other girl, Lisa. We like each other, but she likes this other guy more. She also still talks to her ex, Morgan, a womanizing fat sack of shit, who has mentally, and most likely physically, abused her.
Here comes the frustration...
Sally, really likes my friend Sam. So she doesn't want to go out with me.
Nikki, and my friend Andrew are on a on again, off again relationship. Sad thing is, I left my pants at her place. Now he knows and isn't too happy about it.
And Lisa has now decided to go back out with Morgan. Who is also going out with a friend of mine as well. Let me just say, she is pissed off as well.
I feel like a lonely idiot.
There I have vented.
I smell crappy FOX teen drama! :P
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Well, they do say that you don't need pants for the victory dance...
I have a saying that seems to fit this situation: "Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Cry, and the world laughs at you.
But as for frustration: oil prices have now more than doubled in the last 6ish years. Apparently oil producers/companies have finaly realized that they can raise their prices without actual cause (the American economy is doing better? Lets raise oil prices to take advantage of it! The American economy is doing worse? Well we'll have to raise oil prices to make up for the loss!) In a few more months the price of gas will exceed the price of a college education, it seems.
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Better buy a sturdy bike. Maybe when it is $4/litre someone will decide to get serious about an alternative energy source.
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edit: FPS (e.g. Crysis) are crap. Especially those that have the shiny new graphics and nothing else.
Shiny new graphics, shiny new physics, shiny new AI, but crappy multiplayer =[
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Better buy a sturdy bike. Maybe when it is $4/litre someone will decide to get serious about an alternative energy source.
Actually, people have been getting serious(er) about moving away from an oil-based economy. Hybrid cars, for example (generally considered a comfortable medium with which to help ween the economy off oil) have actually seen real use in the last 10 years. Before that, with cheap gas, hybrids were a joke and electric cars a fad. Now, hybrids are a status symbol (even though the extra cost of the car itself wont save most people money in the long run). But the gripe wasn't about gas prices and their ultimate beneficial effects, just the transparent practices of oil companies. I've said it before and I'll say it again, they fargin', sneeky bastidges.
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american oil prices are finally catching up with the rest of the world. in europe gas is twice what it is here. it was just a matter of time until the ball got rolling... and it's been moving for well over a year now (gradually, of course).
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M.D.'s
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sigh, time to vent out all my frustration. I'm not going to use real names except for Morgan, because he's a fucking jackass.
A month or so ago, there was this girl, Sally who was doing a play with me. It was raining, so I offered her a ride in my car. Long story short, we fucked. In my car.
Not so bad.
Sally later stops doing the play and we go on to a contest. This other girl, Nikki, and I talked for a while during the contest, and next thing I know, we go fuck at her house after the final performance.
This really should go in the happy thread, shouldn't it?
Anyways, I finally fall for this other girl, Lisa. We like each other, but she likes this other guy more. She also still talks to her ex, Morgan, a womanizing fat sack of shit, who has mentally, and most likely physically, abused her.
Here comes the frustration...
Sally, really likes my friend Sam. So she doesn't want to go out with me.
Nikki, and my friend Andrew are on a on again, off again relationship. Sad thing is, I left my pants at her place. Now he knows and isn't too happy about it.
And Lisa has now decided to go back out with Morgan. Who is also going out with a friend of mine as well. Let me just say, she is pissed off as well.
I feel like a lonely idiot.
There I have vented.
Since when is fucking grounds to have a serious relationship on anyway? Do you know these people deeply? It sounds like Lisa is the only one you seriously care about or wish to get to know better. As long as it's like that, no matter how much sex you have with other people, it will only be totally empty in the end (unless you're too shallow to realize it, like most people are). Lisa may still talk to Morgan because she needs a friend and right now she has no viable alternative. Give her someone to talk to (IF you do think you can come to be interested in her on the same level). There is no way of telling what Lisa really feels, and that is a good thing for you, because maybe you have a chance.
So there is one thing left to do here.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/Zell2.png)
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Wow, situations like this are why I've come to prefer Hex over Sex.
If it's any consolation nightmare, I'd say you're still better off than Elliot Spitzer.
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you didn't contract an STD did you? 1 in 4 people in the world have an STD. that's what i read, yup. i did, i did.
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Yeah, but most of those ones are in Africa...lol.
EDIT: Hm...I guess that's not really all that funny...
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Amor vincit omnia. Remember that.
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l.c.a. indeed
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you didn't contract an STD did you? 1 in 4 people in the world have an STD. that's what i read, yup. i did, i did.
You read that 1 in 4 American teenage girls has an STD. At least, that's what I read.
Wow, situations like this are why I've come to prefer Hex over Sex.
You'd rather put a curse on someone than have sex?
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Well, hey, look at it this way RD -- I've never heard of Hexually transmitted diseases at least. Or Hex scandals, for that matter. If Eliot Spitzer were a closet videogame hacker, he wouldn't have lost his job/family/everything. He wouldn't have time for anything else but his job and Hex.
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Actually, with the kind of lowbrow hacks that are out there he might be in worse trouble...! Hello Super Hitler Bros?
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Besides, one can get fired for dubious computer related modifications (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-sumrow_11met.ART.State.Edition1.466c73e.html). Though, to be fair, such is rather hilarious. (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/03/12)
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you didn't contract an STD did you? 1 in 4 people in the world have an STD. that's what i read, yup. i did, i did.
You read that 1 in 4 American teenage girls has an STD. At least, that's what I read.
Wow, situations like this are why I've come to prefer Hex over Sex.
You'd rather put a curse on someone than have sex?
If 1 in 4 girls have one, then boys are not far behind, if not ahead.
and
He was talking Hex editing. Unless you were being sarcastic.
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Yeah, RD was just having some fun with double meanings I think.
@V: I looked it up, and sure enough, Super Hitler Bros. exists. What bothers me more is that it's from the makers of Holocaust Tycoon. Are Neo-Nazis using videogames to further their horrible agenda? Sounds like a plot one would find in ... a videogame.
@Thought: Ha! I'm rather taken aback by the fact that this guy is under fire partially because he had a list of videogame cheatcodes on his computer. However, this is proof that one should never look for HEX on a work computer.
Okay, okay, I'll stop already. But not before I do this:
No matter what a hacker tells you
There's no hex in the Champagne Room.. NONE!
Oh, there's champagne in the Champagne Room
But you don't want champagne.. you want hex,
And there's NO hex.. in the Champagne Room.
For some reason, modifying Chris Rock's famous joke in this way makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :P
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Super Monkey RPG seems humourus, at least to me. I am going to try that one out soon.
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Well, hey, look at it this way RD -- I've never heard of Hexually transmitted diseases at least.
Your computer would likely disagree.
Or Hex scandals, for that matter.
Hot Coffee comes to mind.
If Eliot Spitzer were a closet videogame hacker, he wouldn't have lost his job/family/everything. He wouldn't have time for anything else but his job and Hex.
He also wouldn't have had the wife and kids in the first place, since finding a wife involves leaving the basement. If anything, he'd have been caught up in the prostitution ring even sooner!
And yes, to those that didn't get it, I'm having some fun with word play.
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Yeah, I'm pretty sure I remember seeing the ROM for Super Hitler Bros a long time ago when I was looking through NES ROMs...Here's Super KKK Bros (http://www.i-mockery.com/romhacks/superkkkbros/) & other horrible, very badly made ROM hacks (http://www.i-mockery.com/romhacks/). I-Mockery rulz.
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And yes, to those that didn't get it, I'm having some fun with word play.
Can never tell these days.
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Well, hey, look at it this way RD -- I've never heard of Hexually transmitted diseases at least.
Your computer would likely disagree.
Or Hex scandals, for that matter.
Hot Coffee comes to mind.
If Eliot Spitzer were a closet videogame hacker, he wouldn't have lost his job/family/everything. He wouldn't have time for anything else but his job and Hex.
He also wouldn't have had the wife and kids in the first place, since finding a wife involves leaving the basement. If anything, he'd have been caught up in the prostitution ring even sooner!
Touche on the first two points, RD. But in my opinion, it is possible to lead a normal life while secretly being a Hexworker; the typical view of game hackers as living in dungeon-like basements is a damaging misconception. I can't claim to speak on behalf of all videogame hackers, but my Hexlife has boosted my confidence and self-esteem in the real world. Hex is a legitimate art form. And I will never need Cialis to keep it going well into my 80s. Uh, just Cygnus Hex editor. And a computer. And numerous emulators. And...
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Worst possible day ever.
Parents never woke me up in the morning so I wasn't able to hang out with a friend (My alarm clock failed to go off even though it was set to 8...). Since that happened, I wasn't able to eat breakfast becasue I woke up at 10:30. Which = crank. Tried working on stuff which failed because my comp was being fucking retarded, then I'm trying to work on something else and my friend started whining to me about his problems. I had my name set to "Don't talk to me about your problems, better yet don't talk at all" and obviously people are blind and/or illiterate as fuck. I told him to read my name, he fucking flips out because "Oh you should lsiten to me blah blah blah my life sucks my problems are so much worse then yours". I can never geta fucking break from anyone. Just no one will leave me alone.
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Look at it this way justin -- if everyone is hogging your attention, it means you're popular! :)
Maybe you could put "listening to people's problems" on your resume as a volunteer community service?
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...I wasn't able to eat breakfast becasue I woke up at 10:30. Which = crank.
Just because you don't get to eat in the morning, that doesn't mean you should turn to drugs!
(http://www.jumperlumps.com/elements/1/images/products/THUMBNAIL/683/hugs-not-drugs.gif)
;)
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...I wasn't able to eat breakfast becasue I woke up at 10:30. Which = crank.
Just because you don't get to eat in the morning, that doesn't mean you should turn to drugs!
Crank, not crack. 8)
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crunk?
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Uh, I'm pretty sure crank is still a drug...
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V is correct:
What is crank?
"Crank" is a smelly, yellow form of "meth" that is usually snorted. Crank is usually the cheapest form of the drug.
That's from http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/drugs/crystalmeth.html
Meh, I'll take a good Heineken over that stuff any day. It's probably cheaper. Remember kids, don't do drugs -- drink!
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Everyone knows drunken hugs are some of the best...unless they're the dreaded naked drunken hugs...>_>
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(http://www.bleachportal.net/fanart/artwork/1151965338_Ulquiorra.JPG)
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Ulquiorra frustrates you?
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Nah, just wanted to interject him out of nowhere in surreal fashion. I just got his Collection, and his songs are awesome.
Crush the world down:
Romaji
Juujun na koudou de fumikon da sekai
Hedo ga deru hodo no gomi no nioi
Ore ga haki chirasu iki saemo kowakute tamaranairashii obiyaeteru
Juubun na kekuritsu de horobi sou na sekai
Usui tamashii ga ugomeiteru
Toriaezu korosu ki ni saemo sasete wa kurenairashii obiyaeteru
Aterareta shinkei ga tansasuru gushatachi
Sono subete kurui mo naku kiroku suru made no koto
Chirijiri to chiri wo dashi kishimu hakai subeki mono wa
Ima ni mo mizukara iki tae you to shiteiru
Sonowari ni shibutokumo nezuyoku kokyuu wo kuri kaesu
Aa, tashika ni iwareta touri kudaranai sekai da
Dounarou to shitta koto ja nai
Saa douzo sono te de CRUSH THE WORLD DOWN
Toutotsu na shuurai ni awatedasu sekai
Akite fuukei to kashita sawagi
Gomi no naka sagasu gomi sae mo odoroki wo kurenairashii obiyaeteru
Ataerareta bangou ga kizamareru oretachi
Gojinteki kanjouron toku ni wa hitsuyounai
Fukabuka to unazuite idomu suikou subeki mei wa
Ima ni mo ato ni mo kanarazu da sore dake da
Sono ato no iki saki wa migoto no sono te ga neridasu
Ah, sou da na yosoku mo tayasui kudaranai sekai ga
Dounarou to shitta koto ja nai
Saa douzo osuki ni CRUSH THE WORLD DOWN
Chirijiri to chiri wo dashi kishimu hakai subeki mono wa
Ima ni mo mizukara iki tae you to shiteiru
Sonowari ni shibutokumo nezuyoku kokyuu wo kuri kaesu
Aa, tashika ni iwareta touri kudaranai sekai da
Dounarou to shitta koto ja nai
Saa douzo sono te de CRUSH THE WORLD DOWN
English
Breaking into the world with docile behavior
Vomiting from the smell of trash
Even the breath I breathe is dreadful
It feels unbearable -- Are you scared?
There is sufficient probability the world will be destroyed
Your weak souls will squirm
For the time being I will kill a few souls
Everything will be stained with crimson -- Are you scared?
For the fools who have the nerve to investigate
I will leave no record of their interference
When the dust scatters there will be destruction
At any moment I can sever your breath
Although you stubbornly keep breathing
Ah, this must be the trivial world
I'm not sure what will become of it
Well then, with this hand CRUSH THE WORLD DOWN
The world will panic from the attack
I lose interest in the scenery and cause an uproar
Having to look for trash within trash is a surprise
Everything will be stained in crimson -- Are you scared?
We'll cut the given numbers
Your selfish arguments are unncessary
I commend you for your challenging attempt with your mortal life
But I'll surely be behind you at any moment
Expert hands will lead you to your destination
Ah, my prediction was right. This is the trivial world
I'm not sure what will become of it
Well then, I'll do as I please CRUSH THE WORLD DOWN
When the dust scatters there will be destruction
At any moment I can sever your breath
Although you stubbornly keep breathing
Ah, this must be the trivial world
I'm not sure what will become of it
Well then, with this hand CRUSH THE WORLD DOWN
Quote:
Our world:
Romaji
Soko ni dare mo ga hohoemu hana ga saite iyou tomo
Nozomareta no nara fumitsu busu
Soko ni dare mo ga urayamu shiawase no iro ga arou tomo
Hitsuyou de are ba keshi saru
Kibou ni soeru kekka wo narabete zetsu wo asakeru zettai seishin
Sou suru koto ga sonzai riyu na no ka
Sou suru koto de shika sonzai dekinai no ka
Douyara docchi demo taishite kamawanai
Chorus 1
Thinks of the world
Imi na donai to iu no ni soko ni
Thinks of our world
Imi wa nai to shiru koto ni sura
Fui ni sugiru kudaranai shikou mata fumi tsubu shita
Moshi mo dare mo ga utojiru kyoufu no nioi midare te mo
Nozomareta no nara fuujinkomu
Moshi mo dare mo ga iradatsu gomi ga wamate iyou to mo
Hitsuyou de are ba ikashiteku
Kibou ni soeru kekka wo narabete zetsu wo asakeru zettai seishin
Sou suru koto ga sonzai riyu na no ka
Sou suru koto de shika sonzai dekinai no ka
Douyara docchi demo taishite kawaranai
Chorus 2
Thinks of the world
Imi na donai to iu no ni soko ni
Thinks of our world
Imi wa nai to shiru koto ni sura
Tama ni sugiru kudaranai kyoumi mata fuujinkon da
Warena no sekai ni imi na donaku soko ni ikiru warena ni mo imi na do nai
Repeat Chorus 1
Repeat Chorus 2
Soko ni dare mo ga hohoemu hana ga saite iyou to mo
English
Everyone smiles when the flowers are in bloom
If I wished, I could crush them
There, everyone envies the color of happiness
I will get rid of them if necessary
That's what happens when you cling to hope
You set yourself up for despair
I will destroy your absolute soul
Is there a reason for your existence?
I will destroy nothing but your existance
Is there nothing you can do?
It seems like, even which, it's not much, not that I care (I had an extremely hard time translating this line into somewhat normal english, so I left it as literal as possible)
Chorus 1
Thinks of the world
I say that place is meaningless
Thinks of our world
It is meaningless to instigate it
Pass quickly over those trivial thoughts. Moreover, crush them
Even if everyone ignores the smell of fear
There will still be disorder
If I wish, I could entrap you
Even if everyone is provoked and the trash is shouting
I will deal with them efficiently
That's what happens when you cling to hope
You set yourself up for despair
I will destroy your absolute soul
Is there a reason for your existence?
I will destroy nothing but your existance
Is there nothing you can do?
It seems like, even which, it's not much, it will not change (Funky line again)
Chorus 2
Thinks of the world
I say that place is meaningless
Thinks of our world
It is meaningless to instigate it
Ignoring trivial things will entrap you
There is no meaning in our world for us who live there. No meaning at all
Repeat Chorus 1
Repeat Chorus 2
Everyone smiles when the flowers are in bloom
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Meant to say cranky. I really don't care if it means i'm popular, I cna't stand hearing it every single day of my life.
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Meant to say cranky. I really don't care if it means i'm popular, I cna't stand hearing it every single day of my life.
You could just sign off whatever IM program you use, or "Appear offline" if the option is available, especially if you do not want to be bothered.
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The increasing likelihood that Democratic primary voters in Michigan and Florida won't have any input whatsoever in the selection of their presidential candidate is driving me up the wall. Iran can have smooth elections, but now we can't? Well, okay, that wasn't quite fair. In Iran, the list of candidates is highly filtered before the voters can even get to them. But still.
I understand that the Florida and Michigan State parties broke Dem Nat'l. Committee rules, but does ANYTHING justify disenfranchisement of millions of voters? As a Clinton supporter I'd have no problem with counting the election results that already happened in those States, but that would also be patently unfair because Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan (I'm not sure what the case was in Florida).
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I understand that the Florida and Michigan State parties broke Dem Nat'l. Committee rules, but does ANYTHING justify disenfranchisement of millions of voters? As a Clinton supporter I'd have no problem with counting the election results that already happened in those States, but that would also be patently unfair because Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan (I'm not sure what the case was in Florida).
I just quit the USA altogether. Something doesn't feel right about that country
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The fact that Republican Primaries in Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina, and Florida are in the same boat as the Democratic Primaries in Michigan and Florida (the primaries were held too early and so the voters aren't getting full representation) but no one seems to care.
Though, possibly that is because the Republican National Committee isn't as all-or-nothing as the Democratic National Committee, so at least half the delegates can be seated.
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no one seems to care.
That could be what a feels wrong to me. No one seems to ever care. What will be, will be seems to be the attitude of the masses. "If it wasn't right, surely things would change as this is a democracy." seems to be the thought of the day...but then no one acts because everyone thinks it will happen on its own. I don't know maybe that is just how I see it. shrug
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I have four letters for you!
M
C
A
S
In case you aren't from Massamachussetts, the MCAS is a state test issued to certain grade levels. If you fail the MCAS, you have to take it again. Schools freak out about the thing. I don't have to take it yet, but my badminton friends are all sophomores. THEY have to take it. So I can't play badminton with them and I'm sad. *sniff*
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The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is the same thing here. Gay as hell.
Actual question from two years ago:
64^n = 64, what is n?
A. 2
B. 1
C. -2
D. 4
If people can't figure that shit out, they need to die. Or at least drop out.
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The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is the same thing here. Gay as hell.
Actual question from two years ago:
64^n = 64, what is n?
A. 2
B. 1
C. -2
D. 4
If people can't figure that shit out, they need to die. Or at least drop out.
... I'm sorry, what is that? What's the ^? Multiplication? Exponents? MUFFINS?! If it's exponents, I'll go with B. But you see, YOU get it lucky. You only do it in High School. I did MCAS in first grade.
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Oh really, well, we also have STAR (Have no idea what the hell it means.) A test I've had to take since first grade. Everyone has to take each year, except seniors :P
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WTF
John Knox got March 11th but not Chrono Trigger?
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Yeah, Trigger's supposed to be up in a month or so...
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Yeah, Trigger's supposed to be up in a month or so...
Well, that's good at least.
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Okay, I'm at an even more pissed off mood than before.
Here comes another round of my bizarre frustration
The girl from before, Sally ended up dating my friend Sam. Well, her father found out and forced her to break up with him. My friend Sam, not knowing why (the fucker wouldn't let her tell him) is at the hospital right now due to an attempted suicide. Sally also has to quit her job. Ironically, after visiting the hospital, I go to this dinner, where apparently she worked. Her father wouldn't give her a ride to or from the place, this was around eight pm. Some guy keeps harassing her, and when he grabs her, I attempt to stop him, ending up getting a face full of glass. This of course gets some other people to help me out. After I get my face looked at by an ambulance, I decide to take Sally home. Her father screams at me saying "just because I made her break up with her boyfriend doesn't mean you can date her. I calmly tell him that I have no intention of ever dating her. He then tells me that he's going to call the cops on me. I tell him to talk to Sally about what happened tonight.
I'm expecting Sam to die at any fucking moment and I got this fucker going off on me when I tried to save his daughter's ass.
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...Is your name Larry?
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Well, I hope Sam is all right, but attempted suicide...I hope they were deeply in true, intellectually intimate love to justify that kind of action.
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...Is your name Larry?
No, why do you ask?
Well, I hope Sam is all right, but attempted suicide...I hope they were deeply in true, intellectually intimate love to justify that kind of action.
They had had a relationship for a while before. He was her first, they broke up, realized they loved each other too much and then this shit happened.
Sam's condition as of right now (7:03 PM) is still the same. My friends and I have already prepared for the worst.
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It just kinda of weird a near identical situation occurred here( a week ago), the names are different and I don't recall the fight being so bad as to need an ambulance. I am none of the people just a friend of the gal's. Really weird.
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It just kinda of weird a near identical situation occurred here( a week ago), the names are different and I don't recall the fight being so bad as to need an ambulance. I am none of the people just a friend of the gal's. Really weird.
Odd. Yeah, my face is hella bruised up, not to mention a fucking stitch above my eye. Sucks to forget when you rub your eyes.
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Holy cow. Hope your friend pulls through, and good job defending Sally, for what it's worth.
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Sam died last night.
Sorry if you guys don't hear from me.
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You, his friends, and family will be in my thoughts, I wish you receive a peaceful few day for mourning.
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Amor vincit omnia. Remember that.
Say rather 'amor delet omnia.'
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Really sorry to hear about your friend, Nightmare. Our thoughts are with you and his family.
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Dear compendium,
I , not having developed social skill, took forever to ask a certain young lady out to prom. I posted that around here somewhere. Anyways we both had a blast but haven't hung out a whole lot sense(3 weeks), we still share classes in school, and I still go to her dance school. Other then that just quick "hey hows life" talks. Now the prom Pictures just came in and I've got mine and I offered to pick up hers but she doesn't what them, AT ALL. Bad sign?
-No experience
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I wanted to say thanks to you all, I tried to have a calm day today, like yesterday, but turns out our school decided to cancel the credits for my broadcasting class I was taking(budget problems they say) and because of that, the scholarship I had dropped me because I was credit deficient for Video Production credits(which I needed), so now I'm stuck going to a community college next semester in order to get those 5 stupid credits.
On top of that, I've got a funeral to go to, and Sally's fucking dad who I guess is unaware of Sam's
Fuck it, I'm not even going finish that fucking sentence.
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Not that it's any of my business, but I imagine Sally's aware of Sam's passing, and that he committed suicide because of the breakup. How's she doing, if you've seen her? That's a horrible weight to have on her conscience, and who knows what it might lead to. But then again, it's not exactly like you're in a position to watch out for her now. Sorry everything's turning into a shitfest for you, nightmare.
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First, i'd like to say that Nightmare has my utmost empathy. I'm really sorry for you man, I can't even imagine how much it must suck...
Second, let me fill you guys in on something that happened last night that pissed the fucking hell out of me.
So, my older brother Cory, his girlfriend Macy, and I went to a small concert where some bands were playing. Not anything big, just a bunch of 20-somethings doing a few first gigs. I had to admit I had a good time, but what happened after really turned everything into one giant fucking fiasco of misfortune. On the ride home, Macy proceeds to get into a small fight with Cory, somewhat of an argument, and at one point the wheel of the car is let go of, causing a few small swerves. Macy, who was driving at the time, grabs the wheel back and practically saves the three of us from an auto accident, and then a siren is heard blaring right behind us. A Cop pulls us over, and without even asking for a fucking license or registration yanks her out of the car and slams her against the window, thus breaking her nose. Cory jumps out in a fit of anger, and the Policeman arrests both of them for Driving Under Intoxication, which is again total bullshit considering we were all sober at the time. I, who was left on the side of the freeway on my own, was forced to then call my mother, walk a good 4 or 5 miles to the nearest rest stop in the dead of night and get a ride home.
I got home around 5 AM, with a pissed off mom and absolutely no sleep whatsoever. As you might've assumed, I was ecstatic about going to school today.
I still haven't seen Cory or Macy yet, and I'm really starting to get worried. Fucking cops. Hate 'em all...
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Not that it's any of my business, but I imagine Sally's aware of Sam's passing, and that he committed suicide because of the breakup. How's she doing, if you've seen her? That's a horrible weight to have on her conscience, and who knows what it might lead to. But then again, it's not exactly like you're in a position to watch out for her now. Sorry everything's turning into a shitfest for you, nightmare.
My teacher asked me to go to an awards ceremony tonight. I got to say a few words about Sam, Sally was supposed to present an award(for something not related) and she wasn't there. I went to her work afterwords, but she wasn't there. Regretfully, I went to her house, luckily her father wasn't there. She's in shock, that's all I can say.
I'm afraid of what might happen to her. I'm afraid she might do the same.
Oh, and her father was at Sam's house, yelling at his parents for raising such a bad child, he also doesn't believe that Sam is, dead. God I hate writing that. I also hate this fucking bastard.
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Which all puts you, as her friend, in an extremely difficult position. Shit, well you did the right thing by checking up on her anyway; if she sees that people don't blame her for what happened, that's something.
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Saw Indy 4 yesterday, somewhat frustrating with that ending. Wasn't too big of a fan of the crystal skull gimmick.
Sam's funeral was today. Kind of lame, but I'm starting to get over his death.
EDIT: I don't mean I'm over it, just I'm starting to come to terms with it.
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Saw Indy 4 yesterday, somewhat frustrating with that ending. Wasn't too big of a fan of the crystal skull gimmick.
Sam's funeral was today. Kind of lame, but I'm starting to get over his death.
EDIT: I don't mean I'm over it, just I'm starting to come to terms with it.
I saw the movie today, and I have to agree. it was good but the whole alien thing was sort of lame.
I hope your friend rests in peace, as well.
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Not that it's any of my business, but I imagine Sally's aware of Sam's passing, and that he committed suicide because of the breakup. How's she doing, if you've seen her? That's a horrible weight to have on her conscience, and who knows what it might lead to. But then again, it's not exactly like you're in a position to watch out for her now. Sorry everything's turning into a shitfest for you, nightmare.
My teacher asked me to go to an awards ceremony tonight. I got to say a few words about Sam, Sally was supposed to present an award(for something not related) and she wasn't there. I went to her work afterwords, but she wasn't there. Regretfully, I went to her house, luckily her father wasn't there. She's in shock, that's all I can say.
I'm afraid of what might happen to her. I'm afraid she might do the same.
Oh, and her father was at Sam's house, yelling at his parents for raising such a bad child, he also doesn't believe that Sam is, dead. God I hate writing that. I also hate this fucking bastard.
If you can prove that his actions led directly to your friend's death, you may be able to have him charged with something. Probably not murder, but manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide may fit the bill. [/internet advice]
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Not that it's any of my business, but I imagine Sally's aware of Sam's passing, and that he committed suicide because of the breakup. How's she doing, if you've seen her? That's a horrible weight to have on her conscience, and who knows what it might lead to. But then again, it's not exactly like you're in a position to watch out for her now. Sorry everything's turning into a shitfest for you, nightmare.
My teacher asked me to go to an awards ceremony tonight. I got to say a few words about Sam, Sally was supposed to present an award(for something not related) and she wasn't there. I went to her work afterwords, but she wasn't there. Regretfully, I went to her house, luckily her father wasn't there. She's in shock, that's all I can say.
I'm afraid of what might happen to her. I'm afraid she might do the same.
Oh, and her father was at Sam's house, yelling at his parents for raising such a bad child, he also doesn't believe that Sam is, dead. God I hate writing that. I also hate this fucking bastard.
If you can prove that his actions led directly to your friend's death, you may be able to have him charged with something. Probably not murder, but manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide may fit the bill. [/internet advice]
And that would lead to a net reduction in problems how?
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Capitalism, you know burnin' those reds
Jeez people, how does that not cheer you up?
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If you can prove that his actions led directly to your friend's death, you may be able to have him charged with something. Probably not murder, but manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide may fit the bill. [/internet advice]
And that would lead to a net reduction in problems how?
Maybe not a reduction in problems, but could lead to a glimmer of a smirk. Assholes cause problems. Assholes should have their reputation smeared or get in some kind of trouble, especially if their problem causing is correlated to the harm of innocents.
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Maybe not a reduction in problems, but could lead to a glimmer of a smirk. Assholes cause problems. Assholes should have their reputation smeared or get in some kind of trouble, especially if their problem causing is correlated to the harm of innocents.
So an appeal to some sort of divine justice then, sans the divine? If guy did something actually wrong, that's one thing, but for seeking satisfaction... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glove_Slap)
Rose: Doctor, they've got guns.
The Doctor: And I haven't. Which makes me the better person, don't you think? They can shoot me dead, but the moral high ground is mine.
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Whoops, got this confused with the stuff you hate thread!
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Fucking Window's Vista making me restart ever 10 fucking minutes. >:O
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Fucking Window's Vista making me restart ever 10 fucking minutes. >:O
I feel your pain, buddy... I feel your pain...
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Getting Cross to work properly on a PSP arghhhhdammit. I've changed the game ID to one that's supposed to work, but this POPS shit is confusing. I can apparently press R to change it to the right version (3.40 or 3.51) while loading the game, but it won't work.
...Any help?
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Getting Cross to work properly on a PSP arghhhhdammit. I've changed the game ID to one that's supposed to work, but this POPS shit is confusing. I can apparently press R to change it to the right version (3.40 or 3.51) while loading the game, but it won't work.
...Any help?
Will this help?
http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,5109.msg91264.html#msg91264
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For the past year, maybe more, I have been into this amazing lady named Kaity(Its a common named so no harm in giving it out). I have had the quote-un-quote "hots" for many women before her, but something was different about her. So never had a relationship before I listen to others advice and just went a head I asked her out.
That failed badly, actually it didn't she just said no. I my self didn't realize she was in a relationship. Regardless I still got to know her better, we have fun together she even got me interested in to Smooth and Latin dance. Still she didn't feel the same about me as I did about her. When the school prom came up I tried my luck again and asked her out and she said yes, night was both amazing and horrible at the same time. Up until the actual Prom event we had a hoot the one hour dinner ended up lasting 3 times as long, Picking her up and dropping her off went smooth but prom was just dull, we didn't dance(if you can call bumping into people while listening to rap dancing), my friends and her friends didn't exactly click either. Over all we both enjoyed the night, at least thats what I thought. I learned (and was constantly reminded by her friends) that she was still in her relationship with her boyfriend, I didn't what to cause unneeded turmoil for her so I backed off for a little bit, we still talked, and I continued to attended dance with her, but I was not trying to go on another date, after all she said she still didn't have the right feelings for me.
I increasingly found myself just doing nothing with her, just the presence of Kaity soothed me. Then she started having problems with her boyfriend, not wanting to make things worse I tried staying out of it, key word being tried. I ended up getting in a verbal fight with him and Kaity heard the whole thing, knowing that was not the thing to do I apologized for putting her through this. I was completely caught off guard when she thanked me, I "showed her a side of him she has never been able to see, and know she knows what he thinks off her". Afterwards it was over between them, I was going to help her lend my shoulder but life got in the way. I spent the next month At college orientation, then flew across to Reno for my aunts funeral, immediately followed by helping my grandmother unpack at her new house, and one week of constant work. It was a month before I saw her again, at that time I was going to voice how I love her, its no longer a simple crush. When I finally saw her again she was with another man, he was an old friend of hers(met him a couple times) who she is now dating.
By the way I got this in an Email earlier today:
well i understand that your being a tad stalkerish to my GIRLFRIEND...(keyword) and i would just ask nicely the first and ONLY time that you back off. now yes i may be coming off as an ass or so called control freak but its time that i take action. so leave her alone or just be a good friend no more "your beautiful and i cant wait to see you" thats my job not yours buddy. so KAITY!!! is mine. are we clear buddy?? like i said this is my only warning so make it a scene and problems will arise so lets make it easy leave her alone Ken.
Have a nice day ken...:)
~Adam..:)
Is their a way I can stop loving someone? It doesn't seem to be working out for me, or should I just hold out longer?
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Okay, what an ass, have you been talking to her since they got together? If not, kindly tell him the following:
Hello! First question, how did you get my email(Unless you gave it to him/she gave it to him)? Second, I haven't talked to her since you two got together. WE ARE JUST FRIENDS! Now please never contact me again.
PS: What would Kaity say if I showed her your email?
Only send this if you two haven't talked! Or else you come off as the bad guy.
Email reminds me of the one Sally's dad sent to Sam.
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Okay, what an ass, have you been talking to her since they got together? If not, kindly tell him the following:
Hello! First question, how did you get my email(Unless you gave it to him/she gave it to him)? Second, I haven't talked to her since you two got together. WE ARE JUST FRIENDS! Now please never contact me again.
PS: What would Kaity say if I showed her your email?
Only send this if you two haven't talked! Or else you come off as the bad guy.
Email reminds me of the one Sally's dad sent to Sam.
What a dick. I've met guys like him, really, they're idiots. I hate it when guys say "She's mine!" A human being doesn't belong to anyone, the person you're dating has their own rights and should be free to break up the relationship at anytime.
My advice is just to wait it out. This guy is going to cock up what he's got going for him sooner or later, it's obvious. Wait it out, keep your distance, and hope for the best.
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Wait it out or confront him, thats pretty much what my friends say as well. I think I'll write him back but in a vary non-aggressive manner. Regardless its $%*! frustrating.
I not too protective of my email, have three for a reason one for friends/family, work/school, spam/games.
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Wait it out or confront him, thats pretty much what my friends say as well. I think I'll write him back but in a vary non-aggressive manner. Regardless its $%*! frustrating.
I not too protective of my email, have three for a reason one for friends/family, work/school, spam/games.
I'd at least say the PS I wrote in your email.
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I understand where your coming from, in fact good job for just saying it right out.
I agree with you on the base level of so lets make it easy for her, but not on the execution. One major rule I have is to be myself, often times that gets in more trouble, but thats how I live. I tell people what I think off them, I act how I think I should act regardless of the social stigma that that normally comes with. I do love her, but I know she doesn't return the feeling. I will not become an obstacle, but I won't just step away as if nothing happened.
Now I would also say that is great to met you, so your going to be some sort of dance teacher if I understand right? Keep up the good work!
Higher moral ground, and giving him that "You barbarian" feel?(yea/nay) Plus I am chatting with Kaity now, so I could just gonna ask her how life treating them two. The only problem I see in the letter was the stalker comment most of my friends think thats him being a dick, but some of them do think I just come off strong. I would think after about a year I wouldn't have that problem though.
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There is nothing wrong with asking the truth. The only thing that matters is what Kaity desires and feels. That she is with another man may suggest that her desire stops at the need for a close physical companion, something you could not provide in that period. If that's true, then your feelings are probably placed on the wrong person, and the conviction and higher passion of your love is useless to her. Try to empathize and understand her desire or reasons.
The worst experience I ever suffered in my entire life came because I fell in love with a woman who, despite professing the same for me, decided in a time of difficulty that a childhood friend who could physically be with her was more important than the future promise of being with me. To love someone is to give them the complete and total power to injure you in the most painful way possible, and this is the risk that everyone must take. For me, it is especially difficult because few people desire the lasting, intellectually intimate love I envision or are aware of it. One's greatest possible error is perhaps to fall in love with someone who does not want to be loved.
So try to find out. You can't back out of love with someone, and you cannot deny the heart; that will lead only to regret. To a kill a desire you must give in until you understand it to be something you do not want. You can still desire love without desiring love with a specific person, so do not fear that this is the only person in the world you will feel this way for. And that's not supposed to make you feel better...
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I really call this a bad case of coincidence but I got an email about an hour ago.
Censored for their protection.
Hey Josh,
Um, I know this is weird, but I think I'm starting to like *****. Not in BFF LOL like, but in I want to date you like. I know what you're thinking, but trust me, I never meant for it to happen like this. Could you not tell her? She might not ever give me a chance to tel her myself.
Oh god, and I go with her, ***** **** and ****** to Tahoe this weekend.
There's something else, but I'd like advice before I give that away.
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Explain better...
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Explain better...
The person who sent me this is one of my best friends, who also happens to be a girl.
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The only reason she would send this is if there was something between you and this other girl. Not necessarily relationship wise, but maybe family or friend. I have no advice as more information is needed, but off the bat I would do as she asked and not tell her.
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Okay, my friend who sent me this, I'll call Jill, likes my friend's sister, who I'll call Alice. Alice had a crush on Sam, who was dating Sally, then all that shit happened. Jill had been dating this prick Harold(real name, asshole gets it) who ended up cheating on her. Now Jill has had a lot of trouble with men, me being one of them (long story, got over it, BFF now). Anyways, I guess Alice came over after Jill broke up with Harold to comfort her. Jill has apparently got a crush on her now.
I'm chalking it off as depression, but she is really freaked out over her feelings.
Don't even get me started on Alice...
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Same-sex attraction can create a lot of pain at a young age because most people simply aren't prepared for it, let alone interested in it, and it creates all sort of social and familial stigma.
If Alice doesn't like girls, then that's the end of it. Knowing that ahead of time could probably save a lot of heartbreak.
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I'm going to go talk to her on the phone, wish me luck.
Luck as in I don't hurt her feelings and whatnot.
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ZeaLitY right on with that. As for what your to do thats your choice. I would imagine not telling Alice is the best course of action, unless you have some obligation to tell her. I can not see anyway how telling her that would help anyone, especially if is been as chaotic as you make it out to be.
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I just talked to Jill, she is more scared about it coming out when they are at Tahoe together. She's also afraid of telling her mother, she's one of those Sodomy is Sin people. I'm not telling Alice, but I told Jill that she's most likely not gong to feel the same.
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Why is everyone raving on about Hancock? It is a shitty movie, with a shitty plot and shitty character development.
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Why is everyone raving on about Hancock? It is a shitty movie, with a shitty plot and shitty character development.
Haven't seen it yet, but I assume it's because it has Will Smith in it.
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Hancock started great, but about 1/3 of the way through absolutely fell apart. I blame poor writing and the fact that it was in development hell for years.
Anywho, I hope your situation goes smoothly, nightmare.
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I happened to enjoy Hancock, fyi.
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FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adams thinking of an engagement in his and Kaitlyn's near future. They been together for less then a month WHAT THE HELL!!?!?! Plus Kaity is more or less on a rebound from what every one(her included) thought was the greatest match up in history.
And he lies to keep me away from Kaity. The guy is an absolute ass.
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I wouldn't worry about it, if she has any sense. The guy is probably just saying it to irk you. He will bail/cheat/etc before long.
Although, not to shake you up, I did propose to my wife in about 6-8 months of knowing her. And there were talks of it sooner. So stay vigilant.
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Bureaucracy: because ease and efficiency are blights on humanity that need to be eradicated.
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FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adams thinking of an engagement in his and Kaitlyn's near future. They been together for less then a month WHAT THE HELL!!?!?! Plus Kaity is more or less on a rebound from what every one(her included) thought was the greatest match up in history.
And he lies to keep me away from Kaity. The guy is an absolute ass.
Keb, there is a time when you have to realize that this is not your fight. I now it sounds mean, but you have to let her go. She has to see him for the asshole he really is. Try to talk to her just to say goodbye for now.
It really sucks, but nice guys do finish last.
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If you define a nice guy as someone who wants a lasting, committed relationship with physical, intellectual, and emotional involvement, then yes, nice guys will finish last every time with girls who only want casual relationships. Sadly, most people on earth don't even know what they want, so this makes it difficult and gets people hurt.
You only have one or two best friends who are male, right? The odds don't magically improve for finding a best friend with females. But guys like to think that every girl with a hot body is a match.
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I don't dare wonder what the hell just happened to my internet. Many sites work, like this one, but Google, MSN, and certain other sites absolutely cannot be found.
W.T.F.
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Guh, the Judge/Law System in FFTA2 is still stupid, even though it's been heavily modified...V_V
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I don't dare wonder what the hell just happened to my internet. Many sites work, like this one, but Google, MSN, and certain other sites absolutely cannot be found.
W.T.F.
I had that problem(symptom-wise) a while ago(not insinuating you have the same problem also); it had to do with the fact that one of my Windows PC's was causing the wireless router to act funny every now and then(usually when I left the computers on standby or used programs that spammed the DDraw/D3D APIs for extensive periods of time; i.e. ZSNES, Infinity Engine games, Diablo/2, etc.), but a quick fix for me was to restart the router(and later reinstall the OS).
Guh, the Judge/Law System in FFTA2 is still stupid, even though it's been heavily modified...V_V
QFT; it was a pain in the ass just playing the game normally.
Anyways... the lack of mobility in my arm and the fact that I have an 8", stapled scar on my arm.
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Scars are almost always cool. Where did you get it from (& if the story's lame, make something up! :P)?
I hate how the FFTA2 system is now only relevant to YOU and has no bearing what-so-ever on the enemies...but at least they made it matter less when you break them, I guess (just extra items & w/e special judge power you chose prior)...
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Scars are almost always cool. Where did you get it from (& if the story's lame, make something up! :P)?
Surgery; had to have it on my shoulder 'cause it kept dislocating(how it got dislocated in the first place... that's another story. :lol:).
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I hate how the FFTA2 system is now only relevant to YOU and has no bearing what-so-ever on the enemies...but at least they made it matter less when you break them, I guess (just extra items & w/e special judge power you chose prior)...
I've been hearing a lot of negative comments regarding FFTA2, particularly in the law system, since it's stuck on a specific ruling for each mission rather than being able to walk around until it's changed as you see fit (ala FFTA1). That's pretty much why I'm avoiding it, plus I still haven't finished the first game (or FFT for that matter).
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The whole "Set Law" aspect of FFA2 simply requires the player to USE their intellect and skill. It encourages active intelligence and strategy.
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The whole "Set Law" aspect of FFA2 simply requires the player to USE their intellect and skill. It encourages active intelligence and strategy.
Meh... trust me, if you want to play a FFT game that requires "active intelligence and strategy" this isn't it; the game basically forces artificial limitations to provide difficulty(that's not ingenuity─that's laziness.) where game mechanics and power balancing should be doing the job. Btw, have you played the FFT 1.3 patch─it's brutal. http://www.ffhacktics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=449
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I think it's still a game worth playing/getting...I haven't noticed much story-wise that connects it to FFTA (which I haven't finished either)...The Law/Judge system is only a small part of it and, while annoying, doesn't really change my view of the game being good.
Is there a Tactics Ogre game on DS yet? That's what needs to happen...The Knight of Lodis on GBA is awesome!
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I think it's still a game worth playing/getting...I haven't noticed much story-wise that connects it to FFTA (which I haven't finished either)...The Law/Judge system is only a small part of it and, while annoying, doesn't really change my view of the game being good.
Is there a Tactics Ogre game on DS yet? That's what needs to happen...The Knight of Lodis on GBA is awesome!
If they did an enhanced remake package of a bundled KoL and LUCT(Let Us Cling Together), I'd buy it as LUCT is a direct sequel to KoL. Namely polish the graphics/audio of KoL and add the features of KoL to LUCT(summons, link-capabilities, etc.).
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Damn you Texas! I definitely have a pretty good farmer's tan now. I should go to the pool or something and even it out...
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Damn you Texas!
Truer words were never spoken.
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Texas is indeed Hell on Earth. Everyone there owns a gun, it's hot as Hades, President Bush was manufactured there, and even Smog first formed in that state.
Okay, I lied about the Smog, but I needed something to top it off. I was on a roll.
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Okay, I lied about the Smog, but I needed something to top it off. I was on a roll.
(http://www.monsterlandtoys.com/video/Godzilla%20vs%20Smog%20Monster.jpg)
Which reminds me I $%*! hate Raymond Burr.
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FFIVDS omitted the optional scene where you get yelled at for not following the script.
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FFIVDS omitted the optional scene where you get yelled at for not following the script.
Whuh? I don't get it.
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FFIVDS omitted the optional scene where you get yelled at for not following the script.
Whuh? I don't get it.
Maybe someone just lied to me at some point or I'm getting confused with another game, but I could've sworn if you say "No" to the Fabul king's request for help several times, a FFIV developer walks in and yells at you for not following the script.
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I'm going to kill that fucking bastard.
Censored names and Arnold's last name, I never knew his name was Arnold.
Hello, this is *****'s (Sally) father, I remember talking to you after your friend killed himself. You and your other friends, ******** (Jill) and ***** (Alice) were there as well. I've come to find out that those two are together, as in, a homosexual relationship. My family is clearly against that lifestyle, so I'm going to ask you to tell your two "friends" to stay away from my daughter. In fact, i want you to stay away as well, the three of you have the chance of infecting my poor child with your sickening ways.
Thank You very, much
Arnold ***********
What kind of brings a smile to my face, despite what he has just said is something I posted here that he has no idea about, and if he did, I'd be fucking dead.
Let's go back in time shall we?
A month or so ago, there was this girl, Sally who was doing a play with me. It was raining, so I offered her a ride in my car. Long story short, we fucked. In my car.
Fuck you Arnold, or should I say, I FUCKED YOUR DAUGHTER ALREADY! HOW SWEET AND PURE DO YOU THINK SHE IS NOW!?
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Kilfer lost and utterly confused
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Kilfer lost and utterly confused
Click his 2nd quote header and read.
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Emergency Rooms.
A 4 hour wait for painkillers is unacceptable (especially when the individual is barely able to maintain conciousness because the pain is so great). An 8 hour wait for a simple diagnosis is ridiculous.
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Ugh, that's despicable. What part of "Emergency" is unclear?
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"Doctor, this man needs antibiotics Now!"
"I'm on my lunch break."
- 99% of all hospital emergency room experiences.
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That's when you just start rifling (works best equipped with a rifle) through things for what you need.
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To be fair, Emergency Rooms often serve a very different purpose for some individuals than we might normally except from the name "Emergency Room." That is, it is relatively common for individuals without insurance to use ER's like a general practicioner. ER's wont turn people away who don't have insurance and, if the individual can't pay, the hospital has to eat the cost. Thus, "ER doctors" (and by "ER doctors" I mean M.D.'s, P.A., and Nurse Practicioners) see a lot of people who do not have an emergency in any sense of the word. One of the best arguments for universal health care is that Emergency Rooms might then be exclusively for Emergencies again. Yet even at that, ERs seem to be constantly understaffed.
Considering that the ER in question was attached to one of the nations largest medical schools, however, does not speak well for the University or the national health system in general.
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I fell off my bike and could not hold a controler for the life of me It was tourchture but after three days my hands are some what better and I can some what hold a controler in my hand put my proformance at video game is suffering a lot. I will kill all the gravle in the world now excuse me *goes on crusade to kill all gravle*
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To be fair, Emergency Rooms often serve a very different purpose for some individuals than we might normally except from the name "Emergency Room." That is, it is relatively common for individuals without insurance to use ER's like a general practicioner. ER's wont turn people away who don't have insurance and, if the individual can't pay, the hospital has to eat the cost. Thus, "ER doctors" (and by "ER doctors" I mean M.D.'s, P.A., and Nurse Practicioners) see a lot of people who do not have an emergency in any sense of the word. One of the best arguments for universal health care is that Emergency Rooms might then be exclusively for Emergencies again. Yet even at that, ERs seem to be constantly understaffed.
Considering that the ER in question was attached to one of the nations largest medical schools, however, does not speak well for the University or the national health system in general.
My dad fell unconscious for about a minute before the ambulance arrived and quoted his blood sugar at about 319 (80-110 is an average). They rushed him to the hospital where me and my mom soon followed pursuit.
Upon arrival the doctor informed us his blood sugar was fine so there was some mistake with the equipment the EMT used was faulty. We waited for HOURS (literally, hours, upon hours) for the results of an xray that should've taken 20 mins (according to them).
Eventually they said there was nothing wrong. We left at 4am right after we got off of work.
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To be fair, Emergency Rooms often serve a very different purpose for some individuals than we might normally except from the name "Emergency Room." That is, it is relatively common for individuals without insurance to use ER's like a general practicioner. ER's wont turn people away who don't have insurance and, if the individual can't pay, the hospital has to eat the cost. Thus, "ER doctors" (and by "ER doctors" I mean M.D.'s, P.A., and Nurse Practicioners) see a lot of people who do not have an emergency in any sense of the word. One of the best arguments for universal health care is that Emergency Rooms might then be exclusively for Emergencies again. Yet even at that, ERs seem to be constantly understaffed.
Considering that the ER in question was attached to one of the nations largest medical schools, however, does not speak well for the University or the national health system in general.
My dad fell unconscious for about a minute before the ambulance arrived and quoted his blood sugar at about 319 (80-110 is an average). They rushed him to the hospital where me and my mom soon followed pursuit.
Upon arrival the doctor informed us his blood sugar was fine so there was some mistake with the equipment the EMT used was faulty. We waited for HOURS (literally, hours, upon hours) for the results of an xray that should've taken 20 mins (according to them).
Eventually they said there was nothing wrong. We left at 4am right after we got off of work.
Well at least he's okay. so no harm done just time wasted
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Oh see I was tired, forgot to mention my main irritant while I was there.
They were using really, really anal respiratory monitors, though we didn't know they were anal. So he was sleeping, and his heartbeat would be stable, then it'd dip lower, and lower. A yellow light comes on with a quiet but notable beep, no one comes. Then, it turns red, gets very loud, still, no one moves, so I walk out, grab someone, and drag them in. Wait no, first I requested someone, at the yellow light, no one came, and THEN I dragged someone in.
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Fell asleep with my laptop on last night, woke up to nice big burn mark on my wooden desk.
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They were using really, really anal respiratory monitors, though we didn't know they were anal...
Two things:
1. Respirators sort of need to be connected to the lungs somehow, not the ass, to function at all.
2. Seriously, you didn't know? How do you not notice something like that?
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When you've known some one for a long time then suddenly forget her name. There is really no recovery, especial when I've known her for three years.
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When you've known some one for a long time then suddenly forget her name. There is really no recovery, especial when I've known her for three years.
Oh look, a troll. Nice job on trying to be to copy Kebrel, but you fail, hope you get banned.
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When you've known some one for a long time then suddenly forget her name. There is really no recovery, especial when I've known her for three years.
Oh look, a troll. Nice job on trying to be to copy Kebrel, but you fail, hope you get banned.
I just thought Kebrel might have forggotten his password? Besides, he hasn't trolled anone. It's him, I'm pretty sure.
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This isn't a troll, this is a new account. My old account is unusable because its now at 1337 post count. I am thinking of this a a kind of New Game +
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IS it unusable, or do you not want to use it?
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If I use my old acount I will have 1338, unacceptable.
This is very humiliating I can't remember her name...Sarah? Sasha?
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Wow, that's incredibly un-1337 of you, Kebrel.
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One always needs to pass on the 1337 torch to new posters, Kebrel. It's like a prize fighter retiring just before a new nd rising star can take the well-deserved title from him in a match. That's... That's just not 1337.
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Your at 1304, trust me when you get there you'll feel the urge, the amazing temptress of the Darkside. Nothing you do will save you from it. Come join us, we have cookies.
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You have got to be kidding me. >_>
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How about instead of creating a new account (un-1337), you just strive for 2674 (1337x2) or something? Or should we really start calling you Kebrei?
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Think of it as a feminine form of Kebrel, plus during registration capital i and lower l looked the same.
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This isn't a troll, this is a new account. My old account is unusable because its now at 1337 post count. I am thinking of this a a kind of New Game +
Exactly how many times do you intend on doing this?
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1337 times, of course~!! Then he'll cut himself 1337 times and hopefully won't feel the need to bring 1336 people with him...>_>
Unless this was a ruse by Kebreia to show how the one-shot titles are stupid and that they shouldn't be implemented, I think this was an utterly inane & stupid move on his (/now her) part.
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Oh, dear. Apparently, everyone has gotten even stranger after my MASSIVE Sailormoon kick which, ultimately led to Chrono Trigger.
Here's a concept to wrap your head around. CATS.
We got cats over the summer. Soft, fuzzy, kinda angry cats. One cat poops on people's beds and... DAMMIT ROSIE!!! ... the other cat (Rosie) is trying to claw her way into my room, with lots and lots of places to hide. Like my closet. Or the place I keep my PlayStation. She keeps doing this.
Another thing: COLLEGE. Not just, 'Oh, your big sis is going to the college that you can walk to.' No. Not even, 'Oh, your big sis is going to a college you can get to by train.' Nonono. How about, 'Your big sister is going to a college 296 miles as the crow flies away, she hasn't packed, and we need to start packing now! On top of this, your big sister just had a meltdown and wants to come back home! Oh, and did we mention that this is happening TWO DAYS from your first day of school?' Not fun.
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I say Ramsus should reset his post count.
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No because then I'll have two profiles that don't have a proper post count. Thats even worse! How frustrating yu guys are making this.
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Please, God, deliver me from Texas, from Oklahoma, from ignorance, from pro-lifers, from rednecks, from jingoists, from cretins, from the lazy-minded, from the unempathetic, from the religious, from Evangelicals, from the blunt unintelligent, from this corrupted failure of humanity...
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O_O 'K.
But honestly, yeah. The backwoods, country states are the worst. You have my utmost empathy, Z.
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Please, God, deliver me from Texas, from Oklahoma, from ignorance, from pro-lifers, from rednecks, from jingoists, from cretins, from the lazy-minded, from the unempathetic, from the religious, from Evangelicals, from the blunt unintelligent, from this corrupted failure of humanity...
How long before you can move closer to a coast?
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I don't know anymore...but that is my aim. Somewhere that I don't have to mask my own thoughts.
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Damn you Texas!
Truer words were never spoken.
:lol:
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Please, God, deliver me from...from jingoists
Wait, does that have to do with Jenga?
(http://www.thetoque.com/images/stories/jenga2.jpg)
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No. Jingoism is "Extreme nationalism characterized especially by a belligerent foreign policy; chauvinistic patriotism."
(On another note, this post ends my time as a "Sun Stoner")
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Hah, yeah, I noticed.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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I hate being ignored.
Especially by women, but just in general, and there's been a lot of both today.
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Before you ask yourself, "why are they ignoring me?", maybe you should ask, "why should they be paying attention to me?"...ZEN~!!
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Z, you really should visit Austin and certain parts of Dallas. Despite being in Texas, those two cities contain some of the most liberal leaning population groups in America. For example, the Cathedral of Hope is in Dallas; it also happens to be (or claims to be) the world's largest LGBT church in the world.
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I simply have to say after getting my Nintendo 64 back up and running(finally), I've decided to play Donkey Kong 64 since I loved it except for a few things. Thinking now that I'm a better gamer I might be able to complete the things I couldn't before! And that was true for the most part. I head into Hideout Helm and everything's going great. Then I get to Diddy's jetpack portion of the level and remember why I ditched it in the first place.
DIDDY KONG IS FUCKING IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You want to move forward but not too much so as you miss these tiny little stars you have to fly through perfectly. Diddy's controls are pretty much press A for gas and use control stick to move, easy right? The only way he'll move is if you floor it and then he goes mach speed thus missing everything so you have to press many times, and then that winds up making it so when you press forward or any direction Diddy has to take about 8 seconds to get charged again before he'll listen. On top of this you have to hit all five stars in 60 seconds(ten of which are wasted getting Donkey Kong's fat ass to a barrel to switch with Diddy and then get Diddy in his jetpacks). And on top of this there is a lot more to the level but this is the one frustrating part. And to complete the whole level you have a time limit of one hour before the whole damn place blows up.
Donkey Kong 64.
Great game, extremely frustrating final level thanks to Diddy's shitty jetpack controls.
And on top of that, why the hell is Cranky Kong trying to prevent you from getting the necessary Rareware coin? Does he want Kong Island to get blown to bits? If he doesn't want you to have it he can at least say so which would be unrealistic and therefore give Donkey Kong the unrealistic right to punch him square in the face, kick Diddy's ass, pull a "Wanted(movie)" and curve the barrels after tossing them through all five stars and before King K. Rool can get away, unrealistic mutilate him.
Also I discovered when my friends got hold of it a ways back that they deleted my perfect game on my most liked game besides CT or CC or RD, Majora's Mask.
Today has been kicking my ass all over and I wanna kick it back.
I want to vent more but this post is already probably ridiculously long, and I don't have Twinkies... :evil:
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Donkey Kong 64... I think I might just have to go pop in the ol' cartridge after you talking about it. Good times...
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Yeah, besides Diddy's packs it's one of the best N64 games there is.
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Edge replaces Yang.
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Edge replaces Yang.
That's not a bad thing. I love the steal skill, especially in DS because when you steal Dark Matter from the last boss you can fight the hardest enemy in the game on the next time through.
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I will finally give in to psychiatry and say I suffer from depression not just down in the dumps. I can't draw myself out of the house sometimes, I chronically cry, I obsesses over losses and forget victories, I hurt myself purposely, and am physically ill constantly. I need something thats appealing and new, I will NOT take prescription drugs, it the weak way out and the expensive way.
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Well, that sounds pleasant. Maybe you should try a sport, get a cool hobby. Maybe you should try talking with a doctor. But, yeah, meds need to be JUST RIGHT. I think I got put on Zoloft or Zyrtec (a Z medicine) once for my bipolar. I don't think that ended well.
Here's what I'm upset about. I have a friend (not revealing their name) who has a sibling in college. This sibling has some... issues. The sibling can't handle college at this point and needs to come home. So now, my friend is constantly griping about it. It's extremely annoying. The way I see it, this sibling was going to come home eventually. They weren't going to stay in Vermont all the time!
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I will finally give in to psychiatry and say I suffer from depression not just down in the dumps. I can't draw myself out of the house sometimes, I chronically cry, I obsesses over losses and forget victories, I hurt myself purposely, and am physically ill constantly. I need something thats appealing and new, I will NOT take prescription drugs, it the weak way out and the expensive way.
Everything begins with desire. You desire something, but you do not have it, which creates suffering. Find out what you desire.
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I will finally give in to psychiatry and say I suffer from depression not just down in the dumps. I can't draw myself out of the house sometimes, I chronically cry, I obsesses over losses and forget victories, I hurt myself purposely, and am physically ill constantly. I need something thats appealing and new, I will NOT take prescription drugs, it the weak way out and the expensive way.
Everything begins with desire. You desire something, but you do not have it, which creates suffering. Find out what you desire.
But what you desire sometimes causes much more suffering.
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I will finally give in to psychiatry and say I suffer from depression not just down in the dumps. I can't draw myself out of the house sometimes, I chronically cry, I obsesses over losses and forget victories, I hurt myself purposely, and am physically ill constantly. I need something thats appealing and new, I will NOT take prescription drugs, it the weak way out and the expensive way.
Everything begins with desire. You desire something, but you do not have it, which creates suffering. Find out what you desire.
But what you desire sometimes causes much more suffering.
All the more reason to determine what it actually is. The greater your knowledge, the more able you are to solve and overcome problems in life.
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I think it maybe dance, I don't know...I have never been into the arts of any sort save writing, and I only read never wrote, in fact I scoffed at many artists. I reasoned that although there talented and they enjoy them selves, never with the be as well off or accepted as those who pursue mathematics, history, medicine, military, etc. Over the past several months the idea has completely died, all though I still seek academic more I find new appreciation for the arts and enjoy them much more. In fact I went from dabbling in smooth dance at Kaity's Ballroom, to registering for dance classes at the college in place of my normal preference (in this case Chem 251). I don't know why but I just WANT to learn how. There are many things I would like, only a few I really truly desire, and it seems only one I am able to accomplish.
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Dance is clearly one of them that's part sport (I'd say as much) as it is part art. Especially the ballroom type stuff.
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Edge replaces Yang.
That's not a bad thing. I love the steal skill, especially in DS because when you steal Dark Matter from the last boss you can fight the hardest enemy in the game on the next time through.
Yeah, but Edge is a jerk and Yang was awesome. D:
Plus the way Yang's written out of your party is utterly downright stupid.
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Edge replaces Yang.
That's not a bad thing. I love the steal skill, especially in DS because when you steal Dark Matter from the last boss you can fight the hardest enemy in the game on the next time through.
Yeah, but Edge is a jerk and Yang was awesome. D:
Plus the way Yang's written out of your party is utterly downright stupid.
I have to admit, a lot of the character deaths party removal sucks.
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Edge replaces Yang.
That's not a bad thing. I love the steal skill, especially in DS because when you steal Dark Matter from the last boss you can fight the hardest enemy in the game on the next time through.
Yeah, but Edge is a jerk and Yang was awesome. D:
Plus the way Yang's written out of your party is utterly downright stupid.
I have to admit, a lot of the character deaths party removal sucks.
Which is why I actually liked the GBA version the absolute best. Had the most side quests and you could actually get all of those characters back.
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Nobel laureates (specifically, winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine).
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Which is why I actually liked the GBA version the absolute best. Had the most side quests and you could actually get all of those characters back.
Yeah, me too. I don't get why people say the GBA versions are the worst of the old FF games when they've given so many additions to them.
Although it's too bad Cid's still useless in FFIVA.
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Although it's too bad Cid's still useless in FFIVA.
Wha? Cid was a kickass character in FFIV, so how could he "still" be useless when he was never useless in the first place? His Hammers were powerful advantages in combat.
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I fucking hate my geometry teacher, I fucking hate her more than anything in existance. Tell me, anybody, how one can turn in every piece of homework, do every extra credit assignment, and get at least a C on every test and somehow manage a 60% marking period average.
She just says, "No, you have D." in her stupid, idiotic accent and she smacks her lips. I know i should be at least in the top five goddamn students, and I'm at the bottom of the class. This is pure, unadulterated, Grade A Bullshit.
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Actually, it is very easy to get an A on every test, homework, etc, and still fail a class (the joy of bell curves).
But that aside, did you keep your homework and tests? If so, you can add up everything yourself and if your calculations don't match hers, first ask her to explain how you got such a low grade and, if that doesn't reveal where the shenanigans are, involve a school official (Principal, Vice, etc). With documentation of what you earned, you should be able to get a better grade. Fight!
I've had to do that myself. Went from a D- to a B+ just by asking the teacher to show me how I had such a low grade (she never did show me, which implies to me that she was full of it).
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I've done the math, and right now I should have a 96.2%, opposed to my current 60.0% (A little odd that it's a straight 60, no?)
She's full of it, I know she is. I don't know why, I've never acted out in her class, or any class for that matter. I'm a straight A student, and the only time I've ever been in any kind of detention was for self-defense. Maybe I killed her mother in a past life, I don't know. Or maybe she's just a stone cold bitch.
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I hate math teachers, too. But hey, somehow I did almost no homework, got 80% average for tests, and got out of Algebra with a C.
Add up the scores, rub it in her face, tell the principal she's an evil bitch who gives you a 60 when you should be on the honor roll (from the looks of that grade), and so on. But here's another thing. Maybe she feels you don't participate (bull, I know, but many teachers I know give poor grades if you sleep in their class, even if you do the homework and are great on tests. ... hi.
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In high school I never did a single piece of Homework in math, I just got perfects on tests and projects. I had teachers trying to fail me when test/quizzes and project make up any where to 70%-90%(depending on the class) for the total grade. They don't like people doing as well if not better then everyone else when you doing less work., which I understand to an extent.
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But that's the thing, i'm doing all the work. And I'm not a wallflower, I answer questions when I feel like it. I stilll can't understand why she's doing it.
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Bring it to the principal. You do all your work, you answer questions, and you get a D?! Unless you're not telling us something, your teacher hates your guts and is biased. I hate biased teachers! Like there was a girl in a theatre class with my sister. She ALWAYS got the lead parts SIMPLY BECAUSE her parent was on the school board. She sucked, too. I hate it when a teacher says, 'You talk lots first day. I hate you. YOU don't answer questions. I hate you. YOU! Yes, you! You look funny first day. I HATE YOU MOST.' I've had teachers do a similar thing. It's like they're out to get you!
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Well, be careful. If you jump the chain of command too much, it will make her hate you more. First, meet with her, show her your calculations, make sure she knows that you have the documentation to back it up, and ask her to explain how she got such a low score. It might be something very simple that she just isn't thinking to consider (like she forgot to record the scores from all your tests, or she averaged incorrectly, etc). If that doesn't work, then it is the time to show her what the chain of command is:
"You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til you understand who's in ruttin' command here!"
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Yeah, so I'm giving up my lunch hour tomorrow to go take a make up test I've already aced to get my grade back up to it's rightful percentage (91.2% thank you very much).
Still, I'm mad. I'll probably switch my class if I get the chance..
And I have Crew practice after school tomorrow, so I'll be a rowin' and a runnin' on an empty stomach. Awesome.
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Lugaborg in FFIVDS is impossible to beat.
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use 2 elixers on him when he casts reverse magic on ya and hes dead
the final dungeon on ffiv ds is impossible lol
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Idiopathic Central Serous Retinopathy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_serous_retinopathy). Nothing like knowing that stress is causing the macula in your eye to detach, which has the possibility to make you effectively blind, to make you less stressed.
Though on the plus side, it was a highly fascinating experience, looking back (I could see the blood vessels in my own eye as the doctor was looking in it; that was awesome). Hopefully it just wont happen again.
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Hey, it's gone now, right? If anyone remembers last December, when I was going to get eye surgery, my eyes were all messed up.
Guess what?
They're messed up again. *sigh*
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Aye, the flashing blind spots in my vision are gone.
Suck about your eyes (though no, I don't recall last December when you were getting eye surgery). Mind if I ask what was/is wrong with them?
Eye problems in general are rather craptacular.
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It's actually somewhere in this thread. My eye muscles are weak, particularly in the middle of my eyes. So when I'm focusing with one eye (a bad habit of mine), the focused eye looks straight at the focused object. Like this bottle of water next to me. However, the unfocused eye wanders off to look at the wall.
When I was five, the doctors cut open my eyes and loosened the muscles on the outside (towards my ears) of my eyes. That worked for about ten years. Until December of last year. As they had operated as much as they could on the OUTSIDE of my eyes, they cut into the inside (near my nose) of my eyes and tightened the muscles. I can now see it coming back. It's not that big of a deal anymore, but if I freak out my friends with my 'lizard eyes' as they call it, I don't know what to do.
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Bastard, He's pulling Kaity out of classes to go out, have fun, meeting his family and now she, who was an great student with grades to back it, is have trouble in her classes because shes gone. She says she's "Hurting herself now to help them in the end."
Selfish Dick.
EDIT: Yay for Screwing up and further damaging my relationship with her! I sent her a text mentioning how jealous I was. CAN'T GET IT BACK!
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Has she replied yet? If you care about this girl, I doubt she'll be that mad. This guy's a dick, and I'm oretty sure she knows that just as well as you do.
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Kebrel, you have just done the right thing by telling her that you were jelous of him. maybe she'll either confront you about the text or reply back if neither happens then you will have to go another step and confront her yourself and tell her she is in a negitive relationship and the best thing for both of them is to stop this relationship. Refrain from calling the guy a dick and use his name also tell her essentally that if you give a man a fish he has food for a day teach a man to fish he has food for life. In other words she has to stop going so much out of the way to see him so she can get her life back on track to a bright and bountiful future.
Also it sounds like this guy skips class alot so you might want to tell her that this relation ship is not healthy. I have known people that sound like this guy and crave for attention from their boyfriend/girlfriend and usuallly end up doing somthing harmful to the victum of this parasitic relationship which includes rape so keep pushing the issue also if you can tell me more about this guy I can see what advice can save your friend from this relationship. you can also tell her that if the guy persists in taking her places then she is in a very bad relationship and needs to get out then and there and make sure that the break up is in a publiuc vecinity or she is with friends so just incase this guy gets any ideas that she is safe from harm.
On a side note: my advice olny comes from pure knowledge and experience with helping people. also I had a girlfriend who broke up with me because I was not giving her enough attention so although i was dumped I was dumped for wanting to give her space and not seem like this guy. from this i conclude that keeping a relationship that is healthy and happy is one of the hardest things ever come to existence.
Tell us how it goes Ok
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No, I was in the wrong. Theres helping some one see the light, and then there is forcing it. If she doesn't want to leave then I shouldn't force it, no one should. It is her choice, thats one thing I will always support, choice. When and if she is in trouble I be there, but I shouldn't hound her.
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Yeah, people have to make & learn from their own mistakes sometimes...Beyond telling them you love them & will be there for them when they need it, there's not much you can do. Other people, even close friends or ex-loves, aren't your responsibility.
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Fucking doctors.
"Well, in the case of your condition, if you were to get into an accident, your organs would most certainly scar up, slowly killing you."
Solution?
"Don't get into a wreck."
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Wisdom of the ages.
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My computer is my most frustrating thing.
It's slow.
It needs updates.
It's too slow to update.
My internet is a bitch.
Just... general shit.
-Slow. I'm reading something on Firefox. Firefox goes unresponsive. Then comes back up. It takes forever to start up and shut down. I can boot up and log into my account, then go downstairs and clean my cat's litterbox and it won't be done starting up.
-Updates. It's an old thing. It runs XP. *gasp* Five years old, maybe.
-Slow and update. I want to update to the new Windows Media. It takes forever. I still haven't.
-Internet is a bitch. We live in an apartment complex and there's a general wireless internet connection, 'linksys'. The government doesn't do Comcast. However, my family does. So, if I go on the internet and I'm hooked up to my family's network, I can check my email. I can go to the Compendium. I can shoot cats if I want! If I'm hooked up to linksys, though, Comcast prompts me to set up Comcast. So I can't do anything internet related when our network is a bitch.
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I'm starting to fucking hate this cellphone's internet. It's as slow as hell.
Fuck this, I'm going to bed.
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Hey, guess what? My internet is WORSE now! I thought it was bad only having to connect to the family network. Now, though, I CAN'T connect to it! How am I posting this? My mom's compie. Compie is faster than Mouse. However, his stuff is much more beaten up. I go to scroll down a page.
WHERE IS MY SCROLLWHEEL?!?!
I go to press up to fix a mistake earlier in a post.
WHERE IS THE UP KEY?!?!
I want my scrollwheel and my up key! And even if I couldn't have the up key, I could probably fit my pinky in the little hole.
NOT ANYMORE!!!
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THE &$(i^$(*$) MY BRAIN CELLS ARE DEAD!! X.X Can't think anymore! No more creative ideas... mind all blank... CALL MY LAWYER!!
And what's with too much time yet not enough? >_<
>_> And I absolutely adore teaflower's avatar, darn you!!!
..........................
XD There, now I feel better. *bows, walks to a cafe* No hard feelings, I know all of it is my own problem. Well, ranting anyway in a ranting thread.
Darn it, why on earth ain't C++ easy?!?! D=
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Darn it, why on earth ain't C++ easy?!?! D=
Because pointers are more power than most men can be trusted with.
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You love the teaflower avi? ... for some reason, it keeps coming up as Rinoa for me. I want to see more Mewtwo! Sailor Saturn! I want more awesome things!!!!
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I am frustrated that FF.net won't let me in and I can't reregister or it says I am trying to duplicate my account. (insert cuss word here)
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You love the teaflower avi? ... for some reason, it keeps coming up as Rinoa for me. I want to see more Mewtwo! Sailor Saturn! I want more awesome things!!!!
Wait, do you have it where it changes?
EDIT: HOLY SHIT IT CHANGES! I always though you had a schizophrenia or something.
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(http://seiryuulostmymusic.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/facepalm.jpg)
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(http://seiryuulostmymusic.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/facepalm.jpg)
ANIME FAILS FAIL THEMSELVES!
You sir get...
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/princeno.gif)
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ANIME FAILS FAIL THEMSELVES!
You sir get...
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/princeno.gif)
But Phoenix wins them all
(http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/1/1f/NO_U.png)
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How shall I counter this?
Oh! With Phoenix Wrong!
[attachment deleted by admin]
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C'mon, people, even this thread requires a self-moderated spam-filtration method to posting. <-My current frustration, thank you very much~!! >_<
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Wait, do you have it where it changes?
EDIT: HOLY SHIT IT CHANGES! I always though you had a schizophrenia or something.
[/quote]Me? Schizo? Maybe. I'm pretty sure I'm bipolar, though. That's LIKE schizophrenia. But wackier. Daily my mood swings so drastically it's scary. I'm better now than when I was when I was little. I distinctly remember in fourth grade sitting under a table in a class and crying my eyes out. I'm actually not allowed to go to that public school system anymore! Like Catholic church. They don't believe people like me are true children of god.
Anyway.
I still can't get to my internet from my own computer. Sigh. I don't bother to turn it on anymore. The only reason I use my compie anymore is to write and listen to music. Good news is my mom's compie is fast and I have a cat in my arms! ... ow. Not anymore.
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I still can't get to my internet from my own computer. Sigh. I don't bother to turn it on anymore. The only reason I use my compie anymore is to write and listen to music. Good news is my mom's compie is fast and I have a cat in my arms! ... ow. Not anymore.
Actually, I'd like to have a computer not connected to the internet at all. It is hard to dedicate myself to work when there is information to learn, out there, tempting me. Now if you'll excuse me, I must go look up the glass transition states of random plastics, like polyethylene. Why? Because its there, and it is information. Besides, plastics are an incredibly interesting topic.
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I've had that problem as well. To do my awesome Latin report that Magister has yet to grade that includes Chrono Trigger, I forcefully had to remove myself from the internet. We have wireless, so I just pulled out the connector. It worked fine after I put it back in.
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Haha, you guys and your "Getting work done". Me? I spend ass long as possible on the grand ol' internets. Any school reports/projects/etc. will be done AFTER. Internetz come first.
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im in pain ...:(
my back kills
i bent down to open a cupboard and it hurt
i picked summat up and it hurts and now im sitting on the sofa and it hurts ! :x
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Bleh, back pain is the worst pain. If you can, I'd highly recommend seeing about a doctor's visit (even if just a chiropracter).
Hope you feel better soon, at least.
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thank you i will book an appointment it really hurts when i cough as well
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Guys and back pain. Ha.
Well, my internet is still a bitch, my French teacher has it out for my friend Alton (he has a lot of trouble pronouncing the words correctly. I take it upon myself to help him out as much as possible), AND Rosie hates me now. I can't touch her without the fear of her biting my fingers.
Good news is the awesome Latin Report came back. Aside from a typo and a minor grammar mistake (teacher didn't notice), I got a 50 out of a possible 50. Only other kid in my class to do so?
Parker.
I will get you, Parker! You and your perfection in everything you do shall come to an end!!!
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"The official in charge of guarding against fraud and forgery in Iran's upcoming presidential elections says he submitted a phony Oxford law degree as evidence of his qualifications for the job." ~ LA Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008/10/iran-official-a.html)
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Bleh, back pain is the worst pain.
Tooth pain is worse!
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Tooth pain is worse!
Well if we want to be technical, kidney stones are generally said to be the worst pain possible (worse than childbirth, even).
But tooth pain?! Come'on, that's weak. Pull the tooth and you are good to go. Back pain, however, can debilitate a person for the rest of their life.
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Kidney stones I can see ranking pretty damn high, but I have severe doubts it surpasses natural childbirth.
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I'm a bit dubious myself, but that is what those experienced in both tell me. Supposedly child birth is less painful because the pain comes in waves, so you get a break in between. Kidney Stones, not so much. And then there is the fact that people who just gave birth are essentially high on oxytocin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin), so I'm sure that always skews there perspective a bit.
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I don't think I've met anyone who's had kidney stones. But my mom's into watching those baby shows, and the ladies who have natural births are always screaming. Plus, consider this: Back in Victorian ages, us women had to have a bunch of kids with NO medicine to make the pain stop.
I'm STILL upset about my computer. My brother is a jackass. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's perfect and the rest of us are the flawed underlings. If I did half the shit he did, I would be in a hospital. Funnily enough, he's been doing the same jackassy type shit for 21 years. He still lives with us.
I'm also upset because I couldn't post my SoY yesterday. My mom's computer randomly crashes. It says something about a physical memory dump.
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No problem. I've been tracking mine offline in a text file, but now that I have Internet I'll start posting again.
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I've just been too lazy to update it in my free time, and by free time I mean the 20 minutes out of everyday in which school isn't eating at my life energy.
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For a while now, I've been wondering where I'll spend election night. With friends? At a party? With family?
Then I remembered, I have a night class.
That class had better be prepared for me to receive an important text message and subsequently shout.
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No theater in this city is showing Religulous.
...
I am in the land of Joe Sixpacks and Hockey Moms, after all...
It also now seems that my church friends are avoiding me on Facebook since I became a vocal Obama supporter. Glad to know our fun experiences ultimately mean nothing.
(http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/cowboychurch0.jpg)
This godforsaken world...
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I hate woman voters. I can say this because I'm not a voter. You see, they're so stupid sometimes. It's like, 'Oh, a woman is running for president but her ideas are stupid? I'll vote for her! Oh, a woman has been chosen as the VP nominee? I'll vote for him because when he dies, we'll have a woman in office! Even though said woman isn't very intelligent and the dude doesn't do anything for me!"
GAH!
It's stupid how we judge each other for our opinions and our race and our gender. You know what, ZeaLitY? If your friends avoid you for your choice of president, screw them, they aren't good friends!
Speaking of which, I actually asked someone here if they were you. They're a weird Chrono freak. Oh, well.
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Well, Sarah Palin's less popular among women than men right now, so I guess you can start hating sexist men, too. Yeah ,they...I'm disappointed in them. It just really sucks to have childhood friends be so fair-weathered.
I did tell someone I'm ZeaLitY last night, so I wonder how that's going to go over. Unfortunately, I still haven't met anyone who has played CT and CC and KNOWS about the Chrono Compendium.
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I did tell someone I'm ZeaLitY last night, so I wonder how that's going to go over. Unfortunately, I still haven't met anyone who has played CT and CC and KNOWS about the Chrono Compendium.
It's funny, I read that in a sort of "I told someone I'm Spider-Man last night" way. Hope it doesn't end up messy, though.
I don't think I've met anyone in this country who has played CT or CC besides the friends I made play it. Then again, it's Ireland, where RPG fans are scarce and CT and CC were never released.
Frustrating me lately: Constant delays on our fucking tumble dryer being delivered. Delayed every week, sometimes twice.
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I'm considering asking them if they're anyone ELSE really well-versed here. Like KebreI or Thought. Or... someone else who's name eludes me at the time.
The most fun thing to play with is Play-Doh. Too bad it won't stay for long. I made a Play-Doh Magus. He's so cute. Even though his right leg is bigger than his left and his boots and gloves are off. Plus, he doesn't use the color scheme I usually use (GOLD PANTS YES). And he has no face. But he's cute!
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I'm considering asking them if they're anyone ELSE really well-versed here. Like KebreI or Thought. Or... someone else who's name eludes me at the time.
Imagine if they replied "teaflower" and you ended up in a scary Chrono plot involving time travel...
The most fun thing to play with is Play-Doh. Too bad it won't stay for long. I made a Play-Doh Magus. He's so cute. Even though his right leg is bigger than his left and his boots and gloves are off. Plus, he doesn't use the color scheme I usually use (GOLD PANTS YES). And he has no face. But he's cute!
That's just awesome.
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Yes, but he's hard to take care of. His hair came off. Now his head fell off. *facepalm* Ah! There's his leg. His arms and cape are doing well, though.
If they could instantly recognize me as Tea, I'd eat my backpack. And my friend's hat.
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Since nightmare975 is my moniker, plus I've shown my face, someone is bound to one day meet me on the streets.
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It's 3 AM right now, I'm about to leave my house. My mother and stepfather have been fighting all day, and I recently was dragged into the middle of it. I hate this place, nothing good ever happens here. I'm sneaking out into a nearby wooded area I've discovered, a place were I can find peace in myself.
Yet I have to come back, day after day... Ugh.
Just 3 more years. 3 more years and I can get out of this hellhole. 3 more years...
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Yikes. I hate it when adults drag us kids into their arguments. Hopefully your stepdad won't walk out on your family and then manipulate you to feel bad for him when he winds up in an impoverished neighborhood.
I haven't even touched my computer. Not just because it's slow, but because the general area around it is a mess and I'm sick and tired of picking it up.
Magus's head had fallen off and his legs are cracked. Haven't found a camera. My mother has decided that when we have monies, I'm getting my hair cut. Right now, it goes down to the middle of my back. When it's cut, my hair will be SHOULDER LENGTH. There's an old picture of me with shoulder length hair.
We call it the Shannfro.
My hair curled up on itself and made an afro of my red hair. It drove me nuts. I hated Lori for that. She's responsible for the Shannfro, my first tasting of beer, my first experience with contacts, and the loss of my copy of Pokemon Sapphire. Mind you, all of these things were when I was 13.
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I wanna beat the heck out of FF.NET cause they won't let me in thinking I have an invalid user name and password combo yet my user name is the same as here. I tried to reregister but it says I already have an account. (http://www.websmileys.com/sm/crazy/1087.gif) I don't get it. (http://www.websmileys.com/sm/crazy/338.gif)
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Getting a good score on something when you know you should have done better. It is like coming in second in a race; you are the first looser. It is irritating, like listening to two fanatics of the opposite political party "discuss" the presidential candidates.
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I wanna beat the heck out of FF.NET cause they won't let me in thinking I have an invalid user name and password combo yet my user name is the same as here. I tried to reregister but it says I already have an account. (http://www.websmileys.com/sm/crazy/1087.gif) I don't get it. (http://www.websmileys.com/sm/crazy/338.gif)
Maybe your SN isn't as unique as you thought.
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Maybe you should just put Quadforce, like I said. Or maybe just put Wanker. It fits.
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I got marked off on a paper today for calling the current situation the "Economic Crisis of 2008". The grader marked asserted that "crisis is a loaded word."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_crisis_of_2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subprime_mortgage_crisis
But I forgot: I'm living in Texas. Wingnuts have no need of reality; they create their own.
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Final Financial Crisis Core MMVIII
I guess "Final" would be even more loaded, huh...
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Loaded, yes.
True, totally.
Look at the facts people. WWI Germany. World military superpower. Economic fallout occurred and they lost a war. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan. Economic fallout in those countries caused their collapse.
THE USS FUCKING R. Military Ridiculous-power (beyond superpower and uberpower) fell due to AN ECONOMIC FALLOUT.
Is the United States of America next?
I think so friends. Time to move to Australia.
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I got marked off on a paper today for calling the current situation the "Economic Crisis of 2008". The grader marked asserted that "crisis is a loaded word."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_crisis_of_2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subprime_mortgage_crisis
But I forgot: I'm living in Texas. Wingnuts have no need of reality; they create their own.
Most scholars and "teachers" don't acknowledge wikipedia as a viable source of information. if you quoted that in your paper that could have had some impact on their logic.
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Wasn't quoted or cited at all. That's just, as far as I've read in news and literature, the name of what's going down right now.
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The current crisis will go in the history books, for the kids and grandkids of the people of today.
That is bullshit. Appeal the mark.
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Yup... History books is where this is headed. Gotta love the greed of humanity.
Let's just hope it doesn't get worse (which it ultimately will in order to get better) so we can move past it and not repeat the same mistakes in the foreseeable future (which I also have a hard time believing).
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The current crisis will go in the history books, for the kids and grandkids of the people of today.
I'm sorry, I just have to ask: what does that even mean? I feel like I am missing some meaning that you are trying to convey.
Where else would this be heading except the history books? History does tend to contain past events, this event will eventually be in the past; it seems obvious and irrelevant to say that the economic crisis is heading towards history books. Sort of like saying that the discoveries that will be made at CERN will be headed towards science books.
Of course this will go in the history books. The real question is, if "the kids and grandkids of the people of today" will even bother educating themselves on this in order to avoid the same behaviors, or if they'll ignore history and repeat this all again (assuming a simple model, it would happen when some of us might still be alive and retired on a limited income; thanks a lot, grandkids).
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Of course it is going to be history, as is everything that is in the past is "history". Some items are more prominent than others though and are studied in school. That is what "going in the history books" was supposed to mean. Is that clear enough for you?
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Sorry, I wasn't clear. My point was, you're being melodramatic. Of course the crisis will be in the history books. But regardless of its "prominence" in history, it will be just as easy for people to ignore as any other part of history. Instead of saying that this will be one for the history books, you should be saying that people need to read their history books. The only way for people to regard these events with the gravity they deserve is for them to be aware of them in the first place. Under the current situation, to say that this is one for the history books is the same as saying it is one to be forgotten and ignored. I suspect that is not the ultimate meaning you were intending to convey.
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You know, it feels like what's going on with the economy is just some big storm. It'll blow over. Sure, we'll remember, but right now we're making too much of a big deal of it.
How sad is it that I had a nightmare last night that V_Translanka told me to stop whining in this thread?
How sad is it that I'm not sure if it was dream or reality?
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I'd only tell you to stop whining if you were trying to crack stupid jokes or just generally being spammy/annoying...And even then, I'd probably only do it tongue-in-cheek...;)
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It was freaky, though! Maybe it's my fear of being called a newb. Or n00b. Whichever. I think that's why I hated Boo. He posted too much for a new person. I felt threatened. :D
... I have problems.
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Should've been here when I came in the picture. I made sure I posted EVERYWHERE. Even if it was a topic concerning tampons and the menstrual cycle, I would find a way to make an input.
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Then you made an alt to show how much you hate spamming, and It was obvious to everyone it was you.
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Everyone was a n00b at one point...there's a difference between being just a new n00b and being an ignorant n00b. Except for me. I was born 1337.
>_>
<_<
>_>
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Well ladies and gents, it's happened again.
If you have looked in my signature recently you have noticed that I once had a Diablo II: LOD Character that was a level 51 Necromancer. He died bravely in Nightmare mode.
Compendium, it has happened again. Due to a lack of my friends playing with me and a number of damned rookie mistakes I have lost YET ANOTHER Necromancer. This time to Duriel at level 22. I was a perfectly built Skelemancer up to that point. Duriel had five health left, was poisoned, and had killed all of my minions. I got selfish, tried to town portal out, and got pwnt.
*sigh* I wish Battlefield 2 would hurry up in the mail so I don't have to keep doing this to myself until Diablo III comes out.
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asdrhhaghsghshgh updating the Compendium is such an incredible mind trip...
Like, we've got this Chrono Cross stat analysis. But gameplay isn't my strongpoint, so I've referred it to a few people to have it checked out; if it passes, it'll be a feature. But someone addressed concerns, so now I've forwarded it back to the author.
I hate not being able to cross things off my to-do list immediately, or having these awful decisions. The site's "Imminent Goals" thing is exploding at the speed of light, and adding fan art and fan fiction saps a lot of time, too. God, I can only imagine what CT DS will be like, and trying to have a new script made, and then compared, and then new content on the dungeons, new plot revelations from Kato...
I guess this means we have to finish the analysis review before then, so we've got to wrap up loose ends on a million things, including Pocket Dimension. And since Chrono'99 isn't around to make his promised defense of it, I have to decide whether to kill it and remove it from Compendium literature...
jlagskjhgo what a HAEADAAACHEHFE
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Delegate, its the most useful and most frighting thing to do with a task that need completion. Need help w/ something such finding Fan art/fic or this Chrono Cross stat analysis I might be of assistance. Other stuff such as uploading information Chrono Theory, and site maintenance only a few of us here can do.
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Everyone was a n00b at one point...there's a difference between being just a new n00b and being an ignorant n00b. Except for me. I was born 1337.
Your 671 years old? Holy crap in a basket!
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Everyone was a n00b at one point...there's a difference between being just a new n00b and being an ignorant n00b. Except for me. I was born 1337.
Your 671 years old? Holy crap in a basket!
And I though Sprigg was ridiculously old. :D
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pffffft, '671' isn't a word...unless...6acon, 1ettuce, 7omato? Mmmmm...617...*drools*
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My damn phone is being a douche. I can't send ringtones to it, yet I can send them to my brother's fine.
We have the same type of phone.
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I hate my neighbors. We walk out to our car and we're gonna go to Dunkin' Donuts, right? Before we leave the residence, we realize that someone had the nerve to stick a piece of blue gum on our windshield. That's just disgusting, I'm sorry.
On top of this, my rage at the Catholic church has resurfaced. No hard feelings for those who believe in it, but I despise it. When I was little, they threw me out of Sunday school because of my 'disability'. They said that people like me couldn't handle the responsibility of being one of God's children. Ha. If a girl with type 1 (now type 2) bipolar can't be a child of God, why can men who want sex with little boys be? I recently learned that on top of that, one of the papers in the bulletin had gruesome images of aborted babies in it. Apparently, my dad brought it home after taking either me, my sis, or my bro there. We were young then! Like, really young!
IMO, mother's should have a choice in the matter of aborting their babies. What if you were FORCED to have a baby (rape!)? What if you couldn't adequately support it? What if you realized that the world was overcrowded and you didn't want to add to the problem by sending off a baby you don't want to an adoption center?
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Bipolar...
So you know when you're in a hypomanic state, and when you're in a depressive one? How does hypomania feel?
I ask because the strokes of my life seem to come in prolonged good or bad moods; still, all come with identifiable causes, so I've never questioned whether it's something like that.
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Well, hypomania is like, "I'm going to do something. Yeah! I'll plan this and that and I'll trounce everyone to do it and I'm happy and--" DEPRESSION. *cry*
For me, it comes in sudden cycles. I'm at my worst in April. But I do experience some times of actual normal emotions. Not often. But sometimes.
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Can you ever predict, or yeah, they're sudden?
Sometimes I think that my visualization of the springtime of youth is flipping the ON switch for hypomania. That's exactly how I would describe the feeling I sometimes have and wish to experience constantly. Everything is doable; I can attack any task with relentless zeal; my power is only limited by my imagination and dreams.
And then depressive moods are like, deep introspection, exploring as deeply as possible my negative feelings to uncover what's bothering me. If it's something concrete, problem solved; if it's something like general discouragement or fatigue, they can last for a while.
Is it roughly the same, or what's different in your case?
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People who are unable to admit that they are wrong.
Indeed, people who are unable to even entertain the thought that they might be wrong.
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Thought: Hell yeah. *coughbrothercough* If he says that we're poor because my sister eats tofu again, I'm going to kill something. Hopefully him. We're still looking for our beef. It seems to keep going missing... as well as the chicken and MY CHINESE DAMMIT.
ZeaLitY: It really is pretty sudden. Usually, it's on some obscure part of my life. Like, for example, a school project. I made out this deep elaborate plan and I kept pushing towards it until everything just crashed. I got a C+ on the project. Everything crashed mainly because of my generosity. One of my friends couldn't get their project going, so we became partners.
Don't get me started on my obsession problems.
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This morning was the strangest, yet most memorable point of my pitiful life.
I went to a friends house last night for a party. It was pretty late, so I stayed the night. While I was there, I met this beautiful girl. She had gorgeous black hair, a natural tan, and the most striking smile. We talked for a while, and when everyone else slept, we continued to talk. As the sun was rising, she placed her hand on my leg and smiled. I leaned close to her, she leaned back, and we ended up laying in each others arms. We kissed for a moment, before she got up and said she couldn't go any further. I told her that I understood and said goodbye.
Problem is, I don't know her name(nor does she know mine) but I know I must find her!
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Sounds like you have more of a wonderful goal rather than frustration on your hands. You should ask people you know from the party, you're bound to find out her name.
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Hurry it up. You don't want to suffer regret. Trust me.
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I've been calling some friends, most of them don't know who I'm talking about, others just saw here, but don't know her.
WTF!?
She has to be somebody's friend!
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I plan to move this conversation over to my springtime of youth topic once it's aproved.
turns out someone saw here leave with someone from the party(duh). I've got a location, now to pursue.
still don't know her name. Strange.
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"I didn't budget for training." ~ Recipient of a training grant.
I am not sure which is worse; that the individual applied for a training grant but did not properly budget for training (and did not realize that training is a primary component of training grants), or that the government, seeing such a budget in the grant application and seeing that it lacked allocations for training, awarded this individual money-for-training regardless.
What next? Off-road vehicles that can't be driven on harsh terrain? Water-soluble boats?! Voting booths with the latest issue of What-The-Crap-Monthly but no ballots!!
Every time I hear something like this, I die just a little bit more inside.
"If it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college."
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It's ridiculous what we think of today. It's stupid and pointless. One of my biggest qualms with the world today is all the children's toys out there. What it seems to be saying to me is that parents no longer have time to teach their child to read or write or count or do math anymore. They just give them these stupid talking books that read for them or a ridiculously expensive toy that they'll never use that'll teach them to count. I say we go back to hand painted wooden blocks and Jacob's Ladders. This way, we know our children are safe (we can check for lead paint ourselves) and it's just fun. Classic story books. No! No books! We make up our stories! Babar was just a story a mother told her sick son! We make up our own stories and we stretch the imagination of ourselves AND our children! That's what I'll do when I have babies!
... I was going to say something else. I forgot what, though.
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Yeah, but then you'll have people like me who will make up crap to tell their kids. Like, every time it rains, it is because they made God cry. Or that the ocean is salty because it is full of whale piss. Or that clouds are really just large collections of farts.
Luckily my wife has veto power over what I tell any kids we might have ;)
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See, I plan on being a good mommy. The big problem seems to be the general not caringness of raising our children today. Hell, Sarah Palin has a kid who has Down Syndrome and she's running for Vice President of the country!
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Well at the same time from what I understand she's done a lot of work for a few down syndrome organizations. I don't necessarily think she's a bad mother for that, I think she's a bad mother for calling her daughter's first kid hers. *LE GASP*
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Or that the ocean is salty because it is full of whale piss.
They told me that the foam that washes up on the beach was dolphin spit. and I believed...for quite a while.
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I remember being told Fortune Cookie fortunes only worked if you ate the fortune itself. I did this until I was twelve years old.
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Yeah, I just don't like Palin. She and McCain just seem to be making shit up as they go along. One minute, he says he won't increase spending, then she says that they'll give money to Down Syndrome organizations. The whole thing with Palin's daughter is stupid. Doesn't Jesus say that you shouldn't have sex before marriage? So, why then is it okay for a teenager to have a baby when she's not married and still in school? I-is she EXEMPT from the Lord's rule because she says she'll do something?! I don't GET Christians! GAH!
So, I'm going to have a baby. I was raised in a Christian family and the father of my baby says he'll marry me when I'm out of school, but until then he'll help support my family. So, that's okay? My mom can now go off and run for Vice Principal? How am I different from Palin's daughter? Oh, right, I'M POOR.
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I wish the ceilings weren't so thin in this apartment complex. I know exactly when the guy above me is having sex or masturbating because of rhythmic floorboard squeaking.
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Ugh... disgusting.
I'm sorry, but that post went so hilariously well with your Grimmjow-staring-up avatar.
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Hahaha, so it does!
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/grimmsex.png)
SHUUUUUUUUUT UUUUUUUUUUUP!!
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I used to live under a fellow who played guitar. Normally it didn't bother me, since it was pretty low in volume by the time it made it through the floor/ceiling, but if it was getting late I'd bang on the ceiling and he'd usually get the message. Once, he started playing Stairway to Heaven. When I realized this, I stopped mid-sentence in the conversation I was having and yelled up "No Stairway!" He started playing something else.
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Eww.... icky...
Hey, remember that thing about me having a date? Guy ditched me. Bastard. It makes me feel insignificant and hopeless. I mean, it feels like I did something wrong, even though I did nothing wrong to my knowledge. He told me to wait outside the gate of the football field and I waited. I waited for half an hour. I got a nice cup of hot cocoa and a Rice Krispies treat (one was actually free!) and I waited. I watched a bunch of red and white (school colors) balloons go up into the sky and a bunch get caught on a ledge and I waited. My sister hopped around me because she was cold and I waited. I shot the breeze with some guy outside the stadium and I waited. I heard a senior butcher the national anthem and I waited. I got creeped out by the guy in front of the stadium and I waited. No Brandon. No Ishmael (his friend). No no one. *sigh* Good news is that I saw my friend Alton via FATV. They showed him banging on the drums.
Did I do something wrong?
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My sound editing software apparently was a trial. Damnit.
Anyone know a good (and not trial) sound editing software? You can send me a link (or torrent)
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What were you using? Audacity? As lon as you don't ask to search for updates, it should work without needing to be bought.
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What were you using? Audacity? As lon as you don't ask to search for updates, it should work without needing to be bought.
I was using WavePad.
I'll look at Audacity.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heAIxHqeORU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heAIxHqeORU)
Japan, Europe, and Australia get it but not the US.
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Did I do something wrong?
No, you didn't do anything wrong. There are only a handful of things in the world that can justify a guy standing a girl up for anything.
1) He was killed. If he is still alive, chances are he's a punk.
2) He is really a superhero and was called away to stop a disaster. Did you happen to see any searchlights shining weird shapes onto clouds?
3) A family emergency (someone else died, fell deathly ill, voted for Nadir, etc.). But even then, it is good form to let you know somehow.
I suppose there might be a few other justifiable occurrences, like UFO abduction, that I have forgotten about, but no; when you get stood up, it is never anything you did, because nothing you could do could justify a guy behavior in such a poor manner. It is inexcusable.
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Now that you mention it, I saw kleig lights... maybe Super Brandon the Sonic Wannabe had to run somewhere.
What's worse is he avoided me today. I go to breakfast and I tell his friend Ishmael to tell him I want to talk with him. I don't see him all day, but I know he was there. He takes the same bus as Ishmael, so he should've been at breakfast. I know he was there because I saw him going to his house. I'm SO going to hurt him now.
I'm also ridiculously tired and upset.
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The guy is horrifyingly immature. The fact he is avoiding you means he knows what he did was wrong so there maybe hope teach him proper manners.
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If he doesn't talk tomorrow, I'm going to introduce his genitals to my foot and his face to my fist! Ugh!
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If he doesn't talk tomorrow, I'm going to introduce his genitals to my foot and his face to my fist! Ugh!
Not to make light of the situation, but that is awesome. It's very...
(http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/3936/grimmjow16a8mi.jpg)
-esque. You wouldn't believe how many people would just blame themselves, avoid confrontation, and go on with life with extra doubt and regret.
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Son of a bitch... he's still avoiding me! I KNOW he was here at school today and I told his friend to tell him that we needed to talk or else I would smack him. He was here; I saw him going to his white house. Yes. I know where he lives. Sort of. (it's an apartment, but I know which building he's in.)
By the way, who IS that guy? What is he from? I don't get many jokes or references to him. :(
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That is Grimmjow, from Bleach.
By the way, guys, I'll be largely absent for a period of time. Maybe 4 weeks or so. Be back sometime near the start of December, but Ill try to pop up every now and then. Frustration do t grades hasprevented me fro computer use (I'm grounded, shutup.)
This is Tact, signin' off. Later guys.
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Good luck. Unleash the springtime of youth.
To learn about Grimmjow: http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Grimmjow_Jeagerjaques
SPOILERS
I love his style and behavior. He's a tragic figure because he wandered the world of Hueco Mundo in Bleach alone as a Hollow, which are like dead humans that didn't pass on with peace, but held on to regret, fear, vengeful desires, etc. and were transformed by this negativity. He met five friends who considered him their King in their quest for power as Hollows, but in the end they felt they couldn't evolve any further, and asked Grimmjow to eat a piece of them to stop their evolution officially and contribute to Grimmjow's own evolution. This disheartened and angered Grimmjow, who did as they asked. Later, the five of them were killed, and Grimmjow became alone again, hated by a lot of other Hollows and still calling himself the King. When Ichigo, the protagonist, defeats Grimmjow, he tells him that ruling as King alone is pointless, then saves him from being killed by another Hollow. This possibly changes Grimmjow for the better, but he hasn't popped up since then in the story.
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... freaky. I don't get Bleach...
I'm going to shove Brandon's head up his own ass.
I walk up to his friend Ishmael and ask, 'Where's Brandon?' Ishie tells me he's by the main entrance. So I go there and I hunt him down. I keep myself calm and poke him. He turns and I say, 'Hi, Brandon.' He says hi, then...
PROCEEDS TO RUN AWAY FROM ME.
I call to him, but he ignores me. He will DIE for this. What is it with guys? They seem to think that when they mess up with a girl, running away is the best option! What?! He KNOWS I have serious rage issues and I know how to hurt a guy! I'm going to break his back and his pelvis and shove his head up his ass! And then I'm going to stick him atop a flagpole in New England winter! IN HIS UNDERWEAR!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
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GULP. :shock:
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Why the hell did he run? How old is he?
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He probably knows about my rage issues. I don't get guys. He's about 16, same age as me, if not a little older.
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... freaky. I don't get Bleach...
I'm going to shove Brandon's head up his own ass.
I walk up to his friend Ishmael and ask, 'Where's Brandon?' Ishie tells me he's by the main entrance. So I go there and I hunt him down. I keep myself calm and poke him. He turns and I say, 'Hi, Brandon.' He says hi, then...
PROCEEDS TO RUN AWAY FROM ME.
I call to him, but he ignores me. He will DIE for this. What is it with guys? They seem to think that when they mess up with a girl, running away is the best option! What?! He KNOWS I have serious rage issues and I know how to hurt a guy! I'm going to break his back and his pelvis and shove his head up his ass! And then I'm going to stick him atop a flagpole in New England winter! IN HIS UNDERWEAR!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
If you are able, I recommend the last.
And honestly, teaflower, I've got no clue why someone would do that. Though I wouldn't limit such callous actions to men alone. But yeah, weird and entirely in-underwear-on-flagpole worthy. Ille puer stultus sceleratusque est propter exfugitum.
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FUCKING 5-HOUR UPDATE FROM VISTA! WHY COULDN'T YOU DO THAT DURING THE FUCKING DAY! NOT RIGHT WHEN I'M GOING TO BED!
FUCKING DISC DRIVE ROARED THE WHOLE FUCKING TIME!
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Yeah, I hate it when my compie needs to do updates. My sis has Vista and it does that.
Brandon is as good as dead.
After bringing the issue to my six foot two tall junior friend with serious rage issues, Jay, he says that Brandon's dead. And he means that. That's where I got the 'I'm going to shove his head up his own ass'.
Today, I walked up to him and said hi. He ran.I chased him down. He said, 'I don't want to talk about it.' I am going to whip him with his own SPINE at this point!
The good news is I finally got out of French! WOOHOO! I'm free! FREE!!!
Boy... is... uh... and... out... um... translation?
(I got a 47/50 on my Latin midterm! Yay! No bonus for drawing Dumbledore next to 'albus' or writing derivatives)
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7698539.stm
I think I can sum up my feelings about that article in one picture:
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1021/746257265_fc7d3719b4.jpg?v=0)
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Ten was great. Gonna be a shame to see him go, but I honestly can't wait to see who the Eleventh is.
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GOD DAMNIT! I MISSED ONE FUCKING NOTE! THAT LAST FUCKING NOTE!
FUCK ROCK BAND!
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I kicked my PSP screen and now it displays the right side as complete black.
My short temper with games finally got the best of me. At least I've learnt my lesson.
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I kicked my PSP screen and now it displays the right side as complete black.
My short temper with games finally got the best of me. At least I've learnt my lesson.
If you don't want it, I'll take it!
I'm pretty sure I live in a housing project populated mostly by crazy Catholic Hispanics. I don't GET Catholicism. They throw me out of their church because I have attention problems, the show me pictures of aborted babies, and then they refuse to give me candy! Argh!
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If you don't want it, I'll take it!
You wouldn't say that if you saw it.
The only games you can see the full screen of (if I'm making sense here) are on Game Boy and NES emulators, since you can shrink the screen size (which is just out of the black bit's way).
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/Photo5.jpg)
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/Photo4-1.jpg)
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... if you don't want it, I'll take it still! Wait... is that Crisis Core? Heeheehee...
Honestly, I just have my Pokemon Blue game. Fear the wrath of Ren! Guess what Ren is!
THIS (http://www.domeofstars.com/pokemon/gyarados.png) is Ren.
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Does your PSP have the video out port?
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Two things I am frustrated about. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/angry018.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
1. Creative MP3 players...well the technical issues suck as they always break downa bout after a year and stop functioning. Anyone noticed that. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/basic/explode.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
2. I like the midis of VGmusic.com as I have a decent soundfont (though now I replaced it with a SNES sound-font for now, :) but the site's layout is BEHIND THE TIMES!!! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/violent021.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org) I mean no way to comment on the midis and don't even get me started on the forum it's a JOKE! CMON AT LEAST YOU CAN TRY!! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/violent029.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
Bye bye for now. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/basic/ty.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
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I actually have a Creative MP3 player. It's a Zen Stone. I've had it since Christmas last year. It still works like a charm. My sister has had her Zen V Plus for about a year and a half. It still works. Have you dropped it or anything? That might do it. What kind is it?
I'm pretty frustrated myself. My noveling efforts are slowing down quite a bit. My hands can't take the pressure anymore. Worse yet, I can't start working too late, or else it won't get down. You see, Mouse, the computer I'm using for the novel, takes forever to boot up. I have to wait about half an hour to confidently open up WordPerfect.
Another thing! Apparently, one of our sicker neighbors decided it would be fun to slash all four of our tires last night. Fun fun fun.
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I am going to double post as this will be a long message and I odn't want your eyes to bleed.
I don't know much about PC's except from my Dad as he taught me when he fixes them.
Sounds like your computer has something running in the background upon boot up. I have that happening on my computer and Dad (who is pretty good at fixing computers) looked for it deep and can't find it.
The program may be installed from another program (spy ware) and will ALWAYS try to get on FIRST. Even before your security goes online, Sometimes this causes your security to take forever to start. You should NEVER let anything run 1st before your anti virus software boots up. Perhaps you even have the dreaded back-door Trojan which usually a good wipe out works but you have to know what you are doing before you attempt it.
Most of these are from programs that have no valid signature as these people either...
1 Don't know what they are doing
2. Are bad boys wanting to screw your PC up just cause they have the knowledge.
Four MINUTES later, 4th Triforce piece decides to double post instead of hitting the Edit/Modify button. Later, V_Translanka comes in to fix this for no other reason than to show him it can be done.
~V_Translanka
2. I have had a Creative Nano which is locked up and I had a Creative Zen which died in less then a year. I ususally take pretty good care of them. Once in a while I drop them on the carpet but NOT very hard. They are design to handle bouncing as the players use flash-drives instead of hard-drives. I can't figure out how to word the rest without run-on sentences.
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V is evil sometimes.
What in the world do you do to your things? I can leave my Zen Stone in my pocket for hours on end and it doesn't explode from the heat or anything and I've dropped it down wooden stairs and I've run the battery until it dies before and it's still going strong! Same with my sis's Zen V. What kind of Zen was it? Are you sure you've been charging it? (I can safely assume you're not my friend Parker; he hates music. He's weird like that)
I'm upset, as well. You see, my hands are really taking a beating from my noveling and they hurt a lot. Plus, all my other joints are acting up as well. I don't think I should ice every joint in my body that hurts (how do you ice your shoulder, hip, and jaw on all the same sides at the same time?), and I think that sticking my hands in a thing of ice wouldn't help much. Any ideas?
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I can't beat the @#$%& Yellow devil on Mega man 1. That guy is insane!
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I can't beat the @#$%& Yellow devil on Mega man 1. That guy is insane!
Who is the yellow devil? It has been 15+ years since I popped that game in my NES...don't remember a yellow devil...
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(http://benandalice.com/images/1stage.gif)
None of them look all that yellow to me...or do you think one of them looks Chinese? Because if you do, that's incredibly racist! :lol: (<-me laughing at racism)...or is this "yellow devil" a regular enemy in a level? It's been quite a while since last I picked up the first one...
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Yellow Devil's a boss in Wily Castle stage 1 in Rockman. As far as I remember... I think you use the Guts/Super Arm on its eye?
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You got it half right Pyt. It's the first Wily boss, but the Guts man weapon is one of the few weapons you can't use. The best one that I know of is Elec man's weapon.
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The way to beat him is to dodge while he's assembling, use Elec-man's weapon pn his eye when he's assembled. Here's a neat trick. When you shoot him, right when the lightning hits his eye, start rapidly pausing and unpausing the game. He'll take damage every time you unpause. You should kill him in one shot.
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Yeah I've heard of that. But I want to do it without glitches or anything like that. Although this time next week I might have changed my mind from frustration.
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Well it is almost impossible without doing it, and it's actually a secret programmed into the game by the developers, mnot necessarily a glitch. It's like the Hadouken in MMX.
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HELP! Why is no one reading my vgmusic.com topic? I want to know if I am the only one in the WORLD that knows bout the site other tne the people who upload midis there? G----t I am soo flustered!
EDIT: I just made a second topic that is MUCH shorter so maybe that was the problem?
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HELP! Why is no one reading my vgmusic.com topic? I want to know if I am the only one in the WORLD that knows bout the site other tne the people who upload midis there? G----t I am soo flustered!
EDIT: I just made a second topic that is MUCH shorter so maybe that was the problem?
no replies = no one cares
no replies + new topic = still, nobody cares + annoyed
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Well it is almost impossible without doing it, and it's actually a secret programmed into the game by the developers, mnot necessarily a glitch. It's like the Hadouken in MMX.
Not really. My brother already beat it a while ago with no help and I've come really close. Like two hits left when I die.
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Well it is almost impossible without doing it, and it's actually a secret programmed into the game by the developers, mnot necessarily a glitch. It's like the Hadouken in MMX.
I beat the game when I was a little kid, with no cheats. Multiple times. It is not impossible. Although I probably couldn't do it now, as I lack my video game finesse of yester years :(
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Correction on my last post. I just beat Mega man 1 last night.
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I'm seriously disappointed in myself. I put out about 3000 words. I didn't get to my goal of 4000 last night. (4000 as opposed to my normal 2000 because I didn't do it one night.) It could be worse; I could've spent 200 words talking about cheese.
Other than NaNo, I'm angry about the shit going on in my house. My brother gets to call me stupid and make fun of me WITH MY MOTHER PRESENT and I have to tell my mom he did. Essentially, my mom was joking that a giant sledgehammer was involved in my eye surgery and my brother said, 'That explains a lot.' Then, he called my sister the Mwig, which is essentially Margeret bad word last name. My mom called him on it and I had to say, "Why does he get a no on Mwig when he gets nothing on that explains a lot?" It's just not fair!
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Maybe because one was a stupid joke that barely makes sense (ironically enough) and the other was...uh...whatever that is...>_>
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It doesn't seem fair, though. This sort of thing happens all the time! He gets to say nasty things about me and my sister AND my mom, but HEAVEN FORBID we say something bad about him HEAVEN FORBID we ask him to take care of his shit! It's ridiculous and I'm sick and tired of it. I'm sick and tired of getting a bag of chicken and two days later it being gone! I'm sick of having to hide food to make sure it's there when we need it! He wants us to stop hiding food because it makes him feel bad? Fine then! So long as when we put bacon in the fridge, it isn't gone the next day! Ugh!
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And I thought my dad was annoying for eating all the cookies.
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Stupid phone tried to load this like an actual page, damn optimization function.
why does everyone assume that when you go to your girlfriends house, it means that you're going to have sex?
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why does everyone assume that when you go to your girlfriends house, it means that you're going to have sex?
Because when a man and woman love each other very much...
EDIT: Sorry if I sounded like an ass, nightmare.
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Is people thinking you're having sex with your girlfriend really all that frustrating? >_>
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Is people thinking you're having sex with your girlfriend really all that frustrating? >_>
It is when I bring up that I'm going to hang out with her their response is "Have you fucked her?"
Immature bastards...
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Then that's their perverted problem. And also the reason they'll never get anyone who isn't a slut.
FRUSTRATING ME TODAY IS IRONICALLY LOVE LIFE
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Is people thinking you're having sex with your girlfriend really all that frustrating? >_>
It is when I bring up that I'm going to hang out with her their response is "Have you fucked her?"
Immature bastards...
Tell them they can go straight to hell.
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Is people thinking you're having sex with your girlfriend really all that frustrating? >_>
It is when I bring up that I'm going to hang out with her their response is "Have you fucked her?"
Immature bastards...
Sounds like you hang out with the cast of American Pie.
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I did something stupid last night.
I couldn't sleep, so I put on my glasses and turned on the light and played Pokemon Crystal. Then, I turned the game off, put the Gameboy on a sheet next to my bed, put my glasses on my sister's chair, and fell asleep.
When I woke up, it appeared as though the stuff on my sister's chair all fell down, including my glasses. So now, I can't find them. I can barely read what I'm typing rigth now! Gah!
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Well, It's 5:43 AM.
I think I'll go to bed now.
I have Crew practice tomorrow. Er, today I should say. Girls' practice starts in 2 hours. I don't know about Boys' though. Which is a problem in itself, because I don't want to look like an idiot showing up at the boathouse at 4 PM on regular schedule when no one is there.
Well, fuck.
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Gamestop.
Thanks to them I was going to get CTDS first thing but the one I ordered it from has the intelligence to have their shipment get shipped later on and it has completely thrown off my schedule(that i had been planning for months ahead of time!!!!!)and now not only will I be NOT the first one to have it but considering it's popularity by the time I do get at it if anyone else is actually going to get it I'm going to be dead last. And from what a friend has told me(since they now work there as of 2 weeks ago, which also sucks cause they told me maybe when i have a perfect record about a year ago and he has a crappy job record and they accepted him over me!!!)it sounds like I'm the only one who even knows what in the f&%@ Chrono Trigger is!!!!! So now people who aren't even into RPGs and think it is a DBZ ripoff are more likely to get it than me, and it is all because not only their ordering methods being off because they don't feel it's that important a game AND they told me a little too late.
If they tell me my copy was given away or anything along the lines of i can't have it, expect to see online something about deaths relating to Chrono Trigger. And I don't mean Crono.
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All one sentence:
Thanks to them I was going to get CTDS first thing but the one I ordered it from has the intelligence to have their shipment get shipped later on and it has completely thrown off my schedule(that i had been planning for months ahead of time!!!!!)and now not only will I be NOT the first one to have it but considering it's popularity by the time I do get at it if anyone else is actually going to get it I'm going to be dead last.
Isn't the fact that people who don't even know what the hell CT is are buying it a good thing?
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Normally yes. But I know most of the people my friend mentioned personally. They wouldn't give a rats ass about the game. Like i already said, these are the kind of people who look at it and think it is a spinoff of Dragonball Z. Someone even went as far as calling it lame for stealing character design from Blue Dragon.
These are people who are simply going to give it crap reviews, get it and play it once or twice, or just turn it back in soon after.
It's good to have new people play it, if the people are actually going to play it. Where I'm from, (roughly)about 95% of the people prefer war games to anything else. Gears of War, Halo, Call Of Duty, etc.
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Normally yes. But I know most of the people my friend mentioned personally. They wouldn't give a rats ass about the game. Like i already said, these are the kind of people who look at it and think it is a spinoff of Dragonball Z. Someone even went as far as calling it lame for stealing character design from Blue Dragon.
These are people who are simply going to give it crap reviews, get it and play it once or twice, or just turn it back in soon after.
It's good to have new people play it, if the people are actually going to play it. Where I'm from, (roughly)about 95% of the people prefer war games to anything else. Gears of War, Halo, Call Of Duty, etc.
It's the same here. Finding a CT fan is tough for you? Try finding an RPG fan here.
There's also the GENIUSES who believe Mario Kart is purely for kids and nothing compared to realistic driving games. And anything that looks even remotely foreign is Pokémon, obviously.
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I feel your pain. I walk up to my friends and I say, "Guys, Chrono Trigger DS is coming out the 25th!"
I get a few responses.
Brandon (bastard!): Yeah, well, Sonic DS ((or whatever it is)) is coming out sooner! So nah! ((he went as far as to count down the days. I forgot what day it was today...))
Jay (really tall guy): ... so, anyway, about World of Warcraft...
Angel (fun Hispanic guy): Neat. Now, what's Chrono Trigger?
Jay2 (scrawny, sweaty smelling guy): Cool. I prefer my Pokemon, though. ((what's sad is that Jay2 is the ONLY one who's played the game))
Sister: That's nice.
The people I hang out with are generally video game freaks, but they prefer Sonic, WoW, and anime based games. Jay2 is getting back into Cross...
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At least you guys know people who have heard of CT.
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The people I hang out with are generally video game freaks, but they prefer Sonic, WoW, and anime based games. Jay2 is getting back into Cross...
You lose your gamer status when you play WoW, because you turn Video Games into a chore.
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There's also the GENIUSES who believe Mario Kart is purely for kids and nothing compared to realistic driving games. And anything that looks even remotely foreign is Pokémon, obviously.
- That's GTA now. You can't have a game with driving around anymore unless it's some wannabe with a gun killing people for no apparent reason.
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The people I hang out with are generally video game freaks, but they prefer Sonic, WoW, and anime based games. Jay2 is getting back into Cross...
You lose your gamer status when you play WoW, because you turn Video Games into a chore.
He also seems to like fighting games. Then again, they're so that when he gets angry, he doesn't kill a real person.
I might try WoW... if it didn't cost money.
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You think WoW is a turning gaming into a chore? Now that fighting games have been brought up, Fighters force you to spend months memorizing and perfecting ridiculously complex combos that an octopus would have trouble pressing the combinations of buttons needed to perform them, to still in the end be beaten by a 9 year old very precisely mashing buttons with his face.
(Though I still am an avid Fighter player to this day. Fuck, me.)
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You think WoW is a turning gaming into a chore? Now that fighting games have been brought up, Fighters force you to spend months memorizing and perfecting ridiculously complex combos that an octopus would have trouble pressing the combinations of buttons needed to perform them, to still in the end be beaten by a 9 year old very precisely mashing buttons with his face.
(Though I still am an avid Fighter player to this day. Fuck, me.)
I don't play fighting games like that, just do the button mashing. helped me beat DOA, Soul Calibur and many more.
WoW forces you to pay, so it becomes a chore, because you have to make that 12 dollars a month count.
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I play a lot of other games, it just bother me that everyone is into the most generic games. One of my friends actually seems interested and he might give it a try. Problem is everyone hates him and he's also got a very poor choice in games(his belief? jak and Daxter is the most unbeatable game series to ever exist, it was the first to come up with ideas like battle racing, platforming, etc.)Lately they have a crave with Web Of Shadows for the Wii, and some other friends are trying him toward Fable II.
Also I know this is anger releasing thread but I don't know where to put it so, CTDS is the best thing since sh*t in a toilet and not on the floor. In other words very very very very very very very very very very very veryx??? good.
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Fable II is pretty damn good game no reason to avoid it, same goes to Jak and Daxter, Gears of War, Guitar Hero, Soul Calibur and many others. Just because its hyped, mainstream and popular doesn't mean its bad, in fact normally its quite the opposite.
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Yeah, i';m not saying they're bad but compared to Chrono Trigger?
However, jak and daxter I find okay. They just make this jump suddenly from the calm and good serenity of itself to... well I'm not gonna rant about it since I've already done this before, but they go into this whole tough guy act and a lot of the stuff becomes stereotypical to the extreme. And yes, I have played out the series. I honestly found it really easy. I'm not denying it's popularity, but being the best game series there is I don't get... Meh, whatev.
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It's hard to compare enjoyability based on genre bias...Not to mention regular bias since this is a Chrono forums...>_>
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Man I'm dead My first semester of college may be looking ok in grades but things are begining to stock pile on me. and my ex girlfriend wants to get back together again when I'm not interested. I have a 5 page history essay due tomorrow that I just finished, I've had little to no time to play video games and draw (vents for me). and I just steped some type of metal sticking out underneath my deak with my right foot and its a thumb tack. great. at least I'm not bleeding.
I need help getting organized anyone have sugestions on what they do? I'd like an answer from a college student on how to organize and manage my time.
I now have to go work on my Math homework then do my japanese homework somewhere between after math homework and 6:00 pm tomorrow.
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Fuck it all. Nothing I do is enough. I'm not going to slave away my entire damned life to die in a web of greed and tragedy like everyone else. I'm trying my best to keep everything in fucking line and nothing is enough to keep shit afloat. I deserve better than my life. Hell if I care what happens anymore, whatever I do isn't enough to keep things from crashing down again. I surrender, the world wins.
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Seems you've rebounded from something in a way I have. Ultimately, if there's nothing else in rock bottom depression, I'll always come back to resisting fate. One can always imagine circumstances as a kind of fate, and proactive, willful living as resisting that and creating one's own destiny.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/Guts2.png)
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It's not that I'm not trying to resist fate, but more so that fate is overpowering me. Everything I've done has lead to to an unbreakable wall.
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It's not that I'm not trying to resist fate, but more so that fate is overpowering me. Everything I've done has lead to to an unbreakable wall.
Go around it then.
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And if he can't? I think that might be what he means.
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I'm doomed.
Like, SERIOUS doomed.
We have a project that counts as a ridiculous amount of my Sophomore English grade. It's a research paper.
I HAVE BARELY TOUCHED IT.
I can't find the heart to do my work anymore. I'd rather die than fail English (which is what is going to happen if I don't do this), but I'd rather die than start on that god damn paper! Plus, I don't know what's going on. Not because I don't understand, but because I missed a day of school.
A day.
A single 7 hours and 15 minutes of education and I might very well fail a project because I don't understand.
I hate the new system our school has incorporated. Essentially, we go from 7:30 to 1:45 every Monday through Friday and we do four over-an-hour classes all the time. Not only that, but at the semester end we all switch classes. So I have about half a year to finish my year's worth of Latin, Journalism, and English work, switch to Science, History, Math, and Art/Gym for the other half, then successfully pass the MCAS in English.
In spring.
And if I don't pass the MCAS, my entire life is on hold until I do.
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The compendium has a good bit of brains about it. I, at least, would be willing to try to help you on the paper in any way I could and I suspect you could find a few others as well. If you can get ahold of Daniel Krispin, I'm sure he'd have some prose-iful advice that might help as well.
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I'm doomed.
Like, SERIOUS doomed.
We have a project that counts as a ridiculous amount of my Sophomore English grade. It's a research paper.
I HAVE BARELY TOUCHED IT.
I can't find the heart to do my work anymore. I'd rather die than fail English (which is what is going to happen if I don't do this), but I'd rather die than start on that god damn paper! Plus, I don't know what's going on. Not because I don't understand, but because I missed a day of school.
A day.
A single 7 hours and 15 minutes of education and I might very well fail a project because I don't understand.
I hate the new system our school has incorporated. Essentially, we go from 7:30 to 1:45 every Monday through Friday and we do four over-an-hour classes all the time. Not only that, but at the semester end we all switch classes. So I have about half a year to finish my year's worth of Latin, Journalism, and English work, switch to Science, History, Math, and Art/Gym for the other half, then successfully pass the MCAS in English.
In spring.
And if I don't pass the MCAS, my entire life is on hold until I do.
Believe it or not but I once had an assignment that was pretty much the exact same thing in the past(not sayng when for known reasons)and I bullsh**ted my way through the entire thing! We needed index cards with quotes on them. Never did em. My paper had to be 5 pages not double spaced at the minimum. Mine was 2 1/2 double spaced. It had to have all of it's specific required info. I got about 75% of that. On top of all of this I had Science which I was 2 months behind in, Social Studies which I was barely passing, math which I was fine in, tv production where I was also good, 2 plays I was in, community service and numerous other things in the way. I had a 63 and this counted as 60% of our grade and it would've held me back. I ended that quarter with a 78 in my english class.
How could such an unconcievable thing happen? I had a good status with the schools authority. I may have seemed like a somewhat teacher's pet and people didn't like that part of me. What no one knew is I purposely used that(and still do)strategy to my advantage in a way no one could see. You don't even need great status with them, just a good story(a specialty of mine is storytelling). It also helps when the story is believable and something I've practiced is you tell the truth but not entirely, tell what you feel like and then technically it isn't lying. You give out what they want and don't give out what they don't need to know, and give them a half assed job of a paper. As long as you aren't the student who is always getting in trouble and is untrustworthy, it works.
I told them that a ton of my papers blew away in the wind that morning and that I didn't know all the given information I needed to know to do the assignment. All of that was true but what I left out is that I didn't do some of it on purpose, I was outside because I was trying to skip out of it but had to sneak back in(METAL GEAR STYLE)because school security thought they saw me and I couldn't take any chances, and I missed the given information for the assignment because i asked to go to the bathroom but was taking care of... other business(no, not M4$t3RB8ion lolz zomg such a big deal to use that word zomgz).
I'd first suggest to attempt the paper with all your might, let nothing stand in your way.
If that fails, attempt to skip however you might do it.
And if you can't do that, then hand in what you've got(use the bathroom though a LOT before your english class)and hopefully you can do a good job with your story.
And if all else fails you are left with 2 options...
A.) Tell the truth and hope for the best.
B.) Pull a freaking GTA right there and hope for the best. Oh yeah, and run and never stop.
I'd suggest A though...
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It's not that I'm not trying to resist fate, but more so that fate is overpowering me. Everything I've done has lead to to an unbreakable wall.
I can relate. Just graduated college summa cum laude with a perfect GPA. Not trying to brag or anything, but it holds relevance to the fact that now I can't find a fucking job anywhere. I feel as if I worked my ass off in school for nothing, under the false notion that it would someday pay off for me. At least that's how I figured things would work in a perfect fucking world. Wrong. Now I just tutor kids in organic chemistry and biology, but it's barely enough to pay the bills.
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If you can get ahold of Daniel Krispin, I'm sure he'd have some prose-iful advice that might help as well.
Yes, I know Daniel is, like, awesome. He helped me out with my Latin siggy, considering he's a Greek/Latin major.
I am trying to tackle this story. However, my particular topic has led me down a road that forces me to read a horrible book and I fear I might become a screaming fangirl of it. I'm exploring the changes of vampires in literature. I've already singled out Dracula as a source and a bunch of Anne Rice books are in. However, I have to actually READ Twilight.
If I have to do that, my brain will melt.
I'm going to do my best, but no guarantees. Considering I'm the Bipolar, emotionally challenged, actress/novelist who's gone through foster care and has horrible problems with both December and April (December 9/11th is when I got taken out of my house, April is just iffy with us), I think I'm good.
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New gripe. I got my name ripped off. Most of you all know about it, but I want to post it here.
Shade B. Blackman
Look at that name, then look at mine. Is that not fucked up?
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We all know you're doing it, don't be a prick.
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Tact, I've already said I didn't make a new account. Knock it off.
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I am right now $%*! frustrated with Shadow D. Darkman and his post are still borderlne spam. He post only to complain or praise, and knows nothing of conversion only damn memes.
Oh and that signature that he a DS have is A) Big B) just them being a dick C) kills dial-up connections.
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Oh and that signature that he a DS have is A) Big B) just them being a dick C) kills dial-up connections.
(A) Faust made it for us. Don't like it? Whine to him.
FW: As a matter of fact, that is Dark Serge's design. The one I made for you had WRONG.PNG and "Take That!" all in one line.
(B) Just... no.
(C) Why the hell do you still have dial-up? {serious question, not being mean}
The rest of your post is just not worth it so I'll just leave it.
[/replying]
As for gripes, I have a new gripe. Black Wind is being a jackass in the CT-or-CC thread. I already reported it, but it still pisses me off.
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Some people can't afford it?
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*shrug* Works for me.
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Did he? When I got the impression he made you a small version of WRONG.png, no that. In fact I quite sure it was made by Dark Serge. I might be wrong, but regardless of who made it when I am browsing a thread where the Signatures are more abundant then the content of the post is NEVER good. There now way around that hell the only signature near your size is Pvt. Fumv's but is is mostly empty and isn't that big loading wise. This connection isn't Dial-up but I was on one earlier and yes many people do use dial-up still(*shocker*) so your just making it hard for them as well.
I am reading you posts right now and nearly all of them are one line, or even words, that add nothing to the thread ie ...wut?, ha ha ha, Uhh... Huh..., etc. etc. I also know I am not the only one whose complained about this problem, I think I just the most vocal one about it.
I wish I could just ignored you, in fact at first thats what I did once you showed you had nothing to add. Now I must go through Pages yes PAGES to find content some times I can't even find any. Your 17% of the post in the CTDS forum I can't ignore you, yet there is nothing there to pay attention to except white noise. I plan on this be a very frank and direct post to you, not a PM because I want everyone to know everyones thoughts and I thought this was the most suited thread to do so.
Shadow D. Darkman grow the fuck up. I am not going to continue a pointless fight over the internet.
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We all know you're doing it, don't be a prick.
Not so sure about that. Why would he make a thread mocking himself that could get him banned? Don't say "for attention", because he seems to enjoy posting here.
There's any number of members of this forum that dislike him enough to have motive to do it, including yourself.
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I assure you, I'm not the culprit. Have someone check the IP, it's not me.
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Not me, either, Tact, and I kinda figured it wasn't you.
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I assure you, I'm not the culprit. Have someone check the IP, it's not me.
I'm not suspicious of you, I was simply pointing out the fact that there are many people with a better reason to do it than Shadow D. Darkman, that's all.
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The Compendium doesn't currently have a policy on signatures -- we haven't needed one in the past, and we'll have to see if we need one now. For the time being, I've let Dark Serge and Shadow D. Darkman keep the animated sig because it's at least a third of the vertical size Shadow D. Darkman's Dancing Lavos + WRONG.PNG + Take That! sig was. If a lot of users are having problems due to the size of the animated .gif, we may have to pare that down in some way as well.
I'm still investigating the Shade B. Blackman incident. It appears to be a hit-and-run though, so don't get too uptight. I'd be surprised if Shade B. Blackman actually posts again. And yes, that was a dare. Neither Tact nor Shadow D. Darkman are under suspicion.
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I'd be surprised if Shade B. Blackman actually posts again.
Same here. Is it possible for at least mods/admins to change anyone's names here?
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Shade B. Blackman's topic has vanished from the visible section of the Compendium forum, so don't worry about the post being associated with your username.
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*grimace* It's a start. Thanks, Faust.
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I find bad dreams frustrating.
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... that was a VERY fast conversation.
Again, my idea that we should only put the siggy in the last post of the person on the page should be implemented. It takes the load off of dial-up.
As for bad dreams, I hate obsessing over something because I dream about it that night. Last night, I dreamed that I was Sinclair Lockwood from my story. He's KINDA like Magus (what with the dark magic and all), but he's funnier and less dark. Dark is Lovell/Seren/Alex's thing.
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I'm getting pissed off on how slow this website has gotten. I can barely even visit it.
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On the topic of dreams, I don't have bad ones very often, but I have weird ones more than I have normal ones. The most random people show up in them. I hate it when they get violent though. Like there was one where I was going through some sort of hotel killing people with a ninja sword. And Liam Neeson was helping. Maybe I'd recently seen Batman begins or something.
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On the topic of dreams, I don't have bad ones very often, but I have weird ones more than I have normal ones. The most random people show up in them. I hate it when they get violent though. Like there was one where I was going through some sort of hotel killing people with a ninja sword. And Liam Neeson was helping. Maybe I'd recently seen Batman begins or something.
or...
Whoa whoa whoa WHOA!! Hold the phone! Ras Al Gul isn't a main villain??
Yeah, what's up with that!?
Besides, it didn't need someone like the The Joker, it had Liam fucking Neeson in it. Anything that guy does is gold.
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I heard the New Star Wars Trilogy sucked. Liam Neeson was in all three, if I recall. Wouldn't the trilogy have been better because Liam Neeson was in the movies?
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Personally, I don't care about Star Wars. Lucas should've stopped it before it got bad. Which is now.
As for gripes, I think I have a migraine. I don't get migraines normally. My head has been killing me and I feel nauseous. I also can't seem to find the pain killers...
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I heard the New Star Wars Trilogy sucked. Liam Neeson was in all three, if I recall. Wouldn't the trilogy have been better because Liam Neeson was in the movies?
Uh, no. He was in episode 1 but that's it.
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To be fair, Liam Neeson's character was the awesome-est in the new trilogy. IMO.
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He was planed to make an episode three appearance as well, but that got scrapped.
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He was briefly seen on the planet Obi-Wan killed Grievous on. He was seen as watching Obi-Wan.
EDIT: Forgot he wasn't in Episode 2.
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He was briefly seen on the planet Obi-Wan killed Grievous on. He was seen as watching Obi-Wan.
EDIT: Forgot he wasn't in Episode 2.
WRONG!
Qui-Gon's voice can be heard in Episode II, he is not in III.
Don't mess with a Star Wars nerd.
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Yesterday I decided to give Chrono Cross a shot, to see if my past problems with the game (glitches, screens never loading, game freezing, etc.) were the fault of the disc, or of my (quite ancient) PlayStation. I tried playing it on my PS3. All was going well until I used "Pilfer" during a battle. Kid entered her stance (the one the character enters right before using an element), and remained in that stance, as the sound effect kept playing...and nothing happened. I came back a few minutes later, and it was still like that. I wasn't too far in the game (I had just recruited Guile, and was making my way up the cliff to Viper Manor), but I hadn't saved recently, so I was a bit pissed.
So, looks like I'll have to just buy a new copy of the game.
EDIT: And just for reference, my copy of CC is fairly old (bought it on its release date), and, having been borrowed by many friends, the discs aren't exactly in top shape.
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...he is not in III.
Give me some time to watch the movie again and I will give you a screenshot.
You must have pictures to prove your statements.
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...he is not in III.
Give me some time to watch the movie again and I will give you a screenshot.
You must have pictures to prove your statements.
Take your time, but you won't find it. Trust me.
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So awhile back my girlfriend accidentally elbowed me in my mouth cause' she's clumsy sometimes, causing a hairline crack in one of my upper front teeth (incisor) that was barely noticeable so I didn't think much of it. Then last night I bite into a StarburstTM and it breaks one-fourth of my front tooth clean off!
So now I have to go get it fixed. What particularly irritates me about this is that I fucking hate going to the dentist, and I just know that they are going to want to scrape/poke/generally screw with my teeth with that ultrasonic drill thing that is like nails-on-chalkboard.
Funny enough, I will no longer be covered under my parent's dental insurance as of Jan. 1st, so I suppose I should thank her for elbowing me in the mouth now instead of later.
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Love hurts.
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Starbursts hurt. Good thing they are so delicious.
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I started World of Warcraft last night. Apparently this gives several of my friends reason to treat me like I'm some sort of scumbag. "It kills people!", "You're one of them now!", "Are you going to say 'I reached level 8!'? You play WoW so you have to", "I hate World of Warcraft." "Boring, eh?" It's just a game, for fuck's sake. Online friends I was getting along with so well suddenly talking to me like I'm some stupid asshole. Friendship, eh?
Honestly, I just cannot stand this type of person - the kind who'll say something like "I don't like [name of game you're playing].", to which you reply "um, okay", and they act as if you've punched them in the face. How dare I have a choice in my own preferences!
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Love hurts.
Heh, now THAT'S a succinct gripe.
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Being a sports nut, at least a football and NBA nut, I play a good deal of sports games. A columnist on ESPN.com I love (Bill Simmons) speaks of the "there is no fucking way you are going to win this game" game every once and again, or something with a similar name. I really hate it when that game comes around. I guess it's tough to translate that into an RPG. Think of a Marle whiff followed by a crappy turnout from the Wondershot and so those enemies don't die when you thought they would and they kill you because you only have 5 hp left because you thought they were gonna die.
Only this is a lot worse.
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I started World of Warcraft last night. Apparently this gives several of my friends reason to treat me like I'm some sort of scumbag. "It kills people!", "You're one of them now!", "Are you going to say 'I reached level 8!'? You play WoW so you have to", "I hate World of Warcraft." "Boring, eh?" It's just a game, for fuck's sake. Online friends I was getting along with so well suddenly talking to me like I'm some stupid asshole. Friendship, eh?
Honestly, I just cannot stand this type of person - the kind who'll say something like "I don't like [name of game you're playing].", to which you reply "um, okay", and they act as if you've punched them in the face. How dare I have a choice in my own preferences!
WoW sucks, get over it.
You'll realize it too when your money's all gone.
This is why I hate MMOs.
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I started World of Warcraft last night. Apparently this gives several of my friends reason to treat me like I'm some sort of scumbag. "It kills people!", "You're one of them now!", "Are you going to say 'I reached level 8!'? You play WoW so you have to", "I hate World of Warcraft." "Boring, eh?" It's just a game, for fuck's sake. Online friends I was getting along with so well suddenly talking to me like I'm some stupid asshole. Friendship, eh?
Honestly, I just cannot stand this type of person - the kind who'll say something like "I don't like [name of game you're playing].", to which you reply "um, okay", and they act as if you've punched them in the face. How dare I have a choice in my own preferences!
WoW sucks, get over it.
You'll realize it too when your money's all gone.
This is why I hate MMOs.
Maybe he has more self control than you do?
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I started World of Warcraft last night. Apparently this gives several of my friends reason to treat me like I'm some sort of scumbag. "It kills people!", "You're one of them now!", "Are you going to say 'I reached level 8!'? You play WoW so you have to", "I hate World of Warcraft." "Boring, eh?" It's just a game, for fuck's sake. Online friends I was getting along with so well suddenly talking to me like I'm some stupid asshole. Friendship, eh?
Honestly, I just cannot stand this type of person - the kind who'll say something like "I don't like [name of game you're playing].", to which you reply "um, okay", and they act as if you've punched them in the face. How dare I have a choice in my own preferences!
WoW sucks, get over it.
You'll realize it too when your money's all gone.
This is why I hate MMOs.
Maybe he has more self control than you do?
I've never played it. I don't feel like shelling out money like that.
Pay one time and that's it for me. Hell, I'm starting to rent games more now with how long they are nowadays.
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I worry that with the way things are heading all or most rpg's will be MMO's and fewer and fewer will be traditional rpg's. Which irritates me.
Another thing that irritates me in melatonin. I've been having trouble getting to sleep at a reasonable time lately so I thought I'd shell out some cash for melatonin pills at CVS since they are way cheaper than Tylenol PM...
...but they don't do shit. I'm about to chalk up anyone who ever says that melatonin made them sleepy to placebo effect only. That's what Alexander Shulgin did. And it doesn't make sense biochemically anyways. The brain makes endogenous melatonin in the pineal gland, and melatonin itself is a polar molecule which couldn't cross the blood brain barrier without a transport receptor. So why the fuck would the brain have receptors for exogenous melatonin?
Utter bullshit. Tylenol PM ftw!
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WoW sucks, get over it.
You'll realize it too when your money's all gone.
This is why I hate MMOs.
Well I'm enjoying it, and I was aware it would cost me extra money, and I was prepared for that. You're entitled to your own opinion, of course. I'm just pissed off at the fact people I get along with decided to turn on me for the stupid reason they don't like a game I play.
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WoW sucks, get over it.
You'll realize it too when your money's all gone.
This is why I hate MMOs.
Well I'm enjoying it, and I was aware it would cost me extra money, and I was prepared for that. You're entitled to your own opinion, of course. I'm just pissed off at the fact people I get along with decided to turn on me for the stupid reason they don't like a game I play.
Hey, that's their problem, sure I hate it, but do I hate you? no, just think you should rethink your spending choices, that's all.
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Personally, what people do with their own money is their own business. Unless it involves money owed to me.
I've never played WoW, but I don't have a problem with it. I'd have a problem with the person who PLAYED it who considers what their character did last night lunch table conversation.
WITH PEOPLE S/HE KNEW DIDN'T PLAY.
Um... gripes... Oh, yeah.
Research paper.
Anyone want to write me an 8-10 page research paper, complete with notes and all research, on how vampires have evolved in literature? I'd give you money, but I has none. :(
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Guild Wars is one time payment MMO. It was REALLY fun for 2 weeks and now it's REALLY boring and I haven't played in forever, but I don't lose money.
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Anyone want to write me an 8-10 page research paper, complete with notes and all research, on how vampires have evolved in literature? I'd give you money, but I has none. :(
You could mention how they've went from their existence in stories, to books, to plays, to films, to video games, etc.
Oh, and despite being popularized in a pretty adult and violent book, they've featured heavily in tons of kids' books (especially these days) and are a general staple of Halloween and such.
Also how the original portrayal started out with Dracula sliding towards being more of an anti-hero, whereas over time he (and pretty much every kind of vampire) has been characterized as a full-blown villain.
Hm... Bram Stoker popularized several of the staple vampire weaknesses (e.g. weak to sunlight, being stabbed through the heart) and invented the whole 'no reflection' trait; these weaknesses have stuck around ever since. Ironically, the original Dracula didn't have a fatal weakness to sunlight (it just weakened him), and he was killed by a bowie knife rather than a stake (that was used on Lucy).
What else... Vampires were first introduced through old legends and a lesser-known book, the latter of which introduced most of the typical vampire traits.
Colour symbolism and sexual imagery plays a huge part in their portrayal in a lot of literature; red representing blood, lips, anger, danger, etc., white representing pale/cold/dead skin, and the blood draining aspect is written (by Stoker at least) with a ton of innuendo.
Dunno if that's of any use. o.o
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness)
The best imagining of the modern Vampire! As well an explanation of all sorts of Vampires through out history.
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I love you guys so much.
Right now, I SHOULD be printing my sources, but it's the internet! I love the Compendium!
I'm not allowed to use Wikipedia. It's against MLA format or something like that. I've been examining varying types of literature. One is Dracula, another is The Vampire Lestat. He's nuts. Unfortunately, I have to look at... *shudder* TWILIGHT. *covers ears as fangirls shriek as loud if not louder than if Vincent Valentine walked into the room* ... ow...
What's pissing me off is that we need to do this report in half the time we normally would do it. Ugh... and we have to handwrite twenty pages of notes. I don't know if you guys have seen my handwriting, but it is deplorable. I'm faster with the keyboard than I am with the pen.
Plus, it hurts like hell!
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Wikipedia is not a credible source due to the fact that the information you're viewing might be either biased or inaccurate, or downright false. You gotta give them credit, it does make sense.
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I know. I didn't know that in seventh grade when I did a report on domesticated black foxes I got from Wikipedia.
I printed most of my sources, I have Dracula on the internet, Lestat is in my bag, and... that thing that's also called dusk... is most likely not at the library.
Um... gripes... I got a cat scratch from my cat. It's about an inch long, on my right pinky, and is now infected. It hurts.
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Um... gripes... I got a cat scratch from my cat. It's about an inch long, on my right pinky, and is now infected. It hurts.
Ouch.
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I love you guys so much.
Right now, I SHOULD be printing my sources, but it's the internet! I love the Compendium!
I'm not allowed to use Wikipedia. It's against MLA format or something like that. I've been examining varying types of literature. One is Dracula, another is The Vampire Lestat. He's nuts. Unfortunately, I have to look at... *shudder* TWILIGHT. *covers ears as fangirls shriek as loud if not louder than if Vincent Valentine walked into the room* ... ow...
What's pissing me off is that we need to do this report in half the time we normally would do it. Ugh... and we have to handwrite twenty pages of notes. I don't know if you guys have seen my handwriting, but it is deplorable. I'm faster with the keyboard than I am with the pen.
Plus, it hurts like hell!
Whoa, twenty pages of notes? Heck, I don't even take notes or do drafts for my papers, really. Like the ones I'm working on right now. They're 8000 words each, and I'm just writing them halt of notes or drafts.
So what's frustrating for me? Well, on one hand, that I have a 2000 word paper to write for tomorrow, an 8000 word one for Friday, and another 8000 word one for Monday, as well as my finals next week. The supreme joys of being a bit of a procrastinator in Graduate studies. Of course, having said that means that the frustration is entirely with my own self.
Oh, and to add a further frustration, I wish to quote Propertius: 'Huic misero fatum dura puella fuit.' That about sums things up.
PS
For any of you doing reports, the problem with Wikipedia isn't that it's against something like MLA... as far as I know, that's just a citing format, isn't it? Now, there is nothing technically wrong with using Wikipedia. As long as you properly cite your source, it's quite admissible, as is any other site on the internet. The problem arises in that it is not reviewed by professional peers, or at least doesn't have the assurance. While I've found most articles to be decent enough to be instructive, they only ever provide cursory glances, and as such are really not beneficial to writing a paper. That said, most articles do list sources at the bottom, and so if nothing else it can help point you in the proper direction.
Of course, this problem isn't just because it's online or Wiki. There are many published books that you have to approach with caution and scrutiny as well. All the same, as long as you are aware of this, there is nothing wrong with saying 'so says an article on wikipedia.' It might not provide a very strong source - and so won't endear you much to any teacher - but is technically allowable. And remember, you don't always have to quote, you just have to cite. That is, sometimes it's better to paraphrase what was said (especially in a long segment), then add a footnote saying 'see page such and such of this.' As long as you give proper credit, you don't technically need to do direct quotes.
As for printing out sources, I suppose that's because it's internet sources, right? I'm not too partial to them because they're wont to change. As it is, though, the internet can be a valueable source of stored articles from peer reviewed journals, such as at JSTOR.
By the way, how does MLA format work? I'm partial to Chicago style notation myself.
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Teaflower I will never forgive you...I thought I'd never EVER hear the phrase "MLA format" again as long as I'd live.....thank you for RUINING that dream! :o
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My save file, first time to End of Time after visiting Spekkio and the Poke-Trainer loaded up with me in an impossible position; on the edge of the platform, unable to move. Fuck.
I've since replayed and passed that point. I have two save files, so hopefully at least one will load properly.
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Yeah, Hytinen is kinda nuts. I'm sorry, Shee, but as long as Hytinen walks the earth, we will do the Proteus Project (my 8-10 page, 20 pages of notes, 10-12 source, a ridiculous amount of draft work... paper) in Honors Sophomore English while we read To Kill a Mockingbird.
I hate that book so... the way I read is all characters get a voice (it usually winds up being my own somehow) and the dialogue is said in their voice in my head. I keep hearing Southern drawl! GAH! I get enough of that from Alton!
Gripes... uh... um... my hands ache. And I'm beginning to feel that OMG-I-HAVEN'T-FIGURED-OUT-WHAT-I'M-GETTING-EVERYONE-FOR-CHRISTMAS-I-AM-SO-SCREWED-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! feeling that I get before Christmas.
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And I'm beginning to feel that OMG-I-HAVEN'T-FIGURED-OUT-WHAT-I'M-GETTING-EVERYONE-FOR-CHRISTMAS-I-AM-SO-SCREWED-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! feeling that I get before Christmas.
Join the club... I think I'll just head into Belfast for a day and see what I can find.
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Wikipedia is not a credible source due to the fact that the information you're viewing might be either biased or inaccurate, or downright false. You gotta give them credit, it does make sense.
That's why you don't credit Wikipedia as your source, but rather the article's sources (all them lil hyperlink numbers that show up at the bottom)...And possibly even visit those sources instead of pulling straight from Wikipedia as well....
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Oh, thank goodness I'm not the only one who turns to Wikipedia for academic research. All this time I thought it was something to be ashamed of.
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There are far worse things you do with the internet that you should be ashamed of, FaustWolf...>_>
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Wikipedia is not a credible source due to the fact that the information you're viewing might be either biased or inaccurate, or downright false. You gotta give them credit, it does make sense.
That's why you don't credit Wikipedia as your source, but rather the article's sources (all them lil hyperlink numbers that show up at the bottom)...And possibly even visit those sources instead of pulling straight from Wikipedia as well....
Well, doing it that way IS plagairism. If you quote Wiki which has taken its sources from elsewhere, and only cite those sources, you're in error. You must cite Wikipedia, and if you wish, add in the others as extras in your bibliography. After all, I couldn't just read an article in a journal, and cite someone's sources! No, I have to cite the article itself. Same goes for a book.
Not to mention, Wikipedia won't help you much past the most introductory first year courses of university, and even there would be shaky. Take the work I focus on, the Seven Against Thebes. The entry is fragmentary and almost useless. Take a look:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Against_Thebes
Not to mention this is an overall explanation of the myth, and has very little reference to the seperate traditions that make use of it, or of Aeschylus' work itself. Now, if someone were to go to this, they may well be greatly misled. I mean, it's mentioning Aeschylus all the way through, then numbers the Seven after the fashion of Statius' Thebaid, adding Adrastus instead of Eteoklus. Or yet, it speaks of some sort of alternation of co-kings (this in the references!) surviving into historical era Sparta. !? Where does that come from? Sparta's kings never alternated, they held joint rule, and were not absolute monarchs as it is. In the case of Thebes, it was (as we can tell from some fragments of the old epic) a case of an attempt to flee the curse Oidipous put on his sons. Or the commentary of this Burkert that the name Eteoklus, so near to Eteokles, is only invented by a poet who had no other names at hand.
To refer to such a silly theory as one of the main points of the article is madness! After all, such names would appear distinct to ancient eyes. And as it is, Aeschylus is certainly working off an older tradition, and can hardly be the creation of Aeschylus himself! After all, with all the potential names at his disposal, it's quite unlikely that there was not a single name suiting the metrical form of Eteoklus! I could name a few myself. The point is, here is an example of a scholarly subject where Wiki fails utterly.
For example, this isn't something big, but it could be problematic to some. The meaning of the name Polyneikes, if you go to his entry, before I changed it, was said to be 'many victories.' This was plainly added by some first year Greek student or some such that misread the -neikes for -nikos, taking what is 'strife' for 'victory.' I promptly changed it, but the problem remains that it does not always provide the best of information on more academic subjects.
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There are far worse things you do with the internet that you should be ashamed of, FaustWolf...>_>
...Like spending all my free time on videogame fansites? I do feel weird about it -- people ask me, "So what did you do over Spring Break?" And I'm like, "I, uh, studied. Yeah." They probably suspect I fritter my time on something silly like pron, when in reality I'm hacking Chrono Cross or Trigger. I'm not sure which would be considered more sad amongst the "normal populace." I'm really leading a double life here. But it's fun!
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There are far worse things you do with the internet that you should be ashamed of, FaustWolf...>_>
...Like spending all my free time on videogame fansites? I do feel weird about it -- people ask me, "So what did you do over Spring Break?" And I'm like, "I, uh, studied. Yeah." They probably suspect I fritter my time on something silly like pron, when in reality I'm hacking Chrono Cross or Trigger. I'm not sure which would be considered more sad amongst the "normal populace." I'm really leading a double life here. But it's fun!
A life I'm a bit envious of. I should really get onto the hacking scene...
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The Compendium's a perfect place to start -- lots of support here. It's really a modder's paradise.
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I'd like to use Temporal Flux sometime, but the Internet Compie doesn't seem to like it. Maybe because I need an actual ROM on that one... *sigh*
Uh... gripes... this morning they gave me frozen milk with my 'yummies'. I don't know what the 'yummies' are, so I just call them that. They're like hash browns, except instead of potatoes it's ham and egg and cheese. Thus, they are 'yummies'.
Other gripes! Um... Internet is distracting. This is a prime time to do my Mockingbird work. I'm spending it here.
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B/c of the issues that almost caused my hiatus, I will not be able to play CTDS, though I will be getting the game for X-Mas.
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You're lucky. You know you're getting the thing. I don't know what I'm getting, but CTDS and a DS are the first things on my list this year.
Gripes... um... mother is very sick. She says she's been puking a lot. Good news is now I don't have to change out of what I'm wearing (it's a lower than normal cut sweater) to go visit my dad for supper (too revealing for a visit with my dad even though I am his 16-year-old daughter is anything that shows skin on my legs [no skirts], nothing that gives the idea that I have boobs [if anyone says tits or gtfo, I'm going to hurt you in some way], nothing that reveals skin above my boobs [this sweater is not good, because although it is loose, it is a V-neck and shows skin there], nothing that is tight on my butt [these jeans aren't good either], and... actually, he's going to be checking me out no matter what) and now I get to sit and write! Yay!
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My ballroom dance final, supposedly I do not have one. So now I really confused.
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Wikipedia is not a credible source due to the fact that the information you're viewing might be either biased or inaccurate, or downright false. You gotta give them credit, it does make sense.
Pfft. On the proper topics, Wikipedia has a lower rate of errors than the Encyclopedia Britannica. If you want information on a popular book, a pop-culture figure, a movie, etc, there is no better place (though it still pays to look through the history to make sure you aren't victim of a recent vandalism attempt, though most instances of vandalism get corrected in less than 10 seconds, on average). The problem comes when it is a topic that no one cares about. Look at the history page and the discussion page and see how many different people participate on that page. If it doesn't look like many people care, then the probability of false information skyrockets.
One just has to keep in mind that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia. It can introduce you to a topic and help you formulate a framework for understanding other sources, and sometimes that is enough. It is a good first step in the research process. And a horrible last step.
Unfortunately, academia frowns on Wikipedia not because of the value of the content, rather it is because the perceived value of the contributors (aka, the unwashed masses). The common public has not jumped through the same hoops that most in academia have, so therefore academia does not want to listen to them and will spurn them.
A shame, really, since places like Wikipedia are incredibly similar to how print culture developed and the Enlightenment got started.
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Well, doing it that way IS plagairism. If you quote Wiki which has taken its sources from elsewhere, and only cite those sources, you're in error. You must cite Wikipedia, and if you wish, add in the others as extras in your bibliography. After all, I couldn't just read an article in a journal, and cite someone's sources! No, I have to cite the article itself. Same goes for a book.
This would apply if Wikipedia's referencing mainly aggregated sources and synthesized information without footnotes, but the preferred way is to source every single assertion to the last. If you go to Chrono Trigger's Wikipedia article and click on the number after the sentence talking about the announcement of Chrono Trigger DS, you'll be taken to the listing for the press release. The best Wikipedia articles have everything rigorously tied down,
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I just got to leave the rowing team because I found out I can't afford the $200 a month dues.
And my cat died.
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wtf? $200?? Do they buy a new friggin boat every month or something? >_>
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Well, doing it that way IS plagairism. If you quote Wiki which has taken its sources from elsewhere, and only cite those sources, you're in error. You must cite Wikipedia, and if you wish, add in the others as extras in your bibliography. After all, I couldn't just read an article in a journal, and cite someone's sources! No, I have to cite the article itself. Same goes for a book.
This would apply if Wikipedia's referencing mainly aggregated sources and synthesized information without footnotes, but the preferred way is to source every single assertion to the last. If you go to Chrono Trigger's Wikipedia article and click on the number after the sentence talking about the announcement of Chrono Trigger DS, you'll be taken to the listing for the press release. The best Wikipedia articles have everything rigorously tied down,
And to site one source out of them all is just wrong.
Let's say I write a report where I say "According to Charleston Chew, 'Pluto is a planet'." I've cited where I got that information. Now if someone reads my report and quotes it as "According to this report, 'Pluto is a planet'." Now I should not be the source, Charleston Chew should. But following Daniels logic, it should.
I think.
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Aw... the kitty died? I'm sorry...
Well, Maud hates me. I gave her a bath last night. She's a skinny little thing... um... Temporal Odyssey has too much going on. I can't keep up. Uh... good news is Maud is clean and my mom is doing better.
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Well, if you slow up, you're gonna end up left behind.
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And to site one source out of them all is just wrong.
Let's say I write a report where I say "According to Charleston Chew, 'Pluto is a planet'." I've cited where I got that information. Now if someone reads my report and quotes it as "According to this report, 'Pluto is a planet'." Now I should not be the source, Charleston Chew should. But following Daniels logic, it should.
I think.
Actually, yes. But it depends on a few factors. If the person summarized your thoughts, they'd cite you. If the person actually went and looked at the original source that you cited and got the information from there, that is what they'd cite. But if you don't check out the actual source, you shouldn't cite it.
This is essentially what history is all about. If you were writing a paper on, say, Tiberius Caesar, you might use a book that cites Tacitus or some other Roman historian. But, unless you actually went and looked at Tacitus' work, you couldn't cite Tacitus, you'd cite the author of that book.
And there are of course different forms of citation. You use footnotes or endnotes to cite specific facts, but then there is the bibliography in which you should cite all the sources you used, even if you didn't get the facts from them specifically. Wikipedia would definitely belong there, even if it might not belong in a footnote.
When in doubt, cite. When not in doubt, cite anyways.
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Shadow, I tried posting this morning.
MY POWER DIED.
So, the entire state of MA and probably part of NH are frozen. We aren't guaranteed power until Monday and several major highways just recently became passable! Gah! ... good news is that I might not have school on Monday. :D
Hey, guess what, guys? Click here (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/index.html) for more info on the storm we're having. Fitchburg is currently in a state of emergency and so is the state! I'd watch the news myself, but the cable has been gone since this morning.
Why does it feel like Saturday?
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Ouch, that bites.
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So I'm probably going to be taking a semester break from college because I'm broke and about to go batshit insane. I'm not in my hometown, so I'm probably going to be renting a place from my girlfriends parents and make some money so I'm no longer in debt in every possible way imaginable.
Seriously. I'm in debt in every possible way imaginable.
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Seriously. I'm in debt in every possible way imaginable.
Huh, you should talk to P.S.Z. about that.
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Ice storm + school in forested area = no school until TUESDAY! Woohoo! Although that is pretty damn awesome, I don't have anything to do. FF12 sucks and I can't keep playing Smash Brothers. It's frickin' cold out there, man, and it's a rather long and unpleasant walk down to the plaza with K-Mart and stuff. Good news is I have a five-day weekend!
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Ice storm + school in forested area = no school until TUESDAY! Woohoo! Although that is pretty damn awesome, I don't have anything to do. FF12 sucks and I can't keep playing Smash Brothers. It's frickin' cold out there, man, and it's a rather long and unpleasant walk down to the plaza with K-Mart and stuff. Good news is I have a five-day weekend!
First off, I didn't think FF12 was that bad. I thought it was a bit refreshing from the usual way FF is.
Second off, I used to live in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Glad I got the fuck out of there.
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Yeah, we're kinda in the middle of a state of emergency, considering almost half the state still lacks power. As for 12, it wasn't my cup of tea. If I wanted MMO style games, I'd buy an MMO, not a Final Fantasy.
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It's time like these that I don't miss the cold....just finished 5 years in Florida and now live in S. California....snow was done being cool for me 10 years ago.
But yea I suppose that sucks having no power and all.
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Yeah, we're kinda in the middle of a state of emergency, considering almost half the state still lacks power. As for 12, it wasn't my cup of tea. If I wanted MMO style games, I'd buy an MMO, not a Final Fantasy.
I'm so glad I wasn't the only one to think like that.
I'm sorry, but I enjoy turn based battles. I'm getting sick of all the REAL-TIME ACTION games, not my cup of tea.
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A good turn based RPG is what I like. ToD was okay (it wasn't all this MMO style thing, but had similar qualities), but would I take 10 and 7 and 6 and CT and CC over 12 and 11? HELL YES!
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themoggleking456 (5 days ago) Show Hide
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cna't be semore in bevelve
i really need to traing ther but the emanys are to hard.. oh well train begens
themoggleking456 (5 days ago) Show Hide
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eya you fight him in machalala, beveele, stuck there any tips, mt gigazet, and sins stoucmah
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ergh! Drinking and driving. Dumbest shit anyone could ever do. My friend texted me at 1:30 this morning saying that she totalled her car. I asked what happened. If anything, you can guess what happened. Drinking, driving, speeding, swerving, shitting. Her friend that happened to be dumb enough to ride with her is in the hospital. GAH.
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Ouch. Only shows that one must not D.D.
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Ouch. I'm glad I don't have much experience with drunks who drive. My parents used to drink, but now they're serious A.A. members. Hi, I'm Arnie, and I'm an alcoholic.
Hi, Arnie.
Gripes... oh, right! I'm sick. Like, horrible sick. I can barely walk from my room to my mom's room, which isn't all that far away. Good news is most of the nausea is gone *knockonwood* and I don't feel horribly tired anymore! *knockonwood* Yaaaaay!
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ergh! Drinking and driving. Dumbest shit anyone could ever do. My friend texted me at 1:30 this morning saying that she totalled her car. I asked what happened. If anything, you can guess what happened. Drinking, driving, speeding, swerving, shitting. Her friend that happened to be dumb enough to ride with her is in the hospital. GAH.
Stuff like this really pisses me off. People can be so inconsiderate when they drive drunk/stoned. What pisses me off even more is the state of drug legislation in this country (U.S. is where I live).
I hate alcohol and I have pretty much decided to stop drinking. Did you know that the vast majority of illegal drugs are actually better for you than consuming alcohol or nicotine? Indeed, the psychedelic drug psilocybin is rated as less toxic than aspirin by the CDC. But it's illegal to consume the magic mushrooms that contain it.
So why is alcohol legal while less harmful drugs are illegal? My guess would be just because there is a huge commercial and cultural market built up around alcohol and the fact that it's so damned easy to make. Prohibition would never work again in this day and age. So we're left with an ass-backwards legal system and thousands of people that drive drunk and endanger the lives of perfectly sober people every day.
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Just found out a college buddy of mine died in a car accident on the 12th. Whether it's related to alcohol I have no clue, but damn it.
Alcohol is best taken in moderation, and when settling in for a cozy evening of hacking, creative writing, or something else that doesn't involve moving vehicles. Youth culture in America, at least, seems to glorify the act of puking one's guts out after chugging loads of it, which I never understood.
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=/...Oh man. I'm so sorry...
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I didn't get to know him all that well, but he was a really nice guy. Cleveland lost a phenomenal individual.
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Ugh. That's why I always pick between driving or drinking on a given night. No one should suffer for someone else's irresponsibility.
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Drinking and driving is a serious :picardno
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Sorry...
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Sorry, Faust.
Drink driving, eugh. There's enough binge drinking and accidents due to it in this area...
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After I beat MM3, I decided to finally make an effort to beat MM7. I got the super adapter, and can finally beat the Wily levels. I've gotten up to Wily twice. The first time I couldn't get past the first form. The second time I got up to the second one. I used every E-tank I had. I used my S-tank. ONE MORE @#$%^&* HIT WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM! I got Game over, and am now back to the beginning and need to get more screws to buy more E-tanks. ...I hate that game.
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Farming in the Megaman games was easily twice as stupid time consuming as in the Metroid games...>_>
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So I just spent a LONG time working on my little Dalton scene that is basically meant for me to get the hang of things. For shits and giggles I kept on attacking and attacking because Iron Orb can't kill you. I used a save state for a while in the battle for when I knew the ending burp would come. Turns out even if I timed Aura whirl perfectly, I don't even have the capacity to have enough HP to survive the burp yet....
:picardno
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Aww... I'm sorry to hear that, Shee.
Gripes... oh, right!
Lunenburg Public Schools (Lunenburg being a town near Fitchburg) has decided to close its doors.
Until January 5th.
It's not just that that's bugging me. I have to go back to class TOMORROW. For what? Five days of school, if not less. Is it wrong to hope that a tree falls on FHS?
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Delta, you ever play MMX? I have X1 and it was a good game. I might get IHX if I ever get the chance.
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Delta, you ever play MMX? I have X1 and it was a good game. I might get IHX if I ever get the chance.
Irregular/Maverick Hunter X is really great, I love it.
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Oh, fuck yeah. Maverick Hunter X will always win. I liked the "Day of Sigma" vid they put in. It was cool.
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Today just doesn't seem to be my day, guys. My sister has contracted what I had/have, except with more... puke. I had to strip her bed 'cause she missed the bucket I gave her, change my pants and socks because I stepped in the stuff that got on the floor, rinse off the stuff that had puke on it, and then wash out Barfy the Barf Bucket.
There are two good sides to this story, however. My mom went shopping and I was able to eat two pieces of chicken! Yaaay! First real food in almost forever. The second side is that Fitchburg Public Schools has closed its doors.
UNTIL NEXT MONDAY.
IF NOT LATER.
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Ouch. I hear that more than you'll ever know.
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My mom went shopping and I was able to eat two pieces of chicken! Yaaay! First real food in almost forever. The second side is that Fitchburg Public Schools has closed its doors.
I totally read that as "I was able to eat two pieces of children! Yaaay!" and was totally going to call you my hero, teaflower. Anyways, yes indeed, being sickies or being around sickies sucks.
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Was there something wrong with Fitchburg Schools?
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Was there something wrong with Fitchburg Schools?
Let me put it bluntly. Unitil, the company that is in charge of most of this area and part of NH, is a dick. They charge too much for power and heat and here in Fitchburg, half of the city lacks power. The area where the high school, at least, is one of those areas. On top of this, there used to be a whole bunch of forest around the school.
Not so much anymore.
So no power, fallen wires and tree limbs under snow that came down last night... no school. Mind you, the neighboring rival town, Leominster, (look up longest school rivalries, Fitchburg v. Leominster is up there) has National Grid. They had 100% power yesterday. They didn't go to school today, however, because it snowed. John Fitch Highway, the big highway that leads to just about everywhere here in Fitchburg, wasn't even PLOWED from what I understand of the situation!
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Holy shit, that sucks. Unitil needs to go. 'Nuff said.
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It does! We pay only for electricity here in the complex I live in (I love being poor sometimes). It's, not that much.
Until you get to the delivery fee.
Townsend, one of the towns that has Unitil, doesn't have power. They do, however, have septic systems. They can't CRAP without fear of their house, like, exploding or something.
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Townsend? Did you spell that right?
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Yes. Townsend. At one point, it was probably the last town, thus Town's End or Towns End became Townsend. Google Townsend. There's a lot going on there.
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I was just wondering b/c a friend of mine is surnamed "Townsend" and it seemed a bit odd.
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My friend just got in a car wreck.
The friend that told me that "Going 10 miles over the speed limit wasn't speeding."
:picardno
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Hope your friend pulls out okay. Jeez, what is it with car accidents this week?
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Hope your friend pulls out okay. Jeez, what is it with car accidents this week?
He says he's fine, just his car's totaled, or should I say, his mom's car.
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Hope your friend pulls out okay. Jeez, what is it with car accidents this week?
He says he's fine, just his car's totaled, or should I say, his mom's car.
He's okay right now, wait 'til after the maternal wrath and ask him again.
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Hope your friend pulls out okay. Jeez, what is it with car accidents this week?
He says he's fine, just his car's totaled, or should I say, his mom's car.
He's okay right now, wait 'til after the maternal wrath and ask him again.
No, I think his dad is going to kill him, if he already hasn't.
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*snort* Not as reckless as my brother (not the same one that was mentioned in the GL thread). When he's angry, keep him off the road.
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The friend that told me that "Going 10 miles over the speed limit wasn't speeding."
Depends on the weather.
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They're more like speed suggestions anyways.
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The friend that told me that "Going 10 miles over the speed limit wasn't speeding."
Depends on the weather.
This. For example, moving at all would be too fast in present conditions, as I'm completely snowed in. Sucks.
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The closest thing I've ever had to a snow storm is back in May we had a huge hail storm. Yesterday it was raining day in and day out. Fortunately It hasn't happened today. It was nice until I had to go outside.
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Supposed to get about 30cm over the next couple of days...at least most of it will come over the weekend...assuming it does come
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30cm... need to look that up in my metric to... not-metric dictionary...
Something tells me that's a foot or less.
But ha! And again, ha! We've got 8-12" coming this way on Friday alone. Then on Sunday, we've got an ice and snow mix! Fun, eh? I hate to hear you're snowed in, RD. That sucks.
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Supposed to get about 30cm over the next couple of days...at least most of it will come over the weekend...assuming it does come
I'm sorry, I know this is a thread about frustration, but I lol'd. I lol'd hard.
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I fucking hate the cold.
I have like 1% body fat, and I freeze almost immediately.
I'm wearing two pairs of socks, two pairs of pants, a t-shirt, and a sweater. X_X
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It's freezing here too! My fingers are frozen and it's kinda hard to type. ;_;
Need glovvvvvvvvvvvvvvesssssssssss~
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You don't like the cold too. Make that three.
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I hate extreme temperatures. Slightly warm area? I'm there. One way or another.
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I enjoy the cold, so feel free to hand it to me if that were somehow possible. *chuckles*
But I am becoming rather frustrated at those who are understimating me and taking my kindness for granted. *frowns*
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I like cold when I get it. It like almost never gets below 20 degrees Fahrenheit here. But in Summer it can get up to 100-115 degrees. And we only have cold for a few months.
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I enjoy cold far more than heat...You can only take off so many clothes in the heat...Anyways, we've got some snow here (a couple inches or so), but I like it because if it's not snowing around this time of year, it's raining...>_>
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I am definitely on for the cold as opposed to the heat. It could easily be 10 below and snowing and I out side in some shorts and a T-shirt not having a problem. The down side is I'm not exagerating either, I gotten frostbite and didn't even know.
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30cm... need to look that up in my metric to... not-metric dictionary...
Something tells me that's a foot or less.
I believe that dictionary is called google.
searching..."30 cm to in" result "30 centimeters = 11.8110236 in"
i believe this is where you young whipper snappers say "teaflower, FTW" or something like that.
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Ah, well... It's less than a foot. That's what counts.
T.K., I don't take advantage of your kindness! You're too awesome to be taken advantage of!
I'll trade anyone New England Summer AND Winter (two extremes) for something that's not so extreme! Again, snow is coming later today, ice is coming over the weekend, and it is just oppressive in the summer.
Right now, I'm pissed at MassHealth. There's been some sort of snafu involved with my coverage, so that means no doctors, no hospitals if I fall and break my neck, no psychiatrists, and no visits to the medicine doctor. And knowing MassHealth, it'll be forever until it's fixed up.
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Pissed at two users on GamePolitics. Taking up the old Troll legacy.
:picardno
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I'm honestly not too concerned with the cold itself, but in the resultant road conditions. Even if I cleared the pile of snow off of it, my car was not built for snowy conditions.
I have things to do; I need to be able to get out of my apartment complex.
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I feel kind of bad for my sister. She needs to do shopping. The roads are terrible here in the Burg of Fitch. Try getting down John Fitch Icerink to get to my house.
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T.K., I don't take advantage of your kindness! You're too awesome to be taken advantage of!
*chuckles* Not here, but elsewhere. The life beyond this machine, the one that I wonder around in, waiting for my destiny to become finished more than it already has.
Anywho...
My! Has the temperature dropped here! Why, it was sixty degrees farenheit yesterday, and today it is thirty! *laughs*
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For all you guys talking about cold, I envy you all. Down here in Orlando, Florida it is EIGHTY DEGREES IN THE MIDDLE OF FRIGGING DECEMBER.
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O-Town, huh? I spent five years in Tallanasty, and everyone form Orlando bitches aobut warm winters. I hate being cold no matter what. And yea, I'm a bit of a grinch too.
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I'd move to Orlando, if it weren't for the old people migrations... and the fact that I'm poor.
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TACT, YOU ARE FUCKING LUCKY.
[/zoah]
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Yea but with all those old people there's no income tax
And then the state wonders why it has shit for cash.
"Johnny can't write because Johnny dosen't have a fucking pencil." -Gus Haynes (The Wire)
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Pardon the interuption...but I simply must let this out....
...that I am now becoming very infuriated, at the fact that one of my good friends....
....is moving towards the edge of betraying my honor and friendship towards them.
*begins to steam from the ears* And to believe that I give my all for my friends!
*calms, then steams again*
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Pardon the interuption...but I simply must let this out....
...that I am now becoming very infuriated, at the fact that one of my good friends....
....is moving towards the edge of betraying my honor and friendship towards them.
*begins to steam from the ears* And to believe that I give my all for my friends!
*calms, then steams again*
Welcome to the story of my life... I've been betrayed so many times in my life by friends that I'm surprised I still trust care for others. But then again, I suppose I've seen that a simple betrayal against me is nothing compared to the hurt I may have incurred upon others over the course of my life, and certainly not as profound as that which is going around me with my fellow mankind right now.
Beyond that, though, I can't really give you any advice as I simply don't know enough.
-
*thinks to self*
My friend, I've had quite the past. Betrayl is nothing new to me either. But I do despise it so, when one can be so very willing to throw away a grand friendship with one who honors their friends more than all of the wealth, gold, and glory in the world. Shameful, no?
Many people know, that in real life, I can be your best friend. But, I can also be your greatest enemy, in a fashion. I dare not do so dishonorably, though. A shame to ruin myself by being the enemy, no? That is why, I will only mourn this loss.
*frowns*
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*thinks to self*
My friend, I've had quite the past. Betrayl is nothing new to me either. But I do despise it so, when one can be so very willing to throw away a grand friendship with one who honors their friends more than all of the wealth, gold, and glory in the world. Shameful, no?
Many people know, that in real life, I can be your best friend. But, I can also be your greatest enemy, in a fashion. I dare not do so dishonorably, though. A shame to ruin myself by being the enemy, no? That is why, I will only mourn this loss.
*frowns*
Did he break the cardinal rule: Bros before hoes? Because if not, things could probably have been worse...:lol:
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Damn, TK, I am impressed! You put it so eloquently. Are you the next Shakespeare or w/e?
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*takes out a sword and slams it into the ground*
My friend, Translanka, what this betrayl might be to some, I would not take lightly. A story behind it, there happens to be, but I will let you know, not a he, but a she.
*chuckles* Shakespear? No. If only, but so. I am, whost I am. No more, no less. Of course, that I also regress, for I am much more than ordinary, then extraordinary. But I pertain to humbility and modesty. *bows*
EDIT: Not a love story, either. But one that dost break my heart.
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So a girl you're friends with is proving to be a turncoat of some kind?
Also, the term is humbleness. Just FYI.
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Indeed, but is it wrong to change words so that they present a ryhme scheme? I think not!
Indeed. I will tell the tale, if those who wish to hear it vouch it so.
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Do what is right, not what is satisfactory.
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What the ... is this??? > > :picardno
Just noticed that today... but arrrgghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
I am frustrated at the amount of great potential threads here (especially in the CT DS board) that are constantly being riddled by off-topic foolishness. GOD!! Where is teh Entity when you need her most!
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*thinks to self*
My friend, I've had quite the past. Betrayl is nothing new to me either. But I do despise it so, when one can be so very willing to throw away a grand friendship with one who honors their friends more than all of the wealth, gold, and glory in the world. Shameful, no?
Many people know, that in real life, I can be your best friend. But, I can also be your greatest enemy, in a fashion. I dare not do so dishonorably, though. A shame to ruin myself by being the enemy, no? That is why, I will only mourn this loss.
*frowns*
As much as it pains anyone, a person must learn, in addition to how to be a good friend, how to be a good enemy, in turn. Whilst that happenstance not apply, a worthy maxim of the heart fry.
What the ... is this??? > > :picardno
Just noticed that today... but arrrgghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
I am frustrated at the amount of great potential threads here (especially in the CT DS board) that are constantly being riddled by off-topic foolishness. GOD!! Where is teh Entity when you need her most!
The one behind you bears his shares of the blood of the spoil, with which we toil.
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Are we all rhyming our responses to this thread now?
Very well. There once was a man from Nantucket...
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I'm back home and I am gonna see Kaity this weekend. Man it's has been a while and I still get overwhelmed by the thought of her. :(
And I just burnt my index finger relatively badly. I am now touch typing and its going so slow...ow.
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Indeed, but is it wrong to change words so that they present a ryhme scheme? I think not!
Yes, it is.
A love of style you may possess,
And in such you may assess,
That any sound that comes to mind,
You can use and not seem crass,
But once to you let me remind,
To do that makes you an ass.
The word you were looking for was actually "humility." Use a thesaurus if you can't think of the right word. Use a dictionary if you aren't certain about the spelling.
And keep trying, but do it right.
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Are we all rhyming our responses to this thread now?
Very well. There once was a man from Nantucket...
Who had recently kicked the bucket.
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I'm back home and I am gonna see Kaity this weekend. Man it's has been a while and I still get overwhelmed by the thought of her. :(
And I just burnt my index finger relatively badly. I am now touch typing and its going so slow...ow.
I recently got a blister on my thumb thanks to one of those candles in a jar that get ridiculously hot (along with my own stupidity in picking up said candle...>_>)...Damn these weak fleshbags of ours...!!
Are we all rhyming our responses to this thread now?
Very well. There once was a man from Nantucket...
Who had recently kicked the bucket.
They took his body & into a hole they stuck it.
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Are we all rhyming our responses to this thread now?
Very well. There once was a man from Nantucket...
Who had recently kicked the bucket.
They took his body & into a hole they stuck it.
Anybody want a peanut?
I just fixed your quote tag (was missing the beginning tag) because I just hate seeing tags fucked up (especially when someone's quoting me! :lol:
~V_Translanka
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I just fixed your quote tag (was missing the beginning tag) because I just hate seeing tags fucked up (especially when someone's quoting me! :lol:
~V_Translanka
That happened to me once. Thankfully, it doesn't anymore.
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Indeed, but is it wrong to change words so that they present a ryhme scheme? I think not!
Yes, it is.
A love of style you may possess,
And in such you may assess,
That any sound that comes to mind,
You can use and not seem crass,
But once to you let me remind,
To do that makes you an ass.
The word you were looking for was actually "humility." Use a thesaurus if you can't think of the right word. Use a dictionary if you aren't certain about the spelling.
And keep trying, but do it right.
Actually, my friend, I used Humbility with good intention, not humility. A great difference between the two words there are, as humbility is a word lost to Time itself. The act of presenting the character of being humble, that is. *bows*
Thoust shalt never find it in any dictionary today.
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A little ticked of by the snow. We got, I believe a foot of snow in a day and a half with drifting that could cause the snow piles to be almost 2 feet T_T...This winter is already worse then last years...and last year cause a chaotic flood.
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Yeesh. That's rough. It just keeps coming down out there. I don't know how much is out there, but there's a lot. It's funny to see little dogs hopping through the snow, though.
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A little ticked of by the snow. We got, I believe a foot of snow in a day and a half with drifting that could cause the snow piles to be almost 2 feet T_T...This winter is already worse then last years...and last year cause a chaotic flood.
2 feet is not too bad...assuming the snow plows are diligent. 2 years ago there was a snow storm that plopped at least 4 feet overnight....needless to say, the city was shut down
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No one out here really keeps up. Mainly because we can't pow the roads because a whole lot of fallen wires and tree branches are beneath all that snow. Sucks, eh?
-
Frustration:
I just got a fucking root canal at the dentist. :shock: I thought it was just a routine check up. Those bastards lied to me.
And they injected me with so much lidocaine, which slowly migrated down my face (since I was inclined downwards slightly), so that now not only is my mouth and tongue numb but so is the entire right side of my face, my right nostril, my right eyelid, and the bottom part of my right ear. And it will be this way for hours.
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*Stares blankly for 5 seconds* ...I just don't get how I can get yelled a for sleeping, doing nothing, and how my brother blames his stupidity for balancing on the edge of the cluch on his stomach and falling on me. his reason is that I'm so stupid that my stupin-ness was transfered over to him to ease my brain. I'm one of the best RPG players in my hometown. sure my grades are a D+ through B avarage but I don't always apply myself. I usually don't do homework but that dose not mean I'm stupid. My brother's logic has always been flawed and he just tries to get a jab at me when ever he can. My brother even went as far to say my current girlfriend was a guy which was too far. Sure he nakes jibes at me, calling me a girl and then gay but if I'm a girl and gay and dating a guy that would mean I'm straight... he is annoying beyond all end and his logic is as good as president bushes' speaches about terrorists 'misunderestimating' him. the olny thing left to say about him is...
:picardno
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Frustration:
I just got a fucking root canal at the dentist. :shock: I thought it was just a routine check up. Those bastards lied to me.
And they injected me with so much lidocaine, which slowly migrated down my face (since I was inclined downwards slightly), so that now not only is my mouth and tongue numb but so is the entire right side of my face, my right nostril, my right eyelid, and the bottom part of my right ear. And it will be this way for hours.
I got 2 root canals a few months ago...I took a picture of myself when they walked away for a minute but lost it...I looked like freakin Hannibal. POint: I feel your pain mang
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Lol, Everyone else lives on the East Coast.
I'm frusterated that I can't Explode the heads of the kids at my school.
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Gah! :x My friggin ISP crapped out last night and this morning and it's been boring as hell around here. Oh well... I guess I'm back on now.
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I'm frusterated that I can't Explode the heads of the kids at my school.
You don't want to. Trust me, the Eternal Ambulance Chaser (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_(attorney)) is better off with nothing to do.
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Bleh, my 75 avg for the term. bugger! so, i am frustrated with my lack of steady paced studies...cramming for a Tax course is a bad idea :(
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You know what bothers me?
The People to People Organization.
They send kids to far away countries like Israel and Australia, right? I got a letter offering me the chance to study and travel in Australia. However, they neglect to tell you how expensive it is to go, how much of your summer you'll waste there, and all the little intricacies.
Here's a quote from the first paragraph.
Dear Shannon:
We are pleased to offer your daughter a one-time-only opportunity to travel and study in Australia in the summer of 2009.
Mind you, this was addressed to me, Shannon G., who lives at my home address in Fitchburg, MA. I don't have a daughter, people! Grr!
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People to People is a scam. They send letters to parents to make them think their kids are special and have been invited to join this prestigious organization.
But in reality they just send out letters to everyone. Parents buy into it because they want to think their kids are special.
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.. *Speeeecial*... I get to go to Isreal for free when I'm 18, YAY!!
BACK TO TOPIC!!!!!
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Mind you, this was addressed to me, Shannon G., who lives at my home address in Fitchburg, MA.
'Tis thee, Shannon! Hast thou come to test thy skill in secrecy?
Seriously, Tea, we truly did not need to know that. Sorry.
EDIT: BTW, that is the only time I will use your name.
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I think Shannon is a pretty name.
Kudos to anyone that can guess mine.
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Not too hard, methinks, but I will not say. No one else had better, either, for all our sakes.
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Someone guess my name??
PLEASE??
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Why should you fear getting your name on the internet? Did you do something that can be traced back to you? You do realize that is not that hard for, say an employer, to find out what internet actives you've been up to. I also don't fear those "scary internet rapists in dark alleys" because they are very few and far between plus there are better ways to protect you self then hiding you name.
Shannon is a beautiful name, Ken(mine) on the other hand is semi-dull.
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Plus, it's not as if people post their last names. How many Shannons, Erics, and Kens are there in the world?
And with myspace and facebook nowadays all a potential employer has to do is look you up or posts you've made on friends pages to decide whether or not you are an asshole.
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My fist name is Ova,
My Middle is Nin
and my last is Tousand.
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There are millions upon millions of Shannon's out there. There are less Shannon G.s, but there's only one Tea. I see no problem with telling you what city/state I live in, how old I am, and what my first name is. There's another Shannon in my community. I hate her.
Anyway, as for People to People, I actually know a kid who does it as often as his family can afford it. They do fundraisers for it and stuff. He's a good kid and a genius, if you ask me.
If I were a boy, I would be Michael. My mom wanted to call me Claire.
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Michael is my little name. I like it better than my first name.
And I stand by my position: Screw people to people. Go to Europe and backpack for cheap, stay in youth hostels and have a lot more fun that way.
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My name was almost Barney, Sebastien or Tristan. But good old Dad saved the day.
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Tristan? You don't seem sad. ... Tristan has a Latin root which means sad. You're not a sad nerdy, Nerdy. I'm sort of like a river. Just go with the flow...
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My name was almost Barney, Sebastien or Tristan. But good old Dad saved the day.
Your dad chose your name? Mine too. Actually, it was because he won a bet that he got to choose.
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I have you all beat, if I was a girl my name would have been Midnight Dominique. I do not lie.
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My name is Justin. It's too common :(
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Midnight Dominique? Cool. Who thought of that one? Betcha it was your older sister.
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Actually, my dad convinced my mom to change it. They argued for a long time, and came up with N.A.C. You guys can guess the name now.
(Check the Sprite comics)
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In my case, it was a bet, made before I was born. If I was a boy, my father will name me as his father. And if I was a girl, my mother will name me as her mother.
And as such, I have the same name as my grandfather.
Same thing happened with my brother, but he instead has the other grandfather's name.
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Midnight Dominique? Cool. Who thought of that one? Betcha it was your older sister.
No it was my mother, my dad was against it, but mother wanted it. Problem was I'm a dude so that fell threw, I now named after my Grandfather.
My PSX emu sucks with a Keyboard, and I left my control at my dorm room. ARGG!
-
Nothing beats using a controller (and especially a PSX controller) with PSX emu. It's just not worth it otherwise.
I even use my playstation controller for N64 emu. I actually prefer it because I'm weird like that.
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This is my gamepad of choice at the moment:
(http://www.saitek.com/uk/images/product/p990.jpg) (http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/p990.htm)
* 4 quick-fire shoulder triggers
* 8-way d-pad
* 6 responsive buttons
* 2 analog joysticks with built-in buttons
* Fully programmable
* Plug and Play/ No drivers needed
* Cheap price of $20 bucks
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My name is Justin. It's too common :(
Justin... what? I know two people named Justin. One acts like a fruit to me, and the other is one that deserves to die for betraying me, a close friend of mine, and a guy the two of us are friends with. Personally, I hope you're neither.
This is my gamepad of choice at the moment:
(http://www.saitek.com/uk/images/product/p990.jpg) (http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/p990.htm)
* 4 quick-fire shoulder triggers
* 8-way d-pad
* 6 responsive buttons
* 2 analog joysticks with built-in buttons
* Fully programmable
* Plug and Play/ No drivers needed
* Cheap price of $20 bucks
Aww, fuck yeah! :D That is a sweet controller, KebreI!
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Aren't there more than just two Justin's in the world or am I missing some sort of inside joke?
-
There was no joke, but you did miss the point. If he's either of the two I know, there's gonna be trouble, so I just want to know to be on the safe side.
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But what would be the odds of that? Then again me and Zeality both live in the same town and went to the same school. The odds against that must be pretty high too.
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True, but the fact that there are odds is what has me on edge. If anything, it's for the record.
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There was no joke, but you did miss the point. If he's either of the two I know, there's gonna be trouble, so I just want to know to be on the safe side.
No there isn't. If you have problems with someone in person, settle it with them in person. Assume he isn't the Justin you have beef with unless some compelling evidence comes up to indicate otherwise.
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I do not say he is, but I do not say either that he is NOT. To me, he is a third unless he proves otherwise
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He's in a flux between is and not. Like Schrodingers cat. Perhaps he is neither until you observe him to be?
/End sarcasm
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My name's Grant, and apparently I was named after some Irish theif dude who helped our ancestor's out hundreds of years ago. As long as we were on the topic of names, I just thought I'd chime in...
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I do not say he is, but I do not say either that he is NOT. To me, he is a third unless he proves otherwise
Are you insane? Seriously, he's innocent until proven guilty.
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... this all makes little sense to me.
Um... gripes... uh... I have glove dependency problems. I can't type or do most things with my hands without my fingerless gloves on. It's freaky! GAH!
EDIT: Oh, now what? Do I have to make a new account like Kebrel did? I know what I'll do. There will be a new member joining soon. Her name? I dunno. teaflower565? TeaFlower!? Angelic Flower? BOB?! GAH!
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TEAFLOWER IS A SUN STONER
SCREENCAPPING FOR GREAT JUSTICE
Teaflower, don't ever post again. Look at that post count. It's beautiful.
EDIT: Immortalizing this moment forever with said screencap:
[attachment deleted by admin]
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I do not say he is, but I do not say either that he is NOT. To me, he is a third unless he proves otherwise
Are you insane? Seriously, he's innocent until proven guilty.
1. Yes, I am insane. So are you. We are ALL insane in our own way.
2. So says you. I continue to remain neutral on the topic.
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I do not say he is, but I do not say either that he is NOT. To me, he is a third unless he proves otherwise
Are you insane? Seriously, he's innocent until proven guilty.
1. Yes, I am insane. So are you. We are ALL insane in our own way.
2. So says you. I continue to remain neutral on the topic.
No, Shadow, I think you misunderstand how a court of law works. Regardless of personal opinions, the defendant is indeed innocent until proven guilty. There is no "Third party". You can't be "Half-Guilty". You're either guilty or innocent, and until the judge slams the gavel, you are indeed innocent unless you're proven guilty.
-
This isn't a court of law, though.
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This isn't a court of law, though.
But it is AMERICA. FUCK YEAH!
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This isn't a court of law, though.
:picardno
(Damn it feels good to use that on you...)
Shadow, it's basic logic -- something you should know by this point. Your conclusion of this being a certain Justin does not even inductively follow the premise of him holding the name.
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I thought we were done with this argument...
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Same here. I made peace at least!
Gripes... um... none at the moment.
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I thought we were done with this argument...
It wasn't an argument, rather a set of statements. I just pointed out the absurdity of Shadow's logic -- if anything, it's a correction.
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Why whats this? The $%*! frustration thread of science! Hmm what should I submit, Oh I know! This:
I thought we were done with this argument...
It wasn't an argument, rather a set of statements. I just pointed out the absurdity of Shadow's logic -- if anything, it's a correction.
This isn't a court of law, though.
:picardno
(Damn it feels good to use that on you...)
Shadow, it's basic logic -- something you should know by this point. Your conclusion of this being a certain Justin does not even inductively follow the premise of him holding the name.
I do not say he is, but I do not say either that he is NOT. To me, he is a third unless he proves otherwise
Are you insane? Seriously, he's innocent until proven guilty.
1. Yes, I am insane. So are you. We are ALL insane in our own way.
2. So says you. I continue to remain neutral on the topic.
There was no joke, but you did miss the point. If he's either of the two I know, there's gonna be trouble, so I just want to know to be on the safe side.
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Angry Kebrel is Angry.
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Why whats this? The $%*! frustration thread of science! Hmm what should I submit, Oh I know! This:
Shoot, I'm bored anyways...
I thought we were done with this argument...
It wasn't an argument, rather a set of statements. I just pointed out the absurdity of Shadow's logic -- if anything, it's a correction.
Directed at Hypernerd; referring to Shadow; not an argument
This isn't a court of law, though.
True, but irrelevant; hence the :picardno
[...]
:picardno
(Damn it feels good to use that on you...)
Shadow, it's basic logic -- something you should know by this point. Your conclusion of this being a certain Justin does not even inductively follow the premise of him holding the name.
Hardly argumentative, methinks...
I do not say he is, but I do not say either that he is NOT. To me, he is a third unless he proves otherwise
Are you insane? Seriously, he's innocent until proven guilty.
Inquiry, but not argument.
1. Yes, I am insane. So are you. We are ALL insane in our own way.
2. So says you. I continue to remain neutral on the topic.
WTF to Shadow; :picardno But, I don't believe I responded to this one.
There was no joke, but you did miss the point. If he's either of the two I know, there's gonna be trouble, so I just want to know to be on the safe side.
Nothing new needs to be said here.
All of your premises(statements of Hypernerd, Shadow and I) do not lead to the structure of an argument. Think before you step.
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I agree with Nerd. I coulda sworn we were done with this. And BROJ, I'm not concluding he is either of the two, just saying that I'm neither saying that he is, or saying that he is not. Again, I'm neutral until he proves to be either one, or neither.
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I agree with Nerd. I coulda sworn we were done with this. And BROJ, I'm not concluding he is either of the two, just saying that I'm neither saying that he is, or saying that he is not. Again, I'm neutral until he proves to be either one, or neither.
Shadow, the honorable and logical thing to do is to assume the best of him. Mu(negative) isn't an option.
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It doesn't have to be an argument to be frustrating to everyone. In fact it just as easy to get the same effect with calm talking. The most deadly handicap for intelligent people is the ability to rationalize and justify something that wrong, BROJ :wink:
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Everyone needs to go back to Social Sciences and check out the American court system. Then you will know about how the court system works, and will know all about "guilty" versus "innocence".
I, however, am pleading the fifth! :lol:
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It doesn't have to be an argument to be frustrating to everyone. In fact it just as easy to get the same effect with calm talking. The most deadly handicap for intelligent people is the ability to rationalize and justify something that wrong, BROJ :wink:
True enough, but conveniently those circumstances don't apply. I'm not the one justifying my actions. All the same, what is the aim of this argument at this point other than intellectual wordplay? I've spoken my peace. You?
Everyone needs to go back to Social Sciences and check out the American court system. Then you will know about how the court system works, and will know all about "guilty" versus "innocence".
I, however, am pleading the fifth! :lol:
Reasonable suspicion doesn't even check out here... But, what can you do... *sigh* :)
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True enough, but conveniently those circumstances don't apply. I'm not the one justifying my actions. All the same, what is the aim of this argument at this point other than intellectual wordplay? I've spoken my peace. You?
Eh, I just trying to have an actual discussion in the midst of chaos.
-
True enough, but conveniently those circumstances don't apply. I'm not the one justifying my actions. All the same, what is the aim of this argument at this point other than intellectual wordplay? I've spoken my peace. You?
Eh, I just trying to have an actual discussion in the midst of chaos.
Sorry, if I seemed rude. I merely saw it as another engagement, and I didn't see it fitting for either of us to argue. Forgive my misjudgement, I meant no ill will.
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OK, OK, I confess. My name is not really Eric. It is Justin. And not only Justin, but the one and only Justin to which Shadow holds a grudge against. I tried to conceal my identity, but alas - my conscience got the best of me.
/end sarcasm
See how pointless it is to make assumptions about people on the internet Shadow? Even if he was the Justin that you apparently hate, who cares? The internet is like a vast sea of anonymity. I could really be Mr. fucking T for all anyone knows.
I'm not sure whats more foolish, assuming someone may be the person that you despise because he shares the same first name, or everyone else starting an argument over it, thus perpetuating further nonsense. That's a rhetorical statement of course, since I assume everyone takes equal blame for the idiocy that abounds in this thread - not Shadow alone, because I'm an equal-opportunity offender.
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Hmph. You are all fools, I have seen how you Idol me and my pitiful group of "Friends", although I assure you, I just used them as a ploy to reach Lavos. After leaving my memories behind, I have really been Following this website until I got them back, Which I did. Now, Die Compendium!!!
Dark!! MATTER!!!
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Eric, if you were the Justin I want dead, you would give your last name, and I would decide.
Plus, he used 2 different screen names, but who's to say he hasn't made a third?
@HyperNerd
[sarcasm]
Welcome back, Janus.
[/sarcasm]
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What? One of you Fools survived? Hm.. I will take care of you!!! Have at you!!!
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Eric, if you were the Justin I want dead, you would give your last name, and I would decide.
No Shadow, I was just pointing out that there's no point, literally. What if he was the Justin you want dead? What if you had many good conversations with him but you never knew? Then one day you find out the truth. Does it invalidate those many good conversations you had? My point is who cares. Don't worry about it. Worrying about it pointlessly is what started a pointless argument about the american justice system or some idiotic bullshit like that.
So, now everyone is mad at you again for a pointless reason that could have been avoided. I'm trying to tell you a better way to go about things, is all. Maybe if you were truly concerned about it you could have PMed him and asked him? Then this entire argument about people being innocent until proven guilty or whatever (as if that actually held any relevance whatsoever. It's the fucking internet people) would never have been started.
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No good deed can cancel what he did to me and my friend. Besides, IDC right now unless he proves he is, so this argument is moot.
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I know it's moot, I was simply making some suggestions that you could take to heart to potentially avoid future arguments like this. I know you don't like them. Or at least, it seems like you don't.
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Eric, if you were the Justin I want dead, you would give your last name, and I would decide.
Shadow you realize what you just said was an indirect threat, do you not? Watch your words carefully...
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Ah, my bad. That was not my intent.
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You fools argue over the stupidest things in the world...
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You fools argue over the stupidest things in the world...
Was it really an argument? I gave Shadow a tip -- he accepted. That is all.
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:picardno
STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS!!!
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Shadow is right.
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Hmph. You are all fools. I regret nothing, all of you.
*POOF*
Hey guys, what just happened?
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Shadow is right.
What, so when Shadow says it people listen but when I say it nobody does? :cry:
That's somewhat ironic.
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Hmph. You are all fools. I regret nothing, all of you.
*POOF*
Hey guys, what just happened?
The fuck? Hyper, don't be in-character when you answer this, but WTF did you just do?
Shadow is right.
What, so when Shadow says it people listen but when I say it nobody does? :cry:
That's somewhat ironic.
*shrug* I was just pissed. That's all.
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I was bored so I pretended to be Magus. Very Bored.
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OK, OK, I confess. My name is not really Eric. It is Justin. And not only Justin, but the one and only Justin to which Shadow holds a grudge against. I tried to conceal my identity, but alas - my conscience got the best of me.
/end sarcasm
See how pointless it is to make assumptions about people on the internet Shadow? Even if he was the Justin that you apparently hate, who cares? The internet is like a vast sea of anonymity. I could really be Mr. fucking T for all anyone knows.
I'm not sure whats more foolish, assuming someone may be the person that you despise because he shares the same first name, or everyone else starting an argument over it, thus perpetuating further nonsense. That's a rhetorical statement of course, since I assume everyone takes equal blame for the idiocy that abounds in this thread - not Shadow alone, because I'm an equal-opportunity offender.
Actually, the information logged on the server regarding IP addresses, e-mail addresses, passwords, usernames, and access times can be used to create a pretty informative profile of a single person that can then be used with Google to track a person down.
Which is why I'm tempted to start my own 4chan style anonymous board, simply because the information you could collect on people under the guise of perceived anonymity is pretty large, and as long as you don't let on that you're using that information, they'll even go so far as post self-incriminating content that you can later use against them.
So always consider before you register on a site, "Do I want to trust the person running this place?"
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Hmm, shows why I went to college for biochem and not for computer science. :D
Or english. Who needs english? I'm never going to england.
I'm a tad computer illiterate when it comes to stuff like that.
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Some cross-discipline knowledge is essential to creating new breakthroughs in technology and society. Otherwise, you're stuck in your box.
As far as computers go, access to most information now and in the future requires a working knowledge of how computers and networks work, so that you can easily adapt to changes in superficial aspects like user interfaces and file formats or network systems. It's like the advantage of knowing how to use books and a library while at a university.
Also, the ability to use computers to analyze, filter, and visualize large quantities of (mostly unfocused and probably irrelevant) data or run simulations to test models or evolve new ones comes in handy.
But it's one of those things, it's only really useful if you have something else you want to do with it. In other words, it's not the computer science guys who need their skills the most, but other people in other fields.
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Yes I agree. I try to be as well-rounded as I possibly can, but the fact remains that life is short and you can only stuff so much relevant information into your brain. So the relevant information I choose to stuff into my brain is the knowledge immediately useful to me in the present and which will be useful to me in the future - biology, chemistry, medicine. These three fields alone hold so much information that a person could study one for an entire lifetime and never learn everything.
I guess I always figured if I needed computer help I'd hire a tech guy. That's why specialists exist. People often say the stuff I have devoted my life to is "over their heads", but to me - much computer-tech knowledge is over my head. Everyone has something they are especially good at.
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I guess I always figured if I needed computer help I'd hire a tech guy. That's why specialists exist. People often say the stuff I have devoted my life to is "over their heads", but to me - much computer-tech knowledge is over my head. Everyone has something they are especially good at.
True enough, however on the whole, one needs to have some level of knowledge in the aforementioned specialist's field. This is to make sure that one can communicate effectively with said specialists in order to get projects done.
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True enough, however on the whole, one needs to have some level of knowledge in the aforementioned specialist's field. This is to make sure that one can communicate effectively with said specialists in order to get projects done.
I agree, some level of comprehension is necessary. But I, for example, am going into the medical field - and I wouldn't expect someone to fully comprehend necessary medical treatment. I would expect them to understand that it is necessary, and for what reasons it is.
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You don't have to know everything. The important thing is that you know a friend -- not some hired specialist or an acquaintance, but a friend -- who understands things that you don't, and that you communicate with them openly and frequently.
There are a lot of things that Zeality thought would have been impossible or difficult to do with the site, but that I recognized as actually being rather simple fixes. Not because of some skill difference, but because I was simply more familiar with what makes something easy or difficult to do when it comes to computers.
That's also why I try to get people to make wish lists of features or fixes for the site, without making any consideration about how difficult or troublesome it would be to make happen.
So finally the last ingredient for creating new breakthroughs is to share your problems. Sometimes someone else may have the solution you never knew existed.
Computers are a special case though because in the future, it'll be easy to fall behind the power curve of information and technology if you don't understand the basics of computers and can write your own code. After all, computers and the Internet aren't a field of science, but tools to manage the flow of information -- to manage communication.
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You know what frustrates me right now?
Cat food.
Because wet cat food has a tendency to reek, we usually get the dry kind. Here's the problem, though. Our cat, Maud, can't seem to chew the dry food. So she sort of munches at it, loks over her shoulder for Rosie, then keeps munching. Rosie devours it.
Now, once we run out of dry, before we next go shopping we use wet cat food. Both of them love the stuff. Here's a couple of problems, though. When they crap it out, it stinks worse than when it came in. They fight over it. You can't overfill their bowl so that you don't necessarily have to feed them in the morning. And the worst part?
It comes in cans.
I can open the cans up, but I can't get that chickeny goodness out of there. So this morning I tried pulling it out with the lid, right? Lid is sharp. Lid cut my pinky. And now I can barely do anything with said pinky. And that includes the p key, punctuation on that side of the keyboard, and hitting the enter key. Fun, eh?
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We have THREE Cats, and one attacks the others all the time, one thinks shes a dog and Jumps into walls for no apparent reason (Really!) and the other one is really old and just sits on the couch all day dropping cat hair on it.
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I have the same dilemma, so I just feed my cat outside. Problem solved.
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Two cats. Maud is often called Poop, Poop Machine, and Poop Cat. She spends her days hiding under our couch, occasionally coming out to eat, and climbing on us when we play Smash Brothers. She doesn't like being picked up. She squirms around until her claws find arm or sleeve, all the while going, 'Mrowuh!' She does this thing where it's like a little exhale at the end of her mrow, thus forming the uh at the end. Maud is skinny, but is a lovey kitty.
Rosie is the crazy one.
We often call her simply Kitty, Rosiecat, Rosita Kitita, and Cat. Rosie enjoys perching on windowsills and piles of clothing. She's been known to be a sweet kitty and rub against your foot one moment, then decide you look tasty and try and eat that foot. She doesn't like having her tummy rubbed. Nor does she like Maud.
We don't want our cats outside. Although they used to be outdoors cats, I would feel terrible if something happened to them.
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I used to have a cat. However, my mom doesn't like having one inside the house, so I used to keep him outside.
And when I'm not looking, she gets rid of it. I hate that, especially when it has happen for like three time now.
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I have tres felines, if you count a stray we just picked up a few weeks ago. There's Pepper, a tailless blacvk who doesn't take crap from anyone, is at least 100 years old (she's older than me) and can still dart around and kill small rodents with ease, but can't chew a piece of dry food for her life. She mostly lives outside.
Then we have Monkeycat, a punkass jet black cat with a white "V" on her head that loves to sleep and/or urinate on not only my bed but my backup futon which I keep prepared just in case said cat takes a leak on my bed. However, at times, she can be a sweet little thing.
Last but not least, we have a stray that came up at our door in the pouring rain, a Tabby kitten who due to his lack of a name I've just aptly called "Mr. Cat". Monkeycat has seemed to take Mr. Cat under her wing, but sometimes I get suspiciopus of those two. Like MC teaching the young kitten the joy of bodily excretions on mattresses.
With the cat food smell, it's just something you'll have to deal with. Whenever I have to feed Pepper inside, I just hold my breath while I dump the food in.
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The youngest one is Crush. he attacks EVERY thing he sees, and doesn't stop until you give him another thing to attack, or pick him up, when he will either
A. Attack YOU
B. Purr, and THEN Attack you.
He's also a master of disguise. He will sneak up on the other cats behind stuff, and attack them. He sometimes crawls up the back of the couch and hits us on the back of the head when we're not looking. The Crazy one is named Kerfluffel, because she is VERY fluffy. And strange. The old one is Jethryn, can't say much about him but that he's like, 25 years old. (Not kidding) We also can't let them outside, because they'll get run over by our crazy Neighbor. Another thing, Crush sometimes tries to take on our golden retriever. It's Hilarious.
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My cat, Denver, likes to piss everywhere BUT the litter box.
:picardno
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And when I'm not looking, she gets rid of it. I hate that, especially when it has happen for like three time now.
What exactly do you mean, "gets rid of it"?
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I think he means lets the cat run free. That's sad. I had that happen once. Foster mom said, "Oh, you can keep a stray." Next day, she's gone. "She wanted out, so I let her out." Mind you, this wasn't the evil one my sis and I shared. This one was worse, if that was possible.
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I think he means lets the cat run free.
No, my mother only says that to my brother so that he doesn't ask further questions, but I know the truth, she gets rid of them. To where? That, I don't know.
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I have many pets. A cat is only one of them. My best friend, in animal terms, if I might add. Never have I had a pet more fond of me in my life.
I have one cat, four dogs (as of now), three fish, and a turtle. I am an animal person, I must say so. All four dogs are rescued, as with the cat and turtle.
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I'm frustrated by the fact that I can't log off the Compendium :evil:
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Are you, like, physically unable to log off? Or can you just not stay away?
I can't seem to stay away. Winter and summer are when I like curling up in my room, playing video games, and using the internet.
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Physically. I want to make an acc. for my friend, but No logging off for me! When I click Log off, all it does is send me back to the Forum main page.
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Hmm... does it still show your avatar up at the top? If it does, go talk to the admins. If not, you're out.
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Yes, But I don't care anymore. The Wii's internet finally came in handy.
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What's his username? I must personally welcome him!
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he's at my house, that's why I needed to log off. He'll be on tommorow, probably.
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Being alone on New Year's really sucks. I was offered to go top a party earlier today, but I declined like an idiot. I was planning on spending New Year's with my girlfriend (We had talked about in in October or so.) but that's gone considering it ended some how earlier this month. Yet here I am, with nothing better to do than sit here in the dark, on the internet.
Oh well... I have to chin up I guess.
Happy 2009, everybody. Only one hour and fourty-two minutes left here in Florida.
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We always do the same thing New Years. Watch the talking heads, see the ball, see if we can stay up all night, then fall asleep. It's dull, but it works.
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Sounds like a problem with your browser settings then...Maybe one of you could use Firefox & the other Safari or something...if you don't just find what you need to be changed, anyways...>_>
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Hey, V, what's up with the new avi? I-I don't like giant hammers that are +2 vs. girls! I AM a girl! What happened to the stabby best friend?
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It's from a comic called Scott Pilgrim (http://www.scottpilgrim.com) that just plain kicks ass...There's a dimension-hopping American ninja delivery girl in it with a purse that she whipped out a hammer from once when she had to fight this girl (who I believe was fighting with sais)...It's actually a pretty awesome comic made by this Canadian guy...It's gonna be made into a movie by the same guy that did Shaun of the Dead...
Oh, I also did it as a laugh since Ramsus has informed me that I can now ban people (hooray?)...
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But most Compendiumites, it seems, are of the male species. I'm a nice person! I don't do mean things!
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Darn, I lost tens of articles when I changed a column on MySQL without assigning the correct charset.
Too bad, I don't have a backup.
:picardno
But I must admit I'm lucky since I don't have hundreds of them to be rework.
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No, my mother only says that to my brother so that he doesn't ask further questions, but I know the truth, she gets rid of them. To where? That, I don't know.
Hopefully she finds good homes for them. I find it despicable when people abandon animals in the middle of nowhere that are dependent on humans for survival. Too much of that happens where I live.
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No, my mother only says that to my brother so that he doesn't ask further questions, but I know the truth, she gets rid of them. To where? That, I don't know.
Hopefully she finds good homes for them. I find it despicable when people abandon animals in the middle of nowhere that are dependent on humans for survival. Too much of that happens where I live.
That happened back in March of last year. One day, the cat was gone. My brother asked where it was, and my mom told him that he ran away, and was adopted by another family, that she saw the cat going to their house.
Actually, I'm sure she brought the cat to them, but it's the same outcome, she got rid of him.
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Frustration: I just found out one of my ex-girlfriends from back in high school died a few days ago. The police report said her husband found her dead in the morning after they had a bad fight the night before. I looked up the med examiners report and it said Cause of Death: Pending Toxicology Report. Which means OD most likely. I'm guessing she took alcohol and pain-killers as a temporary escape and it caused an accidental overdose. Guess I'll find out soon enough.
22 years old. What a fool. Why do people do this to themselves? I saw her not too long ago. She asked me why I dumped her back in high school and I lied to her. I wish I had told her the truth now.
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One sentence. I do not know who I am.
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I have been trying to upload a video to Youtube... for the FIFTH time! And everytime it starts, it suddenly says that it failed thanks to an unknown error. I'll just try again...
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Ugh... I feel like crap after drinking a certain brand of energy drink. Normally, I feel just fine after imbibing of these 'wonder-drinks', but the sugar rush is leaving my body so disgusted inasmuch as I don't even want to eat. :x
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I'm frustrated that it seems like everyone in the RP Section went into hibernation.
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I feel like a half remembered drunken nightmare right now. I don't even know why.
It's been like this for days.
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I feel like a half remembered drunken nightmare right now. I don't even know why.
It's been like this for days.
You know, conveniently, that's actually a pretty good description of how I feel. My mind is a severe haze right now; I can't even think straight... which drives me insane to say the least.
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One sentence. I do not know who I am.
Uh, You okay there buddy?
Well fuck this! Out of now where Kaity just pops in to my head and I get hit with a horrendous case of depression all day long, then what happens? Why I get a message just minutes ago from Kaity who I have heard almost nothing from(NOT due to my lack of trying) since school started at the end of September. She just goes on a small blurb how her and Adam are doing amazing, school, and the college search has been great, and how she hopes my life has be a turn for the better since she last saw me.
God hates me.
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Finally, that video got uploaded at last, after maybe the tenth or so time.
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Frustration: I just found out one of my ex-girlfriends from back in high school died a few days ago. The police report said her husband found her dead in the morning after they had a bad fight the night before. I looked up the med examiners report and it said Cause of Death: Pending Toxicology Report. Which means OD most likely. I'm guessing she took alcohol and pain-killers as a temporary escape and it caused an accidental overdose. Guess I'll find out soon enough.
22 years old. What a fool. Why do people do this to themselves? I saw her not too long ago. She asked me why I dumped her back in high school and I lied to her. I wish I had told her the truth now.
Sounds like a cover-up to me...The husband did it in the study with the poison...!
I'm frustrated that it seems like everyone in the RP Section went into hibernation.
Incorporate dice rolls into battle (& mebby some other things) & I'm down.
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Yea, I'm fine. Just thinking things through and what not.
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Oh, what a swimming thread of sorrows we have. I just hope everyone knows he or she isn't alone, no matter what kind of seemingly unique weirdness is happening.
Chrono Eric, I'm extremely moved by your story. I think that sort of thing occurs when people forget the fact that all suffering is only temporary.
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Oh, I know I'm not alone. I'm sure there's a substantial amount of people frustrated at the fact that it's snowing again.
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You know, conveniently, that's actually a pretty good description of how I feel. My mind is a severe haze right now; I can't even think straight... which drives me insane to say the least.
BROJ, what you are describing sounds like side effects from excessive caffeine use to me. Do you get migraines when you don't drink energy drinks? And do you feel nauseous and have great difficulty remembering things that you otherwise could remember just fine? If you do, I would recommend cutting out the regular caffeine use as the next series of side effects are even worse than these. Caffeine is great in moderation, but in excess it can cause problems.
God hates me.
Naw, god doesn't give a damn about you or anybody else either way, so don't worry - we're all in the same boat. :D
Sounds like a cover-up to me...The husband did it in the study with the poison...!
The thought actually crossed my mind. But knowing her, I did some digging around for info with some mutual friends. Apparently she went out to the bars that night. But also knowing her, I'd say an overdose of alcohol alone is unlikely. It's also not a rational conclusion. If she was that intoxicated then her friends would obviously have noticed and you think they would have stayed with her awhile to make sure she was OK or at the very least told her husband. But alcohol + pain pills leads to a swift and sudden death. The cops aren't looking into foul play, but I would definitely be investigating her friends and her husband for negligence.
Chrono Eric, I'm extremely moved by your story. I think that sort of thing occurs when people forget the fact that all suffering is only temporary.
Thanks Faustwolf, I'm rather shaken up by it actually. It came as a complete shock. I doubt it was some sort of suicide attempt but rather a misconceived attempt at having a fun night. I myself have gone out drinking with friends many times because I felt bummed out. Pop a few extra pain pills for the stress headache you had earlier and then drink a few too many and one can easily find themselves in unintentional trouble.
And perhaps people not only forget that all suffering is temporary, but they also realize that all happiness is ephemeral as well. Two-fer downer right there.
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Wasn't BROJ talking about regretting drinking an Energy Drink in another thread?
Anyway, I think I'm better now. After getting into a mental clearing, I feel like I've reached a new level of personal growth. Maybe this is the sign of a new chapter in my life starting... (I am moving to Manhattan after this semester is over, anyhow).
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You know, conveniently, that's actually a pretty good description of how I feel. My mind is a severe haze right now; I can't even think straight... which drives me insane to say the least.
BROJ, what you are describing sounds like side effects from excessive caffeine use to me. Do you get migraines when you don't drink energy drinks? And do you feel nauseous and have great difficulty remembering things that you otherwise could remember just fine? If you do, I would recommend cutting out the regular caffeine use as the next series of side effects are even worse than these. Caffeine is great in moderation, but in excess it can cause problems.
Nah, just had way too much sugar, and crashed because of it. I have had excessive amounts(quite a bit actually) of caffeine before in the past, so I know what that feels like. That said, 'no' to your other questions. It was more of a matter of the after-effects of the drink.
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Nah, just had way too much sugar, and crashed because of it. I have had excessive amounts(quite a bit actually) of caffeine before in the past, so I know what that feels like. That said, 'no' to your other questions. It was more of a matter of the after-effects of the drink.
Good then. I was under the impression that you meant it was a long term "haze" you were experiencing. The side effects of caffeine use only show up after years of excessive use anyways.
I have completely stopped drinking caffeine now, but not as soon as I noticed the effects of excessive use and hypoglycemia creeping on. It was the migraines that did me in. After that I felt better almost immediately.
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And perhaps people not only forget that all suffering is temporary, but they also realize that all happiness is ephemeral as well. Two-fer downer right there.
Such might lead one to say that all is vanity, after the fashion of the Teacher, hm?
They may be ephemeral, yet that is only a dismay if one takes one's mood to be the purpose for living. That is, if you expect it and think that life must be joyful, you are doomed to ever be disappointed, and all that you experience fall short. Yet if you resolve to only take what is given, bad and good alike, do what you can to your best, fight a good fight in life, why, is that not itself something?
There is always beauty. Because even if happiness is ephemeral, joy is not. One is a dependance on emotion and mood, and the other is a resolution and peace and acceptance of the way things are. Not that one shouldn't strive to be better, but there are things that are beyond our control, and if we live our lives requiring those things to be fulfilled for our happiness, we shall never be happy.
How can we possibly expect to be happy when we set our happiness' store on the whim of capricous chance?
Do not be overly happy, nor be depressed. One is too much feeling, and the other is no feeling at all, and one extreme will inevitably lead to another. Be happy with what life grants you at this moment, even if it's not something that is overtly good. Do not shirk to frown, do not put on a pretense. Weep when the time is right, and laugh when the chance arises, but keep you mood level. And contemplate circumstance and feeling always. Then nothing is ephemeral.
Vita satis est.
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Then nothing is ephemeral.
Except for life itself. Not to be the devils advocate or anything. :D The more ephemeral that something is in life, the more valuable it becomes.
Vita satis est.
I agree with your philosophy on life pretty much 100%, except I'd like to point out that in some situations, just taking life for what it is simply isn't enough. Some people with clinical depression (and its less recognized counterpart, euphoria) require medical intervention. To a person in their right mind, it's all our brain can do to try and handle this shit world we live in. But to a person whos brain is working incorrectly, sometimes it is impossible for them to recognize the lessons that life experiences give.
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Then nothing is ephemeral.
Except for life itself. Not to be the devils advocate or anything. :D The more ephemeral that something is in life, the more valuable it becomes.
Vita satis est.
I agree with your philosophy on life pretty much 100%, except I'd like to point out that in some situations, just taking life for what it is simply isn't enough. Some people with clinical depression (and its less recognized counterpart, euphoria) require medical intervention. To a person in their right mind, it's all our brain can do to try and handle this shit world we live in. But to a person whos brain is working incorrectly, sometimes it is impossible for them to recognize the lessons that life experiences give.
Oh, that's true. Just like telling someone with injured legs to walk. At that point, all the encouragement in the world isn't going to help.
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(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/Sasuke.jpg)
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And thus why Naruto needs to die.
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BRIGHT ORANGE JACKET NINJA! BLENDS IN WELL AT NIGHT! SO STEALTHY!
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BRIGHT ORANGE JACKET NINJA! BLENDS IN WELL AT NIGHT! SO STEALTHY!
That's the point. He's a loudmouth enthusiastic character and that's why he dresses like that.
Personally, I love Naruto, it's one of my favourite manga. It's honestly very excellent, it's a great story with a wealth of character development and a quirky style. I can understand to an extent any negativity you might have towards it because it's become popular outside of Japan in an annoying way. The only reason I posted that screenshot is because it's amazing how many unrelated videos have one of those fucking generic AMVs in the related videos section.
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Dude, so true.
I hate going into manga stores and seeing shelf upon shelf of the popular manga/anime. I hate hearing squeaky voiced teens (which I hang out with because they're my friends) rant and rave about how hot Misa is, how awesome Light is, how much L sucks, how cool Bleach is, how sweet Naruto is, how long they've been playing that game they got yesterday, how... GAH. I hate going on the On Demand, turning on Tsubasa, and hearing Sakura sound like a MAN, for Christing out loud. I hate checking out what's up with Death Note and hearing that terrible dub of everyone sounding like monotone idiots. I hate Pokemon for being such a little kid show when it should be for grown up kids! I mean, COME ON! There was an episode where James had BOOBS! ... BOOBS!
That's my rant for the evening.
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I used to love Naruto... When I was 10. I still have all the Manga's up to 10...
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Naruto's gotten more interesting since then, HyperNerd...You should pick it up again.
And, Pyt Fumv, that pic just makes it look like you dislike that your search (for "sasuke linken park") turned out so many results...Go figure, Naruto is popular & Linken Park is popular so Naruto Linken Park AMVs are abundant. If only there was some clue as to WHY!?!
The only thing I hate about pop anime is that kids are growing up on super lame dubs. Hopefully though it also creates kids who are smart enough to throw that garbage out & watch the subs (or just read manga). When you were a kid all you did was talk about w/e stupid thing you liked at the time. That's what kids do.
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Yeah.... I hate to admit it, but I loved PokeMon to death as a kid. And I did watch subbed episodes, I remember Naruto number 101 or something was hilarious.
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I guess I could rant a bit.
We have a dance here called Snowball coming fairly soon. Rather ridiculous that I wasn't planning on going then out of nowhere my girlfriend decides to say HEY WE'RE GOING TO SNOWBALL and before I even got to say a word, she tells me she got a DRESS for it. So without my consent, I'm forced to go to this horrendously retarded dance and pay like...$20 for couples tickets which is higher then hell for a fucking 4x4 piece of paper.
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HEY WE'RE GOING TO SNOWBALL
hehe, gross :lol:
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I guess I could rant a bit.
We have a dance here called Snowball coming fairly soon. Rather ridiculous that I wasn't planning on going then out of nowhere my girlfriend decides to say HEY WE'RE GOING TO SNOWBALL and before I even got to say a word, she tells me she got a DRESS for it. So without my consent, I'm forced to go to this horrendously retarded dance and pay like...$20 for couples tickets which is higher then hell for a fucking 4x4 piece of paper.
Yes but if you don't you won't get any luvin'. Girls are like that. It's unfair because guys can't pull the same cheap tactic to get what they want.
HEY WE'RE GOING TO SNOWBALL
hehe, gross :lol:
lmao. I wasn't going to say anything because I didn't think anyone would get the reference. Glad to see you're here to drag all our minds further into the gutter (my mind actually likes being there anyways. It's cozy and warm in this gutter).
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V is the master of that.
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:picardno
If I wanna fap, I can go to CuteLucca's place and re-read Zone 8. Please no intentional pervertedness here for the sake of my sanity.
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Anyone remember the hentai topic? :lol:
(don't bother looking for it)
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:picardno
God-fucking-dammit, stop telling me that everything I know is wrong!
*sigh* But why not? Where is it, or was it deleted?
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Anyone remember the hentai topic? :lol:
(don't bother looking for it)
Praytell, is that the one where you asked Ramsus if he could add hentai to the fanart section or the one where someone(maybe you) ninja'd links to Kid hentai(I think it was her...)?
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Actually, I was thinking of a thread where there were people putting in pics of overtly sexual pics of various video game characters...I'm fairly sure it was here, anyways :lol:...But, yeah, it was deleted, I'm pretty sure...
I still say that censored hentai (whether whole doujin or just random pics) should be included. Some of the hentai art is just as good, if not better, than 'regular' fan art.
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I still say that censored hentai (whether whole doujin or just random pics) should be included. Some of the hentai art is just as good, if not better, than 'regular' fan art.
That's because there's more incentive for the artist :D
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Oh GOD! NOT THAT TOPIC!
God, first it was okay, then the pics got a little too sexual, then BAM! FULL BLOWN PORNO!
I had a lot of posts in there though.
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:picardno (He has not removed his face from his palm yet, but is now snickering.)
F***ing wuss. Can't take a bit of hentai, can you, Nightmare? I wouldn't have complained even if it had reached the "full blown porno" point.
I still say that censored hentai (whether whole doujin or just random pics) should be included. Some of the hentai art is just as good, if not better, than 'regular' fan art.
Can we get uncensored as well, and just simply make it nearly impossible for those who shouldn't be there to get in?
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I vaguely remember that. I think it involved Lynx trying to rape Kid or something like that. I dunno. My memory is fuzzy.
Honestly, I never watched Pokemon subbed. But Utena was just terrible dubbed. Imagine Anthy daying in every episode in the same monotone voice, 'Rose of the noble castle... power of Dios that sleeps within me... heed your master and come forth!' and then Utena, in that strange little voice of hers, going, 'Grant me the power of revolution!'. Green haired guy with a crush on Anthy (don't remember his name) was horrid, as was Touga. Miki actually sounded MALE. That's strange. He's supposed to be, like, the girliest man in the series! Gah! And his sister, Kozue, is worse...
Miki, by the way, is this (http://dragonden.kisekinohana.net/cels/fullsize/utena07.jpg) guy.
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So I made myself look like an ass by posting that screenshot and I set off a chain reaction leading to a hentai discussion.
I hate myself. D:
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No, I can understand that. It's stupid what the screaming, raving fanboys will think of, then stick to YouTube. Although I have stuck certain songs to certain characters, I'm not going to go and make a cheap video consisting of random snippits of said character set to the tune of said song.
Fanboys can be quite stupid sometimes.
As can fangirls.
... but mostly fanboys.
GRR! I'm such a moron sometimes. I left my red folder, with my Mockingbird work, English project stuff, and good pen, at home. So yeah, I have a lot of free time to do the homework I didn't do yesterday. I just don't have the work.
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Can we get uncensored as well, and just simply make it nearly impossible for those who shouldn't be there to get in?
I don't think that'd be possible w/o putting up a Are You Over 18 start page and thus completely changing the site...
So I made myself look like an ass by posting that screenshot and I set off a chain reaction leading to a hentai discussion.
I hate myself. D:
I'm more surprised that I haven't brought discussion back to hentai more recently...:lol:
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:picardno
Why Oh why have we turned to this? Can we please stop now? PLEASE?
I'm just trying to keep my morals straight, that's all... That, and my parents search the websites I go to, they're paranoid, and If they see the word 'Hentai' then... Ugh.Yeah, it sucks. Anyways, it wasn't intended to be whiny, just a question.
:picardno
I'm more offended by this whiny-sounding nothing post, myself...
~V_Translanka
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Oh, God, Nerd! You too?
:picardno
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I was just kidding, really...This IS the frustration thread after all...Though I do appreciate the post more now that there's an explanation as to why (which is perfectly reasonable).
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:picardno (He has not removed his face from his palm yet, but is now snickering.)
F***ing wuss. Can't take a bit of hentai, can you, Nightmare? I wouldn't have complained even if it had reached the "full blown porno" point.
I still say that censored hentai (whether whole doujin or just random pics) should be included. Some of the hentai art is just as good, if not better, than 'regular' fan art.
Can we get uncensored as well, and just simply make it nearly impossible for those who shouldn't be there to get in?
Please, with the shit I've seen, pornography has lost its luster.
I also hate it when people call you a wuss for something you don't like something that bores you.
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True there are worse than what I want to see, but we can just not put them here.
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I was here before BROJ and I don't recall this thread, unless was it this one (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,5077.0.html)? It wasn't that bad really.
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Current gripe = dinner.
With father.
Right now, I'm wearing a high necked sweater, right? My mom asks if I have anything with a higher neck line. I admit, it's a little tight on the boobies, but not so much as I would be better off without anything on them! Essentially, my father is gross.
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Yes but if you don't you won't get any luvin'.
- I'm not the type of guy to do anything for sex. I prefer having a decent relationship.
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I was here before BROJ and I don't recall this thread, unless was it this one (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,5077.0.html)? It wasn't that bad really.
Burning Zeppelin started it. Ramsus removed it, I think. I know it's gone for sure though.
Yes but if you don't you won't get any luvin'.
- I'm not the type of guy to do anything for sex. I prefer having a decent relationship.
Good for you.
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I prefer having a decent relationship.
Decent relationship? I'm confused. I think sex is the most important part of a relationship. It's a basic human need. Two people could be perfect for each other in every way but if they have bad sex...I guarantee that one of them will eventually stray.
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I was here before BROJ and I don't recall this thread, unless was it this one (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,5077.0.html)? It wasn't that bad really.
Burning Zeppelin started it. Ramsus removed it, I think. I know it's gone for sure though.
I guess I missed it, My thread (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,5364.30.html)was almost there but then I guess we went to far in the personality department. For the better or worse.
I prefer having a decent relationship.
Decent relationship? I'm confused. I think sex is the most important part of a relationship. It's a basic human need. Two people could be perfect for each other in every way but if they have bad sex...I guarantee that one of them will eventually stray.
I don't see the confusing part. I know many couples(myself included) who have little or even no sex in a relationship and are still happy. I disagree that It's a basic human need, I think a better phrase is "It's a basic human desire."
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I disagree that It's a basic human need, I think a better phrase is "It's a basic human desire."
Splitting hairs. There is a fine line between a desire and a need. I need food and water for my basic physical health and I desire them, most definitely. I need companionship, relationships, and stability in life for my basic mental health and I desire them, most definitely. But a strong enough desire can become a need just as important.
I'd challenge you to find a human being who truly goes their entire lives without participating in anything sexual of any nature. Dying before they have the chance doesn't count. Tell me then that it's a desire alone and not a need.
Even the people that devote themselves to a life of chastity rub one out every now and then, I guarantee it. But who knows? Perhaps I have less faith in humanity than most people.
Kudos to you though if you are one of the types that practices abstinence before marriage. That's definitely something I could never do. People like that have a will of steel. I'd place my bets that in the end desire wins out either way though.
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Humans are social creatures and as such in order to preserve his/her community/species, humans need to breed. Or, come seventy years or so, the human race will all but die out. Simple as that. Abstinence before marriage is certainly a respectable position, but sex is necessary -- there's no splitting hairs about that.
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I think I sent the wrong message, I not same prude against intimacy. I AM against the common belief that sex=love, I think they are two very different thing that often come together.
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Ah then I would agree with you there. But I would say that while sex doesn't necessary equal love, they are not two "very different things". Sex most certainly strengthens love and closeness in relationships.
There's no mysticism about it either. It's just that lovemaking floods the bloodstream with a massive amount of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary. Which is why "friends with benefits" relationships always inevitably end up with one person "getting attached".
So sex strengthens love and love strengthens sex. But the desire for sex is present even in the absense of love.
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I have been dating Alice since November, and we have yet to have sex. I really don't care, neither does she.
Besides, I really don't plan on having kids.
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Besides, I really don't plan on having kids.
:shock: You know, there are ways around that in this modern age we live in with the conveniences of latex and exogenous progestin.
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Besides, I really don't plan on having kids.
:shock: You know, there are ways around that in this modern age we live in with the conveniences of latex and exogenous progestin.
*claps*
Thank you, I did not know that.
Or...we just don't have sex.
:picardno
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Right, but you said "I don't plan on having kids" so I was sarcastically pointing out that modern birth control methods are over 99% effective. Hence, I found it a rather odd thing to say.
So a friendly :picardno to you too, good sir! :D
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Ah then I would agree with you there. But I would say that while sex doesn't necessary equal love, they are not two "very different things". Sex most certainly strengthens love and closeness in relationships.
There's no mysticism about it either. It's just that lovemaking floods the bloodstream with a massive amount of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary. Which is why "friends with benefits" relationships always inevitably end up with one person "getting attached".
So sex strengthens love and love strengthens sex. But the desire for sex is present even in the absense of love.
That's assuming love based upon emotion and feeling. Love might be said to not be the fulfilment of a feeling or need, but rather the free giving of one's self who doesn't need it to another without the necessity for return. That is, a surfeit of one's self to be given freely, rather than a gap to be filled. In that case, they do become two very separate things.
Most of the time people see love as both parties having a deficiency, and it working as a sort of mutual fulfilment. As I've said, a dependancy or need. Again, what if love is rather that each person is complete in themselves, and the desire is not something empty that needs be filled, but a pure desire to give to the other person of one's self without needing anything in return? If two such are together, then the importance of having those feelings fulfilled, and the dependancy upon its variance, becomes greatly diminished.
Think about that for a bit. I'm sure people will argue to the brink of doom with me on this, and still claim love to be when one is overwhelmed in feelings. But I reject that, and see that as a slavish form of love. Kebrel, for example, you said the 'common idea that sex=love'. I don't think that's the common or majority idea. Most would agree with you. But I don't think very many look at it from the view I am taking. All the same, I am not railing against feeling, but what I am meaning is that feeling is hardly something one should take as a measure for if there is love or not, and that true love can be built upon feelings. Now this goes contrary to just about every commonly held perception, and I think most of you will fiercely disagree for that very reason. Yet I think there is merit to what I say.
Who was it earlier that said if there is bad sex, one of them will stray? Well, in that case, I will say there was no true love on that person's part. Because they are then making a decision based on one of their own feelings not being fulfilled. This means that their love was based on a selfish desire to see themselves completed in some way, rather than being complete themselves and giving freely to the other. If you want to call it love, fine, but I don't. To me, love is far stronger than that. I will never love someone just because they fulfill a 'need' in me, nor will it falter if I no longer feel they are fulfilling it. Were I to do it, I would be selfish, and it would not be love. Love, true love, is not selfish. A difficult ideal to achieve, but difficulty does not make it less valid. As best I may, when I give my heart, I do not give it because I need to give it, but because I wish to give it, and I give it wholly and forever. And it needs nothing, not even the return. A freely given gift. That, to me, is love.
So my frustration? That people think love is based on how it makes them feel, rather than what they do for the other person.
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This thread is taking an interesting philosophical turn from simple joking around :D.
Daniel Krispin, that definition of love based on actions is fine, but I would argue that the altruistic actions of love derive directly from the emotion of love.
What do I mean by that? Well, it is firmly established that the hormone oxytocin facilitates the sensations of "closeness", "bonding", "compassion", and "attachment" between people (and animals, for that matter). It is released during lovemaking, during breastfeeding and birth (facilitating mother-offspring bonding here), and during times of close companionship with a significant other. The hormone itself in turn regulates levels of dopamine and serotonin, the "pleasure" and "happiness" hormones in a type of positive feedback mechanism, and dopamine in particular is responsible for the "addictive" sensation of being in love with someone. Of particular note is that certain SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) also release oxytocin as a side effect, which is why many of them are useful in psychotherapy with people that have suffered traumatic events.
Experiments have shown that when a mouse is bred with a genetic deficiency in the gene that codes for the Oxytocin hormone, the mother mice will reject her offspring and show them no affection or motherly-instinct whatsoever, whereas normally a mother mouse would die to protect her young.
So I believe this is pretty straightforward evidence that the actions we attribute with love like altruism towards the ones we love are the result of the emotion of love and attachment itself. I would die to protect the ones I love. In fact that is the only real example I can think of in which I would have a legitimate reason for dying. I trust them and care about them unconditionally.
But if I did not feel the emotion of love or attachment towards them, would I still be willing to perform these altruistic acts? Would I still trust them unconditionally? Of course not.
So in short, I don't disagree with you or your definition of love at all, but I think I make a pretty solid case that your position on what love is follows directly from the biological nature of love.
So the question is - "What can be considered true love?" is it the emotion of love that one experiences, or the actions that one takes on behalf of that emotion of love? My position is that they are inseparable. They are one and the same. Two sides of the same coin.
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Quite the contrary, I don't think your case is in the least solid. I don't think you understood me.
I'm not talking altruism here. You're assuming I'm taking some altruistic idea of love that it is some selfless feeling, and saying 'well, that too is only biological.' Fair enough, but all along it was not the feelings I am talking about. Personally, I would only consider myself truly capable of loving if I could perform as you say altruistic acts if I don't feel it. As for the unconditional trust, well, that's not advisable under any circumstances - no matter if it's based on feeling or on anything else. But all your points here really are really beside the point.
The one line that hits the nail on the head, so to speak, is when you say that you if you did not feel the emotion, you could not perform such acts. Well, in that case, what I am saying is you cannot truly love. True love holds even when you feel bitterly angry at someone. There there is no emotion of love in the least, yet you still care for them... much more if they are your enemy, I must add.
Anyway, my argument was never that emotions have no part, but that they are never to guide actions. The feelings should be the product of love, not the cause of it. That's the thing I think most people tend to invert. I simply do not think that those people who say they have 'fallen in love' and can't help themselves and all that really have any glimpse of what love truly is. They are letting their own selfish desires get in the way.
I mean, you are talking about all this 'feelings of closeness, bonding' etc. etc., but in doing so you've made the assumption that I consider those feelings, and that we should consider those feelings, the measures of love. That is what I disagree with. Yes, fine, there are those emotions. But I for one will not measure my love for someone in how much I feel those emotions for them. At times I don't feel terribly close to some of my siblings, yet would die for them in a heartbeat, not because of an emotion, but because I know who they are to me. Not a feeling, a knowledge. And that is what I say true love is, a knowledge of what one is to someone, rather than a feeling. There might be feelings too, yes, but if that is all there is, you're in a sorry state. As you've pointed out, these are chemicals, common to animals, too. Now, think about it, by thoughts and knowledge and reason we have come to far greater things than any of the animals ever have. And yet in love we are to be like them? All our faculties that in other places have been put to such grand use are to be put under the foot of our animilistic emotions? Isn't it more human to, even as we raised pyriamids and cathedrals, to put our reason to work on love, to love with our knowledge, and not just our feelings?
See, this is where your argument breaks down. You're assuming all through that the only standard one could possibly have for loving someone is that feeling of something, whether it's a bond or attachment or whatever. Yet you have entirely mislaid reason. What about saying 'I am for this person because they are simply right.' That is a powerful statement. It is cold, yes, but proceeds from a biological nature no more than the judgement that a square peg fits in a square hole. Of course, this is vastly more complex, but all the same, it is a judgment of similar nature. Now, again, I have not entirely ruled out emotions. But... they proceed afterward.
I probably haven't expressed myself all too clearly, but all the same, I think I can say that not all love is biologically based, and can be reason based as well. And that is the more uniquely human love, the more selfless, and if one can manage to make that first, and have the emotions follow in concord after... then you have true love. Otherwise you're only ever going to have made a judgement based upon feelings which, as their nature is, wax and wane and fade.
PS
It might be interesting to note that something that my father once told me. He once told me that he doesn't love his children because he has some great feeling for them, but because they are an intrinsic part of his life. Now, he might have been talking a bit too strongly (after all, to be able to hold that so firmly is rather difficult), but was an interesting commentary which I found quite compelling. Quite ironically I later heard the same thing said by, of all people, a Vulcan on Star Trek... that he did not 'love' his children, per say, but that they were important in his life. That sort of cool judgement, I think, is the barest and truest form of love. Now, I think it is a good thing when emotions arise around it (after all, we don't want to be so stoically Vulcan!); but oftentimes people take those trappings to be the matter itself. Or, rather, the matter disappears entirely, and all you have are those trappings. The feelings alone, which when they fade leave nothing left but dismay.
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Quite the contrary, I don't think your case is in the least solid. I don't think you understood me.
Apparently not, the subsequent paragraph you wrote below is much more clear.
I mean, you are talking about all this 'feelings of closeness, bonding' etc. etc., but in doing so you've made the assumption that I consider those feelings, and that we should consider those feelings, the measures of love.
No, I was saying that the feelings themselves as well as the actions derived from those feelings, which you are considering a measure of love, could be considered equal.
Not a feeling, a knowledge. And that is what I say true love is, a knowledge of what one is to someone, rather than a feeling.
But this, yes this is a much more clear position on your behalf. In this case, if this is what you believe to be the true nature of love, then I would agree with you 100%. The knowledge of what someone is to you indeed appears to be separate from your emotions about that person (I will show that it isn't), and for practical purposes we might as well consider it to be. However, you are 100% completely wrong that that knowledge is not rooted in a biological cause. I'll get to that down below though after addressing a few things first.
As you've pointed out, these are chemicals, common to animals, too. Now, think about it, by thoughts and knowledge and reason we have come to far greater things than any of the animals ever have. And yet in love we are to be like them? All our faculties that in other places have been put to such grand use are to be put under the foot of our animilistic emotions? Isn't it more human to, even as we raised pyriamids and cathedrals, to put our reason to work on love, to love with our knowledge, and not just our feelings?
This is incredibly anthrocentric of you. I don't adhere to an anthrocentric view of the universe. I don't believe that human consciousness is inherently superior or "higher" than that of other animals. First we believed the sun was the center of the universe. Then we thought the earth was. And when both were proven thoroughly wrong we thought well we can at least take solace in the fact that clearly human beings are the most important creatures in existence. We've just replaced one anthrocentric worldview with another.
By your definition of love based on "knowledge", I would say that yes human love is different from that of animal love because we have the ability to think very reflexively about the nature of that love and what it means to us. But different does not equal superior. Often in human beings (and in animals) the emotions of love are inseparable from what you call the knowledge of it, or true love in your viewpoint. The common example of a dog dying to save his master's life comes to mind, compared with a father dying to save his child. The dogs actions are based upon emotion and the sense that his master faces impending doom, the fathers actions are based upon emotion and the sense that his child faces impending doom - but the father also has the knowledge that his child can live a full and happy live, get married someday and have kids of his own, find happiness and true love. The father's sense of love is no doubt different from the dogs. But not superior. Who are you to judge superiority?
And I would even raise for speculation whether or not the father's actions in that moment of saving his childs life are even based on a "knowledge" of what that child means to him, and not just on basic emotions of love and an instinct to save him. How would you separate the two?
See, this is where your argument breaks down. You're assuming all through that the only standard one could possibly have for loving someone is that feeling of something, whether it's a bond or attachment or whatever. Yet you have entirely mislaid reason.
Not at all. My reason was sound and based upon scientific evidence. You did not make it clear that your definition of love was something separate from actions - ie: knowledge of what a person means to you.
What about saying 'I am for this person because they are simply right.' That is a powerful statement. It is cold, yes, but proceeds from a biological nature no more than the judgement that a square peg fits in a square hole.
Wrong, which I will get to after saying:
I think I can say that not all love is biologically based, and can be reason based as well.
Not so. If it is your position that the true nature of love is based on knowledge of what a person means to you, then I would say that is a very noble position and I respect it, but I am skeptical as to the true separateness of that knowledge from your emotions. Just because the knowledge seems separate doesn't mean that it is.
But if your position is that that knowledge of love is somehow not biologically based - then you are wrong. There's no two ways about it. Your knowledge of the ones you love is based on your memories of them, the joy and the sorrow and every significant moment you have shared with them is stored within your hippocampus and amygdala (among other places), and damage to those areas of the brain can completely erase that knowledge. Hence even your definition of love is biologically based.
Here's an interesting concept that further illustrates my point: If you wake up with amnesia tomorrow, and you have no knowledge of the ones that you previously loved, do you still have the emotions of love associated with them? The answer to this question is well known to neurology - and it is no, you don't. So even what you call "base animal emotions" are associated with the same knowledge that you call "true love". They are inseparable in reality, although you seem to adhere to the position that acting because of the knowledge itself is superior to acting because of the emotions - which is fine, I suppose. But I disagree that it is superior and there is no basis to think that it is, short of saying that it is superior because we are superior, which is inherently flawed and wrong.
EDIT: This is fun :D. Good show, chap. Although I anticipate these posts will be moved into another thread soon.
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I think you two have some great points, but are missing the crux of the matter.
Love isn't one extreme or the other, love is everything in the middle. Biological factors certainly apply and change the situation, but so do the thoughts and musings of our higher brain (I don't mean higher as in superior, just using the term to seperate it from the basic instincts).
Love can't be easily defined, and indeed shouldn't be easily defined. The meaning of love have had philosophers devoting their lives to it. I'm thankful I don't need to understand love to experience it, and to add to it. And though I may add in this debate in some way, I'm glad regardless of what one person's definition of love may be is that won't change the love I share with those close to me.
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...
Love should be easily defined. "What is love?" means the speaker is inexperienced or hasn't given the subject much thought. And a reply of "I just don't feel that way towards you; I don't know why" means the speaker is tragically ignorant of...(okay, singular they) themself. There is no good reason to regard love as a superstitious, mysterious Sword of Damocles hanging over everyone's heads, creating irrational behavior at random and causing heartbreak left and right for no apparent reason. Even the irrationality can be explained. Don't cede to that "things work in mysterious ways" crap. "True" love by nature is understood.
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I agree with ZeaLitY. Even if I didn't read it all.
Current gripe is that I'm falling ill. Post nasal drip, cough, stuffy nose... that sounds like the beginnings of a cold to me.
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Hehe, this topic is becoming thoughtful these days.
*Jump out from hide.
*And vanish again.
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...
Love should be easily defined. "What is love?" means the speaker is inexperienced or hasn't given the subject much thought. And a reply of "I just don't feel that way towards you; I don't know why" means the speaker is tragically ignorant of...(okay, singular they) themself. There is no good reason to regard love as a superstitious, mysterious Sword of Damocles hanging over everyone's heads, creating irrational behavior at random and causing heartbreak left and right for no apparent reason. Even the irrationality can be explained. Don't cede to that "things work in mysterious ways" crap. "True" love by nature is understood.
My point was to experience love you don't have to study the biological and philosophical meaning behind it. Understanding your emotions and actions and the love you feel is indeed part of understanding and knowing yourself. I didn't mean to make it seem as if love couldn't be understood, but that you don't have to have a degree in psychology OR biology to understand what love means to you. My post was more a response to their debate about the nature of love (and how I feel you don't need to have codified the basis of love to experience it) and not a thesis on how love is ultimately unknowable (which I don't believe). I believe love is one of those words that everyone views differently and it's something that you have to find your own definition for.
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Current gripe is that I'm falling ill. Post nasal drip, cough, stuffy nose... that sounds like the beginnings of a cold to me.
Me too. Mix your medication with a crapload of grapefruit juice to save money by taking less :D.
...just kidding. That's actually a very dangerous thing to do. Although I admit I've done it before for just that purpose, but I knew what I was doing.
My point was to experience love you don't have to study the biological and philosophical meaning behind it.
Yes, but it sure makes for an interesting debate. And experiencing love was not the purpose of our debate anyways, it was what the nature of love can be defined as. Daniel Krispin's position is that it is the knowledge of what a person means to you that qualifies as love and not the emotion itself. It was my position that this is a rather high and mighty viewpoint and reeks of human superiority, and that often we separate logic/reason/knowledge and emotion as two separate things when in reality it is emotion which drives reasoning.
I thought about posting a very interesting study in which a person with pre-frontal lobe damage behaved completely normally but it was evident that he had some sort of handicap. No one could figure out what handicap it was though. He was going bankrupt and his life was falling apart. Finally someone realized that he lacked the emotion of gut instinct now, or a qualitative analysis of "fairness". They had him play cards and gamble and he was horrible at it. When one deck of cards started disproportionately making him lose, he didn't feel bad about it, so he didn't make the logical decision to switch decks. Whereas normal people switched decks right away as soon as they felt the first one was "unfair".
So we often think that logic is high and mighty and emotions are bad and animalistic a la Vulcan philosophy or something. But in reality logic and emotions are linked, we just have the illusion that they aren't. So too is the type of logical love and knowledge that Daniel Krispin considers true love and the emotion of love itself.
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I just tought out colds, you see. The way I see it is that every time I get the sniffles I pop decongestant, when I'm puking my brains out and I need medication or else I'll die, my particular virus will be resistant to all medication I've taken. That's why I'm so opposed to disinfecting everything.
Oh! My kid is going to touch the phone after my husband got home, and he went OUT in the world and there are germs out there! GERMS! Quick! Disinfectant! Ah, now my kid won't get sick. Keep in mind, though, that I want my kid to not live in a bubble.
There was this one horrible little thing my mother told me about. She works at a church with a lot of kids involved, right? One of the moms is walking out with her kids and one of them trips and falls. Immediately, she rushes into the office and gets the first aid kit. Note that there is no blood, no broken skin, not even a tear! Gah!
I hate overprotective parents, in short.
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That's actually a fairly good philosophy to have when it comes to bacterial infections, as bacteria readily adapt to disinfectants and antibiotics. But the common cold is a viral infection usually caused by rhino (lit: nose) virus. There are no antiviral drugs that the common cold virus could adapt to, and a virus will not adapt to disinfectants because of the nature of their biology and the nature of their transmission between people.
And as far as decongestants go, a virus will not evolve a "resistance" to decongestants because the purpose of a decongestant is not to kill the virus but to alleviate the symptoms of the infection. The decongestant targets tissue cells of the host body, not the virus. So you don't have to "tough out" the common cold. Pop those decongestants free of worry and save yourself from annoying cold symptoms.
If you need to take medication "or else you'll die", I guarantee to you 100% that you will not be infected with an antiviral resistant virus because you had been excessively using cold medication. It doesn't work that way. Even if you happen to get infected with an antibiotic resistant bacterial strain someday, it will be because of someone else's fault in abusing antibiotics, not yours.
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True, true... but it's not all that bad. I mean, my nose is a little stuffy and my throat hurts a touch, but other than that, it's fine.
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I suppose I'm a wuss then when it comes to colds. :D Nothing irritates me more than a runny nose and sneezing every 3 minutes.
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Try Santa Ana winds, guys. I HATES THEM SO!!!!
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Oh, really?
We have a storm coming here. Our city is supposed to get anywhere from five to nine inches of snow and quite powerful winds. The highs for my area, later in the weak, is supposed to be 10 degrees. Not taking into account the wind chill.
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Heh heh it was 70 something degrees outside here yesterday. It may have been 80 at some points actually. It's pretty cold out today though. Must be because of that cold front. Texas weather is insanely unpredictable.
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6-12 inches of snow up here, I'm soooo excited. I love the winter.
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6-12 inches of snow up here, I'm soooo excited. I love the winter.
That don't sound like no frustration to me! :lol:
I hate when it's all rainy & I have to go to the library (not too far away, but far enough away to annoy me) and my only recourse is riding my bike...Multiple layers is the only way I survive, people! And that just weighs me down! Especially when the top layers get soaked...! God bless my thermals at least...>_>
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I hope I never live up north again. After this, I hope I move to a tropical island somewhere with warm weather all year around and scantily clad chicks as far as the eye can see.
I would put up with the occasional hurricane or tsunami for that.
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"What is love?"
Baby, don't hurt me... Don't hurt me... No more...
(Most sincere apologies, but I could not resist.) :cry:
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... there's this wonderful thing they recently invented, Shadow. It's called self control. You should try it sometime!
My current gripe, other than the snow we have out there, is that my glasses have run off without my face again. Can barely see the screen... have I mentioned that my eyesight is deplorable without my glasses?
EDIT: I found my glasses. They fell onto the floor. Now, why do we have that nasty gravity again?
New gripe, though. My throat is killing me and if I want to be part of a play for spring, I have to sing tomorrow. Auditions for the musical I want to be in. Fun, eh? Good thing I don't have to dance...
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6-12 inches of snow up here, I'm soooo excited. I love the winter.
That don't sound like no frustration to me! :lol:
I hate when it's all rainy & I have to go to the library (not too far away, but far enough away to annoy me) and my only recourse is riding my bike...Multiple layers is the only way I survive, people! And that just weighs me down! Especially when the top layers get soaked...! God bless my thermals at least...>_>
Rumor has it there's been flooding in your area. You keeping your head above the water?
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... there's this wonderful thing they recently invented, Shadow. It's called self control. You should try it sometime!
:picardno
I did try. Obviously, I failed.
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Obviously, I failed.
I laughed so hard at this. Surely you see the humor in this particular choice of words, right Shadow?
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:lol:
Shadow, you really need to keep your posting down. You'll be at NaN for all eternity. I suggest you go back and delete your stupid and Pointless posts.
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Obviously, I failed.
I laughed so hard at this. Surely you see the humor in this particular choice of words, right Shadow?
:picardno
Can we not go down that road again, please?
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Sure, but...you did open the path to that road yourself though.
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"On the road again... Just can't wait to get on the road again"~~~
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6-12 inches of snow up here, I'm soooo excited. I love the winter.
That don't sound like no frustration to me! :lol:
I hate when it's all rainy & I have to go to the library (not too far away, but far enough away to annoy me) and my only recourse is riding my bike...Multiple layers is the only way I survive, people! And that just weighs me down! Especially when the top layers get soaked...! God bless my thermals at least...>_>
Rumor has it there's been flooding in your area. You keeping your head above the water?
Actually, I'm in Tacoma & I'm fine...y'know...besides living in Tacoma, that is...>_>
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Tacoma? Seriously? I really don't like driving through there, with the smell and all... sorry dude.
The most frustrating thing I can think of right now has to be drunk people. DEFINITELY drunk people. Especially if they're constantly rambling and griping and playing horrendously loud music at you when you're trying to paint.
Entity (Alfador?) please grant me patience...
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Entity (Alfador?) please grant me patience...
I'll see what I can do to convince Him. ;)
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Entity (Alfador?) please grant me patience...
I'll see what I can do to convince Him. ;)
i se wut u did ther lol
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Heh, thanks.
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I hate my Borders book store.
At my old highschool, we had the fat anime girls who love yoai, but hate yuri. So...
My fucking Borders is filled with yoai, just yoai.
I hate it.
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But Yuri is so awesome...! She's to SNK what Sakura is to Capcom...!!
(http://a6.vox.com/6a00c225214c418e1d00e398a921de0005-500pi)
(http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo81/V_Translanka/Yurithumbsup.gif)
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I'm not sure Nightmare meant any girls named "Yuri" unless you're messing around again... :?
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Yeah, I am, though, obviously there are Yuri yuri out there...>_>
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Yuri yuri?
OH, SHI-
<Shadow D. Darkman has been disconnected.>
(TBH, it kinda kills the joke when you can't hide and make it look like you got disconnected for Dividing By ZERO.)
EDIT: Trans, in response to your PM, No, I can't.
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I have quite the situation here.
I am sick.
I have a stuffy/runny nose, a cough, and a sore throat caused by post nasal drip. If you don't know, post nasal drip is when snot from your nose runs down the back of your throat, irritating it. We don't have coughdrops here at school (I ask for coughdrops, they give me mints), and the DayQuil has vanished at home.
Now, here's the problem.
Tonight is the District Wide Musical audition.
And I have to sing to get in.
There are auditions tomorrow, but I can't make it. My mom can't get me there. So, yeah. My voice is near dead and I have to sing. And how well I sing gets me a certain part. The good news, though, is the person in charge, Mrs. Miller, is fond of me. I'm, like, one of her favorite students, so... I could get a good part anyway.
On the topic of things of that nature, what is it with guys and their yuri? If they're lesbians, they aren't going to get with you. If they're bisexual, they may prefer the female species over the male.
... Yuri sounds kind of like Juri. Juri is the resident lesbian in Utena. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!
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Ouch, I hate post-nasal drip. Coughed up a storm a year or so back.
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I ALWAYS Get that with a cold. It comes with the cold, comparable to getting fries with a burger. And I always get a cold when it's... Well, cold out. But worse then that is the DREADED SANTA ANA WINDS!!!! I may or may not be at school right now...
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You are. You have to be. You're out in Cali and I'm out here in New England. You said earlier you were in school, and my school gets out before yours (I guess), and I'm still at school.
Thus, you are at school.
What gets me is my voice is gone and I have to sing. Grr!
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I have to come to school at 7:00, and leave at 4:30. THANK YOU CRAPPY SCHOOL COMPUTERS!!!
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What time do you wake up at? I'm fully awake at 6:00 here (well before the crap of dawn) and my alarm goes off five minutes before. School starts at 7:30 here and goes to 1:45. Keep in mind, though, that at 6:20 (when I'm out at the bus stop) it's freezing. We're in lovely New England and it does that a lot.
EDIT: NERDY! Take away two of your posts! YOU WILL BE THE FIENDLORD!!!
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Shouldn't that be your goal, Tea?
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(I ask for coughdrops, they give me mints), and the DayQuil has vanished at home.
If they didn't just run out and actually aren't allowed to give you any in the first place, then that's probably because certain brands of cough drops (and cough syrup) have the chemical DXM (dextromethorphan) in them, which is a potent dissociative psychedelic drug. If kids your age didn't use it to trip your school would probably be allowed to dispense them to you.
DayQuil is the shit, especially for clearing up congestion if you have to sing. Stop by CVS and stock up on DayQuil and cough drops. As for getting your voice back, peel the skin from a ginger root and then cut it into thin slices and place it in a pot of water. Boil the pieces to make a tea. Add three tablespoons of honey for sweetener. Drink the tea slowly, and the extract from the ginger root will make your throat tingle at first, but will quickly bring your voice back. This is an especially good remedy for singers.
It may not make you feel 100% better and sing to your best ability, but it's better than getting screwed out of the district wide audition.
EDIT: Also, anything with pseudoephedrine in it is probably the best for alleviating cold symptoms, but nowadays I believe you have to be 18 to buy it (I may be wrong about that though, maybe you just have to show a drivers liscense) since it is essentially methamphetamine in a box.
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OH, GOD! *backs away from DayQuil* That shit tastes horrible!
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Dude! Nice! Thanks, Eric! *hugs* I'll have to tell Merrick this later. Merrick is my friend Parker's little brother and he has an amazing voice. At 13 he can hit notes I could never dream of getting close to.
Yeah, the kids here do use cough drops like that. It used to be that if you had a sore throat, you had to ask the teacher for a pass down to the nurse and she'd give you a couple, but now... mints. They're tasty, but I've gotten rather sensitive to a lot of sugar and they make me gag a little. Cough drops, all though they do have that little gagging sensation, are better.
Wish I knew what DayQuil tastes like. Never tried it.
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Dude! Nice! Thanks, Eric! *hugs* I'll have to tell Merrick this later. Merrick is my friend Parker's little brother and he has an amazing voice. At 13 he can hit notes I could never dream of getting close to.
No prob. I know a singer that is in a band called The Riverboat Gamblers from the town that I live in that swears by ginger. He'll even go so far as to just suck on a ginger root before a show, although that is pretty disgusting flavor wise.
Yeah, the kids here do use cough drops like that. It used to be that if you had a sore throat, you had to ask the teacher for a pass down to the nurse and she'd give you a couple, but now... mints.
Most high school kids are stupid like that (no offense). "Hey man you wanna skip school today and trip on cough syrup and be scared shitless for hours on end?" "Hell yeah let's do it!". But I think school administrators are even more stupid. With the climate of anti-drug frenzy in this country, they don't even realize that if these kids wanted to trip on cough syrup all they would have to do is buy it at the pharmacy. So instead they don't give it out to students and kids that are clearly legitimately sick like yourself suffer as a result.
Wish I knew what DayQuil tastes like. Never tried it.
It tastes like liquid ass but it works wonders. Good thing it comes in pill form too.
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We allow painkillers like Tylenol if your parents bring it in and you suffer from migraines. I can't stand that kids abuse medicine that other people really need, like cough drops when your voice is barely a whisper (earlier this morning, I could barely speek and had to resort to signing things out with my hands.) or Tylenol when your head feels like it will go BOOM any second.
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They don't even let the school nurse give you Tylenol? :shock: That's absurd. What the hell purpose is there for a school nurse then if she can't even help you? Just to say "Yep you're sick go home" or to give you a bandaid when you cut yourself?
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Essentially, they give you non medicine when that works, let you sleep if you have a headache (only for fifteen minutes now) and take your temperature. If you're really bad, you get to go home. If not, back to class with you.
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It's all about the 'Tussin...and off-brand as possible.
(http://www.healthsquare.com/common/images/w/WAL03590_74059_5.JPG)
Got me through many a lame school day...uh, and I stand by the fact that I was sick, too...!!
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I just got kicked out of one of my University classes on the second day, the best part it's required. The reason was poor writing skills and behavior.
:picardno
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Please elaborate :D. That's even more interesting than Shadow's backstory.
I can understand behavior (what kind of behavior?), but how the hell are they going to kick you out of the class because of poor writing skills? If anything they'd just fail you...
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I will admit that writing is not at all my forte, but I did well enough to test in to honors level classes, so I think that was just an excuse to get me out of his class. Behavior wise I wasn't even out of line, I try and not turn this in to a he said she said but... 8)
What happened was most like these few things things I think. One I was new to the class having taken the class at a diffrent time and from a diffrent Professor, but due to schedule conflicts I had to switch. On the first day I made a quip on how he more tolerant on sleeping in class then texting or mp3 players, he looked at me and just said "Yes, I hope you won't do either though."
No humor, I made not of this so not to get on his bad side.
Later when class began he wanted an open discussion about sexism in out culture, he used the former President of Harvard as an example. He noted that it could appear anywhere and that is a dire problem. If you read about the events faithfully you should no the events behind all the sensationalism. He was asking about why there aren't more women in the Sciences and Maths, at one point he mentioned "could there be a biological difference?" It was an honest question that the Media had a field day with. I explained this to him, and he asked me to repeat it 3 times, to see if I was BS the idea or if I knew about the story. He then panicked he was about to cry it looked like, then he switched topics to art and Manifest destiny two days latter I find out from my counselor that I was kicked from the class.
The rest of the class explained to me that he was very unpredictable so the never participate, the discussions always end up just lectures, before I enrolled.
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A couple days ago I found out that one of the earbuds for my MP3 player stopped working. This isn't that unusual and I just go get another pair. But I got the next pair and it still doesn't work. Then I figure out that the headphone jack on the player isn't working normally. So now I'm probably going to have to replace the entire player which I haven't even had for over a year now. I got it maybe August or so.
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I've had headphones break under unknown circumstances in which the right earpiece does not work at all.
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Later when class began he wanted an open discussion about sexism in out culture, he used the former President of Harvard as an example. He noted that it could appear anywhere and that is a dire problem. If you read about the events faithfully you should no the events behind all the sensationalism. He was asking about why there aren't more women in the Sciences and Maths, at one point he mentioned "could there be a biological difference?" It was an honest question that the Media had a field day with. I explained this to him, and he asked me to repeat it 3 times, to see if I was BS the idea or if I knew about the story. He then panicked he was about to cry it looked like, then he switched topics to art and Manifest destiny two days latter I find out from my counselor that I was kicked from the class.
The rest of the class explained to me that he was very unpredictable so the never participate, the discussions always end up just lectures, before I enrolled.
What? That's it? I can't believe you would be kicked out for that, unless you were a dick about it. But that is what the story was about. The President of Harvard was giving a speech and questioned why there aren't more women in the sciences, and he brought up the possibility of a biological difference, not in the sense of sexism and not in the sense of "OMFG women are dumber than men obviously they have smaller brainz" but as a legitimate question. Anyone who thinks there aren't differences between the sexes is a victim of our PC culture. Our differences are the best parts.
Whether that involves an extremely slight average difference in natural math or science ability, I don't know. But it's a legitimate question. No topic should be off limits for science just because it might offend some people.
If that's all you brought up, then fuck that professor. I would report him regardless of whether or not he has tenure.
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I spoke with the head of the department, all she said was "...well let's not place blame on anyone." Then proceeded to ignore the whole thing and put me into the only other USEM 102 class they have. It mandatory at this school and they wont let me skip it even though I will not be graduating here so now its developed in to this large fiasco.
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So then, if you happen to get kicked out of that second class would they be forced to Expel you? Or would they just put you back in the other one? That doesn't make any sense whatsoever. That's almost more whacky than Tea saying that the school nurse can't give them Tylenol.
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My school.... At my school, the Principal is really old, and doesn't do much. The Best teachers always get laid off because of the stupid budget cuts and No Child Left Behind, And counclers... They don't do anything but make you sit down with someone you hate, and afterwards they make fun of you for it. Grr... I hate you Govenator!!!!!
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Getting a pay raise cut in half even though the company is doing just fine and will continue to be fine albeit a little less so during the coming recessionary year.
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... yeesh, and I thought I had it rough. MassHealth is yanking our chain and says we don't have coverage anymore, but my councilor makes me talk to her anyway. Guess who pays? My mom.
Be warned, folks. I have a long gripe ahead...
I did okay with the auditions. My key was a little off and I had a hard time with keeping it to the tune, but that was mainly because I was doing it A Capella and I was nervous as all hell (going up in front of a large group of people when you're, like, the only one on stage is terrifying, even if you've been doing it since forever), but I was certainly doing my song (the chorus of Torn) better than some of the others. I heard a lot of Hannah Montana last night (I DESPISE HANNAH MONTANA), a lot of loosing the tune, a lot of not being able to sing even the basic songs (if we couldn't think of a song, we were told to sing the ABCs and someone did it terribly), fudged up lyrics, and the occasional awesome theater voice. One girl sang Silent Night (off key, of course) and messed up the lyrics ('All is bright, all is calm!'), one kid didn't know the entire set of lyrics to the Itsy Bitsy Spider (what comes after 'and washed the spider out' again?), a bunch of kids took songs from Seussical (the musical we're doing) and sang them (Emily wants to be Gertrude, as she sang 'Notice me, Horton!') and not all of them did great, but again, a lot of good talent. Oh, and one more thing...
Merrick, my amazing little theater prodigy friend, grew TESTICLES.
Now I can't make jokes about him being sort of girly!
At the end, they had us group into grades and say our names. The seniors had a little thing going on. They came up as a group, then turned and said their names. I don't remember what they all were (there was definitely a Doug and Kim in there, though) but the last one (Alex or Zach or something and I'm not making novel jokes here) turned and said, "And I'm Liesl!"
Sound of Music joke. Complicated.
I forgot about this. Today, we got called into different places in the school to hear alumni talk at us about college. Essentially, college is totally different from high school, you need to take good classes now, start looking. I missed my computer lab time... for shit I already knew!
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That's it.
I am getting my math teacher fired tomorrow. On the grounds of losing assignments, ignoring students, and invalidating a motherfucking mid-term because she thought I was cheating by reading a book.
I am not going to stand for this.
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Did she see what book it was? If it was the textbook during the test, yes. I can see that (to pass the time in history I read the textbook for fun). If it was a regular book (like To Kill a Mockingbird or Eragon or The End of the Worlds or How to Build a Nuclear Bomb in Three Easy Steps) after you handed in your test, go for it, man. My French teacher sent a kid out of her class once for asking her to slow down. After, of course, insulting him.
I wonder why she still works here...
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I forgot about this. Today, we got called into different places in the school to hear alumni talk at us about college. Essentially, college is totally different from high school, you need to take good classes now, start looking. I missed my computer lab time... for shit I already knew!
Huh I wish it was different then high school, but sadly it more or less the same. Well more sex and alcohol.
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Huh I wish it was different then high school, but sadly it more or less the same. Well more sex and alcohol.
Well, people generally don't give a fuck what social group you belong to in college, and it is sort of the inverse of high school in that people will respect you for being smart and aceing tests because they themselves need to do good in college or they are screwed for life.
And yes, much more sex and alcohol. Alcohol gets old after awhile though. Both as a recreational drug and when you see the detrimental effects it has first hand. I only drink sparingly now. Maybe once a month.
Sex never gets old though. At least not if you don't suck at it. :D
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I didn't even scratch the Surface with my school position...
For example, Chrono Eric knows this, but Every single kid in my school hates me, except for a select few. Maybe 10, tops. Out of 800. They ALL Direct their hate at me and the People who are my friends. Remember 6th Grade, Asafigow? Yeah. It's like that, only Much, Much worse. Oh yeah, and all my friends through 7th grade are at a completely different school, the most Screwed up one I've ever, EVER Seen, and I feel sorry for whoever goes there. *AHEMASAFIGOWAHEM* Jesus, Tact, Your teachers are pretty screwed up, but here's one thing I forgot to mention earlier: Our vice principal will not expell or even suspend Anyone in the ENTIRE SCHOOL- Just because she has a perfect record she wants to keep. Her perfect record is only because she thinks about herself.
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... your school sucks, man. I pity you. It sounds worse than the pilot school we have here. I hear it's terrible.
Why do they hate you, man? Did you do something stupid?
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I didn't even scratch the Surface with my school position...
Scratch the surface of what? Sex and alcohol? Don't worry there's plenty of time for that later.
And like I said, kids won't hate you in college. In fact they'll probably wanna hang with you so they can cheat off of you. Cheap friendship? Perhaps. But you can totally use them for things in return.
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No, they don't like me because I'm
1. Smart
2. Antisocial, see at school, most of the time I just drop the first part of my online Alias, and shut the hell up and work.
3.Weird
4. and different. I take the 'Fads' and do the exact opposite. If people like a certain brand of clothing, I avoid it at all costs. I did this one to piss them off after they started to hate me.
It doesn't help that my mom was most of their teacher at one point...
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Well, screw them. Be who you are and you'll be fine. I'm weird in that all my friends are male (well, predominately), I like anime/manga that no one has ever heard of, I'm smart, pretty, and I've gotten into a bit of a sticky situation and may be hated by my ex-best friend, her group of angsting, cutting, druggy friends, and every drama person I know.
I stated to someone that I despised my ex-best friend and I despised the younger sibling of a prominent acting almost-goddess. The ex-best friend is a whiny little bitch who needs a calculator to figure out what two plus two is. The sibling thinks she's all that, but can't carry a tune and lives in her sister's shadow.
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Don't forget Modest. LOL Just kidding. Anyways, I personally think anyone who hates themself is an idiot. Me and my band of Rebellious friends in 6th grade always sat away from everyone, and did everything differently. We had about 10 members, I suppose. Asafigow was my rebellious partner in Crime. Funny story, actually... I thought we were going to hate each other's guts on the first day of school. My brand of humor is ridiculastupid. Offtopic: My two favorite made up adjectives are Ridiculastupid and Evilicious. Lol. Anyways....
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No, they don't like me because I'm
1. Smart
Like I said in college this is reversed.
2. Antisocial, see at school, most of the time I just drop the first part of my online Alias, and shut the hell up and work.
Funny, "hyper" has more than one meaning - it can mean overly excited or simply over or above something. Such as having hypertension for example. I always thought your name derived from the second definition, and meant not that you were a nerd that was also hyper but a literal hypernerd - ie: someone who was over the top nerdy, moreso than the average nerd.
3.Weird
Aren't we all?
4. and different.
See above. Our differences are what make us special. Do you really want to be just like everyone else?
I take the 'Fads' and do the exact opposite. If people like a certain brand of clothing, I avoid it at all costs. I did this one to piss them off after they started to hate me.
So now that every kid I see is starting to dress all punkish (wearing t-shirts of The Clash and The Sex Pistols that no doubt they've never even listened to ::vent:: ), does that mean that to go against the grain you dress normal?
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That's it. I am getting my math teacher fired tomorrow on the grounds of ... invalidating a motherfucking mid-term because she thought I was cheating by reading a book. I am not going to stand for this.
Here in North Carolina, during a state-mandated test (like the End Of Course Exams at my high school), when a kid is caught talking, reading,* looking around,* putting his/her head down, etc., the teacher that caught them is required by state law to assume that he/she is cheating. The kid is not granted immunity to punishment even if they have already finished their test and handed it in.
*The logical basis of the assumption in these examples are that the kid may be looking at answers to questions, be it in a textbook, or on another student's test.
Even so, though, I feel for ya, Grant. That shit sucks.
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Fight the power!
My friends are kind of weird, too. Really-Tall-With-Facial-Hair-And-Rage-Issues Jay has... rage issues. Computer-Geek-And-Kind-of-Squishy Angel is... a computer geek. He's actually really friendly. Jerk Brandon... doesn't count anymore. He's a jerk. Constantly-Sweaty Jay is my only Chrono Trigger-knowledged friend and constantly reeks of sweat. Why do I hang out with him again?
North Carolina sounds stupid.
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Jerk Brandon... doesn't count anymore. He's a jerk.
Why the hostility? What did he turn you down or something?
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Uh, Eric, that's a bit far, don'tCHA think?
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Oh, you don't remember the Jerk Brandon story, do you? It's in here. Somewhere.
What happened was Brandon, before he was a jerk, asked me to come with him to homecoming. So I bundled up and waited for about half an hour for him to show up as he was buying tickets, like a proper gentleman should. I got hit on by an old guy waiting for him, but he never showed. So I went home, crestfallen and distraught, and waited until Monday to talk to him (it was a Friday). He wasn't there. I hunted him down and he ran from me. Apparently, from what I understand of what his friends told me, he did go. But he forgot me. He still won't talk to me or let me come near him.
And that's how Brandon became Jerk Brandon.
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Uh, Eric, that's a bit far, don'tCHA think?
Nope. I was simply curious. I wasn't making fun of her, I just asked a question. A point which you apparently missed but Tea seemed to not have a problem with it.
And that's how Brandon became Jerk Brandon.
Bummer, what an ass. That's even worse than turning you down since he invited you. I'd slash his tires.
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I'm sorry, but this needs to be said right now.
My current gripe is Darkman. I'm sick and tired of dealing with his insults and moronicness and lack of change and... EVERYTHING! Gah! If there weren't a towel on my head right now, I'd tear my hair out!
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Wow. I won't have a situation like that until Collage or MAYBE High School, for reasons I already said.
That honestly sucks. That's what we call a Noob at Life.
Like I said previously- At least he's not an asshole.Well, most of the time he's not.
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Wow. I won't have a situation like that until Collage or MAYBE High School, for reasons I already said.
Like I said man, get a badass skill. Girls dig mad skills. Just make sure that skill is cool. For example, having mad skills at guitar =/= having mad skills at flute. Girls will say, "well, he may be a nerd - but he's got mad skills. I wanna do him". Trust me. It's about the skills.
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Its actually true, I would have women ignore me or just shoot me down, etc. But the second the find out I know ballroom dance the suddenly seem interested. Ah but for me it doesn't matter, I never found joy in small flings, I have always enjoyed a full dedicated relationship(which have never ended well sadly enough.)
My current grip I barely read half the threads any more because of the attitude shift here. It has be come a bit more fun and goofy which isn't bad, but at the cost of all the interesting discussions and more clever theories.
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My current grip I barely read half the threads any more because of the attitude shift here. It has be come a bit more fun and goofy which isn't bad, but at the cost of all the interesting discussions and more clever theories.
Go spend some time in the Time, Space, and Dimensions forum. That's where all the good discussions have been going on.
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Yeah, some of the stuff there freaking blows my mind. Thats why I like the Compendium- Balance between Idiotic and Genius, Balance between Real World and Game World, balance between Creativity and unoriginality. Whatever my mood, I can come here. Theres even a place to complain about your daily life!!
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I do, I read all the analysis. I do wish to say its none existent, but most of the analysis is just teaching others how the current ideas work, or someone thinks they made a break through but its either some idea that doesn't really have any bases or its a rehash of current ideas. meh, maybe its just a slump right now.
Should I capitalize "meh"? buy definition that word shouldn't ever be capitlized yet at the begaining of a sentence it should be...huh.
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I'm about to very possibly kill a chance at a fulfilling relationship because I don't believe in invisible gods and reincarnation.
I hate religion. I hate it. I hate all of it. May it die forever.
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I wouldn't jump to such a conclusion, Z. You ask (albeit indirectly) for proof they exist, so I ask you, prove they don't.
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Sounds less like frustration at religion itself & more frustration at close-minded gits. I know it sounds the same, but it's not. ;) & sorry to hear.
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I'm about to very possibly kill a chance at a fulfilling relationship because I don't believe in invisible gods and reincarnation.
Is she of Hindu faith by chance?
I know a Hindu girl that went to UNT that was in love with this guy, but her family forced her to dump him because he didn't adhere to their faith. Now she's in an arranged marriage I think. Pretty jacked up shit.
I wouldn't jump to such a conclusion, Z. You ask (albeit indirectly) for proof they exist, so I ask you, prove they don't.
Oh goody, another thread turns down the philosophical road. :D The burden of proof is on those that claim they do, Shadow. I can't prove that Zeus doesn't exist, but I can prove that lightning is caused via natural processes.
"There is a thing called being so open minded that your brain falls out" - Richard Dawkins
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I wouldn't jump to such a conclusion, Z. You ask (albeit indirectly) for proof they exist, so I ask you, prove they don't.
Prove I'm not your great-great-grandfather, who faked his death after discovering a magical serum and receiving revelation that he should wait a century and then make a Chrono series fan site. You can't, because you don't know me. And I can't prove atoms exist, because I've never seen them through the appropriate scientific equipment. But atoms have a scientific basis and overwhelming evidence of existence. My being your great-great-grandfather has no rational basis. And neither do the tenets of religion.
Is she of Hindu faith by chance?
No religion, really. Just a belief in reincarnation and karma.
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I'm about to very possibly kill a chance at a fulfilling relationship because I don't believe in invisible gods and reincarnation.
I hate religion. I hate it. I hate all of it. May it die forever.
Then just pretend you do.
Yea, your not the type to do that I know. Is she the recruiting type? or does she just believe in religion. I know of couple who believe in separate and some times conflicting beliefs or lack there of, but they're good together. That was the only issue and it was easily remedy with acceptance.
You have the chance at a relationship, that is your dream isn't it, well sorry but working for your dreams take work (tolerance is hardly something to avoid). BUT if she isn't tolerant of you as well then feel free to lay it on think Z.
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But atoms have a scientific basis and overwhelming evidence of existence. My being your great-great-grandfather has no rational basis. And neither do the tenets of religion.
Atoms are perhaps a bad example, Zeality. They can be seen directly with the proper scientific equipment, and even if they couldn't - you can prove something exists without seeing it by virtue of its' macroscale properties.
I have an extreme aversion to Western faith. Eastern faith, particularly Buddhism, I don't mind so much as it is very similar to Native American faith in the sense that the end result is the same - to achieve enlightenment through the exploration of consciousness and the living of a righteous life. Contrast that with the concept of achieving salvation through the worship and acceptance of an external god. They are like polar theological opposites.
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I agree, Eric. Arranged marriages are, indeed, fucked up.
Z, first cool your head. Second, how do you know you're NOT my your great-great-grandfather, who faked his death after discovering a magical serum and receiving revelation that he should wait a century and then make a Chrono series fan site. For all you know, that may have been how it was supposed to come about.
(to KebreI) IDK, tolerance came to me kinda easy. A girl I knew in my sophomore year (and fell out with in my junior year, after she moved away) had a brief time when she converted to Wicca. There was this urge to blurt out condemnations for my whole school to hear, and yet brushing it aside was so easy that I can't describe it. She would later either convert back to Christianity or something else. IDK.
Later on, I met a girl who was a Wiccan, and seemed to be... unusual. Can't describe for reasons already stated, but it was just so, abnormal. One would think I accepted her reluctantly, but I didn't. I truly did accept her. She never was a Christian, though her dad is, and yet, we get along so well. We dated for a few months (November 2007 to July 9, 2008. I remember the day she dumped me for reasons unknown), and now we're close friends. To this day, she continues to be unusual, and I still am not alienated.
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This will probably be the end, Kebrel. My life exists around a core of humanism and human potential and adventure. This person's exists around something different. I can't hide my true nature any longer.
I just...it'd be so awfully easy to hate and revile the world for being so religious and irrational. I'm tired of having my options limited from the get-go because of superstition. It took me a long time before I was ready to accept the existential responsibility for my own life and remove the concept of heaven from the end of my existence and replace it with a mystery. But I did it. I wish everyone else could, too. This world would be so much better if people weren't focused on the mythical world that follows.
Eastern faith, particularly Buddhism, I don't mind so much as it is very similar to Native American faith in the sense that the end result is the same - to achieve enlightenment through the exploration of consciousness and the living of a righteous life.
These comments aren't directed at you, but since you brought the topic up...I just strongly dislike the Eastern issue with desire. Desire can be good or bad, but it shouldn't be expunged. Desire brings progress. And then...that attitude can be bad. The other day on Digg, a ton of Diggers (who are usually extremely rational, albeit also sexist) posted that "Buddhism isn't a religion; it's a philosophy," which is complete bullshit. Buddhism is filled with just as much metaphysical and ritualistic insanity as a fair share of other religions.
Z, first cool your head.
If you think this thread is "hot" concerning religion, then you've yet to taste the real Compendium.
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:picardno
Not what I meant, bro. I was referring to the term "hot-headed"
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Ditto.
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I agree, Eric. Arranged marriages are, indeed, fucked up.
Z, first cool your head. Second, how do you know you're NOT my your great-great-grandfather, who faked his death after discovering a magical serum and receiving revelation that he should wait a century and then make a Chrono series fan site. For all you know, that may have been how it was supposed to come about.
I don't think you get it buddy. And that isn't the point its what this leads to is...
(to KebreI) IDK, tolerance came to me kinda easy. A girl I knew in my sophomore year (and fell out with in my junior year, after she moved away) had a brief time when she converted to Wicca. There was this urge to blurt out condemnations for my whole school to hear, and yet brushing it aside was so easy that I can't describe it. She would later either convert back to Christianity or something else. IDK.
Later on, I met a girl who was a Wiccan, and seemed to be... unusual. Can't describe for reasons already stated, but it was just so, abnormal. One would think I accepted her reluctantly, but I didn't. I truly did accept her. She never was a Christian, though her dad is, and yet, we get along so well. We dated for a few months (November 2007 to July 9, 2008. I remember the day she dumped me for reasons unknown), and now we're close friends. To this day, she continues to be unusual, and I still am not alienated.
I can't tell if your agreeing or if you think your disagree but really agreeing with me. Z don't blindly accept her, I left that out because your smart enough to know that. If you really can have a relationship if you know you love this person yet your anger towards religion is holding you back then friend sorry but the hates gotta put under control.
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I'm open to options. I still have feelings for who she is. But I'm just rather certain that this is going to remove the possibility from her mind.
Part of the fun of starting my international adventure in the Czech Republic is that something like 80% of the population is on the same page as I am about religion. It might just feel like heaven compared to the United States in that regard.
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I still have feelings for who she is.
Love her for who she is, not what she believes.
That's one of my rules.
I can't tell if your agreeing or if you think your disagree but really agreeing with me.
Truthfully, I was neither agreeing or disagreeing, hence my saying "IDK" in there.
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Z, first cool your head. Second, how do you know you're NOT my your great-great-grandfather, who faked his death after discovering a magical serum and receiving revelation that he should wait a century and then make a Chrono series fan site.
What? Who would know that better than himself?
Desire can be good or bad, but it shouldn't be expunged. Desire brings progress. And then...that attitude can be bad. The other day on Digg, a ton of Diggers (who are usually extremely rational, albeit also sexist) posted that "Buddhism isn't a religion; it's a philosophy," which is complete bullshit. Buddhism is filled with just as much metaphysical and ritualistic insanity as a fair share of other religions.
I agree. I didn't say I agree with all Buddhists perspectives, just some of them. This is one that I don't agree with it, but it should be noted that this is not a universal belief across Buddhism. And from a metaphysical standpoint, many denominations of Buddhism actually practice exactly what you said:
It took me a long time before I was ready to accept the existential responsibility for my own life and remove the concept of heaven from the end of my existence and replace it with a mystery. But I did it. I wish everyone else could, too. This world would be so much better if people weren't focused on the mythical world that follows.
And it is unique among many world religions for doing so.
I agree though, anyone who thinks they are going to go to a shiny paradise upon death and eat ice cream with their dead relatives needs to take a serious second to evaluate their worldview. I particularly abhor the phrase "It's okay, he/she is in a better place now." I want to scream whenever I hear that - I want to say - "You don't know that! All you can know for sure is that they are six feet underground being consumed by worms, which will in turn die and be consumed by saprophytic organisms, which will in turn die and be used as nutrients for plants, which will in turn be consumed by animals, which in turn will die and the cycle will repeat until millions of years from now every atom that composed his/her body is spread out evenly across the surface of the planet due to entropy. Better place indeed."
What is more noble, to pray for a heaven after death or to attempt to create one while you are still here on earth?
I'm just curious, does this girl believe in reincarnation with transmigration of memories or reincarnation of the self or soul without transmigration of memories?
EDIT: Man I really fucked that post up.
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I still have feelings for who she is.
Love her for who she is, not what she believes.
I am fucking out of your league. I have feelings for her for many reasons, but she would probably not be fulfilled being with me, and I would definitely not be fulfilled being with her pretending to believe the same things. Grasp a simple concept like this, okay?
eric, yeah, I like some Buddhist stuff, too. If I had a favorite philosopher, it'd be Bruce Lee (obviously not considered a philosopher as much as he should be thanks to martial arts fanboys), and he took a lot of good things from Eastern philosophy. Rejected the bad or blindly traditional, of course.
As for memories...they're there, but residual. They poke through dreams and stuff, or get unlocked in hypnosis.
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If it's that complex, then yeah, I can't help ya beyond what I've already told you.
Besides, I meant that to say "don't let religion interfere with the relationship"
Z, first cool your head. Second, how do you know you're NOT my your great-great-grandfather, who faked his death after discovering a magical serum and receiving revelation that he should wait a century and then make a Chrono series fan site.
What? Who would know that better than himself?
I can think of a few, but that's my business.
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As for memories...they're there, but residual. They poke through dreams and stuff, or get unlocked in hypnosis.
I brought it up because while it may not be possible to prove or disprove the existence of a deity, it is certainly possible to prove or disprove certain tenets of religion that are based within the material world - and this is one of them. Since memory is rooted firmly by a biological cause, and since absolute amnesia can be produced via effecting the necessary parts of the brain, then it necessarily follows that even if reincarnation is possible via the transmigration of consciousness it is clearly not possible to transfer memories once the brain is dead.
If this is her belief then the burden of proof is upon her, and if she holds it against you for not buying into that because there is no evidence that supports it, then screw her. Find somebody else.
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Thanks for the support. I can't tell you how much some part of me is beating myself up inside for not pretending, as she is an amazing, remarkable person, and there isn't exactly a line of people like that waiting to fulfill my romantic vision.
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I don't want to end up say what choice you should make, by all means Z go for what you choose, that is what this boils down to. I would choose tolerance in favor of my ideal, I know for a some one like fact J esq would probably choose the opposite. Enjoy the choice you make, both outcomes can lead to happiness and can also lead away from it.
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If you guys think this is some ideologically-motivated spur-of-the-moment decision of intolerance, that's not it. I strive for a consummately intimate relationship, and that means sharing everything. And one's worldview is at the core of an awful lot of a person's identity. If I had any degree less of a friendship with her, it wouldn't be like this, but I seek to perfectly empathize and know someone. And at this level, the differing beliefs are manifesting through differences that would hinder fulfillment. She is also aware of them. I'm just making it official.
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Thanks for the support. I can't tell you how much some part of me is beating myself up inside for not pretending, as she is an amazing, remarkable person, and there isn't exactly a line of people like that waiting to fulfill my romantic vision.
I may sound like an enormous dick for saying this, but:
I was in a similar position once in that I realized a relationship just would not work out after dating for only a short time. She was...what's the word...stupid, that's right. We had nothing to talk about. It was excrutiating hanging around her. So I did the respectable thing and ended it. Thing was, this chick was a major babe. Like perfect physically. And afterwards the only regret that I had was that I never banged her.
Still beating myself up about that to this day. Now she has a kid though. I guess I might have dodged a bullet there.
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Nah, it's not like that. I can talk for hours with this person, and I agree on an awful lot. She has a true IQ of 140 and is brilliant, academically and artistically. But not the most important, fundamental things, and that's too much. She's my best friend (or was, depending on how this goes on that side...).
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Nah, it's not like that. I can talk for hours with this person, and I agree on an awful lot. She has a true IQ of 140 and is brilliant, academically and artistically. But not the most important, fundamental things, and that's too much. She's my best friend (or was, depending on how this goes on that side...).
No I meant I don't regret breaking up with her for the reason that she was stupid, only that I didn't bang her when I had the opportunity, which is why I said "I may sound like a major dick by saying this, but" beforehand.
Dumping someone because they aren't as intellectual as you is a perfectly acceptable reason for dumping someone. So is dumping someone because their spiritual beliefs differ.
EDIT: But on a side note, perhaps you should be a little less strict about what you are looking for in a relationship? If you are too strict, then you may never find happiness. Take, for example, the possibility that you meet someone that is perfect for you in every way - but ten years down the road they suddenly become a fundamentalist Christian. Would you try to make the relationship still work then, or would you just give up?
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Z, do you know if she has a habit of forcing her views on others? Chances are she doesn't but I just want to clarify.
Personally, I would dump her if she does. But that's if it were me. I'm sorry, but I don't believe in that, despite Christian doctrine (TBH Christianity has some views that I agree with) stating we must do it.
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No religion, really. Just a belief in reincarnation and karma.
That doesn't sound too bad, reincarnation's not nearly as exceedingly stupid as most beliefs, although karma... eugh.
This will probably be the end, Kebrel. My life exists around a core of humanism and human potential and adventure. This person's exists around something different. I can't hide my true nature any longer.
So are you hiding the fact you disagree with her beliefs or are you intent to make sure she's aware of your opinion?
I just...it'd be so awfully easy to hate and revile the world for being so religious and irrational. I'm tired of having my options limited from the get-go because of superstition. It took me a long time before I was ready to accept the existential responsibility for my own life and remove the concept of heaven from the end of my existence and replace it with a mystery. But I did it. I wish everyone else could, too. This world would be so much better if people weren't focused on the mythical world that follows.
It was the same with me. I finally decided to stop questioning the whole concept and ditched religious life at about 13. I think of it this way: realising you have a life right now, this very second - and one that's limited I might add - is something that everyone needs to see. There's not even a flicker of evidence that you live on after death, so making the most of the life you KNOW you're living is the best option. And if people insist all this 'self-learning' and all that crap is something you can only learn through religion, there is something seriously wrong and you should expose yourself to the world you live in rather than a confined space of prayer and reading from a book that no-one finds interesting.
These comments aren't directed at you, but since you brought the topic up...I just strongly dislike the Eastern issue with desire. Desire can be good or bad, but it shouldn't be expunged. Desire brings progress. And then...that attitude can be bad. The other day on Digg, a ton of Diggers (who are usually extremely rational, albeit also sexist) posted that "Buddhism isn't a religion; it's a philosophy," which is complete bullshit. Buddhism is filled with just as much metaphysical and ritualistic insanity as a fair share of other religions.
It sure as hell is a religion, as you said, it's full of 'staple' religion practices.
Z, first cool your head.
If you think this thread is "hot" concerning religion, then you've yet to taste the real Compendium.
That thread was something indeed.
Anyway, I think what you need to do is ask yourself whether this girl is really someone who stands out to you, someone you really should never give up the chance to be with. Letting some beliefs of hers get in the way of your opinion of her may be a little harsh (although not so if she's pushing these beliefs onto others and/or generally acting superior about it), so you ought to look past that and decide for yourself if you really think she's worth it, religious beliefs or no.
EDIT: "Warning - while you were typing 16 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post."
...Wow. It begins.
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I don't speak of turn a blind eye to something that's not tolerance that is blindness. I meant accept it as HER look on the world, see what boons it provides you two a just as yours does. Years later she may move to see it your way, or even vise-versa.
ZeaLitY, I only know you from text on a website and I know you enough that this is pure merging of two people, with this in mind I still stand by what I said. Your sound like you want to be with her, but your not sure it you should. I think this is where my experience in this comes to an end.
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Anyway, I think what you need to do is ask yourself whether this girl is really someone who stands out to you, someone you really should never give up the chance to be with. Letting some beliefs of hers get in the way of your opinion of her may be a little harsh (although not so if she's pushing these beliefs onto others and/or generally acting superior about it), so you ought to look past that and decide for yourself if you really think she's worth it, religious beliefs or no.
*blinks in surprise*
Well said, Pyt.
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EDIT: But on a side note, perhaps you should be a little less strict about what you are looking for in a relationship? If you are too strict, then you may never find happiness. Take, for example, the possibility that you meet someone that is perfect for you in every way - but ten years down the road they suddenly become a fundamentalist Christian. Would you try to make the relationship still work then, or would you just give up?
I have confirmed that people I would like to be with exist. After all, I exist. Others like me exist. I'm extremely flexible and empathetic, and I see differences as learning opportunities. I tarried long in the halls of divine justice to explore the merits of that belief and empathize with it completely. And, just as I sometimes empathize with villains in fiction, I really enjoy exploring a person's dark side, such as petty emotions or neuroticism. That's just as interesting to me.
Edit 2: And a lot of this comes from self-validation and meaning in life. If I really do let my life solely be a sacrifice for someone else's, then what have I to add meaning to my own? Where do I derive my validation and self-esteem? I can't...deny my own nature. I find humanity's potential to be beautiful, and I don't believe in things without a rational basis. These innocent two points sculpt a lot of viewpoints and behavior. If we lived in a more intelligent world, we'd be telling the fundamentalist Christian guy not to limit his options to other fundamentalists, not me.
When I fall in love, it's because I seek to know a person at the core. Anything before that is just interest, like a crush. But I only fall in love after I've established a deep friendship and know someone very, very well. I thought things would work out here, but they probably aren't. But there are others. And I'm in the springtime of youth. It honestly isn't hard for me at all to fall in love with the right person. Maybe it's too easy.
So are you hiding the fact you disagree with her beliefs or are you intent to make sure she's aware of your opinion?
I spent a few months discussing hers, and it probably looked like I embraced them. Well, this period is over. I have to state where I'm not going to change.
I've constantly thought about this. There are just differences that would hinder the complete intimacy and life-sharing that we both seek from a relationship, unless things seem reconcilable.
Edit: We're probably past the point where she's going to be offended that I'm talking about this in public, so ease up a little...
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And now for something completely different...
I hate the photographers of most pornography shoots. They almost always have no sense of framing. Hey, maybe I found myself a new profession! >_>
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Man, I wonder if Mary Matalin and James Carville went through this back when they got hitched. Now, there's an odd couple -- how the heck do they keep it together? Could be something to draw inspiration from, perhaps.
Oh, that wasn't in response to V's post. Uh, just in case it would have sounded weird in that context. 8)
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I'm extremely flexible
Except perhaps in what you are looking for in a relationship? :D
I have confirmed that people I would like to be with exist. After all, I exist. Others like me exist.
Right, but what if you don't meet such a person for years that satisfies all your criteria? Or what if you never meet them? Or what if you do but they change down the road by say, adopting a worldview that you are incompatible with? Or what if you yourself change?
Relationships are never perfect and love is never perfect, because people aren't perfect. Then there's the ever present possibility that you do meet someone that is perfect for you and fall in love with them but they don't fall in love with you back. Life is full of uncertainties, the only certainty you are given in life is that you can choose the path that you think will truly make you happy. And if you think adopting a strict relationship policy will do that, then that is a respectable position.
I just think you should examine the possibility that you will be in for a lot of heartache and you may never find what you are looking for.
And now for something completely different...
I hate the photographers of most pornography shoots. They almost always have no sense of framing. Hey, maybe I found myself a new profession! >_>
I personally don't mind it. If it looks too professional I become acutely aware that the chicks are all faking it anyways.
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Z either in her or in someone else you'll find what your looking for, your the Adonis of the Springtime of Youth.
(http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/1188/sephirothandaerisdancinws4.jpg)
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We live in the 21st century. There is an Internet. There are passports. There are exciting opportunities to live abroad and add another language to one's brain while enjoying a variety of new experiences. There is career mobility.
You are preaching to the choir, here. If I weren't flexible, then damnit, I'd date only girls six feet tall or above, because fuck, I've forgotten at 6'7" what it's like to look into a girl's eyes on level with my own. I'd only date girls who are artistically brilliant and in the springtime of youth, and are also constantly exercising to improve their physical condition. I'd only date girls who like the Chrono series or play video games a lot. And maybe I'd only date girls who listen to the same music as I like.
But I don't, because I can appreciate almost anything, and there is so much to learn. Through my good friends, I've learned about writing a different style of poetry; about traditional Chinese music; about pilates; about framing art; about certain cultures; and most interestingly, about different personalities, minds, and human essences. All these things are wonderful.
Worldviews and religious beliefs are different. They shape an identity from the very core.
Edit: And besides, we are the future. Non-religious people come out of the closet gradually because of the extreme social pressures upon them, but they're coming out. Bill Maher pointed out in Religulous that they already make up a chunk of the US population larger than several powerful lobbyist groups. My example will help them, in the end. If it doesn't work out with her, then I know there's someone like me, wondering if she herself should just give up because the world is apparently so religious that to find someone who fulfills her would be to render herself alone until death. At some point, someone has to have the courage to stand up. There will always be the Hero.
Edit: That's a good fan art...
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...I only fall in love after I've established a deep friendship and know someone very, very well.
I can relate to this. By the time me and my "unusual" friend started dating, we were already close friends. Since breaking up and going through a "BS period" as it can best be described, we're closer than before.
I've always wondered if the break-up was caused because we weren't brought together to fall in love with one another.
I have confirmed that people I would like to be with exist. After all, I exist. Others like me exist.
Relationships are never perfect and love is never perfect, because people aren't perfect. Then there's the ever present possibility that you do meet someone that is perfect for you and fall in love with them but they don't fall in love with you back. Life is full of uncertainties, the only certainty you are given in life is that you can choose the path that you think will truly make you happy. And if you think adopting a strict relationship policy will do that, then that is a respectable position.
I just think you should examine the possibility that you will be in for a lot of heartache and you may never find what you are looking for.
*rendered speechless with just how much he relates to this*
(http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/1188/sephirothandaerisdancinws4.jpg)
Good find, KebreI. Very fitting. *nods*
You are preaching to the choir, here.
Ah, my apologies. I try not to preach at all. (I know you weren't talking to me, but I felt I had to make that clear.)
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Kebrel, any idea who did that fanart? I'm still trying to find more art by the same artist.
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Worldviews and religious beliefs are different. They shape an identity from the very core.
Very true. But I wonder... in what way are you incompatible with an identity shaped from religion? Does the thought of her embracing such ideals anger you on some level? If so, why? Does it just drive you crazy? You said earlier that you had been discussing it with her for months, but the time for that has passed -- but what is this wall that may keep the relationship from achieving its full potential? And if you are able to define it, do you think it exists for everyone or just between you two?
I'm learning Korean right now for the military and one of my teachers (sweetest person ever) recently had her first baby and has just returned to work. She was originally atheistic, but converted to Mormonism because of her husband. Would you say, from purely your perspective, that she is somehow holding herself back because she's trying to create a harmony between herself and her husband by "giving in" or that she will ultimately be unable to be truly happy with her husband because of their differences?
^ I just thought it was a similar example to your case, only with some future choices.
My point is the same as chrono eric's in that perhaps you are being a little too strict in your criteria. Of course, it is your right to seek whatever you want, just my two cents. Oh and those questions weren't meant for you to answer here - just something for you to think about. Good Luck Z :)
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I'm willing to have a relationship still, sure. You guys have it backwards. She is probably going to break the possibility now.
In a nutshell, I don't like religion because it impedes human thought by superseding reason and logic through faith. Add holy wars, sexism, and repression of all kinds in the mix and we've got a nasty beast.
I doubt that she's gone full Mormon. The LDS church requires a commitment that an unbeliever would really have to struggle to put up with. I can't evaluate her situation, but I wouldn't do that. If I were with a religious mate, I wouldn't attend church; we would have an understanding.
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Really? Her? For some reason your description never gave that impression, but then it wasn't much of a description. If your willing and you think she's the one who will break away, then I say go for it give her that chance.
Edit: ARGG! I had a schedule change and now have a HUGE work load that.
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Ah I see, yea I did have it backwards. So you are willing to tolerate the differences if they don't hamper the relationship but from what you know of her, she might be hesitant to take things to a higher level with someone who doesn't share her certain sense of spirituality.
Well damn. In my opinion (and from two particular aunts/uncles examples back home), "I believe in many gods" vs "I believe in one god" would be far more incompatible than: "I believe in any god" vs "I believe in no god".
If it helps:
My parents are devout Catholics, but I'm pure Atheist. When I finally found the courage to tell them I made sure I left "room" for their faith to at least be an acceptable presence in my life (I still go to church for xmas because it makes my mother happy etc) and I tried to be somewhat passive to avoid that threatening argumentative nature that I unfortunately see so many atheists carry with them.
Point is, I guess saying "I don't think that view is right for me" is softer and more well received than "I'm sorry, I respect you but... you're wrong."
If you truly respect her views, there is no reason why she absolutely cannot respect yours. I hope that conversation goes well.
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Her dream is also true love, and the achievement is the final step before enlightenment, and the end of the reincarnation cycle. I'm...obviously not on that track...so you can see why she'd want to find her real one true love.
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If I weren't flexible, then damnit, I'd date only girls six feet tall or above, because fuck, I've forgotten at 6'7" what it's like to look into a girl's eyes on level with my own. I'd only date girls who are artistically brilliant and in the springtime of youth, and are also constantly exercising to improve their physical condition. I'd only date girls who like the Chrono series or play video games a lot. And maybe I'd only date girls who listen to the same music as I like.
I was under the impression from your descriptions in your posts that it was you that wanted to break it off with her because of incompatibility. I wasn't the only one that got that impression either. If it's her you are worried about and if you are willing to make it work, then I say give her the benefit of the doubt for now and don't worry about it. If it ends in the future, then deal with it then.
Her dream is also true love, and the achievement is the final step before enlightenment, and the end of the reincarnation cycle. I'm...obviously not on that track...so you can see why she'd want to find her real one true love.
So is she a buddhist? So she wants to obtain nirvana/luminous consciousness? And you mentioned earlier that she has a polytheistic worldview as well? Sorry for inquiring, I'm just fascinated by people's religious beliefs.
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No Buddhism, no gods, except "God", which is seen as more of a universal force.
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No Buddhism, no gods, except "God", which is seen as more of a universal force.
Ah so she's more of a new-agey type of person, eh? What a strange melting pot of beliefs. That was my next question, if she thinks god = something more like the collective unconscious from which all meta-awareness comes from, and that upon freeing oneself from the confines of eternal rebirth they merge once more with that universal consciousness.
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I dare not utter maxims to you, ZeaLity, as some have -- 'you' have naturally been on this earth longer than I, and you have probably heard many of the same ones I have. This is in conjunction with the fact that I am not in a relationship right now, so I may not be in the right mindset to give you advice.
But if you don't mind, and would care to hear my opinion, I have one thing to say. If it is your desire to have her in your life out of the many possible outcomes the future holds, then maybe you should ask her directly if this 'diastem' truly annihilates the possibility of a fulfilling relationship between the two of you. What have you to lose? (if you don't make a move, and if your surmising of her 'cutting it off' first is correct, then you will indeed lose even the possibility) And on the same vein as Eric(is that your name?), views change -- so her views about religion now aren't necessarily permanent.
Then again, if this doesn't apply, feel free not to reply -- I will not be insulted. I care not to tread where I haven't the right.
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It's over.
Because of my lack of faith, I'm not a suitable mate. My intelligence, my emotionalism, my empathy, and my true feelings mean nothing.
Most of my teenage and adolescent life has been spent thinking about love and romanticism. The Romantic Age was always my favorite. I cherished every opportunity to learn, and enjoyed exploring my own abilities and desires. I always kept my ideals and my dream.
And now, with someone who as of tonight is probably no longer my best friend; who cared for me in my weaker moments over the last year and allowed me to care for her; whom I could talk for hours with and share eclectic interests and humor; and whom I shared the possibility of an entire future with, wishing only to make her happy, spiritualism and religion have ended a chance to fulfill my highest dream.
Why was I born into a world such as this?
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Sometimes there's nothing better you can do but realize how sucky things are and be thankful that you have gained the experience (& hopefully managed a level up!) from the events and are well enough to move on. It's an easy enough thing to say, "get over it", I know, but that's just how it goes. *shrugs*
I'll abide by this world's rules, and do what I gotta do, despite the rotten hand of cards I've been dealt!
Or, if you wanna go with something darker...
Now, let love bleed! Darker and deeper than the seas of hell!
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It's over.
Because of my lack of faith, I'm not a suitable mate. My intelligence, my emotionalism, my empathy, and my true feelings mean nothing.
Most of my teenage and adolescent life has been spent thinking about love and romanticism. The Romantic Age was always my favorite. I cherished every opportunity to learn, and enjoyed exploring my own abilities and desires. I always kept my ideals and my dream.
And now, with someone who as of tonight is probably no longer my best friend; who cared for me in my weaker moments over the last year and allowed me to care for her; whom I could talk for hours with and share eclectic interests and humor; and whom I shared the possibility of an entire future with, wishing only to make her happy, spiritualism and religion have ended a chance to fulfill my highest dream.
Why was I born into a world such as this?
There is no why. Much like the glass 'half full/half empty', the situation as you put it is too complicated. (a "design factor of two", if you will) Do what you can -- don't worry about what you can't -- to gain and/or protect what you find most important in life. There is nothing more that a person can do in life.
ZeaLity, I feel for your loss, as I went through a similar relationship not too long ago, but in this 'game of life', it's 'shit or get off the can'. (excuse the profanity as my intention is not to patronize)
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Thanks, everyone.
(http://msp115.photobucket.com/albums/n288/trunks_7663/normal_vlcsnap-11256981.jpg)
Kid's is definitely my attitude here. It'll just be tough as the old feelings and thought patterns repeat themselves a bit before going away. When you think about someone for a couple hundred days, you get used to it...
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I give you my best regards, ZeaLity. May your situation be resolved, if not in reality, at least in mind with as little anguish as possible. I'm going to bed now; good night.
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I give you my best regards, ZeaLity. May your situation be resolved, if not in reality, at least in mind with as little anguish as possible.
I share BROJ's sentiments, quoted above. No pup deserves to suffer, unless the suffering was brought down as the result of something. Then again, most motives render that moot, leaving the fact that no pup deserves to suffer.
(I'd post a pic, but I can't find any that are good enough.)
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Bit late to the party but just to let you know Zeality, that there is hope. I do not accept religion, my wife comes from a family that does. She believes in the idea of God, but not in the bible, so that is to say she is not a religious zealot and thinks along the lines that being a "good" person in life is all that you need to do. Religion and God have never been a source of tension between us.
As for your situation, the only logical thing that could have been done was tell her what you felt. If she accepted your ideals, even though they conflicted with hers, then great, things can continue and evolve. If I understand correctly she did not, which would lead me to believe that even through her IQ of 140, she has the taint of a true religious zealot within, especially if all that she believed in was reincarnation and karma. How does your non-belief in those ideas affect her path to reincarnation? Just like most religious folk, reason has no place. Memories will fade and feelings dull. You'll cross paths with countless women... at least this came to light early on before a serious long term commitment had taken place.
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... lots of posts...
Anyway, I hope you feel better inside, Z. Don't worry; there are other girls out there that won't care if you don't believe what they believe.
Personally, I don't know what lies beyond this world. I prefer not to think on it, though. I have a panic attack if I do, you see.
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I hate thinking about the future. When I do, I get this weird feeling in my chest and I can't sleep due to inexplicable nightmares.
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I wanted to offer a few short comments on the general tone of advice given to ZeaLitY earlier. Here are some relevant quotes:
I would choose tolerance in favor of my ideal, I know for a some one like fact J esq would probably choose the opposite.
But on a side note, perhaps you should be a little less strict about what you are looking for in a relationship? If you are too strict, then you may never find happiness.
These are good intentions, but totally beneath the complexities of the real world. This advocacy for undiscerning tolerance, which does not take into account the thing being tolerated, is seriously ill-considered. Not only is such tolerance not virtuous; it is actively demeaning to the person who holds it. In large part, we define ourselves by what we embrace and what we reject, and to what degrees.
The religious question happens to be a very important one to ZeaLitY. He himself already pointed out that he isn't going to reject potential partners if they aren't video game fans or don't exercise every day. He even said that he would still be willing to pursue a relationship with this person, provided she wanted the same, despite the fact that she is spiritual and he is not. The thing that was really gnawing at ZeaLitY all this time was not that she isn't with him on the religion question. What was really gnawing at him was that he felt he was not expressing himself honestly, not representing himself honestly, and that that was poisoning a relationship built upon mutual respect, shared confidence, and the free exchange of ideas.
For many people, the religion (or lack thereof) of one's partner is of less importance than it is to ZeaLitY at this point in his life. Those people would not have needed to do what ZeaLitY did, which was to fire off a revelatory e-mail making clear that his nonreligious views are important to him and that he must be free to express them in any healthy relationship. Others might not have needed to do that, but he did. We each can shape our identity only so much, and only so quickly. Beyond that, we must be who we are...or else suffer the psychological consequences of self-denial.
I didn't see the e-mail he wrote; maybe ZeaLitY was more incendiary than he needed to be. But, however he conducted himself, he was right to make the point that he made to her, because by doing so ZeaLitY was setting himself up in the best possible way: If she were receptive, she would make that clear and the relationship would become more mature. And if she were not receptive, that would be good to know at this point in their relationship, before things became more serious. As it turned out, it sounds like she promptly cut off their relationship...the more painful of the two possible outcomes, but far better than the status quo that would have been maintained had ZeaLitY said nothing.
Those of you who advocate for tolerance without considering the costs and circumstances of it would perhaps have chosen differently than ZeaLitY did. In this case, all it would have gotten you is the continuance of a relationship that you feel is smothering you. This is a hallmark of conventional moral thinking. Tolerance in one's interpersonal relationships can be a great virtue—not least because it accommodates other people in a world where concord and harmony are ever in short supply. Yes, it can be a virtue, but only when it does not require one to become a hypocrite or a liar, as either would undermine not both the relationship and the individual.
I also find it remarkable that when people thought it was ZeaLitY who was considering breaking off the relationship, people here advised him to be more tolerant and thoughtful, but, when it became clear that she was the one who was considering breaking it off, people instead told ZeaLitY to be honest with her about his views, stand back, and wait for her to decide for herself how she wanted to proceed. Indeed, that second set of advice was good. But that's not what they told ZeaLitY in the first place.
The bottom line: Mutual tolerance is always present in a mature relationship. However, so too is personal conviction. And when the two contradict each other, the relationship has to end. It is regrettable, but life is like that sometimes. So say J.
Now, on another topic:
I hate thinking about the future. When I do, I get this weird feeling in my chest and I can't sleep due to inexplicable nightmares.
That is the sign of a life lived poorly. You should learn who you are and declare your intentions to the world. You'll sleep better...and you'll have something good to think about when you're awake.
Since this is the frustration thread and all, I want to say how frustrating I find it when people make such statements about the future. What an unfortunate way of thinking! It reminds me of the scene at the end of the Tyrano Lair, shortly before the Reptite civilization is destroyed. (Nice metaphor for what it gets you.)
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I hate thinking about the future. When I do, I get this weird feeling in my chest and I can't sleep due to inexplicable nightmares.
That is the sign of a life lived poorly. You should learn who you are and declare your intentions to the world. You'll sleep better...and you'll have something good to think about when you're awake.
Since this is the frustration thread and all, I want to say how frustrating I find it when people make such statements about the future. What an unfortunate way of thinking! It reminds me of the scene at the end of the Tyrano Lair, shortly before the Reptite civilization is destroyed. (Nice metaphor for what it gets you.)
Perhaps lived poorly, but I don't believe I don't have a future. Tomorrow is another day, after all. Perhaps tomorrow will bring something that will allow me to think about the future without suffering from that feeling in my chest and the weird nightmares.
Besides, I have friends and family that will help me into the future.
I guess it comes from the fact that I haven't discovered my purpose yet. I don't know why I'm here, but my gut tells me I'll find out one day.
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I just remembered, referring to my previous post about my player. It most likely means that I'll have to put CTDS on hold even longer. *Sigh*
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Damn it J, my post kinda do sound a little mixed up. What I meant, and this is my advice overall not just ZeaLitY's case, if your in a situation that could be remedied with acceptance then accept it. Like I said before don't turn a blind eye don't sacrifice your own convictions just accept that his/hers are different, and if you have or are willing to, then give life together a shot.
Did I mention that this may be just outside of my experience zone? I may sound naive, or idealistic but this is what I've learned so far.
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I don't think my life has been for naught, but thinking about what's beyond this and what the way there will be scares the crap out of me.
Dammit, J! Your post is too long!
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Too bad Zeality. This is a shit, shit world. Get used to it. You'll probably have many similar experiences down the road. But hopefully you'll find what you are looking for in someone someday. After all you seem very optimistic about it.
Personally, I don't know what lies beyond this world. I prefer not to think on it, though. I have a panic attack if I do, you see.
Do you literally have a panic attack or do you just start to worry a lot? The two are two different things.
I guess it comes from the fact that I haven't discovered my purpose yet. I don't know why I'm here, but my gut tells me I'll find out one day.
There's no purpose to life and you have no purpose in being here. You have to make your own purpose, not wait for it to fall into your lap someday. Think of the things you like doing in life and how you could turn that into a career. You don't have to live a life of a corporate zombie like 99% of the population. The old adage "If work was fun they wouldn't call it work" is bullshit. You can find something you like doing and live an enjoyable life.
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I can't breathe, it feels like I'll faint, nothing helps, and I need to run, but there's nowhere to go because it's right around the corner. This feeling is totally unique from other worries I have, like oh-shit-I-didn't-do-my-English-work-and-I-have-English-last-period-but-no-way-to-finish-my-work. This worry scares the shit out of me and often comes in waves after the original thought.
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Whether or not there is a purpose to life or his life rather is for him to find out, not to be told what is or isn't from any person.
...and you don't have to work in a corporate setting to be a zombie.
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I can't breathe, it feels like I'll faint, nothing helps, and I need to run, but there's nowhere to go because it's right around the corner. This feeling is totally unique from other worries I have, like oh-shit-I-didn't-do-my-English-work-and-I-have-English-last-period-but-no-way-to-finish-my-work. This worry scares the shit out of me and often comes in waves after the original thought.
Do you become acutely aware of your heartbeat, and do you feel as if you are having a heart attack and that you will drop dead any second? Do you have racing thoughts that you can't get under control and think you need immediate medical attention?
@ placidchap - Corporate zombies are just so common, that's why I used the example.
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Sometimes, yes.
Um... gripes... still don't know how to work a microphone. Need one for a school project.
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Sounds like you indeed suffer from a panic disorder then. They are easily manageable with anti-anxiety medication. I'd suggest looking into it if you aren't on any already. It can be a debilitating condition to live with, especially when you get into the working world.
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I try to get by with no medicine, as it's not as bad as some others. It usually happens at night. Are you, like, a psychiatrist or something?
New gripe! Last night, my mother got a 2 liter bottle of orange soda, right? She says, "Shannon, you might want to stick that in the drawer." But I say, "No! That's mean. I'll get some later tonight and let my brother have some." Thing is, I didn't feel like soda last night, so I didn't have any.
This morning! I went downstairs and the bottle of orange soda from last night was sitting pleasantly on the coffee table, completely drained.
Now, what gets me is that my brother didn't even offer any. And he knew I didn't have some because I hadn't opened the bottle. He's a jerk and I hate him.
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No, but you've probably picked up on the fact that I know a large amount of information about biochemistry and neurology. I went to school for biochemistry and I did neurology and genetics research for several years with a grant from the NIH. I'm familiar with a lot of psychiatric disorders like that. I myself have suffered from a panic attack several times, and it was the worst experience of my entire life. It was caused by a very specific trigger though, and once I knew what caused it, avoiding that trigger prevented any subsequent serious attacks.
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I feel like shit. Eeewwww. I fainted before...it was very lame.
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You okay there, Shee? Careful where you faint -- the Compendium needs much sought-after Temporal Flux event coding skills.
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Ouch, Shee, what went wrong?
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The fainting was actually in August...and once more in '04....
now it's a throat/fever issue. I'm a clammy sweaty mess and I'm fairly sure that our water gets shut off from 8am-2pm tomorrow. I have a job interview at 3. Awesome. I've done NOTHING today except watch ESPN and The Brak Show. I know it's rough when I can't handle an ep of The Wire (best show ever, btw). It's...how you say....lame?
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Z, though I know that my words will not alleviate your pain, know that it shall pass, and that you will come out of it stronger, and free to pursue a woman who does not favor mystical beliefs over true human bonding.
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Thanks again, everyone.
Yes, this may be a horrible world. But:
(http://static.bleachexile.com/manga/naruto/416/05.png)
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What is that guy's name, BTW?
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Isn't that Konoha's White Fang, aka Kakashi's father, Sakumo?
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Pretty sure it's the Fourth. That was when Naruto was reading Jiraiya's first book.
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Ah, I thought it was one or the other...They look too similar in the manga when they're both younger...V_V
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Who's the guy he defeated?
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http://www.onemanga.com/
Read it if you want all the details.
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4chan was yesterday's featured article.
:picardno
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4chan was yesterday's featured article.
Where, on ED? :? <(???)
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He means Wikipedia.
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Huh... I had checked it, but saw no 4chan. I'll look again.
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I checked & it said under recently featured...
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4chan should burn to the ground.
Current gripe is I am exhausted and I don't know why. Like, I can barely keep my eyes open at this point tired. Keep in mind that right now, it's 12:51 in the afternoon. I've been awake since 6:00 in the morning, and that usually doesn't wipe me out. What does that is when I've been awake since midnight and it's five the next morning.
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4chan should burn to the ground.
1u1zkiller is killing 1u1z.
Some of the Internet's best things come from 4chan, specifically /b/.
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4chan should burn to the ground.
1u1zkiller is killing 1u1z.
Some of the Internet's best things come from 4chan, specifically /b/.
You completely misunderstand the point of /b/, and anonymous in general to the point of me cringing at my monitor.
Besides, /v/, /fit/, /a/, and 420chan.org have much more interesting posters, memes, threads, boards, etc.
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I still feel like poo. Just less like poo.
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... /b/? Educate me, please. I'm unfamiliar with 4chan's savagery.
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pro-israeli
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... /b/? Educate me, please. I'm unfamiliar with 4chan's savagery.
I seriously wish I could, but that would be breaking Rules 1 and 2.
And, in response to your PM, I don't go out of my way to make fun of people, least of all you, since given how bitchy you get, you wouldn't be worth it either way. Most of my jokes I guess are just misinterpreted. Some of your posts I've read were pretty good, and inspired some of the jokes in my replies.
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The purpose of a PM is to keep it out of the public forum. So if someone talks to you in a PM, answer in a PM.
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4chan is tolerable, there pretty much the scum for the most part. /b/ is a section in 4chan dubbed "random" if they were to vanish then 4chan would be just a 18+ image board, not a homegrown cyber terrorist cell.
I don't care...the rules are occasional funny but mostly just fucking retarded.
Annoying me right now, my replacement class is on globalization, and we (by we I mean the class and I was just :picardno ) spent the whole 110minutes talking about money is a useless and evil trade, to the ideal society being "tribal based villages", praising Obama as the second coming he's a fine president I just preferred McCain but people please, and then gun laws and bashing on the NRA.
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... /b/? Educate me, please. I'm unfamiliar with 4chan's savagery.
/b is 4chan's Random board. It has no rules other then a ban on blatently illegal content (which still shows up occassionally) and many of the funny/irritating 4chan memes came from there.
And to Placidchap, Shadow can't reply with a PM. With the Fail ranking he has he cannot send PM's, only recieve them (and he's limited to 3 recieved ones if I remember correctly).
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I can't do that, Chap.
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Don't think he can send PMs, but at least I tried.
Well, let's keep a /b out of here, eh? That sounds NOT fun. Like most of Gaia, except multiplied by the square root of infinity.
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/b is 4chan's Random board. It has no rules other then a ban on blatently illegal content (which still shows up occassionally) and many of the funny/irritating 4chan memes came from there.
(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/862/batrulesfwversionir5.png)
I am Batman and Zerg is Robin.
:picardno
I feel dirty.
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/b is 4chan's Random board. It has no rules other then a ban on blatently illegal content (which still shows up occassionally) and many of the funny/irritating 4chan memes came from there.
(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/862/batrulesfwversionir5.png)
I am Batman and Zerg is Robin.
:picardno
I feel dirty.
This is exactly why you still have your FAIL rank.
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No, I felt dirty b/c I'd get pissed whenever someone cited Rules 1 and 2, and now here I am doing the same damn thing...
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I think he was just talking about that post in general, Shad.
Current gripe is I suddenly feel like I'm going to barf. Fun, eh?
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You will observe that I've censored that image, Shadow. I find your unfortunate homophobia disturbing, not because of a single post, but rather a theme that has run through several of your posts. Please take it elsewhere; a man who's confident in his own skin shouldn't feel the need to prove his heterosexuality through bigoted epithets.
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Oh, I didn't mean it word-for-word, Faust. It was just an image of someone (in this case Batman) citing Rules 1 and 2. TBH, I'm not a homophobe. I mean, one of the girls I know is a lesbian, and she and I are good friends.
Black-barring or editing it to use a less offensive name would have been much appreciated.
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Yes you're only homophobic when they try to hit on you. :?
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Shadow, I re-edited the image so it would still hold its original meaning. My apologies for snapping at you, but that word and the "N" word produce strong reactions from me, and probably from a lot of Compendium folks.
Yes you're only homophobic when they try to hit on you.
It's a common reaction, and I don't really blame Shadow for it -- I was like that in my youth too, but then found out gays were a-okay when I learned Gandalf was gay. I.e., Sir Ian McKellan. I had the hugest amount of respect for him after his brilliant performance in Lord of the Rings, and when I felt the compulsion to let his homosexuality change my view of him, I realized how ridiculous it was. I think it's actually an incredibly important social function for celebrities to come out of the closet. It worked in my case, anyway.
I've been casually called "honey" by a few guys, and it didn't really bother me once I matured. When you respond with a normal, "Hey, what's up, man?" and keep walking, that's often surprisingly enough to get the message across.
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Yes, sometimes I forget that some people are younger - apologies Shadow :D. I was just attempting to point out the apparent hypocrisy of saying "I'm not homophobic" but then when you are getting hit on using the words "fruit" and "faggot" to describe the person hitting on you and being angry at him, instead of just saying "no thanks man, I'm not into dudes". But Faust is right, it is a kneejerk response when one is younger.
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I've actually been asked if I'm a lesbian. I'm not. But I don't think I've been hit on by a person who's into that. I do know a gay guy (he's REALLY fun to hang around with, actually) and I don't freak out about it.
Current gripe is that my nausea has progressed to the point where I feel I need to go get a bucket.
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teaflower, please give us a detailed report when you're finished. :D
Or maybe not. Hope you're okay there -- there's salmonella in peanut butter nowadays. Deep breathing and fresh air sometimes helps, but then again it's probably -10 degrees outside where half of us are.
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Yeah, it's pretty damn cold out there.
The nausea has eased up a bit. I jumped around a bit. But it's still there. I'm going to go get some water later. And remove this sweater and potentially these jeans. Don't worry, I'll put my pajamas on. As fun as it sounds, I don't want to run around in my undies.
I'm doing as much as I can right about now. I've taken some medicine (Yay, Pepto Bismal!) and am taking it easy, but... eh. Part of me wants to puke my brains out so that I won't be in school tomorrow, but the other part says that no matter how much staying at home is, it's no fun when you're preoccupied with barfing.
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I seriously wish I could, but that would be breaking Rules 1 and 2.
Rules 1 & 2 only apply to raids. Don't be a rulefag.
I would try to explain to the others about how 4chan actually does have intelligent people browsing and posting in it's boards, and Anonymous is moreso to blame for the "Cyber Terrorism", but I'm afraid Shadow's already dragged the topic so far down it can't be brought back to the surface.
BY DA WAY SHADEY, I LIKE GUYS AND I FOUND THAT VERY OFFENSIVE HURR DURR.
Fact: Tact is bisexual.
Fact: Tact hypocritically drops the Eff-Ay-Gee word all the time, along with everything you'd find in the vocabulary of an angry drunken sailor, but treats the word with the same meaning as "Idiot" or others like it.
Super Fact: Tact does not support homophobia.
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Ooh! Ooh! Good chance for realism! I recently decided that Sinclair is bi, but I don't know how to write bi. Never mind bi guys. Um... help, TacT?
I don't care what people do to each other in bed, and who or what they do it with. So long as you don't go into detail, I'm fine. And that goes for both straight relationships and gay ones.
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My apologies for snapping at you, but that word and the "N" word produce strong reactions from me, and probably from a lot of Compendium folks.
S'alright.
Yes you're only homophobic when they try to hit on you.
It's a common reaction, and I don't really blame Shadow for it -- I was like that in my youth too, but then found out gays were a-okay when I learned Gandalf was gay. I.e., Sir Ian McKellan. I had the hugest amount of respect for him after his brilliant performance in Lord of the Rings, and when I felt the compulsion to let his homosexuality change my view of him, I realized how ridiculous it was. I think it's actually an incredibly important social function for celebrities to come out of the closet. It worked in my case, anyway.
I found out Elton John was gay, and still I love his music. Probably not gonna surprise anyone with this, but my favorite of all his songs was Can You Feel The Love Tonight? Me and my close friend (yes the one who was also betrayed by Darkwolf) considered it our song when we were together.
Fact: Tact is bisexual.
As long as you don't hit on me, Tact, I honestly don't give a shit if you're bi or if you're flat-out gay. You're a good man.
Fact: Shadow does his best to learn the Rules Of The Internet so that he doesn't get called a Fruity Flower (don't like using Eff-Ay-Gee myself). Currently struggling, but will learn in time.
Fact: Despite being a straight guy, Shadow really is friends with a lesbian, and they really do get along well.
Super Fact: Shadow condemns homophobia more than he condemns any other form of prejudice.
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... that thing about you and your close friend being together and even having a song (especially a sappy song such as that) could be seen SO MANY WAYS...
I do feel a little better now, actually. Yay and nay at the same time. Also, Shadow? One of your quotes is messed up.
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I noticed. I fixed it.
And my close friend is a girl, just FYI.
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Aaah.
Still.
Uh... current gripe... um... actually, there is none.
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Gripe: Have to write a speech on the topic "This I Believe" which for me is easier said than done. The belief I'm writing on is my belief in tolerance and acceptance. Having trouble finding what to write.
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Gripe: I WANT TO GO HOME!!!! GRAAAH!!!!!!!
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Gripe: An 8 episode (possible) final season of Scrubs is a travesty! o.o four more episodes and it may be over... I don't mind a show ending while it's still good but a full season would have been a much better sendoff.
Assuming it does end, as there are talking of it continuing. But with J.D. and Carla definitely leaving the show it won't be the same even if they do continue.
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That would be pointless, the show would have jumped the proverbial shark.
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That would be pointless, the show would have jumped the proverbial shark.
Are you talking about the show having a 'full' eighth season instead of 8 episodes or were you talking about J.D. and Carla leaving the show and it continuing?
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i condemn fat people.
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I am a fat person, jerk.
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I wish I could be fatter. I'm so skinny I could floss my teeth with my waistline.
... Ouch.
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meh heh heh. but seriously...i do not care for obese folk.
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Some of the Internet's best things come from 4chan, specifically /b/.
Alright, I always thought it was the case, and now I know it for the truth it is...The reason behind Shadow is simply the fact that he has a HORRIBLE sense of humor! It feels good to finally have solid proof.
Now, as for 4chan itself, I think the Compendium should ignore it like the plague (you're supposed to ignore the plague, right?)...Discard discussions to the DBT along with GameFAQs character poll discussions.
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. . .
:picardno
I have a DIFFERENT sense of humor, thank you! As for the plague, you cure it. However, good luck curing Anonymous. Get any breakthroughs you let me know. I'm kinda sore at them for Trisha Aurora and Chris Highwind.
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meh heh heh. but seriously...i do not care for obese folk.
Yeah, that frustrates me too. No, not fat people. The people who bash fat people, and equate fatness with every character flaw they can think of. They cast these aspersions with no factual justification and no understanding of the harm their actions cause.
People's lives get ruined this way, you know. Far more damaging to their quality of life than any direct health risk caused by being fat (itself a debatable topic), is the damage caused by bigotry from others, rejection by society at large, and the personal neuroses that develop as a consequence of the stigma.
Waistline is a measure of circumference, not character. Fat-bashing is obscene.
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I'm not kidding. I'm fat. I live my life how I want to, not by some screwed up code of popularity that tells me I have to be Skinny. I am not obese, however. I'm not the perfect image of skinny either. I'd rather be fat and enjoy myself than force myself to throw up and gain a mediacal disorder. Actually, my fatness is more of a genetic thing...
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It's actually worse to be underweight than overweight.
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Fat-bashing is obscene.
What about Obese-bashing? I couldn't tell from your post if you categorize fat and obese under "Fat-bashing"?
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What we have to keep in mind, placid, is that sometimes people have hormonal imbalances that literally lock them into overweight-ness or even obesity. Therefore, categorically disliking obese people is tantamount to blaming at least some of them for factors that they have no real control over. That's the way I see it, anyway.
It's fine to dislike the choices people make, but there's inherent meanness in disliking people for circumstances built into their DNA.
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My parents are fat. My grandparents are fat. My Great- Grandparents were fat. And I. Am Fat. Please don't hate me, but this is royally pissing me off.
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I'd have to agree with you there Faust. I shall modify my previous statement to reflect that I do not care for those who are obese and "choose" to do so.
And to Nerd, I don't have a problem with "fat" people. I prefer it actually, especially over being underweight,
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It's actually worse to be underweight than overweight.
God forbid people should find a middle-ground for their body types.
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Then Don't post "I condemn fat people" next time, OK?
Jesus. It would be like me saying "I Condemn Religion and everyone who has one" and then after some people got pissed I would say "Oh no, I just hate satanists."
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I do condemn religion as a matter of fact.
But I apologize for the fat comment. My dry humour does not translate very well to the internet, especially when I do not use things such as "/sarcasm" or what have you.
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I do condemn religion as a matter of fact.
Do you need a /sarcasm there? Condemn is such a strong word.
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"I condemn fat people" was an /absurdity that was mocking Shadow's absurd claim in his "Super Fact" on the previous page
as for religion...not a fan.
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It's actually worse to be underweight than overweight.
Well fuck.
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To each their own. yea I missed the part where eight became an issue in this thread.
But you know what really grinds my gears? Bags of chips are getting worse I think. THere's seriously like 3 chips in there! I want my 65 cents back...
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I wish I could be fatter. I'm so skinny I could floss my teeth with my waistline.
... Ouch.
I'm with ya on that one. Also a bloody genetic thing. 6'1 and a mere 140lb. Argh. Heh.
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What about Obese-bashing? I couldn't tell from your post if you categorize fat and obese under "Fat-bashing"?
When used to demean people, “fat” and “obese” are interchangeable. Bigots use both of these words pejoratively, and they do so almost independently of the victim's actual degree of fatness. Consequently, they can be just as mean to someone who is not technically overweight at all as they can to someone who weighs six hundred pounds.
The victim's actual degree of fatness doesn't matter. It's prejudice, all the same. Which brings me to this:
I'd have to agree with you there Faust. I shall modify my previous statement to reflect that I do not care for those who are obese and "choose" to do so.
I see you are trying to rationalize your bigotry by focusing more narrowly on extreme and willful fatness rather than fatness generally. No dice. You will have to be even more narrow in your construction to escape the realm of bigotry and pass into the space of reasonable preferences.
I will save you the trouble of figuring it out for yourself and give you the answer: Choosing to be fat, by itself, is not a character flaw. Neither is degree of fatness, nor the combination of choice and degree. This is because people may choose to be fat, or they may be very fat, or they may choose to be very fat, all within reasonable foundations. There are any number of legitimate reasons for people to be fat at their discretion. Because this is possible, it becomes impossible to make a general statement such as “I do not care for those who are obese and 'choose' to do so” without bigotry.
Only when the specific reasons in question are brought to light does it become possible to disparage a person for their fat without being bigoted about it—and, in that case, you're not really disparaging their fat anymore. You're disparaging their logic or their temperament. Indeed, fat itself is undisparagable, at any degree.
Recognizing that one's starting premise is faulty is the major obstacle for the bigot. In your case, you need to realize that there is nothing wrong with fat people per se. Body fat is what it is. At most, personality flaws, biological diseases, or social pressures can lead a person to undesired or inappropriate fatness, in which case you should disparage those factors and not the fatness, which in such instances is symptomatic rather than representative.
There is no “wrong” weight, low or high. The only thing that can be wrong is the “why” of it. If it's greed or sloth or lack of self-respect or lack of self-discipline that you're thinking of when you condemn a fat person, be adult about it and look beneath the surface.
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I wish I could be fatter. I'm so skinny I could floss my teeth with my waistline.
... Ouch.
I'm with ya on that one. Also a bloody genetic thing. 6'1 and a mere 140lb. Argh. Heh.
5'11'' and I weigh between 115 and 130.
I fluctuate too much.
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There is no “wrong” weight, low or high. The only thing that can be wrong is the “why” of it. If it's greed or sloth or lack of self-respect or lack of self-discipline that you're thinking of when you condemn a fat person, be adult about it and look beneath the surface.
What would you consider a "good" reason to be fat?
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There is no “wrong” weight, low or high. The only thing that can be wrong is the “why” of it. If it's greed or sloth or lack of self-respect or lack of self-discipline that you're thinking of when you condemn a fat person, be adult about it and look beneath the surface.
What would you consider a "good" reason to be fat?
Don't freeze in the Winter.
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There is no “wrong” weight, low or high. The only thing that can be wrong is the “why” of it. If it's greed or sloth or lack of self-respect or lack of self-discipline that you're thinking of when you condemn a fat person, be adult about it and look beneath the surface.
What would you consider a "good" reason to be fat?
While you're not addressing me, there, like J said, could be any number of logical reasons. For instance, for work -- impact resistance and weight per se(see Newton's three laws of motion) are quite necessary for some jobs. Like nightmare said, warmth. Strength is another one. Try fighting off a heavy person in close quarters. Honestly, I could go on ad infinitum, but that question was obviously weighted against fat people. I hope this isn't how you judge people on a regular basis. :( And before you judge me, I'm not fat.
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What would you consider a "good" reason to be fat?
I'll give you several.
Liking to eat is a good reason. Food is one of the most basic sources of pleasure. Both the rituals and sensualities of its consumption are the potential source of much satisfaction and pastime in life. It can lead to fatness, though, because over time our caloric needs have gone down (due to a reduced need for hard work in our everyday lives) even as food has become more abundant and delicious. Someone who likes to eat may be ambivalent toward the whole fat angle, but with the proper sense of perspective can learn to accept and even appreciate it. For instance, the health risks of being fat are overstated, society is slowly beginning to confront the prejudice which makes fatness so heavily stigmatized, and few individuals have a practical need for the extreme degree of physical fitness that fatness would inherently preclude.
The sensuality of fatness is another good reason—perhaps the best of all the reasons I have considered. The human body is intensely sensual, something that tends to be overlooked in our contradictorily hypersexed-yet-puritanical society. In between religious deprivation and overt sexuality, there are the myriad pleasures of the human body. The physical presence of body fat is the source for an entire group of these sensualities. The way that body fat feels, both by itself and in contrast; the way that it moves when the body is in motion; the heaviness and envelopingness of it; the continuous tug that it has, in a variety of natural positions; the feeling of fullness and vastness; all of these and more are great opportunities for awareness and appreciation of one's own body. Another whole group of sensualities relates back to the pleasures of eating and satiety, this time in contrast to their cumulative effect on the body in the form of adiposity.
Sex is another good reason to be fat. Both as a physical preference in oneself and/or one's partner, and as a fetish source, where applicable, fatness can play a central role in one's sexuality. That's no surprise, as eating and procreating are perhaps the two most fundamental actions an organism can undertake. It makes sense that they would go well together. Evolutionarily, fat has been used to great effect in both sexes for the enhancement of people's physical presence. Usually this fat was limited in quantity due to population dynamics, and so the excess of fat was not so common a thing in people until recently, but, when a mind latches on to fatness as an expression of sexuality, then it is natural for that person to find attractiveness in weights (for themselves and/or their partner(s)) that are higher or much higher than optimum.
Aesthetics is another good reason. The artistic inspirations of the human body are abundant and evident in every society both past and present. Far from there being only one body shape that can trigger these inspirations, all achievable human forms have aesthetic value and can provoke artistic exploration. Artistic preferences are difficult to explain; for instance, I like arches, and domes, and Ionian columns, what with their fluted shafts and scrolling capitals, and it would take me some effort to try and explain why I have these preferences, because I do not fully understand it myself. In exactly the same way, some people may simply be more “at home” aesthetically with fatter bodies than thinner ones. This becomes especially significant when you remember that the human body itself is one of the original media of expression.
Wellbeing is a good reason. Many fat people express considerable relief and satisfaction at their weight once they come to accept it. A common refrain is that these people feel as though their bodies are “stable” or “comfortable” or “happy” at whatever weight they specify. Some have even used the word “healthy.” One thing is for sure: Mentally, it's a lot healthier to accept where one's body is at than to self-loathe So, even if a person has no independent desire to be fat, if they feel as though their bodies are predisposed to a certain weight range, and cannot easily change their weight, then being fat and accepting that can be a sign of emotional maturity—another good reason to be fat.
Intellectuality can also provide good reason for being fat. If one associates fatness with positive and/or expressive qualities, then being fat becomes symbolic. Popularly, fat is associated only with negative qualities, and therefore people shy away from embracing fatness and even feel revulsion toward it. However, the same logic applies in the other direction. If fatness came to symbolize positive qualities, people would feel drawn to it.
Here's a provocative one: Health. This may seem counterintuitive, given the conventional wisdom that being fat will kill you in about twelve minutes, but fatness up to a point may provide a health benefit in some or most people. In my ever-vigilant battle to promote fat acceptance in society, I have learned not only that popular opinion greatly overstates or fabricates the health risks of fat, but completely ignores the health benefits or potential health benefits. I won't get into this one, because frankly I don't expect anyone to believe me unless I print a bibliography, and it's too late in the day for that. Still, for what it's worth, I consider it a good reason.
Naturally, these reasons are not simultaneously applicable to everyone all the time, but they do not need to be universally applicable in order to be “good” reasons. They simply need to be well-grounded in reasons of the betterment or exploration of, or indulgence in, the human condition—which I think I have shown. Also, they need to be utilizable without causing undue collateral harm to other individuals or to society at large. We could make hay about that the “harm” angle—I've had that argument countless times. People who think they are very clever come up with claims such as “obesity makes you sick and that drains the economy,” or “obese people weigh more and move under their own power less, increasing petrol consumption,” but, in every case I have confronted, it turns out that the claim is variously unsubstantiated, oversimplified, or plainly wrong, leaving the antagonist with far weaker claims that easily fall within the realm of creature comforts or self-determination. Meanwhile, there is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the good reasons for being fat which I mentioned above, and others that I did not, constitute strong arguments in their own rights in favor of individuals embracing fatness in themselves and/or others at their discretion.
Here is a final point that I know you will be able to appreciate, RD: When a society gets hung up on something, people tend to vastly exaggerate the subject and all its elements, usually with a specific direction of bias (or directions, in the plural, when there are factions involved). I think society is outright neurotic when it comes to body fat, far in excess of what a reasonable discourse would invite. The fact that somebody could waltz into this thread and say that they don't care for fat people—a patently ridiculous and hurtful statement, yet offered almost blithely and with utter obliviousness as to its deleteriousness—or that somebody else could make a defense of fatness followed by the completely unnecessary disclaimer that they themselves are not fat—are two more pieces of evidence in a long-overflowed and drowned cup that we spend far more time and energy inflating this subject in our minds and in our public discourse, well out of proportion and beyond all sense.
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Most of those reasons don't sound like they're specific for fatness...some even seem a bit forced...but w/e...Just stay within your BMI, don't sweat on me & try to keep your tears out of your food and I think we can all get along. :lol:
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I may be a bigot for one reason or another but who isn’t? You certainly are towards people that you consider intellectually lesser than yourself or at least that is the impression I have gotten from you after reading a handful of your posts.
Fat and obese may be used interchangeably, but what one defines as “fat” or “obese” differs greatly. Judging by your …thoughtful response, you consider a fat person to be anyone that is above their “suggested” weight for their height. I consider a fat person to be one who could find themselves on “The Biggest Loser”. I consider people who are up to a “moderate” level above their “suggested” weight to be healthy, not fat. Remember that as you read the rest of this post. I believe this is the range you are referring to when you mention wellbeing, sex, aesthetics, health, etc. I do not believe these people are fat or should be considered fat, as you do. I think people in that range are living in optimum conditions for the potential of good health and should be labelled “healthy” in that respect. But even you say “up to a point”. People who are past that “point” and people who strive to be a twig are negatively affecting themselves and those around them. Children with fat parents are more likely to be fat. People who are friends with “thin” people may want to fit in and be “thin” (That normally applies to females). Neither of these situations are desirable as they have both individual and residual negative psychological and physical effects.
Fat people and thin people should have negative connotations to them to help deter that lifestyle. What needs to change is the definition of what is considered fat and thin. Fat should describe people such as those on “The Biggest Loser” and thin would describe those who starve themselves to lose weight, such as those who are “Pro-Ana” or bulimic. Those who are not fat or thin are simply healthy, at least in respect to weight. The term “healthy” certainly does not and will not have a negative connotation.
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What a strange subject for this thread to go off on...
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...
Anyways, I have no religion anymore after realizing how religion was made for it's time- for example, the Jewish Kosher was introduced at the time as people were dieing making certain foods together. Some smart people wrote a book saying " It's against our faith, don't do it." As people apparetly care more about faith than health, everyone stopped. I myself was Jewish, Buddist and at one point Greek until I realized this. Now I'm waiting for something I NEED to jump on the Religion bandwagon. Religion doesn't control my life, I control my religion.
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I wish I could be fatter. I'm so skinny I could floss my teeth with my waistline.
- Yea, I believe I'm pretty close to that as well :|
5'8 104 lbls
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"Greek" isn't a religion...
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It's a dead one. Whatever the name is, I was in a hurry when posting....
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I may be a bigot for one reason or another but who isn’t? You certainly are towards people that you consider intellectually lesser than yourself or at least that is the impression I have gotten from you after reading a handful of your posts.
Having a strong opinion—which I certainly do on those matters where I put up an argument—is not the same as bigotry, nor even close. Nor is judging people—and I will admit that I do judge people sometimes, and not always favorably—an inherently bigoted act.
Bigotry is a harsher form of prejudice, and prejudice is another word for “prejudgment,” or, in other words, making assumptions of members of a group without due evidence. The closest I come to bigotry is my attitude toward the people of the South. I know enough about Southern culture to reject it thoroughly, but I allow that being a Southerner does not inherently bind one to the worst elements of Southern culture, and that is an important difference. Even so, I have to remind myself of that sometimes. Like you said, we all have our predilections to be uncouth. Well, you didn't say that, but I'm saying it now.
On other occasions, such as with my dismissal of religious faith, it is true that a great number of pepole are included in my statements, but the actual points in dispute are very narrow and easily argued, thus far removing it from the realm of potential bigotry. Indeed, I am undoubtedly among the least bigoted people that you will ever meet. That may not be conspicuous, due to my willingness to be confrontational and judgmental, but your failure to understand the distinction between those and bigotry does not change the underlying truth.
In any case, your argument excusing your bigotry on the grounds that other people are also bigots is fallacious and therefore inadmissible.
Fat and obese may be used interchangeably, but what one defines as “fat” or “obese” differs greatly.
The scientific distinctions are not relevant. Few people take them into consideration when bashing fat people. That you are doing so now is a red herring, also fallacious, and therefore bogus, because it does not actually address your bigotry against fat people; it merely narrows the pool of your victims. Let's go through the motions here:
I consider a fat person to be one who could find themselves on “The Biggest Loser”. I consider people who are up to a “moderate” level above their “suggested” weight to be healthy, not fat.
Your considerations on this measurement are arbitrary and irrelevant. Arbitrary, because you have no way of defining a clear cutoff between “healthy” and “fat.” Irrelevant, because the axis you have defined is absurd. The two are not mutually exclusive, and they are certainly not antitheses. You still do not seem to realize that your entire logic is, as it has been, reliant upon the errant premise that fat people are flawed. Here, in going so far as to set “healthy” and “fat” up as antonyms, you are evidently oblivious to the bigotry inherent in such a model.
You are, and have been, arguing that being fat—however you wish to define it—is a character flaw. You have since tightened your argument to explain that, actually, what you meant all this time is not that you “don't care for fat people,” but that you are concerned for fat people's health and for their impact on society. Either you are lying, either to yourself or to me, or you are speaking out of considerable ignorance, because I have done my homework over the years as to the extent to which medical literature supports the theory that fat is a cause of each of the numerous diseases for which it is blamed, and the literature is far more inconclusive and conflicted than the assertions of the bigots are. The economic claim is even more tenuous, to the point of being completely indefensible based upon present data.
Nay, what you are doing is engaging in a universal defense tactic among anti-fat bigots when they are challenged in their attacks, because they inevitably perceive the health argument (and to a lesser extent the economic argument) to be the easiest line of rationalization.
Remember that as you read the rest of this post. I believe this is the range you are referring to when you mention wellbeing, sex, aesthetics, health, etc.
No. Wrong again. You shall have no cake at this rate. I include all fat people, up to any weight, with the single exception of health. It is a narrow exception that does not apply to most people. I will explain presently:
Because body fat presents an additional load on the heart and lungs, directly and continuously, there has to be a limit to how large that load can become before the system supporting it begins to fail. That limit is different for every person, but generally speaking it does not independently occur except at very high weights. Even then, there are remedies and accommodations. This is the only unambiguous direct causal relationship between body fat and disease.
Regardless, the fact that health can only be a good reason to be fat up to a point does not place similar restrictions on the other reasons, which can accommodate people at all weights.
Children with fat parents are more likely to be fat. People who are friends with “thin” people may want to fit in and be “thin” (That normally applies to females). Neither of these situations are desirable as they have both individual and residual negative psychological and physical effects.
The physical effects are ambiguous as already discussed. The psychological effects have nothing to do with the fat itself: They have everything to do with pretentious pricks who ostracize and demean them, and a society that ruthlessly undermines them.
Very frustrating indeed. Despite all my efforts, I have not gotten through to you.
Most of those reasons don't sound like they're specific for fatness...some even seem a bit forced...but w/e...Just stay within your BMI, don't sweat on me & try to keep your tears out of your food and I think we can all get along.
Well, I'll give you that: Most of what I discussed earlier are not specific to fatness. That doesn't pertain to the issue, though. As for them being “forced” reasons, I doubt it. If you search our culture, you will find that everything I discussed is central to the human condition.
As for your second bit, I think that is callous of you. BMI is an absurdity, undermined even by the schizoid medical literature available to date. Sweatiness is yet another stereotype placed upon fat people, and in any case people don't seem to have a problem with sweatiness in other circumstances, so I don't see why they're suddenly in such a tiff if a fat person sweats. It's the same sweat; it's not going to sap your mana. And the part about keeping one's tears out of one's own food...I don't understand that one! But I don't imagine it's a flattering idea. Care to explain?
What a strange subject for this thread to go off on...
You know how it can be when I take up one of my crusades. And in this case it wasn't even just me. Placidchap also managed to offend a Compendiumite.
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... geez, how'd this get into a discussion about weight?
I have no clue how tall or how heavy I am, but I do know that I am technically overweight. And you know what? I don't care. Should I eat better things than what I currently eat? Yes. Am I getting enough exercise? Most likely not. But you know what? Am I eating better than some? Yes. Am I running around and getting at least something into my exercise routine? Yes.
Generally, my family does have a history of weight problems. My father has diabetes and high cholesterol and is rather rotund (his tummy is weird; it's not squishy like my mom or brothers, but all hard and stuff), my brother routinely overeats (especially when he's angry), my mother is rotund (although she can't get much in the way of exercise due to heart conditions and doesn't digest veggies well), my sister has her own problems, and I'm a little chubby. I don't think being the way I am is just due to the fact that I'm not doing all I should be doing.
Honestly, some of the kids I see at school are just scary. Their legs are like toothpicks and they'll break any second. And I see this more than I should. Evil-emo-bitch-ex-best-friend is one of those people, as is bossy-annoying-spoiled-rotten-Hispanic-girl. However, BASRHG has a younger/older sister who is, like, BYUGE. Yes, I did just type byuge. It's a word now.
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I just realized I have that wierd thing where you're skinny but you still jiggle. I think a diet would somehow invert my width to the negatives, so I gues I'll start working out again...
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Gripe: Today I didn't sit my First/Second Period Exams (out of four, Third/Fourth are on Tuesday) b/c my Second Period Exam is Public Speaking and I had to have a speech-and-visual ready for the topic "This I Believe". The excuse for my school is probably gonna be that I'm ill. I've been in bed for a while with an electric blanket b/c of how cold it is at night and I feel warm, but not really ill. The fact that I feel warm and have a runny nose might help my case.
The thing is, IDK when my make-up Exams for First/Second Period are. I plan to check the Exam schedule ASAP.
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In any case, your argument excusing your bigotry on the grounds that other people are also bigots is fallacious and therefore inadmissible.
That statement was merely a lead in to say that you have bigoted tendencies as well, not to excuse my own comments.
Your considerations on this measurement are arbitrary and irrelevant. Arbitrary, because you have no way of defining a clear cut off between “healthy” and “fat.” Irrelevant, because the axis you have defined is absurd. The two are not mutually exclusive, and they are certainly not antitheses. You still do not seem to realize that your entire logic is, as it has been, reliant upon the errant premise that fat people are flawed. Here, in going so far as to set “healthy” and “fat” up as antonyms, you are evidently oblivious to the bigotry inherent in such a model.
I am not trying to excuse my bigotry, or even deny it, towards fat people. My view is arbitrary, so what? Are you able to define a clear cut off? Is a doctor or the government? I don’t think so. Are you to tell me that I can’t think of a 400 pound person as fat? Of course my view is arbitrary; who is in a position to make a clear cut off on this topic? Considering the sheer number of variables when it comes to humans, I don’t think anyone is qualified to make such a claim. Even if someone did, the cut off would be some arbitrary number designed by what scientists/doctors/agency feel is right. Existing guidelines have already proved to be inadequate.
My defined axis is relevant to point out where I stand on who I define as fat, as different people define what weight makes a person “fat”. It is all arbitrary.
Saying that they are not mutually exclusive leads me to believe that you do not understand the extent of what I define as a fat person. My definition of fat precludes one from being healthy. But I must be oblivious to logic to think that someone who can barely walk 5 minutes and has a hard time catching their breath is possibly healthy. They may be intelligent, nice, etc but that does not make them healthy.
I am not concerned with a fat person’s health, but what society defines as fat vs. healthy. Society’s current definition of who is fat is one that is dangerous and one that I do not believe in. Even the mannequins in the mall now seem anorexic.
Nay, what you are doing is engaging in a universal defense tactic among anti-fat bigots when they are challenged in their attacks, because they inevitably perceive the health argument (and to a lesser extent the economic argument) to be the easiest line of rationalization.
Rationalization does not have to be complex to be valid. Although you seem to want to try and be complex just for the sake of it.
Very frustrating indeed. Despite all my efforts, I have not gotten through to you.
I believe you mean that I have not totally accepted your position and that frustrates you, which I find frustrating as well. You consider your views superior to others. You dissect the opposing view, in such a way that hinders actual progressive thought. Not your thoughts mind you, because you are firm and unwavering in your resolution, but your opposition’s, if I dare say that, because you bog your posts down with your confrontational and adversarial attitude. You seem to prefer to use your intelligence by way of fear and intimidation, wanting to cut down and destroy your opponent rather than help the other simply think differently. Or maybe I am just weak and don't do well with adversarial discussion. I'm sure you will be able to rip my post up, point out numerous fallacies, illogical statements etc...
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Liking to eat is a good reason. Food is one of the most basic sources of pleasure. Both the rituals and sensualities of its consumption are the potential source of much satisfaction and pastime in life. It can lead to fatness, though, because over time our caloric needs have gone down (due to a reduced need for hard work in our everyday lives) even as food has become more abundant and delicious. Someone who likes to eat may be ambivalent toward the whole fat angle, but with the proper sense of perspective can learn to accept and even appreciate it. For instance, the health risks of being fat are overstated, society is slowly beginning to confront the prejudice which makes fatness so heavily stigmatized, and few individuals have a practical need for the extreme degree of physical fitness that fatness would inherently preclude.
Liking to eat is not in of itself a good reason to be fat. You can enjoy eating and also exercise sufficiently to not be fat while having a high calorie diet. To become fat because you enjoy eating is an attempt to excuse your laziness. Indeed, this can be a self defeating excuse for gaining excessive fat, as obesity correlates with an increased risk of type II diabetes.
Further, the level of physical fitness of a healthy, nonfat adult human being can hardly be called extreme. It is the default physical fitness for a human.
Wellbeing is a good reason. Many fat people express considerable relief and satisfaction at their weight once they come to accept it. A common refrain is that these people feel as though their bodies are “stable” or “comfortable” or “happy” at whatever weight they specify. Some have even used the word “healthy.” One thing is for sure: Mentally, it's a lot healthier to accept where one's body is at than to self-loathe So, even if a person has no independent desire to be fat, if they feel as though their bodies are predisposed to a certain weight range, and cannot easily change their weight, then being fat and accepting that can be a sign of emotional maturity—another good reason to be fat.
There is a long range between accepting where one's body is at and self-loathing. Not everyone who seeks to change their body does so out of some tragic sense of self-loathing. Some simply want a different body, and set out to achieve it. This is equally applicable to people who seek to gain fat and those who seek to lose it. Further, setting goals for oneself and achieving them is also a good thing for ones mental state.
You call giving up on a task because it isn't easy maturity. I take it as a sign of maturity that one is willing to take on a long and difficult task to achieve a desired goal.
Intellectuality can also provide good reason for being fat. If one associates fatness with positive and/or expressive qualities, then being fat becomes symbolic. Popularly, fat is associated only with negative qualities, and therefore people shy away from embracing fatness and even feel revulsion toward it. However, the same logic applies in the other direction. If fatness came to symbolize positive qualities, people would feel drawn to it.
This seems like an after the fact justification for someone who is or desires to be fat. Why should fatness in of itself symbolize anything? There are a myriad of reasons, both good, bad, and out of a persons control why a person might be fat. What good is done by assigning arbitrary qualities, distinct from the fatness itself or its consequences, when fatness can be arrived at through opposing means?
Here is a final point that I know you will be able to appreciate, RD: When a society gets hung up on something, people tend to vastly exaggerate the subject and all its elements, usually with a specific direction of bias (or directions, in the plural, when there are factions involved). I think society is outright neurotic when it comes to body fat, far in excess of what a reasonable discourse would invite. The fact that somebody could waltz into this thread and say that they don't care for fat people—a patently ridiculous and hurtful statement, yet offered almost blithely and with utter obliviousness as to its deleteriousness—or that somebody else could make a defense of fatness followed by the completely unnecessary disclaimer that they themselves are not fat—are two more pieces of evidence in a long-overflowed and drowned cup that we spend far more time and energy inflating this subject in our minds and in our public discourse, well out of proportion and beyond all sense.
I certainly agree that our society has gone neurotic in its approach to fat, and for that matter, the human body in general. However, my concern is not so much with the amount of discourse, but with the level of it. With a few exceptions, what other people find attractive is at best, trivia to me. I don't really care what talking heads on celebrity exploitation shows think, and I can make my own judgements on what I do or do not find attractive easily enough. My concern is this: This society (and here I'm specifically refering to the United States) has a vast overweight and obese population. Obesity has health consequences. We as a society should be more concerned with why our society has such a high rate of obesity, what the consequences of this are at a social level, and we can be done to mitigate any negative consequences.
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Josh, I must ask you how was my statement about not being fat "inflating" the neurosis on the subject? I added the statement such that my words were not written off as a rationalization -- that is the intention of a retort, an argument -- to get the other side to see his/her flaws in their argument as clearly as possible -- is it not? And on that note, it was rather backhanded of you to make a generic reference of me to bolster your argument.
We as a society should be more concerned with why our society has such a high rate of obesity, what the consequences of this are at a social level, and we can be done to mitigate any negative consequences.
I can agree with that. Before, your position seemed a bit bigoted. In that light, I apologize for assuming the worst of you.
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Just a little interjection, some recent studies have brought into question the 'overweight is unhealthy' issue. Obesity is definitely still bad, but several recent studies have shown that people who were traditionally defined as overweight actually survive diseases better then those who were traditionally defined as at their appropriate weight. This was not definitive though as being overweight has it's own health complications that are being studied and compared. It is food for thought though that things are not as cut and dry as they seem healthwise... then again when are they ever,
I personally feel that the weight you need to be is the weight you are most comfortable with being. I personally wouldn't be happy below 200, nor above 210 (my 'ideal weight' is supposed to be 160, and I laugh at that. I would be skin and bones at that weight). I stopped my 7 mile bikes to and from work every day 3 months ago and gained weight. When I realized I was unhappy with it I made a plan to lose the weight and have been holding myself to that plan. *shrugs* Long ago I made the decision that myself being happy with my body was far more important then others feelings or judgments about it.
And I realize your comment was dry humor Placcidchap, this was just myself sharing what I was thinking of as I read this thread.
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I am skinny, and I have an extremely high natural metabolism. I am grateful for it, because I can eat whatever I want and never gain an ounce of weight. Besides, all my body mass just goes to my most important part :wink:
I wish.
For the sake of this threads' discussion, however, I present to you all the cuteness which is: FATMOUSE!
(http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn12530/dn12530-2_504.jpg)
Sitting next to his best friend, SKINNYMOUSE. Now, fatmouse suffers from the fact that he was genetically engineered to be homozygous recessive for a knockout genotype in a gene that controls the production of the hormone leptin, which regulates the sensation of hunger and "fullness". Leptin signals to the brain that the body has had enough to eat. Poor Fatmouse can't make this hormone, and so he eats excessively. Many people suffer from similar hormonal genetic conditions as obesity is a polygenic trait. In many cases, being fat isn't their fault.
If anyone doubts that in the vast majority of cases obesity is not a choice, I can post countless other examples of poor laboratory mice rendered softball-sized obese in the name of science for your enjoyment.
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... please no... *cry*
Again, I'm fine with my body, most times. Most of the fat goes to my tummy.
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SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIT
(this topic has nothing to do with fatness except for this message explaining to you that it has nothing to with fatness)
I'm trying to start playing Chrono Cross aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand it's been a struggle so far. Never owned a PSX and sold my old PS2 (and all the games 'cept my PSX CT 8)) so I'm going the emu route for it. Let's say it's not going well. PM me if you can help me and I'll send you my specs, plugin info and how that's configged etc etc etc
I love dogs, but if my neighbor dosen't shut their ugly ass fucking furball up soon Imma roll out with my Louisville Slugga...
At least I'm feeling marginally better
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What kind of dog is it? If it's a pug or anything even remotely resembling one, I will hunt you down and have my pet Aderyn castrate you with a plastic spoon.
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No, it's some little black hairy nasty thing. I love pretty much all smooth hair dogs and can't stand most longer or curly haired ones.
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Whats wrong with Pugs? I have one sitting right next to me. Best dog ever.
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I LOVE PUGS.
Fausty used to offer a pug puppy to Alfador on someone's birthday, and I made him stop that. Hee.
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Yea, I remember. "Why must pugs haunt me so!?" or something like that...
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NO....I don't have anything against pugs!! Jeez.
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Fausty used to offer a pug puppy to Alfador on someone's birthday, and I made him stop that. Hee.
Yeah, for a little while after that, whenever I'd to an Internet search on a completely unrelated topic, a picture of a pug would show up on the first few pages of search returns. It was really freaky, and I've made sure not to sacrifice any more cute little animals since then. It was teaflower's anger reaching across the Internet to torment me, apparently.
Why must the pugs haunt me so!?
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That's god getting back at you for sacrificing the puggles.
Yes.
Sometimes I refer to pugs as puggles, not referring to the unholy union of pug and poodle.
Current gripe is that I just stuffed my face and I still feel hungry.
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Pug threat! (slightly altered pic of the greatest of all pugs)
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Hahaha, I saved that for posterity, thanks placidchap.
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DEMON PUGS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
The only thing worse than killing a pug, in my book, is killing this (http://www.sharpeiforums.com/images/members/00001575/monamour_shar_pei_3.jpg) adorable (http://www.snifnycdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/shar-pei.jpg) little (http://www.completedogsguide.com/images/dog-breeds/smallpic/shar-pei-sleep.jpg) puppy (http://wallpapers.free-review.net/wallpapers/15/Shar_Pei_puppy.jpg) guy. (http://gatorgrrl.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/src_sharpei.jpg)
They are just too cute!
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Men in Black FTW!
In Shadow's backstory, he founds an organization similar to MIB, just more high-tech.
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... of course he does. After he steals Richter Belmont's outfit and hair, runs around with Solid Snake for a while, learns EVERYTHING about the events of Chrono Trigger, and proceeds to kick some serious ass, have no lack of stamina after using an ultimate attack, follows people around simply because he's bored, can apparently make people remember things, and generally kicks ass. That makes perfect sense.
Godmoder.
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Problem with that.
1. I never said he could make people remember stuff.
2. That pic of Richter was the closest I could get to his look. I've also made that clear long before this.
3. I never gave a reason for him to follow Ginsuke, but I'll give one now. He needed a chance to get away from Caruban, and the chance came when Ginsuke left.
4. Re-read when Shadow killed Harle, he was drained, and drained further after doing what he did afterwards. Even so he was able to drag himself down to the surface to see what was going on down there. I never said he just leaped to his feet, fully recovered, and did all that.
5. He played the game when he was a kid and recognized what was going on. A real godmoder would have taken steps to keep the bad stuff from happening, like the king being wounded, Schala's kidnapping by Dalton, etc. Shadow just let it happen.
Don't like what I did with him before I even joined here? Then just don't RP with me. I honestly don't give a shit. Find out in advance if I'm gonna join, and if I do, don't join after me.
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To contribute to both the discussion of pugs and obesity, I give you: FATPUG.
(http://www.supanet.com/media/00/13/81/fat-pug.jpg)
The result of a genetic leptin deficiency? I doubt it. More like bad and lazy owners and a dogs inherent desire to consume everything edible or inedible in sight.
Pugs are good dogs, but I prefer larger breeds that you can roughhouse with. Great Danes are one of my favorite breeds of dogs. It is a shame they have such a short average lifespan. So are Great Pyrenees and mastiffs of all kinds - awesome dogs.
EDIT: Jeez chill the fuck out Shadow man.
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Pug?
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Maybe you should post whatever that is in the RP forum or something. I rough house my pug, just have to do it with a sense of awareness.
Frustrating: Spacebar is sticky..doesn't work properly. Bah!
That pug looks boozed up...is it yours?
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Fat dogs make me cry inside.
Shadow, a couple of things.
1. In T.O., Schala loses her memory and Shadow finds her. He gives her a letter, she reads it, and you say...
(Ah, I can remedy that. Do you mind?)
2. Both Aderyn and Seren take many aspects from Misa Amane, both accidentally and purposefully. Do I take pictures of her and edit her to my liking and say that they are them? No. I make my own art, even though those pigtails are a bitch to do and I can't draw goth styled clothing.
3. Then why does he need to hide? So that the better, more developed characters won't eat his idea-stealing ass?
4. You showed absolutely NO signs of tiredness or loss of energy, Shadow. After his attack, he walks over to Aderyn and keeps on going with what he was doing.
5. Oh, yeah. He played the game. Then Chrono Flux Redux and he mysteriously replaces Crono in the story, thus learning everything that happens. Not only am I sensing some godmoding now, but some SERIOUS Gary Stu properties.
I shouldn't have to stop RPing at a forum where I'm actually respected because you're a dick. If anything, you should stop and go somewhere else.
Current gripe = DARKMAN.
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That pug looks boozed up...is it yours?
What, Boo's? He doesn't look boozed up at all, that's just the 'happy dog face'. Albeit a very smushed and wrinkly one.
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The pug I posted was a result of a Google search entitled "ugly pug".
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As for your second bit, I think that is callous of you.
I was mostly kidding...but I am usually fairly callous, I guess...*shrugs*
BMI is an absurdity, undermined even by the schizoid medical literature available to date.
Yeah, what isn't? :lol:
Sweatiness is yet another stereotype placed upon fat people, and in any case people don't seem to have a problem with sweatiness in other circumstances, so I don't see why they're suddenly in such a tiff if a fat person sweats. It's the same sweat; it's not going to sap your mana.
Well, I was actually attributing it to anyone...The only time I'm mildly ok with someone else's sweat getting on me is during sex. I just don't like getting wet at all, really, and I don't really like other people's bodily fluids on me either...fat or no...
And the part about keeping one's tears out of one's own food...I don't understand that one! But I don't imagine it's a flattering idea. Care to explain?
That one was the most joking of all, really...All this talk about fat people/eating habits made me think about those videos of people crying while eating...Disturbing stuff that I never understood...
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I love having the same sense of Humor as people on the thread.
The current people I most appreciate on this Forum are
Teaflower
Temporal Knight
Asafigow
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.
Shadow did welcome me in the beginning though.
Question- Am I respected or generally hated or just ignored. PLEASE BE TRUTHFUL.
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I love having the same sense of Humor as people on the thread.
The current people I most appreciate on this Forum are
Teaflower
Temporal Knight
Asafigow
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.
Shadow did welcome me in the beginning though.
Question- Am I respected or generally hated or just ignored. PLEASE BE TRUTHFUL.
I think the best way to become respected is to stop caring if people hate or ignore you. Just state your ideas and feelings in a respectful and intelligent manner and be active in multiple areas of the forums and people will start to recognize and respect you. Having a sense of humor that translates well to text is a major plus.
...of course I'm new here, but those are the rules I try to follow. Always worked for me ^_^
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Yeah Hypernerd's a pretty cool guy, eh is the friendlord and doesn't afraid of anything.
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I agree on both of those.
Although, I usually don't have something to say most of the time. Thankfully, not always.
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All Compendiumites are beautiful and valued.
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All Compendiumites are beautiful and valued.
Nothin' else to it.
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Yeah Hypernerd's a pretty cool guy, eh is the friendlord and doesn't afraid of anything.
HyperNerd is the man, even when he talks shit about people. He's just that cool.
I think the best way to become respected is to stop caring if people hate or ignore you. Just state your ideas and feelings in a respectful and intelligent manner and be active in multiple areas of the forums and people will start to recognize and respect you. Having a sense of humor that translates well to text is a major plus.
Well written, Zerg. Personally, I don't care if I'm hated or ignored, myself. I didn't come here to say "h@y 6uyz i/\/\ $h@|)0\/\/ 10\/3 /\/\3 0r i11 637 bu77hur7" I came here because I like the Chrono series and I found I could voice my opinions here.
I confess my sense of humor is a bit different. I do try to be as active as I can.
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"bit different" = embarrasing.
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How about... no.
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I was actually just about to delete that post. Sorry 'bout that. Felt it went over the top.
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I asked so I could improve if I was generally hated. Apparently, people like me more here then anywhere else. Ah, the things you learn on a Forum... Anyways, Shadow, I would seriously try to find What people are annoyed about with you, and then fix it. Simple as that, no more hate, right?
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I was actually just about to delete that post. Sorry 'bout that. Felt it went over the top.
Feel free to dump it, I'll dump mine once it's gone.
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Yeah. Constantly quoting overused internet memes gets stale.
HyperNerd, you're cool by the way, just to add in to that.
So, I was on another forum and someone posted a thread because she was unable to think correctly, was depressed, and could only think of sleep. She failed to mention this was 5am.
Anyway, another girl replies with this post that's... well...
welcome to the midnight nothingness
what you are experiancing.. is.. nothingness
a whole lot of nothingness.. which replaces the emotions.. you are avoiding.. (by not sleeping or going to school or what ever)
i think thats it anyway..
have you ever thought of just sitting there till you die of nothingness?
mmm...
you need to do something new.. something exciting.. or something you're scared of.. to snap you back to life for a second..
it doesn't give you perpose, but its something.. and a something that replaces the nothing has to be.. more than what you have now, yes?
i make no sense.. but i'v not slept in.. 3 days? 4..? dunno, they all blurr together
anyway, yeh.. i think i said something half useful somewhere
She frequently talks about wanting to visit nothingness upon death, and wants natural disasters to occur more often, because "the world needs more of them". Also, according to her, no-one on earth besides her thinks of the poor, sick and homeless during the Christmas holidays. She acts like a fucking freedom fighter who's superior to everyone and it frustrates me.
What irritates me is, despite the forum in question being a fairly lax humourous Pokémon site, everyone holds her in high regard because she has the highest post count and karma, etc. I normally don't get annoyed over a forum member, but she's off her rocker.
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Ee-yow, Pyt, I'm surprised you didn't leave b/c of that.
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I asked so I could improve if I was generally hated. Apparently, people like me more here then anywhere else. Ah, the things you learn on a Forum... Anyways, Shadow, I would seriously try to find What people are annoyed about with you, and then fix it. Simple as that, no more hate, right?
High school and below are unusually cruel, I'd try not to worry about it. If they don't like you, their loss, you'll find many that will later on (post high school).
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After High School, College changes everything. It makes thing more even as far as playing field goes. And after College ends and Adulthood truly begins, everyone pretty much has the same odds. The social barriers change and hardly even exist in the realm of Adulthood. Things change. It just takes time.
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Question- Am I respected or generally hated or just ignored. PLEASE BE TRUTHFUL.
Sometimes you're ok, but sometimes you're annoying. I say you about break even or maybe do slightly better. *shrugs* I certainly wouldn't say you were hated...or at least not by me...yet! :lol:
After High School, College changes everything. It makes thing more even as far as playing field goes. And after College ends and Adulthood truly begins, everyone pretty much has the same odds. The social barriers change and hardly even exist in the realm of Adulthood. Things change. It just takes time.
I think the barriers still exist, but they change in definition over time. Like social status still effects people's various circles...Nothing is ever like it was when you were, like in Kindergarden or even before that...but a lot of that might have been because you were stuck with who you were stuck with...*shrugs*
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Hey, at least you don't hate me. Two mods down, eh?
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I like you HyperNerd. Stop being so emo though it's bummin' me out.
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I feel as though I've gotten suddenly very bitchy as of late. If I come off as a bitch, I'm sorry. I don't know what's going on.
Shadow, I'm sorry I've been dumping on you so much, but you do need to clean up your act. Or else the way I've been as of late is just the tip of the iceberg... what do you guys honestly think of me?
Current gripe is that I've been so bitchy and I have no clue why.
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I like you Teaflower, quite often your posts make me smile. Shadow can be kind grating at times but he means well.
I think Shadow doesn't bother me really because my roomate (who is like a brother to me) has the same sort of personality.
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Teaflower, you're pretty cool I think. Your posts are always worthwhile to read, and you always have something nice to say. A great asset to the forums.
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Sweet! I'm not as annoying as I think I am! Yay!
I try and contribute as much as I can, considering going deep into analysis makes my brain explode. The most I've come up with is that Crono is actually Magus and Magus is Saturn. And that's what happens when I overload on sugar.
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Sweet! I'm not as annoying as I think I am! Yay!
I try and contribute as much as I can, considering going deep into analysis makes my brain explode. The most I've come up with is that Crono is actually Magus and Magus is Saturn. And that's what happens when I overload on sugar.
Is Magus Saturn or is he a Mr. Saturn...
...now I imagine Magus with an umbrella coming out of his head. I'm gonna go back to sleep -_-
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Oh, not Sailor Saturn or Mr. Saturn. Saturnus, god of agriculture and time. Formerly known as Chronos/Cronus, god of time, king of the Titans, and father of Zeus (the mother is his sister).
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The farthest I've delved is that Crono is a manifestation of Jesus Christ, and the game itself is a representation of The Holy Bible, God vs. Satan, God being the Entity and Satan being Lavos. Also, Chrono Cross is the Rapture, showing what events happen once Everyone was "saved", and also showing the themes of false beliefs, etc.
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I don't go too far into Christianity, as Christianity melts my brain. I have a better understanding of Greek and Roman mythology. See, Crono is Magus because obviously Crono is a representation of Cronus/Chronos. I use both because Chronos is the Greek version and Cronus is Roman. Kind of like how Hera is Iuno/Juno and Zeus is Iuppiter/Jupiter.
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He's a Mr. Saturn.
KAY-O.
Teaflower, the forums are a lot more boring without you.
As for Christianity... JUDAISM ALL THE WAY
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I feel as though I've gotten suddenly very bitchy as of late. If I come off as a bitch, I'm sorry. I don't know what's going on.
Shadow, I'm sorry I've been dumping on you so much, but you do need to clean up your act. Or else the way I've been as of late is just the tip of the iceberg... what do you guys honestly think of me?
Current gripe is that I've been so bitchy and I have no clue why.
Got a ton of problems & a bitch ain't one...er...Anyways, no, you're definitely cool, teaflower. One of the better members in my book (and I AM keeping a list! [not really]). Plus, your avys are usually pretty cool, neat or good for teh lulz.
As for Christianity in the Chrono series...idk...I mean, if you look at it that way, then who do Gasch, Hasch & Bosch represent, HUH!?...uh...oh, wait...
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Zeality, You and Ramsus. SO THERE
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Gasch = ZeaLitY; Hasch = Ramsus; Bosch = V_Translanka
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Gasch, Hasch, and Bosch? Who the hell are they?
I suggest that Shadow is Dionysus, god of wine. And gays.
Hee hee hee... I'm evil.
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I cosplayed as Diyonsus in 6th grade and acted drunk all day. I had no idea he was the god of Gays, though. If I was a god, I would be Pac-Man, the God of video games. He's a greek God... right? 8)
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Gasch, Hasch, and Bosch? Who the hell are they?
I suggest that Shadow is Dionysus, god of wine. And gays.
Hee hee hee... I'm evil.
Gasch, Hasch, and Bosch are the japanese names for the Guru's of Zeal (Melchior, Gaspar, and Belthasar).
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Of course he is... of course he is...
Pretty sure the god of gays thing is made up. But there is a story where he says he'll have sex with some dude, but needs to go do something else. So he runs off, but when he comes back, the dude is dead. He then takes a little fig tree and shapes it into his penis and gives it to the dead guy.
And that's your freaky little Greek story for the day! :D
If I were a goddess, I think I would be... something of happiness. I dunno.
Aaah... that makes sense.
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I stay away for like a day and yet another thread about Shadow gets started and closed. I think hiddensquire meant well, despite the enormous irony of the thread, but I think the less attention that Shadow draws to himself and that we draw to Shadow the better things will be.
And I think he's been somewhat better lately anyways. Don't you agree Shadow?
The farthest I've delved is that Crono is a manifestation of Jesus Christ, and the game itself is a representation of The Holy Bible, God vs. Satan, God being the Entity and Satan being Lavos. Also, Chrono Cross is the Rapture, showing what events happen once Everyone was "saved", and also showing the themes of false beliefs, etc.
Pretty much every RPG under the sun with the general theme of "good vs. evil" can be interpreted as an allegory to the Bible.
EXAMPLE: FFX - Dude is sent into the world by the "gods", wonders why his father has forsaken him who is coincidentally a "god" to the Spirans, and in the end sacrifices himself for "Sin". His whiny blonde ass should have stayed dead though. It would have made for a better story.
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Christianity hurts my head.
Yeah, my theory that Crono = Magus because Crono = Chronos and Magus = Saturnus is kind of crazy.
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I cosplayed as Diyonsus in 6th grade and acted drunk all day. I had no idea he was the god of Gays, though. If I was a god, I would be Pac-Man, the God of video games. He's a greek God... right? 8)
?
Dionysos wasn't the god of gays. That conception of the matter didn't exist in ancient Greece.
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I told him I made it up. Hee. I love skewing the minds of young people...
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I told him I made it up. Hee. I love skewing the minds of young people...
Oh, but now you're skewing MY mind, and that's NOT the mind of a young person. I'm getting so confused... thanks a lot... just what I needed... :(
I should have read the whole topic first. All the same, homosexuality was hardly uncommon amongst the Greek gods. Zeus and Ganymede, for instance. If anything, it would have been the province of Aphrodite.
But Dionysos was the god of revelry, and in that fashion... yeah, well, he did wield the Thyrsis.
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Hurray, I've messed up the mind of a classics major with classics material! Yaaaaaay! My life is complete.
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Hurray, I've messed up the mind of a classics major with classics material! Yaaaaaay! My life is complete.
Don't rub it in too much. My fragile spirit is being crushed. Like a Greek vase.
(Nb. even worse than a Classics major... a Classics grad student!)
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My life is even more complete.
Consultation on something! I want to say, 'Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die' in Latin. This is what I came up with: 'Salve. Meus nomen est Inigo Montoya. Interfecis meum patrem. Para abere.' Good? Bad?
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Life's full of nasty surprises!!!!!!!
I am friggin frustrated that I was soo impatint I "erased" myself here in the process. Here's how it happened.
I had a power-surge due to a ice-storm so my PC barly turned on. We ended up buying a new one and all my log-in info was gone so I couldn't remember my username due to it beeing more then a week since I logged in here.
I tried various names of "Triforce" that I've came up with and nothing worked. So I threw me towel down and re-registered under a different name *plus my email had changed since I first signed up* but an hour later I reazlied I could've looked at my past history to find my name and I found it as "4th Triforce piece." :x *never really liked that name anyways* (http://www.smileyhut.com/naughty/axe.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com)
Lesson learned? Don't let impatience over ride yourself and wait a few minutes if you are frustrated before you try something else or it may be the last thing you ever trie in your situation.
(http://www.smileyhut.com/naughty/dead_n_final.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com)
I am also frustrated all my music I've collected is all GONE!!! All the game music sites are down too!
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I'm sorry to hear that, Triforce. You out here in New Eng--
... is your name... Parker?
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Wait, you're 4th Triforce Piece?
Welcome back!
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What? Please don't make fun of me if you are trying to.
Can anyone *Mods and/or Admins find my old account and delete it please? I don't like my old username. At least their is a silver lining in the cloud.
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What? Please don't make fun of me if you are trying to.
I wasn't trying to. I was trying to confirm who you were.
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And I wasn't, either. You see, a while back here in New England, we got hit by an ice storm. My friend, Parker, lost power for about four days. His computer probably fried.
Well, if you remember your password for 4th Triforce Piece, you can delete it yourself. If not, PM ZeaLitY about it.
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Why didn't you just come on the site and look around for a user name that had Triforce in it? There was only one.
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The reason why you don't see me here much wheather in my old name or new is I am not very social so I don't want to say anything stupid that will get me into trobule.
Yes I've read a recent thread bout someone named Shadow on Chrono General Discussion and how everyone is being just as bad of a troll as he is by not letting the mods deal with it.
It's amazes me what can happen on a site when you've been gone for a long time. :shock: Sure doesn't take much for someone to throw a flame or troll. (http://www.smileyhut.com/naughty/axe.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com)
Seems like every time I type something I get the message. "X replies have been made to this thread" so I have to wait a bit. :( Honestly I am not a fan of attention so please try to lay off a bit?
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Posted by: placidchap
Insert Quote
Why didn't you just come on the site and look around for a user name that had Triforce in it? There was only one.
:picardno I realized that too late as I have never had this kind of crisis before.
I do NOT live in New England. I live in Silverton Oregon where Portland had record snow for December but we didn't get as much and it came in the form of ice.
40,000 something people lost power around here and people up the road from me lost it for days just outside of town.
I am going to PM Zeality to see if she can do something. Thanks for the tip. :D Bye bye for now.
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I understand completely. Don't worry; we all have to go through that.
You don't have to double post. And I have a friend here in New England named Parker with problems similar to yours. ... ZeaLitY is male.
Bye!
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I am going to PM Zeality to see if she can do something. Thanks for the tip. :D Bye bye for now.
You didn't get the memo? It turns out Zeality is a he!
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Yes I've read a recent thread bout someone named Shadow on Chrono General Discussion and how everyone is being just as bad of a troll as he is by not letting the mods deal with it.
Yes, that would be me, now can we get off this topic, please?
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Hahaha, reminds me of when Tact mistook me for a woman. Of course, it could have had something to do with the fact that I had paraded around with a female avatar for a few days, spouting feminist theory.
Triforce, consider your old account deleted.
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My life is even more complete.
Consultation on something! I want to say, 'Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die' in Latin. This is what I came up with: 'Salve. Meus nomen est Inigo Montoya. Interfecis meum patrem. Para abere.' Good? Bad?
Well, I'll have to consult my dictionary. I don't know off hand all the verbs and the gender of nomen. But it seems rather close. You certainly put in a good effort.
Nomen is neuter, so it should be 'meum' instead of meus. As for interfecis... it is the general term for killing, but might you want to be a little more specific? My dictionary gives 'caedere' as 'to stab'; 'occidere' as 'to cut down in battle'; and 'necare' is 'to put to a violent death.'
These allow you to play with the meaning in the verbs. Personally, I would use 'caedere', as it has the sound of being struck down (as his father was indeed done), and is the root we use for such words as suicide (the cide is from it, so suicide is 'to strike one's self.') Now as for the verb, you used a present tense, which would mean then 'you kill my father.' You should push this into the past. More than this, you should take the aspect of something that is done but continues to hold effect in the present. In Greek this is nicely renered by the perfect, and I think in Latin it has a similar function. As such, I would err on the side of the second person perfect of caedere, which is 'cecidisti' (I hate those third declension verbs!). And then the last... you have it rather euphamistically 'prepare to depart.' I suppose death is a departure (and I'm sure they referred to death as that). Now, you did rightly construct it with paro for preparation, and yet, looking at my dictionary, this one entry lists as 'to prepare one's self' as 'se comparare ad rem' (ie. to prepare one's self for a thing.' I would have been inclined, as you, to the imperative pare with an infinitive (I would have opted for 'mori', 'to die.') But seeing this, I think the more idiomatic Latin might have it thus, that the thing one prepares one's self for goes into the accusative with ad. As for the verb, it's compara in the imperative.
So that's that. It only leaves one to construct it in a more typically Latin idiomatic structure (that is, placing verbs last, most often), (oh, and I put 'ave' at the beginning, because 'salve' means 'health', which would be rather ironic) yielding:
Ave. Nomen meus est Inigo Montoya. Patrem meum cecidisti. Se compara ad mortem.
Out of curiosity, which grammar and dictionary you have? Having a thorough one is exceedingly helpful.
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... I love too many people on this damn forum...
We use two books, but the one I have here is Jenney's First Year Latin. The other one is Cambridge. I DESPISE CAMBRIDGE. We recently got to chapter 25, showing demonstrative adjectives. Thank you! Will stick in signature.
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Alright, how about no one else makes new accounts? I didn't like it when teh Kebster did it...I didn't like it when Shadow did it...and I'm not liking 4th triforce doing it either...none of them seem to have done it for very good reason, either. If you want a rename, I think a mod might be able to do that (I, oddly enough, have no idea)...but that should have restrictions as well.
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IDK, dump Triforce's old account, since he can't access it.
Or did Faust already do that?
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He said that he had originally just forgotten the name, Shadow. Now he's just using the other one because he didn't like the old name.
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Don't forget Shade B. Silhouetteboy or whatever the fuck his name was.
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Either way, I could've sworn Faust already dumped the old account, or does he not have that power?
If not, dump it anyway.
Don't forget Shade B. Silhouetteboy or whatever the fuck his name was.
You mean Shade B. Blackman? Why do you bring that up again?
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Told my cousin that I'm bi and got the response
"i mean J... you know that maybe itll be weird for me at first but i still love you... you know that im going to support you know matter what just don't act or do anything that involves that around me" - That's a pretty good response but the worst one I've had so far. It kind of bothers me for some reason. Not sure why...But it frustrates me to think of all the other meanings that it could have meant. Pointless to do, but can't help it.
Edit: 'scuse me, it hurts.
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People on here are ridiculously unique. Seriously, if more people knew how normal you guys were, instead of whatever their twisted image of Bi people are, they would reconsider things like Prop 8.
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Prop 8 showed just how stupid the American people can be.
Hence, this:
:picardno
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I don't get why people think it means you're a totally different person and a freak...It really makes no sense.
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We all have something going against us, but we all step up and achieve our Goals, and strive for them. The Compendium is truly unique, as the active members are NEVER the term we use called 'Normal'. What is normal, per say? I cannot tell anyone that, but I assure you, I am not normal and the people who are are the very people I despise.
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There is no normal at all. Everyone is different. They all want different standards to be "normal". We each consider ourselves to be normal because it's who we are and what we're used to. Anything that other people say that isn't like them isn't considered normal.
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4th Triforce Piece is no more, per his request.
Actually, now that I think of it, I probably shouldn't have acceeded to his request so fast -- could have been a prank to get me to delete 4th Triforce Piece's account. Luckily, I think 4th Triforce Piece's signature murdered smilies indicate that it's really him...Jesus, I hope I didn't just totally fuck up as an admin there.
Wow justin, that's why I can't tell my family the details of my hacking career.
Family: "You're not doing anything illegal, are you...?"
Me: "Uh...no. Well, technically, yes, but not really..."
That's as far as it's ever gotten.
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I'm only telling people so I can stop hiding and be who I am. But, it's not getting me too far.
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You can't get too caught up in thinking "what if they meant this or that" or wondering if someone is hiding their true feelings from you. In the end, all you can be is yourself. If you worry too much about those other things, others will prey on that. But if you lead your life how you want, not...in a disrepsectful disregard for others opinions, but making it clear that those same opinions cannot change/harm you, then eventually you will have little to worry about in that regard.
Now...I didn't say this wouldn't be difficult, but keep your head up.
A great friend once told me that the beauty of the clouds are reserved for those who keep their head up.
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I'll try to be optimistic about it. I know I'm going to get a far worse thing from other people. I'm not sure why I'm lingering on it. It's not like it'll matter 5 years in the future anyway.
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... I love too many people on this damn forum...
We use two books, but the one I have here is Jenney's First Year Latin. The other one is Cambridge. I DESPISE CAMBRIDGE. We recently got to chapter 25, showing demonstrative adjectives. Thank you! Will stick in signature.
Hmmm... Cambridge can have some good things. I personally use a Cambridge Grammar that I got for one class... what's it called here... 'A Student's Latin Grammar'. I've used it to compose a full two Latin love elegies, so I think it serves its purpose very well.
At this point, it serves where a texbook would. That is, I learned using Wheelock (I highly recommend it!), but that is a teaching book. Once you've gotten through all that, all you really need is a grammatical reference, which is where that Grammar comes in.
The other thing you need is a good dictionary. Problem is, most dictionaries are Latin to English. What you seem to have fun doing (even as I do) is writing IN Latin, for which you need a good English to Latin dictionary. For both purposes, I adore this old Cassell's Latin Dictionary that I have. I'm not sure when it was published, but the English to Latin is so extensive it has almost every word you could possibly want to find! If not for it, I could never have composed anything that I've done. I'm greatly indebted to it, and thank it highly.
Anyway, that was just a thought. A big part of my ability to do all this is having such excellent resources, so I thought I'd give you a heads up on these. If you're ever wanting to do more of Latin writing, I highly recommend these! Oh, and keep up with the good Latin work and interest! Always need more people loving Latin!
By the way, demonstrative adjectives... you mean demonstrative pronouns? Like his/haec/hoc and ille/illa/illud? I suppose they are used like adjectives in some way... must be the different traditions name them differently. It's funny but in Britain they call Purpose Clauses something like Final Clauses or something like that. Kinda difficult to get used to!
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4th Triforce Piece is no more, per his request.
Actually, now that I think of it, I probably shouldn't have acceeded to his request so fast -- could have been a prank to get me to delete 4th Triforce Piece's account. Luckily, I think 4th Triforce Piece's signature murdered smilies indicate that it's really him...Jesus, I hope I didn't just totally fuck up as an admin there.
Were you able to check his IP beforehand...?
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Personally, at this point, Cambridge just sort of gives you words and says, 'Read this'. It drives me nuts. And demonstrative adjectives is what Beyer calls them. And yes, they are his/haec/hoc. It hurts my head a bit...
So... V wouldn't like my plan to abandon teaflower when I get to 1999 posts? Because that is my plan. I'd come back, though. Maybe even delete teaflower... probably not, though.
Um... current gripe is I'm getting sick... AGAIN.
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My sympathies, Tea. Getting sick sucks.
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Maybe food will help. ... yeah, probably. To the food! AWAY!
You know what frustrates me? My mom made egg and bacon bagel sammiches before I woke up, so I woke up to the haunting smell of bacon and I got NONES.
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I hate when my parents do that D:
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Yeah... I already AM Sick... Remember those Santa Ana winds I was grumbling about a while ago? Oh yeah, and I'm awake everyone. HI.
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Good morning! How was your night? Mine was eh. It would've been better if my sis hadn't woken me up with Kingdom Hearts...
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After I played Mother 3 until... like 12:00, after my compy freaked out, I decided to sleep. Unfourtunately, my cat slept on my head half the time... and my cat has very sharp claws. I woke up to the sound of my annoying sister yelling, and my annoying dad being annoying. Then I immediatly came here, so that just about sums it up. Yeah, my whole life is pretty @#*$ frustration...
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How old is said sister?
I really need to do something productive...
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Were you able to check his IP beforehand...?
Yeah, and it was different from the one assigned to 4th Triforce Piece. I guess I took that as an outcome of the power surge...in any case, the email similarity seemed to link them, and then of course there's Triforce's smilies, but that's hardly a fingerprint.
It's my sense that things turned out okay this time, but as a best practice, I should shoot an email to the old account and wait for a reply for awhile just as an added precaution. I mean, imagine if somebody said "Hi! I used to be Shadow D. Darkman, and I want my old account deleted! Tee hee!" I jest about this, of course, precisely because I don't want someone to try and pull that.
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... 5.
Anyways, I plan to make a few motivationals and RP today. I suppose I should be doing my Springtime of Youth, eh?
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I'm still wondering if it's a good idea to abandon teaflower at 1999 posts... what do you guys think?
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Post count doesn't matter. If we know who you are, then it's no difference.
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Why the hell would you do that?? Just keep your name, please. It's Dumb to abandon it. (looks nervously at Kebrei) After all, why would you do it if people aren't going to be searching for your name randomly? What difference does it make?
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Guess it's a silly idea then. It started with TacT saying I should make a new account the day I hit 777. Wow. That feels like yesterday...
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Suddenly taking orders from Tact...? Did we all forget his connections with a certain Korperation Of Horrible Lameness'S...? Do what I suggest & just stay you! Look, there's even some kind of motivational mumbo-jumbo in that for you to find...!! >_>
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Eh, true... although it would be pretty cool for teaflower to die at the Day of Lavos...
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LOLS. Yes, but then she shall be reborn as...
Whoever the hell you want.
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Eh, true... although it would be pretty cool for teaflower to die at the Day of Lavos...
Cool for who and in what way...? Still sounds like a stupid waste of time & space to me...
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Well, I'm gathering opinions and seeing what people think. If I came back, I'd probably use my NaNo username. Angelic Flower. Mind you, this is not set in stone. I'd probably not do this.
... maybe...
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i don't know if anyone's seen this or not but it makes me laugh so hard every time.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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... except when you're Darkman. Then it's itsy bitsy.
But wait! I DO NOT HAVE MALE PARTS! Does that mean I have big boobs?
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How the hell would you know, tea? Wait... I don't want to know. Other then that...
*No Comment*
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... Lovell scouted him out. He needed something to do while Seren was looking for T.K.! Yes. That's it. :D
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Hey.... I don't think attacks on a person's sexuality/sexual nature are appropriate here - especially in this thread, where it is very off topic.
I guess that would be my current gripe: thoughtless/insensitive/immature posts. I think this should be a comfortable environment where people can talk about the Chrono series with other fans - a haven. I know that I would hate to log in and see "oh yea Eske really sucks/ should get banned/ slept with that girl from the bar his friends warned him about/ etc".
Let's play nice :D ok?
EDIT: except for V, that dude can do what he wants 8)
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Hey.... I don't think attacks on a person's sexuality/sexual nature are appropriate here - especially in this thread, where it is very off topic.
I guess that would be my current gripe: thoughtless/insensitive/immature posts. I think this should be a comfortable environment where people can talk about the Chrono series with other fans - a haven. I know that I would hate to log in and see "oh yea Eske really sucks/ should get banned/ slept with that girl from the bar his friends warned him about/ etc".
Let's play nice :D ok?
Doesn't that mean we have to get rid of V, though?
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IDK, Daniel.
And Eske, you should see where I went with that Lavos Spawn pic in your sig. Still need to get the right sky for it.
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Hey.... I don't think attacks on a person's sexuality/sexual nature are appropriate here - especially in this thread, where it is very off topic.
I guess that would be my current gripe: thoughtless/insensitive/immature posts. I think this should be a comfortable environment where people can talk about the Chrono series with other fans - a haven. I know that I would hate to log in and see "oh yea Eske really sucks/ should get banned/ slept with that girl from the bar his friends warned him about/ etc".
Let's play nice :D ok?
Doesn't that mean we have to get rid of V, though?
Daniel Krispin, ladies and gentlemen!
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Yeah, I was just messing around. I don't mean a lot of the insults I type/say/whatever, unless you actually deserve it.
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Then it's itsy bitsy.
... Lovell scouted him out. He needed something to do while Seren was looking for T.K.! Yes. That's it. :D
I am so confused by these two quotes it's not even funny. What the hell are you talking about and what does it have to do with the relative size of his dong?
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She's talking about charecters in her book from the second one. A little inside joking, if you will.
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I was saying that Shadow's massive post count doesn't equal a massive dong, and I knew this because my novel character, Lovell, had to be pulled away from doing... things... with his girlfriend, Seren, and I sent him to give solid proof. And Sinclair is supposed to be the bi one...
Current gripe is that there's, like, nothing good to eat here. We haven't done grocery shopping in ages, it seems...
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Guess it's a silly idea then. It started with TacT saying I should make a new account the day I hit 777. Wow. That feels like yesterday...
Hey, He got that idea from me. I did abandon my account.
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Gah! So many opinions, too little time!
Yeah, I think I'll leave teaflower at 1999.
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And THEN who will you be?
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I was saying that Shadow's massive post count doesn't equal a massive dong, and I knew this because my novel character, Lovell, had to be pulled away from doing... things... with his girlfriend, Seren, and I sent him to give solid proof. And Sinclair is supposed to be the bi one...
Current gripe is that there's, like, nothing good to eat here. We haven't done grocery shopping in ages, it seems...
Can I send characters from my stories alongside?
My gripe of the moment is my mental faculties are diminished by bad eating habits and lack of sleep. I hate it when I can't think all too well. And for a second gripe, I cannot get ahold of the other member of my group for a presentation I have to give in class tomorrow. We're supposed to give a talk and lead discussion on the theories of this one archaeologist called Bernal (advocating a shift from the Indo-European origin Aryan model of Greek civilization progression to a Revised-Ancient one which sets the origins of Greek culture in Africa and the Middle-East), but my emails have gone unreturned. Not that I fear doing it all myself... if I must, and if I understand the subject, if I have a good frame of mind, I can ramble easily enough, but it would be far easier with an aiding group member.
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Gah! So many opinions, too little time!
Yeah, I think I'll leave teaflower at 1999.
Why? What would leaving your account and creating another accomplish?
And I thought that's how the sentence would go...
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... randomly placed commas annoy me, Sarge.
It's an immortalizing thing. Like Kebrel is forever leet. Yes, send your characters. Lovell did this because Seren was looking for T.K., and now that he has been located... the sounds from their room will drive me nutty. I'd probably go with Angelic Flower or another name I use elsewhere, or something completely different.
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... randomly placed commas annoy me, Sarge.
It's an immortalizing thing. Like Kebrel is forever leet. Yes, send your characters. Lovell did this because Seren was looking for T.K., and now that he has been located... the sounds from their room will drive me nutty. I'd probably go with Angelic Flower or another name I use elsewhere, or something completely different.
Nah, I think it should be too cruel to set upon him such as the austere Kallisteia, or the martial prowess of Telvalak. He has enough to deal with already without being engaged in battles of the old heroic sort. I don't think he'd long survive in the direct close-quarters combat of far shadowing spears.
And yes, change your name, but take something Latin. That sort of thing is my wont, usually. I've gone by Alexaion in times past, for example, which is Greek. Such names can be stately and commanding.
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I wish I were more Latin or Greek in real life. All of my names are Irish or Scottish or whatever. I think I'll go with something Latin. Dunno what. But it will kick some serious ass.
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I wish I were more Latin or Greek in real life. All of my names are Irish or Scottish or whatever. I think I'll go with something Latin. Dunno what. But it will kick some serious ass.
Make sure you give it a feminine ending. Don't want to be calling yourself Magnus or anything like that, eh? (That one would rather be Magna, you know.)
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Speaking of name changes, I was considering asking Z to change my username to FaFniR or Steampunk (as I'm known on multiple other sites), but it seems like I've been around as 'Pyt Fumv' for too long and I'm attached to that.
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Oh? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0WOIwlXE9g)
Anyways...
I think that's a dumb idea, no offense. You will be immortalized as teaflower, you don't need a certain number of posts.
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Eh, true... I don't know what I'll do. We'll see when I get to 1999, eh? We'll figure out the end of the world when we get there.
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Another thing: Will you even remember? You might just have a busy day and go right past 1999 with out realizing it.
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We will see when we get there! We'll see what happens... who know what the future holds?
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I was saying that Shadow's massive post count doesn't equal a massive dong, and I knew this because my novel character, Lovell, had to be pulled away from doing... things... with his girlfriend, Seren, and I sent him to give solid proof. And Sinclair is supposed to be the bi one...
Oh. And here I thought you had some sort of insider information or something. So let me get this straight...you sent your novel character, Lovell, on a quest to ascertain the size of Shadow's dong, who is also a character in your novel?
Weird.
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I was saying that Shadow's massive post count doesn't equal a massive dong, and I knew this because my novel character, Lovell, had to be pulled away from doing... things... with his girlfriend, Seren, and I sent him to give solid proof. And Sinclair is supposed to be the bi one...
Oh. And here I thought you had some sort of insider information or something. So let me get this straight...you sent your novel character, Lovell, on a quest to ascertain the size of Shadow's dong, who is also a character in your novel?
Weird.
Nah, just imaginative.
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No. I sent Lovell, a character in my novel, to ascertain the size of Shadow's dong, an internet person. Before Lovell went on this quest, he was doing it with Seren, another novel character and his girlfriend.
Yes. I know I'm weird.
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The discussion has since moved along, but I did want to do a couple of you the courtesy of a reply. This'll be my last salvo on the subject here, because it's a bit much to read through ten pages of comments in just two days!
My view is arbitrary, so what?
Arbitrariness and the judgment of a group of people is a bad combination.
You consider your views superior to others.
No, I consider my logic superior when it evidently is. I don't have a problem with making concessions or acknowledging defeat, when it happens. Just because you are among the many whose ignorance cannot withstand my critique, that does not say anything about me. It says only that you are sensitive to being criticized.
You dissect the opposing view, in such a way that hinders actual progressive thought.
A not entirely unfounded criticism, but, again, a consequence of your style of response at least as much as my style of engagement.
I think you're trying to say that I should focus more on helping you open your eyes than on invalidating your views. Personal style is a tactical choice; you may be right at the situational level. Then again, you haven't volunteered much either. You're sticking to your guns and have resorted to complaining outside the topic.
Or maybe I am just weak and don't do well with adversarial discussion.
Yes, that is my reading too.
Liking to eat is not in of itself a good reason to be fat. You can enjoy eating and also exercise sufficiently to not be fat while having a high calorie diet. To become fat because you enjoy eating is an attempt to excuse your laziness.
Your first sentence is correct theoretically but relies upon the premise that getting fat is inherently bad. You should instead be treating it neutrally, and confine your suppositions about the healthfulness of fat to the appropriate subject. If one likes to eat, then, absent other considerations, that is a good reason to get fat. I should clarify that “get fat” need not be the intention here. It need only be a consequence. That is an important distinction.
You are quite right about the fact that eating in moderation and increasing one's physical activity can temper fat accumulation. But these are extraneous; they are steps to be taken if avoiding fat gain is one's intention. That intention cannot be assumed.
Indeed, this can be a self defeating excuse for gaining excessive fat, as obesity correlates with an increased risk of type II diabetes.
It is irresponsible to imply causation when the evidence suggests correlation only. This kind of obfuscation is part of the reason why people have such a skewed attitude toward fat and fatness.
Further, the level of physical fitness of a healthy, nonfat adult human being can hardly be called extreme. It is the default physical fitness for a human.
You misunderstood me. I meant that the presence of excess body fat can only inherently preclude the most extreme degrees of fitness. In other words, it is quite within the realm of possibility to be fit and fat in all but the highest degrees of fitness. To wit, you shan't find obese people winning the gold medal for swimming or marathon running.
There is a long range between accepting where one's body is at and self-loathing. Not everyone who seeks to change their body does so out of some tragic sense of self-loathing. Some simply want a different body, and set out to achieve it. This is equally applicable to people who seek to gain fat and those who seek to lose it. Further, setting goals for oneself and achieving them is also a good thing for ones mental state.
This is a non-sequitur. I had pointed out that some people feel better about themselves when they are in a given weight range, even if it is high. What you wrote here does not pertain to that. I never wrote that people can't feel comfortable unless they are fat, and I never would.
You call giving up on a task because it isn't easy maturity. I take it as a sign of maturity that one is willing to take on a long and difficult task to achieve a desired goal.
You beg the question. Even if a person does not desire to be fat, that does not mean that they desire not to be fat. Thus, they may not be “giving up” anything to accept themselves at their given weight.
This seems like an after the fact justification for someone who is or desires to be fat. Why should fatness in of itself symbolize anything? There are a myriad of reasons, both good, bad, and out of a persons control why a person might be fat. What good is done by assigning arbitrary qualities, distinct from the fatness itself or its consequences, when fatness can be arrived at through opposing means?
You are dismissing, in this line of thinking, all that which is not explicitly literal—a brazen absurdity.
My concern is this: This society (and here I'm specifically refering to the United States) has a vast overweight and obese population. Obesity has health consequences.
You speak incorrectly here; you speak knowledgeably but your knowledge is faulty. To remedy your ignorance you should investigate the subject further—and, I entreat, with a more inquisitive ethic. You are better than to need to seek out validation. Accept my challenge, and you will find yourself where I have ended up, understanding that the medical literature on the unhealthfulness of fatness inherently is far more ambiguous and conflicting in its findings than is popularly believed. I have not argued that being fat is healthy, because the literature does not support that either. What it seems to suggest, to me, in my scientific opinion, is that “fat” is not the villain here, but rather that it is one supporting player in a much bigger drama of physiology, sociology, and biochemistry, or, perhaps, that it is not a villain at all, but merely associates with villains.
We as a society should be more concerned with why our society has such a high rate of obesity, what the consequences of this are at a social level, and we can be done to mitigate any negative consequences.
No. We must first determine whether obesity is anything as unhealthy as it is thought to be. However, why bother? That is a classic example of unethical scientific thinking. What we should be concerned with is why the nation has the health problems that it does. If, in answering “why,” we end up on the subject of obesity, then that is where inquiry becomes warranted.
Josh, I must ask you how was my statement about not being fat "inflating" the neurosis on the subject?
Making disclaimers about belonging or not belonging to a group when discussion that group judgmentally (favorably, unfavorably, or impartially), introduces an inherent bias into the process which is unnecessary and counterproductive. Why? Because it has no significance, yet its mention implies significance, and significance is often perceived by others. For instance, I support gay rights. But if I were to end my arguments by pointing out that I am straight, that could be misinterpreted. For instance, somebody might take it to mean that I support gay rights but am nevertheless homophobic. “Why should it matter if I'm gay or straight?” they might rightly ask.
The same applies no matter the group in question; in this case, fat people.
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Josh, I must ask you how was my statement about not being fat "inflating" the neurosis on the subject?
Making disclaimers about belonging or not belonging to a group when discussion that group judgmentally (favorably, unfavorably, or impartially), introduces an inherent bias into the process which is unnecessary and counterproductive. Why? Because it has no significance, yet its mention implies significance, and significance is often perceived by others. For instance, I support gay rights. But if I were to end my arguments by pointing out that I am straight, that could be misinterpreted. For instance, somebody might take it to mean that I support gay rights but am nevertheless homophobic. “Why should it matter if I'm gay or straight?” they might rightly ask.
The same applies no matter the group in question; in this case, fat people.
Indeed, you are are correct on that point. I suppose I gave the wrong impression -- I will take note of this.
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No. I sent Lovell, a character in my novel, to ascertain the size of Shadow's dong, an internet person.
Oh yeah no that's not weird at all. :D
EDIT: Now you've piqued my interest. How, pray tell, did Lovell investigate the size of said dong over the internet?
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Ok, that's quite enough, don't you think?
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I concur. Nor do I wish to know the findings of his investigations, should any conclusive ones ever by any means be discovered. Such things... are best to remain in mystery.
After all, who knows which of us teaflower will send her minions against so as to take account of us. Could be you. Could be me.
But I'd warn Lovell that I have fictional defenders of my own. At least if he wants to avoid the death-dealing end of Kallisteia's brazen spearpoint.
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Ok, that's quite enough, don't you think?
No, I don't think. Teaflower opened the door to legitimate questioning by bringing up the...unusual...subject matter of her novel in the first place.
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Current gripe: HyperNerd
Reason: Can't leave well enough alone.
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Ok, that's quite enough, don't you think?
No, I don't think. Teaflower opened the door to legitimate questioning by bringing up the...unusual...subject matter of her novel in the first place.
Newsflash: In a startling turn of events, the mission of Lovell, sent out by Miss Teaflower some time in the recent past for the purpose of ascertaining the proportions of undisclosed objects, has been hastily redirected at the figure of chrono eric. We will keep you updated on the results as we receive them.
Happy now?
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Newsflash: In a startling turn of events, the mission of Lovell, sent out by Miss Teaflower some time in the recent past for the purpose of ascertaining the proportions of undisclosed objects, has been hastily redirected at the figure of chrono eric. We will keep you updated on the results as we receive them.
Happy now?
Sure, I ain't got nothin' to be ashamed of :D
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... Wat?
I don't understand your reason, Shadow.
Current Gripe: Shadow Darkman
Reason: For not being able to take a flipping joke.
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Fact: Unless you note otherwise, Shadow is required by divine decree to assume you are serious. Next time, make sure you make it clear.
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Newsflash: In a startling turn of events, the mission of Lovell, sent out by Miss Teaflower some time in the recent past for the purpose of ascertaining the proportions of undisclosed objects, has been hastily redirected at the figure of chrono eric. We will keep you updated on the results as we receive them.
Happy now?
Sure, I ain't got nothin' to be ashamed of :D
Well, aren't we confident. Well, you know what they say, the bigger the pride, the bigger the fall. And hey, maybe Lovell is bringing a sword along with him... his appraisal might be made post-correction.
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Ummmmmmmm can we go back on topic about frustrations please? Or call this the $%*! frustration and spam thread? I mean seriously this is all borderlining spam and nonsense. :picardno
I may not know Shadow nor what he's done but let's stop making fun of him and let him be.
Frustration thread +replies= beating a dead horse.....of course.
Pointing out that something is spam=(you guessed it)spam
~V_Translanka
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Ummmmmmmm can we go back on topic about frustrations please? Or call this the $%*! frustration and spam thread? I mean seriously this is all borderlining spam and nonsense. :picardno
I may not know Shadow nor what he's done but let's stop making fun of him and let him be.
Frustration thread +replies= beating a dead horse.....of course.
I'm not sure whether you can classify the joking around quite as spam. Also, though there have been some frustrations from some quarters with Shadow, I don't think anything has been quite to the extent of flaming or trolling. These forums are pretty good for that. All the same, this is sometimes what such threads do... they meander like the river... they have a life of their own. I'm not sure we must remain strictly on topic, especially in a thread like this. Sometimes it's fun to watch it evolve, to see how things progress. Yes, yes, it's nonesense, but we need some of that at the Compendium, as we have more than enough deep seriousness to go around.
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Frustration. (http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302028384&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442193019)
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Frustration. (http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302028384&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442193019)
BURNIN' DOWN DOWN DOWN....HoooOOOOooot TooOOoopic!
Sorry had to, anyone else see the Twilight South Park? It ended with Butters helping the Goth kids burn down Hot Topic.
ALAS, A LINK! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ilCjqpE7z8
It dosen't actuaslly show the video but it plays the hilarious song.
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(http://images.hugi.is/kvikmyndir/116676.jpg)
Ugh. I hate frustration. And I hate Twilight. And that song is AWESOME.
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Hey, anyone have a time travel device handy? I need to use it to go back in time to when Stephanie Meyer had the brilliant idea for the Twilight series. That way, I could club her to make her forget her stupid ass dream, burn her computer, burn anything even remotely resembling Twilight, and then burn Stephanie Meyer.
I HATE TWILIGHT.
Lovell has a way of finding ways around things. He's the resident crazy, sort of dark (but not nearly as dark as Alex or Seren) guy with a badass cape. He's amazing! ... but right now, he's supposed to be in the Spirit Plane, getting some argent to save the world. Alex will come and investigate, if need be. And unless you know how to stop ghosties... be warned...
Oh, you guys are interested in the novel? Hang on a sec... I left Mouse on last night and I was meaning to back up my novel anyway. Who's interested in it? C'mon, it's only 99 pages worth of unpolished literature! You'd read worse in your local newspaper!
My current gripe is that my desk has become a dumping ground. I have to move so much shit just to get at Mouse's mouse... it's ridiculous!
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*both eyebrows raised in surprise*
Jesus, Tea. I know Twilight fails, but isn't that a bit much?
Current gripe: My mom.
Reason: Can't take a hint regarding school work.
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Twilight can't fail if Twilight doesn't exist. :wink:
My current gripe is that I have to somehow produce a decent 10 page research paper before 7:30 tomorrow morning. I REALLY don't want to do that...
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Take into account, then, the resulting paradox. You could end up creating a real-life version of the Time Devourer.
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No, I'd create...
THE TWILIGHT DEVOURER!
I'm so creative today...
[attachment deleted by admin]
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:picardno
I swear, one day Time Bastard will eat you like a Twinkie.
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Stephanie Meyer really took a massive dump all over vampire lore by writing those books, but honestly the quality of the writing isn't that bad. I read through all four (had to drag myself through the last one) and can recall myself enjoying the beginning of the series, but cringing at every incorrect vampiric behavior trait. What I do hate though, is it's fanbase and the mindless teenage drones it's populated with. Ugh.
However, The Host, Meyer's new series, is pretty good I think.
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Current gripe: Whiny bitches on GamePolitics (http://www.gamepolitics.com/).
Reason: I posted a FacePalm pic in an article about some bullshit, and a couple people are getting all butthurt and calling me a Troll.
Really pisses me off.
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Current gripe: Whiny bitches on GamePolitics (http://www.gamepolitics.com/).
Reason: I posted a FacePalm pic in an article about some bullshit, and a couple people are getting all butthurt and calling me a Troll.
Really pisses me off.
Really, I wonder how that could've happened... >_>
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Current gripe: Whiny bitches on GamePolitics (http://www.gamepolitics.com/).
Reason: I posted a FacePalm pic in an article about some bullshit, and a couple people are getting all butthurt and calling me a Troll.
Really pisses me off.
...if they only knew the *real* Shadow...
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Oh god, I actually lol'd. In real life.
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:picardno
Guys, not helping.
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:picardno
Guys, not helping.
(http://www.nataliedee.com/122808/giveashitometer.jpg)
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I read through all four (had to drag myself through the last one) and can recall myself enjoying the beginning of the series, but cringing at every incorrect vampiric behavior trait.
Yeah, jeeze, it's like some people don't know any real vampires or something...
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Current gripes
1. People taking my sig too seriously (wish I could change it)
2. School filters
3. Trans lock(e)ing the Hentai thread.
Reasons
1. I constantly get railed on when I express my views and in the right perspective it conflicts with my sig.
2. I keep missing out on shit b/c of them.
3. Now it dies. You truly are an ass, as they say.
(Not an insult, just a recently proven fact.)
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3. Trans lock(e)ing the Hentai thread.
Yeah, I hate it when people lock their own threads when their question was basically answered & everyone is just going off-topic (& sharing hentai images).
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Isn't that what the NSFW tag was for? Faust pretty much had it covered.
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3. Trans lock(e)ing the Hentai thread.
Yeah, I hate it when people lock their own threads when their question was basically answered & everyone is just going off-topic (& sharing hentai images).
And here I had 2 CC doujins to share. Ah well, anyone who knows how can find anything that was being shared there easily enough. Considering a number of members are in their teens, it's for the best.
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Yeah, this isn't an adult website. NSFW is still a warning for adult websites, not video games with a Teen rating (or is that an E for Everyone I see on the CTDS's cover?). Just slapping "NSFW" on the thread doesn't mean you can then post w/e content you want in the site as far as I see it...
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Yeah, this isn't an adult website. NSFW is still a warning for adult websites, not video games with a Teen rating (or is that an E for Everyone I see on the CTDS's cover?).
*Picks up case*
E-10+
New rating I think, I don't follow them that closely. (26 next month, nothing is taboo to me)
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Yeah, things were getting pretty racy in there, and we're getting all sorts of new members after CT:DS' release. V's decision was for the best.
Shadow, why aren't you able to change your sig...?
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I was pretty pissed off when I saw that damn thread return.
Glad to see it closed.
Now do what Ramsus did and send that fucker on out. It does not need to be here.
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I can understand disagreeing with the nature of the thread, but why would you be "pretty pissed off" that it returned? That seems like a bit of an over-the-top reaction to me.
But what do I know? I have no problem with hentai or with people viewing it so I suppose I'm biased in that regard.
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I don't have a problem deleting the posts in it that have adult content links, but I didn't want to bother sifting through them, personally...and yeah, I wasn't pissed off seeing it come back, but I had a feeling as to where it was headed when it was, so I could see being so, I guess...
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I can understand disagreeing with the nature of the thread, but why would you be "pretty pissed off" that it returned? That seems like a bit of an over-the-top reaction to me.
But what do I know? I have no problem with hentai or with people viewing it so I suppose I'm biased in that regard.
Because I didn't like the subject matter the first time.
EDIT: It was more of everyone had been talking about that other topic that got removed and I knew some one was going to find the hentai one sooner or later. I thought the people talking were immature and people like Shadow D. Darkman were just wanting to see some chrono rape.
Just fucking google it if you want it, don't ask us.
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Shadow, why aren't you able to change your sig...?
My guess is that is has to do with his Fail rank.
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Seems so, Chap.
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Maybe you should kindly ask ZeaLitY if he can change it to something else.
My current gripe is the unknowledged masses. I'm looking at pictures from Chrono Trigger in the computer lab, right? A teacher sneaks up behind me and asks, upon seeing said images, "Is that Final Fantasy?"
I must commend him for knowing the world of Final Fantasy, but... :picardno He fails. I don't care if he's one of the cuter teachers, he just fails.
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Maybe you should kindly ask ZeaLitY if he can change it to something else.
Tell me how to do that without PMs or making a thread somewhere.
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... email him. He has an email address, yes?
What ultra upsets me is that, after being asked if Chrono Trigger was Final Fantasy, is that I was asked to do my work. Not that, but that the person next to me is on MySpace, an obviously not educational site. For all you know, I'm doing a report on Square games!
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... email him. He has an email address, yes?
:picardno
Since you seem to have all the answers, and your answers in such a format, perhaps your next one might tell me how to subvert my FAIL rank in order to access his profile and acquire his e-mail address.
[/sarcasm]
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How about ASK someone if they could give it to you.
BTW it's zeality@gmail.com
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...
Thx for that, Zerg. Hope he doesn't hit you with the BanHammer for it, though.
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Yeah... Thank you for closing that thread... I really despise that crap... But oh well, it's part of the Internet I suppose...
And I was going to PM you with it Shadow. He won't banhammer him, He has no valid reason.
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ZeaLitY's the Chief Administrator, Nerd. He doesn't need a valid reason.
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ZeaLitY's the Chief Administrator, Nerd. He doesn't need a valid reason.
Unlike you, ZeaLity would probably like to maintain a reputation. IMHO, I've grown tired of your filth metastasizing all over the forums -- ZeaLity's been far too generous with you.
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My current gripe is the unknowledged masses. I'm looking at pictures from Chrono Trigger in the computer lab, right? A teacher sneaks up behind me and asks, upon seeing said images, "Is that Final Fantasy?"
I must commend him for knowing the world of Final Fantasy, but... :picardno He fails. I don't care if he's one of the cuter teachers, he just fails.
Were they at least Chrono Cross images? I could see confusing CC with FF...maybe...but actual Chrono Trigger images?? I think I've gotten, "Is that DBZ?" before, so I think I've got you beat in annoyance at those masses...V_V
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I'd be really pissed if that ever happened to me, since I used to always get picked on for being a DBZ fan.
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Shadow, do you just want your sig deleted then?
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Just for now. I'll e-mail Z when I find something to put in there.
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It's gone now. I can take care of minor things like this so you don't have to bug ZeaLitY with it; he needs all the time he can get to analyze things and work on site updates and the like.
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Frustration was...Shadow's huge sig
Solution:Faustwolf
Winner! Gagné!
Leads into....
Minor frustration: people who hold up the line for 15 minutes with their shit collection of lotto tickets and that annoying "Winner! Gagné!" that spews out everytime they "win" something. Not sure if gagné is the right French word...but close enough for my book.
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Frustration was...Shadow's huge sig
Wasn't that big if the mods had no prob with it.
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Fusteration is: Lack of Respect.
To begin, I am a very liberal person. I voted for Obama, and believe in his words of hope and plan for the future. I also understand why my republican friends do not like him, and I respect that.
What I am tired of is all the shit I hear every 3 seconds about him from my republican friends. I did not do this to them when Bush won, I gave my them their time in the sun and let them enjoy the inauguration. I understand you don't like or respect Obama, but at least have some goddamn respect for me and let me have a few moment to be happy about the first political victory I've actually cared about in my lifetime before you start off on how he's going to destroy our society, how he hates america, and how he sacrifices republican babies in dark rituals.
It's about respect really, and I don't think there is enough of it in this day and age.
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I have disabled signature display for a long time... :lol:
Sometimes they are just more eye-catching than the topics...
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Frustration was...Shadow's huge sig
Solution:Faustwolf
Winner! Gagné!
Leads into....
Minor frustration: people who hold up the line for 15 minutes with their shit collection of lotto tickets and that annoying "Winner! Gagné!" that spews out everytime they "win" something. Not sure if gagné is the right French word...but close enough for my book.
That or AdBlock Plus.
Fusteration is: Lack of Respect.
To begin, I am a very liberal person. I voted for Obama, and believe in his words of hope and plan for the future. I also understand why my republican friends do not like him, and I respect that.
What I am tired of is all the shit I hear every 3 seconds about him from my republican friends. I did not do this to them when Bush won, I gave my them their time in the sun and let them enjoy the inauguration. I understand you don't like or respect Obama, but at least have some goddamn respect for me and let me have a few moment to be happy about the first political victory I've actually cared about in my lifetime before you start off on how he's going to destroy our society, how he hates america, and how he sacrifices republican babies in dark rituals.
It's about respect really, and I don't think there is enough of it in this day and age.
Unfortunately, unlike many would assume, respect isn't free, and it isn't a right -- it's a privilege and it has to be earned. Personally, I voted for Obama, but I'm waiting to see if he will become a good president, and thus worthy of my respect. It follows that, because he hasn't proved himself -- coupled with the all but homogeneity of power in public offices in years gone past -- that there will be suspicion and mistrust. And because of the conservative's longevity of power, they've become confident -- too confident. The behavior will go away with time. But, then again, I suppose, given enough time, liberals will don this attitude as well...
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That or your school's network not liking Photobucket or Imageshack.
In response to V, they were images from the Chrono Trigger play through we link to. I believe it involved the Beast's den... or later. But, yeah. Uneducated masses must be educated.
And yes, ZeaLitY would only ban people for a really REALLY good reason.
Current gripe is... my glasses. Somehow, they never ever stay clean... and it drives me nuts. I'd give contacts a whirl, if only they didn't itch so much and if only MassHealth wasn't a dick and didn't cover them. I'd go without them all together, but as I was leaning back in my chair to clean them (or at least try to, they're still dirty), I could barely make out what was on the screen.
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Well I have a globalization class now, and I have a paper to write. It topic is behavior diffrences and social aspects of Internet communication/interaction and physical/normal interaction. Problem being I can't quite find very many creditable sources for this topic.
On a unrelated note my stress ball on my desk just ruptured due to overuse.
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Fusteration is: Lack of Respect.
To begin, I am a very liberal person. I voted for Obama, and believe in his words of hope and plan for the future. I also understand why my republican friends do not like him, and I respect that.
What I am tired of is all the shit I hear every 3 seconds about him from my republican friends. I did not do this to them when Bush won, I gave my them their time in the sun and let them enjoy the inauguration. I understand you don't like or respect Obama, but at least have some goddamn respect for me and let me have a few moment to be happy about the first political victory I've actually cared about in my lifetime before you start off on how he's going to destroy our society, how he hates america, and how he sacrifices republican babies in dark rituals.
It's about respect really, and I don't think there is enough of it in this day and age.
Bush got the shit boo'ed out of him. Whether you did or not is irrelevant. Was the man a bad President? Tough to aruge against it. Is he responsible for your prbolems or worries? Negative. He's gone now and everyone will have to find someone else to blame for their problems. Obama is hailed as a Messiah and it's day one. Personally, I think he'll be fine, in fact I have little to no beef with President Obama. But I CANNOT stand his rabid fans. i cannot wait to see them all in 6 months when little to nothing has changed. Can we? Bet your ass. Will we? Remains to be seen.
Oh, and about the lotto tickets, imagine working at the shlumpy station having to wait for chumps to go thru a bazillion lotto tickets.
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Bush got the shit boo'ed out of him. Whether you did or not is irrelevant. Was the man a bad President? Tough to aruge against it. Is he responsible for your prbolems or worries? Negative. He's gone now and everyone will have to find someone else to blame for their problems. Obama is hailed as a Messiah and it's day one. Personally, I think he'll be fine, in fact I have little to no beef with President Obama. But I CANNOT stand his rabid fans. i cannot wait to see them all in 6 months when little to nothing has changed. Can we? Bet your ass. Will we? Remains to be seen.
Old but this always made me laugh. (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/obama_win_causes_obsessive)
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Oh, and about the lotto tickets, imagine working at the shlumpy station having to wait for chumps to go thru a bazillion lotto tickets.
At least if you work at the station you are suppsoed to stand there for extended periods of time...still annoying though I'm sure.
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... that made my day. Thank you, Kebrel.
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Bush got the shit boo'ed out of him. Whether you did or not is irrelevant. Was the man a bad President? Tough to argue against it. Is he responsible for your problems or worries? Negative. He's gone now and everyone will have to find someone else to blame for their problems. Obama is hailed as a Messiah and it's day one. Personally, I think he'll be fine, in fact I have little to no beef with President Obama. But I CANNOT stand his rabid fans. i cannot wait to see them all in 6 months when little to nothing has changed. Can we? Bet your ass. Will we? Remains to be seen.
Oh, and about the lotto tickets, imagine working at the shlumpy station having to wait for chumps to go thru a bazillion lotto tickets.
I wouldn't go that far... He was the leader of the political party at the time and set the agenda.
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It's about respect really, and I don't think there is enough of it in this day and age.
Nor do I. Here we have idiots like Al Qaeda killing people b/c they think they're doing the right thing.
Back in the 30s and 40s we had Hitler and the Nazis killing about 6 million people of many different races because they weren't what he wanted all people to be.
In the times of Ancient Israel, they waged war against neighboring nations for not being Jews, and for that same reason the wiped out the Canaanites that were residing in present-day Palestine.
No respect. None at all. Stupid of them, really. They could have just tried to live peacefully.
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what the hell are you going on about?
System beeps frustrate me...googling on how to turn it off...
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Well, although it seems really crazy and stupid to us, to them, it makes perfect sense. If you want the world to be a better place, and a certain group is screwing it all up, you destroy that certain group.
Hey, Shad? You familiar with the Armenian genocide? The Turks raided the land of Armenia and deported or killed thousands upon thousands of Armenians. I know this because my former Latin teacher, Dr. Chakemian, is the child of two Armenian immigrants, forced to move to America because they got deported. He was so sad that he didn't learn to read and write Armenian from his mother before she died...
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It's about respect really, and I don't think there is enough of it in this day and age.
Nor do I. Here we have idiots like Al Qaeda killing people b/c they think they're doing the right thing.
Back in the 30s and 40s we had Hitler and the Nazis killing about 6 million people of many different races because they weren't what he wanted all people to be.
In the times of Ancient Israel, they waged war against neighboring nations for not being Jews, and for that same reason the wiped out the Canaanites that were residing in present-day Palestine.
No respect. None at all. Stupid of them, really. They could have just tried to live peacefully.
Oooh, such insight! Your logic is so baseless, it's offensive.
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Fusteration is: Lack of Respect.
To begin, I am a very liberal person. I voted for Obama, and believe in his words of hope and plan for the future. I also understand why my republican friends do not like him, and I respect that.
What I am tired of is all the shit I hear every 3 seconds about him from my republican friends. I did not do this to them when Bush won, I gave my them their time in the sun and let them enjoy the inauguration. I understand you don't like or respect Obama, but at least have some goddamn respect for me and let me have a few moment to be happy about the first political victory I've actually cared about in my lifetime before you start off on how he's going to destroy our society, how he hates america, and how he sacrifices republican babies in dark rituals.
It's about respect really, and I don't think there is enough of it in this day and age.
Bush got the shit boo'ed out of him. Whether you did or not is irrelevant. Was the man a bad President? Tough to aruge against it. Is he responsible for your prbolems or worries? Negative. He's gone now and everyone will have to find someone else to blame for their problems. Obama is hailed as a Messiah and it's day one. Personally, I think he'll be fine, in fact I have little to no beef with President Obama. But I CANNOT stand his rabid fans. i cannot wait to see them all in 6 months when little to nothing has changed. Can we? Bet your ass. Will we? Remains to be seen.
Oh, and about the lotto tickets, imagine working at the shlumpy station having to wait for chumps to go thru a bazillion lotto tickets.
Whether I did or not is indeed very relevant. I am talking about my own friends respecting me, not something else. I am far from a rabid Obama supporter, and I do not (nor have I ever really) instigated any political talk. I am having republican friends of mine coming up and telling me how much Obama blows from out of the blue without any reason behind it other then they wanted to tell me it. This is not part of 'normal conversation' nor is their any segway into it. And I constantly hear it, and I honestly am getting to the point that I feel it is disrespectful. I don't care what other pro Obama people have done, I personally have shown them nothing but respect for them and their political beliefs, as friends I expect the same in return. It is always about respect for others. Voice your opinions yes, but what they are doing is verging on harassment about it.
And sorry if that was a bit snippish, my irritation level about this is very high right now (I had a friend call me DURING THE INAUGURATION to tell me about how much Obama blows. Dude I know you don't like him, but goddammit)
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Bush got the shit boo'ed out of him. Whether you did or not is irrelevant. Was the man a bad President? Tough to argue against it. Is he responsible for your problems or worries? Negative. He's gone now and everyone will have to find someone else to blame for their problems. Obama is hailed as a Messiah and it's day one. Personally, I think he'll be fine, in fact I have little to no beef with President Obama. But I CANNOT stand his rabid fans. i cannot wait to see them all in 6 months when little to nothing has changed. Can we? Bet your ass. Will we? Remains to be seen.
Oh, and about the lotto tickets, imagine working at the shlumpy station having to wait for chumps to go thru a bazillion lotto tickets.
I wouldn't go that far... He was the leader of the political party at the time and set the agenda.
I hear ya..to each his own. I'm gonna have to stop now because I hate politics (from DC....) but i stand by my original statement. I guess it depends if his agenda hurt ya or not. NOT whether or not did you agree with the agenda, but did it really hurt you presonally, financially, etc.? My father works in taxes and was cracking up during the debates when they asked both McCain and Obama about the financial crisis. My Dad's exact quote, "Neither has a fucking clue what they're talking about right now"
of course, neither did I. Biden's caps are ridiculous.....grumble grumble grumble...
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Fusteration is: Lack of Respect.
To begin, I am a very liberal person. I voted for Obama, and believe in his words of hope and plan for the future. I also understand why my republican friends do not like him, and I respect that.
What I am tired of is all the shit I hear every 3 seconds about him from my republican friends. I did not do this to them when Bush won, I gave my them their time in the sun and let them enjoy the inauguration. I understand you don't like or respect Obama, but at least have some goddamn respect for me and let me have a few moment to be happy about the first political victory I've actually cared about in my lifetime before you start off on how he's going to destroy our society, how he hates america, and how he sacrifices republican babies in dark rituals.
It's about respect really, and I don't think there is enough of it in this day and age.
Bush got the shit boo'ed out of him. Whether you did or not is irrelevant. Was the man a bad President? Tough to aruge against it. Is he responsible for your prbolems or worries? Negative. He's gone now and everyone will have to find someone else to blame for their problems. Obama is hailed as a Messiah and it's day one. Personally, I think he'll be fine, in fact I have little to no beef with President Obama. But I CANNOT stand his rabid fans. i cannot wait to see them all in 6 months when little to nothing has changed. Can we? Bet your ass. Will we? Remains to be seen.
Oh, and about the lotto tickets, imagine working at the shlumpy station having to wait for chumps to go thru a bazillion lotto tickets.
Whether I did or not is indeed very relevant. I am talking about my own friends respecting me, not something else. I am far from a rabid Obama supporter, and I do not (nor have I ever really) instigated any political talk. I am having republican friends of mine coming up and telling me how much Obama blows from out of the blue without any reason behind it other then they wanted to tell me it. This is not part of 'normal conversation' nor is their any segway into it. And I constantly hear it, and I honestly am getting to the point that I feel it is disrespectful. I don't care what other pro Obama people have done, I personally have shown them nothing but respect for them and their political beliefs, as friends I expect the same in return. It is always about respect for others. Voice your opinions yes, but what they are doing is verging on harassment about it.
And sorry if that was a bit snippish, my irritation level about this is very high right now (I had a friend call me DURING THE INAUGURATION to tell me about how much Obama blows. Dude I know you don't like him, but goddammit)
Well is this about you or the President? If the latter, it doesn't matter what you've done. my point was Bush was under just as much shit, deservedly or not. This isn't anything new. Now if it's about you...well then yea I guess I'd be upset.
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My point was it was about respect for me as a friend. I know their opinions, it's not like they haven't made it blatantly clear they feel Obama is both unamerican and unworthy to be president. But having friends continually barraging me with this because I voted for Obama is a fucking disrespect. I don't bring it up, I don't mention it. I've said nothing but good things about McCain (I preferred Obama, but honestly either could have led our country well). But they can't stop it, like they have some kind of weird political Tourette's Syndrome that bashing Obama must be tossed into any conversation with me that lasts more then 30 seconds.
-_- goddamnit people, get a grip.
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People like that, I'm sorry to say, are morons. If they keep bashing you about your voting choice (which I fully agree with, actually), they shouldn't be considered friends. They should say, "Oh, I don't like Obama. I think you should've voted for McCain, but we live in a free country and your choice is your choice."
And that's my two cents.
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The word "friend" is such a weighted one. What do you think a friend is, beyond one who shares similar interests, will help you out when you need it and does what you want or expect them to, within reason? If it is anything more than that, then those friends of yours aren't acting very friend-like. All the same, if the situation bothers you that much, I would suggest reevaluating your relationship with them for the time being.
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The word "friend" is such a weighted one. What do you think a friend is, beyond one who shares similar interests, will help you out when you need it and does what you want or expect them to, within reason? If it is anything more than that, then those friends of yours aren't acting very friend-like. All the same, if the situation bothers you that much, I would suggest reevaluating your relationship with them for the time being.
I am prefacing my response with the below statement to explain how I view friendship.
My friends are my life, they are far closer to me then anyone who is related to me by blood. They took me in when I lived on the street, they helped me during all my hard times, and been the voices of reason in my life. And I've done all these things back for them. Friendship to me is a mutual respect and comradeship that many people talk about but few people experience.
These people are good friends of mine, who I love with everything I have. But their political identity is so ingrained in who they are that it's hard for them to just let me be happy about the first political event in my lifetime I have really gotten involved in and cared about. Once everything calms down in a couple weeks I have a feeling they will go back to normal, but for now they are going to be a major part of my frustrations. Which is what this thread was for after all, a place to vent your frustrations.
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The word "friend" is such a weighted one. What do you think a friend is, beyond one who shares similar interests, will help you out when you need it and does what you want or expect them to, within reason? If it is anything more than that, then those friends of yours aren't acting very friend-like. All the same, if the situation bothers you that much, I would suggest reevaluating your relationship with them for the time being.
I am prefacing my response with the below statement to explain how I view friendship.
My friends are my life, they are far closer to me then anyone who is related to me by blood. They took me in when I lived on the street, they helped me during all my hard times, and been the voices of reason in my life. And I've done all these things back for them. Friendship to me is a mutual respect and comradeship that many people talk about but few people experience.
These people are good friends of mine, who I love with everything I have. But their political identity is so ingrained in who they are that it's hard for them to just let me be happy about the first political event in my lifetime I have really gotten involved in and cared about. Once everything calms down in a couple weeks I have a feeling they will go back to normal, but for now they are going to be a major part of my frustrations. Which is what this thread was for after all, a place to vent your frustrations.
It would seem that these friends are more important than you let on earlier. If petty political harassment is all but moot in your consideration of friends, then deal with it -- for it is worth the anguish.
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Enormous Frustration: I'm a part time organic chemistry and biology tutor, and I work for this dude who owns a tutoring agency. He up and leaves for London for 5 weeks and gives me all of his math students to tutor in his absence in addition to the students I already tutor. In the meantime, I don't get paid for any of the work I did until he returns. Which was supposed to be today. I sent him an e-mail asking him when his flight arrived today because he asked me if I would pick him up - but he never responded.
So here I am waiting, trying to work my schedule around his, with no idea if he will or will not actually show up today, and all the while he owes me nearly a grand in compensation. Dickhead.
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Ouch. That sucks.
If he doesn't show up today, does he owe you more monies?
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Ouch. That sucks.
If he doesn't show up today, does he owe you more monies?
If I tutor any more students before he arrives, then yes he does. I will be so royally pissed if he doesn't show up today. That's an extra 500 bucks a month that I was counting on for income from him that I haven't been receiving because his ass has been on hiatus.
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Why aren't you getting paid while he goes on vacation? That doesn't sound like a good deal to me. I can understand if you went on vacation if he didn't pay you, but... you're still working.
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Because people typically pay up front unless they buy a massive amount of tutoring hours and get a discount. If people cancel for whatever reason, then they obviously don't pay. So, he would have had to pay me up front for tutoring that I may or may not do.
For example: While he was gone 4 people cancelled on their appointments and did not make them up. If he paid me up front he would have had to pay me for those appointments and I would have had to pay him back. Or if I did extra tutoring, he would owe me additional money, etc. There is no way to predict who will or will not cancel. It would be easier to wait until he got back.
But my personal thoughts are that he dipped into the company dime and took money from his own business to pay for the round trip tickets to London, and that was his primary motivation for not paying me up front by any amount. Once again, he's kind of a douche.
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Yeah, he sounds like it.
You know what really hurts? When you knock teeth with someone. You see, my sister and I were trying to get at something in the kitchen, and I turned around a little too fast. We were both laughing, and our teeth knocked into each other. This was about five minutes ago, and my teeth still ache. Good news is that neither set of teeth were damaged. They just hurt.
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I enjoyed going to mousebits dot com which has TONS of disney park audio but here's the problems.
Not only did I forget my password but I've changed my email address since I first signed up and their is no contact us link. I repeat no contact link. and I am VERY flustered. :shock: :x :picardno (http://www.smileyhut.com/naughty/axe.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com)
I didn't know where else to throw this, but it sounded fairly Frustration, so I guess this fits...Oh, hey, lookit that...he posted about it in here too...>_>
~V_Translanka
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*Triforce uses his magic and heals the users teeth as good as new* I am mad that I can't contact the owners of Mousebits as I forgot my password but my email changed since my sign. I tried to find a way to contact them but their just isn't a way so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.
HOW RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! (http://www.smileyhut.com/angry/ablow.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com)
That site had vintage disney park audio stuff you can't find virtually anywhere!
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Do you remember the password to your old email account? That might work...
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Thanks! I'll have to ask Dad when he gets home as I don't remember it and he is the "computer man" of the house. I am glad whoever made this thread made it even though it loses it's purpose at times.
PS: What happened to the topic I just made up there?
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Please jesus fuck oh my god use correct grammar before I bust a cap in my own ass.
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I merged your topic with this one since it seemed like it's where it should have gone...then I realized you had posted about it here too (I really should have just deleted it then)...
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Trying to write a sonnet to justify my disparaging comments about Keats' 'On Reading Chapman's Homer', but having had my brain lose its muse just now.
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OK, I've got a frustration to own all frustrations. I am more angry right now than I possibly have ever been in my entire life. I was helping my friend move into a new apartment, which had been going on all day (my day already sucked for the previous mentioned reasons). It was 1:00 AM in the morning and we were finally done unpacking pretty much everything. I took him to the store to get some food and then came back and helped him unpack that. The last time I was inside his place was less than ten minutes. My girlfriend and I leave his place to find my car being towed. I said - "What the hell man, we were inside for less than ten minutes. This entire parking lot is empty except for our car." and Bob the Towing Guy (yes, that's his name) says "You got 160 bucks on ya?" which threw me off. I said, "Yeah, I just carry 160 bucks on me all the time, what kind of asshole question is that?". Then he mumbles something under his breath a few times and I said "What was that?" he goes "You want it to be an extra 40 bucks?" and I go "what the hell are you talking about? You just said 160." and he goes "if you don't straighten out your tires it is an extra 40 bucks".
Now, at this point I'm already seething pissed, but my hippy friend does not have a car and both me and my girlfriend live several miles away. It is freezing outside. I go "look man, don't be a dick, we are stranded here and we have no way to get to the impound lot". He goes "oh well, better start walking" and drives off. We had to call a cop to give us a ride there. By this time I am more angry than I have ever been, and it takes a lot to piss me off.
What followed was perhaps the meanest I have ever been to another human being. And I don't even feel bad about it, which is strange for me. I've preserved the conversation with Bob the Tow Truck Guy at the impound lot below for hilarity purposes. It is pretty much word for word, so WARNING: Anyone that doesn't like extreme vulgarity on my behalf shouldn't read it. I shit you not, this is literally what I said to him as best as I remember it, and it was a half hour ago so it is fresh in my mind. For visual purposes, Bob is a fat white trash fucker that was chain smoking cigarettes throughout the entire conversation.
chrono eric: Hey asshole, thanks to you two douchebags stranding my girlfriend and I we had to call a cop to give us a ride.
Bob the Tow Truck Guy: Not my problem. You gonna pay credit?
chrono eric: No, cash. And fuck you man, how would you feel if that happened to you? It's freezing outside.
Bob the Tow Truck Guy: *mumbles something incoherent while smoking his cig*
chrono eric: And let me ask you a question you fat fuck, when I came out you told me it was $160 bucks, but then you told me it would be $200 if I didn't straighten my tires. So presumably if I didn't come out and came here I would owe you $200? We both know that's bullshit. You made up that amount on the spot.
Bob the Tow Truck Guy: That's how much it costs.
chrono eric: Now, I can tell by just looking at you that you probably don't have a degree in Economics or anything, but perhaps you could explain to me why it costs 160 fucking dollars to tow my car literally two miles down the road?
Bob the Uneducated Tow Truck Guy: I dunno. I ain't got no degree.
chrono eric: That's bullshit, man. That's highway robbery. You are price gouging and you know it. What are you spending the extra money on drugs or something? Meth perhaps? No you're way too fucking fat for that.
Bob the Asshole: What city and state do you live? (he's filling out the paperwork right now)
chrono eric: Really? Did I overestimate you? Are you really much more stupid than I originally thought? Where the fuck do you think I live? You have my driver's liscense which is a Texas drivers liscense. Can you not read?
Bob the Businessman: I got my money now take your car.
-my girlfriend chimes in at this time after remaining silent throughout the whole conversation-
chrono eric's hot mexican girlfriend: I really don't appreciate you leaving us stranded in the freezing cold. It's 1 AM, there's no one we could call except the police. You're a real nice guy, you know that?
chrono eric: She's being sarcastic, she thinks you're an asshole too. Just thought I'd let you know.
Bob the Mute: -dead silence while he tokes his cig-
chrono eric: (in a real sarcastic tone) So listen buddy, you're a real piece of shit you know that? We're gonna leave now but you go fuck yourself, alright? Oh, and here's some life advice for you (I point at his cig) - those things will fucking kill you, you know?
Bob the Smoker: No kidding?
chrono eric: Yeah but if I was you I'd probably wanna off myself as fast as possible anyways. Piss off.
Bob the Businessman: Yeah well at least I've got your money
chrono eric: Yeah well fuck you. At least I've got my dignity.
I think he was scared of me.
Note @ Zeality: Beware Bob's Towing in Denton man, that fucker will rip you off something fierce.
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I would've slashed the tires on his tow truck. No bullshit. Some people are such assholes.
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Considering your earlier rants I think this has been a pretty piss poor few days for you. If that conversation is accurate you were a little overly hostile.
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I have his plate #'s. I'm going to wait for a month or so before enacting revenge so it won't be obvious.
@ KebreI - Yeah, these past few days have sucked. It's like the universe decided to take a massive shit on me. However, I don't think I was overly hostile at all. He deserved it.
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Oh yeah, I'm in Denton. Off the university. Thankfully, the two rabbits upstairs moved out and someone rather quiet lives up there.
Sadly, UNT is dropping my concentration, so I've got to pick a random graduate business elective to maintain my degree plan. Great.
I will be so happy when I'm out of here...
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@ Zeality: Sucks, no other way to put it. When I finished undergrad I didn't have any more willpower to continue on with schooling, and I gotta give you props. From what I hear from my buddies in grad school right now: it's a ton of work.
@chrono eric: I have no sypmathy for tow truck drivers. Being a smoker, I didn't appreciate those comments, but it's not as if they were unfounded or anything. neither here nor there. When I lived in FL, I literally was across the street from where FSU played football games *momentary nostaligc breakdown ensued right about here while posting*
On gamedays, the tow truck drivers were rabid. They jimmied open a car OF A RESIDENT while I, rather ironically, was outside my apt smokin' a cig. I see this and go bang on her door to tell her what's up. She comes running out screaming at these guys about her parking tag (in plain view) and how she's a resident and this that and the other. The reply was a bunch of mumbling "uhhh I dunnoooo's"
One thing (among MANY)I will always thank my Mother for is teaching me about "you don't know." Sometimes, you just don't know what is/has happened in someone's life. Example: I was just at a job group interview a few weeks ago. These two twin brothers come in an hour and a half late with handwriteen resumes....on notebook paper....The initial reaction? "Geeeeet the fuck outta heeeeeeere" But you never know. With parenting and education both literally in the shitter in this nation, you just never know what's going on. ya never know. The point of all this long windedness is THIS:
With tow truck drivers...you know. You ALWAYS know. They are assholes.
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Please jesus fuck oh my god use correct grammar before I bust a cap in my own ass.
He's my new best friend, by the way.
To Eric, that guys a douche. Enact your revenge as soon as it's not obvious, because he deserves it. Although you did seem a little hostile, I think your actions were justified.
To ZeaLitY, I can't wait until you're out of there, too. It sounds like Texas sucks.
Um... gripes... nothing at the moment.
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Didn't sound hostile at all, considering the D-bag. Be sure to cost him more than 200...to something that is noninsurable.
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Well, as Shee said, you never know what is going on in someone's life. Perhaps someone close to him just died and my insults pushed him over the edge and he decides to truly off himself, for example. I would feel terrible about that.
But then another part of me just says "screw him, he deserves it". The latter is winning out right now.
Texas doesn't suck too bad Tea. Especially the Austin area. Austin is one of my favorite cities in the world. But Denton most definitely sucks. Damn this city sucks so bad it's not funny. It used to be a fun town with a good music scene, but now hipster idiots have taken over everything and there's nothing to do anymore except go to crappy bars filled with rednecks.
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I just had a bacon burger that had no bacon and I am pissed.
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Did you pay for a bacon burger or did you get charged for a regular burger? I'm always reluctant to bring back burgers and bitch about it because I worked fast food way back in high school and...I know what goes on behind the scenes there.
Also, upon further sleuthing I've discovered that the towing businesses likely pay apartment complexes for exclusive towing rights in their parking lots. They charge out the ass because no doubt this costs a lot of money. Apartment complex owners won't stand up for their tenants because they are happy that their pockets are getting lined by the towing dudes. And so you have a full circle of highway robbery where the towing guys charge you out the ass because they know you need your car as a necessity, and the apartment complex owners ensure that no one can really challenge them about it.
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What pisses me off right now is my damn alarm clock. The thing malfunctions at random intervals which forces me to unplug it and reset it. Seriously, I was supposed to wake up at 7:30a to finish up things that needed to be done, but lo and behold, the infernal POS decides to crap out on me, and I end up waking up at 10:48a(missing one of my classes and almost late for another). Suffice to say, I was quite angry -- ending up damaging my alarm clock badly and hurting my hand.
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I sympathize, BROJ. My watch has an alarm function. I meant to set it to 5:30 AM this morning but forgot, and the damn thing went off at 8:00 AM, during the middle of my math exam! I was lucky it was not a state exam, or I would have fucked over a lot of people.
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What pisses me off right now is my damn alarm clock. The thing malfunctions at random intervals which forces me to unplug it and reset it. Seriously, I was supposed to wake up at 7:30a to finish up things that needed to be done, but lo and behold, the infernal POS decides to crap out on me, and I end up waking up at 10:48a(missing one of my classes and almost late for another). Suffice to say, I was quite angry -- ending up damaging my alarm clock badly and hurting my hand.
Eugh, I HATE alarms. I use my phone for alarms, and it has a habit of going off as many times as it decides, even after I switch it off after the first.
Thankfully I have a new phone now.
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I feel like such a useless bastard because I don't use an alarm. I wake up Crono style, with my mom yelling at me to get my lazy behind out of bed.
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You know, Eric, if that's (and I'm not going to quote THAT) the meanest you've ever been to someone, I'd say you're doing okay for yourself.
Is it just me, or does every single job in existence have a "dark side" behind the scenes?
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I use my phone to wake up at 9:00, simple as that.
Every weekday I wake up to Nine Inch Nails.
Hand that Feeds, not Closer you douches.
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You know, Eric, if that's (and I'm not going to quote THAT) the meanest you've ever been to someone, I'd say you're doing okay for yourself.
Is it just me, or does every single job in existence have a "dark side" behind the scenes?
That was a slightly abridged version. I kept all the primary insults but left out excessive long strings of vulgarity that I said to him in between. But yeah, I'm usually not mean to anyone and I typically just brush things off. It takes a lot to piss me off. And even then I never insult somebody's intelligence or their weight - it's just not something I do. But this guy had it coming. I could tell what I said bothered him, but in the end he won because he took my money.
And throughout the entire thing I was attempting to get enough of a rise out of him to get him to punch me in the face so that I could get out of paying it by threatening a lawsuit in return. I was really hoping he was drunk enough to do it. Apparently not.
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I feel like such a useless bastard because I don't use an alarm. I wake up Crono style, with my mom yelling at me to get my lazy behind out of bed.
And then you feed the cat and head to the fair, you brilliant bastard.
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I use my phone to wake up at 9:00, simple as that.
Every weekday I wake up to Nine Inch Nails.
Hand that Feeds, not Closer you douches.
I used to wake up to the Price is Right theme, but the FIRST day I was in a bad mood (which was the third day I ws doing this) it did NOT go well and haven't done it since. If I were to wake up to NIN, it would be either Ruiner or Heresy.
Alarm clocks are.....evil. I use both clock and phone...don't hate...don't hate...
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100 pages of pure frustration.
Turns out I get free food at work, I wasn't aware of this at all during the past 3 months and would have saved a butt-load of money if I did.
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Where do you work, Kebrel?
Yes, alarm clocks are the work of the devil. Once, while my folks were out in New York, they left me with an alarm clock and no parents to call me. I could've slept all day, if not for that clock.
My current gripe is that I just wasted a good four hours that could be spent doing important stuff listening to people gripe about our power provider and the ice storm that made us all realize they suck. I was going to go to rehearsals, but no one told me that they were canceled tonight. So I sat in the school auditorium because my brother was filming the forum on the situation. What's funny is that when they called for a closing of the meeting, it was met with a weak aye. But when some random lady said, "All in favor of getting rid of Unitil!" (Unitil = power provider), she was met with a very enthusiastic AYE!
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graaaa~h! Copyrights.
I've had to remove two of my best Youtube videos in as many weeks due to my use of Dead Can Dance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_can_dance) tracks for portions of the audio. Warner Music Group must be vicious about copyright infringement, even something as minor as obscure, non-profit Chrono fanvids. What's more, I didn't keep backups of the videos after I uploaded them to Youtube to save on disk space - :picardno - so I have to either remove the copyright infringement-tagged vids or leave them up and artistically gutted. Nevermore will we hear Magil and Lynx fighting to "Avatar" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v14HYiiSXqY) or see scenes of Prophet's Guile set to "The Arcane," which I can't find a sample of now. I guess I'll drop my small dream of setting a Crimson Echoes preview to "Advent," (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HbkE7_tRBw) which would have rocked soooo hard.
Now, I don't mind media producers protecting their profitability -- if I uploaded an entire DCD album on Rapidshare, that's something worth knocking down IMO. What I'm really bothered by is the fact that Dead Can Dance just lost some free, viral pop culture advertising thanks to my caving in to copyright protectionism -- I attribute the audio I use in my Youtube vids properly so people can research the artists if they hear something that happens to catch their attention. This is the one respect in which copyright protection may actually hinder profitability.
Ah, I just can't help but think of the wild mystery of Dead Can Dance music when I think about the Chronoverse. I mean, does this not conjure up scenes of Lucca's orphanage burning? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPnnjn-_kZI)
And speaking of which, how the hell are those Youtube users able to get away with just putting up copyrighted music with a static image, and I get copyright-slapped for audio tracks that use a bunch of different music clips painstakingly sequenced to mesh with beautiful, beautiful Chrono video? Anyone know if Youtube has bots that "watch" and "listen" to user videos, somehow comparing the contents to a database of the digital signatures of copyrighted works, or do companies actually pay somebody to sit on Youtube all day and watch the entirety of every single user video to check for copyright infringement? If it's just a fellow Youtube user who's flagging my videos for kicks or something, well, that's just mean. *shakes fist*
Wow, that felt really good. Now I know why all you guys keep ranting here.
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I had a crowd of furries come in to work just before closing today... I so wanted to say many things to them, but being on the clock in uniform, I couldn't.
I'm having a smoke and sipping ale as I type this to calm myself.
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I had a crowd of furries come in to work just before closing today... I so wanted to say many things to them, but being on the clock in uniform, I couldn't.
I'm having a smoke and sipping ale as I type this to calm myself.
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/aversion_fads.png)
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I just hate the way they flaunt it. Walking into a store wearing goth attire, a bell collar, and a damn tail is wanting to draw attention, not individual fetish. Thankfully he wasn't wearing his fursuit hat, which he was just carrying around.
It's the equivalent of someone into tentacle hentai walking around with a squid arm hanging out their pants. It's just flamboyant, and stupid.
My point, I don't care if your into animals, anthromorphs, and the like, so long as you're not showing everyone everywhere you go that.
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Hmm, from my brief research on furries, it seems they're not all, uh, "furring" just because it's a fetish. Seems to be more like cosplay for most of them...
Don't go so hard on the furries! Now, the trans-species people...well, let's not go there.
Just found out that Youtube does have some kind of bots to scan for copyrighted music now. Warner Music Group apparently had some kind of spat with Youtube/Google I was unaware of, and that started the whole mess just last month, or severely escalated it. Now tons of user Youtube videos are being gutted out.
What's really interesting is that the Magus Unmasked video may be perfectly safe because videogame sound effects from Chrono Cross were interspersed throughout the DCD track used there. That will hopefully be enough to stave off the ravenous bots. I need to find a way to mute music in emulators without muting the sound effects, hmm...recordings from a CT ROM probably won't be too big a deal because I could just use Temporal Flux to change all audio to silence, leaving the sound effects intact.
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Hmm, from my brief research on furries, it seems they're not all, uh, "furring" just because it's a fetish. Seems to be more like cosplay for most of them...
Cosplay at 10 pm in the middle of nowhere Colorado is a bit out of the element if you ask me. Although I did see a few when I picked up my preorder midnight release of Fable 2, so it's not completely absent in my area.
Also, considering one had a cat anthromorph girl in a bikini for a keychain in a very provocative pose, I'm assuming it was their fetish, and not just a costume element.
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Anyone see the episode of Entourage about the Furries? DAMN hilarious
Faust...lemme see if I got this right...Youtube wants you to remove your vids...because of the AUDIO only? And this aforementioned audio has ties to WB?
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I never had a problem with them, even all dress up in public like that. I guess I just a better human being then you :lol:
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I never had a problem with them, even all dress up in public like that. I guess I just a better human being then you :lol:
I guess you just
Everyone has their ticks. Certain people that just irritate them on principles alone. Like liberals and conservatives, neither can change their opinions, and neither will.
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I have to this day never seen any "furries" walking around in public. And I am disappointed in that, because I believe it would be one of the funniest things I have ever seen.
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Faust...lemme see if I got this right...Youtube wants you to remove your vids...because of the AUDIO only? And this aforementioned audio has ties to WB?
Youtube is essentially deleting people's audio to comply with the terms of their spat with Warner Music Group, which in turns has copyrights on, like, half the music we listen to, or a significantly large portion of it anyway.
Youtube isn't forcefully removing the visual content of the vids, just the audio. But in most cases that renders the video pretty much dead since the much of the skill in videomaking lies in matching the audio and visuals.
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I have to this day never seen any "furries" walking around in public. And I am disappointed in that, because I believe it would be one of the funniest things I have ever seen.
You really are missing out, anthromorph cats and such don't do it for me, but them girls can be cute some times. It was at a charity, the only time I was surprised to see one, a winter formal ballroom dance. Eyes where on her the whole time and no one would dance with but me. She was hella good at Argentine Tango, after that every guy wanted her, she never came back.
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I have to this day never seen any "furries" walking around in public. And I am disappointed in that, because I believe it would be one of the funniest things I have ever seen.
You really are missing out, anthromorph cats and such don't do it for me, but them girls can be cute some times. It was at a charity, the only time I was surprised to see one, a winter formal ballroom dance. Eyes where on her the whole time and no one would dance with but me. She was hella good at Argentine Tango, after that every guy wanted her, she never came back.
If this group had a looker like that I'd prolly be playing a different tune here. But they were all obese and ugly. :(
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I'm watching some of Austrailian Open on tv. I do enjoy tennis, at least the majors. Seen some good ones, some REAL good Agassi v. Sampras jams. Sampras won most but I always rooted for Agassi.
Sucks there are not as many competitive Americans, not that I'm against those on top but there is always a higher interest staked in them, that's all. But my gripe is with the friggin grunting! Venus Williams sounds like a cross between getting raped and giving birth every time she hits the ball.
It's driving me insane but I can't mute it for some reason.
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A friend of mine is pissed because he got banned from an anime convention.
Apparently some bitch slammed a paddle onto his ass and he spun around and rammed his fist into her face, knocking her out, and they ban him.
Why the fuck are you hitting people with a paddle in the first fucking place?
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But my gripe is with the friggin grunting! Venus Williams sounds like a cross between getting raped and giving birth every time she hits the ball.
It's driving me insane but I can't mute it for some reason.
I went to a company paid tennis day 2 summers ago, and man did those women grunt. There is no chance of muting in the flesh, I'm afraid. Except maybe with all of those free Corona's....
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My current frustration is the large bruise on my knee caused by me being... actually, no. Not the knee. My good friend Chris. Note that he is not a good friend and that I actually hate his guts. He won't leave me alone! Gah!
... anyone interested in the knee story?
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Did you use it to knee your friend Chris? Did your friend Chris convince you to get down on your knees? Is your friend Chris a girl? You know where I'm going with this...Or, wait, where am I going with this...?
I hate the stupid sun always coming up & bothering me just when the dark is getting good.
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I wish I had used my knee to knee him in the groin. Um... I stated that he is a he.
What happened with my knee was that too much weight was placed on one side of my bed, so it flipped onto its side. Note that this was while I was fast asleep. So I got rolled out of my bed and landed rather painfully on my knee. So now it's bruising. Ow...
And that's the knee story. Will probably have some other frustration after rehearsals tonight.
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I wish I had used my knee to knee him in the groin. Um... I stated that he is a he.
You shouldn't wish that upon anyone :shock:. Do you realize how insanely painful that is for a guy?
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I know I shouldn't wish for that sort of thing. But what hurts more is a heeled foot to the groin. I imagine.
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Seriously, that is incredibly painful. You might think we're exaggerating.
We aren't.
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But what hurts more is a heeled foot to the groin. I imagine.
I think past a certain point on the pain scale you lose the ability to differentiate between what hurts more or less because everything hurts so incredibly bad. I imagine the only thing it could be compared to would be if someone punched one of your breasts very hard. And then multiply that pain by about 100 because the testicles are less protected and more delicate.
Although I will admit that it is immensely funny to see someone get hit in the balls.
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I think a better way to describe it would be getting stabbed in the gut. That pain is pretty comparable. Only difference is you don't bleed from one.
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Classmate of mine wore cat ears to school on Wednesday. I complimented.
IDK why they be hatin' on furries, since I've seen things like High Tail Hall that aren't really that bad, and not even in that kind of business. SWAT Kats was fuggin' kickass too, IMO.
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I've never been stabbed in the gut, but I guess I always figured that would hurt more than getting kicked in the nuts.
I have been stabbed in my thigh though...by the claw of an emu. Seriously. Hurt like a bitch too, but I can't say that it hurt more than being hit full force in the balls, which I also have experienced. I think there is also an emotional pain associated with being hit in the balls - ie: The fact that you have been struck in the seat of your manliness causes you to focus even more upon the crazy intense pain coming from it.
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Current gripe: My own confidence in not needing to save often.
Forgot to save when I turned off my DS while playing CTDS, I was in Heckran Cave. The last time I saved was just outside Bangor Dome after defeating the Dragon Tank. Now I have to go through Site 16, Arris Dome, Site 32, Derilict Factory, and reach the End Of Time ALL OVER AGAIN
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Classmate of mine wore cat ears to school on Wednesday. I complimented.
IDK why they be hatin' on furries, since I've seen things like High Tail Hall that aren't really that bad, and not even in that kind of business. SWAT Kats was fuggin' kickass too, IMO.
There's a difference between wearing kitty ears, or watching cartoons with animal characters, and dressing up like this (below) to express yourself sexually with others.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/FouCapitan/fur.png)
There's a big difference between that and this, which is cosplay.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/FouCapitan/catgirl.jpg)
Hell I watched SWAT Kats too when I was younger, but that doesn't mean I want porn of it.
Current gripe: My own confidence in not needing to save often.
Forgot to save when I turned off my DS while playing CTDS, I was in Heckran Cave. The last time I saved was just outside Bangor Dome after defeating the Dragon Tank. Now I have to go through Site 16, Arris Dome, Site 32, Derilict Factory, and reach the End Of Time ALL OVER AGAIN
Ugh, I hear ya there. I once lost four hours of gameplay on one of the Suikoden games. Lost a critical battle that cost one of the stars of destiny, (Play the games if you don't understand, they're awesome) and hadn't saved once all day.
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SWAT Kats hentai was meh for me. Didn't hate it, but wasn't thrilled about it.
BTW, I assume you frequent E.D., since I know that second pic can be found there.
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SWAT Kats hentai was meh for me. Didn't hate it, but wasn't thrilled about it.
BTW, I assume you frequent E.D., since I know that second pic can be found there.
Been there, but I used Altavista image search to find that pic. E.D. is too spyware/virus heavy to bother with mostly. 50% of the time the homepage there sets off Avast warnings.
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Anonymous doing what Anonymous does best. Hackers, the news once said. I no longer know whether or not that's true.
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Full suit I don't consider a obviuse furry, could just be a mascot. The second one, yes that's a Nico-chick.
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Full suit I don't consider a obviuse furry, could just be a mascot. The second one, yes that's a Nico-chick.
Some guy goes went to my college dressed up like that.
He got beat up. In class, after mentioning yiffing.
I say he was asking for it.
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Can't say I have ever had the un-pleasure of being kicked full force in the balls. But considering when of our animals jumps on my lap and steps on them, I do a full body jerk...I'm sure a kick is incapacitating. I suppose the trick is to not be an asshole deserving a kick to the nutts....but even then that didn't stop that football from smacking that dude where it hurts in high school. haha, that was pretty funny.
frustration: time.
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Try taking a stray firework between the legs. That hurts.
Current gripe is that FedEx was supposed to deliver Chrono Trigger Ultimania, and the FedEx guy swung by, put something completely unrelated in my hands, and promptly left.
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... oh, dear...
Call the FedEx people and say you'll never ever accept service from them again until you get your CTU.
My frustration is cold. For some reason, whenever I type here in the computer lab, my right hand feels like it's freezing. Always my right, never my left.
I'm fine with furries, so long as they don't decide to get involved with me. I'm not into that.
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My frustration is cold. For some reason, whenever I type here in the computer lab, my right hand feels like it's freezing. Always my right, never my left.
Probably has to do with it being away from your body, tilted upwards, on the mouse...blood flow not as strong...something like that anway
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It's freaky and it drives me nuts! And no matter what I do, it never seems to go away. My right hand is my writing hand!
Um... gripes... uh... nothing at the moment. Other than the freezing cold right hand...
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I've never actually seen or met a "furry" before. I suppose I'm curious as to why there is an extreme hatred of them, though -- it seems like nothing more than bigotry. Then again, that's just how I'm seeing it right now.
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Can't say I have ever had the un-pleasure of being kicked full force in the balls. But considering when of our animals jumps on my lap and steps on them, I do a full body jerk...I'm sure a kick is incapacitating. I suppose the trick is to not be an asshole deserving a kick to the nutts....but even then that didn't stop that football from smacking that dude where it hurts in high school. haha, that was pretty funny.
frustration: time.
When I was in middle school, this one chick would kick me in the balls hard, with blunt-nose high-hells on, at least 2-3 times a week. It isn't fun, trust me. I have a very high reaction speed at that height level now as a result. as for the football in the groing: hilarious, as in tears rolling down your cheeks because you can't stop laughing. I got my best friends older brother with a perfect spiral one day. slipped right through his hands and BAM. For as big as he was, he dropped to the ground very quickly. ahhhh, fun times.
to Shadow: at least you weren't too far back when it happened. A good hour to an hour and a half's worth of game time isn't bad. I once lost a whole days worth of game time due to over-confidence. pissed me off to no end, too.
Current gripe: out of weed. I can say weed here, right? if not, I can change it to marijuana or ganja, or mota, mary jane, chronic... or grass. Yeah, I'm out of grass. it sucks.
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... um... interesting. Although I don't approve of your choice of recreational drug, it's your choice.
Current gripe is now my foot hurts. Ow... maybe I shouldn't've jumped off the stage last night...
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Really, I don't care if idioticidioms smokes pot -- hell, many of my friends do -- but you(II) probably shouldn't be talking about that here. It's bad PR for the Compendium.
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Samurai Pizza Cats>SWAT Cats
I've always loved Felicia from Darkstalkers, myself...Furry+Nun+Fighting Game Girl=Awesomazing~!!
Wait, why wouldn't you be able to say "weed"? I don't think it's a bad word or anything...
How is it bad PR for the Compendium that one of its members smokes pot?
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well, I was partly making sure, mostly joking.
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I've never actually seen or met a "furry" before. I suppose I'm curious as to why there is an extreme hatred of them, though -- it seems like nothing more than bigotry. Then again, that's just how I'm seeing it right now.
I wouldn't call my feelings towards them hatred. It's more high level annoyance. Fact is, how I see it, if you're walking around a public place that has no relation to the furry fandom wearing a suit you're only grabbing for attention. You might as well strap a big neon sign to your head saying "LOOK AT ME!"
Now what sort of attention would an intelligent person hope to gain from dressing in a fursuit in public? Nonchalant attitudes? Admiration? Conversion? NO, the only reaction one could hope for is strange looks, questions about what the fuck you're doing wearing a tail around, and disdain from those who recognize the attention whoring ploy you're pulling off there.
It's not just furries, any form of attention grabbing on the basis of being different from mainstream humanity irritates me. Like gay pride parades. I have nothing against gay people, I've known, talked to, hung out with, and even considered many to be friends (Both male and female). But you don't need a parade. It's just stupid. There's no straight parade, there's no gay parade, that is equality.
Wearing your differences on your sleeve doesn't make you stronger, braver, or more respected, it just makes you a show off.
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I that regard I do agree slightly to that idea, their fetish sometimes entails wearing that outfit. Thus taking it off is like telling a gay to not be gay.
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I've never actually seen or met a "furry" before. I suppose I'm curious as to why there is an extreme hatred of them, though -- it seems like nothing more than bigotry. Then again, that's just how I'm seeing it right now.
I suspect it is just one of those things that people don't understand and don't want to think about. For example, most teenagers probably know that their parents had sex in the past and have sex currently. Indeed, some might even be happy that their parents are still getting it on. But it is VERY rare that you'll find a teenager who is happy with the thought, who will talk about it openly and willingly, etc.
It's "squick," as it were.
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I hate my friend.
Ever since he lost his virginity, he's thought he's so cool, and also thinks that if he doesn't get any from a girl, they're not worth dating.
He calls me up today and says this.
Hey, since you're not getting any from Alice, why don't you come with me to some girl's house while I fuck her? You can do her sister.
Good fucking god man!
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I was riding an emotional high until the very moment I read that nightmare.
Your friend appears incapable of partaking in the rich banquet of emotional connection that can form between lovers. His unfortunate affliction is incredibly sad.
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I was riding an emotional high until the very moment I read that nightmare.
Your friend appears incapable of partaking in the rich banquet of emotional connection that can form between lovers. His unfortunate affliction is incredibly sad.
For some reason that reminds me of something G.K Chesterton would have said. Or maybe C.S. Lewis.
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Geez... that guy sounds like a jerk. Maybe he's not getting anything because he's a jerk.
My gripe right now is a lack of motivation. I know what I want to do, but I don't want to. I know that I want to draw, but drawing doesn't appeal to me. I also know that I need (not want) to do MCAS prep work, but MCAS sucks and I don't need prep work to pass it.
If it were PSAT prep...
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For some reason that reminds me of something G.K Chesterton would have said. Or maybe C.S. Lewis.
Damn, you're good, Thought. I started reading A Grief Observed awhile ago. It's so short, but it seems like the closer I get to finishing it, the less I read per day.
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Current gripe: out of weed. I can say weed here, right? if not, I can change it to marijuana or ganja, or mota, mary jane, chronic... or grass. Yeah, I'm out of grass. it sucks.
:mrgreen: I literally lol'd when I read this. Where were you when we were talking about the spiritual uses of entheogenic drugs and the state of drug legislation in this country?
... um... interesting. Although I don't approve of your choice of recreational drug, it's your choice.
I do. As far as recreational drugs go, weed is healthier for you than the vast majority of legal ones - especially cigarettes and alcohol. I would rather he be toking up than wasting his liver or his lungs with everyone else.
I hate my friend.
Ever since he lost his virginity, he's thought he's so cool
Haha this thread has become hilarious in the past day or so! And fyi - he is cool by high school standards. But remember this - he almost certainly, positively-fucking-lutely, 100% sucks horrendously at fucking. I guarantee it. There is a high probability that it was terrible for his girlfriend. She will wait a few months and then ditch him for someone older and more experienced and with a bigger shomf.
Your friend appears incapable of partaking in the rich banquet of emotional connection that can form between lovers. His unfortunate affliction is incredibly sad.
I'm assuming Nightmare and his friend are in high school, Faust. And that's just the way things are for most kids then. Actually I would say for all kids. The rest are lying to themselves.
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I'm assuming Nightmare and his friend are in high school, Faust. And that's just the way things are for most kids then. Actually I would say for all kids. The rest are lying to themselves.
Naw, he's first(maybe second) year into college.
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Whether the friend is high school or not, I'm reminded of my own high school dating years. While I was going through the family conflict that seems to be inevitable during that period of one's life, I made the comment: "Yeah, I'm probably too young to know what love is."
My Dad's response: "Bullshit."
I took that advice to heart. I think nightmare's friend should too.
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Naw, he's first(maybe second) year into college.
...bummer, then.
And Faust, I did not mean to imply that I don't think high school kids are emotionally mature enough to love - hell the first girl I loved was when I was in high school. It's just that most (or all?) high school kids start relationships out with ulterior motives due to raging hormones and whatnot
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graaaa~h! Copyrights.
I've had to remove two of my best Youtube videos in as many weeks due to my use of Dead Can Dance tracks for portions of the audio. Warner Music Group must be vicious about copyright infringement, even something as minor as obscure, non-profit Chrono fanvids. What's more, I didn't keep backups of the videos after I uploaded them to Youtube to save on disk space - - so I have to either remove the copyright infringement-tagged vids or leave them up and artistically gutted. Nevermore will we hear Magil and Lynx fighting to "Avatar" or see scenes of Prophet's Guile set to "The Arcane," which I can't find a sample of now. I guess I'll drop my small dream of setting a Crimson Echoes preview to "Advent," which would have rocked soooo hard.
Now, I don't mind media producers protecting their profitability -- if I uploaded an entire DCD album on Rapidshare, that's something worth knocking down IMO. What I'm really bothered by is the fact that Dead Can Dance just lost some free, viral pop culture advertising thanks to my caving in to copyright protectionism -- I attribute the audio I use in my Youtube vids properly so people can research the artists if they hear something that happens to catch their attention. This is the one respect in which copyright protection may actually hinder profitability.
Ah, I just can't help but think of the wild mystery of Dead Can Dance music when I think about the Chronoverse. I mean, does this not conjure up scenes of Lucca's orphanage burning?
And speaking of which, how the hell are those Youtube users able to get away with just putting up copyrighted music with a static image, and I get copyright-slapped for audio tracks that use a bunch of different music clips painstakingly sequenced to mesh with beautiful, beautiful Chrono video? Anyone know if Youtube has bots that "watch" and "listen" to user videos, somehow comparing the contents to a database of the digital signatures of copyrighted works, or do companies actually pay somebody to sit on Youtube all day and watch the entirety of every single user video to check for copyright infringement? If it's just a fellow Youtube user who's flagging my videos for kicks or something, well, that's just mean. *shakes fist*
Wow, that felt really good. Now I know why all you guys keep ranting here.
I see it all the time. I think they are harming themselves in their "copy protection" and we are going into a de facto police state as a result. I always tell myself it's going to be illegal to play the Star Wars Theme on your keyboard if someone complains. :picardno
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And Faust, I did not mean to imply that I don't think high school kids are emotionally mature enough to love - hell the first girl I loved was when I was in high school. It's just that most (or all?) high school kids start relationships out with ulterior motives due to raging hormones and whatnot
True enough. But I think kids need to be taught to experience love before they move into sex -- I feel a lot less needless screwing would happen in that case. There's a real problem in sex education. I mean, we're taught all the biological and hormonal stuff and the idea of "love" is sort of a tacky afterthought in sex ed classes. At least that's the way it seemed when I was in sixth~eighth grade.
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Yes, but I believe that would potentially be as pointless as an "abstinence only" standpoint in sex ed. Kids will just end up screwing regardless of whether or not they are in love or not. It should definitely be more heavily weighted though, if for no other reason than when girls get knocked up it could prevent their Romeo-to-be from running off to Mexico or something.
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Wow, that felt really good. Now I know why all you guys keep ranting here.
were always happy to listen.
Yes, but I believe that would potentially be as pointless as an "abstinence only" standpoint in sex ed. Kids will just end up screwing regardless of whether or not they are in love or not. It should definitely be more heavily weighted though, if for no other reason than when girls get knocked up it could prevent their Romeo-to-be from running off to Mexico or something.
That's pretty much how things were done while I was in school. In fact they never covered protection until late highschool, and by that time there teaching 17-18 year olds!?!
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How is it bad PR for the Compendium that one of its members smokes pot?
Well, V, according to the Compendium's policy:
shall not post any illegal material, as well as anything that is self-incriminating or incriminates other members.
it's not looked highly upon talking about pot. :P
I've never actually seen or met a "furry" before. I suppose I'm curious as to why there is an extreme hatred of them, though -- it seems like nothing more than bigotry. Then again, that's just how I'm seeing it right now.
I wouldn't call my feelings towards them hatred. It's more high level annoyance. Fact is, how I see it, if you're walking around a public place that has no relation to the furry fandom wearing a suit you're only grabbing for attention. You might as well strap a big neon sign to your head saying "LOOK AT ME!"
Now what sort of attention would an intelligent person hope to gain from dressing in a fursuit in public? Nonchalant attitudes? Admiration? Conversion? NO, the only reaction one could hope for is strange looks, questions about what the fuck you're doing wearing a tail around, and disdain from those who recognize the attention whoring ploy you're pulling off there.
It's not just furries, any form of attention grabbing on the basis of being different from mainstream humanity irritates me. Like gay pride parades. I have nothing against gay people, I've known, talked to, hung out with, and even considered many to be friends (Both male and female). But you don't need a parade. It's just stupid. There's no straight parade, there's no gay parade, that is equality.
Wearing your differences on your sleeve doesn't make you stronger, braver, or more respected, it just makes you a show off.
If any group wants to have a party to celebrate who they are, I have no problem with it -- regardless if they stick out or not.
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I have yet to take our school's health class. That teaches all about that stuff. I do believe that protection is the best way to go. You can still have fun and there's little risk of baby creatures.
My current gripe is my lack of enthusiasm for my writing. Oh. Spirit Plane. Fun. I'm stuck. Any suggestions, people?
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Is the use of cannabis really that big of a deal? It's nothing to brag about, but it's a good, natural thing to partake in.
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Hey Triforce.... can you edit that post so that it actually quotes Faustwolf? KebreI quoted you but he was actually quoting Faust..
well whatever, just read it and was like "whoa deja vu.......oh wait"
EDIT: damn looked at the wrong Compendium member's name lol
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I've had a lot of friends that I've lost because they suddenly start thinking they're better than everyone, or at least me, at any rate. Nothing to prevent it from happening again because you can never be sure what goes through the minds of some people. But I do have to agree that the idea of someone losing their virginity and suddenly thinking they're cool is beyond me. Yeah, you're giddy about it, have a perma-grin on your face for about a week, but anything more than that is pure delusion. And I have to agree, he probably did suck at it. Most people their first time only last a couple minutes, which is really only good for the guy, because most women need about 20-30 minutes for good sex.
Also, people who put weed down for no reason, here's some information you didn't know: Marijuana is better for you than cigarettes or alcohol which are legal. I have in my hands right now a leaflet for medical marijuana that lists what it helps with:
Chronic pain
Arthritis
Epilepsy
Alzheimers
IBS
Muscle Spasms
Fibromyalgia
Asthma
Eating Disorder
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Degenerative Disc Disease
Crohn's disorder
Multiple Sclerosis
Migraine Headaches
Chronic Nausea
Hepatitis C
Seizures
Parkinsons
Cancer
Not on this list is:
Bipolar
Insomnia
ADHD/ADD
Depression
Note that it doesn't heal these things, but it does relieve the pain for some and completely counters others. Along with that is the fact that besides screwing up your lungs by smoking it, which you're screwing up your lungs just by breathing fresh air these days, there is nothing harmful about it. Makes you act weird and appear stupid to people who aren't high, but that's about it. You enjoy yourself and have a good time. Alcohol, through drunk driving and alcohol poisoning, has killed millions, probably billions of people and counting. Cigarettes, too. These are our preferred ways of self-inflicted suicide, yet it is illegal to smoke a natural herb that grows out of the ground, with no harmful additives whatsoever, which has killed... well, how many people have you heard that weed kills? You can't overdose on it. Yeah I admit to there being some car crashes due to ignorant people smoking while driving or smoking too much and then trying to drive. But are you going to blame all potsmokers for the irresponsibility of a few?
Now, having said my piece on that, I won't say much more. If you're going to diss weed, at least be informed about it.
You're right, Tact, it's nothing to brag about, but at the same time, it's nothing worth lying about either, and as long as it remains illegal in the US, there's going to be a lot of talk about it.
frustration for today: not sleeping well.
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Is the use of cannabis really that big of a deal? It's nothing to brag about, but it's a good, natural thing to partake in.
No, I have no problem with it. This is just not the place to discuss it.
Hey Triforce.... can you edit that post so that it actually quotes Faustwolf? BROJ quoted you but he was actually quoting Faust..
well whatever, just read it and was like "whoa deja vu.......oh wait"
I didn't quote him!? :? Kebrel did. And it looks like the original post was screwed up.
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... I guess weed won't help me then. I have Bipolar, and part of my form of Bipolar is depression. Sucks to be me, eh?
Again, I don't approve of your choice of drug, but it's your choice. Personally, I don't do any sort of drug. Except my medicine.
And I'm not taking that.
Depakote sucks, man.
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Hey Triforce.... can you edit that post so that it actually quotes Faustwolf? BROJ quoted you but he was actually quoting Faust..
well whatever, just read it and was like "whoa deja vu.......oh wait"
I didn't quote him!? :? Kebrel did. And it looks like the original post was screwed up.
Lol, sorry, apparently I have the worst memory in the world :D I fixed it.
Current gripe: can't remember new korean vocab.....
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You know, my parents always talk about how, in the 70s, guys stayed with girlfriends if they became pregnant. It was like an honor thing. But I wonder if that was just middle-class culture and it never really existed as a social rule...in which case, I'll make that my gripe for this post.
Oh, snap, that's going to get lost in everything else. Well, uh, snap.
Whether you're into alcohol or marijuana, please do it in your own household, when you're certain you won't be operating any machinery afterward.
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Exactly, be responsible about it.
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lol Eske, I think this is the first time I've ever seen you post in this thread, maybe. Time, Space, and Dimensions forum boring you lately?
Along with that is the fact that besides screwing up your lungs by smoking it, which you're screwing up your lungs just by breathing fresh air these days, there is nothing harmful about it. Makes you act weird and appear stupid to people who aren't high, but that's about it. You enjoy yourself and have a good time. Alcohol, through drunk driving and alcohol poisoning, has killed millions, probably billions of people and counting. Cigarettes, too. These are our preferred ways of self-inflicted suicide, yet it is illegal to smoke a natural herb that grows out of the ground, with no harmful additives whatsoever, which has killed... well, how many people have you heard that weed kills? You can't overdose on it. Yeah I admit to there being some car crashes due to ignorant people smoking while driving or smoking too much and then trying to drive. But are you going to blame all potsmokers for the irresponsibility of a few?
Idioms, I am always the first person on these forums to champion the personal use of recreational drugs. Hell, I had a whole discussion on the usage of powerful psychedelic drugs as a means of spiritual and personal growth. But I am also the first person to be fair, and the parts of this paragraph that I have highlighted in bold are not good arguing points - for future reference. First off, regardless of the amount of pollution in the air, I guarantee you that you are damaging your lungs worse by smoking anything due to exposure to heat and carcinogens (yes, anything charred via fire produces carcinogens - even weed). Granted, this damage is transient and there is typically no long lasting damage unlike with cigarette smoke. But you cannot compare smoking to breathing air.
In the second part I have highlighted it seems that you are using the "if it's natural, it is obviously good for you" argument. This is not so. Nature is ripe with as many natural things that are toxic for you as there are things that are good for you. Cocaine, heroine, and nicotine are all natural from their respective plants, and all are highly addictive substances (just to keep the discussion on drugs and not straight-up toxins). Hell, a friend of mine nearly died from accidentally overdosing on the scopolamine found in Datura stramonium. He's been on anti-psychotic medicine for two years straight now. Just because weed is natural doesn't mean it is harmless for you. It is relatively harmless for you because of the nature of the active ingredient in the plant, and that alone. Plus, the number of herbicides and pesticides that can be found on weed bought on the street these days is staggering. Excessive smoking can cause serious toxicity issues in that regard, despite the fact that the plant itself is harmless. You never know what you are getting unless you grow your own weed.
... I guess weed won't help me then. I have Bipolar, and part of my form of Bipolar is depression. Sucks to be me, eh?
Again, I don't approve of your choice of drug, but it's your choice. Personally, I don't do any sort of drug. Except my medicine.
And I'm not taking that.
Why aren't you taking your medicine? Modern antidepressants are godsends to people with depression and bipolar disorder. Do you not like the way it makes you feel? Different antidepressants have different mental side effects.
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It's a mixture of that I feel better off of it and MassHealth is still a dick. Until they stop yanking our chain, I can't get refills. And I'm out of Depakote. Also, I forget a lot in the morning. I have to get dressed, put away my bed, fix my hair, boot and log my computer, put on my coat, scarf, purse, and backpack, and head up to the bus stop in about fifteen minutes.
But... yeah. I know I should, but... eh.
Current gripe is my evil blood disorder. Yeah, I have some nasty health problems (can't see for shit, I'm Bipolar, I may also be Asberger's, and this nasty genetic thing of mine...). I have beta thalasemia. Or however you spell it. But what it does is it makes my blood anemic. Or close to. Depending on the day. Anemia is essentially an iron deficiency. Iron deficiency makes you tired. Thus, as I am always iron deficient, I am always tired.
Right now, I am exhausted. Can barely keep my eyes open and I can't get to bed right now.
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Why aren't you taking your medicine? Modern antidepressants are godsends to people with depression and bipolar disorder. Do you not like the way it makes you feel? Different antidepressants have different mental side effects.
I have epilepsy and a Strong case of both ADD & ADHD. I have had drugs prescribed to me a lot some herbal some factory produced chems. I don't take them, I explained this my doctor first, just because I do not wish to take anything that would permanently affect the performance of my brain. Even when its for the better, the thought of that scares the shit out of me. I don't do any heavy drugs due to choice not health reasons. Caffine, asprine, theraflu are fine but I even shy away from Alcohol and NyQuil.
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My family has seen the effects of permanent things from medicines. To treat her Bipolar, my sis took Seraquil. She has since developed uncontrollable muscle spasms that no one knows what causes them. I have them, to a lesser degree. I took it, too.
I've also taken Riddlin, which drives kids crazier or something. Fun, eh?
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lol Eske, I think this is the first time I've ever seen you post in this thread, maybe. Time, Space, and Dimensions forum boring you lately?
Lol, nah just branching out a bit more. Also, I'm getting ready to present (well, re-present) the Dreamline idea from awhile back. I deleted the last thread because I noticed a few flaws almost right after posting it lol. I'll put it back up soon enough. :D
Another gripe.....don't want to have to walk to the PX to get dinner tonight......so....lazy.....zZzZz
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Actually, with cocaine, nicotine, and heroine, all are drastically changed from plant form to finished product. Marijuana is the one that stays in the form that it grows in, which is what I mean by natural, though I do agree with you that there are a lot of natural toxins in the world, such as most mushrooms. But marijuana is hardly toxic. And in some cities, breathing the air is pretty bad, and can have some long-lasting effects, but I will give the point to you on that one since, for the most part, it's not as big of an issue these days with the tightened regulations.
for ADHD, they had me on Silert when I was a kid. Turned out I didnt have ADHD at all, because I was still able to pay attention to things, I was just hyper. Silert, now, is a nightmare to the company that produced it.
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Manic depression and Schizophrenia over here. The meds I took had a severe effect on my liver and heart, causing such enjoyable side effects like oral blood loss and hallucinations. I don't know how, but I stopped taking them a few years ago, and I'm good for the most part. My mood swings and delusions of thought have for the most part dissappeared.
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In my case the, bleeding, nausia, vomiting, muscle spams aren't what scares me off. Its the behaving diffrently that does, which is what there goal is. I don't feel ADD, depression, etc. need to be *cured* they just need to be dealt with.
Actually, with cocaine, nicotine, and heroine, all are drastically changed from plant form to finished product. Marijuana is the one that stays in the form that it grows in, which is what I mean by natural, though I do agree with you that there are a lot of natural toxins in the world, such as most mushrooms. But marijuana is hardly toxic. And in some cities, breathing the air is pretty bad, and can have some long-lasting effects, but I will give the point to you on that one since, for the most part, it's not as big of an issue these days with the tightened regulations.
:picardno For not getting his point.
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No, I got his point. His point was that they are not suitable arguments, and he gave reasons why they weren't, then I responded with my reasons why one was and forfeited the other to him. It's called debate.
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It's a mixture of that I feel better off of it and MassHealth is still a dick. Until they stop yanking our chain, I can't get refills. And I'm out of Depakote.
Well it's a good thing you believe in using protection because if I remember correctly Depakote is a teratogen and causes a disproportionate number of birth defects.
Current gripe is my evil blood disorder. Yeah, I have some nasty health problems (can't see for shit, I'm Bipolar, I may also be Asberger's, and this nasty genetic thing of mine...). I have beta thalasemia. Or however you spell it. But what it does is it makes my blood anemic. Or close to. Depending on the day. Anemia is essentially an iron deficiency. Iron deficiency makes you tired. Thus, as I am always iron deficient, I am always tired.
Holy shit Tea, I hope you have beta-thalassemia minor and not one of the more severe forms. :shock:
I have epilepsy and a Strong case of both ADD & ADHD. I have had drugs prescribed to me a lot some herbal some factory produced chems. I don't take them, I explained this my doctor first, just because I do not wish to take anything that would permanently affect the performance of my brain. Even when its for the better, the thought of that scares the shit out of me. I don't do any heavy drugs due to choice not health reasons. Caffine, asprine, theraflu are fine but I even shy away from Alcohol and NyQuil.
That's completely understandable. Bipolar and depression can often be severely debilitating conditions that wreak havoc on people's lives though, so often people will take the medication for the pros with full knowledge of the side effects. What I find particularly astounding about ADHD though (as I'm sure you are aware) is that the treatment for it is often dextro-amphetamine, commonly known as speed. Yes, it is the same speed you can buy on the streets. In fact, it's even more pure than that. This treats ADHD remarkably well, but the long term side effects are completely unknown. So essentially, doctors routinely prescribe speed to children all across the country, often with half-assed diagnoses of ADHD. Amphetamine and methamphetamine are profoundly neurotoxic in normal individuals. Presumably they are less neurotoxic in people with ADHD, but this is truly just an educated guess.
Actually, with cocaine, nicotine, and heroine, all are drastically changed from plant form to finished product.
The chemicals are not changed at all, they are just extracted from the plant to produce a more powerful and potent experience. My original point was that the plant produces these chemicals naturally, and that these chemicals are naturally more dangerous than THC - even in minute amounts. Whether you are snorting a line of coke or chewing on a coca leaf, you are ingesting a chemical that is more dangerous than THC. That was my point.
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I actually don't know if it's major or minor. Not sure if my dad has it, but it runs on my mom's side of the family. My mom, brother, and sister have it as well. But essentially I take my vitamins and that's it. I guess. As for Depakote... I knew that stuff was evil...
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As for Depakote... I knew that stuff was evil...
hah I read that as:
"As for Deepak Chopra... I knew that stuff was evil..."
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I actually don't know if it's major or minor. Not sure if my dad has it, but it runs on my mom's side of the family. My mom, brother, and sister have it as well. But essentially I take my vitamins and that's it. I guess. As for Depakote... I knew that stuff was evil...
Well then it is beta-thalassemia minor. Beta-thalassemia minor occurs when you have a mutation in a single allele of the B-hemoglobin chain. It is an autosomal recessive disorder but it exhibits an incomplete dominance form of expression. Heterozygotes have Beta-thalassemia minor, homozygous individuals have both copies of the gene knocked out and have Beta-thalassemia major. Because you inherit one copy of the B-Hemoglobin gene from your mother and the other from your father, if your father does not have the disease then it is impossible for you to have the Major condition, barring a spontaneous mutation in the other gene. And that is highly unlikely.
Which is good news for you.
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... yay?
Aside from my health problems, I'm still having troubles with the novel. Can't seem to continue. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should have the characters do next?
The good news is that my English project is over.
I got a 5 on it.
It's better than 0, yes? And it's done! Yaaaaaay!
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... yay?
Big yay. You don't want the other one. It's bad bad news. All sorts of jacked up shit happenin' in your RBC neighborhood.
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Yeah, that doesn't sound good. When I got the surgery on my eyes last year, my mom had to explain it to the nurse.
So you know, no matter what anyone says about surgery, it is not fun. I sort of cried tears of blood afterwords. Not cool. Nor was the pain. Or the vomiting. But that was probably just me reacting to the medicine they gave me.
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The chemicals are not changed at all, they are just extracted from the plant to produce a more powerful and potent experience. My original point was that the plant produces these chemicals naturally, and that these chemicals are naturally more dangerous than THC - even in minute amounts. Whether you are snorting a line of coke or chewing on a coca leaf, you are ingesting a chemical that is more dangerous than THC. That was my point.
Alright, I concede that one to you, too, then, lol. Learn something new everyday.
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Yeah, that doesn't sound good. When I got the surgery on my eyes last year, my mom had to explain it to the nurse.
So you know, no matter what anyone says about surgery, it is not fun. I sort of cried tears of blood afterwords. Not cool. Nor was the pain. Or the vomiting. But that was probably just me reacting to the medicine they gave me.
It seems like you really got the shit end of the stick in life teaflower. I sympathize with you. Whenever I feel like my life sucks at a particular point in time, it is humbling to know that there are many people that have it worse.
Alright, I concede that one to you, too, then, lol. Learn something new everyday.
Yes, but I don't want you to misunderstand me in that I think using such substances is bad. I think that using recreational drugs in one form or another is a part of human nature. Since the dawn of recorded history humans have been consuming psychotropic plants and fungi, and likely since far into prehistory as well. People are naturally curious, and they are naturally inclined to want to feel good or escape from the stress of life. Recreational drugs offer an outlet in both situations. This can become dangerous when people do things like extract cocaine or heroine for a more intense high. Marijuana and most synthetic and natural psychedelics are relatively to completely harmless. Some, such as psilocybe "magic" mushrooms, have even been proven to be good for your long term mental health after one time use.
But back on track, you shouldn't be angry at people for not understanding the benefits or safety of marijuana, since there is a huge amount of propaganda surrounding it. It's not really their fault. You should be mad at the ass backwards system that is keeping it illegal. Wanna know a side effect of marijuana laws that I think is particularly offensive?:
Chemotherapy patients that cannot be prescribed medicinal marijuana are often prescribed Marinol - which is synthetic THC. It is no different than the THC which the Cannabis plant makes. It is an identical chemical. Health care won't cover Marinol though, and cancer patients often have to shell out over $900 for a bottle of pills. These pills take a long time to kick in, and they are often difficult to get the dosage right. $900 for a chemical which grows in the ground almost anywhere in a plant that literally grows like a weed. $900 for a chemical in pill form that could easily be smoked to have greater control over dosage.
Here's a link to see for yourself - http://www.drugstore.com/qxn00051002321_333181_sespider/marinol/marinol.htm
60 capsules = $1,627. It is pathetic and a true travesty. Do you think these patients know that they could buy on the street the same drug in the same amount and in a better delivery method for cheap? Of course not.
No doubt it costs so much in part because they have to pay organic chemists to synthesize it in the lab. Think of how screwed up that is for a minute. They have to pay people to synthesize a chemical that a plant creates for free, so that they have to charge more to cancer patients that need that drug to cope with the side effects of chemotherapy.
This, to tie in with the thread topic, frustrates me to no end.
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Hey I didn't understand much of that post due to Lucca language but I understand the frustraions of people dealing with those laws even though I don't smoke nor know what drugs look like.
The difference is I don't accuuse people of smoking just cause they don't agree with the law where on news sites their is so much hate comments it makes the very "room" filled with evil and I end up leaving in disgust. :picardno
Here are some problems.
bout my MouseBitsdotcom problem. I don't see how getting my old email password will help cause my parents had me with MSN when I signed up and now I am on Verizon so that email account is lost in the distortion of the time continum.
Also my Mom payed a greeting card company to be able to send fancy E-cards but since the move Gloria has forgotten her password and she asked for help but 2 weeks later and.....................................................nothing! nada! zippo! zotch! She recently told me this.
At least I am reading Chrono Redreamed which is helping me calm down. :D
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Last time I smoked weed (About 4 months ago) I went into shock. Cold sweats, disorientation, extremely dry mouth, couldn't talk above a whisper, and vomiting.
I had one shot of whiskey and half a beer in me as well (Well under my drinking limits mind you)
I think the main reason was I was pretty dehydrated to begin with, but I can guarantee the pot helped trigger the reaction.
The moral of the story is, drink plenty of water folks.
Now for my raging of the day.
A friend's band set a preformance at a bar for tomorrow. I'd asked for the day off of work 3 weeks in advance to check it out, and now their lead guitarist is being a little shitbird and the gig may be called.
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Understand, my post wasn't done in anger, but to educate people. I understand completely about the propaganda surrounding the use of marijuana and how people like to believe everything they hear on the news and on TV. I had one bus driver when I was in school that honestly thought marijuana caused acne.
People figure, well there has to be a good reason why it's illegal if cigarettes and alcohol are illegal and that reason must be because it's bad. wrong. They don't want to legalize it because that would remove the criminal element from it and some very important people would stop making so much money, because I tell you if they legalize it and sold it like cigarettes, the prices for it would drop substantially, because the government would grow it in mass quantities to sell. It would be on hand wherever you went. Different brands, different strengths. It's all about the money and peoples ever-consuming greed.
I agree with you that it is human to want to try something new, or to escape from reality. Personally, I use marijuana because I enjoy the effects, but also because it gives me an appetite and it helps me sleep. I usually only eat one meal a day when I don't smoke, even if I haven't smoked for a long time. (I quit for 8 months last year into this year), and I deal with a few different types of insomnia. The most common one for me being the slow to sleep. The marijuana counteracts this by slowing my brain down enough to where it can shut off and allow me to sleep. the second is not being able to stay asleep. I keep waking up and going back to sleep, never falling into a deep sleep, and it helps with that. The third I get, which isn't often is early waking, where you wake before you get a full night's sleep and you wake up as tired, if not more, than when you went to sleep. I also deal with repressed anger, which makes me get angry sometimes for no reason at all, and it helps with that.
Mushrooms I can understand being good for you only once, because I hear that the way they work is by making your brain bleed over your eyes, thus causing the hallucination.
FouCapitan: that is odd. I don't think thats from the marijuana though, as I have mixed them plenty enough times before and only experienced vomiting because I didn't balance them right and it made me nauseas. I think it might be because of dehydration because its definitely not normal otherwise.
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FouCapitan: that is odd. I don't think thats from the marijuana though, as I have mixed them plenty enough times before and only experienced vomiting because I didn't balance them right and it made me nauseas. I think it might be because of dehydration because its definitely not normal otherwise.
I agree dehydration was the primary cause, but alchohol and weed didn't help.
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seeing as how the alcohol has no water content and weed gives you cottonmouth, probably not.
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seeing as how the alcohol has no water content and weed gives you cottonmouth, probably not.
It took me a while in my disoriented state to realize what was happening to me. When I finally noticed how dry my mouth was (Tried nibbling some bread to settle my stomach some, and couldn't swallow at all) I asked for a bit of water. The first sip I instantly gained more clarity and realized I was bone dry. In 15 minutes after having a glass I was fine and walking again.
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Mushrooms I can understand being good for you only once, because I hear that the way they work is by making your brain bleed over your eyes, thus causing the hallucination.
lol, nope at this. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "bleed over your eyes", but I think it's funny that you said this after talking about not buying into propaganda surrounding marijuana since this is basically propaganda surrounding mushrooms, although this is a new one to me I must say.
How it works is that the active chemical, psilocin, is a molecular mimic to the natural brain neurotransmitter serotonin. As such, psilocin is a serotonin agonist - meaning that it competes for serotonin for its binding sites on 5 HT serotonin receptors in the brain. When it binds to these receptors in the prefrontal cortex, visual cortex, and other regions, it causes an alteration of normal electrical activity which impairs the brains normal functioning of information. In the visual cortex, this causes hallucinations. In the prefrontal cortex, this causes strange or "trippy" thought processes. Serotonin is also the primary regulatory hormone of the hypothalamus, which controls body temp, sweating, and other homeostatic mechanisms and it is this that causes much of the undesired side effects of the mushrooms.
Once the drug is gone from your system, the brain is left completely undamaged and electrical activity returns to normal. The CDC even rates psilocin as less toxic than aspirin. It can, however, make you bleed from your stomach if taken on an empty stomach and used repeatedly - similar to the way that many medications can cause stomach ulcers. This may be the origin of the bleeding myth. But from the eyes? No idea how that one started.
@ Foucapitan: I would recommend not mixing marijuana and caffeine either. It can trigger intense panic attacks.
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lol, I never said I believed it fully, just that it's what I heard. oh and I'm going to print out your post so I can explain it to the person who told me that in the exact same way you just explained it to me. I understood it, but he's probably not going to, lol. Thanks for the info.
frustration: tooth with exposed nerve mixed with being hungry and trying to eat. not fun.
not to mix marijuana with caffeine or it induces panic attacks? rofl wtf. maybe in people prone to having panic attacks. I mix caffeine with marijuana all the time and the most its given me is a heightened sense of paranoia, which doesn't happen too often, and definitely does not induce panic attacks. and I find it funny that you post THAT after posting what you did about shrooms. so now we're even.
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Yeah, I guess I have some nasty health problems. The thing with my eyes is that aside from my shit vision (can barely see clearly the monitor in front of me without my glasses), the muscles that control them closer to the nose are weak and the ones closer to my ears are strong. So if I'm not focusing with both eyes, the one I'm not focusing with goes wall eyed. It has been referred to as the lizard eye.
In any case... dehydration + booze + weed = not fun. I guess.
Um... current gripe... are my siblings. The PlayStation is in my room (the room I share with my sis) and my brother is in the middle of a Madden kick. So, with our permission, he comes into our room and plays PlayStation. Not a problem, right? Wrong. Both my brother and sister are night owls, so they stay up all night, talking and generally being loud. They woke me up at five this morning... I hate waking up early on the weekends! The weekends are my only chance to sleep in during the school year!
And even then, sleeping in for me counts as sleeping until about 8 or 9!
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Current gripe: Spent all day offline, and now I'm far behind in most of the discussions.
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But Shadow, your daily average post count has reached a record low! Keep it up and you'll soon be out of the FAIL rank. I'd recommend limiting yourself to ten posts per day; given some time, many of your difficulties will disappear.
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but then he would have one less thing to gripe about, lol.
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And he could only bash people ten times a day!
Current gripe is that I still lack my focus. I can't seem to do anything other than hang out here. It's driving me nuts. My room is a mess and I should be cleaning it, my novel is unfinished and I should be writing it, my characters need art and I should be drawing them, my MCAS prep work needs doing and I should be doing it... but I really don't want to. I'm out of enthusiasm for said novel, even though the thought of it possibly being published is quite appealing. My room really needs to be cleaned, but it's so much easier to just leave it as is. My characters' designs are constantly changing (does Chris wear his school uniform? does he even go to a school with a uniform? what about Lovell and Alex? Does Aderyn change her attire? What does Zach wear when he's dead and haunting/possessing/being reincarnated as Chris?), but I don't want to set them in stone.
Is this normal?
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But Shadow, your daily average post count has reached a record low!
Bullshit, I'm still at 34.410 PPD. (Just looked at my profile)
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Is this normal?
Yes, it's normal. The problem sounds like it's that you lack self-control. You need to turn off the computer, which is a huge distraction, and focus on those tasks that need completed. It's not that you're unfocused, so much, it's that you lack the will power to accomplish the things you need to accomplish.
The Internet, in all it's infinite sea of information, is a huge distraction... Just shut the laptop (or shut off the computer if it's a PC) and DO something productive. You'll feel much better for it, Teaflower. :D
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And he could only bash people ten times a day!
Current gripe is that I still lack my focus. I can't seem to do anything other than hang out here. It's driving me nuts. My room is a mess and I should be cleaning it, my novel is unfinished and I should be writing it, my characters need art and I should be drawing them, my MCAS prep work needs doing and I should be doing it... but I really don't want to. I'm out of enthusiasm for said novel, even though the thought of it possibly being published is quite appealing. My room really needs to be cleaned, but it's so much easier to just leave it as is. My characters' designs are constantly changing (does Chris wear his school uniform? does he even go to a school with a uniform? what about Lovell and Alex? Does Aderyn change her attire? What does Zach wear when he's dead and haunting/possessing/being reincarnated as Chris?), but I don't want to set them in stone.
Is this normal?
You've hit what is most commonly known as a brick wall in your head. Take some time to take a break and let some stress flow away from you, just taking it easy and you should be back on top of things again in no time. If you force yourself to work during times like these, you won't produce your best work because your heart won't be in it.
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Well, if I'm going to write, the latest version of the novel is on this computer (I wish I had a laptop...). My backpack with the MCAS work in it is all the way downstairs, and I have to mark up poems. I hate poems... they should all die. What good does knowing what to do with a poem do for you in real life? It's not like I'm going to go out there into the world and read poems all day!
I know I should develop my will power, but... the Internet and the PlayStation in my room are so much fun! I probably will go get my drawing pad later and design up some characters for the sequel (it's so sad that I haven't written the end of the first book but I already know the ending of this book, the plot of the next one [most of it] and the ending to that book). I think I'll hold off on the MCAS work until Sunday, when I'll be home alone and there will be less distractions (I don't use the computer when my mom isn't here because it's her computer and I feel bad about using her stuff without her permission). I feel stuck in the novel, and I'm waiting for feedback from people. Maybe suggestions...
So you know, guys, the big black strip is mostly what I have planned for the second book. If you don't like spoilers and love my story, don't read that.
@II: I know I shouldn't stress too much. The MCAS work can be done tomorrow, the novel doesn't need to be finished (although I did set an editing day in February and I'd like to have it done by then), I generally don't draw men well (... are you sure you're male, Alex?), and my room can wait.
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My backpack with the MCAS work in it is all the way downstairs...
That's pretty lazy, hahaha...
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I think the reason why you learn about poetry and other art forms is to learn more about culture and the forms of art and their meaning more than being able to do anything constructive with it. It enhances your creative side, so to speak.
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I know I'm lazy, but I run up and down those stairs daily. Everything that isn't the compie and my room is down there. And I do favors for people a lot. And that includes getting food for my mom, getting tea for my sis (doesn't she know that I AM TEA?), and getting stuff for my bro.
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And now I finally take my leave. HyperNerd has left the building.
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But Shadow, your daily average post count has reached a record low!
Bullshit, I'm still at 34.410 PPD. (Just looked at my profile)
Shadow, can you stop being so rude? Maybe people would care to help you more often. Plus, it is actually a record low, and you don't need to be caught up with all discussions on the forum -- that would just be sad if you were. Seriously, learn how to contribute to the Compendium, or contribute more often. (I don't know how much you have, or if you have, but...) Make fanarts, work on romhacks, try your hand at music or do something in RL. Just do something else for a little bit. You may find your niche that way.
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not to mix marijuana with caffeine or it induces panic attacks? rofl wtf. maybe in people prone to having panic attacks. I mix caffeine with marijuana all the time and the most its given me is a heightened sense of paranoia, which doesn't happen too often, and definitely does not induce panic attacks. and I find it funny that you post THAT after posting what you did about shrooms. so now we're even.
I said it can induce panic attacks, not that it will induce panic attacks. So no, we're not even :D. And not just in people prone to panic attacks either. One of the symptoms of excessive caffeine use is extreme anxiety. Even moderate caffeine use, when combined with THC, can kick off severe anxiety or a full blown panic attack episode if the dosage is high enough. For avid marijuana smokers that also periodically drink caffeine, the vast majority will experience at least one panic attack eventually. For people that are prone to panic or anxiety disorders, mixing marijuana and caffeine can kick off the disorder for the long term. Just because you haven't had one yet doesn't mean that you won't some day, so it was just a word of friendly advice.
So in either case, I stand by my original statement - I do not recommend mixing the two because it can induce panic attacks especially given a high enough dose or a frequent enough exposure to both chemicals.
And on a side note about telling your friend what I said, you can also mention to him that LSD doesn't cause you to go insane and it doesn't stay in your cerebrospinal fluid for years, Ecstasy doesn't eat away at your brain in normal doses, crack is not more addicting than powder cocaine, and every other thing he has heard about recreational drugs is probably verdict says: bullshit.
EDIT: You know what else still frustratesTM me? Idiot kids thinking Salvia divinorum is legal marijuana and then posting the videos of their trips on YouTube. God damn do I despise people like that. I wish there was a better way to get their videos taken down and them kicked off YouTube.
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I just got a call due to misc. sickness and red tape I now have to get the fire place cleaned and up to standard as well as provide a movie and Hot coco in under an hour and a half. With no prior notice.
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That sucks.
Um... I started work on a drawing of Lovell today. The novel remains untouched, my room will start to be cleaned at 7:30 (let's hope my sister forgets)... yeah. Essentially, I didn't stay here all day. Yay.
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As an update to one of my frustrations, the band is preforming once again as scheduled tonight. Yay.
New frustration...
Writer's block. I've got 1000 ideas for my the storyline in the script I'm writing, unfortunately none of those ideas are in regard to the point at which I'm actually at in the story. @#$%@#$
I'll get one up this weekend though. Actually I'll shoot for three parts to update this weekend, I have four days off in a row fortunately to do this.
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Fou, sometimes it's best to write a plot out-of-order, making use of bursts of inspiration you happen to have at any given time as opposed to forcing yourself to progress linearly. But that's just me.
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Current gripe: Sintu
Reason: Won't drop a pointless subject. Namely, my use of the facepalm smilie in response to Idiom's bald pic.
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Current gripe: Sintu
Reason: Won't drop a pointless subject. Namely, my use of the facepalm smilie in response to Idiom's bald pic.
Huh?
I didn't know I was being offensive. I just found that particular post of yours to be amusing.
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How do you NOT abuse a PM?
I tired to make friends with someone after I asked a question on making a thread but it backfired. I think it's cause I made multple PM's due to not being able to get everything in my head in one shot about myself but now the person thinks I am Shadow so I am at a lost. What do I do to clear my self?
I gave the person the ol 1,2 cause I usually get either yelled at by flamers or everyone is confused at my posts.
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I gave the person the ol 1,2 cause I usually get either yelled at by flamers or everyone is confused at my posts.
The mere fact that you recognize this means a lot to me. I'm not joking or trying to be an ass or anything like that either, I mean it sincerely.
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Sorry guys for coming back here, I was helping a friend move into his new place, and did not get a chance to partake in the conversation about my douche bag friend.
Anyways, I'm into my second semester of college, dbag too.
He was helping as well, Nate (the friend that was moving) had to move into his sister's apartment because he needs a place to stay while he waits for the air force.
Anyways, dbag is talking to Nate's sister and says that he is the only one among us that could keep a relationship. I simply say "what about me?" and the dbag says to my face "Alice doesn't count." Nate's sister asks why, and he just says "there isn't anything between them."
Even Nate's sister thought that was harsh, and thought it was nice to have a girlfriend like Alice. Dbag's reply? "Whatever..."
When I took him home tonight (because he wrecked his car), we're listening to the radio when a commercial for a one of those viagra-like meds come on, starting the ad with "Let's talk about sex, not getting any?" What does Dbag say?
"We know Josh isn't."
I almost wanted to kick his ass out of my car.
My other frustration? I missed a dinner with Alice yesterday. She understands, but I feel bad anyways.
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Maybe you should have a sit-down with the douche and tell him that if he can't respect the fact that you're in a grown-up relationship he can STFU and GTFO of your life.
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Fou, sometimes it's best to write a plot out-of-order, making use of bursts of inspiration you happen to have at any given time as opposed to forcing yourself to progress linearly. But that's just me.
Yeah, I've got about 5 detailed scenes and 2 major overall plot paths planned out for my script, it's just getting past the starting point that gets me. By the time I'm finished though, everything will be epic.
Also the band was awesome tonight, even though my friend the bassist felt like shit all day.
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Yeah, your friend sounds like a douche. As for writing out of order, whatever you do, do not write the ending first. What I've found is that once you know what happens at the end, you just want to get there and never do the leg work. I'm very sorry I figured out the end of my novel before it's finished. I'm also very sorry that I figured out the end of its sequel before I even started it.
Current gripe is my room. We cleaned, but the trashbag we were using broke, so now our floor is covered in trash. And we have to pick it up.
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The opposite problem can occur if you don't have an idea for the ending, teaflower. I've had stories where I had great beginnings that only ended up meandering and puttering along into nothingness because I didn't have a goal for the finish line...At least in your case you could go back and flesh things out...>_>
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True, true... right now, the characters need to go through the Spirit Plane to get argent, which allows them easy passage into the End of the Worlds, where Aderyn is putting her master plan into action. But now, I'm faced with two problems.
1. The Spirit Plane is boring as all hell. Oh, it's cold and windy and people are dead. I don't know how to jazz it up... maybe have Aurora's folks all be dead... or have Zach and Alex run into their mom (although Alex has seen his mom many a time; he's dead too, you see)... or have something bad happen to Alex. But the last one isn't good, because Alex plays a major role in the sequel and I already have his story fleshed out.
2. I'm faced with a consistency problem. Earlier in the story, without the aid of argent, Sinclair gets the group into the End of the Worlds. But now they need the stuff. What I'm thinking is that it was actually Aderyn doing that (as both Lovell and Sinclair were under her control at the time), or since he completely forgot the incident, he forgot how he did that.
What I like to do is have a vague idea for the ending, but not actually know what happens how. That's not fun.
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who doesnt like the Jonas brothers? i hate them...
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The Jonas Brothers should fall off a cliff in a horrific bus accident.
What upsets me is not the belief that their music is unique and they sing well (both are untrue). It's the rabid fandom who believes this. At auditions the other night, aside from the oldies, Christian songs, and hiphop, I was treated to tone deaf girls (and the occasional boy) trying to sing Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana (another thing that should die a horrible flaming death) songs as well as Jonas Brothers songs. Note that these weren't, you know, fourth graders. These were girls (and the occasional boy) who were in high school.
If only I had brought a shotgun that night... ... good call, V.
Um... current gripe is that it's cold. Really cold. Who wants to pray with me that pipes burst in the school? ... no, that's mean. That means pipes burst in the church where my mom works.
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Wow, teaflower, you must have gotten that off exactly as I was merging or something...>_>
Anyways, I don't think we need a thread just to bash a lame teeny bopper band. This works well enough, yeah?
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their fans are so retarded. they say they do write their own song but they dont. the Jonas Brothers butchered some songs like Aha and Rihana.
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Good timing, I guess.
But yeah, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers should all die horrid flaming deaths and be replaced with MUCC and Libra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixS2c1Ac2n0). I love that song so much...
They say Obama wrote his inaugural speech. He didn't do his first draft.
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Current gripe: Sintu
Reason: Won't drop a pointless subject. Namely, my use of the facepalm smilie in response to Idiom's bald pic.
Huh?
I didn't know I was being offensive. I just found that particular post of yours to be amusing.
I wasn't offended, I was annoyed because you just wouldn't let it go.
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Frustration of the Day:
Not to be a scrooge or anything, but the quality of the Compendium members have gone down so much the past six months or so. That goes for both old and new members. So many of the posts nowadays aren't worth reading, so oftentimes I don't. And I don't blame Shadow. I mean, there's A LOT of members around here that are contributing. Things have just gotten... dramatic and immature. 'Tis a shame.
I had to get that off my chest. I feel a little better now.
That's my frustration of the day. :D
Now let's see who tries to be witty and cutesy and/or asshole-ish with an unintelligent and stupid response... I bet if there is one it'll be from one of the people I'm talking about above.
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Sorry to hear that. And sorry that it's happening. Indeed, things seem to have gone steadily downhilll.. and it's sad. Am I one of these people? Please tell me if I am. I want to contribute and not be stupid. Being useless (as most stupid people seem to be) makes me feel really bad.
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Frustration of the Day:
Not to be a scrooge or anything, but the quality of the Compendium members have gone down so much the past six months or so. That goes for both old and new members. So many of the posts nowadays aren't worth reading, so oftentimes I don't. And I don't blame Shadow. I mean, there's A LOT of members around here that are contributing. Things have just gotten... dramatic and immature. 'Tis a shame.
I had to get that off my chest. I feel a little better now.
That's my frustration of the day. :D
QFT
Although to be fair I feel I contribute to it myself. I never have really done ANYTHING for the community,
Ooo New gripe: I never have really done ANYTHING for the community. I am a horrendus artist and writer, tone deaf, and don't have any sort of media/audio/photoshop like app. So I feel like I am limited in how to add. I that is left is TF, but damn anything .NET crashes on my old computer and now I feel to busy to dedicate to a project now.
Most of the CT/RD/CC theories confuse me now, I use to understand them but in the last month or two the turn in to an ugly mess.
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I do as much as I can, but school and life are very time consuming. My computer doesn't like TF (never mind the fact that I can't figure it out), we can't do stuff that costs money, and a lot of theories hurt my brain. But I think that doing as much as I can is good enough, eh? I mean, my art is somewhat good, I can contribute, I'm the life of the Springtime of Youth, and I write. I wish I did more, though...
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You don't have to actually contribute to make the Compendium awesome. You can give what you can and that's suffice. What we can (and this isn't directed at you, Teaflower, it's in general towards each and every one of us) do is commit to quality posts that don't waste people's time, agree to watch our attitude's and ego's, and just use general common sense and relative maturity.
Lord knows that on the internet we all, to a certain extent, get to BE someone else. We can say whatever we want and the air of anonymity allows us to do so. People who are shy and timid in the real world can become loud, obnoxious, and egotistical bigots on the internet because it's all anonymous and because there are rarely repercussions. People can dramatize, exaggerate, and downright lie and BE or DO something else here. End of story.
It's okay to be different and strive for true uniqueness (our generation strives to do so, unlike the previous generation that tried their hardest to fall into place, into normalcy). But just be honest with yourself, and hold yourself accountable on how you act and what you say.
My name is Michael, and I'm a Financial Sales Representative for BBVA Compass Bank. In the grand scheme of things, I am mostly unnoticeable. But here, in this place, I am more so. So my responsibility to you all, to the members of this place, is to be just as real here as I am in the real world. I don't want to be a waste of space, I don't want to contribute all of my two cents either.
I just want to be a responsible denizen of the Chrono Compendium. You should do the same.
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I feel the same way. I've been trying to make my posts better, but sometimes my anger gets the better of me. In real life, I'm a little dork with not-so-great grades, a knack for language, and a theater freak. In life, I don't contribute much. I sit, answer questions, and call my teachers on errors. So I try and make up for my shortcomings in real life... here.
Feel free to tell me if I'm annoying and stuff like that. I take criticism slightly better than others.
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I feel the same way. I've been trying to make my posts better, but sometimes my anger gets the better of me. In real life, I'm a little dork with not-so-great grades, a knack for language, and a theater freak. In life, I don't contribute much. I sit, answer questions, and call my teachers on errors. So I try and make up for my shortcomings in real life... here.
Feel free to tell me if I'm annoying and stuff like that. I take criticism slightly better than others.
My words are for everyone. Each and every one of us. Pretentious, maybe. But I wanted to say something. Take what you want, but know that everything is written in general and isn't directed at any one person in particular. :D
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That was very well written, Mike.
I struggle in school, came close to failing two classes in this past semester alone, one of which I rose from the depths of a failing grade (08 out of 100) to make it back to 70+ where I could go on and pass the class. I often have trouble with friends, some I can count on to never turn on me, while others (like Darkwolf*) have caused me and others pain. I try to be a nice guy, but things take me in the opposite direction. Like Tea, I am not ashamed in my language, unless I'm being cautious to avoid offense.
*I was reminded that there are many people known online as "Darkwolf" so I have decided he will be referred to by his account name on YouTube: "Aspeanwolf (http://www.youtube.com/user/Aspeanwolf)" Do not call him out on my troubles with him. It's not worth it. Trust me.
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Yea...I agree with you Boo. I'm probably partially in that area as well. I've been at a loss of words for quite awhile now and I can't seem to think anything over really anymore. It's hard to keep a good sense on what's going on and what to say.
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I sort of agree with Boo, but really I think it's a game of averages...We're simply getting/making more posts (/& members) than ever before, so there's bound to be more bad ones popping up. New waves of people have to be inundated into the way things go in the Compendium and perhaps also old members need to remember what it's all about...*shrugs*
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Indeed, we do have a larger member and post base than before. But that doesn't mean we should slack off with keeping the Compendium nice and stuff. Change what we can (ourselves and those who want to change) and accept what we can't (those we can't change), I guess.
Um... I meant that the liberal arts are my strong point. Hee.
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You don't have to actually contribute to make the Compendium awesome. You can give what you can and that's suffice. What we can (and this isn't directed at you, Teaflower, it's in general towards each and every one of us) do is commit to quality posts that don't waste people's time, agree to watch our attitude's and ego's, and just use general common sense and relative maturity.
Lord knows that on the internet we all, to a certain extent, get to BE someone else. We can say whatever we want and the air of anonymity allows us to do so. People who are shy and timid in the real world can become loud, obnoxious, and egotistical bigots on the internet because it's all anonymous and because there are rarely repercussions. People can dramatize, exaggerate, and downright lie and BE or DO something else here. End of story.
It's okay to be different and strive for true uniqueness (our generation strives to do so, unlike the previous generation that tried their hardest to fall into place, into normalcy). But just be honest with yourself, and hold yourself accountable on how you act and what you say.
My name is Michael, and I'm a Financial Sales Representative for BBVA Compass Bank. In the grand scheme of things, I am mostly unnoticeable. But here, in this place, I am more so. So my responsibility to you all, to the members of this place, is to be just as real here as I am in the real world. I don't want to be a waste of space, I don't want to contribute all of my two cents either.
I just want to be a responsible denizen of the Chrono Compendium. You should do the same.
lol, I'm actually the same if you meet me in person. I've always written and typed the way I spoke and I don't hold much back.
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This is more of an aimless frustration than anything:
Is it really so honorable to react to all situations and environments with the same attitude? Seriously, one needs to be able to change their persona as the situation sees fit, lest they be seen as one without tact. And the popular view that 'masks' are inherently maleficent sickens me because everyone still uses them to varying degrees irregardless.
So what is it that makes the modification of one's personality to the outward world a negative, per se? If I didn't alter my personality, I'd probably end up being a cynic or an asshole to everyone -- and everyone doesn't deserve that. So what is it? Is it the denial of the fact that all people don't deserve to, or at least shouldn't upon examination, be treated the same way? Is it the fact that one isn't living with his/her heart on their sleeve? (how is that a bad thing if one isn't a nice guy?) Or is it simply that this is just a blindly accepted 'maxim' that helps people sleep at night?
Whatever it is, I personally don't feel that changing one's personality to fit the situation is innately a bad thing.
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Youtube got the "Magus Unmasked" video too just today, it seems. Holy cow. I'm extremely pissed at this turn of events, but boy do I now respect whatever software Youtube is using for its audio patrol sweeps. I mean, it didn't just detect "Persephone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ni-Za6cBw)"; it detected "Persephone" over all the noise in the Darkness Beyond Time, and despite the fact that I custom-edited the song to loop unnaturally. Of course I'm still angry that those users' videos are up while mine are gutted. I believe I may know how to get past the patrols now, but that's beyond the scope of this thread.
*shakes fist at overprotective copyrights!*
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Are you sure it uses a software to detect it?
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Yeah, the net's full of articles on the subject -- I can't imagine anyone's hiring people to look at every Youtube video, but I can't rule out the possibility that there's some way fellow Youtube users can flag the videos for audio copyright infringement too. That's just evil though...
The audio detection software Youtube is using can apparently analyze a sound pattern and compare it to a database of copyrighted music. I thought I might have been able to get away with adding a new sound channel with almost inaudible sound or something to throw off the detection software, but that certainly won't work if it detected the Dead Can Dance music used in "Magus Unmasked." Seems that some kind of upload encryption may be needed based on what I've read...
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but I can't rule out the possibility that there's some way fellow Youtube users can flag the videos for audio copyright infringement too.
Yeah, it sucks.
But it's lucky they only disabled the audio.
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I agree. I recently saw Disney Mania 2 on the site and it isn't flagged. :picardno
Quote:
I feel the same way. I've been trying to make my posts better, but sometimes my anger gets the better of me. In real life, I'm a little dork with not-so-great grades, a knack for language, and a theater freak. In life, I don't contribute much. I sit, answer questions, and call my teachers on errors. So I try and make up for my shortcomings in real life... here.
Feel free to tell me if I'm annoying and stuff like that. I take criticism slightly better than others.
I sure wish I could give to this community but I am not artistic and am Autistic which is a different "talent" plus reading lots of fanfiction takes my time up. :lol: (http://www.smileyhut.com/sad/ohwell.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com) (http://www.smileyhut.com/naughty/axe.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com)
Redit: Maybe I can provide links in the appropriate forum to fanfics I think are good if they are Chrono fics?
I still am upset about my PM problem. I asked a person that had a good post history on if it's all right to post a thread about what you could do if you made Chrono Trigger then after the person responsed I started telling the person about myself in mulitple PM's on the same day cause I don't think of everything at once.
The person responsed back asking if I had been Shadow plus the person only spoke one-liner sentences which I should've taken the hint.
I tend to run on instincts rather then logic so I immideatly felt offended and I gave her a kick in the rear all the way to timbucktoo cause I was very pissed off and flustered. I wonder if she is still trying to get back home?
I hope I didn't just end my chance for someone to talk to.
God hates me. I'm just made to suffer you know? I am like Teaflower in a way where life just b-----s at me.
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Tea, you ARE a very good member. You make things interesting. Now, the same might not be said for me...
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Well, at the moment I just feel a little frustrated, but for no particular reason. As it were, I have a passive form of frustration, and not an active one. There is no genetive of cause to my frustration, though I suppose there could be a direct object... at the moment it would stand as a reflexive, but were some other to cross my path, I suppose it could become a simple accusative.
Eh, that's the grammar of frustration, I suppose.
(Nb. this 'genetive of cause'... if those of you versed in English grammar go 'what the heck is he talking about?' it's not an English form, but the Greek genetive of means. I am generally tending to have Greek grammatical constructions through-running my mind, hence my overly active use of participles in sentences, a thing more like to Greek than English.)
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Something...something WONDERFUL just happened. You will not believe this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TG0r25AhkU
That's the "Magus Unmasked" video. Somehow the audio has been restored, and there's a nice little ad for the copyrighted song used in the video.
This is the best of both worlds -- artistic freedom at the slight cost of having an advertisement overlay on the video. Not so bad at all. I wonder if the spat between Youtube/Google and Warner Music Group has been resolved...?
You know what this means? A Crimson Echoes preview set to Dead Can Dance music. Hm, hm, hm, HA, HA, HA...
...I LOVE LIFE!
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Something...something WONDERFUL just happened. You will not believe this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TG0r25AhkU
That's the "Magus Unmasked" video. Somehow the audio has been restored, and there's a nice little ad for the copyrighted song used in the video.
This is the best of both worlds -- artistic freedom at the slight cost of having an advertisement overlay on the video. Not so bad at all. I wonder if the spat between Youtube/Google and Warner Music Group has been resolved...?
You know what this means? A Crimson Echoes preview set to Dead Can Dance music. Hm, hm, hm, HA, HA, HA...
...I LOVE LIFE!
That happened to one of my old videos before. I think they suspend it while the owners of the medium decide on an action to take. Most companies are settling on free advertising (Like they were getting from exhibition of their music in the first place) as opposed to taking everything that contains their property off.
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I wonder how long it takes for their little search engine to come up with the song and if you knew if you could fool it by simply putting a delay or hiccup at that point...
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I agree. I recently saw Disney Mania 2 on the site and it isn't flagged. :picardno
Quote:
I feel the same way. I've been trying to make my posts better, but sometimes my anger gets the better of me. In real life, I'm a little dork with not-so-great grades, a knack for language, and a theater freak. In life, I don't contribute much. I sit, answer questions, and call my teachers on errors. So I try and make up for my shortcomings in real life... here.
Feel free to tell me if I'm annoying and stuff like that. I take criticism slightly better than others.
I sure wish I could give to this community but I am not artistic and am Autistic which is a different "talent" plus reading lots of fanfiction takes my time up. :lol: (http://www.smileyhut.com/sad/ohwell.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com) (http://www.smileyhut.com/naughty/axe.gif) (http://www.smileyhut.com)
Redit: Maybe I can provide links in the appropriate forum to fanfics I think are good if they are Chrono fics?
I still am upset about my PM problem. I asked a person that had a good post history on if it's all right to post a thread about what you could do if you made Chrono Trigger then after the person responsed I started telling the person about myself in mulitple PM's on the same day cause I don't think of everything at once.
The person responsed back asking if I had been Shadow plus the person only spoke one-liner sentences which I should've taken the hint.
I tend to run on instincts rather then logic so I immideatly felt offended and I gave her a kick in the rear all the way to timbucktoo cause I was very pissed off and flustered. I wonder if she is still trying to get back home?
I hope I didn't just end my chance for someone to talk to.
God hates me. I'm just made to suffer you know? I am like Teaflower in a way where life just b-----s at me.
My little brother is high-functional autistic, so I've had some experience dealing with that and also have a great deal of patience in general, so if you want someone to talk to who won't get pissed very easily or be turned off by some of your personality quirks, that'll be me.
I'm thinking of studying psychology when I go to College, and I might possibly minor in it (I plan to major in English) so any people I can talk to with different perspectives is a plus to me.
As for what frustrates me this morning: good friends who get roped into doing stuff and have to rope you into helping them. (my buddy just got roped into buying a 20 foot boat for 200 dollars and is going to be fixing/cleaning it up today and has roped me into helping him.) Meh, just a minor frustration, that's all. After all, he is a good friend.
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You can talk to me, as well. I don't know if you've seen me talking about my genius friend Parker, but he has high functioning Autism as well. I may very well have Asberger's, a form of Autism, so I get your problems, too. I guess.
My current frustration is laundry. We haven't been able to do laundry for a while, so two nights ago we packed all the hampers and baskets we could into the car, believing that our mom and sister would do it in the morning/afternoon. My mom couldn't do it that afternoon. So on top of having pulled muscles everywhere from carrying really heavy and cumbersome hampers, I'm almost out of clothing and couldn't really put anything together.
I'd show you what I put on, but... I don't have a camera here and the shirt is... booby...
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Again you disappoint by not taking a pic when it seems clear that you should. :lol:
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I wonder how long it takes for their little search engine to come up with the song and if you knew if you could fool it by simply putting a delay or hiccup at that point...
I've done some research on the acoustic fingerprinting technology in use in this case and conducted some experiments, and I believe that if the human ear can discern the song being used, the technology can too. As an experiment, I nested a Dead Can Dance song into "Fear Factory" from Donkey Kong Country and merged them into the same audio channel, making sure that "Fear Factory" overlapped every portion of the other music track. As soon as the video processed, the audio was removed. Like lightning! Copyright detection technology has come up to speed in a serious, serious way.
I'm still not exactly sure how the acoustic fingerprint is generated. It's clearly not based on keyframing or observing the changes in pitch, etc., over a timespan, because the experiment above should have been successful in that case -- against "Fear Factory" the overall changes in the audio channel should have been randomized in comparison to the original Dead Can Dance song. I guess the next step in experimentation would have involved upping the volume of "Fear Factory" so loud that it would drown out the DCD song completely. If the song were still detected even then, some kind of metadata that stays the same across all formats must be at play, but I'm doubting the existence of such a concept.
In 1984, Big Brother was watching. In 2009, Big Brother is really watching. I guess I'll make that my current gripe.
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In 1984, Big Brother was watching. In 2009, Big Brother is really watching. I guess I'll make that my current gripe.
And yet douchey losers still watch the show Big Brother...HOW IS THAT STILL A SHOW!?!
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Um... it makes money?
You know, technically I'm jailbait. So ha. No booby pictures for you, V!
Current gripe is that I can't seem to sleep through the night. And that bothers me because I have to wake up at 5:55 in the morning. To learn.
Also, the snow storm that's coming our way. It's a massive thing and my area is right in the middle of the area that's supposed to get 6 to 12 inches. Note that, although I love having unexpected lack of school, the ice storm that gave me a 20-something day long vacation also took away my February vacation.
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My little brother is high-functional autistic, so I've had some experience dealing with that and also have a great deal of patience in general, so if you want someone to talk to who won't get pissed very easily or be turned off by some of your personality quirks, that'll be me.
I'm thinking of studying psychology when I go to College, and I might possibly minor in it (I plan to major in English) so any people I can talk to with different perspectives is a plus to me.
As for what frustrates me this morning: good friends who get roped into doing stuff and have to rope you into helping them. (my buddy just got roped into buying a 20 foot boat for 200 dollars and is going to be fixing/cleaning it up today and has roped me into helping him.) Meh, just a minor frustration, that's all. After all, he is a good friend.
Me too Triforce. I know quite a lot about autism, and have experience dealing with people that have it. One of the individuals I admire most in life has high functioning autism, actually. I won't be impatient with you if you wanna talk to me via PM either.
And don't think that the universe has fucked you over in life. Just because it is technically a handicap to be autistic in a human society dominated by "normal" people, don't let it get to you too much. Your autism is a gift. You can see things in a way that other human beings can't, you can think about things in a way that other human beings can't, and I'm sure you are very familiar with this. You likely can see a tree for the leaves, and the finer details in life. Most of us walk through life oblivious to everything that is worth looking at in the intrinsic detail than an autistic person can see it in. People who don't understand autism or have experience dealing with people that have it will never understand you, just as I'm sure you can't fully comprehend "normal" people. But that's okay, because you understand yourself - right?
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"That's the "Magus Unmasked" video. Somehow the audio has been restored, and there's a nice little ad for the copyrighted song used in the video.
This is the best of both worlds -- artistic freedom at the slight cost of having an advertisement overlay on the video. Not so bad at all. I wonder if the spat between Youtube/Google and Warner Music Group has been resolved...?"
Glad that got sorted out. :D
Thanks guys for the encouragement. :) I actually do tend to notice more details such as the leaves for what they are then most people. I also am very intrested in weather/climate and studying the links between it all so I tend to notice weather differences too in how it effects scenery. I'm very weird that way and I also post on a weather blog.
PS: I hope she isn't going to be mad I kicked her in the back...I'll PM you the person I talked to so it won't be publicy displayed.
I realllly enjoy having this site around and this thread is a good non-violent way of getting frustrations out. :D
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Sorry for the double post but I don't want to make the other one super long and hurt your beautiful eyes.
I am also frustrated that I missread a question on my GED book. There was a discussion about why having a pet is important to owners and I ended up putting in good-effects and bad effects instead of the most important reasons.
The teacher did say my good-ideas and bad-ideas were typed very well using good vocabulary,correct grammer.etc but I kinda got side-tracked..............I was tired. :( but I feel more better.
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Thanks guys for the encouragement. :) I actually do tend to notice more details such as the leaves for what they are then most people. I also am very intrested in weather/climate and studying the links between it all so I tend to notice weather differences too in how it effects scenery. I'm very weird that way and I also post on a weather blog.
You're not "weird that way", that's just autism for ya :D. You have a gift for seeing connections between things naturally that the rest of us have to train ourselves hard to be able to see. Of course, that gift comes with social drawbacks that can often be frustrating or in worse cases a severe handicap, but that's just the way things are. Life blesses you with one thing but takes another away.
I bet ceiling fans are interesting to you too. But maybe not. Everyone with autism experiences the attentive and visual effects a little bit differently. The person I was speaking of earlier is mesmerized by fans. She says they are extremely distracting and she can't focus at all if she is in a room with a fan.
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Yeah, this thread is the best thing since sliced bread. Everyone feels better after posting here.
Triforce, sounds like you could enter a career as a meteorologist, or meteorological theorist or something.
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I may very well have Asperger's,* a form of Autism...
*Fixed for you.
I just wanna make sure you know, but by saying that you have made yourself similar to both me and Schala, as we both have Asperger's Syndrome.
Current gripe: My mom
Reason: She won't leave me alone about some school work I wasn't able to do and the semester's already over. I get new classes on Wednesday.
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I can't spell that word... but it was just suspected. Apparently, when I was younger, I could only relate to the world through Pokemon. What a sad time... at least then it was amazing.
Personally, I hate the way things work at our school. This is our first year with semester class switches for everything and it hasn't gone well. If we were doing it the old way, we wouldn't have even started on the nasty English project and would have gotten work we needed done... done. But now... we didn't touch romanticism in American literature and are barely familiar with analogies.
I hate school sometimes...
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I can't spell that word... but it was just suspected. Apparently, when I was younger, I could only relate to the world through Pokemon. What a sad time... at least then it was amazing.
Personally, I hate the way things work at our school. This is our first year with semester class switches for everything and it hasn't gone well. If we were doing it the old way, we wouldn't have even started on the nasty English project and would have gotten work we needed done... done. But now... we didn't touch romanticism in American literature and are barely familiar with analogies.
I hate school sometimes...
Romanticism, *shudder* I do not have much of a care for those. Why, just the other day I had a bit of a disagreement with Keats.
Of course, having said that, now ZeaLitY will strike at me with all righteous fury. The Romantics, as I recall, are dear to him. But Keats... I laud his passion, but his understanding of Homer is lamentably lacking. Oh, Keats, you may wonder, wonder at Homer, but all his bloody ferocity is lost upon your tender spirit!
So there is my frustration for the hour. Keats, and the Romantics, and their neoclassical view of antiquity.
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I'm frustrated at how slow videos upload to Youtube.
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Tea, y'know, if they're teaching you how to pass an exam, I can sympathize. That's how it's done over here in my EOC classes. My Civics+Economics teacher from my sophomore year hates it too, since there are subjects she loves to cover, but can't since they're not covered in the exam.
IMO, teaching students to pass an exam is fucking bullshit, and I side with my Civics+Economics teacher.
I'm frustrated at how slow videos upload to Youtube.
Ah, that is always annoying.
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Too bad there isn't a "Praise Thread", because the Mr. Chopstick's asian restaurant in Denton, TX is the greatest asian food place ever. Ever. I guess my frustration would be that other asian food places aren't as good. I'll miss that place when I move out of this crappy town.
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For Eric.
http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,3932.0.html
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Well damn, I feel like a gen-you-eine dumbass. :shock: I've even posted in that topic before, which makes me a double-dumbass. Chief Dumbass of Dumbassville if you will. And I will.
I'm way too tired to even think straight anymore. I need sleep.
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Nah, just that one wouldn't think it was a praise thread. You're not a dumbass, Eric. Honest.
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I'm frustrated at how slow videos upload to Youtube.
I remember sometimes it said "processing..." and never really done. I came back another day, and it was still "processing", so I deleted it and reuploaded one.
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I was playing Ace Combat 5, on the mission to shoot down the Arkbird. It was about to leave the combat area through the west, but managed to destroy the engines.
But instead of turning south, as it should have, it kept going west, even though the current dialogue was the one meant before it turns south.
So, it kept going west, and got out of the area, and I lost. And when I thought there was nothing worse than the 30 or so failed attempts at Mission 13...
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I was playing Ace Combat 5, on the mission to shoot down the Arkbird. It was about to leave the combat area through the west, but managed to destroy the engines.
But instead of turning south, as it should have, it kept going west, even though the current dialogue was the one meant before it turns south.
So, it kept going west, and got out of the area, and I lost. And when I thought there was nothing worse than the 30 or so failed attempts at Mission 13...
I was about to finish the final level when a piece of debris killed me. :picardno
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Happened once before, but the fact the Arkbird decided to rebel against it's programmed orders makes it the worse thing to ever happen to me in that game.
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Aside from the school schedule being messed up, that ice storm screwed us over. Not to mention that my class had a student teacher...
Current gripe is... um... I dunno. Oh, yeah! 6-10 inches of snow for Fitchburg tomorrow, topped off by a layer of mixed precipitation. Fun, eh?
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frustration #1: Was helping my friend clean up his boat yesterday and while moving the seats out of the thing, managed to rip my pants with the corner of the seat.
frustration #2: Location of the rip: my crotch. These pants have seen their last days.
frustration #3: winter. It was alright when it first started, but is quickly growing old with how I can wake up and feel like I'm in an icebox. Usually have two pairs of thermal underwear on, a sweater, two fleeces and a hoodie on and still be freezing. inside. Bonus is that all my soda feels like it just came fresh our of a really good refrigerator. downside of that is that drinking it just makes me colder.
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Ouch. I've had my share of ripped pants. Not cool at all.
Good thing: Got to Dracula in Castlevania: Order Of Ecclesia.
Gripe: I can't beat the fanged S.O.B.!
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lol, I should walk around for a day or two with them on and see if anyone says anything. It bugs me only because of my short supply of jeans. I only had about 5 pairs, and it happened to be one of the better pairs I have. So now I have to deal with only 4 pairs of jeans until I can get another pay check
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My current gripe is a lack of Shepard's pie.
Aside from the chicken tenders, my favorite meal at school is Shepard's pie. I mean, what's not to love? It's potatoes, corn, and beef in an unholy union that warms one to the core! I got into line for the stuff and waited. Then a lunch lady came out, pointed to some kid in front of me, and said, "Everyone behind this guy needs to get out of line! There's no more!" Note that I had been psyching myself up for this moment since... 2nd period? Oh my god, just get through this final and you can eat nummy! Oh my god, just get through Journalism and you can eat nummy!
So after that, I get into line for a chicken patty, tears in my eyes. Yes, I was so devastated that I cried. They then say that there are no more chicken patties. All they have left are buffalo chicken patties (they're really REALLY spicy) and a single burger. So I get a buffalo chicken patty and plop down at a table.
I guess I should change my gripe to an inability to feed everyone in our school... they never run out of Stromboli or chicken tenders...
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Current gripes: Nothing to do but run around here, and no motivation to continue CTDS at the moment. I'm in Guardia Prison and I just broke out and pwned the guards. That's it so far.
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Committee meetings.
Really, why should it be necessary to spend 15 minutes debating if the committee will only review those documents submitted, as opposed to reviewing those documents and the documents that have not been submitted?
Time travel aside, it seems like it shouldn't be that hard to decide to ignore stuff that doesn't exist.
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We've been having many a town forum on the issue of Unitil. There's one tonight, but I'm not going. Essentially, our town forum consists of city representatives sitting on a stage as people come up and tell their stories. From what I remember of the one I went to last Wednesday, people came up and essentially said that even though they needed electricity to live (literally), they didn't get power for days. They lost heat and they tried to tell Unitil to take care of the trees, but they didn't. Unitil replied that none of the other companies removed branches over wires before the storm. That's complete shit. National Grid, electric/gas suppliers of Leominster and other cities/towns, took care of trees.
They didn't even go into the issue with Townsend, another town supplied by Unitil. Townsend works off of septic systems, which need electricity to function.
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I just found out that the Lingerie Bowl has been discontinued...
Needless to say I am...less than happy about it.
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Saran Wrap is the most diabolical of all man's creations. That is all...
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I thought that was Jack Thompson. After all, man is the reason why Christianity was formed, and that gave Jack something to base his bullshit off of.
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I thought that was Jack Thompson. After all, man is the reason why Christianity was formed, and that gave Jack something to base his bullshit off of.
The reason Jack Thompson pales in comparison to the evils of Saran Wrap, is that the evils of Jack Thompson won't equate to a hill of beans in effect to my life, while Saran Wrap will taunt and torment my soul every time I need to keep a plate of food fresh... Every damn time....
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Explain, please.
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Explain, please.
It sticks to itself... What's more to explain? The recipe for disaster is set, and the trigger to unleash the hellfury need be nothing more than a light breeze, or the slight pull of gravity at the wrong moment. Then you suddenly find yourself fighting against the very nature of the wrap in order to return it to its original state instead of the clusterfuck of confusion in order to preform the simple act of wrapping it around something...
...It's evil, trust me.
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:picardno
Eloquently written, I will give you that, but kinda... IDK, I'm just not seeing it.
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The reason Jack Thompson pales in comparison to the evils of Saran Wrap, is that the evils of Jack Thompson won't equate to a hill of beans in effect to my life, while Saran Wrap will taunt and torment my soul every time I need to keep a plate of food fresh... Every damn time....
Damn saran wrap! Damn it to hell I say. I literally just tried to wrap a plate of food and got frustrated with it. Why the hell is it so poorly designed? The whole serrated cutting edge of the box just makes it tear unevenly, which you then have to wrestle with to get it free, which causes it to stick to itself which you then have to undo, which causes it to stick to itself again. True evil.
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yeah I hate messing with saran wrap. I kind of wish the guy who invented it would somehow manage to get it wrapped around his head and have to suffocate slowly.
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something has been buggin my head. at the gamefaqs message board most of the people been saying Crono and Magus will be in Dissidia (which they did not) i mean why the h*ll would Magus be a villain? hes a playable character. if they did put him in, it will disappoint most of the Magus fan here. the villain would be Queen Zeal cuzz she tries to control Lavos.
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That may be because the gamefaqs boards are 90% full of people that literally exhale bullshit everytime they talk.
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something has been buggin my head. at the gamefaqs message board most of the people been saying Crono and Magus will be in Dissidia (which they did not) i mean why the h*ll would Magus be a villain? hes a playable character. if they did put him in, it will disappoint most of the Magus fan here. the villain would be Queen Zeal cuzz she tries to control Lavos.
A better question is how the hell would they include CT characters in a game strictly FF characters?
So yeah, GameFAQs forumgoers are full of it.
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Why does everyone think of Gamefaq's borad negative. I've never visited much so I am curious if it's reallly that bad. I prefer to stay away from a lot of negativness/BS on forums that are out of control.
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Why does everyone think of Gamefaq's borad negative. I've never visited much so I am curious if it's reallly that bad. I prefer to stay away from a lot of negativness/BS on forums that are out of control.
A lot of it is asking the same questions every day, it contains millions of unfunny joke topics, rick rolls, rumors, and flat out lies. For example, every week on the Chrono Trigger section of the GF boards you're guaranteed to have at least one thread stating Chrono Trigger is a ripoff of Final Fantasy, five threads asking how to beat Giga Gaia/Golem Sisters/Melphyx/Magus/Zeal, two threads asking about getting stuck in the first time portal (Anti-piracy measure that a lot of hong-kong bootleg copies get stuck with), four threads complaining about a character's techs, and every thread bringing politics into the discussion.
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and every thread bringing politics into the discussion.
Well we do that here WAY more often the gamefaq's :D
On a side note has the site been running slow for anyone else? It has even timed out on me a few times...
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Wow Gues I'll stay away from those threads there AND here as I get flustered in politics very easy.
By the way: I sent you a PM yesterday Shadow but I won't display it publicy here but to just let you know I sent it. You got it.
What are the most frustrating game mesage boards you've guys ever been too? :?
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The ECA Forums (http://forums.theeca.com/index.php?). Good God, I hated it there. People fucked around with me for shits and giggles, so I ended up staying on GamePolitics.
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The snow is killa in northeast Ohio tonight.
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I used to be regular at teh FF VI board at Gamefaqs...it only took a couple months for the whole thing to go down in flames (pun possibly intended) over "who is the main character"
I hated all of it so I left...I peek back every now and again and it's STILL reeling from the same sheeit. The pro Celes people didn't even listen to the Terra arguments, and the pro Terra people just posted enormus walls of text that drove me insane. Why bother?
Granted, I have been a part of some FANTASTIC threads at Gamefaqs...especially the Ogre Bttle 64 board...where it all started for me.
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I think Dissidia pretty much cements what I've always thought about that FFVI argument: Terra is the main character!
Anyways, everything but the actual FAQs in that place is mostly lame. idk why it's even being talked about...Stupid character polls ruining everything every time...! *shakes fist*
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I'm so glad that these are the first gaming messageboards I've been tempted to join. It sounds like I picked the best possible.
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Ugh, speaking of this makes me frustrated that Square-Enix has no official forums anymore...back in the day I used to frequent PlayOnline (this was like before FFIX even, I think). The forums themselves were incredibly simplistic (along the same lines as GameFAQs with no avatars and limited sigs), but they were full of FANS and I loved helping out the Chrono Trigger n00bs...It was the first time I ever remember getting the response that was something along the lines of, "Thank you! This is exactly the kind of discussion I was looking for!"...Probably proudest forum moment for me...and now the forum doesn't even exist! C'mon, SE, set aside some of that money you're using on a SaGa 2 remake and pay someone to slap something together again! >_>
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The snow is killa in northeast Ohio tonight.
And half the country, it seemed like. So far, Maine, Texas, and now Ohio have been confirmed for "Cold-Ass Weather"
But it made for a nice drive to work this morning. The icy roads meant no one was on them, so it was actually safer than normal.
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Safer in sane states. Not here in MA, where turn signals are optional. You watch the news and although there are less people on the road, the stupid ones have gone out today.
At least this isn't anything like what happened in December...
Speaking of which, I have some good news. Last night, a hell of a lot of people came to Memorial Middle school here in the Burg of Fitch to testify in a public forum against Unitil for their poor reaction time to the ice storm. I heard one lady say that the city should buy Unitil or make their own electric/gas supplier, and she was greeted by loud cheers (even though the city is up to its eyeballs in debt). Over a hundred people testified. I'm thinking that with that much opposition to Unitil, we may get a different supplier. Yay!
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Washington is confirmed for cold ass weather.
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Why do none of the bands I love come to Dallas, TX? So many of them avoid Texas like the plague. At least the psychedelic funk awesomeness which is King Khan and the Shrines is coming here.
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You live in Dallas and you have to ask why someone might avoid it like the plague? o.O
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There is a large scene for underground and indie music in Dallas (and Austin for that matter). Most of the bands that come here make a good profit, but lately Texas has been cut out of the mix with the exception of the SXSW music festival in Austin which is one of the greatest music festivals in the country. For music, people don't avoid Texas like the plaque. But for just about everything else...well, you know - there's truth in every stereotype. There's an imaginary line that divides the state that once you cross you are surrounded by like 90% rednecks or so.
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well, I did hear this one song that claimed: "if you're gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band."
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My friend got snowed out of school (I hear it's like that a lot over in OH)
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Schools down here were cancelled yesterday and half of today because there was a tiny amount of ice on the road last night.
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Ha ha. How much did they get in Ohio? My part of MA got 4 to 8 inches of snow, not to mention the mix that's coming, followed by freezing rain, then rain. Fun sounding, eh?
Frustration = My eyes are starting to hurt and my hands are killing me. I've been working on a picture for Philie and I'm doing a lot of detail with it. Don't know why, but my left hand hurts like hell.
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You're left-handed too, Tea?
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That's all the snow you guys get? Meh.
Well, it's nice and warm (0C) today, but just a few days ago, it was well below -20C. It was 0F (for those who still use that system), but meh, you know, it's really not that bad. At any rate, I didn't bother wearing gloves or a hat. I don't know why people get so up in arms over a little cold weather. I mean, if it went below -30, that'd be bad, especially with a windchill, but anything around -20 isn't something I'd think much of.
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frustration: Getting told how to run the affairs in your life by someone who is an 'obvious master' at such things. Just had my Uncle try to tell me how to run my life, and he's going to be 34 this year, he's living in a house that's being mostly paid for my grandparents and is in their name and comes to raid their food at least once a week, like he still lived with them. Thinks he knows it all, and he doesn't. I don't either and don't claim to, but I have a pretty good plan to go by and it's my life ultimately, so I want to be the one to make the choices and decisions that come into it.
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I WISH YOUR COLD WEATHER WOULD HIT US ><! More snow days would be quite nice...even though we've had like 6 so far. Which is indeed a record in how many years.
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You're left-handed too, Tea?
No, but my left hand was killing me. It's better now.
Two problems now. One is that some nerve in my pelvis that goes all the way down my legs is apparently not happy with me, as it hurts. A lot. The second problem is that I can't get through the mountain thing in the Mulan level of Kingdom Hearts 2. Normally, it's a cakewalk. But I'm doing Proud mode and it keeps eating me.
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just keep at it. Proud mode is hard, but persistence pays off. You'll get it eventually. As for the pain in your leg and pelvis region, I'd suggest going for a small walk, once or twice around your block should clear it right up.
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Yeah, I was stuck there for a while too. I pwned it after grinding at the bottom of the Mountain. Imagine how hard the Xaldin fight will be!
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I'd love to go for a walk. Here's the problem with that, though.
1. It's dark out there. Note that up here in New England, it's dark at around 6 in the evening.
2. It's icy out there. Note the snow storm we had, followed by rain and sleet and freezing rain, and the freezing temperatures.
3. My neighborhood sucks. I'm not going out there alone, as although I am jailbait, to some people that doesn't matter.
4. Significant lack of sidewalk take carage. The city has used up its snow removal budget already, and the sidewalks are the least of our worries.
5. It hurts to walk.
I know I should keep at it in Proud mode. Things before this level were cake. I miss my Normal game. There, I've beaten the game and am overlevelled. And I have Final Form. ... don't remind me about the nasty fights... I wish I could just run around as Final Form Sora again, or level up Wisdom Form...
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You know, I don't think I've ever even once seen a school up here get closed because of any amount of snow.
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I'm at Level 50 at the save point outside of the first boss in Kingdom Hearts 2.
That's as far as I got, the disc I was borrowing froze at the cutscene, so I kept fighting, then BOOM! Level 50.
Then my PS2 broke. :picardno
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Ouch, that has got to suck.
LV 50, as Roxas? Damn, man.
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that sucks, but look at the bright side: at least when you get a new ps2, you'll already be at lvl 50.
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Frustration of the day: English class. Essays SUCK.
Have to write an essay on prejudice (most overused topic in schools, ugh). I have one and a half pages, it needs to be two and a half pages. But I already have everything it needs and I don't know how to fluff it up!
Oh yeah. And it's due in two hours. Yay stupid essays.
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I never had a problem with Essays. I'm guessing you have an opening paragraph and a summarizing paragraph. Both are good to have as one tells you whats going to be in the Essay and the latter sums it up in one paragraph. If you have those already, it's just a matter of stretching your middle out. Give more information per paragraph in between that deals with the point of the paragraph. Could be useful information or could be private musings on the matter. Example: (paragraph)blah, blah, blah, and I think this is because blah, blah, blah(/paragraph)
Of course, that has been shortened so as not to take up too much space in this post, but you get the picture. There's always ways to expand your information to fill out the requirement for the Essay, it's just a matter of finding it.
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Lv. 50 at the first boss?! Damn, man! That's impressive! I was kicking some serious ass until the Mulan level. So, to level up, I'm running around Hollow Bastion. I wish Leon/Squall would come and kick some ass with me again... that was awesome.
My frustration is my back. The pain from my legs is gone now, but apparently I pulled the muscles in my back and shoulders bringing a hamper of clean laundry upstairs and tossing around at night.
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KH-related gripe: Couldn't beat Xigbar in TWTNW. IDR my stats, or my LV. Plus, I can't access a PS2/PS3 to play the game.
Main gripe: Still having probs with Drac in OoE, and school has been taking its toll on me.
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I never had a problem with Essays. I'm guessing you have an opening paragraph and a summarizing paragraph. Both are good to have as one tells you whats going to be in the Essay and the latter sums it up in one paragraph. If you have those already, it's just a matter of stretching your middle out. Give more information per paragraph in between that deals with the point of the paragraph. Could be useful information or could be private musings on the matter. Example: (paragraph)blah, blah, blah, and I think this is because blah, blah, blah(/paragraph)
Of course, that has been shortened so as not to take up too much space in this post, but you get the picture. There's always ways to expand your information to fill out the requirement for the Essay, it's just a matter of finding it.
Um, that's not exactly the best way of structuring an essay...
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Never said it was, but it works well enough. Worked well enough to get me a solid A in English throughout my last few years of school.
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Um, that's not exactly the best way of structuring an essay...
Agreed.
Personally, I loathe introductory and conclusion paragraphs, but some form of that is needed so it’s hard to get away from those blights.
And of course, an essay should never contain anything resembling the phrase "I think this" unless it is along the lines of a This I Believe essay. A good essay should be so well reasoned and supported by evidence that it isn't "what you think" about a topic but what your know, as it were.
Trust me, instructors can sense fluff with great ease. I've graded such essays before and they're physically painful to read... unless they are so horrible that they're actually funny. But then I usually am laughing so hard at how bad they are that I hurt myself. So yeah, just physically painful all round.
Generally, as long as the teacher has any hope or motivation left, you're better turning in something under the minimum requirement than to turn in fluff. It shows you have academic integrity. Fluff is just an insult.
Id, the fact that you were able to get an A in English with that approach is one of the reasons the current school systems are a disgrace to civilizations everywhere.
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you know, you really don't want to get me started on this. trust me. But since you already have, let me give you a few reasons why it was allowed.
In an Essay, no matter what it is, you are correct that it must be based on fact, and a large majority of it must be, however my teachers also thought it was a great idea to promote originality and creativity in students. I had the facts every time I wrote the Essay and put my thoughts on the matter as they related to the facts and got good grades because of it. Not everyone can pull this off. My opinion on things was always well-informed and based on the facts on hand and remained as that. Besides, we're talking High School English, not College English, which I imagine is way harder. Perhaps I gave a bad example. It's been a while since I've been in school and I can't remember what all went into my Essays, but I did get great grades all the way through because of my natural voice and ability to express what I wanted to express while still remaining on topic and relating to the facts.
Academic integrity, my ass. Academic Integrity stands for shit these days. Everything is all about fluff, so you telling me that fluff is just an insult (and maybe you're right, because I feel my intelligence is insulted by all the fluff in commercials, etc. these days) is really going against what our society is today. You want to sit here and pull this shit out on me by me saying one thing that just so happens to be true in High School English classes, while never minding the fact that society is based on fluff, is bullshit. They're going to dock your grade whether you don't meet the requirement or if you fill it with fluff. At least if you fill it with some fluff, while mixing in a vast majority of facts, you still stand to get an A on it. You don't make the required amount and your chances of an A drop, because that's all some teachers see.
My teachers were all great, and taught me a lot of things while making it fun for me to learn, so if you want to sit there and diss them, you're really going to piss me off, and you don't want to do that.
I never said it was the best way to do it, I never said that at all, I just said it worked. If you have a problem with that fact, take it up with the schools, but don't be flipping me shit here for it. I won't stand for that.
Having said that, I do respect your stance, and I will keep that in mind when I do go to College for my Master's Degree in English.
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Major thanks for your help Idiom, it worked.
The thing about this class, the essays are thrown out if they're anything under the minimum requirements. Three misspellings or typos, in the trash. More or less than six sentences for the intro, in the trash. Shorter or longer than two and a half pages, in the trash. Use first person pronouns or passive voice, in the trash. No grade.
It was a classification essay, and I just have a hard time classifying things I don't really care about.
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bus drivers that drive right by when you are waiting at the stop. i wish death upon those assholes.
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In an Essay, no matter what it is, you are correct that it must be based on fact, and a large majority of it must be, however my teachers also thought it was a great idea to promote originality and creativity in students.
A fine idea, but actually my comment was more on how it is presented. Good essays should be forceful (be they argumentative or informative). Phrases like "I think" don't belong, even if it is only what you think. Saying "I think" is essentially an apology. Read a textbook; the majority of what is in it is nothing more than what someone thought, but you won’t find the authors apologizing. So act like whatever you think is what is... just be sure the arguments and evidence is there to back it up.
Of course, any such concepts always take a back seat to specific prompt directions. If you teacher thinks asking students to state what they think will inspire creativity, then one should by all means use those very words.
Besides, we're talking High School English, not College English, which I imagine is way harder.
Unfortunately, not really. Maybe you'll be lucky and get teachers who'll challenge you but in general, no.
... but I did get great grades all the way through because of my natural voice and ability to express what I wanted to express while still remaining on topic and relating to the facts.
A wonderful gift. But since you said you're getting a degree in English, allow me to warn you that it seems like every English department has at least one professor who tries to teach "style." No good has ever come from such a concept.
You want to sit here and pull this shit out on me by me saying one thing that just so happens to be true in High School English classes, while never minding the fact that society is based on fluff, is bullshit.
Actually, it's high ideals (but maybe I'm quibbling over semantics). Yes, society works by keeping up appearances (that is, by being filled with fluff), but why should that give fluff value? Suppose you are employed at a business; you can probably get by with fluff (giving the appearance of actual work without there being any value to it), but you can also get by with actual work, being productive, etc. Fluff or work get the same short term result. But long term? An employee pool of fluff will bloat the company, waste resources, and weaken it. Fluff is why American automakers aren't doing so hot, fluff is why the dot com bubble burst in the 90's, etc. Trying giving nothing but fluff in a relationship and see how long that lasts (and see how much it satisfied you). Fluff works in the short term, but it is not a viable long term survival strategy.
Maybe you’ll be lucky and get by with a life of fluff to no consequences, but you’ll have harmed everything you gave fluff to instead of real work.
Your mind is like a muscle; if you don't use it (by producing naught but fluff), it will be weak for when you do need it.
My teachers were all great, and taught me a lot of things while making it fun for me to learn, so if you want to sit there and diss them, you're really going to piss me off, and you don't want to do that.
Actually, that sounds like fun. I've never been one to let sleeping dogs lie ;)
Hints of sadism aside, who was insulting your teachers? To say that a teacher gets worn down isn't an insult, it’s a statement regarding the system itself.
The American education system is a meat grinder that both students and teachers are put through. A "teacher" is the single most important employee in a school district; they are the ones producing the goods that merits the schools existence in the first place. But they are burdened with dictates from above, regimes and structures that hamper the teaching process. English teachers, for example, often can't choose what books to have their students read; these are established by a school board or department supervisor. Even when they do get to choose, those choices are restricted by what is considered appropriate subject matter. Harry Potter might be better literature than The Crying of Lot 49, but if the school board doesn't like it, too bad.
Grades are another example of how teachers are oppressed (and students in turn). Let us use a mathematical example. A math teacher has to produce a grade, so they have to test the students, yes? But parents expect to see homework, so the teacher can't just have one final at the end of class. Thus, homework is assigned. Usually this is in the form of numerous math problems, in the range of 30-40 sometimes.
Except... that is utterly pointless. If a student doesn't understand how to solve a problem, those 30-40 problem will be a struggle and might well ingrain incorrect concepts that the student will then need to unlearn. Alternately, a parent might help the student figure out how to solve the problem, but then if the parents are the teachers, why have a teacher? And if the student already knows how to solve the problems? Then those 30-40 problems are busy work. Usually about 5 math problems are sufficient to determine if a student understands or needs additional help.
So counter-productive homework is used to help determine a grade (and keep in mind that a math teacher of a class of 30 would have somewhere around 900-1200 problems to grade, then).
Some teachers enter the field with hope; they're going to teach students to the best of their ability. But as soon as a teacher allows crap like that to go on, they are allowing their own abilities to be hampered. When a teacher gets to the point where they value fluff over actual work, damn straight they've lost hope and determination.
That your teachers succeeded in making the subject fun to learn is a clear indication that they do not value fluff over actual work. But don't be so blind as to think that they're perfectly fine; they're under a heavy burden of a useless bureaucracy; if that was removed, no matter how good they are now, they could be better.
The thing about this class, the essays are thrown out if they're anything under the minimum requirements. Three misspellings or typos, in the trash. More or less than six sentences for the intro, in the trash. Shorter or longer than two and a half pages, in the trash. Use first person pronouns or passive voice, in the trash. No grade.
It was a classification essay, and I just have a hard time classifying things I don't really care about.
Gah. Teacher’s like that make me foam at the mouth in rage. Besides, sometimes the passive voice is needed. There is a reason it exists.
Sad this is, there are teachers who forbid the passive voice who also don’t understand what it actually is. I’ve had more than one teacher who thought that the past tense was the same as the passive voice.
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Teachers are kind of stupid sometimes.
My current gripe stems from a staple I found in the collar of my shirt. First, it was bugging my neck. So I take off my coat (GASP) and check that. Not there. Then I see that it's on my shirt. So I start to pry it off with my fingers, but the sharp metal stuck under the nail of my pointer finger. It still hurts like hell...
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All Teachers are are kids that grew up and were taught how to do what they do. Basically, we're all people, but when you look at it from that viewpoint, it's a lot easier to understand that you may have a better grasp of things than your teacher does. Just because they teach you doesn't mean that they're any good at it.
And if you don't think that asking people what they think on any matter is breeding mental activity or creativity, then I feel sorry for you. Asking what someone thinks on the matter and requiring a fully thought-out response doesn't make your brain weaker, and it's a pity that you believe that. Saying 'I think' is not an apology at all, but hey, me telling you that isn't going to change your mind on the matter, is it. You've already closed your mind on this issue and declared yourself the top authority of anything and everything related to it, so what's the point of even continuing this argument?
I know a losing battle when I see one, and even though I feel that you're wrong on a lot of your points, there's really no need to argue or debate over it because the outcome will still be the same: You'll walk away from this, still thinking that you're right, and I'll walk away frustrated because I couldn't get you to see reason. I've been down this trail before, so I'll save myself the time and effort.
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Speaking of writing, I'm totally pissed that Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles could have been the most kickass TV series ever, but suffers from extreme scenario design hiccups, and flabbergasting writing at times. What's really interesting is that the inter-character banter and the acting seem top-notch. The actors do an amazing job with the sheer ridiculousness they're handed sometimes; I actually care about the characters, probably because after Terminator 3 I approach anything Terminator with extremely low expectations anymore. It's probably a function of corporate execs placing limitations on the writers, and the writing crew being switched up constantly.
Oh, and Youtube neutered the "Magus Unmasked" video yet again.
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Sad this is, there are teachers who forbid the passive voice who also don’t understand what it actually is. I’ve had more than one teacher who thought that the past tense was the same as the passive voice.
And then there's the Middle Voice...
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Sad this is, there are teachers who forbid the passive voice who also don’t understand what it actually is. I’ve had more than one teacher who thought that the past tense was the same as the passive voice.
And then there's the Middle Voice...
I look forward to the "...[punch line]" post that will hopefully follow this one.
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and then someone kicks you in the nuts and you hit the "high voice"?
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Oh, and Youtube neutered the "Magus Unmasked" video yet again.
What did they do this time?
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I can't remember when, but when I tried to check out Faustwolf's videos after his cheers of "The audio's back!", I found that the audio didn't match up. (Swapped-out audio instead of the original audio apparently.)
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Pretty much the same with what Vehek said. After he said it, it only played audio for the first...10-20 seconds and then the rest was a complete dead silence.
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Same thing here as well, it been like that everytime I've looked save the time you first posted it months back.
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Yeah, they replaced the audio track with the swapped audio I chose to resolve the original copyright warning. Then the audio was restored, and now it's back to the swapped audio. I'm still hopeful that the tide will turn again, seeing as the purchase link to the Dead Can Dance song I used for the Darkness Beyond Time music is still there.
I think I saw somewhere that Youtube/Google was originally supposed to have paid the Warner Music Group a commission based on the number of copyrighted songs appearing in all the Youtube vids, and that deal failing is what brought doom and gloom unto the Youtubers. With the software Youtube is using (some very, very secret technology developed by "Audible Magic"), it is a very realistic goal to measure the number of instances of copyrighted music appearing in all of Youtube, so I'm hoping that they'll make amends. This whole ordeal has been about Youtube/Google trying to appease WMG.
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Sad this is, there are teachers who forbid the passive voice who also don’t understand what it actually is. I’ve had more than one teacher who thought that the past tense was the same as the passive voice.
And then there's the Middle Voice...
I look forward to the "...[punch line]" post that will hopefully follow this one.
?
No. The Middle voice, as distinct from Active and Passive. English doesn't have it, but it can grammatically exist, and implies an action done with benefit to the self. In the same way that in the number of a verb and noun there isn't just singular and plural, but also dual. Or in mood not just indicitive and subjunctive, but optative, too. And let's not forget the variant cases, such as ablative...
Heh. Whatchya expect? I'm a Classical Philologist. However, just please don't expect me to be able to list the first person, dual, aorist, middle, optative. Actually, I'm not even sure if such an obscure form would exist. Allow me to check... nope, guess not. Not sure why, but there IS a second person, dual, aorist, middle, optative. I don't think we can say it in English, but it might be something like 'the two of you wish (short action) for something'... sorta.
Major thanks for your help Idiom, it worked.
The thing about this class, the essays are thrown out if they're anything under the minimum requirements. Three misspellings or typos, in the trash. More or less than six sentences for the intro, in the trash. Shorter or longer than two and a half pages, in the trash. Use first person pronouns or passive voice, in the trash. No grade.
It was a classification essay, and I just have a hard time classifying things I don't really care about.
You see, Zephira, that always strikes me as strange that in lower levels of schooling we're told not to write in first person. I have read enough professional scholarly works and papers to have seen that be a common practise, rather than taboo. I myself started using 'I' in papers, and far from being frowned upon it is considered good. After all, it is generally a theory or whatever you speak of in the thesis statement that you are trying to prove. It is your work, why not speak in the capacity?
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You see, Zephira, that always strikes me as strange that in lower levels of schooling we're told not to write in first person. I have read enough professional scholarly works and papers to have seen that be a common practise, rather than taboo. I myself started using 'I' in papers, and far from being frowned upon it is considered good. After all, it is generally a theory or whatever you speak of in the thesis statement that you are trying to prove. It is your work, why not speak in the capacity?
I think it really shouldn't matter so long as consistency is maintained throughout any written piece. Changing up perspective and tense is always something I try to look for, and commonly correct in my own work.
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I'm not sure if I would call this a lower level of schooling. It's English 101, at a technical college. It's not the highest English class, but it's pretty far along the line. I'm not sure what my professor wants to teach us with these restrictions, something about better sentence-level expression. Either way, it certainly feels like a lower level of schooling.
I left high school after one year and went to college instead. High school sucks. It's boring. It has no challenge. This class is challenging in that there are cumbersome restrictions placed on our writing, and subjects that the students care nothing for. It is no stretch of the imagination or creative mind to answer the questions we are presented with; instead the creativity is held back by the strict guidelines being enforced.
I came to this college to better myself as an artist and a writer. This class accomplishes neither. So yeah, you could call it a lower level of schooling.
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I'm not sure if I would call this a lower level of schooling. It's English 101, at a technical college. It's not the highest English class, but it's pretty far along the line. I'm not sure what my professor wants to teach us with these restrictions, something about better sentence-level expression. Either way, it certainly feels like a lower level of schooling.
I left high school after one year and went to college instead. High school sucks. It's boring. It has no challenge. This class is challenging in that there are cumbersome restrictions placed on our writing, and subjects that the students care nothing for. It is no stretch of the imagination or creative mind to answer the questions we are presented with; instead the creativity is held back by the strict guidelines being enforced.
I came to this college to better myself as an artist and a writer. This class accomplishes neither. So yeah, you could call it a lower level of schooling.
Hm, sorry, I just assumed you to be in high school. All the same, yeah, the perspective I'm coming from are the scholarly papers I've read (typically on some literary subject) and the papers I myself have written for various courses. As I've seen the professionals write in the first person, I think there are good grounds for it. Generally it arises when it expresses an opinion regarding the subject matter. That is, how can you write something in which you are to be expressing something new without falling into the first person?
Now, in this sense, perspective can change. That is, some of the paper may impartially be telling details in the third person, ie. this happened, and this person said this. However, it can lightly shift into first person. I suppose a pure explanatory paper should be soley in third person, but as you move along you should be expressing your own ideas, and this is only possible in the first.
As for a change in tenses this, too, is admissable, though at the moment I'm rather too tired to think of an example. But what you really must keep in mind, more than some set rule or stricture, is context and viewpoint. You can use a present tense, in a way, to give immediacy to something that is typically in the past (you see this even in other languages, such as in Greek, which tends to something called the 'historic present'... it speaks about the past using the present tense.) For example, you could be talking about this ancient figure having done this and that, and then go 'and at this point he comes into the city, and destroys it.' A change in tense, to be sure, but is it technically, or stylistically wrong? I would argue that it isn't. The prevalent past tense of the verbs overshadows this and the present, rather than setting it into an actual present, gives it the feeling of action contemporary with the other verbs. Or you could use a present participle, too, I suppose. Language is a very fluid thing, and it's a pity that it's taught through such rigid frameworks. I mean, it's certain that you have to know the rules, and there are certainly rules, but all the same, it's not so dry and simplistic as it often appears to be. There's a lot of room for adaption within the strictures of even proper language that are a joy to vary.
Anyway, that's what you're thinking, I suppose, in that you're not fond of the cumbersome restrictions. What IS it you are taking in college anyway? You say you're trying to better yourself as an artist and writer. Are you taking creative writing or some such thing?
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No. The Middle voice, as distinct from Active and Passive. English doesn't have it, but it can grammatically exist, and implies an action done with benefit to the self. In the same way that in the number of a verb and noun there isn't just singular and plural, but also dual. Or in mood not just indicitive and subjunctive, but optative, too. And let's not forget the variant cases, such as ablative...
Heh. Whatchya expect?
Actually, this paragraph is about what I expected. I had a sneaking suspicion that it was grammatical construct not found in English, but having little knowledge on the topic myself, I figured I'd wait for your confirmation.
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Anyway, that's what you're thinking, I suppose, in that you're not fond of the cumbersome restrictions. What IS it you are taking in college anyway? You say you're trying to better yourself as an artist and writer. Are you taking creative writing or some such thing?
I'm in the Animation and Game Design Program, studying to be a texture artist or 3d modeler. I enjoy writing too, so I figured I might as well polish up my literary skills while I'm here.
Technically I'm a high school student, as I haven't graduated yet, but my college classes count towards high school credit. I plan on finishing my Animation course before graduating from high school. That way I don't have to pay for anything :D
It's refreshing to see that so many people still value the english language and are willing to debate its nuances.
As for the topic of frustrations... people who pay no attention to their language and constantly butcher it are annoying. Especially when they're old enough that they should know better.
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One of the biggest frustrations I have is that a lot of people would rather be dedicated completely to the form of any given written piece of work, while not giving a shit about originality or creativity. What I mean is, some people believe that keeping to the form of something is better than adding your distinctive touch to it.
I once joined a messageboard for poets where this was all they focused on. Form, form, form, and if it wasn't by the books then it wasn't real, it didn't count. Anything less than top form was mediocre. I've always seen writing as an art-form. I've always believed that with art, you must be able to put yourself fully into it, and that whether you have the proper form or not, can still create good pieces of work. and on the other hand, you can go completely by form and still create something good.
To say that one is greater than the other, whether form or pure expression of one's self, that's not for me to say, but I do believe that having a mixture of the two is what makes an artist really great, instead of just good. Both are just as important to have. And being a writer is the same as being an artist; no one will ever be able to change that belief in me.
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Although form is important, on the paper I wrote on mythology for Latin, I threw in one of my favorite lines and still got an A.
'Oh, this is only the beginning.
Cronus wanted babies.
WITH HIS SISTER.'
I love that line. It's phrased just as I typed it here.
My current frustration is a mysterious pain in my knee. When I've been sitting for a while and I bend my knee, it hurts like hell. And when I've been standing and I sit, it hurts like hell. I think I might have pulled something last night while dancing. I was doing a lot of jumping around, but... this pain isn't like pulled muscle pain. What's worse is the nurse's treatment for this pain.
She gives me a Ziploc bag with ice in it wrapped in paper towels.
And yes, it is a Ziploc. I see it right on the bag.
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frustration: nicotine withdrawals. I decided to quit smoking, cold turkey, after ten years of smoking. I've tried just slowing down to a stop before, and it doesn't work. I wonder if that actually works for anyone? I see it as a way of keeping cigarettes around yourself and is an excuse to continue smoking. Best way to quit is definitely cold turkey, but I'm probably going to be even more of an ass for the next couple of weeks.
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I'm kind of Frustrated that I uploaded two parts of Mother 3 and Acacia Sgt. seems to be the only one who watched. I WANT FEEDBACK PEOPLE!!!
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I'd watch now, but I'm at the school and I need a proxy the school hasn't blocked to watch anything on YouTube. I'll watch when I get home, 'kay?
The pain in my knee is still there and it hasn't gotten better, even though bags filled with ice make the world better. And I can't go home because I have to take a final last period of the day. If I didn't have to, I could go to the nurse and demand that they call my mom to come pick me up. And even then, they only send you home if you have a fever.
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I feel so whiny, and that was NOT my intention. I wanted to see who was actually going to watch whenever I uploaded a new part. Pyt Fumv, Acacia Sgt., and Teaflower(?) I've got watching so far. I believe.
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I'm watching part 3 as we speak.
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And I'm doing last minute homework as we speak.
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why would I watch what I cannot play? that would incessantly tease the fuck out of me.
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I just remembered somthing that Crono's Final spell is jinxed. Whenever I get luminare bad things happen. :?
First time my game boy color got a crack in it. :x
Secnd time: I broke my ankle, :shock:
Third time my sister Totaled the car, :picardno
And now I crashed the car taking off thfront bumper :x, damageing the back :(and the lights still work :shock:, as well as no one else was involved. :)
Dose any one else have somthing similar to this happen to them?
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not me, thank god.
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O_O...That's really creepy. And no, nothing like that has happened
My current frustration is Chrono Trigger itself. WHY WON'T YOU WORK THE WAY I WANT YOU TO WORK D:
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Really? All because of Luminaire?
No, nothing like that has ever happened to me.
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I'll try to watch when I get on my comp. My folks might be going out tonight and if they do and they don't take me with, I'll get on and watch. MOTHER 3 in English is a fan's dream, since MOTHER 3 is one of those immortal games.
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Am I the only one that doesn't understand why the games so much fun? I hated the game so much ._.
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Am I the only one that doesn't understand why the games so much fun? I hated the game so much ._.
You're not the only one.
MOTHER 3 SPOILERS!
I found the storyline to be non-redeeming, not to mention a depress fest. I thought the game was nothing like Earthbound.
MOTHER 3 SPOILERS!
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How is that a spoiler? you talk about nothing in the game in particular. You just bag on it and say it's not like Earthbound. DUH!, I don't think it was meant to be anything like Earthbound, except for in the style of the graphics and a few other things.
You guys are like those people who hated Lufia: Ruins of Lore just because it didn't have the Sinistrals in it. What? you wanted an exact replica of Earthbound or what? Come on, now, and be realistic. if every sequel was exactly the same as the game before it, adding nothing new, then what would be the point of even making them, except for the new storyline. woop-de-fucking-doo. Personally, from what I played of it, Mother 3 looked like a great game, and I look forward to playing more of it when I can.
I understand that not everyone will like every game, but to dislike it because it's not like a previous game in the series is ridiculous. grow up and broaden your mind a bit.
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I agree on that, since I used to think that of Chrono Cross. But now, I give all the games a chance.
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Anyway, that's what you're thinking, I suppose, in that you're not fond of the cumbersome restrictions. What IS it you are taking in college anyway? You say you're trying to better yourself as an artist and writer. Are you taking creative writing or some such thing?
I'm in the Animation and Game Design Program, studying to be a texture artist or 3d modeler. I enjoy writing too, so I figured I might as well polish up my literary skills while I'm here.
Technically I'm a high school student, as I haven't graduated yet, but my college classes count towards high school credit. I plan on finishing my Animation course before graduating from high school. That way I don't have to pay for anything :D
It's refreshing to see that so many people still value the english language and are willing to debate its nuances.
As for the topic of frustrations... people who pay no attention to their language and constantly butcher it are annoying. Especially when they're old enough that they should know better.
Well, you know, if you plan on completing university/college, High School is really redundant. I never finished it, yet I'm a grad student in Classical langauges with an undergrad in engineering, so it hardly matters anymore. And, heh, as I told RD, such things as I was debating don't appear in English. My grammatical training is actually ancient Greek/Latinate in form. That's why I have a strong familiarity with forms of nouns and verbs: to translate, as I often have to do (and even write on occassion) one has to have a strong understanding and familiarity with how the structure works. It's not exactly as English, but you'd be amazed at some of the similarities. However, for structural understanding, it's wonderful: there is so much in those languages that we have lost in English, whether it is the manifold forms of verbs, or the various declensions. Things that exist now only in the difference between 'I' and 'me', in Greek and Latin pervade every word, so simply by saying a noun you know if it's singular or plural, masculine or feminine, or if it's the nominative, genetive, dative, accusative, or ablative. I quite enjoy that all, and most of the time it transfers... so I tend to think 'now, how would this be constructed in Latin?'
Anyway, good luck in the studies. Though my admonishment would be if you intend to write better don't worry about learning it via direct teaching. Far the best teacher of those things is in studying the masters. So read things, and see how it's done. I don't think it can be taught much of any other way. It's an art, and either one has the gift to write well or not. Technical writing, for sure, can be taught, but for the rest that one has to be born with, and is inspired by reading the great works.
Although form is important, on the paper I wrote on mythology for Latin, I threw in one of my favorite lines and still got an A.
'Oh, this is only the beginning.
Cronus wanted babies.
WITH HIS SISTER.'
I love that line. It's phrased just as I typed it here.
Latin... shouldn't it be Saturn, then?
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I am pissed off that some sites have good ideas but bad design management.
A recent example is Devinant art. It's a goldmine for unique fan-art but you only get to view the first page unless you pay wher fan-art central you get all the pages. :picardn Whoever thought of the former idea has insanity.
Ever come across weird stuff like that?
BTW: I hate to bring things like this publicy but Shadow's inbox is full so I can't send any thing to him and I reallly want to bad so can someone contact him somehow? I am very confused. :? :? :?
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Sorry, forgot about my PM limit. I just cleaned it out.
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I just remembered somthing that Crono's Final spell is jinxed. Whenever I get luminare bad things happen. :?
First time my game boy color got a crack in it. :x
Secnd time: I broke my ankle, :shock:
Third time my sister Totaled the car, :picardno
And now I crashed the car taking off thfront bumper :x, damageing the back :(and the lights still work :shock:, as well as no one else was involved. :)
Dose any one else have somthing similar to this happen to them?
Not me, but two of my friends....every time they are together in a car listening to Weezer...bad things happen.
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Sorry to break your bubble but I have NEVER liked the Mother series including Earthbound itself. I can't stand it at all. And Lufia: Ruins of Lore is fun. My save got lost so I quit it, but it was fun while it laster.
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Sorry to break your bubble but I have NEVER liked the Mother series including Earthbound itself. I can't stand it at all. And Lufia: Ruins of Lore is fun. My save got lost so I quit it, but it was fun while it laster.
I hate it too, it's just a decent RPG for the SNES, I hate the combat system though. >_>
How is that a spoiler? you talk about nothing in the game in particular. You just bag on it and say it's not like Earthbound. DUH!, I don't think it was meant to be anything like Earthbound, except for in the style of the graphics and a few other things.
You guys are like those people who hated Lufia: Ruins of Lore just because it didn't have the Sinistrals in it. What? you wanted an exact replica of Earthbound or what? Come on, now, and be realistic. if every sequel was exactly the same as the game before it, adding nothing new, then what would be the point of even making them, except for the new storyline. woop-de-fucking-doo. Personally, from what I played of it, Mother 3 looked like a great game, and I look forward to playing more of it when I can.
I understand that not everyone will like every game, but to dislike it because it's not like a previous game in the series is ridiculous. grow up and broaden your mind a bit.
First of, I hate Earthbound's story, it didn't make sense. I hate Mother 3 because by the end, you get no kind of reward, it's just Oh, you beat the game and SPOILER your family is dead SPOILER, thanks for playing!
Earthbound however did things different than other RPG's, like the give your money to dad so you don't lose it, same with items etc.
Lufia I like, so fuck you.
Besides, I would have taken ANYTHING over Mother 3.
FYI, Mother 1, Earthbound Zero, whatever you call it, sucks, as well as Ness and Lucas in Super Smash Brothers.
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so disapointed of Square Enix. why would want to but games go on mobile? Final Fantasy IV: The After, Dirge Of Cerberus Lost Episode, Before Crisis Final Fantasy VII, Kingdom Hearts: Coded.
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FFIV:TA might be coming to the 360's download service.
http://www.qj.net/Rumor-Final-Fantasy-IV-sequel-The-After-coming-to-XBLA-/pg/49/aid/128460
As with Square Enix's Crystal Defenders (or whatever it's called), it'll probably end up on the Wii and PS3 as well.
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Although form is important, on the paper I wrote on mythology for Latin, I threw in one of my favorite lines and still got an A.
'Oh, this is only the beginning.
Cronus wanted babies.
WITH HIS SISTER.'
I love that line. It's phrased just as I typed it here.
Latin... shouldn't it be Saturn, then?
It was actually Greek mythology that I was doing. Beyer's weird like that.
Update on my knee. It got better after lying down with my legs propped up and a bag of corn on my knee. It's swolen, but I have no idea what happened.
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I don't understand people that don't like the Mother series. 1) Mother one of the best 8-Bit RPGs (not a lot to choose from, but still good enough to stand ahead of most), 2) Mother 2/Earthbound's instant win easy battles was the best RPG innovation in years (every RPG should implement it, really), & 3) they're good, light-hearted turn-based RPGs with simple but sometimes serious storylines...I could only understand someone not liking the visual style maybe. Everything else is solid RPG fare.
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Although form is important, on the paper I wrote on mythology for Latin, I threw in one of my favorite lines and still got an A.
'Oh, this is only the beginning.
Cronus wanted babies.
WITH HIS SISTER.'
I love that line. It's phrased just as I typed it here.
Latin... shouldn't it be Saturn, then?
It was actually Greek mythology that I was doing. Beyer's weird like that.
Update on my knee. It got better after lying down with my legs propped up and a bag of corn on my knee. It's swolen, but I have no idea what happened.
Meh. In that case you can tell him not to use Latinate forms of Greek, but use the full on Greek if that's what he's doing. So it's Kronos. The 'us' in English has the unfortunate tendancy of being pronounced as 'is', making it 'crow-nis' when it's really closer to 'croh-nohs'.
I bet he then uses Uranus, too, eh? Darned Latinate. It's actually falling out of vogue. Used to be people did that, so in older texts you'll see them using the Greek names spelled in Latin ways. Or simply the Latin versions. So you see things like 'Achilles' and 'Alexander.' Nowadays the tide's turning, though, and you're seeing more of the transliterated versions, the 'Akhilleus' and the 'Alexandros.'
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Well, he was taught Church Latin, so...
Frustration of the moment = I need to write my novel so I can send it to my friend. But I don't want to write it right now...
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Well, he was taught Church Latin, so...
Frustration of the moment = I need to write my novel so I can send it to my friend. But I don't want to write it right now...
Oooh, that bloody Ecclesiastical pronounciation! Heh. My father was also taught it, and I always make certain to criticise him. At his inaugeration as University president he made sure to poke fun at me for it, because when he cited the University motto he said it with Ecclesiastical pronouncation, and then made sure to add that, those who know it would certain point out his distinct Ecclesiastical drawl, then turned to me and said 'Daniel...' Heh. Funny stuff. But yeah, being trained as a Classicist, I have certain pronounciation forms that favour the ancient. So something like 'veni, vidi, vici' is, to me, pronounced 'way-nee, wee-dee, wee-kee', which is more or less the way of the Romans, whereas in later eras it has become something more like 'venee, veedee, veechee.' I can, I suppose, shift between the two of them, but I prefer the ancient, simply because most things I read or write are written with antiquity in mind.
As for writing, don't ever compell it... ever. The muse is either there or she isn't. You cannot by force drag their delicate forms down from around the springs of Helikon. Those daughters of Zeus are not moved by Force, and you must wait on their times. To demand their presence is to incur the wrath of their powerful father, and you will only be dismayed when you are further lacking golden inspiration. When the time is right, then drink Kvasir's blood, but till then, let words be silent.
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FYI, Mother 1, Earthbound Zero, whatever you call it, sucks, as well as Ness and Lucas in Super Smash Brothers.
IDK, M1 might not look as good as EB or M3, but Ness and Lucas in SSBB actually kick ass if you use them right. Every character can be turned into a lean, mean, battle machine if you use them properly.
Current gripe: I have to stick with Firefox b/c for some unknown reason Internet Explorer refuses to respond. It was fine a week or so ago. I've sent 2 reports to Microsoft and nothing's changed.
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He was taught Church Latin, but usually works with us in Ancient. I often times go through words in English and try to pronounce them as a Roman would. It's fun. I know I shouldn't force the muse, so I already sent both the synopsis and the actual thing to him.
Hey, Shadow? You want me to send you the novel?
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Hey, Shadow? You want me to send you the novel?
*shrugs* Sure. One author to another. Then again, my works are never published. :lol:
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This has never been published, either. Not entirely sure if I even want to start with the games a lot of publishers but you through to get something published.
I'll send it to you later, but you needs to tell me your email. Or I could make a thread about it, but I'd rather not do that. Would send in PM, but won't let me attach stuff and I'm not copying and pasting 100 pages of good literature into a PM. It would probably make Compie explode or something similar.
Current gripe is my sister's laptop. I'm on it now so that she has company while she dances. It's not that I don't like it, but that its 'H' key is wonky. I.E., the top part for it came off. I can still use it (obviously), but it's difficult.
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My e-mail is in my profile, unless I hid it. If I did, then there's not much I can do for ya, since I can't send PMs.
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It's hidden. :picardno
I'll make a thread either later tonight when I have the latest copy or tomorrow. Or you can unhide your email and make my life a whole lot easier.
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IDK if I can un-hide it, which is now my gripe. Hang on, I'll log out and send you an e-mail from mine.
EDIT: New gripe: your e-mail's hidden. Can you un-hide it plz?
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Sorry. Will undo. EDIT: It isn't hidden from the populus. I guess you just can't see emails. It's teaflower565@yahoo.com. Email me and I'll get back to you ASAP. If anyone else sends me anything for no reason, I'm going to hunt you down and kill you.
My knee is acting up again. But this time I can't lie down with a bag of corn on my knee.
And it's not because I ate the corn.
Although now I want some yellow kernely goodness.
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Heh, that's gotta suck.
Hmm... Odd, though I believe you, I have this urge to call bullshit. *shrugs* Probably just gas.
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GAS DOESN'T MAKE MY KNEE SWELL UP LIKE A BALLOON AT 6 IN THE MORNING AND CONTINUE UNTIL LATE INTO THE NIGHT.
I'm done being Zoah now.
I really want to curl up and sleep, too. But... can't. Can't pull out my bed right now. Good news is I found my Happy Feet. They're beaten up, but they're so warm... I wish I had a new pair.
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No, no, methinks gas was making me want to call bullshit on your claim that you didn't eat the missing corn.
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Current Gripe: My favorite pair of jeans (and that's not saying much, I only own like 3) have shrunken to mimic somewhat of a "Highwater Spandex" style of pants after letting them soak for hours and putting them in the dryer like an idiot.
On top of that, we now need a new washer.
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Ouch.
Current gripe: Mom's on my ass again about some school stuff. At least I'm trying to get it done.
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The missing corn is again on my knee. It's getting worse throughout the day. What else bothers me is that, although I am in some serious pain, my brother and sister keep asking me to go run up and down the stairs with socks and coffee and missing keys...
Although I have founda good way to get down the stairs without hurting myself too much. What you do is you put the right foot (the one with the bad knee) on the far right side of the stair. Then you stretch your left foot down to the next step, but all the way to the left. You keep going like this and your knee won't hurt as much.
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I'm being forced to go to a theme park with my family while sick. :evil: Bye all.
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Ouch. Hope ya feel better.
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I'm being forced to go to a theme park with my family while sick. :evil: Bye all.
Theme parks are fun. I'd go to one now, but aside from being kind of smelly and still in pain, it's really cold out there and most parks up here in New England, unless they're indoor, close for winter. And we're poor.
Update on the knee! It's worse. And, on top of this, my mother and sister went shopping. They got a bunch of soda and heavy stuff. And, knowing that I am in some serious pain here, my sister left me most of the heavy stuff. I.E., four cases of soda and a gallon of orange juice. To add onto my anger, it was really cold out there and there was serious windage. Yes, windage. So aside from freezing my little fingers off carrying a really cold gallon of juice, my hood was constantly flying off of my head.
I hate a lot of stuff in winter.
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My copy of CC has just died.
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How? What a tragedy. Good thing it is a readily available game.
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Popped it it to my PS2 and low and be hold disc read error, it is an original release copy so its got a few years under its belt.
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If you want, I can send you mine!
... oh, right. After my kick.
That really sucks, man. Does it, like, not load up into your PlayStation at all? Or does it hang on one scene? My suggestion is that you take some Scotch tape, right? Tape a square around the center hole. Trust me, that's saved us many an hour with other PlayStation games on the PS2. All our Final Fantasy games and I do believe our copy of Chrono Cross has it done as well. Another thing you may try and do is put your PlayStation (if it's a PS2) so that it's vertical. That made some of our games work better. Also, clean both the disc and the PlayStation.
And whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE A SCREWDRIVER TO YOUR SYSTEM. My brother did that once and we had to buy a new PlayStation.
Let me know if any of that helps, 'kay?
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My copy of CC has just died.
Welcome to the club, mate.
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Its a mix my PS2 is old as well and has been having trouble with PS1 games, I am going to get a copy from a friends and see if it is the disc or the console first.
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I am frustrated that I might have mad a bad thread cause I am very curious to this question. http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,6921.0.html But from the results I can easily see flames happen. Discussion threads usually do that for me. :picardno :picardno
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I...don't see any flames...But it IS a rather...odd idea for a thread...>_>
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Frustration: that somehow the grammar of 'it was not the questioning but the answering that he found difficult' is causing me a pain to translate into Greek. How to differentiate this from 'he found not the questioning but the answering difficult.'? Seems that it's a relative clause, but must it be? Argh. This is aggrivating me.
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... Greek hurts my head.
My knee still hurts. And I now hit my elbow. Oww...
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... Greek hurts my head.
My knee still hurts. And I now hit my elbow. Oww...
I tell ya, Latin prose composition is so much easier. I'd rather do Latin verse composition even than this Greek. The problem is, it's so idiomatic! There are so many intricacies of using infinitives and participles and what not, not to mention figuring out what the English is in the first place.
That's actually the trouble I'm having, trying to figure out what kind of construction it is to say 'it was not (such) but (such) that he found difficult.' I think it's a more complex way of saying 'he did not find (such) but (such) difficult', through the use of a relative clause (the what, I suppose, is a relative pronoun.) That far I've gotten, but I think it's really the 'it was' that's messing me up here. Often something like that denotes an impersonal verb (ie. it was neccessary, or something like that), but here it's just being used as a demonstrative. My question then becomes, should I translate it as the demonstrative with the verb 'to be' in there, as a literal translation from the English, or should I turn it about, basically making 'he found difficult' the sole verb (further headache, how do you say 'he found it difficult'... use eurisko with khalepos, a verb for finding with an adjective agreeing with... which words? With the (such) ones? And can eurisko be used in this way, or is that purpose an English phrasing (because it is finding quite literally... it's the root for when we say eureka.)) So it's a grammatical headache, to be sure. Couldn't they have phrased it a tad more simply? Becuase I really don't know what to do in this case.
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Headache like I thought I'd never believe. Took Tylenol and a decongestant, since it's just sinuses, but damn, it hurts.
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Headache like I thought I'd never believe. Took Tylenol and a decongestant, since it's just sinuses, but damn, it hurts.
Massage your scalp (or get someone to do it for you)...a lot of times with a headache it is because your cranium has tightened for some reason. If you'll notice, tghe skin is a little more tight up there than usual, is it not? Massage the scalp, improve circulation, bring more blood/oxygen to brain, help relive headache. This coupled with some sort of pain releiver, be it acetametaphen(sp?) or ibuprofen or aspirin, will help loads.
-Dr. Shee
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Frustration: When people don't take sufficient care of their animals.
Me: "Is your dog on heartworm prevention?"
Dumbshit: "What's that?"
...and lo and behold I do the heartworm test and it is positive. Now all because you wanted to save a few bucks a month you face a choice of either paying $700 for heartworm treatment or letting your "beloved" dog die. The animal depends on you for his well being. If a person is not willing to financially support the necessary medical requirements for an animals health then they don't deserve to have an animal in the first place. Period.
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Holy shit... Poor doggy.
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People who don't take care of their animals sicken me. Fat dogs and cats make my soul burn, and underfed critters hurt even more. I try and do my part to take care of my cats, although Maud doesn't eat much because she's afraid of Rosie and is thus quite bony. But I tell them that I know they love me because I put food and water in their dishes and make sure their litter boxes aren't completely gross.
Good news! My knee is a whole lot better. I guess that walk was what I needed... although I almost fell on my ass due to ice...
New gripe, though. I'm really hot. And not like that. I'm very... warm. I'd take off the blanket draping my shoulders, thus causing said warmness, but then because it's cold in this room, I'd have to put it back on.
Ugh.
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Our puppy is a bit fat because he's too adorable to NOT spoil. D:
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It's not chubby cats and dogs. It's morbidly obese animals that make me die a little inside. I like my animals to have a little squish to them, but not so much that s/he can't make it up the stairs.
EDIT: My brother was not aware of the Soul Calibur 3 data corruption bug.
See, what happens is if you delete old files made after the SC3 data on your memory card, there's a good chance that your SC3 data will corrupt. My brother didn't know this, so he cleaned out our memory cards and we lost everything on the game. It's both a blessing (see if I can make it through the story without Soul Calibur or Queen's Guard) and a curse (can't make any decent characters). But I'm okay with it.
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At least you willfully attempt to take care of your pets. This person decided to get a pet with no knowledge or no desire to understand the necessary medical requirements to keep their pet healthy. Which to me is tantamount to animal abuse. It's the same as willfully keeping food from an animal, if you willfully keep medication from an animal, and then they suffer a debilitating condition because of that decision.
Luckily, the person decided upon treatment. But not before asking "is the treatment dangerous"? Well yes, it's dangerous, with death or paralysis as a worst case scenario. But seriously? Do you mean, dangerous as in not giving your dog heartworm medication so he ends up getting heartworms and would eventually suffer right sided heart failure if we didn't catch it dangerous? I will never understand people.
EDIT: And also, a good judge of ideal weight is that you should be able to feel your pets ribcage when you touch his sides, but not be able to see it when you look at him. If you can't feel it, he's got too much fat over it. If you can see it, he hasn't got enough.
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My back has been @#$%ing killing me all day!
I woke up fine, not a pain in my body except stiff legs to stretch out. Got up, took care of the three S's, and went to sit on the couch where my roomate was watching TV in the living room. Then suddenly...
BAM! Every goddamn muscle in my lower back tightens up like someone just put a taser to my kidneys. I buckle over, fall back on the couch and try the usual remedies of slowly stretching and massaging the muscles, but nothing lets up.
I've prolly swallowed enough motrin to kill a medium sized dog today, and still the aching persists.
Back aches are bullshit.
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I just smashed my finger in a door. Nothing is broken, but typing is a bitch and its really badly bruised.
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(uses Triforce to heal FouCapitan's back)
I know I can't control it but here in Oregon we haven't really any rain since the first week and it's not looking hopefull in the medium-range run so I am pretty peeved. I order low pressure and all I get is an inversion fog where it's warmer up in the foothills? GOOD GRIEF! :picardno
At least I am not in Northern California right now
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(uses Triforce to heal FouCapitan's back)
I know I can't control it but here in Oregon we haven't really any rain since the first week and it's not looking hopefull in the medium-range run so I am pretty peeved. I order low pressure and all I get is an inversion fog where it's warmer up in the foothills? GOOD GRIEF! :picardno
At least I am not in Northern California right now
I live in the grand valley in Colorado, and we get the same shit over here. Lower elevations were stuck in the 20s because of an inversion last month when it was reachingthe 40s up in the mountains... THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS WERE WARMER THAN THE VALLEY!
I just smashed my finger in a door. Nothing is broken, but typing is a bitch and its really badly bruised.
Ouchies... Fingers are a nuisance in that respect. Only bone I ever broke in my body happened to be my little pinky finger. How? Dropped a 40 lb. Humvee starter on it from 3 feet in the air while it was laying on pavement.
Sad thing was I didn't even notice it was broken until I tried busting the lugs off with a tire wrench and realized that hand wasn't doing anything for a while.
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Spittin' hot fire with nothing to show for it
So it goes..Hollyweird
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I live in the grand valley in Colorado
Question.
Is that anywhere near Colorado Springs?
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Smashed fingers suck. Back aches suck. You know what sucks more than that?
Your hand being crushed in your brother's chair.
Last night, my brother accidentally made the data corruption bug in SC3 activate, so we had to start over. But he was joking about my KH2 files, so I went to tickle his sides. His side squeezed my hand into the side of his chair, leaving a nasty bruise. It hurts to type...
You know what sucks more than that, though?
Sharpie on your face while you're trying to sleep.
Last night, my older sister decided to draw on my face with a Sharpie while I slept. Of course, she says she didn't do anything wrong because I, in my sleeping state, apparently said yes. So I woke up in the middle of the night to the sensation of being really really hot and the smell of Sharpie. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't. I then went into the bathroom, threw a little tantrum because she was laughing and saying she didn't do anything wrong, and scrubbed my face clean. Of course, after all the Sharpie was off my face, I notice that in my scrubbing I caused some weird scratch or burn or bruise on my face right under my eye.
Wonder what the kids at school will say about that...
Normally, I'd send this via PM to Z because I know I can trust him, but I don't flipping care anymore. You see, she reads what I do here and anything bad about her I get yelled at for and have to go back and delete. And even if I delete it, it still haunts me.
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I live in the grand valley in Colorado
Question.
Is that anywhere near Colorado Springs?
Other side of the state.
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Ah. I was wondering, because my brother has a job there.
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Aw God, rough day. I had a terrible allergy induced cold- Eyes watering, nose running, everything. AND I was forced to walk around Legoland for a few hours. Luckily, I took medication, and was able to observe and ponder on how the rides work like I always do at theme parks. Yeah... Last Friday, I was
1. Teased to no end by classmates
2. Tripped and humiliated
3. Had my things stolen
4. I was forced to resist my urge to stab somebody in the face
5. Then, I threw up.
Fun, eh? NO.
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What got stolen and by who? What made you throw up? Who tripped you?
When I find out who/what did all of this, I'm going to Cali with an angry Rosie and I'll have her eat them like she ate my hands. There are two infected scratches on my fingers. And what's worse is that they're on the joints on my writing hand.
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Holy shit, that has got to hurt!
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My Binder was stolen until I cussed out the guy who stole it, Some Jerk tripped me, and I threw up on my own accord from sickness. Yeah... I sometimes cut my fingers while playing Bass. Sadly, I often play with the Fingers required for writing and typing and Mother 3 and such. Grr.
Anyways, Me and Shadow are no longer at odds, as he has apparently been trying to be less of an ass than he used to be, and tried to cut down Godmodding, and even introduced a new charecter.
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My bloody Greek is still giving me trouble. Argh. These dratted participles are messing with my head something fierce! The worst part is that I knew them. I knew it all so well just the other day. Then suddenly something didn't make sense about it, and I overthought it, and suddenly all the grammatical constructions are subject. I'm dismayed out of my mind, and I'm just hoping to be able to finish my homework by tomorrow.
So that continues to be my frustration. Antiquity shall be the end of me yet.
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For WHATEVER reason, Mother 3 part 8 decided to end at 1:33, instead of when it was supposed to. As a result, we may have to skip a whole Freaking section. DAMN.
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Oh, shit. Can you reboot back to that point, or do you have to start over?
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I can't, so I'm just going to try and show what happened with sprites and paint. Hopefully, it will work. We just missed a battle.
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Let me guess, it was the boss, right?
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Removing what was frustrating me, didn't need to be here.
Other frustration, I missed a dinner with Alice on Friday.
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Guess who had the worst day of his life so far? I did~
On the way to school, our car broke down on the freeway. Once someone towed it away, And we got a ride, I went to my first period class, where of course, there was a Sub. The Sub did almost nothing, and we were forced to do busy work. And my classmates made fun of me endlessly and tortured me. One of my most hated enemies took the lunch box out of my backpack, without me really noticing. I was so mad NOT because of the lunchbox in particular, but the fact that he could have opened the pocket on my backpack with my wallet, Ipod, and such pissed me the hell off. I went to English, and when I realized it was gone, I LITERALLY burst out in rage. The year of torture before it all came at once. I scared the hell out of my classmates, by turning to the said student who took my lunch very calmly, but very loudly and a look that would kill him and send him to the deepest pits of hell. He acted like he didn't know what happened to it, but I saw through it. I ALMOST hit him, but the teacher interfered. She got him in trouble, and forced him to help me look for it. With the same look on my face, I hunted for it, and found it in a trash can. The student attempted to make small talk nervously, as he KNEW that all the crap he and his friends had given me over the last two years could very well emerge from me as a fist in his face. I then was forced to watch as they got their confidence back and bothered me... Until math. One of the students who I hate the most kept telling me that somebody stole my lunchbox. My rage amplified to the point that I almost threw a pencil right between his eyes. Really. But the bell rang, thankfully, so I didn't go to juvenile hall for almost killing a peer. No, but I was bothered all through out lunch, and during band, I got very sick. So, I got a ride home, and am now sitting here, typing my terrible day for all to read.
JESUS I AM MAD.
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That really sucks HyperNerd, but keep in mind that life's a bitch. Exploding in peoples faces doesn't always help the situation, sometimes it does though :lol:
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The last time I really blew up at someone in school (fifth grade), I found myself rocking underneath a desk before being escorted to a place for unstable kids like me where they take away your shoes and make you color pretty pictures and eat the worst food ever.
I despise the Wetzel Center.
School can be a bitch, especially in middle school, but tough it out, Nerdy. High school is much better, but has a different sort of abuse to it. Like kids randomly spreading rumors behind your back. (I'm still denying that Alton, my friend from South Carolina whom I helped in French class, and I are going out) People will respect you more if you're calmer now. Sign up for sports or another club; when they get to high school, you will put them to shame.
Plus, high school is usually where kids like that grow up.
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Once more, I know all this. This is the first time it's really happened, although I didn't even really blow up, per say. If I DID, that kid would be dead, and I would be gone from this Forum.
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The last time I really blew up at someone in school (fifth grade), I found myself rocking underneath a desk before being escorted to a place for unstable kids like me where they take away your shoes and make you color pretty pictures and eat the worst food ever.
Holy shit, you were committed once?
A friend of mine who graduated last year was committed at the end of my freshman year (I'm a senior now), because people thought he was gonna bomb our school on June 6. My freshman year was Fall of 2005 to the Summer of 2006.
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I was committed twice. To the same place. In the same month. Although they were two years apart... but the spring time actually is a very hard time for me from emotional scars caused by that, as well as December. When my family became a giant jigsaw puzzle no one ever wants to solve...
Um... gripes... pulled the muscles in my back again. Sigh.
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HyperNerd:
You know, when I was in grade school, I got tormented, made fun of and bullied all the time. When I was in middle school, I got tormented, made fun of and bullied fairly often. When I was in high school, I very rarely got tormented or bullied, but was made fun of once in a while (but who doesn't?). There were two factors that caused this change to occur:
- (1) As my peers got older, they looked more and more stupid for acting so childish, and thus couldn't bully as much in the traditional way. In fact, by the time one reaches adulthood, all of the major things one can do to get under your skin pretty much become illegal, so it just doesn't happen, for the most part. The minor things one can still do to annoy you at that point are ignored easily enough. Also, I echo all of what teaflower said about high school (minus the sports part, but if the school has a speech team or something equally nerdy, it can be totally awesome).
- (2 [primary factor]) I had virtually no friends in grade school. I had a couple friends in middle school. I had a lot of friends in high school. Having friends gave me a level of confidence that I wouldn't have been able to muster otherwise. After all, who cares what the idiot bullies think of you when you have friends who know and agree with you that you are a great person? Once you have that as a mental barrier, the antagonists become easier to ignore. Additionally, hanging around said friends makes it far more difficult for you to be singled out and targeted by such a group of jerks. Most people don't want to start trouble with someone when they've got friends right there. Of course, if your friend has a history of doing nothing to defend you (verbally or physically), then that's another story; they're not very helpful at all then.
I'm sure that you do already understand and know most or all of this. I'm mostly just offering morale support. I know how intensely frustrating it is to be bullied, and I know for a fact that there are certain things bullies can do that make them impossible to be ignored, and I understand how incredibly frustrating THAT is. It definitely pays off to react as little as possible in the long run, though there are sometimes situations that require action.
A question: have you considered ratting out the bullies, or do you feel that their actions have been too subtle for you to be able to prove your case to the school faculty? Or perhaps you're just afraid that it will make more people hate on you and not actually solve any problems in the long term? These are all valid concerns. I was just wondering.
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I was committed twice. To the same place. In the same month.
Ouch. I feel for you. Late last year, we caused the Chief Of Police that ordered my friend to be committed to lose his job.
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JESUS, we're a huge, strange, and close Compendium family that has had our own problems. The trouble is, I have 4 freinds at my school. That's it. That's where the trouble of switching schools comes in... Oh yes, and I'm absolutely positive I'm going to a completely different high school than all of them. As for ratting them out, I've done that. I've done everything short of cussing them out in public, and hitting them.
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Yeah, it sucks moving away from your base of friends, but, what happens, happens. All one can do is rebuild. When you get to your new school, be proactive about looking for other people with interests common to yours, and be the person to try initiating a conversation with them, rather than waiting for them to initiate one with you. Also, again, joining some kind of club or group does increase your range of interests, thus giving you a better chance of finding someone who has at least one good interest in common with you.
Oh, and, if your high school offers a speech class, I strongly recommend taking it at some point, and sooner is better than later. Definitely one of the better choices of my high school career. Improved my social prowess quite a bit, most importantly. I wasn't even particularly interested in giving speeches at first. Of course, if the teacher absolutely sucks, that can ruin it, so it's worth asking around about first.
Edit: Theater also rocks, and has equal, if not greater, social benefits.
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Speech class is pretty good, as is any sort of theater program. Standing up in front of a small crowd of people, having to say something loudly and clearly, is terrifying, but it gives you courage. And that rush of adrenaline is always amazing. What's even scarier is having to sing in front of them. Smaller crowds, unrehearsed, is much more terrifying than a large crowd of people because then there's less chance they don't know you.
But... yeah. That's what I have to say.
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have you ever gotten so pissed off at people that you just start laughing? and you can't stop. for like 20 minutes to a half hour.
I probably should have been committed multiple times. But then, growing up, nobody really cared enough when a kid was fucked up in the head. Everyone always thought I would pull another columbine because I was always picked on, but nobody ever thought to stop the bullies from picking on me. It is a vicious circle.
Still though, there are going to be shitheads no matter where you go in life, no matter what you do, unless you isolate yourself. Better to learn to deal with them.
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Back during my senior year I got into an argument with my ex at school, next thing I remember was lying on the floor in another room, shaking violently.
Luckily, it was the classroom of one of the teachers who liked me, so he never told the school what had happened.
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Back during my senior year I got into an argument with my ex at school, next thing I remember was lying on the floor in another room, shaking violently.
Luckily, it was the classroom of one of the teachers who liked me, so he never told the school what had happened.
Anxiety attack does not = crazy. It can happen to anyone, and everyone has a breaking point for their stress.
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Back during my senior year I got into an argument with my ex at school, next thing I remember was lying on the floor in another room, shaking violently.
Luckily, it was the classroom of one of the teachers who liked me, so he never told the school what had happened.
Anxiety attack does not = crazy. It can happen to anyone, and everyone has a breaking point for their stress.
Problem was, I was throwing shit around as well, screaming, attempting to attack anyone who got in my way apparently.
Yeah, it was kinda scary, even more scary since I don't remember a thing.
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Damn, dude.
My fucking computer sucks! I have dial up... and where we live we'd be paying near $120 a month for at&t phone service and DSL. My internet kicks me off every 15 minutes and I'm lucky if I can type this message before I get booted. BLEH!!! O___o
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Problem was, I was throwing shit around as well, screaming, attempting to attack anyone who got in my way apparently.
Yeah, it was kinda scary, even more scary since I don't remember a thing.
Hmm... This may seem crazy but it's possible that it wasn't you that was doing this. I've had times when I fell asleep in which I instantly skipped over a period of time. Last year, second semester, I fell asleep during the preparation part of my class period, and after a few seconds from my perspective, I woke up to find the class working on homework! I had somehow skipped over the lesson part of the period!
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I believe that is called a blackout, not being crazy. Could be wrong though.
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It wasn't a blackout. I know that much. I told a friend of mine about it and she said it probably wasn't me that was sleeping through the lesson.
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I was talking about nightmare's experience. You obviously fell asleep.
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I know, but the passage of time was instantaneous, I would have woken up when we started the lesson. I never fall into bedtime sleep in class. Never. Friend said something weird about a second soul housed within me switching out. Reasons were never known, nor was what she said ever confirmed.
Current gripe: This laptop had another Fatal Error. I've been waiting for one so I could get a screenshot of it.
(http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/8748/fatalerrortu3.jpg)
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Ha. Fail.
God, when I went sort of crazy in fifth grade, it wasn't what happened with nightmare. I don't really remember... but my latest blow up was over a game of chess. I was playing some guy and this dude neither of us knew decided to give him hints and tell me over and over that I was going to lose. I asked him kindly and calmly to stop talking as it was making me anxious, but he kept talking. I wound up just screaming at him. That's the worst it's gotten when there are no tears. When there are tears, it means I'm really upset.
Current gripe is that I clipped my nails too short. Hurts to press the fingers the wrong way.
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In english 101, we are being taught how to use a dictionary. This is demeaning, it's like preschool all over again. But in college!
Oh, and I got a B- on my essay because it was one line short of being two and a half pages long, and had one typo.
And for more gripes, I can hardly hear anything or breathe because of this head cold. Today's class is gonna be fuuuun.
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This is demeaning, it's like preschool all over again. But in college!
You'd be surprised how many dumbfucks make it into college. And pass. I'll never forget, this kid goes on and on about he is going to be a doctor all semester (this is in a high level biology class by the way - I forget which one, but I think it was Molecular Biology). Later on he gives a presentation about the thyroid gland and genetic markers or something I don't really remember the specifics, but what I do remember is that the dumbfuck DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE THYROID WAS. This kid is a senior in college, pre-med, has taken numerous anatomy and physiology courses and he doesn't know where the thyroid is. He thought it was in the back of the neck at the "base of the brain". I straight up laughed at him, but when this really quiet asian girl corrected him, he gets pissed off and goes - "I think I know where the thyroid is more than you".
Now that is scary. What is also amusing is that the majority of students in that class were pre-med and either planning on becoming human doctors or veterinarians, so his pompous elitist attitude is even more hilarious in light of his apparent lack of basic anatomy knowledge.
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Kids in college don't know how to use a dictionary? And I thought it was sad that kids in high school didn't know how to read a clock that doesn't just tell them what time it is. You know, where they have arrows and such? They can't read it. I'm so happy I learned how in second grade.
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They actually need to teach people how to use analog clocks in school? That's disturbing.
Then again, I suppose most people didn't have the benefit of video games and books before to teach them how to read and associate symbols before starting school.
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Jonny can't write because Jonny dosen't have a fucking pencil!
Schools are in the shitter in this nation...and it starts at the top.
My gripe is my travels yesterday. Taught my first class, which went pretty well, but the drive home took 3 hours. For 30 miles. 3 hours. Lames Bond! LA traffic plus rain...you woulda thought that Godzilla or some other equally disturbing monster/bad thing was on the loose. So I went straight to my class and got there RIGHT on time at 7:30.
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Why the fuck is it MANDATORY 30 min breaks if you work 7+ hours, so annoying.
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Current Gripe: My day was just as crappy as yesterday. However, there is the upside that I decided to edit ALL of my posts, instead of just in the RP and such. Yay for sounding smarter!
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My Korean teaching team leader singled me out as one of the primary class distractions during our "revisiting class norms" session....
I didn't even see it coming, I hadn't realized I was such a pain.
So I thought about it - I am what is called a "rollback". I made it to the end of the course, but was dissatisfied with the progress I had made, so I requested to be sent to a new class that was at an earlier period in the course to sharpen my skills. So, my sergeant sent me to a class at the halfway point. Only problem was that some of my other friends that had also rolled were in the same class.... I guess I get bored with the easy material and do distracting things....
I guess that is my current gripe....and on a friday no less. Maybe I'll write an apology letter in Korean to them. The team leader did seem to regret saying it to me afterwards because the whole class got really quiet and it was awkward...
damn
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Current gripe: Trying to get my Brawl Code so I can give it to a friend of mine, but I can't get to it with my folks watching. Last chance for a good while will be tomorrow.
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... what would be wrong with your parents knowing your Brawl code? Weird...
Current gripe is mysterious pains in my neck, fingers, and head. The bones, it seems.
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No, no, no... I don't want my folks knowing I'm on the Wii when they don't want me to. I only get on when I know they're not gonna care, or when they go out.
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Meh, current gripe is the same one I've had for awhile now. I really like someone but nothing could ever happen. It's rather annoying.
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Wow, 125 pages of frustration.
We're really angry people.
Current gripe, It's late and I need sleep, but the internet... I needs it more.
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Current gripe, It's late and I need sleep, but the internet... I needs it more.
That's nearly every day for me.
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Why the fuck is it MANDATORY 30 min breaks if you work 7+ hours, so annoying.
Are you complaining about taking a break or about the short duration of it? Because you capitalized mandatory it makes it seem like you are frustrated that they are making you take a break. But damn man, you would want to work 7+ hours of work and not take a break?
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7+ hours isn't that bad at all. They wouldn't let me work through my break, it was forced.
If it was optional I would be so much happier, "After 7+ hours you have the right to a break" as opposed to "After 7+ hours you have a break".
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Haha, I totally know what you mean, Kebrel. The same thing happened to me when I was working for K-mart, except they didn't actually do anything to stop me when I kept working through my breaks anyway. One of those "intentionally looking the other way" situations. Maybe the same thing will happen for you if you just agree with them verbally - to cover their asses - and then do differently with your actions while keeping quiet about said actions.
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Doesn't work like that when you working for a state university unfortunately.
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The place I rent is going to be sold, hooray! :x
Not that it's anything to get really upset about, me and my roomate were already looking for someplace else to get away from our fucking noisy ass neighbors. Kind of ironic actually.
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http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,6961.0.html I just made a new thread about pizza parlors in the general discussion lounge and I want to know if there is anyway I can improve it? That way wise-crackers won't spam it up. :o
Thank you for any help! Good night Compendiums and lurkers. I just got 2 views but no responses. Now realllly good night Compendiums and lurkers. I'll be back in a few days to see if this baby is walking n talking.
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http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,6961.0.html I just made a new thread about pizza parlors in the general discussion lounge and I want to know if there is anyway I can improve it? That way wise-crackers won't spam it up. :o
Thank you for any help! Good night Compendiums and lurkers. I just got 2 views but no responses. Now realllly good night Compendiums and lurkers. I'll be back in a few days to see if this baby is walking n talking.
The goal should be not to spam other threads while doing so. I'm absolutely positive that none of your threads have been "spammed", it's just full of posters that are telling you it isn't a worthwhile thread. Try harder.
BANHAMMER WHERE ARE YOU?
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Fuck, people! As annoying as Shadow may be, it's even more annoying when you constantly have something to say about him. In almost every thread I visit there's someone bashing Shadow into the dirt. Enough is enough. Grow the fuck up people. Not everyone is the same. He has his way of doing things, you have yours. All I'm trying to say is..... Teaflower, KebreI, and others... Lay off. It's like you hound him and immediatly insult him after every post.
Another thread that normally would've been deleted if not for this thread. Interrupting the forums to basically just send everyone a PM about how you're annoyed that other people are annoyed with someone else is kind of spammy. Leave public reprimanding to obnoxious a-holes that'll get some kind of sick & twisted pleasure from-er...Keb's right, this is where this belongs...
~V_Translanka
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Ooo, A thread that serves no purpose save ranting!
I make it know my dislike for him only when it doesn't ruin a discussion, I will continue to do so, when appriopate, because I feel he needs to be banned. If I am quite and say nothing then I am just allowing him to continue. I do on some level also hope that all the berating on him will make him change....
I recommend someone lock or merge this with the frustration thread, preferably the latter.
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My guess is that Shadow derives great amusement from the reactions he receives, so the posts meant to "punish" his behavior actually fuel the fire. I haven't really noticed his posts lately, and his daily average is down to 32.something, so maybe we're seeing improvement.
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I do fear that the complaint just fuel the fire sometimes, plus I also find them annoying a lot of the time. The thing is I think these are reasonably justifiable:
A) Shadow behaves and all is good
B) Shadow is his normal self and brings down the quality of the site, administration must make the call
C) Shadow is his normal self and brings down the quality of the site, people voice there opinions aloud to repersent the will of compendium making the Administration job easier.
D) Shadows banned and he as well as the complaints end, all is good.
ZeaLitY has gotten complaints form a vast portion of the compendium and gave Shadow a last warning but he hasn't gotten any better, the first two have been attempted and have failed.
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I really don't care if he's banned or not, but I am leaning more on the banned side.
I have yet to see him post something meaningful to the compendium.
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...Freaking springtime of youth. I can't go to sleep because I keep thinking about what I'll do when I wake up. Crimson Echoes, homework, planning my trip, exercise, discussions with friends...
Ugh. I'm in the springtime of youth. Guess I'll just "wake up" again and do homework, then try to nap before my the night class.
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Fuck, people! As annoying as Shadow may be, it's even more annoying when you constantly have something to say about him. In almost every thread I visit there's someone bashing Shadow into the dirt. Enough is enough. Grow the fuck up people. Not everyone is the same. He has his way of doing things, you have yours. All I'm trying to say is..... Teaflower, KebreI, and others... Lay off. It's like you hound him and immediatly insult him after every post.
I agree and have voiced this already. You people might as well start a "I fucking hate Shadow and want him banned" fan club. (God forbid this gets taken into consideration... Then I'll be seeing annoying banners in all of your sigs stating this crap)
Bottom line, it's bullshit, and your reactions are always over the top. Shadow makes a stupid dividing by zero meme joke, you guys fly off the handle and react like he just posted a picture of tubgirl here. (Google it at your own doom) Yes he's annoying, yes half his posts are pointless and stupid, but there's one advent to internet browsing technology that allows you to evade this discomfort and that's SCROLLING PAST HIS FUCKING POSTS!
[/rage]
In other news I deposited over $24 dollars in loose change into my checking account today. Guess the teller will be posting in this thread soon.
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...I deposited over $24 dollars in loose change into my checking account today. Guess the teller will be posting in this thread soon.
Wow, that's... that's a lot of change. Personally, I have enough pennies, nickels, and quarters to fill a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
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...I deposited over $24 dollars in loose change into my checking account today. Guess the teller will be posting in this thread soon.
Wow, that's... that's a lot of change. Personally, I have enough pennies, nickels, and quarters to fill a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
And just how big is that?
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I got a bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans at Bartell's a while ago. The bag was really small, and was mostly filled with Anchovie flavor. Not very tasty.
Other frustrations... I can't find my Majora's Mask cartridge.
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And just how big is that?
From seeing them in passing in stores, I'd guess somewhere around sock size.
Large enough to be a leathal weapon, not so big as to get Mel Gibson interested.
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Frustration: Kids who bang on the animal cages at zoos while their idiot parents watch on and do nothing to stop them.
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Don't blame ya, Eric. Poor animals.
Common Gripe: Jack Thompson and PETA causing trouble for gamers. PETA has been ripping on games like Cooking Mama and that Samba game, while Jack has been trying to turn the state of Utah against the gamer society. Or at least the people of Eagle Forum.
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I've been very testy as of late, and as such feel much anger towards Shadow. Sure, I beat on him more than others, but I'm tired of 3rd degree burns and a shattered wrist being healed with a simple healing spell. I'm sick of off-topic posts, and sure I contribute to them, they just upset me. I try to contribute to the off-topicyness, but also contribute to the actual topic. I'm sick of... everything, it seems. Just... everything.
Back to frustrations that aren't Shadow related... I hate that I have little time here anymore. My mother and I went to Wal-Mart to get notebooks, colored pencils, Mountain Dew, chicken, and girl stuff. We left the Evil Empire with chocolate, notebooks, folders, colored pencils, Mountain Dew, girl stuff, two shirts, and a desire to spend $170 (plus tax) on Chrono Trigger DS and a Nintendo DS in red. The chicken we got at Hannaford, but because I really wanted that game and system, I scoped out the nearby GameStop (gotta love shopping complexes) and left with a desire to spend $100-$120 (plus tax) on a used DS and a new copy of CTDS.
Because they didn't have any used ones yet.
I think.
Grr...
On the plus side, they finally announced the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament. I, teaflower, have signed up. I'll need some help... oh, well. WHO WANTS TO HELP ME GET ON TV?!
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That Cooking-Mama parody and Mario one was fun though so I really don't care.
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Don't blame ya, Eric. Poor animals.
Common Gripe: Jack Thompson and PETA causing trouble for gamers. PETA has been ripping on games like Cooking Mama and that Samba game, while Jack has been trying to turn the state of Utah against the gamer society. Or at least the people of Eagle Forum.
It is a shame that the quest for the humane treatment of animals has been corrupted by many of the methods that PETA employs. Individuals like Temple Grandin have done more for the humane treatment of animals than PETA ever could. They don't seem to understand that change comes not from scare-tactics and publicity stunts but from actually doing something to make change.
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Frustration... that I always feel so inclined to comment on the religion threads.
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Frustration... that people always feel so inclined to hate eachother on the religion threads. Hilarious to watch (Gitcher popcorn and tickets!), but not what religion is supposed to be about.
Also frustration, my dog just walked on my keyboard and got mud on the keys.
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@Tea
Hmm... I also have limited time. I'm hoping my mom forgets about this new homework system she has in place. I could use some privacy without having to worry about her looking for me. She thinks I'm not doing my homework when I'm running around here and trying to do both. It's getting real annoying.
Don't blame ya, Eric. Poor animals.
Common Gripe: Jack Thompson and PETA causing trouble for gamers. PETA has been ripping on games like Cooking Mama and that Samba game, while Jack has been trying to turn the state of Utah against the gamer society. Or at least the people of Eagle Forum.
It is a shame that the quest for the humane treatment of animals has been corrupted by many of the methods that PETA employs. Individuals like Temple Grandin have done more for the humane treatment of animals than PETA ever could. They don't seem to understand that change comes not from scare-tactics and publicity stunts but from actually doing something to make change.
And also not assuming that using animals in commercials is nothing like circus abuse, which I honestly call bullshit on. And they need to realize that humans, by default, are omnivores.
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And they need to realize that humans, by default, are omnivores.
Well, I think their stance is that our society has developed to a point where it is not necessary to consume animals for food to obtain proper health and nutrition, and therefore it is immoral to do so since animals are conscious beings. Which is a fine viewpoint and rationally sound. The problem is that they attempt to spread awareness about the cruel and disturbing treatment of animals in slaughterhouses (and rightfully so) but without actually doing anything about it. They don't seem to realize that the practice will likely never be abolished. Temple Grandin designed humane slaughter systems and an animal welfare checklist that is now used by 80% of the slaughterhouses in the country, because she appealed to the economic side of the business. She realized that the farmers wouldn't give a damn about the welfare of the animals because they are just a dollar sign to them, unless she found a way to make it economically relevant for them to treat the animals humanely. It's ideology vs. practicality. The latter of which PETA seems to ignore completely.
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I'm against cruelty to animals, but... there will always be sick people in this world. There will always be sick people in this world. People who stick kittens in microwaves. People who shoot other people for no good reason. People who use others for their own gain to leave those others in a horrible position. People who emotionally scar others through torture and rape and whatnot. We can't get rid of all the evil in the world, because then there would be no humans.
Then again, that might not be so bad.
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Nother frustration: Went to Burger King, ordered bacon cheeseburger. Get home, take off wrapper on suspiciously-thin looking burger... and the burger is missing. It's a bun with bacon, ketchup, cheese and pickles, but no burger. How do you forget the BURGER when making a burger?
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What? No burger? That's bullshit! Not even McDonald's makes that mistake!
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Nother frustration: Went to Burger King, ordered bacon cheeseburger. Get home, take off wrapper on suspiciously-thin looking burger... and the burger is missing. It's a bun with bacon, ketchup, cheese and pickles, but no burger. How do you forget the BURGER when making a burger?
Only happens to me at Wendy's. They always get the fcuking order wrong. One time, ordered a burger and fries, and they just gave me the fries.
I wasn't at the drive-thru, either.
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Sometimes, at McDonald's, we get other people's orders by mistake. Other times, they forget part of the order by leaving out sandwiches (not all of the ones we get are burgers) or fries, or even drinks.
Serious Business FAIL on their part.
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who agrees with me that Fred sucks and Smosh is better. if you guys dont know whos fred. well his videos are gay and creativity and not even funny. so annoying with that speedy squeaky little voice of his. he doesnt deserve to be #1 Most Subscribe of All Time
http://www.youtube.com/user/Fred (http://www.youtube.com/user/Fred)
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who agrees with me that Fred sucks and Smosh is better. if you guys dont know whos fred. well his videos are gay and creativity and not even funny. so annoying with that speedy squeaky little voice of his. he doesnt deserve to be #1 Most Subscribe of All Time
http://www.youtube.com/user/Fred (http://www.youtube.com/user/Fred)
I fucking hate you. Now I have this shit stuck in my head.
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Nightmare, did you lose your meds? *runs cowardly while laughing*
I hate emos. Fuck the kids who cry too much. Bah, now I wanna cut myself to release stress and anger.
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Frustration... that I always feel so inclined to comment on the religion threads.
I hear ya...
My frustration, I think Z hates me for the aforementioned reason. Oh, and I have a sore throat.... Really should quit smoking. :?
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Frustration... that I always feel so inclined to comment on the religion threads.
I hear ya...
My frustration, I think Z hates me for the aforementioned reason. Oh, and I have a sore throat.... Really should quit smoking. :?
Bah, to hell with quitting. It's hard. I resorted to smoking Black & Milds every other day and chewing tobacco (dipping).
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Frustration... that I always feel so inclined to comment on the religion threads.
I hear ya...
My frustration, I think Z hates me for the aforementioned reason. Oh, and I have a sore throat.... Really should quit smoking. :?
Bah, to hell with quitting. It's hard. I resorted to smoking Black & Milds every other day and chewing tobacco (dipping).
I've quit before, for about 2 years. Then after hearing I was getting deployed to Iraq I started back up, and have been off and on since then. Will never dip though. Makes me gag tasting it.
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I just got less than five fucking hours of sleep because of the bird chirp chirp chirping away directly outside of my bedroom window, and now I have to go to work.
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I hate emos. Fuck the kids who cry too much. Bah, now I wanna cut myself to release stress and anger.
Hmm... A guy I know at school (haven't seen him in a while, though) used to be emo. But I don't think I ever saw scars on his arms.
*thinks long and hard in case he might have missed it*
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People believe I'm emo, since I act like freaking Cloud Strife at school, I.E I don't talk much. One time somebody asked, and I scared them away by staring at them. I hate my student body. I wish I could send freaking Hollows or something to brutally kill them all. I also hate the fact that I have to go back to the immatureness of middle school for another half of a year until I get to the really awesome high school I'm going too, on a collage campus where I can take Japanese and intern. Did I mention I don't have to do P.E. if I do something athletic at home? Such as taking a bike ride? So I can use the time for something else? God, I can't wait. AND I'll have a lap-top.
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If the laptop is the school's (and I assume it is), beware the filters. They will probably be as much a curse to you as they are to me.
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I just got less than five fucking hours of sleep because of the bird chirp chirp chirping away directly outside of my bedroom window, and now I have to go to work.
Shit, man... that's nothing. I'd be lucky to get five hours of sleep any day of the week. But, I digress -- it does suck, and I feel your pain. :lol:
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I feel so old. I used to be able to do shit like that, but now if I don't get a solid 8 hrs of sleep I can't function at all during the day.
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People who refuse to answer questions. Especially when the information would help me help them or help someone else.
Me: Oh my, this mail was misdelivered. Could you please tell me, my good madam, where I might find this building, so I can correct this oversight? I ask only because you are familiar with this archaic form of address.
Them: Just drop it in a mailbox.
Me: Ah, but the mail is marked urgent; it should be delivered post-haste and with all due speed, and it would not be a trouble for me to walk it over to the appropriate building. As you are knowledgable in such matters, could you please direct me to the proper building so that I might deliver it?
Them: Bah, give it to me and I'll drop it in a mailbox.
Me: *monocle breaks from suppressed frustration*
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maybe they're just as frustrated with people who talk like that? lol
My frustration is with how easy it's been to quit smoking after making up my mind to do so. I mean, if I had known it would have been this easy, I would have made up my mind to quit a long time ago and been done with it. Officially 18 days without a cigarette, after 10 years of smoking. To be honest, I expected the withdrawals to be worse, but it turns out that it's mostly made up of bad habit, and bad habits are hard to relearn. I think people make excuses for themselves to keep smoking, such as: I'm hooked on the nicotine (which is addicting, I agree but not THAT bad) or I'm going to quit by slowing down, so I have all this cigarette paraphernalia around and I will be tempted to smoke until I get down to 1 or 2 cigarettes a day and then just pick back up again. It's like a security blanket for adults.
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maybe they're just as frustrated with people who talk like that? lol
My frustration is with how easy it's been to quit smoking after making up my mind to do so. I mean, if I had known it would have been this easy, I would have made up my mind to quit a long time ago and been done with it. Officially 18 days without a cigarette, after 10 years of smoking. To be honest, I expected the withdrawals to be worse, but it turns out that it's mostly made up of bad habit, and bad habits are hard to relearn. I think people make excuses for themselves to keep smoking, such as: I'm hooked on the nicotine (which is addicting, I agree but not THAT bad) or I'm going to quit by slowing down, so I have all this cigarette paraphernalia around and I will be tempted to smoke until I get down to 1 or 2 cigarettes a day and then just pick back up again. It's like a security blanket for adults.
The physical addiction can be weened off in less than a week, easily. It's the mental addiction that gets most people. Like you said, it's like a security blanket.
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Well idioms, to be fair, different people experience the effects of addiction and withdrawal to different degrees. Some people just cannot bear the withdrawal effects, but you seem to be able to weather the storm quite well. Ever seen the movie "Trainspotting"? A character in that movie quits heroin when the others do just to prove how easy it is for him. I've met many people like that. For them, it's a piece of cake.
All the chemicals I ingest are non-addicting with the exception of alcohol (which I do so infrequently as to not be a problem). The only drug I've ever been addicted to is caffeine. For awhile in college I would drink a redbull to study, then drink one in the morning to study for an exam, then drink one later that day to stay awake for work. It got to the point where I was getting severe withdrawal migraines if I skipped my daily caffeine fix that were so unbearable that I couldn't even get out of bed. I was able to quit with much difficulty, and haven't drank a substantial amount of caffeine since.
I made fun of my friend the other day for "chasing the Bull", heh.
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personally, I think it comes down to will power and how mentally strong people are. Because all it takes is for you to make up your mind and really mean it, and then stick to your guns.
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Willpower is definitely a major player, but sometimes the physical symptoms of withdrawal of many drugs overpower even the most strong willed and determined individuals. Often people face a tipping point where they would rather just relapse and take the easy way out, which is why places like methadone clinics exist.
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You know what you should try if you want to quit?
M&M's.
My mom ate M&M's when she wanted to smoke, and although she got rather big, she hasn't smoked in years.
My frustration right now is the lack of care from my sister for my things. My mom got me two really nice shirts today. A purple one and a blue one. I'm all excited, but I have homework to do, so I put the shirts nice and neat on a chair in my room. A couple hours later I come in to my room to find my sister in said chair. I'm okay with that. So long as she moved the shirts.
She moved them all right.
To a heap on the floor.
Beneath the chair wheels.
She then yells at me for snapping at her for doing this. What upsets me is that she could've put the shirts on my dresser or given them to me, or even sat in a different chair in the room! She didn't need to fucking throw them on the floor!
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frustration: lack of work.
This is getting to be a major pain in the ass and detrimental to my '09 plans of getting my life back in order. Hard to get back on your feet when there's no money in your pocket, and it's hard to have money in your pocket when there's no inflow of work.
Recession my ass, this is a sugar-coated depression.
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Recession my ass, this is a sugar-coated depression.
Definitely. I was out of work for awhile, but admittedly it was because I refused to take a job that wasn't related to my field or that didn't pay enough when I have a college degree . I thought "why did I go to school and work my ass off if I'm not going to get a job related to my degree?". I finally found one, so hold on because it takes patience. No one is hiring now because they have to make cutbacks, and the places that are hiring won't pay you what you deserve.
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I don't care if I'm paid what I deserve. I haven't gone to College yet, so I'll take any job I can get. I'm just stuck a good way away from town without any way back and forth that's reliable.
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Ah, bummer then - you are double screwed. Not only is it difficult to find a job but it is difficult to even get to the job that you find.
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chrono eric, you hearing this storm? I'm so happy to hear one, but I have no idea aout the incidence of tornadoes or downdrafts / microbursts in Texas. Always seemed like they happen more in Oklahoma.
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Yeah I'm about to turn off my comp for safety reasons and go watch it. I hope it is one of those Texas lightning storms with the lighting that crawls across the sky.
Also, it seems like tornadoes somehow magically avoid Denton for some reason. Every single one that has touched down within the last 10 years that I remember has touched down in every area around the city.
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Friend of mine lives in OK, and IIRC he said tornadoes aren't that common. Probably just where he lives.
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That bastard friend of mine gave me hentai.
Guro hentai.
So...much..blood...
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Some of the stuff out there just ain't right...ah well no harm done.
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Some of the stuff out there just ain't right...ah well no harm done.
I can't get the images out of my head. It's one in the morning. I still need to sleep, thank you very much.
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Recession my ass, this is a sugar-coated depression.
There are actually economic marker points that determine if it is a recession or a depression. For one, if I recall correctly, the unemployment rate needs to be around 15-20%. A quick search and it looks like the unemployement rate was 7.2% in December 08.
Yeah, it's a recession.
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That bastard friend of mine gave me hentai.
Guro hentai.
So...much..blood...
I can't get the images out of my head. It's one in the morning. I still need to sleep, thank you very much.
Jesus Christ... You OK, man?
Some of the stuff out there just ain't right...ah well no harm done.
I hear that. It's why I don't like yaoi, it just ain't right IMO.
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I have a midterm in an hour, and I realize my Thucydides is not as good as I'd hoped it would be. Argh. This will be exceedingly difficult.
Nb. for any ever desiring to study ancient Greek. Thucydides is a royal pain.
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There are actually economic marker points that determine if it is a recession or a depression. For one, if I recall correctly, the unemployment rate needs to be around 15-20%. A quick search and it looks like the unemployement rate was 7.2% in December 08.
Yeah, it's a recession.
For now. The cogs are in motion for the possibility of a depression. Its already one of the top 3 recessions since the Great Depression. And how long did it take for the economic "gurus" to put it altogether and "officially" announce it was a recession? A year? A depression could sneak in right under the our noses at anytime.
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If by a "year" you mean "a few months," then yes.
In about Septemberish the economy was "the worst it had been since 2001." Now the economy is the worst it has been since the mid to late 80's.
One of the nice things about Obama's presidency is that people have more faith in his ability to handle the economy than they had in Bush. Totally setting aside actual comparative abilities, that is no small advantage, given that economic health is largely (but not totally) a mental state.
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Yaoi is fine, what are your talking about...?
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It was officially announced by the NBER in Dec 2008, that the US economy has been in a recession since Dec 2007, (Sept-October 2008 was just the worst of it thus far). They seem rather useless, other than for recording history.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/01/news/economy/recession/index.htm?postversion=2008120112
I still disagree on that point, at least in respect to the way it affects the economy.
Mental state does play a role in economic health, but not in the way you suggest. A positive mental state does not lessen the physical degradation (poor regulation and business practice) of the economy. If everyone thinks that the economy is not as bad as it seems, there will be less pressure to change what needs to be changed (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). Everyone needs to see and feel the state of the economy as it is, not as it should be for any substantial change in business practice and government regulation. If there is no pain, no one will give a hoot...once the pain starts to creep into their life, they will want to try and make changes so they can be comfortable again. Hopefully these changes are well planned and reflective of the current state of affairs so it does not happen in the same form again. These changes would not happen if people carried on as usual, trying to delude themselves into thinking the economy is a-ok.
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Thanks for the link, it was quite interesting.
Though there seems to be a problem in what you and I would define as a recession due to the NBER having a broader definition of recession than is standard. They date a recession from the peak of the last boom. In other words, by their defintion, it would appear that any economic downturn is a recession and that the recession starts as soon as there is any decrease in the GNP. It seems to be a very binary apporach; either the economy is growing or we're in a recession. Looking into it, it seems like their approach is largely much better than the standard approach I learned about in school, but I would fault them for not allowing the possibilities that an economy might cool without going into a recession.
Using their defintion of a recession, then yes, I would agree that the recession started at least a year go.
Though once again:
...trying to delude themselves into thinking the economy is a-ok.
If people think the economy is a-ok, then the economy is a-ok (more or less). If consumer confidence remains unaffected, then physical degredation has almost no influence on the economy itself. It is only when consumers buy less that the economy takes a turn for the worst, and that only happens when consumers are uncertain about the economic future and hold off on purchases to save money to better weather that future. A physical degredation in once sector might influence individuals in that sector, causing a limited recession in that sector, until the fear of that recession leaks into the rest of the population, the rest of the population will be barely phased.
Certainly, physical degredation can trigger the mental changes that result in a recession, but the mental changes are what causes the recession; most physical degredation without it has only a minor effect.
I'm not saying this is a good thing, I am merely saying that is how economies work. And it might be better for the health of the economy in the long turn when there are those changes in mental states, but recessions are caused by what people think more than anything else.
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That damn bird woke me up at 5 AM again this morning, singing directly outside my window, and I couldn't get back to sleep again after that. I nearly fell asleep standing today. So this time, diphenhydramine is on my side. I can already feel my eyelids drooping. I'd like to see you wake me up now. Victory is mine!
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shoot it with a BB gun.
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As a future veterinarian, I try to inflict as little unnecessary pain on animals as I can. The bird is just minding his own business, trying to live his life, there is no need for me to harm him. But I'm generally a light sleeper, so I would rather just soundproof my window if the sleep-aid fails me. And besides, he's probably just trying to sing so he can get laid or keep other asshole birds out of his territory. I can relate.
Current score:
Bird - 2
Human - 0
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Soundproofing windows seems to be a necessary thing in Denton. That stupid train comes through town at like 2 and 5 AM, and then on mornings, those dump trucks have the loudest reverse-gear beeper I've ever heard.
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Soundproofing windows seems to be a necessary thing in Denton. That stupid train comes through town at like 2 and 5 AM, and then on mornings, those dump trucks have the loudest reverse-gear beeper I've ever heard.
I remember that in the movie My Cousin Vinny. It was funny as hell, though if it happened to me I wouldn't be laughing. I sympathize, ZeaLitY.
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Birds, trains, and garbage trucks combined have nothing on a duplex neighbor's 8 year old girl throwing a screaming tantrum at 4 in the morning...
Just the shrill incoherant screeching. Makes me wonder if muzzles for kids is legal?
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Soundproofing windows seems to be a necessary thing in Denton. That stupid train comes through town at like 2 and 5 AM, and then on mornings, those dump trucks have the loudest reverse-gear beeper I've ever heard.
Ah, that damn train. I used to live off of Bell St. near TWU in some apartments there. The train tracks are literally right next to that. For the longest time it would wake me up. I eventually grew accustomed to it though. I'm hoping the same thing will happen with the bird. I got a full 8 hrs of sleep last night, so:
Bird: 2
Human: 1
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Awww, I missed an economic discussion. *whines*
Well, let's revive it. It's really interesting how economists in academia seem to be totally against the stimulus, and Keynesian economics in general these days. At least that's been my experience through undergrad and now grad school -- the Chicago School of Economics definitely seems to be winning out, so much so that I'm wondering where Obama's getting his economic advice. I should probably look those folks up (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_Recovery_Advisory_Board), because they may represent a dying breed.
The basic argument against Obama's stimulus plan is that there's no surefire proof that government spending will end a recession; you know the old argument, "FDR didn't end the Great Depression. World War II did." Plus, the American economy's relative boom during the Clinton years happened to be coupled with a government budget surplus.
However, what was World War II other than a huge, huge, increase in the federal budget? While FDR's public works projects are typically viewed as an ineffective, short-run bandaid, I imagine some of the infrastructural projects helped increase economic efficiency in the long run, so I'm glad Obama's spending gobs and gobs on similar programs now.
On the other hand, and I think I'll make this my gripe, I agree with Peter Morici (http://www.counterpunch.org/morici08122008.html) that the current structure of the US free trade system has made this recession, well, business as usual. In other words, we're not seeing so much a downturn in the US economy as a deflation to the level of production it can support in the long run. In economist lingo, the unemployment rate of 7.5%+ isn't cyclical, but structural. Permanent given the current structure of the US economy. There's no way our economy can hire more people if it doesn't need to produce stuff; China and other low-real-wage countries are producing much of what we need for us, and I sort of doubt that Chinese people go into a retail store in Shanghai and see "Made in the USA" everywhere. This isn't really "trade" -- our earnings are just leaking out of the country, and the same will happen to the stimulus with the exception of spending to develop new industries that can't immediately be outsourced.
Of course, the flipside to a trade imbalance is that our money flows back into US businesses and government coffers in the form of foreign loans to those entities. The longterm problem with this is that US businesses won't need loans because the businesses don't need to exist (no demand they can exploit), so according to economic principles it would flow mostly to the US government, which then disburses that money to jobless Americans (or so I would hope). In essence, the government may simply have to pick up the tab for our serious trade imbalance. I'm not sure I know any neoliberal economists who are okay with that arrangement, but hey, this is the free trade they wanted. No demand for US goods, no US jobs.
Of course, I'm probably simplifying things. But if the stimulus is going to be effective, the trade imbalance has got to go in my opinion.
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Agreed. My own two years of economics seemed to teach that a good model is "government should run a deficit during recessions, and run a surplus during booms," and that FDR's plans did get things moving.
Everyone loves to blow the free trade horns, because any kind of government planning is stigmatized as Communistic central market control stuff. And this is part of the reason why I'm a libertarian idealistically, but a liberal pragmatically -- because I think, given the current nature of human civilization, that government is necessary. This applies to economics as well. Without some kind of oversight, people like the thousands of people responsible for the current crisis will be left unchecked to do whatever they wish through wealth capture and other questionable schemes, like the creation of even more esoteric derivative instruments. Securitized mortgages might not even have gotten far enough to cause this much damage if the government weren't always playing catch-up with Wall Street's latest guile. My tax classes and other business classes regarding finance actually romanticize this as a way to make a bunch of money on new security types before the IRS "figures out how to tax them."
That's the wrong attitude. Government can be evil, but Christ, so can business! We need checks and balances. Theodore Roosevelt, of the greatest Presidents to ever live, was a Republican. And he was a trustbuster, because he identified (like Republicans should but usually do not) that huge business or banking organizations can wield the type of centralized, excessive power and social responsibility that they seek to limit in government.
Nothing makes me more distressed in school than being a business student and noticing through their behavior and actions that all of my peers are fundamentally "FUCK the government, they goin' steal my monies I make from screwin' people over, hayuck," intellectually incurious free trade shills. At least the males tend to be. A few last semester openly questioned me on how I could support Obama given that he'd "steal all the money I'd make from being a businessperson."
Yeah, because that's all that matters. My fucking piece of the pie. Idiots.
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I have a midterm today.
So I come home from work and proceed to tutor my aunt over the internet. That not the ideal way so that took good two hours, then I go online and see my school is closed tomorrow for snow, SWEET! midterm is pushed all the way to Monday then so I go out for a nice long walk and go see the friends. This morning I see that school is still closed, I use the free day to get some work done, do some laundry, clean up, and start working on my paper for class. I see an email, SCHOOL HAS OPENED. So that was 40 mins before my class in which I have a midterm that I didn't study for. WHAT THE HELL GOD?
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Ouch.
I confess, I never study, but I've passed every test I've taken. Quizzes don't count, though, since tests are worth more. :oops:
My Physical Science Midterm was the best out of all the ones I took last semester. I mean, what kind of midterm is more convenient than one that is take-home, open-book, AND open-notes?
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What moves slower than a bicyclist and takes up 5 times as much room?
GODDAMN GOLF CARTS ON THE ROAD!!!
Get the fuck out and stay on the golf courses! Hell I can run faster than those bulky pieces of shit putt around on side streets.
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ROFLCOPTER
Oh my God, you just made me think of this old guy that lives in our neighborhood. He drives his own golf cart to the gas station (or the nearby Food Lion) for w/e, and even around his back yard, which is quite spacious.
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"WHERE'S THE PIZAZZ, WHERE'S THE WOW, WHERE'S TE THING THAT CAPTIVATES YOUR AUDIENCE?!"
"I'M A SOPHOMORE IN HIGHSCHOOL MR. MERLET, IF YOU THINK I'M TAKING A FUCKING INTERVIEW PROJECT IN YOUR SHITTY DIGITAL VIDEO CLASS SERIOUSLY YOU NEED TO TAKE A DOUBLE TAKE."
SON OF A BITCH.
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People thinking they're Zoah when they're totally not.
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or Fujin, from FF8, but that reference would require less sentence structure on their part.
'AGREED'
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or Fujin, from FF8, but that reference would require less sentence structure on their part.
'AGREED'
Or Raijin, ya know.
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Raijin was a little less annoying, I thought, lol. He was actually pretty funny the way he kept bumbling around. I kind of felt sorry for them when they didn't have Seifer to boss them around for a while. They were so lost. It was cute. ^_^
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Damn, I can't go to sleep again. I lay down, and I start thinking of the ten million burning dreams and desires I have and how I'd love to just jump out of bed and work on them, and how I can't wait to realize certain plans.
I never used to be like this. Over a few years, I really have transformed myself through thought and will into someone in the springtime of youth. And now I'm paying the price. I need to sleeeeeeeeeeep
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You know what's not fun? Being told you can't come here. Specifically. For five days, but... my mom is out and I don't think my sis knows.
You know what else isn't fun? Screaming, raving tantrums that eventually lead to running out of your house and your brother being a douche.
Yesterday, I left my bed out, so my sister started bitching me out. As usual. But then, my brother joins in, so I leave the room. I come back later to deal with the bed and they're still bitching me out. And it's obviously my fault the MP3 player my sister left on her bed got under it and I couldn't see it, so... I screamed and called my mom to get me out of here. She said to chill in her room. And I would've.
If my brother weren't a douche.
He came in and I told him over and over that she said to stay in here and relax, but he kept bothering me. So I left the house. Didn't go far, just up to the corner. I brought my keys and my coat, and when my mom came, I just cried my eyes out.
... if there were any eyes left to cry out. As I had been weeping for... about an hour?
I dunno.
But it wasn't fun.
The good news is that because I shouldn't be here, I have more time to work with the novel. And because of my tantrum, I have my own room! Of course, it's still my sister's room until she clears out of there, which will be... never.
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I haven't cried since my great-grandmother died. So freaking weird. I almost cried one time when my peers WOULD NOT LEAVE ME ALONE, but then my sadness turned to anger, But I didn't hurt anyone, so it subsided, and I was left with a better understanding of certain things. Speaking of annoying students, They bothered the hell out of me yesterday.
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I can't say I've cried since my father's mother's funeral in the fall of 2002. I've shed tears, *huck*ed during one tears session, but never all-out BAWWWWed since that day.
Oh, before I forget, why aren't you supposed to be here, Tea?
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You know what my frustration is? The fact that I seem to be the only one here that instead of getting angry and frustated, I get sad and depressed. Life has been sucking lately. I messed up an RP and now it seems dead, I think I might have weirded out the girl I like so now I have to wait till tuesday to see what happens, AND I don't think I've anything worth while for several days. I haven't even posted in the SoY boards. Pretty much the only two things in this world that frustrate me are beach style bikes(which I will burn and destroy all of them!!!) and car engines. Thank everything holy in this world that I don't have to put up with those things for a LONG while.
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I messed up an RP and now it seems dead...
Before I respond, I'd like to clarify. Are you referring to T.O. or another RPG?
I ask so I do not speak of what I do not know of.
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I'm talking about Seas of Time. I got ahead of my self and kept the story line going without the narrarator being there(aka Zergplex), and now I feel it's officially screwed since there's been no talk on how we should fix it(except for Hiddensquires idea that we should just erase what happened up untill we get to the part where I stated screwing up, which I am considering.) So thanks for asking, I feel just a bit better now.
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Ah, thanks for clearing that up. As for what my response was, it no longer matters.
Seas of Time looks good so far and I would join it if I were able to do so without OFFICIALLY screwing it up.
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Eh, Ben, I have it worse. Just bear through it, man. It's not your fault.
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Hey, Nerd, you get the e-mail, that went out from my KH site? J/C
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It's not all your fault.
That's what you think. I love RPing. I cant get enough of it, but I just couldn't stand waiting for others to post. I would make my own RP which is another thing Hiddensquire sudjested, but since I'm new it would probably be an instant fail. And if I do make one, Shadow cannot join unless he makes a character with a fully detailed profial discription. I don't want any of that everything-about-my-character-is-a-mistery crap. It doesn't help with anything!!! :x
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wow... I've heard of people with gambling problems and drug problems, but this is the first time I've EVER seen someone this addicted to RP.
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Believe you me, Idiom, he reminds me of myself. Since the summer between my Sophomore and Junior years, I've been RPing whenever I could. I made a lot of friends and enemies during this time.
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The last time I truly bawled was about half a year after my brother's death. It was horrible especially when it was during school. We had an all school assembly about Car Accident Deaths and 2 families came in and talked about it. That was all and find but they started playing a slide show of the kids lives and I burst out crying. It's really not all that fun when you're sitting in the middle of your entire class ._.
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Fine, lets make an RP. Now. I'll help. Just stop being so pissed over a story!
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I'm not supposed to be here because I got a bad grade in English. Let's leave it at that, 'kay? 'Kay.
Current frustration is I can't keep myself focused enough to edit what I have of the novel. It's coming along great, and we recently got to the part where Zach meets up with his dead brother's ghostie. But I can't keep myself focused. Too much to do and no one to judge me for it (can anyone say Chrono Cross?).
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Grounded? Damn, my sympathies.
And if you want a review of your edits, you can always send them to me.
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Man I'm glad I'm an adult and can't be grounded anymore.
funniest thing: I used to have this friend who was 24 and lived with his parents still. and there were times when they still grounded him, too. lol. I felt really sorry for him that he was that age and still getting grounded, but not sorry enough not to laugh my ass off at him.
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Remember that time I was grounded way back when? No? Anyways, usually I sneak on when I'm not supposed to.
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My folks think I'm working, but I'm on here.
They often assume the truth without knowing that it is the truth, simply b/c when they ask, I usually don't answer.
EDIT: New gripe. Someone fucked with my avvie. Can we change it BACK, please?
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But its David Spade, comedian and television personality!
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My folks think I'm working, but I'm on here.
They often assume the truth without knowing that it is the truth, simply b/c when they ask, I usually don't answer.
EDIT: New gripe. Someone fucked with my avvie. Can we change it BACK, please?
That's a wake up call. Tomorrow you become a regular member again. Then you have one week to tidy up your business and make sure your friends know how to contact you outside of this forum.
You're being administratively banned.
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And it all makes sense. *sigh* Don't bother. I'll make a farewell thread and then I'm gone.
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HOLY CRAP! IT'S RAMSUS!!! I thought you left the conpendium for good. Oh by the way, I am Asafigow, all time ruler of medoicre, and beginner of many random things.
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What just happened? Ramsus? What?! AM I HIGH OR SOMETHING?? If not, welcome back, Ramsus. And, sorry Shadow, But goodbye. If you need to contact me, use my Email, Shadow. So strange... I feel like I'm in one of my odd dreams...
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Never expected you were coming back, Ramsus.
But anyway, welcome back.
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Wiat! What the hell?! Suddenly Ramsus, the entity I never knew, is back and Shadow is getting band? :shock: What the hell is going on today?!
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Today is a very event-full day indeed.
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excuse me, but what the fuck? why did Shadow get banned?
I'm sure I'm probably going to get the answer that it's none of my business.
Personally, I don't think the administrative powers should be abused to change somebodies avatar, but that's just my opinion.
frustration: message boards where the administrators don't keep themselves in check with their powers. Hopefully this isn't one of those boards.
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Today is a very event-full day indeed.
Now only if we could get suprising action like this in the RP Boards.
Shadows getting band, alright. I only wish I could see what kind of RP character he could make that wasn't totally mysterious.
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Happy Valentine's Day Ramsus! I had a hunch you'd pull a Lord J.
@idioticidioms: It was well in his right to ban Shadow, this isn't out of the blue at all it has been all over the forum. Plus switching the avatar is a method to signify being banned, its just the same as a title saying "Banned".
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I understand it's not out of the blue that shadow is being banned. I also understand that it is well within the right of admins to ban people.
What I don't understand is what he did to warrant being banned.
the avatar thing makes sense, though.
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I understand it's not out of the blue that shadow is being banned. I also understand that it is well within the right of admins to ban people.
What I don't understand is what he did to warrant being banned.
the avatar thing makes sense, though.
It may not be fair in one sense, but on the other hand the arguing over the point had spilled over to being disruptive. If the admin feels it's for the best it's his call.
My gripe... So much laundry to do.... Ugh...
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What's done is done -- Shadow's being banned -- no point in uncertainty. It was more of a 'when' than an 'if', anyways.
I suppose what has me pissed off right now is that my Bluetooth adapter was pretty much destroyed.
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I understand it's not out of the blue that shadow is being banned. I also understand that it is well within the right of admins to ban people.
What I don't understand is what he did to warrant being banned.
the avatar thing makes sense, though.
Read some old posts and tell me what you honestly think. This is a public forum, so it's all public business. Also, Shadow is only the eighth individual to be banned since the forums were created in 2003, and only the fourth to ever experience being placed into a restrictive user group.
Everyone can live with ugly arguments, terrible insults, a little bit of trolling, and some outright rule-breaking posts. There's nothing here short of hacking the forums that will get you banned as an immediate reaction, and that's the way it should be.
However, if you think there's nothing wrong with consistently posting, over a five month period, dozens of meaningless one-line posts a day, creating lots of empty, self-centered discussion that causes arguments revolving around yourself, scaring off completely new members via tactless responses where you selfishly claim what they've posted is old news and insult them with an abuse of giant fonts and the facepalm smiley, and showing up in every other post of every other thread of the forums you have access to when there's at least a dozen or so other active members with completely different schedules trying to have some real discussion, then of course you won't understand why he's being banned.
Even if he's gotten slightly better in the last few weeks, he's not on his way to becoming a regular member again anytime soon, and that isn't acceptable. FAIL wasn't supposed to become a permanent user group. It was supposed to be the warning that makes you clean up your act, but what's the point if you don't?
I've consistently argued against bans of any sort for so long that it since became instilled within the community ethos. Now the admins are very shy when it comes to banning people, so I think it's probably my fault that Shadow wasn't banned when he should have been.
As a result, I'm setting an example, or else actions stop carrying consequences. After all, I don't mind being the bad guy.
Also, I don't want to wait for some specific infraction to come up that then gets used by another admin or mod as an excuse for banning him, because that establishes "bannable offenses" that then set awful precedents on which future bans will be based. I definitely don't want it to end up being because of an argument or dispute, since that also sets the worst possible precedent -- one that penalizes free speech and every member's right to disagree. Nor should it be because he upset anyone, since that implies only those with personalities we can all get along with should belong here.
Instead, this ban is based on a consistent, long-term pattern of semi-abusive posting that's continued for months even after an increasingly severe series of punishments and warnings imposed by the admins, and avoids setting any precedents on which more arbitrary bans may be based on in the future.
That's also why it seems out of the blue if you're a newer member. To older members, it seems somewhat overdue, and that's probably part of why Shadow is being so gracious in accepting his ban.
Maybe after we add a chat room, a twitter-like micro-blogging extension, and a group-based daily post-count limit, we'll invite him back.
Also, changing someone's avatar is very much an abuse of administrative power. Of course, I also just gave him the ability to change his own avatar again after two months of not being able to edit his personal settings, so I was expecting him to change it back.
EDIT: As a side note, I shouldn't even be the one banning people to begin with, and I hope after this I won't ever have to overstep my authority and ban someone again.
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Damn, shit just got real. Seriously though, that was some sort of overnight explosion! Raising dead, banning, general rabble rousing, seems like quite the day. This being Single Awareness Day wouldn't have anything to do with his, would it? 8)
Regardless, I'm home for a minute before I have to go BACK to the office to switch science kits because these local schools can't get their shit together. Awesome. Been in the car all damn day. Lames Bond. And despite popular belief, I ain't stressin' too hard on Valentine's Day, at least I don't gotta shell out cash, now if :shock: gets courted or some shady shit over the weekend...then I will be.....how you say....less than pleased...
Besides, it's Saturday and super nice out in LA!!! TIME FOR MORE TRAFFIC!!
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actually, when you put in that perspective, I can understand it. I don't think he meant any harm from it, it's just the way he is.
On another messageboard, we have someone who does something similar. He responds to just about every post with a single line of text or even sometimes a single word, not even deigning to give in-depth or thoughtful replies, and starts 3-5 threads when only one will do. It seriously annoys the piss out of me because it's an rp message board for politics. I know it's just the way he is and he doesn't mean any harm by it, but it is still annoying and I have brought up the subject a couple times, there, but nobody wants to do anything about because technically, he isn't 'breaking any of the rules or laws we have'
Thanks for the response. I haven't been here too long and hadn't seen that that's what he's been doing before now.
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Well, stick around. It's good to know there's members who don't hesitate to call out admins on things.
Nothing's worse for an Internet community than a flock mentality.
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What the fuck, I go away for a day and Shadow is banned? I suppose that is what is currently frustrating me. I was one of the ones who thought he shouldn't be banned, and in the poll thread - weren't the ones that thought he should be banned in the minority?
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What the fuck, I go away for a day and Shadow is banned? I suppose that is what is currently frustrating me. I was one of the ones who thought he shouldn't be banned, and in the poll thread - weren't the ones that thought he should be banned in the minority?
Bans by popular demand are almost worse than arbitrary bans. Would you rather have someone ban you for a certain reason, or get banned because you were simply voted off the island?
I'd rather not encourage the idea that being unpopular will inevitably lead to being banned, or that being popular will save you.
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Wow.. spend the day sifting through TF tutorials, and come back to the second coming of Ramsus. Eventful weekend indeed. Welcome back! (By the way, you're an awesome artist. I'm jealous.)
On topic... Temporal Flux is awesome, but confusing. Been trying to load NPCs into a test room below Manoria Cathedral and get them to talk. Whenever I walk next to the NPC, he changes colors, the game glitches out, and Crono disappears.
I've searched Kajar and the Compendium for for other tutorials, but there aren't very many. Anyone know if there are other tutorials floating around the net?
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There's going to be a huge tutorial-making effort soon I think.
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Well, stick around. It's good to know there's members who don't hesitate to call out admins on things.
Nothing's worse for an Internet community than a flock mentality.
I've never been the type just to sit around and 'baa' pleasantly, lol.
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I knew Ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong (er...Ramsus) was waiting in the wings somewhere (he made a Oekaki post a while after his My Work Here Is Done thread)...Always nice to see stuff getting done. The Shadow stuff was based on a fuckload of little things (which is a reason I couldn't bring myself to ban) that were really not getting better. While I'm sorry to see any member that 'contributed' so much go, I can't say I'll really miss SDD...
Anyways...My sleeping pattern has gotten a little fuct recently. It usually doesn't matter much to me since wtf am I doing all day anyways? But I do need to wake up for getting to the library weekly and since this Monday is President's Day or w/e, and since my library is normally closed on Mondays they're closed on Saturday this week so now I have to 1) go to the library when it's closed to return junk so it doesn't get late fees and 2) wait until Tuesday so I can pick up my holds & what-not (got the first seasons of Spaced & Torchwood waiting...!). Maybe I should change when I go to Tuesday or Wednesday (8pm closing time compared to 6pm)...hmmmm...
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What the fuck, I go away for a day and Shadow is banned? I suppose that is what is currently frustrating me. I was one of the ones who thought he shouldn't be banned, and in the poll thread - weren't the ones that thought he should be banned in the minority?
Bans by popular demand are almost worse than arbitrary bans. Would you rather have someone ban you for a certain reason, or get banned because you were simply voted off the island?
I'd rather not encourage the idea that being unpopular will inevitably lead to being banned, or that being popular will save you.
Popular opinion should be - and already is - a real factor to be considered when determining whether someone should be removed from a community. I certainly agree that it should not be the only factor, but it shouldn't be ignored either. Tell me honestly: if everyone in this entire forum loved Shadow, and mentioned such on a regular basis rather, and cried out in objection at the very thought of him being banned, but he still had committed all of the grievances you listed, would you still ban him? Obviously this situation is strongly hypothetical, but not impossible, given the right set of hypothetical people in said hypothetical community. Regardless of whether it would happen in real life, it serves well to pose my question. Tell me that the 3-5 people who loudly complain about Shadow on a regular basis are not a factor in the minds of any admin on this forum when they agree with your decision.
Note that I am interjecting here not because I strongly care one way or the other whether Shadow gets banned, but because you merely brought up an intriguing debate topic.
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Shadow is banned?
Eh... He could've gotten better, but he was headed down the wrong path of forumology...
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Those people that would mention their love of him regardless of his 'grievances' would be ignored because they are obviously unfamiliar with forum rules & etiquette (jesus, I'll never be able to spell stupid french-based words). Do ignorant people's votes count for less than others? Probably not, but based on your (hiddensquire) hypothetical it probably should :lol: I think it's less about what the standard community is saying (since a lot I noticed that were in favor of not banning were newer members and a lot for were being spammy about it themselves) but more about the admin forum where it eventually slid into a unanimous consensus for the pro-ban side. I could be wrong though...*shrugs*
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I apologize if I was spammy or rude during this fiasco. I tend to be the ever-persistent optimist. Well, this will serve as a great example for what not to do at a forum (or anywhere, for that matter).
Other frustrations: Telemarketers. More specifically, Mexican, pre-recorded telemarketers. I have no clue how they got my number, but they've been calling at least three times a week for the past couple of months. Anyone else in the Washington area have this problem, or know how to stop it?
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Shadow's gone huh? Whatever.
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if a person is an asshole but is loved by everybody, does it make them any less of an asshole? no. Even people who are loved by everyone still need to be subject to the rules and laws or else they'll just do whatever they want. You can't hold any one person above another based on popularity, otherwise you start going down a really bad path.
@Zephira: I just hang up on the pricks when they call. If it's an actual person on the other end, have some fun with them. As soon as they start in on their pitch, interrupt them with something like this: 'Hey, would you like to buy some *fake product name* you can get it now for just a low, low price of *fake price*, and if you order now, you can get a second set of *fake product* now! Would you like to pay in cash or credit?'
It's morbidly hilarious to hear them on the other end stammer a bit and then end the conversation.
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Are you already added to the do not call list (http://www.donotcall.gov/), Zephira?
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I should be, my mom signed the whole family up as soon as that act was passed. The problem is that I don't know if it's telemarketers or something else, since it's all in spanish.
Thanks for the link. I'll take a look and see if I can figure out what's wrong.
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Whoa. The Ram came back. RAM JET!
Since this is the frustration thread, I'm going to say what's frustrating the hell out me: managing people that don't do a damn thing when they work. It's a rather simple thing and it cannot be escaped no matter what the job, but it still drives me nuts nonetheless. Maybe because I work myself to the bone constantly. It makes you appreciate the people that do get off their butts and show initiative.
All part of the crap I signed up for when I took the job.
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Ramsus is like me these days. He functions in normal life, but he's being pulled by the gravity of his interesting ideas and desires to contemplate meaningful pursuits and other enterprises. I sort of pulled him back with Crimson Echoes.
Speaking of which, it's 1:49 AM and I'm beginning my day. Fucking desires. Ah well...I am going to be one productive son of a bitch today.
FaustWolf is also correct; after Crimson Echoes, a lot of people may become interested in ROM hacking or trying Temporal Flux out. So instead of making another project the subject of the Fan Project Aegis, the Compendium will devote its official attention and resources to tutorializing everything we learned to make Crimson Echoes, and all the other new developments.
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What the fuck, I go away for a day and Shadow is banned? I suppose that is what is currently frustrating me. I was one of the ones who thought he shouldn't be banned, and in the poll thread - weren't the ones that thought he should be banned in the minority?
Bans by popular demand are almost worse than arbitrary bans. Would you rather have someone ban you for a certain reason, or get banned because you were simply voted off the island?
I'd rather not encourage the idea that being unpopular will inevitably lead to being banned, or that being popular will save you.
Popular opinion should be - and already is - a real factor to be considered when determining whether someone should be removed from a community. I certainly agree that it should not be the only factor, but it shouldn't be ignored either. Tell me honestly: if everyone in this entire forum loved Shadow, and mentioned such on a regular basis rather, and cried out in objection at the very thought of him being banned, but he still had committed all of the grievances you listed, would you still ban him? Obviously this situation is strongly hypothetical, but not impossible, given the right set of hypothetical people in said hypothetical community. Regardless of whether it would happen in real life, it serves well to pose my question. Tell me that the 3-5 people who loudly complain about Shadow on a regular basis are not a factor in the minds of any admin on this forum when they agree with your decision.
Note that I am interjecting here not because I strongly care one way or the other whether Shadow gets banned, but because you merely brought up an intriguing debate topic.
Yes, I would still ban that person. This is a place of discussion, not a cult of personality for the most liked to rule. Besides, when the popular become untouchable, those with unpopular opinions become easy targets for abuse. It squashes the kind of open atmosphere to think and explore that we've always tried to maintain here.
As far as whether or not such a thing was a factor in my decision to ban Shadow, remember that I've only been lurking the generally accessible forums as an anonymous observer for the last month. Nobody's been complaining to me about anyone, not even the other admins, since nobody's been able to reach me. Even Z barely had a chance to keep in touch with me.
So it doesn't matter who was complaining to what admins; resolving people's complaints wasn't the primary motive behind this ban. Instead, my decision was based on my own observation and investigation.
But your argument is still valid in the sense that that's how things work at most other forums. I don't agree with it as being correct however, and had I not returned, I think the things you cited in your argument would have certainly been the basis of any administrative action against Shadow by the other admins. Part of why I did this now, and did it myself, was to keep that from becoming the case.
Also, I think it's for Shadow's own good that he's being banned, and that's really the most important thing to consider when banning someone. Certainly more important than popularity.
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Here's my final thoughts on this, and after this I probably won't say anymore about the Shadow situation:
1) Does banning him really solve the perceived problem? What is stopping him from simply creating another account? If he can't do it from his computer, then he can just do it from another. Sure, his ego would be hurt - but the FAIL rank didn't seem to slow him down, now did it?
and 2) This is for the people that honestly wanted him banned. I understand forum rules and etiquette and all that, Shadow never really bothered me although I can see how he could slightly annoy some people. But annoy to the point of being banned? Come on now, if you let an individuals behavior on an internet forum get to you, then you need to raise the bar of what pisses you off in life. I'd hate to meet you in real life, because I can't imagine what an impatient and unforgiving person you would be (edited from a much more vulgar term that I thought was a little too cruel).
In the end, we have this observation - did Shadow post a lot of vacuous posts? Fuck yes. Did Shadow seem to deliberately ellicit hostile responses for the same few individuals over and over agian, derailing countless threads? Hell yes. But he started here posting gigantic images and huge bolded text phrases, and after myself and several others told him to stop doing that - he stopped. After adding the FAIL rank, his post count and vacuous posts did not decrease, but after myself and several others told him to stop doing that - he did improve slightly. He has improved since he first started here, and that's a fact. Is it as much improvement as some people had hoped? Maybe not, but it was improvement nonetheless.
Now, because I am a forgiving individual/not a pompous asshole, my opinion was that we should have given him the benefit of the doubt, especially considering the possibility that he *may* have Asperger's syndrome. I'm not completely sold on that, however, since he only mentioned it after I brought up Asperger's in another thread with regards to Triforce - I have the impression that Shadow latched onto that as an easy excuse for his behavior.
Still, I am not happy with this decision, and I think it really accomplishes jack shit in the end.
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I don't think anybody even said that it was going to be a permanent ban, Eric. I would suggest that after a while of cooling his heels, maybe a couple months or so down the road, to unban him and invite him back to see how he does. I mean, as far as I could tell, he's not a bad kid, just prone to annoying certain people from time to time. Hell, we all can annoy people from time to time without even trying to. I do it a lot, lol. Then I tell people to wait until I START trying. it doesn't tend to make them any happier...
Anyway, the basis of this is, Eric, is this wasn't a decision that was made spur-of-the-moment, from what I can tell. It was made over a long period of time wherein Shadow received numerous warnings and was continually watched. Ramsus made a decision when he saw that Shadow was not really making any move to better himself.
And, I have a question for you: Do you think that retarded people know that they're retarded if you don't point it out to them? I mean, seriously, if people never made fun of them and just treated them like normal human beings, the same as everyone else, they would be the same as everyone else around, with no differences. Now, I am not calling Shadow a retard, however asperger's syndrome, and autism are things that make it hard for the person who has them to socially interact with others. But, it's as much the fault of everyone around those people as it is the disease they have, because people treat them differently and they're labeled for it, and they get it into their head that they're different from everybody else and so they keep acting different.
make sense?
What I'm saying is that the way Shadow is, is not fully his fault, but the fault of the people around him, too, treating him differently for his diseases, which is wrong. You have to treat everybody the same, and in this case, anybody else would be subject to the same rules. I would expect the admin to ban me if I was continually making an ass of myself and doing the things that Shadow did.
But, if you think that it accomplishes jack shit in the end, you're wrong, because by being banned from this place, he will think about what he has done and logically work it out in his own mind that the actions he took brought him to this point and he will work harder to fix that.
My little brother is high-functional autism, and I think I had to have been growing up, because he's a lot like me when I was his age. The thing is, I was never diagnosed with it, so even if I did have it, I never knew it, I was treated the same as everybody else, and I overcame it. I know how people with aspergers and autism think, just from being around them and paying attention. They are VERY logical people. Yet, at the same time, for being so highly logical, they can be completely unreasonable at times. trust me when I say that this will do a world of good for Shadow.
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And, I have a question for you: Do you think that retarded people know that they're retarded if you don't point it out to them? I mean, seriously, if people never made fun of them and just treated them like normal human beings, the same as everyone else, they would be the same as everyone else around, with no differences. Now, I am not calling Shadow a retard, however asperger's syndrome, and autism are things that make it hard for the person who has them to socially interact with others. But, it's as much the fault of everyone around those people as it is the disease they have, because people treat them differently and they're labeled for it, and they get it into their head that they're different from everybody else and so they keep acting different.
Not really seeing your point here, as he only mentioned his supposed condition several weeks ago (if I remember correctly) and people's reactions towards him and his general posting behavior did not change in any way whatsoever - not for the better, and not for the worse. And treating everybody the same is not ideal. Take Triforce for example - he tries hard despite his condition, should we hold him to the same forum etiquette rules as other members? Granted, Shadow was much worse, but my point remains. But perhaps this doesn't even matter, because as I said-
But, if you think that it accomplishes jack shit in the end, you're wrong, because by being banned from this place, he will think about what he has done and logically work it out in his own mind that the actions he took brought him to this point and he will work harder to fix that.
My little brother is high-functional autism, and I think I had to have been growing up, because he's a lot like me when I was his age. The thing is, I was never diagnosed with it, so even if I did have it, I never knew it, I was treated the same as everybody else, and I overcame it. I know how people with aspergers and autism think, just from being around them and paying attention. They are VERY logical people. Yet, at the same time, for being so highly logical, they can be completely unreasonable at times. trust me when I say that this will do a world of good for Shadow.
- I am extremely skeptical of his claims of having Asperger's Syndrome. He only mentioned it after I brought up Asperger's in another thread with regards to Triforce, in an attempt to help people understand the condition since some people are ignorant fucktards. He only mentioned *possibly* having Asperger's directly after that, and I got the strong impression that he was simply using it as an excuse for his prior behavior since this was post FAIL rank and talk of banning him was in the air.
So, I don't think he will think much about it at all. I think he will stick around the forums as a guest for awhile before registering again from a different computer somewhere, after which he will pick up exactly where he left off. Perhaps there may be *some* improvement. I was the one that noticed when he created the Oxlylinc account and called him out on it, but it was only a matter of time before he was figured out because of his posting habits.
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either way, whether he has aspergers or not, being banned from a place you enjoy being will make you think twice about the way you act in the future.
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I guess we will see, as he will most definitely return - and shortly at that. Should we start a bet on the timeframe? I bet he'll be cruising the forums as a guest tomorrow, but I'm talking about re-registering. My guess is within 2 weeks. I would say less than one, but from what I've gathered about his home life it seems computer access is restricted.
I've got to catch an early morning flight. I thought I would try to stay up all night, but I'm about to pass out on the keyboard. And of course the bird isn't around when I need him now.
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In the end, we have this observation - did Shadow post a lot of vacuous posts? Fuck yes. Did Shadow seem to deliberately ellicit hostile responses for the same few individuals over and over agian, derailing countless threads? Hell yes. But he started here posting gigantic images and huge bolded text phrases, and after myself and several others told him to stop doing that - he stopped. After adding the FAIL rank, his post count and vacuous posts did not decrease, but after myself and several others told him to stop doing that - he did improve slightly. He has improved since he first started here, and that's a fact. Is it as much improvement as some people had hoped? Maybe not, but it was improvement nonetheless.
Well then here's to hoping his further forum education occurs elsewhere...! If he comes back at some time & he's better, what do I care? If he gets over his current w/e-the-fuck, that's fine, but I'd rather not have to suffer through the slow-paced (I personally gave up even editing his posts after a while) learning experience. Betting on when it will occur though seems a little like a low blow...
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yeah I just gave up arguing about it with him because he kept repeating the same crap. if I wanted that kind of frustration I would have started talking to my wall again.
'sup wall'
'.....'
'I said, 'sup wall''
'.....'
'yeah, fuck you too, asshole'
'.....'
'you know what?'
'.....'
you get the hint.
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Reason #593 I've been playing too much CE:
I just dreamed of owning a pet frog.
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... dude. I'm gone for one day to go and eat at an Italian place (bad idea because it was Singles Awareness Day, but that chicken calzone is so good...) and not only is the one person I actually wanted to kill gone, but Ramsus has returned! Huzzah!
Let's hope you don't do that again, eh? Because it made me sad and things went kind of... crazy. And since Shadow is gone, does that mean I can have Seren set his character on fire? I hope it does... because Aderyn flew elsewhere and can't do it now.
My current frustration is my teeth. They're very sensitive and I can't just chomp right into a Caramel Delite (a Samoa for you uncultured cretins...) because it hurts. And we just got Girl Scout Cookies...
EDIT: ALSO! I hate earrings. Last night I put in a pair of hoops so that it would match my Slytherin getup (silver and fake emerald ring, silver and green shirt, silver and fake emerald earrings), and they went in fine. But you can't sleep with hoops on. So I had to take them out and put in my pearls (fake pearls; they're studs, so that works). But I can never find the back hole with the pearls. I wound up pushing through normal flesh on my right ear, causing bleeding and pain. And now both ears hurt like hell.
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Speaking of sweets, what's with those lame-ass flavored chocolates that no one ever likes? Yeah, lets cram some nasty nougat reject along with some marzipan! GREAT IDEA DOUCHEBAGS! Just give us caramel, chocolate & maybe every once in a while throw in a variety of nuts. Maybe a coconut one since apparently there are people who enjoy chocolate along with their wacky tropical nut meat.
>_>
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Speaking of sweets, what's with those lame-ass flavored chocolates that no one ever likes? Yeah, lets cram some nasty nougat reject along with some marzipan! GREAT IDEA DOUCHEBAGS! Just give us caramel, chocolate & maybe every once in a while throw in a variety of nuts. Maybe a coconut one since apparently there are people who enjoy chocolate along with their wacky tropical nut meat.
>_>
I tend to agree with that. There are a few things that are flavored chocolate, those are decent, but the ones with stuff inside. *Groan*
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I've mentioned this before, but Compendium is quite possibly the only Good Chrono Trigger forum still around. Though I can't say I enjoy seeing this five times every single day
:picardno
I am highly disturbed by the decision, as this could be the seed of a new set of policies on the only good CT forum around.
To put it best, Shadow was a puzzle thrust upon people who aren't good at puzzles. And now you see, whether admittedly or not, that some situations certainly require the skill. ...or am I hallucinating, and Shadow's removal wasn't controversial at all?
Anyways, congratulations on Ramsus. Someone get him his post count back.
I don't need it
hahahaha sure. TAKE IT.
Speaking of sweets, what's with those lame-ass flavored chocolates that no one ever likes? Yeah, lets cram some nasty nougat reject along with some marzipan! GREAT IDEA DOUCHEBAGS! Just give us caramel, chocolate & maybe every once in a while throw in a variety of nuts. Maybe a coconut one since apparently there are people who enjoy chocolate along with their wacky tropical nut meat.
>_>
Ugh, did you get the strawberry and orange filled ones too? Just give me something cadbury style! That's all mankind desires! Cadbury-style! Chocolate with white cream inside!
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I. Yes, He had Aspergers disease and he mentioned it before 4th triforce piece came back.
II. Everything Chrono Eric said I agree with.
III. Ramsus is cool. Welcome back.
IV. My parents are making me go on a car trip, again.
V. God. Dammit.
Anyways, I'm pretty annoyed with life as of now. And seriously, I felt very odd seeing the rebirth of Ramsus immediately announcing to the world that Shadow is to be banned in a week. Now, whenever I think of him, I think of him floating in the air in front of a weird yet incredibly powerful sharp object, about to be killed by a sharp beaked flaming bird thing.
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about to be killed by a sharp beaked flamy bird thing.
lol sounds like my girlfriend
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What, Is your girlfriend Kuchiki Rukia? Anyways, I have to abandon Bleach and you guys for a while. Bye guys. I hate the snow...
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You guys got snow? How much? Half an inch?
Try getting half a foot, if not more, and then complain to me.
Yeah, I love my Caramel Delites. It's a cookie with chocolate, caramel, and coconut (as coconut is amazing) all in one! Only thing better is Lemonades. And that's cutting it close.
New frustration! The game I'm playing. I'm on this one mission in Hit and Run. You have to drive to these three places in the time limit and listen to Milhouse try and get Lisa to go on a date with him. I had trouble getting through it, but when I did, I was ready to save. But then my controller died. And I had to do it again. The second time I did it, it died. The third time I did it, I was just about to select 'Save Game' when an error came up.
And I had to turn off the Gamecube.
Without saving.
God... dammit...
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What, Is your girlfriend Kuchiki Rukia? Anyways, I have to abandon Bleach and you guys for a while. Bye guys. I hate the snow...
No, but she is a firey birdy thing
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So... Ramsus is back? And Shadow is gone?
Huh. What a difference a day makes.
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It's amazing what happens here overnight. It's... impressive.
Finally, I got past that mission. But now I can't get Snake. Must go 'undercover' with Chief Wiggum (in full police uniform) in his police car (with blinking lights and a horn that is actually the siren) to get items he drops. Like pants. And an old lady.
My frustration is I don't want to keep proofing my novel. I just got to after the whole crazy Mayim thing and I don't want to read through the Orenlandian text. I may very well just remove it all together and have it just say they were speaking a strange, clicking language that was too fast for Zach's mind, never mind his tongue, to wrap itself around.
That works.
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I think the Orenlandian thing is hilarious. I'll help proof your novel if you want... I've been bored.
Anyways, We went up to the mountains, where several feet of snow awaited us. I had a lot of fun though. I slid down a huge hill on a plastic bag as a result of stupidity by sugar, and almost seriously injured myself...
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It's fiery...I know it doesn't look any less stupid than 'firey', but thems the brakes. This really isn't a frustration, but I felt like pointing it out. Let's see if I can work up a frustration by just continuing to type whatever's in my head...Hmm...car commercial's on tv right now...those are always lame...Simpsons is in HD now...I guess that's not frustrating either...though my tv has HD capabilities, I don't have HD tv...I guess that's kind of frustrating...oh wait, King of the Hill is on next. Yeah, that's pretty frustrating. I so very much dislike that show.
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frustration is playing a game of politics, running for the highest elected office, and watching your competitor lie through his teeth, contradict himself constantly, make you look bad for pointing out his bullshit and still have him wind up coming out on top in the polls. If it was played in real life, I would have already been disqualified for knocking his fucking teeth down his throat.
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It's fiery...I know it doesn't look any less stupid than 'firey', but thems the brakes.
Yeah? And she can spell it however she wants
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To put it best, Shadow was a puzzle thrust upon people who aren't good at puzzles. And now you see, whether admittedly or not, that some situations certainly require the skill. ...or am I hallucinating, and Shadow's removal wasn't controversial at all?
So Shadow was Banned? Is there a particular reason? I've seen him say some weird things but nothing that bad. Although there are a lot of sections of this site I don't visit often at all. Eh, whatever.
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Yeah, and Ramsus returned. He's like Aizen. He faked his own death, and came back ridiculously powerful. The difference is, Ramsus isn't the main antagonist.
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Yeah, and Ramsus returned. He's like Aizen. He faked his own death, and came back ridiculously powerful. The difference is, Ramsus isn't the main antagonist.
Or so you think.
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Yeah, and Ramsus returned. He's like Aizen. He faked his own death, and came back ridiculously powerful. The difference is, Ramsus isn't the main antagonist.
Or so you think.
I was going to say something along those lines as well.
(User was banned for this post)
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To put it best, Shadow was a puzzle thrust upon people who aren't good at puzzles. And now you see, whether admittedly or not, that some situations certainly require the skill. ...or am I hallucinating, and Shadow's removal wasn't controversial at all?
So Shadow was Banned? Is there a particular reason? I've seen him say some weird things but nothing that bad. Although there are a lot of sections of this site I don't visit often at all. Eh, whatever.
Most of those whom are debating against the removal of Shadow were not around since his arrival and/or were not very active to begin with. I agree with the decision, mostly because I've personally dealt with his innane, vulgar, exacerbating and borderline antisocial behavior. Some dispute this, but he has not just displayed a few discontiguous actions -- but rather a detailed MO -- one guaranteed to disrupt the Compendium. Ramsus' decision was certainly not the popular one, but it was the necessary and wise one all the same.
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Yeah, and Ramsus returned. He's like Aizen. He faked his own death, and came back ridiculously powerful. The difference is, Ramsus isn't the main antagonist.
Or so you think.
I was going to say something along those lines as well.
(User was banned for this post)
Looks like the plot twist has finally shown it's ugly head.
Time to insert Disc 2, guys.
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I was around when he showed up, I remember his annoying Dancing Lavos.
Also, $%*! at the original Metroid. My normal beam, which I will call the scab beam, does next to no damage against anything in Norfair, while everyone is killing me and pushing me in Lava. Don't suggest I seek out the ice beam: That just makes killing stuff take twice as long.
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It's fiery...I know it doesn't look any less stupid than 'firey', but thems the brakes.
Yeah? And she can spell it however she wants
Sure, if she wants to continue to spell it incorrectly, what do I care?
Yeah, and Ramsus returned. He's like Aizen. He faked his own death, and came back ridiculously powerful. The difference is, Ramsus isn't the main antagonist.
I thought one of the main differences was the fact that he isn't any more or less powerful...Though what do I know? Maybe he's been doing some push-ups...>_>
Also, $%*! at the original Metroid. My normal beam, which I will call the scab beam, does next to no damage against anything in Norfair, while everyone is killing me and pushing me in Lava. Don't suggest I seek out the ice beam: That just makes killing stuff take twice as long.
NES original or Zero Mission? Either way, stick it out! Great game. Wave Beam=<3...or, wait, was that one not in the original? >_>
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This girl ( :shock: ) done been fuckin' with me. I wish I could just force it out of my head...but I can't. Weak I know. Damn time...always passin' so slowly...
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Time flies when you're having fun, but when you're in gut-wrenching heart-pain, it slows to a crawl.
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... where did I use firey/fiery? I don't see... and there isn't anything to say that you edited my post, V... oh, well.
Current frustration is this computer's version of Firefox. It has tabs (which I cannot live without), but they don't have the little X's on them. You have to go through the mishigos of right clicking and selecting 'Close Tab'... the good news is that I finally got to work on the novel. I'm on a roll! We're near the end and I've edited it so much, it's not even the same.
The scenes written entirely in Orenlandian, though I slaved over them, have been cut. Completely. All that remains are the gestures the characters make and the occasional English word.
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Actually, it was something Captain B said...
No, but she is a firey birdy thing
Is Captain B a girl? If not then idk why he said she later on, but that's why I said she in that last post...*shrugs*
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LaunchCast Radio (Yahoo's online radio service) has now partnered with CBS Radio and discontinued the personalized stations.
Which means that if I continue to listen to LaunchCast Radio, all those groups and songs that I hate to no end and purposes set my station up to never play again will now be played again.
Case in point: turned it on this morning and the second friggen song was Britney Spears.
Guess I'll have to stop being cheap and actually download enough music to make my ipod usable.
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Meh. I have to get a new SNES controller for my Smartjoy adapter or else I'll be forced to use my keyboard for games again. *shudders* After 4 years of constant use, it finally crapped out. Well, I threw it out. the pads inside of it weren't any good anymore and kind of wouldn't stay off the control board, causing me to continually move in one direction or another, even when I was pressing the complete opposite direction. -_-;
That's alright, I hardly play my N64 at all, so I'll trade my little brother my only controller for that and give him his Zelda - OoT game back in exchange for his SNES controller this weekend when I go to visit him. (dogs chewed through the cords of his '64 controllers. And people wonder why I'm not a dog person.)
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I've still got my SNES and N64 hooked up at home in case I need to keep my Mario kart skills polished (as in, power sliding through every curve on Rainbow Road) or relive SM64. I just can't play GoldenEye 007 anymore, even though it was my favorite. After getting four 007 folders, I'm just sort of permanently sick of it. This would change if I had some multiplayer people.
Speaking of GE007, www.goldeneyeforever.com is the Compendium for that.
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Current frustration is this computer's version of Firefox. It has tabs (which I cannot live without), but they don't have the little X's on them. You have to go through the mishigos of right clicking and selecting 'Close Tab'... the good news is that I finally got to work on the novel. I'm on a roll! We're near the end and I've edited it so much, it's not even the same.
Alternatively, you can middle click on the tab to close it.
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dogs chewed through the cords of his '64 controllers. And people wonder why I'm not a dog person.
That sounds more like a problem with people not putting away their sheeit. Unless they just chew on them right there in front of him, then you've just got a puss on your hands for not getting the dog to cut that shit out.
Don't they have Goldeneye 007 on VC yet? Seems like that'd be perfect. Just spruce it up a bit for online multiplayer and they'd have a re-hit.
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WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT GODDAMN TRUCK OUTSIDE PUTTING IT IN REVERSE EVERY 10 FUCKING SECONDS AND BEEPING
IT'S NOT A DUMP TRUCK THIS TIME BECAUSE I DON'T HEAR ANY DUMPSTER NOISES
8TH HARDEST THING TO DO IN THE WORLD: TAKE A FUCKING NAP DURING THE DAY IN DENTON
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Should I ask what the 7 others are? Or have you been making a list & I've forgotten? >_>
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Haha, I was just about to post my own frustration about Denton. My water is off again. These maintenance fuckers are working outside. This happens like once a week or so. I just got off work and I can't take a shower because the water is off. Bullshit.
I used to live near TWU Zeality but I moved for several reasons, one of which was because it was so damned noisy. Now I live farther away, still near the highway but set back a ways. I don't hear much of anything except for that damn bird.
Also Zeality, have you ever been to the South by Southwest music festival in Austin? It's coming up soon. I don't know how long you've been in Texas but I highly recommend going as it is one of the few highpoints of this state.
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Current frustration is this computer's version of Firefox. It has tabs (which I cannot live without), but they don't have the little X's on them. You have to go through the mishigos of right clicking and selecting 'Close Tab'... the good news is that I finally got to work on the novel. I'm on a roll! We're near the end and I've edited it so much, it's not even the same.
Alternatively, you can middle click on the tab to close it.
Yes, but there was no middle button on that mouse. Just the left button and the right one.
I'm pissed at my friend. Well, former friend. I was posting a summary in an RP earlier today when I had to leave. I heard this wonderful splashing sound and turned around to see this former friend barfing pink. We had to leave the room and the room we went to had no computers. Or anything else to do as my homework was done.
Goddammit...
Something tells me that it wasn't strawberry milk... as we don't serve strawberry milk in the morning. And she can't afford breakfast. It might've been Pepto Bismal, but... it didn't have the right consistency. Trust me, I've puked that stuff up.
The good news, though, is I finally finished it. It'll be in my SoY or I might even make a new topic. Doubt that, though.
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I just lost three of my pages in my paper due to it not save, I'm poor at writing so three is ALOT. I've got to re-write it quick while its still fresh in my mind.
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I'm blowing off the rough draft due tomorrow for my paper
And I don't even care
Aww yeah
[spoiler]kill me[/spoiler]
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Okay three pages done and taken care of. The part the kills me is the turning raw facts and ideas in to sentances, paragraphs, and pages to write.
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I have a paper due this coming week...not very big though, only 2-3 pages...but its the first paper I've had to write in a few years. I have to say that finding the raw facts is the hard part....turning them into a wad of BS is fairly easy for me.
edit: forgot the frustration....incompetent coworker.
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Yikes, three pages gone? Ouch. Now I feel okay about the page and a half I had to hand write. My hand writing sucks, by the way. I should totally scan in a piece of my writing.
Current frustration is me freaking out. I'm in the special ed class I take and to make sure I can still come here, I'm cycling between typing here and going to an empty tab, minimizing the window, and going to a game of solitaire.
And I keep losing.
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Try FreeCell. Once you get the hang of it, the puzzle-solving feeling will become addictive.
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It all just hurts my brain... I'm trying to keep a low profile, but kids next to me are Googling 'can you get pregnant on your period' and getting hit with the school fire wall. I'm so glad this site isn't blocked... I'd go mad if it was.
New frustration! The fact that I finished my story. Why?
Because I now have nothing to do other than be here.
The Gamecube games we have suck ass, man. We have Hit and Run which I'm bored with, Luigi's Mansion which frustrates me, Super Mario Sunshine which frustrates me, Sonic Adventure 2 which freezes and I've beaten too many times to count, Melee which is no fun alone, Tiger Woods which isn't for me, and some wrestling game.
We need games.
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New frustration! The fact that I finished my story. Why?
Because I now have nothing to do other than be here.
Time to start an edit pass. On to draft 2!
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I'm waiting for the people who said they'd read it to do so. I.E., Nerdy. He has yet to get back to me.
Damn. It's really coming down out there! Fun.
If I have school tomorrow, that's my frustration.
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It all just hurts my brain... I'm trying to keep a low profile, but kids next to me are Googling 'can you get pregnant on your period' and getting hit with the school fire wall.
If they are women and Googling that question please hit them for me.
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They were guys. I didn't have the heart to tell them that if a girl got pregnant during her period she wasn't human.
I despise morons.
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Hit them anyways for failing 3rd grade biology. :picardno
I'll have to remember that though, in case I ever decide to put together a top '10 stupidest questions ever asked list.'
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@Ramsus: In that case, you've increased my level of respect for you. Again.
Current frustration: No Internet at home after a forced government move to a new location. Typing this from an Internet cafe.
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It all just hurts my brain... I'm trying to keep a low profile, but kids next to me are Googling 'can you get pregnant on your period' and getting hit with the school fire wall.
If they are women and Googling that question please hit them for me.
if you think that was bad, when I was in High School, I was talking to a group of girls about a females anatomy and used the term 'labia'
They had no idea what I was talking about.
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High school women are just plain silly.
I admit, it took me a while to be able to accurately point out where each piece of the anatomy was. I just didn't care that much, but at least I knew how everything worked and what the terms meant.
And for a new frustration: KebreI's signature. It gets me every time :lol:
Oh! And female anatomy and proportions. I can't get the arms to look right, argh!
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High school women are just plain silly.
I admit, it took me a while to be able to accurately point out where each piece of the anatomy was. I just didn't care that much, but at least I knew how everything worked and what the terms meant.
And for a new frustration: KebreI's signature. It gets me every time :lol:
Oh! And female anatomy and proportions. I can't get the arms to look right, argh!
Without knowing the first thing about your art, I might venture that you're drawing the shoulders too narrowly and the upper arms to skinnily, which I venture because it seems to be a common mistake (or sometimes even a stylistic device) in contemporary art. The quest to draw females thin as the imagination dares leads to some obvious breakdowns in plausibility--just look at Kid at the bottom of this page. I won't even talk about her midsection; her arms are wrong because the upper arms are about half as fleshed as they ought to be, and the elbows are exaggerated. There are certain angles at which the elbow can outsize a slim upper arm, but until you get to that skill level you're better off going with the more obvious choice of emphasizing the shapes that should be there, and not the shapes that can be there.
Since this is the frustration thread and all, I'll add how frustrating it is that pop culture seems not to acknowledge the existence of females between the ages of 16 and 40 who are not chronically ill from underweight, nor females whose shoulders are wider than a thimble.
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And for a new frustration: KebreI's signature. It gets me every time :lol:
I don't follow :?
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Zephira has something for people in glasses maybe...? I don't think this is supposed to be about sexual frustration though...:lol:
Keb's avy with the bum makes me think he's asking for $4 karate lessons and I always wonder...why is he so specific about the price of his lessons? Wouldn't you want lessons that aren't that cheap? 8)
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Oh crap, I wrote the wrong name. Meant Tact and his breathing manually thing.
Okay, new frustration: Lysdexia! I can never type names right!
Since this is the frustration thread and all, I'll add how frustrating it is that pop culture seems not to acknowledge the existence of females between the ages of 16 and 40 who are not chronically ill from underweight, nor females whose shoulders are wider than a thimble.
That's probably why I'm having so much trouble drawing an anatomically correct woman. Pop culture has skewed the form so much, that anything anatomically correct just looks wrong.
That, and I suck at elbows. Darn you elbow!
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Zephira has something for people in glasses maybe...?
That'd be me actually.... What glasses make girls look cute.
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I hate my new avatar, it's too fucking big.
This is like the hundredth time I shrunk it. I'm sick of it.
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I hate my new avatar, it's too fucking big.
This is like the hundredth time I shrunk it. I'm sick of it.
I think 100 x 200 pixels is what fits in smoothly.
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That's weird, the size IS different for PMs...it's still too big here...:lol:
But yeah, I use 100x200 (is it width first? i never know...) I think because I saw that was the dimensions of ZeaLitY's, but I've seen a few that are longer (of course, I don't think a little longer length-wise is going to change much)...
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Got thrown into a random MSN grouping, which was fun at first. Then they got into talking about Religion and how being Homosexual was a sin and wrong. This is the first time I've been this fucking pissed in YEARS. Thankfully it ended. It was kind of nice to get that anger out because I'm less stressed now, but it's just beyond fucking annoying with how they preach "open your mind to the lord" yet they close their mind to differentiation.
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My DSL is currently running at
34 21KB, wouldn't be that bad if it didn't decide to do this half way through a 1.3GB download.
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That's probably why I'm having so much trouble drawing an anatomically correct woman. Pop culture has skewed the form so much, that anything anatomically correct just looks wrong.
That, and I suck at elbows. Darn you elbow!
I know, that's why I had to quit drawing, my female characters kept getting skinnier and skinnier.
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Bah, females get too much attention, males' anatomy in pop culture is just as heavily distorted.
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I can't draw guys right. They wind up looking too much like girls. The legs are what gets me. I almost always cover them up with pants or a skirt or something. And the feet. The feet are funny. And the faces. Good god do my faces suck...
My sis has some issues and got rather sick after losing too much weight. As nice as looking thin is, it totally fucks with your body forever.
Current frustration is too loud music. I'm sitting two computers down from this kid who has his headphones in and they're blaring regatone. I can hear it from here. Ugh.
Also! I can't seem to focus on anything right now. Ugh.
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Start bobbing your head drastically to his music and if you get his attention, give him a thumbs up and then slowly turn it down & give him a frowny face and slowly shake your head.
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No, that's okay. I'm afraid bad things will happen...
I'm sitting next to someone and they looked over at my screen. They saw Nerdy's avatar at the time. Crono. He asked me...
"Are you looking at Dragon Ball Z?"
Ugh. Uneducated masses.
Now, he's trying to take over my computer while looking at Negi. And other manga. And saying that X/1999 is old. And sucks.
And someone just sprayed something very... orangy. I now have a migraine.
FUN.
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ZOMG!!! @________@ A client wanted scans. FRIGGIN 50 PAGES. And worst of all... THOSE PAGES, ALL OF THEM WERE BLANK!! Only page numbers at the footer... DAMN, ONE OF MY WORST NIGHTMARES!! And those other customers come ABOUT TIME WHEN I'M SHUTTING THE CAFE TO GO HOME AND SLEEP BECAUSE OF A STRESSFUL DAY saying "please please it's urgent, we need it!!" And I'm like, "Why the fuck not? =D Come on in! =D" MAKE IT STOP!! *head desk* And my eProject!! I'm the only brilliant on in class, and I'm afraid my classmates... can't cope up with me to pass this one... NOOOO, I MIGHT FAIL!!! And noooooooo, I don't get to do it all myself, because that would have been far too easy! I HAVE to rely on them (or encourage them to rely on me) just to do this project successfully, because if I don't "let" them help me their downfall is my responsibility!! *kills self*
*sighs*
Okay, I feel better now! :D *bows, walks away*
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... impressive rant. And run-on. I should totally study under you.
The staff directory at my school's page is down, so I don't know if I'm sending my novel to the right guy or not. It may or may not even get to him. I think his first name is Steve.
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There is no such thing as a run-on sentance. There are only sentances that don't have enough commas, parentheses, brackets, em-dashes, semi-colons, and clauses.
Viva la Runonsentancions!
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Today, I FINALLY mastered the "shut the fuck up". People bothered the hell out of me today. During a forced foot ball game. What's the point? I'm not going to need Football skills at MIT, where I plan to go. My High School doesn't even require P.E!! Grr. Anyways, Some people REALLY need to learn some freakin' grammer. " You ain't got no chance against us in this here game" One guy said. I responded afterwords by saying, "You has had us beaten very well. I congratulate your triumph. Job was good." He didn't get it, but it sure cracked my friends up. He earlier asked if I wanted to talk shit on him. I answered, No, that's what toilets are for. Such is Middle School. Stupid idiots...
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Today, I FINALLY mastered the "shut the fuck up". People bothered the hell out of me today. During a forced foot ball game. What's the point? I'm not going to need Football skills at MIT, where I plan to go. My High School doesn't even require P.E!! Grr. Anyways, Some people REALLY need to learn some freakin' grammer. " You ain't got no chance against us in this here game" One guy said. I responded afterwords by saying, "You has had us beaten very well. I congratulate your triumph. Job was good." He didn't get it, but it sure cracked my friends up. He earlier asked if I wanted to talk shit on him. I answered, No, that's what toilets are for. Such is Middle School. Stupid idiots...
Those guys tend to dissappear once High School starts.
Can't say the same for rich Hollister kids, however.
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What are you talking about tact? They exist all throughout life.
Frustration: So my aunt is taking a math course and I am helping her though it. Now my aunt is a smart woman and is 18 months in her Prelaw degree but not to skilled in math. Will she just IM'd me asking for help on a Problem this was the question:
(x/6 + 3)/(2 + 1/6)
Now I fine with that, it was an online quiz. I'll still help her, I sure as hell wont solve it for her though. Unfortunately she thought I would and has already been working on it for 20mins, her kids want dinner, and the spouse is getting annoyed. Did I give her they answer? No I explained, even showed her the step: covert the bases all to */6...good, now combine like terms...good, now reciprocate.
In the end she gets pissed logs off and fail because I wouldn't give her the answer. Do I feel bad that she had a 4.1 GPA before this class....oddly no.
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Anyways, since I didn't go to the very white school my brother's going to go to, And instead went to a school in the hood, I know things. And yes, I certainly do know that. I know whining isn't going to help, but eh. It's the thread for frustration!
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Sheesh, I'm an emotional roller coaster today. Was really happy then out of nowhere about 20 minutes ago after watching a video, I break down into tears. I think it's just one of those days, but it's really frikin annoying when you're trying to be happy and work on things then you just crack for no reason Xd
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Alright, now I am not computer savvy so perhaps someone can explain this to me.
For about 6 months now I've been jacking wireless internet from my neighbor and it has been working fine. Yes, yes I know I am a horrible person or whatever. So, my cheap ass finally shells out some cash to get wireless internet of my own and now my own wireless internet is slower than the one I was getting for free!
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For about 6 months now I've been jacking wireless internet from my neighbor and it has been working fine. Yes, yes I know I am a horrible person or whatever. So, my cheap ass finally shells out some cash to get wireless internet of my own and now my own wireless internet is slower than the one I was getting for free!
Sweet justice, lovely irony.
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/750px-might_guy.jpg)
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Alright, now I am not computer savvy so perhaps someone can explain this to me.
For about 6 months now I've been jacking wireless internet from my neighbor and it has been working fine. Yes, yes I know I am a horrible person or whatever. So, my cheap ass finally shells out some cash to get wireless internet of my own and now my own wireless internet is slower than the one I was getting for free!
Why does this sounds familiar...? Well, except in my case it was the opposite.
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Eh, I did the same thing but with internet, cable, and coupons, don't feel bad.
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50 cent wells on Thursday nights at The Garage in Denton TX is a pretty good deal. But you know how they screw you? 5 dollar minimum on credit. So I had to order a drink that I didn't want just to check out. Lame.
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To Nerd - One of my teachers in college...a VERY well respected Professor made an argument that "ain't" might as well be in the English language as correct grammar due to its frequency of use. But yeah, I could see how that would bug ya. Gotta remember kidz from da hood have a lot more going on for them. Think they want to go to MIT as well? Of course not. I think I've been watching too much of The Wire, methinks. You're in middle school, so you're probably a liiiiitle too young for the rather heavy show (not meant to be a slight to your age, just a rather depressing show most times), but you could relate to the vid I posted somewhere in the most recent pages of the WTF check out the link thread. About the kid getting hooked up to a COPY machine and thinking it was a lie detector. NOT Bubbles going through Hamsterdam. That would fall into the "you're in middle school and really just shouldn't watch this" column. But yeah...main points in all of that are 1)I love The Wire and watch too much of it. and 2)You're gonna deal with jabronees everyday, try to take the high road when ya can. It sounds selfish, but sometimes the best thing you can do is take care of you, and you alone.
Man, I hope that made sense.
To Justin - I'm with you. I re-read a play I performed last year - The Pillowman. Written by the guy who wrote and directed the film "In Bruges." Sweet film. But yea as I read I had to stop many many times due to me bawling everywhere. This was last night. And the play itself is very moving, and for personal reasons linked with some dark issues in the play there is even more of a deep feeling. But in spite of all this, there was a relase that I needed. And it sounds like you needed it too. It might not be clear to you now, but your body is telling you that ya need a release. Hope it all falls into place for ya.
Feelin' pretty good...gripe is, as it has been for weeks now, dealing with :shock:.
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actually, I believe that 'ain't' has been added as a word to all new dictionaries coming out as of a couple years ago. So, in effect, 'ain't' IS actually a word now.
'Meh' was added to the dictionary last year.
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actually, I believe that 'ain't' has been added as a word to all new dictionaries coming out as of a couple years ago. So, in effect, 'ain't' IS actually a word now.
'Meh' was added to the dictionary last year.
It's still discouraged from use due to its lack of a defined abbreviated source. It can mean "am not" "do not" "are not" etc. Therefore it's a lazy and unclear abbreviation that is a substitution for better grammar, especially when most of its uses can be replaced by other defined abbreviations. ex. "You ain't that smart." = "You aren't that smart." "This ain't right." = "This isn't right."
So while it may be a word by dictionary standards, it's still a stupid word.
Also in Nerd's short rant the word "ain't" was the least of the grammatical errors the subject of his mockery had made.
You ain't got no chance against us in this here game
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...fail because I wouldn't give her the answer.
That is lame. You have plenty of time to study and to understand, whereas she is a wife, a mother and possibly working at the same time as her studies and you couldn't just give her the answer in the end? Sure its great to try to make her understand but seriously...
As for ain't, it seems like a more efficient word, as it can replace most contractions that contain "not". It just so happens to be used and/or associated with stupid people. I don't like using it myself.
edit :sun stoner 8)
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Alright, now I am not computer savvy so perhaps someone can explain this to me.
For about 6 months now I've been jacking wireless internet from my neighbor and it has been working fine. Yes, yes I know I am a horrible person or whatever. So, my cheap ass finally shells out some cash to get wireless internet of my own and now my own wireless internet is slower than the one I was getting for free!
You realize that when you use some else's wireless internet, they can easily see all your IMs, e-mails, and HTTP traffic, right? It's just as easy to filter for passwords and usernames, then build a list of what you commonly used to try on the encrypted sites you visit like banking sites and what not.
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I hate the people who misuse their grammar constantly. I've called people on it frequently, but I get rude remarks. Ugh. My sister was once part of a group in high school that wandered around their school with markers. They corrected every grammar mistake they saw. Of course, the groups who put up their signs took them down, then put them back up with the same mistakes.
Ugh. Take a hint.
My frustration right now is Yahoo!. I'm trying to send my literary genius to my teachers as I told them they'd get to read it before it came out. And edit it and such. But when I first sent the story, it apparently got to NO ONE. So I had to resend it. If it doesn't get there, I'll have to find a file hosting site that the school hasn't blocked. Or a proxy that they can use that the school hasn't blocked.
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Well, my frustration is people who have their assholes so tight as to hate on people who don't use correct grammar. What makes you think you're so much better than they are?
Fucking elitists piss me the fuck off. If you aren't correcting someone else for their mistakes, you're thinking you're better than someone else.
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I usually try not to be elitist, as I've seen my own mistakes and I point them out. I can't focus on anything at once (someone's playing a driving game and I can't stop watching them) and I'm not so quick on my feet and I can't really think of much right now. But I've seen the mistakes I make in my writing, so...
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Well, my frustration is people who have their assholes so tight as to hate on people who don't use correct grammar. What makes you think you're so much better than they are?
Fucking elitists piss me the fuck off. If you aren't correcting someone else for their mistakes, you're thinking you're better than someone else.
It's not about being better than them, but idiots who write "THERE THE BEST" on the ground with chalk...are idiots {saw this earlier this year during the "orientation week" at the university that I go to). I'm not saying that I am perfect but it is annoying when people don't even know how to use there/they're/their properly or have a general lack of grammar skills.
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ehh... homophones barely count as bad grammar; even masters at the language are quite capable of switching them up.
There/Their/They're all sound the exact same; if you were to read the sentance aloud, you would never know that there was "bad grammar" in it.
A double negative, on the other hand ("ain't no" being one such example) doesn't work regardless of if it is written or spoken.
They're still bad, but the only way to catch them usually is to proof read your wrote. Most other grammatical errors, however, can be solved through increased understanding of the topic.
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I just hate it when people who are trying to make me look stupid use terrible grammer. It's quite funny, however.
EDIT: Sorry and thanks to all who corrected me! I feel so stupid...
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I don't know why but for some reason bad grammar almost always bugs me. Especially double negatives. Although that's not the only topic on which I'm a bit of a critic.
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I once saw grafitti saying "WER CRAZY BIG TAM".
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I just hate it when people who are trying to make me look stupid us terrible grammer. It's quite funny, however.
Use. Grammar.
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Well, my frustration is people who have their assholes so tight as to hate on people who don't use correct grammar. What makes you think you're so much better than they are?
Fucking elitists piss me the fuck off. If you aren't correcting someone else for their mistakes, you're thinking you're better than someone else.
I would consider myself a grammar Nazi and spend an inane amount of time correcting others in their online conversations if not for a few issues.
One, my keyboard is old as fuck. Half the time when I'm typing fast several keys don't register as being hit, and I find myself constantly going back and correcting what I type because of it. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world who has shitty equipment to type with, so when I see others make the mistake of missing a letter in a word, I usually let it slide.
Two, language barriers. It's a vast internet out there, and half the people on it are fortunate enough to know any English at all to communicate with me on the same level. I won't say any names, but I'm pretty sure English isn't the first language for at least one of the compendium regulars, and any urge to correct their grammar on this board is stifled because I tell myself that very fact.
Three, people make mistakes. I go back and fix grammar errors in my posts about 50% of the time. I can't stand seeing errors in what I type, so I fix it, but I'm not immune to making them. Some people don't bother to go back and check over their posts, after all, it's not like this is an essay being graded or anything. So while I appreciate people avoiding errors, I understand that making them happens to everyone, and I can't expect everyone to be going over their work with a fine comb.
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I just hate it when people who are trying to make me look stupid us terrible grammer. It's quite funny, however.
Use. Grammar.
:picardno
It is grammatically improper to use incomplete sentences.
Besides which, "us" is really more of a spelling mistake than a grammatical mistake.
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So I decided I wanted my ears pierced again, so I gauged it to an 8 and fucking ripped the lobe. Will I need to take it out and let it heal, or can I keep it in as long as I clean it.
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So I decided I wanted my ears pierced again, so I gauged it to an 8 and fucking ripped the lobe. Will I need to take it out and let it heal, or can I keep it in as long as I clean it.
Gauged it to an 8
Jesus fuck. Of course it's gonna rip your ear lobe.
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Yeah... My fault. I wasn't actually supposed to be on at the time. Well, crap.Even though it really was a spelling mistake, I was being a hypocrite, WHICH I DESPISE WITH A PASSION. I HATE FREAKING HYPOCRITES SO BADLY. I really, really hate people who tell others to do things they don't do themselves. Like today, in the broadcasting club, there's this really bossy kid. She demanded that no one ate in the room, and guess what? She opened her lunch box and started to eat breakfast. I responded by being as defiant as possible to her, who is our self-imposed boss.
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My sister was once part of a group in high school that wandered around their school with markers. They corrected every grammar mistake they saw.
Royal Win.
I envision this ruthless pack of cutthroat, jackboot grammar fascists strutting down the hallways with their Shelby knots and red markers.
Brownshirt: You there, did you dangle this modifier in the poster for the school dance?
Bystander: I...um...I don't know.
Brownshirt: Perhaps that's because dangling modifiers cause confusion in the meaning of a statement. You do sound confused.
Bystander: Look, I don't want any trouble. I'll fix the poster!
Brownshirt: You'll fix all the posters, you little anarchist, and then you will reimburse the ASB for your reckless squandering of school funds. Understood?
Bystander: Your crazy!
Brownshirt: WHAT did you just say?
Bystander: I said you're crazy.
Brownshirt: Don't fuck around with me, little boy. You think you can disrupt law and order, do you? Is this turtle yours?
Bystander: That's Wally, the class pet.
Brownshirt: Your class?
Bystander: Yes.
Brownshirt: *shoots the turtle*
Bystander: No! Wally!
Brownshirt: Oh, I'm sorry. In all the confusion, it looks like someone's gun accidentally discharged. I think you'd better go correct those posters before we have any other misunderstandings. Am I understood?
Bystander: Yes sir...
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This is why we miss J.
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I just hate it when people who are trying to make me look stupid us terrible grammer. It's quite funny, however.
Use. Grammar.
:picardno
It is grammatically improper to use incomplete sentences.
Besides which, "us" is really more of a spelling mistake than a grammatical mistake.
I was correcting spelling mistakes. Had I done so in grammatically correct fashion, well, that would put a damper on the conversation.
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Many a time I have edited a post to fix a spelling error or typo. The older ones (i.e., the first posts I made in 2007) don't count.
Poor Wally!
Still don't know if Yahoo! hates me or not. I resent the thing, but now I need to find a file hosting site to host it that isn't school blocked or a proxy to work around that.
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You realize that when you use some else's wireless internet, they can easily see all your IMs, e-mails, and HTTP traffic, right? It's just as easy to filter for passwords and usernames, then build a list of what you commonly used to try on the encrypted sites you visit like banking sites and what not.
Yeah, but it was a cost/benefit sort of thing. I was majorly strapped for cash for awhile there and getting in debt, so now that I have a really well paying job I can afford the internet. I never accessed banking sites from this computer and I don't use IMs, so I'm probably alright there too (hopefully).
Unrelated, but this story is kind of funny. Today I saw a nearly 200 pound mastiff dog that stood about 6 feet tall on his hind legs. He was left there for the day, and he was so big that he couldn't fit in a kennel, so I had to give him an entire exam room by himself until we could vaccinate him. Well, his head was about the height of the handle of the door, and before long he figured out how to open the door with his mouth. So suddenly he gets out and starts wandering around the clinic. This confused me and I thought someone let him out, so I put him back in the room. Then I saw him do it again. He would open the door to the room, and then wander into other rooms by opening those doors too. We couldn't have him doing this all day, so we tried to barricade the door with a 50 pound box and a heavy trash can on top of that. He still managed to open the door and push it all out of the way.
He gave up eventually and slept in there for the rest of the day, probably after figuring out that he would just end up back in the room even if he got out.
...And for some reason when I read Lord J's little skit there my mind immediately conjured up the image of the punk kids from A Clockwork Orange harrassing innocent people, and I consequently read those lines in a British accent. Which I think made them better. Almost everything is made better with a British accent. Almost. You could be selling the biggest piece of shit product on the planet, but if someone British is selling it - it sounds more official.
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Oh Lord J, you slay me :lol:
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I got the flu. I think. I woke up this morning feeling insanely hot. I went into my mom's room and told her that I had a cough, so she told me to take medicine and drink juice. Medicine is a last resort for me, so I just went back to bed, hoping to sleep.
And then the nausea started.
My mom said I had a fever and it was probably the flu. So I got a slice of bread and a thing of water and went back to bed. Later, I woke up with horrible aches. I was essentially bedridden the whole day. But praise the lord, we have Dayquil. That helped with the fever and the aches. I eventually stopped with the bread and earlier, I had meat! And I didn't go boom!
But I still feel like crap.
And that's my frustration for the day.
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Fever, cough, aches, nausea? Sounds like a ringer for the flu to me.
My frustration. I have a zit, in my damn nostril!!!
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Those are the worst kind, Fou.
Today's frustrations are my dogs.
Went out to a friend's house for the day. Came back, and my mom had two new pet rats in my brother's bedroom. One of the rats escaped their cage and hid under a dresser. It took four people and half an hour to get him back out again. And after that, the dogs have been whining and barking and clawing at the door, nonstop. Rosie's just excited and copying Penny, but I'm pretty sure Penny wants to eat those rats.
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Smashed heads with someone in a mosh pit tonight.
Head hurts like a bitch.
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Smashed heads with someone in a mosh pit tonight.
Head hurts like a bitch.
What a great metaphor for life!
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Good news and bad news. The good news is that most of my symptoms for the flu (headache, nausea, aches, seriously sleepy but can't sleep when you need to) are gone. Yay! The bad news is that the other symptoms (cough, sore throat) have gotten worse, if anything. I took some medicine, but it only helped for about five minutes.
Maybe it's my hypochondriac self speaking, but I think I might have something even more fun than the flu.
Maybe strep.
I dunno.
That's my frustration, but here's another worry. You see, there's this fun snow system moving our way today. Fitchburg is supposed to get 3-6'' of snow. And since it never snows on a Sunday, my inner school radar is telling me that I probably won't have school Monday. Now that's fine and dandy, but when you're sick... what's the point? If I'm still sick tomorrow, I'm staying home. Because my mom is that awesome. If there's no school, I'm not going to school. But what's the point of not going to school because you're sick when there is no school to not go to?
And when you're sick, you don't have to make it up in June!
EDIT: Being the paranoid little girl I am, I checked my symptoms with WebMD. The second thing that came up was strep.
Joy and rapture.
I'm having my mom take me to a doctor tomorrow. Or today.
... maybe they can fix my lack of typing ability as well...
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Made the mistake of driving through Hollywood today.......Oscars had taken over! So my 15 minute round trip took over an hour.....LAME.
I gotta start paying more attention to my calender...
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You're a silly billy, Shee.
Good news and bad news! The good news is that it probably isn't strep. My mom looked and my throat doesn't have the white/yellow blotches on the back. Yay. The bad news is that it hurts to let anything pass through my throat. That means I can't burp without it hurting nor can I drink anything without it hurting. The medicine I've been taking helps, but it's a pain to take (throat sprays suck ass man), it washes away with water (the only other thing that helps), and I've probably already taken too much.
And my throat still hurts like hell.
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Losanges are your friend.
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THERE ARE NO LOZENGES.
All we have in the house are DayQuil, NiQuil (or however it is), cough medicine, sore throat spray, and other things liquid/pill things. And I've probably already done too much cough medicine and throat spray.
And that shit is nasty.
EDIT: Good news! My voice is starting to come back! Yay! It still hurts like all hell, but... yay! Bad news is last I checked my temperature, the beepy beepy thing told me it was 100 degrees Fahrenheit even.
EDIT (again): Bad news and potentially good news. The bad news is that my throat has gotten worse, to the point where I'm communicating through a notebook and a pen. Writing things out is so much slower than saying them. The potentially good news is that I'm staying home from school tomorrow because I'm ill. Now this is only potentially so because we got hit with that snow storm. We may not have school in general tomorrow. Though that's unlikely, as it looks to be just a dusting. However, if I'm going to be taking a three day weekend, I don't want to have to make the extra day up in June. Either let me stay home from school and have there be school OR make me well and have no school.
But I prefer the being sick part.
My throat really hurts...
Edit ... AGAIN!: Good news and really really bad news. The good news was that I was able to cough up some phloem, which helped clear my chest and my voice. The really really bad news is that in doing so, I spat up water all over the kitchen floor (actual water, mixed with tummy juice) and eventually part of my supper. The good side of this, though, is that the supper part was into the toilet.
And now my throat is really really tight.
Ugh.
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Big frustration. You remember those rats I mentioned earlier? Waffle and Pancake? They were surprise gifts for my little brother. But apparently, he DOESN'T WANT THEM.
We went and got him two young rats, who everyone else has already fallen in love with. Complete with cage, food, toys and everything. His bedroom is the only room in the house that we can keep the rats, and he doesn't want them. So now we have to give them away. This sucks.
I knew you only one night, Waffle and Pancake, but I shall miss you dearly.
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Can't you just keep them as family pets?
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Tell him to give it a little time. More likely than not he'll learn to love them.
Either that or kill them.
I'm still sick, but I still have good news and bad news. The good news is that my throat no longer hurts like hell. The bad news is that the cough is worse. And it hurts like hell. And to make things worse, someone lost the measuring thing for the cough syrup. So I don't know how much I should take anymore. By the measuring thing I mean that weird little cap they stick on the normal cap. That's gone.
I can't even laugh now.
Ugh.
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THERE ARE NO LOZENGES.
The lozenge is a lie!
In other news: administrations at universities are most definately $%*!ingly frustrating. Universities and other educational institutions exist for one reason and one reason only: to fucking educate people. Anything that hampers that goal should be done away with. Which generally means, administrations (and mind you, I am part of the administration that is annoying me right now).
Really, this comic explains a lot of my frustration: http://www.machall.com/view.php?date=2006-03-15
If in completing requirement Z one must inherently display a mastery of concept X, then insisting that the individual still complete requirement X after Z has been approved is simply moronic. The student gets no benefit from completing X, the school gets no benefit; the only thing that even happens is that a bunch of people waste time in order to check off a box on a form somewhere.
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I'd say the school does benefit, if it gets yo monies.
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True in some cases, but in this particular one the school doesn't get any more or less money either way.
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God I hate my sister sometimes. You guys know that I'm sick, right? Yeah, it's been my frustration since Saturday. Today I was hungry, so I went downstairs and made some chicken. My sister was already in the kitchen with a bowl of cereal. My chicken is, like, 20 seconds from being done (albeit gross, microwaveable chicken is a godsend when you're sick and hungry), she's standing right by the coffee maker and coffee, so what does she do?
She asks me to make coffee.
Oh, it gets even better! She has me run downstairs to get her gym shit, when I should be in bed, makes me help her find her sports bra even though I can barely talk, and is still a little bitch.
Ugh.
My brother is worse. Routinely, even though he's sitting in the living room (right next to the kitchen), if someone is going by, he asks them to get him a soda or a Lean Pocket or something like that. Yesterday, I can't talk, so I sign out to him to please bring the empty jug of water downstairs and bring me a fresh one. He says no.
God.
Only my mom seems to understand that someone is sick around here. And what's worse is they keep making me laugh.
LAUGHING HURTS.
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Muh, now I think I'm getting sick. Luckily I have access to free antibiotics, but still - getting sick is a pain and I hate it. I think I caught it from my friend, who came down with strep last night.
Funny story - so my friend is a veteran, and he has free medical treatment. So he goes there, the nurse checks his temp and vitals, and then he is prescribed Amoxicillin and sent on his way. The doctor didn't even see him. They didn't even look at his throat or check for any other symptoms. It was definitely strep from what he described to me, but still - great free medical treatment he got there. Basically just - "you sick? Here's some antibiotics. Hope they work. Now get the fuck out. Next please."
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You have free antibiotics. I want your job. That way I can have medicine. But I still feel like crap. I'm not sure if I'll be going to school tomorrow.
If I'm not, I'm going to have to get all the notes for social studies, biology, and geometry, not to mention the homework my geometry teacher will give us. Two days in our system is like four days now. So... yeah.
I'm afraid, though, that if I DO go to school, my voice will be crap. As well as me being contagious.
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I am illlllll
I hate headcolds. Fucking christ I feel horrible.
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Either this is a horrible coincidence or I'm contagious through the Internet.
Fun. Don't read my posts or you'll get sick. I'm joking, but...
Still feel like crap.
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Muh, now I think I'm getting sick. Luckily I have access to free antibiotics, but still - getting sick is a pain and I hate it. I think I caught it from my friend, who came down with strep last night.
Funny story - so my friend is a veteran, and he has free medical treatment. So he goes there, the nurse checks his temp and vitals, and then he is prescribed Amoxicillin and sent on his way. The doctor didn't even see him. They didn't even look at his throat or check for any other symptoms. It was definitely strep from what he described to me, but still - great free medical treatment he got there. Basically just - "you sick? Here's some antibiotics. Hope they work. Now get the fuck out. Next please."
That sounds like it'll be better for the bacteria than the patients in the long run.
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Yes, exactly - but I don't really think they care about that. I imagine that they are probably overwhelmed and just try to keep things moving by overprescribing antibiotics. Even if newer resistant strains arise, they'll just move to a new antibiotic. I guess the philosphy is "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it". That's the downside of getting free care I suppose. Now, if he was really sick he probably would have seen a doctor. But I don't think the care would have been that much better.
I was never in the military, so I don't know if the average care is better than that or not...but my guess is it isn't.
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I was never in the military, so I don't know if the average care is better than that or not...but my guess is it isn't.
When I was in basic training I had the misfortune of contracting advanced conjuctivitis. In lay terms, it's pink eye on steroids. I was hospitalized for about a week. Pus filled blurry eyes, intense ear aches, sinus and throat pain, you name it. I was pretty much blind with the disease. During my stay there they tried everything under the sun, from anti-inflammitories, to anti-allergens, when it was clearly an infection. Finally I managed to get a different doctor to prescribe me some powerful antibiotics (After about three days.) I started improving within a day.
Now I, not being a doctor or having any training in medicine, was pretty damn sure it was an infection from day 1, but would they listen to me? Not until everything they thought would work, didn't.
So yeah, free health care blows no matter who you get it from. The only positive aspect of it is the free part.
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Yes, exactly - but I don't really think they care about that. I imagine that they are probably overwhelmed and just try to keep things moving by overprescribing antibiotics. Even if newer resistant strains arise, they'll just move to a new antibiotic. I guess the philosphy is "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it". That's the downside of getting free care I suppose. Now, if he was really sick he probably would have seen a doctor. But I don't think the care would have been that much better.
I was never in the military, so I don't know if the average care is better than that or not...but my guess is it isn't.
I don't think free has much to do with that poor service...most doctors push you in and out, unless you are noticeably ill/dying.
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I find it funny how conservatives point a finger with full, indignant moral rectitude at liberals now about fiscal responsibility.
Where the fuck was this the last eight years?
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Yeah, that thing with the democrats and republicans? Stupid.
R: "We're in so much debt!"
D: "Maybe you shouldn't've been so stupid with your money."
Obama: "I'm the president! I'll make things better! Stimulus plan! Yay! No more debt, no more banks going boom... everyone happy, yes?"
D: "Yay! We're happy, Obama! Fix the country!"
R: "Bah! We don't need your money! It's a stupid idea, you're overusing your powers as majority, it's not going to help, and we'd rather deny your money than help the millions in our states to get back on your feet! Plus, you smell funny."
I'm not much into politics, but that's what I get from this.
Current gripe is that I'm still sick. If you haven't noticed already. But no matter what, I'm going to school tomorrow. I can't miss another day.
... I'm also not sure if my mom called the school or not.
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Don't worry Z. In eight years people will be just as fed up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government as they are of the Republicans fucking up the government right now. Because they both are self serving piles of shit.
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Yeah? And if a libertarian's house is on fire, will he call his evil government-funded fire station, or will he be a real man and put it out himself?
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Don't worry Z. In eight years people will be just as fed up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government as they are of the Republicans fucking up the government right now. Because they both are self serving piles of shit.
That's what I'm hoping for, but I'm not getting my hopes too high.
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My political gripes?
1) After months without a budget, California raises taxes "for the good of the people" FUCK YOU
2)We spend WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much money on illegals.
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Yeah? And if a libertarian's house is on fire, will he call his evil government-funded fire station, or will he be a real man and put it out himself?
My first impulse when thinking "house on fire" was actually to put it out myself or just let it burn down. The idea of someone else intervening to put it out on my behalf didn't occur until I saw fire station, and remembered that those types of services exist...
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Don't worry Z. In eight years people will be just as fed up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government as they are of the Republicans fucking up the government right now. Because they both are self serving piles of shit.
That's what I'm hoping for, but I'm not getting my hopes too high.
Really? That is what you're hoping?
While I'm a Republican, I'd much rather people not be fet up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government. Why? Because I'd much rather the government not be fucked up at all. I'd generally prefer moderate Republicans (and moderate Democrats) to do the not-fucking-up, but at least if the not-fucking-up gets done, then the time in power wasn't a waste.
Though respond to the original comment about Republicans not being fiscally responsible over the last 8 years, one will note that the Democrats controlled the Legislative branch of the government for last 2 years. In short, they had a lot of control regarding the national budget. While being irresponsible for 2 years is better than being irresponsible for 6 years, either way it is about as good as a swift kick to the groin. Of course, the Republicans were fairly good for the 6 years preceding G.W., given that it was then that the nation last saw a decrease in both deficit and debt.
Hmm... it is almost like the issue of fiscal responsibility can’t be cut down party lines...
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Ugh. Just took the Teen Tournament test. My big issue was that when my brother took his test, our mom was there to help him. Both times he took it. This is the only chance I'll get for the tournament (as next year I'll be too old) and my mom had to go get him. And my sister is no help at all.
On top of this, I didn't get most of it.
Damn you pop culture.
... for the record, the ditzy little Stephanie Meyer self insertion IS, in fact, named Bella, right? They asked me about that.
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Don't worry Z. In eight years people will be just as fed up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government as they are of the Republicans fucking up the government right now. Because they both are self serving piles of shit.
That's what I'm hoping for, but I'm not getting my hopes too high.
Really? That is what you're hoping?
While I'm a Republican, I'd much rather people not be fet up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government. Why? Because I'd much rather the government not be fucked up at all. I'd generally prefer moderate Republicans (and moderate Democrats) to do the not-fucking-up, but at least if the not-fucking-up gets done, then the time in power wasn't a waste.
Though respond to the original comment about Republicans not being fiscally responsible over the last 8 years, one will note that the Democrats controlled the Legislative branch of the government for last 2 years. In short, they had a lot of control regarding the national budget. While being irresponsible for 2 years is better than being irresponsible for 6 years, either way it is about as good as a swift kick to the groin. Of course, the Republicans were fairly good for the 6 years preceding G.W., given that it was then that the nation last saw a decrease in both deficit and debt.
Hmm... it is almost like the issue of fiscal responsibility can’t be cut down party lines...
Exactly what I was getting at. Everyone points fingers at whoever is in charge but the problems have been going on for quite a while, from all walks of government. Most people would like to see financial stability and responsible governing in our system, regardless of which party the person providing it hails from. Unfortunately TV, radio and internet media outlets and personalities spend too much time tacking each and every problem onto one party or another instead of helping to find the universal solutions that everyone can prosper from.
Yeah? And if a libertarian's house is on fire, will he call his evil government-funded fire station, or will he be a real man and put it out himself?
Fuck I dunno. Maybe if he kept his hash pipe away from flammable objects he wouldn't have to worry about it.
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Current frustration: Step-dad got home from California. He hasn't even been home for an hour and he's already drunk and yelling. Yay.
It's times like this that make me wish I was deaf.
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Current frustration: Step-dad got home from California. He hasn't even been home for an hour and he's already drunk and yelling. Yay.
It's times like this that make me wish I was deaf.
- Put on headphones
- Watch funny videos
- ???
- Profit!
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I hate going to dinner and having some obnoxious fucker sitting right next to you and talking really loud about his ideas on religion/politics/philosophy as if he is doing a favor by broadcasting them to all of us.
Next time that happens, I'm going to start having a loud conversation with the person at my table about exactly the same things he is talking about. Everytime he switches a subject, I'll switch to the same subject. But I'll deliberately say the opposite of everything he is saying just to piss him off extra. That would be hilarious. I should have thought of that sooner.
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When you do, be sure to post his reaction. Or video tape it.
Was he talking with somebody, or just rambling to himself?
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He was talking to his date, or whatever she was.
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People like that always annoy me.
I think I'm taking too much medicine. My cough is getting a little better, but now I feel really out of it, I can't make sense in my own head, and there's this pain focused a little above and behind my left eye.
Fun.
In case you haven't noticed, I hate being sick.
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Don't worry Z. In eight years people will be just as fed up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government as they are of the Republicans fucking up the government right now. Because they both are self serving piles of shit.
That's what I'm hoping for, but I'm not getting my hopes too high.
Really? That is what you're hoping?
While I'm a Republican, I'd much rather people not be fet up and sick of the Democrats fucking up the government. Why? Because I'd much rather the government not be fucked up at all. I'd generally prefer moderate Republicans (and moderate Democrats) to do the not-fucking-up, but at least if the not-fucking-up gets done, then the time in power wasn't a waste.
Though respond to the original comment about Republicans not being fiscally responsible over the last 8 years, one will note that the Democrats controlled the Legislative branch of the government for last 2 years. In short, they had a lot of control regarding the national budget. While being irresponsible for 2 years is better than being irresponsible for 6 years, either way it is about as good as a swift kick to the groin. Of course, the Republicans were fairly good for the 6 years preceding G.W., given that it was then that the nation last saw a decrease in both deficit and debt.
Hmm... it is almost like the issue of fiscal responsibility can’t be cut down party lines...
That's more what I meant by that. I wasn't very clear on that.
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People like that always annoy me.
I think I'm taking too much medicine. My cough is getting a little better, but now I feel really out of it, I can't make sense in my own head
Yeah, some cough medicine will do that to you, especially cough medicine containing the drug dextromethorphan (DXM). Take enough of that, and you will have an intense dissociative trip. Which is why, I believe, that many schools across the country are not allowed to give cough medicine to kids anymore. What are they gonna do next - ban recess?
I say that humorously, but the elementary school I went to school at in Attleboro, Mass. actually did ban recess for awhile. It was all over the news. Or maybe it was tag. That's right, I think they banned tag. Idiots.
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... what? No tag? I can understand those icky cans of TAG, because those are gross, but... the game tag where you're IT? I could actually sort of understand that. One kid is pokier than all the others, thus is always IT. He feels like he's not as good as the others, so he complains to his overprotective mother. She calls the school and says that tag is emotionally scarring her pokey little kid, so to make her shut the hell up about it, they ban tag for a while.
... I dunno. But I just looked it up and the Globe has something to say about it. Apparently, they're afraid of injury. If they're afraid of injury and liability to the school, then don't bring children in. They will find a way to hurt themselves. Here (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/10/18/attleboro_elementary_school_bans_tag/) is the article.
I've been taking DayQuil, as well as the cough medicine, for two days now. And... yeah, there's DXM in it. Fun.
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My Elementary school banned tag because apparently we were being hurt, although we really weren't. We didn't care. We played anyways.
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Yeah, they were afraid of injury or something. You've got to be fucking kidding me. When we were kids in Mass, we used to have ice fights. Not snow fights - but ice fights. We didn't stop until we all were bleeding. And it was good fun dammit. *grumble* Kids these days with their hippity-hop and their music television...*grumble*
I've been taking DayQuil, as well as the cough medicine, for two days now. And... yeah, there's DXM in it. Fun.
Ha, my encyclopedia-like knowledge of psychoactive chemicals comes in handy again. Just don't take too much of it, otherwise you'll go from feeling a bit stoned to:
-dissociation of mind from body
-pupil dilation
-visual and aural hallucinations
-decreased sexual functioning
-feeling of merging with adjacent objects such as a couch or a bed*
-tachycardia
-vomiting
-diarrhea
*this ones always the most disturbing experience that dissociatives produce in my opinion. Kids these days...
However, you would have to take quite a lot to acheive these effects. But I've known people that did it accidentally just because they were trying to get rid of a particularly bad cough. And, if you are taking an MAO-I or a SSRI for depression it amplifies the effects of DXM. Just fyi there.
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chrono eric, do you have any personal experience with Modafinil?
Like I've said in other threads, I...wouldn't really do this kind of thing, but man, I've been reading an awful lot about it and it sounds like a priceless gateway to lucidity.
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... tachycardia? That doesn't sound good at all. Looks like... something with the heart. I don't take MAO-Is. I'm not even sure what they are. And the feeling of merging with adjacent objects... sounds... freaky man. Just freaky. But... cool in a way.
I'm feeling good enough to take myself off of the cough syrup and DayQuil. Though it feels like I'm hacking up a lung. I think it might be bronchitis. Not fun. But hey, better than strep. ... dammit! Now my throat's sore again.
Ugh.
I'm going to school tomorrow, no matter what. Missed too much school, have a paper to turn in, notes to get, homework to get... plus, I need those sick days!
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chrono eric, do you have any personal experience with Modafinil?
Like I've said in other threads, I...wouldn't really do this kind of thing, but man, I've been reading an awful lot about it and it sounds like a priceless gateway to lucidity.
Ah, Modafinil. Quite the wonder drug, isn't it? Effective for everything from weight loss to alleviating some of the neurological symptoms of MS. I do not have any "personal experience" with it, since it is a practice of mine to not use mind-altering drugs to alleviate transient problems (such as fatigue) for the long term. I don't even drink caffeine anymore. Nor do I know anybody that has used it for that purpose. And as for using it for entheogenic purposes...it seems to have little promise for that, so I have no interest in it in those regards.
If you want to research it further, I always recommend Erowid. Everything from media reports to accounts of personal use can be found there. It's populated by people ready and willing to be human guinea pigs. Psychonauts much more daring than yours truly:
http://www.erowid.org/smarts/modafinil/
But I do find it interesting from a chemical standpoint. It is a stimulant, but not an amphetamine (although the "tail" is vaguely like one). It promotes wakefulness by increasing levels of histamine in the hypothalamus, which is interesting to me because the diphenyl group resembles that of the structure of diphenhydramine (benadryl) which decreases histamine levels. The sulfur group connected to this part of the molecule in Modafinil serves the same elecronegative purpose as the oxygen that is present in diphenhydramine. So that part of the molecule should behave biochemically similar to diphenhydramine. And the "tail" of it is just...unique. Completely different from diphenhydramine electrochemically and yet at the same time reminiscent of it. The effects of Modafinil are probably produced by that part of the molecule. Very strange chemical indeed. /End rambling chemistry talk
... tachycardia? That doesn't sound good at all. Looks like... something with the heart. I don't take MAO-Is. I'm not even sure what they are. And the feeling of merging with adjacent objects... sounds... freaky man. Just freaky. But... cool in a way.
Tachycardia is an elevated heartrate above normal levels. Many drugs can produce tachycardia. It's not that big of the deal if it is only slightly above normal and for a short time.
And merging with adjacent objects is incredibly freaky. Often one will feel as if they are melting into them. As your mind is dissociating from your body and you are losing your sense of self your brain starts to associate identity with objects other than your body. LSD is famous for this, and so is Salvia. It is scary, but it can also be enlightening. The brain can do amazing things when it is freed from its normal constraints.
This is often the goal of intense meditation and sensory-deprivation chambers as well.
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I saw something about the sensory deprivation chambers. On TV. I think GMA.
This isn't good. I'm really really hungry, but I can't seem to eat. I feel very nauseous and had to tear the crusts off my sandwich, Not because I don't like crusts, but because taking the first bite of it got me nothing but crust and it made me feel really full. I get this sort of thing when I get stomach bugs. I have to eat things like bread in little nibbles at a time and it gets tedious.
God, I hate being sick.
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You know what I love when I get sick? Those soup-at-hand things, that you just put in the microwave and have insta-soup. That and bread and butter, or butter and salt on shells or spaghetti. Really bland stuff, but it tastes awesome when you are sick.
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Frustration... lack of self-discipline. What a lamentable trait to possess, when one knows that they hold at their fingertips vast potentials and abilities, to have this stymied by an inherent laziness. This is my great foe, who usually bests me. One of these days, I hope to win the day. However, at the moment, it remains a titanic figure that oontinually overcomes me.
And ZeaLitY, you may rail at me for this. I know how much you loathe a lazy spirit.
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My general line of advice to people is to get in touch with their desires. Do anything, like confronting death, that ups the ante. Walk across the bridge and burn it. Anything to unlock animating...not "urgency", but energy.
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So, I'm back at school, right? After being out for three days. My biology teacher is out, so I can't get her signature to get the makeup work I missed. Also, it seems as though there's a bug going around the school. Everyone is sick.
And I'm still coughing up my lungs.
Ugh.
The good news is that I feel a little better.
The bad news is that I forgot my gallon of water.
And school water = crap.
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http://www.qj.net/XBL-bans-again-this-time-cos-her-profile-says-she-s-a-lesbian/pg/49/aid/129144
Fuck Microsoft.
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http://www.qj.net/XBL-bans-again-this-time-cos-her-profile-says-she-s-a-lesbian/pg/49/aid/129144
Fuck Microsoft.
[sarcasm]Microsoft doesn't allow gamers to boldly express sexual preferences on a network designed for people of all ages? How DARE they!
Because if you can't tell the gaming community that you're gay with your screename or profile, then what's the point of playing?
Nevermind the fact that the TOS agreement states that gamertags, or profile fields should not contain sexual references among other things, this is clearly worthy of an outrage.[/sarcasm]
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I wonder what would have happened if it had just said they were straight though...
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I wonder what would have happened if it had just said they were straight though...
Nothing of course, because the word "straight" isn't used as an insult. They probably banned use of the word so people can't write "Gays and lesbians are bad" or something to that line. Hell, they ban you for typing "Support our troops", are they anti American? no, they banned use of the word "support" so no one could write "Xbox Live support" on their profile.
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That's the thing with online games and other things like that. Even if you ban words people will just find another way to say it. It's very irritating.
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Yes, because we all know that words hurt far more than sticks and stones combined.
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Yes, because we all know that words hurt far more than sticks and stones combined.
You cannot physically harm someone over Xbox Live, but what you can do is cause a hostile environment that will make them not want to play online. Which means they cancel their subscription and buy fewer online titles.
Mind you, I'm not defending Microsoft's decision here. It's baffling. I'm just saying that moderation in a for-pay online community is a legitimate function of the operator.
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I say censor attitudes & actions, not words. Words are only as powerful as you make them.
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I may be wrong, but I've heard that she was only removed because a bunch of people reported her.
I guess it's hard to avoid with that demographic. I stopped expecting people to play fairly in online games a few months ago when I finally realized that most of them are a bunch of utter derelicts.
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I may be wrong, but I've heard that she was only removed because a bunch of people reported her.
I guess it's hard to avoid with that demographic. I stopped expecting people to play fairly in online games a few months ago when I finally realized that most of them are a bunch of utter derelicts.
Yeah, unfortunately these situations fall victim to a majority rules mentality. While I do feel that what happened to her wasn't fair, I also feel that her going into a community and openly placing herself into the "hey I'm different!" profile wasn't smart. It opened her up to harrasment in a community that was ready to dish it out, whether deserved or not.
While not exactly the same, it's similar to painting a confederate flag on your car and driving through Harlem. What it represents to everyone is different, but in that community, they're going to have one strong perception of what it means, and won't react kindly.
I know that's a stretch, but the point is valid. If she went to a forum of friendly, non-harrasing open-minded individuals and identified herself as a lesbian a kind reaction would be expected. However, she went to a community with random assorted individuals and did as such, and following Murphy's Law some of those individuals were assholes. By one stretch of Microsoft's terms of use they contrived a violation on her part, and thus the unfortunate results.
The bottom line is, if harrasment is a forseen conclusion, avoid opening yourself up to it.
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The bottom line is, if harrasment is a forseen conclusion, avoid opening yourself up to it.
There is no reason for Xbox Live, or anywhere else really, to be openly hostile to homosexuals. If she wanted to put herself out there like that, she should have been able to do so without fear of harassment, and if Microsoft moderates at all, it should error on the side of those that are victims of the harassment, not those which create a hostile environment.
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The bottom line is, if harrasment is a forseen conclusion, avoid opening yourself up to it.
There is no reason for Xbox Live, or anywhere else really, to be openly hostile to homosexuals. If she wanted to put herself out there like that, she should have been able to do so without fear of harassment, and if Microsoft moderates at all, it should error on the side of those that are victims of the harassment, not those which create a hostile environment.
Yes, but if the majority of people use the word as an insult, then shouldn't they just ban the use of the word to save themselves time?
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Maybe I am missing something since I have never used xbox live (or an xbox for that matter) but why would someone put their sexual orientation down in the first place? Is this a dating service as well as gaming? I don't really get why this person had it listed in the first place...Personally, I'd rather not see any of that on a gaming service. What the fuck do I care if you are gay or straight? Assuming I used Xbox live..."I'm here to play games not here about your sexual orientation or conquests."
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I don't know placidchap, once I was playing XBOX Live with my friend and this guy was trying to hit on this girl and asked her for her myspace page :D. We made fun of him endlessly, but I suppose it is possible to meet people over XBOX Live.
However, she just put it in her profile probably not to try to get a rise out of people but because she views her sexual orientation as something that defines her. For example, I might say in my profile - "My name is Chrono Eric and I am studying to be a veterinarian" not "my name is Chrono Eric and I'm straight and I'm studying to be a veterinarian". But that is because I don't view my sexual orientation as something that defines me. For gay people I imagine it is different, and they are proud to be that way.
She probably wasn't trying to start anything and never thought that she would be banned for it. But what do I know? I'm just speculating of course because I don't know the truth around her banning.
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Just to let you know, they don't ban for bad names or inappropriate words in your bio. Either she did something to others or enough people filed random complaints to get her banned.
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Fuck Persona 3.
The last boss has killed me after two hours of fighting two times now.
I feel so fucking awful now. Screw this.
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losing my temper, my eternal bane. I am not myself when it happens. I lose myself in the chaos, and the person who is speaking/yelling through my mouth, is me in a way, but isn't. It does not see reason, but instead believes that everything it does is right and everything it speaks is the truth. I hate losing my temper like that, I hate the loss of control, and what I hate more, is that on some primitive level, I love and enjoy it. But it almost always ends with me regretting my actions and wishing I could take them back, when I calm down and can see reason and truth again. Sometimes when I lose my temper, it's like I'm distanced from it, like I'm sitting and watching a scene play out. That I'm the audience and the actor is something that has taken control of my body. I see reason at those points, and I know that I should stop, but I can't do anything at all, and that just fuels my rage even more.
And that, that is my frustration, and my shame.
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Oh, how do you think I feel when I blow up?
Two things. One, my cat. Two, my sister.
Let's start with the cat. A while ago we put collars on our cats. These collars have bells on them. So when our cats walk or shake or do something else cute they jingle. The collars also have safety things designed so that when it gets caught on something it comes off the cat. Right? Right. However, it would seem as though Rosie has lost hers. So now she's not happy because she doesn't go jinglejinglejingle when she shakes or goes downstairs.
That's not good.
Now the big one. My fucking sister. You see, the litter boxes are complete crap at this point. Last night my brother told me that I was cleaning the upstairs one. The better of the two. He told my mom that my sis was cleaning the downstairs one. So today I cleaned the upstairs one. Not before my sister threw a fit about how she was going to clean the upstairs one. So she's not doing the downstairs one because she called not it on it. Ugh. Then, she's being bitchy and not letting my brother get a notebook. And throwing his shit around and stuff like that.
She's a crazy bitch.
And when told to go take a walk to calm herself down, she shuts herself up in her room. Yes, that's... really helping.
Gah.
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Well, at least your sister isn't a 4 year old who you have to watch every day, never listens to you, and makes your evenings look like some sort of comedy routine with me trying to stop her from killing the cats, trying to stop her from jumping out a window, trying to stop her from hurting my crybaby brother... Yeah, she's flippin' nuts.
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Oh, man, people, have some love for your siblings! I know they can be a pain sometimes. I know that for sure. I have five younger ones. But even the ones I don't get along with best, and whom typically fight with, I love dearly.
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I don't think I would know hot to relate to a younger sibling, seeing as I was the younger, mediocre kid while my older brother scaled to unimaginable heights. Looking back, though, I think I sort of acted like a brat when I was small.
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Have any of your younger siblings chased you with knives?
My older sister has.
I have every right to fucking hate the crazy bitch. And Nerdy, she might as well be a four year old. A four year old with boobs.
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Have any of your younger siblings chased you with knives?
My older sister has.
I have every right to fucking hate the crazy bitch. And Nerdy, she might as well be a four year old. A four year old with boobs.
Not chased, but I think pointed a bread knife at me once or twice. And hey, my sisters are almost my height, you've gotta remember. My second youngest is 5'10, so it's not like they're these little shrimps or anything like that.
All the same, care for them. It's not like hating them will provide any sort of good, and will only serve to make greater whatever divisions there might be. True, it's impossible in youth to see them bridged - my sisters are mostly mid-teens, so I don't get along all too well with them at the moment. But all the same, how things are now will shape how they are in the future. So I don't think I've heard one word of respect or admiration from my youngest in years, but it doesn't matter: I will still help and praise her if I can - despite arguing on occasion, when my own stress gets the better of me - because she needs that, and because there will come a day where she will appreciate having me as her brother. To counter her taunts with too much anger of my own will only validate divisions. Far better to, if one has the self-will and strength, to put that aside, take the taunts and whatever else, and love them even if they don't love you.
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Current frustration was with this almost to be relationship. Everything was going exactly perfect and knowing each other and we clicked so well, then out of nowhere it just became silent. He had exams and was flaking out, understandably so, and we talked a little. Then it just completely went dead. He's alright, I know that much...but I don't know what's going on. It's really frustrating to know that something could have been then it just ended out of nothing.
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And Nerdy, she might as well be a four year old. A four year old with boobs.
This could be the funniest thing I've read in a whiiiiile.....
THE GRIPE(s): Running. Went for a run today for the first time in a while. Did. Not. Go. Well. Running hills for the first time in years + currently a smoker + not enough sleep and a clouded brain = my running experience. Tomorrow will be better.
And as if you didn't see this coming...
Mixed signals from :shock:, I guess I shoulda known not to get too excited. Whatev. I'm swinging like a pendulum between "FUUUUUUUUCK NOOOOOOO!!!!!" and "Sheeit, it ain't no thang." Oi, all I know is that this hurts enough.....
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Current frustration was with this almost to be relationship. Everything was going exactly perfect and knowing each other and we clicked so well, then out of nowhere it just became silent. He had exams and was flaking out, understandably so, and we talked a little. Then it just completely went dead. He's alright, I know that much...but I don't know what's going on. It's really frustrating to know that something could have been then it just ended out of nothing.
Scary that we posted at the same time. Scary I say. I'm dealing with the aforementioned mixed signals myself, and I know it hurts man. I know it does. I don't know the details of your situation, but it doesn't have to be over now, either. You DON'T have to give up is what I'm sayin. And don't beat yourslef up.
The beauty of the clouds are reserved for those who keep their head up.
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Deep down I know I love my family very much, even if they are all horrible people in my eyes. But it's hard to look past her bad parts with my sister. She goes off at the most random things, likes using things that aren't hers without the other people's permission, and makes me do a million and a half things for her even when I'm sick. She makes me run up and down the stairs with tea and stuff like that when I can barely talk and should be in bed.
Also, we're supposed to get over a foot of snow Sunday.
Fun.
Also, things with :shock: sound complicated. Give her time to let what happened sink in. If she's really worth it, :shock: will get how you feel for her and at least somehow address it. If she's a stuck up bitch and just doesn't get it, she's not worth it. As pretty as she may be, Shee, a girl who doesn't understand her man is not worth it. Like how a man isn't worth it when he just wants your boobs.
Also, double postage for the win.
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I know I don't have to give up and what not. I'm still holding on to a little hope that's left, but it's really really hard not to just give up. It's painful beyond words to even imagine, which I'm sure you know.
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Current frustration was with this almost to be relationship. Everything was going exactly perfect and knowing each other and we clicked so well, then out of nowhere it just became silent. He had exams and was flaking out, understandably so, and we talked a little. Then it just completely went dead. He's alright, I know that much...but I don't know what's going on. It's really frustrating to know that something could have been then it just ended out of nothing.
Whatever happens, find the answer, even if it hurts.
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My sister scared the hell out of me one day when she said, "I'm going to get you one day..." I could almost imagine the evil laughter and glowing red eyes. I was about to call an exorcist...
Tea, you and your sister are like two parts of a girl I've known since I was 2... She's really nice and cool sometimes, and other times, she's just a total B^%ch. That's why I haven't invited her to my house for a very long time...
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Oh I know who your talking about. She's sort of crazy, but nice at the same time. She is also godzilla with a wig.
Frustration:All you people with your dang frustration. Does the evil ever end. Is anyone here ever going to NOT be frustrated. Ugh, frustation sucks!
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Oh I know who your talking about. She's sort of crazy, but nice at the same time. She is also godzilla with a wig.
Frustration:All you people with your dang frustration. Does the evil ever end. Is anyone here ever going to NOT be frustrated. Ugh, frustation sucks!
Well that's ironic.
So apparently one of my coworkers had a sex dream about me or something and one of my other coworkers slipped and let me know about it. I don't care about it, I actually think it's pretty funny and somewhat flattering. But now things are super awkward between us.
Awkward is a word that is spelled really awkwardly. Isn't that weird? I just looked at it and thought to myself "is that how you spell awkward? How awkward".
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Oh I know who your talking about. She's sort of crazy, but nice at the same time. She is also godzilla with a wig.
Frustration:All you people with your dang frustration. Does the evil ever end. Is anyone here ever going to NOT be frustrated. Ugh, frustation sucks!
Well that's ironic.
So apparently one of my coworkers had a sex dream about me or something and one of my other coworkers slipped and let me know about it. I don't care about it, I actually think it's pretty funny and somewhat flattering. But now things are super awkward between us.
Awkward is a word that is spelled really awkwardly. Isn't that weird? I just looked at it and thought to myself "is that how you spell awkward? How awkward".
In that case the linguist in me wonders what the etymology is. I'm thinking it's a Germanic word, but that's just a guess. In thirty seconds I'll see how good my intuition was...
Damn. It does come up in old High German, but it seems to be more Scandanavian in origin. The 'ward' ending of course, as with any other -ward word, implies direction (ie. forward); the 'awk-' seems to imply being turned or something.
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I couldn't wait 'till tomorrow so I called him a couple hours ago or so. Thankfully I did before my mind went chaotic and started thinking he was doing other things. I figured, but he was extremely busy with swimming and stuff for school and whatnot. That's a huge load off my mind.
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I just spent $2.50 on a package of cookies only to learn that they're stale and past their sell-by date. I am frustrated because I like the merchant; we talk; his shop is one door down from my building. The reason the cookies were stale at all is because business is slow. (It's a new shop with minimal exposure.) I'll have to tell him about the cookies so that a less sympathetic customer doesn't get turned off from shopping there. I hope he takes it in the spirit intended.
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Just when there's something awesome in my life, someone tells me it's bad for me.
I've recently discovered Rose and Release, an Utena music site. It hosts just about everything Utena Music related, including versions of my favorite songs I have never heard. Like the musical version of Zettai Unmei Mokuroshioku (or however it's spelled), the live version of Toki Ni Ai Wa, and all 8 sountracks.
Here's the thing.
I go there today and apparently it's marked as an attack site. Which means that sometime in the past 90 days, on one page, it installed spyware into some poor sap's computer. So now whenever I want to hear freaky choruses singing about the absolute destiny apocalypse and darkness or how at times love is like this, I have to either deal with 'THIS IS AN ATTACK SITE!' or find a better source that's still free.
Ugh.
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If you're using Firefox you can make exceptions for blocked sites. It's somewhere in the options. Just make sure you scan after downloading stuff from there.
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I just spent $2.50 on a package of cookies only to learn that they're stale and past their sell-by date. I am frustrated because I like the merchant; we talk; his shop is one door down from my building. The reason the cookies were stale at all is because business is slow. (It's a new shop with minimal exposure.) I'll have to tell him about the cookies so that a less sympathetic customer doesn't get turned off from shopping there. I hope he takes it in the spirit intended.
As someone who works a convenience store I know things go past their sell date without us seeing them. We always just refund or replace them. Never seen anyone get irate over it. I'm sure the merchant will understand.
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I may have pink eye...FUCK!
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Indeed, that's FUCK! worthy.
Don't you dare get me sick.
I hate laundromats. Just spend half of my day there. Now I hurt. And smell like people.
I have to cleanse myself of the people smell with onion pizza.
EDIT: That cannot be good. I've been hacking stuff up, right? When I coughed up this little but of lung juice, it came with the sap that flows through a family tree.
If you don't get that bit from one of maggiekarp's comix, it's blood.
THAT IS NOT GOOD.
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What is it with you sick humans and your GERMS?!
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How goes construction of that wooden plane of yours?
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What is it with you sick humans and your GERMS?!
Immortals never get it...
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How goes construction of that wooden plane of yours?
I call it the "Spruce Moose", and it will carry two hundred passengers from New York's Idyllwild Airport to the Belgian Congo in seventeen minutes!
Heh. It's been a long time since I've quoted Scripture to anyone. That used to be all the rage.
What is it with you sick humans and your GERMS?!
Immortals never get it...
If by "it" you mean filthy human GERMS!!
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Aah, I wasted the day at my best friends birthday party, Playing games and goofing off. I'm annoyed, because I yelled so much I now have lost my voice, and can barely talk. Luckily, we have the magic of the internet to convey the message...
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Dear god, they want me to have a migraine.
I'm sitting here in my SPED class, right? Just typing away... then the teacher walks by.
Spritzspritzspritzspritz...
He's spraying this horrible orange stuff as he walks. Soon the whole room reaks of oranges. And the smell gives me a migraine.
GAH.
Also, people who don't get stuff I'm trying to explain to them. Some kid saw me on BlueLaguna and had to know how I got there. I had to get him the URL, how to get to the music, and all that good stuff. GAH. AGAIN.
Why do I want to be a teacher again?
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WHY
WHY IS IT EVERY GIRL ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING STOPPING THEM
IS IT ME
SHE SAID IT WASN'T ME
"I WANT TO LOVE YOU"
WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT EVEN MEAN
I WAS EVERYTHING SHE WAS BITCHING ABOUT WANTING
I TOLD HER I'D DO ANYTHING FOR HER
WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU WOMEN
ALL OF YOU
WHAT THE HELL
COME ON
THIS IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS
FUCK
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK
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Listen to emo much?
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Tact, something you're learning at this very moment: love is always a one-sided thing. It's awesome when you love someone who also just happens to love you, but there's absolutely no forcing these things. Neither women nor the world have anything against you, this is just the way the world works when all people have free will. And though it may be painful, this state of things is also beautiful and right.
Let it go. Letting the object of one's affection exercise free will is the most wonderful act a lover can ever do for another; precisely because, at that point, the beloved is no longer an "object," but a real, respected human being.
It's easy to get angry when you've met someone you want to get to know on a much deeper level, only to find out that person does not feel that way about you. At the root of this anger often lies the attitude that there "must be something wrong with me." This is a logical fallacy imposed by societal standards, which program us to believe that if we're single, we have a big "PHAIL" suddenly tattooed on our foreheads. "Old spinster," "seedy bachelor" and all that.
You know what? Screw societal expectations in this regard. With or without that perfect soulmate, you are a full human being capable of exercising your beautiful will to whatever ends you see fit. Back straight, chin high, and move on with life.
That is what I believe. At least for now.
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Speaking of Social Expectations, I'm going to a broadway play in a Joker shirt. Now, I have nothing to offer since I've never dated a girl, and most likely won't until high school, but I do know several girls that like me. Unfourtunatly, most of them are sixth graders, and the other one is an evil bitch my two best friends like. So, I can't offer advice, just sympathy.
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Speaking of Social Expectations, I'm going to a broadway play in a Joker shirt.
Any reason in particular?
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They said we needed to wear fancy clothes, and the Joker shirt is literally a T-Shirt with a tie painted on, and other articles of fancy clothing, basically his outfit. I love being a smart ass.
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That's one theater that'll think twice before fucking with HyperNerd again.
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I'm loving this Forum more and more by the second.
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They said we needed to wear fancy clothes, and the Joker shirt is literally a T-Shirt with a tie painted on, and other articles of fancy clothing, basically his outfit. I love being a smart ass.
Oh my god, that is the most stupid thing I've heard all day. Stuff like that really defines the word tool.
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I hate Watchmen fanboys.
I don't like the comic, okay? You don't have to bash me and call me a loser. God, I hate fanboys sometimes.
And the movie? Okay, until the end.
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I hate Watchmen fanboys.
I don't like the comic, okay? You don't have to bash me and call me a loser. God, I hate fanboys sometimes.
And the movie? Okay, until the end.
Never heard of the comic before the movie, and never heard of the movie before the trailer...
It looks stupid.
So yeah, yer not alone.
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They said we needed to wear fancy clothes, and the Joker shirt is literally a T-Shirt with a tie painted on, and other articles of fancy clothing, basically his outfit. I love being a smart ass.
Why not try and be a little bit more respectful?
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Fancy can mean many things. It can mean a nice shirt with a decent pair of jeans. It could also mean a dress with heals. It could also mean ballroom attire.
Go with a suit, Nerdy. Although they're uncomfortable, it's respectable. Maybe then you could get a girlfriend who isn't crazy-evil.
I hate Yahoo!. I've been trying to send the 105 pages of pure awesomeness that is my novel to three of my teachers so they can read it, right? However, everytime I send it it never gets where it's supposed to go. I would print it out, but then it would be 215 pages of pure awesomeness neither I nor the school can afford. (one teacher only wants five pages)
Gah.
As for girl troubles, oh well. Let her go; there are others out there.
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Geez, I was kidding. I'm going with some of the eighth graders to DC and NYC, and my favorite teacher is taking us. NO WAY I WOULD CROSS HIM. He's really, really strict and doesn't take crap. Now, if it was my FAMILY... They encourage that kind of thing. See, here, I can discuss things with people who disagree, but aren't assholes. That's one of the reasons why I love this place.
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I don't know if this should be called a frustration or something else, but...
My uncle got out of the hospital a few weeks ago after an extended stay. Just today, he had two heart attacks. He is in the hospital again.
He's been in a wheelchair since his high school years, and has been lucky to live as long as he has. He's never even been very sick, until just recently, and his body is turning on him. I don't think he will survive the next few months.
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I got my xbox 360 today and the strangest thing happened, there was no power cord in the box. What the hell? I called them and they sending one now, but that's just weird...
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Really sorry to hear that Zephira. One heart attack in a day is bad enough.
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My half-father, moreso my half-brother's biological father, died last night. He's been suffering from cancer for a few months.
We told him we were coming up to see him at the end of the week.
I can't fathom how my brother is taking it right now. He's shut off his phone, and he's not at his house. His dad was the one that was always around, paid child support, all of that. I can't imagine what it's like losing a real parent.
... The part that shocks me the most, is that I've realized if my biological father died, I don't think I'd care much. I disguist myself.
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Dang, seems like everyone is having trouble nowadays. I hope your brother pulls through.
And thanks, Faust. It's really not surprising though; my grandpa passed from a heart attack when I was too young to know him. Sure hope it isn't hereditary.
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How the fuck can you think that hitting on your best friend's girlfriend is alright?
That is not cool. Ever.
That asshole is really trying my patience.
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I think it's something that most guys would want, but I've had at least 3 people in 2 days admit to liking me and it's frustrating beyond all hell. WHY NOW WHEN I'M DATING SOMEONE >_<...
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To tact and Zephira: I am very sorry to hear that, and offer my deepest condolences. I'm lucky enough not to have any loved ones in the hospital at the moment...
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I flirt with all my friends partners constantly, the thing is they all now I wouldn't ever separate them. All in good fun.
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I flirt with all my friends partners constantly, the thing is they all now I wouldn't ever separate them. All in good fun.
Problem with him is that he's just being creepy about it. He's starting to scare Alice.
EDIT: I'm thinking he's doing it because he wants to ruin my relationship with her (duh) because he is jealous that I'm dating someone who loves me. All he does is hump and dump.
EDIT 2: Me: Hey listen man, those things you said to Alice tonight were not cool. Would you mind not saying stuff like that to her again?
Douchey-McDouchebagger: Why, afraid that Alice will dump you for me?
Me: No, because you're creeping her out. She doesn't like being around you.
Asshole-McFaggotston: Sure, sure, she just saying that. Eh?
Me: Fuck off man. *hangs up*
As far as I'm concerned, our friendship is done. If he gets near Alice, I'll rough him up.
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He sounds like a real winner of a friend Nightmare.
For my frustration... Migraine. Had it for a day and a half now. Keeping me from sleeping now.
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Losing a loved one is always hard. My father has issues with his heart as well. I don't know how many heart attacks he's had, but no matter what he always seems to get the food that's the worst for him on the menu. It's like he wants to die or something like that.
As for jerks who hit on your girlfriend (not jokingly)... that's just wrong. One of my friends had a crush on another friend's boyfriend and was saying that as soon as they broke up she'd swoop in and take him. I don't take being hit on very well, but if I was involved with someone and their friend started hitting on me, I'd smack him and say, "I'm sorry, I'm already spoken for."
My frustration... is... what was it?
... I dunno.
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*sigh* A half hour of sleep last night... aye, but I've got to get back to work. Soon spring break will begin for me -- mere hours away.
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Yeah, why can't I run off 7 hours of sleep? I just woke up, and I feel like I've been hit by a train. I need like, 10...
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Man, if I get to sleep 7 hours, I'm practically sleeping in. (pretty bad, I know...)
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Man, if I get to sleep 7 hours, I'm practically sleeping in. (pretty bad, I know...)
Tch.. I usually get 6. 8 if I'm really lucky.
Most days I'm running on 5 hours of sleep or so.
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I'm not sleeping much, lately...
My grandmother has cancer, and she refuses to go through Chemotherapy. My grandfather (her husband) had a severe stroke, and now he's a vegetable. My mother is now taking care of my grandmother (her mother), and coping with my dying grandfather (her father), all the while dealing with her occasional spasm attacks. And, my sister is moving to my aunt's, because she doesn't want any part of it.
At least I have some good news- I'm back online!
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Okay, Last Tuesday(Not a couple days ago, I think it was the 24th) My sister and mom went half way across the country for a vacation and took the only DS in the house. Now during that week my brother and I not only ordered CTDS, but also a DS flash card. Now they get back and we're excited because these two things have been just sitting around waiting to be played. Then the day after they get back we find out that we have positively no idea where the charger is. She's pretty sure she didn't leave it there, but we practically searched the house for it. And still no luck. Ugh.
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Shiiit. If it doesn't show up, replacement chargers don't cost much.
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Man, if I get to sleep 7 hours, I'm practically sleeping in. (pretty bad, I know...)
Tch.. I usually get 6. 8 if I'm really lucky.
Most days I'm running on 5 hours of sleep or so.
I get about 7-8 hours every week. Weekends...those are a different story.
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Wonderful.
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I can't sleep until 4 or 5am now. I've just grown too used to it. It's annoying as all hell getting up at 2 or 3 in the afternoon when I could've spent the morning doing something.
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I can't sleep until 4 or 5am now. I've just grown too used to it. It's annoying as all hell getting up at 2 or 3 in the afternoon when I could've spent the morning doing something.
Every night, 1-2 AM. Wake up at 9 AM, go to class at 10 AM. That's how I set my schedule.
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This is so annoying and I need your help to calm me down and let this author know.
Over here I am known as Tetraforce in the reviews.
Here is the fanfiction I am upset about.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1970898/1/The_Rise_of_Ganondorf (Chapter 1 the Fall of Hyrule)
Authors Summery: "THIS FIC IS COMPLETED FINALLY! THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS AND HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THE END!. For those of you who are new here's the summary: Uhm...Link lost the final show down against Ganondorf and now he has to make up for lost time before Ganondorf destorye
"
TriforceofEternity's comments:
Better then it sounds and the descrptions are good once inside such as when Zelda was trying to escape her room when Dark Link left but it's riddled with mistakes such as the summery up above though I just now noticed it. :shock:
1. She doesn't let people know when a scene is switched and makes it part of the sentence without a break.
2. She also doesn't let people know when a conversation is telepathic until it's over.
3. The personallitys of the 7 Sages need some work though not too much.
She also is a bit one sided with Link making him seem perfect for making rash decisions such as not excepting help even though he is injured and is having a difficult time fighting. She makes him out be the Gospal Truth and it bugs me when people do that.
I am also the only one to notice those mistakes which aggravates me cause the reviews make her seem perfect.
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No one is perfect. Maybe she's well respected and people are afraid to criticize her. Or maybe they're all morons and you're the only smart person. If you check out my old account (please don't, it shames me), my prize story was reviewed only by this one guy, over and over and over. It was... um... creepy.
I think he was Internet stalking me.
... whatever.
Anyway, people dying sucks. People dying because they won't take a therapy that can make their life better sucks as well. Not sleeping sucks, too. I go to bed at 9:30 on weekdays and 10:30 on weekends. Who knows when I actually fall asleep. It changes. But my alarm goes off at 5:55 on weekdays and I'm usually up at 7 on weekends. Which pisses me off, because I want to sleep.
I'm upset because I just set up two computers all by myself. Compie the Internet Compie (the one in my mother's room) came into my room and is now where Mouse is. So I had to disconnect Compie, disconnect Mouse, connect Compie with Mouse's stuff, then go get the internet jack for Compie as Mouse's doesn't work with it. Then, I had to set up the new computer, which has yet to be named.
GAH.
On top of this, I have a sore throat again. All down one side of my throat. I'm guessing post nasal drip, but... eh.
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Was I the guy reviewing? Anyways, I'm sorry about all the deaths and such, but... Well, it has to happen sometime. I really have nothing to complain about, a first. I had a really great day today.
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If you're Jarkes, STOP STALKING ME. Ugh. I must tell you that the Chronicles of Ackers is the most stupid shit I have created since the story with HAMBURGER. If I ever ever go back there, SOMEONE SHOOT ME UNLESS I ACTUALLY HAVE GOOD SHIT THERE.
And even then, IT SHOULD NOT BE THERE SO SHOOT ME.
I'm frustrated at screen resolutions. Compie had a very different screen from the one I'm using now and the resolution it had before hurt my eyes. Now I can't find a good enough one.
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Jesus, frustrated people! Calm down! I love your book! You're a great author! Now simmer down! I am not Jarkes.
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Your a great author!
Your
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
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"You're"
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God-damn, I fixed it, Jesus. See what I mean? Anyways...
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The novel is great. 'Chronicles of Ackers' is shit.
God, I fucking hate my sister. We bring home a new computer, yes? Yes. I'm left to set the thing up. I am given no cords with it. So I say to myself, "We're keeping the monitor, speakers, and mouse the same, so why not just keep all the other cords the same? This keeps my brain from exploding from dealing with it all and makes my life a million times easier." So I hook the computer up to where Compie is and say, "Wow! That was easy!" I then unhook Mouse and hook Compie up with Mouse's cords. "Wow! That was easy!" I take Mouse into my sister's room to where the dinosaur, Elmo, once lived. Elmo died, but his cords should still be there.
My sister starts to set things up with Mouse and then calls me up. She asks me where the hell her cords are. I explain the situation and she blows up at me. I don't know what to do! I'm given no cords and I have two sets of things already set up and one ready to go! She expected me to crawl behind my mother's desk, unplug all of Compie's cords, plug in the new computer's cords, set it up, unplug all of Mouse's cords, plug in all of Compie's cords, set it up, and bring Mouse and its cords into her room.
So now she's pissed at me.
GAH.
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I just hope for my reviews I don't get chewed out. Can someone take a look and see how I did on my reviews? Does it warrents a slapfest?
Did anyone read her story if you know of LOZ?
One other thing that frustrates me is I have had this nasty rash and I've not slept well so now the rash is gone and I want to do nothing but SLEEP! At least there is no GED tomorrow as it's not open again till Monday.
Amazingly enough I did a mini math test on Wednesday and I passed despite not sleeping the night before. Weird.
This is the only thread I am going too if I am upset cause I am too tired to post anything and nothing will make sense or dollars. $$
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Okay. So, I'm a fucking troll now, huh?
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What? No way! Why do you think you're a troll? You sure as hell give more to this site then I do.
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Okay. So, I'm a fucking troll now, huh?
Wonderful.
Your assholish one word response a few posts ago would make people think you're a troll.
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Troll can be many, many things. Trolls can be jerks. Trolls can post nothing but one word posts. Trolls can hack the forums, causing a massive melting of everyone's soul. Trolls can be Darkman.
You are not a troll.
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I think I might be in love with someone. I say 'I think' because I've never been in love before and don't know for sure. I want to bring it up in conversation but my words balk before leaving my head. I'm pretty sure it's love, seeing as how I've felt lust before and know what that feels like. So, I'm frustrated because I can't manage to get the words out, and I feel stupid, because I just end up making stupid 'filler' conversation instead.
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Yep its definitely spring, who was it last spring-summer? Me, Nightmare, and I think BROJ.
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Why do
fools Compendiumites fall in love?
Don't make yourself look like a fool, Idioms. Looking like a fool is the worst thing you can do. Don't spring it on him/her (don't know your tastes) too soon, and don't wait too long. Wait for that 'perfect' moment...
... what the hell am I talking about? I've never been in love!
... do something romantic. A movie. A walk through the park. Then tell them how you think you feel. See how they react.
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I think I might be in love with someone. I say 'I think' because I've never been in love before and don't know for sure. I want to bring it up in conversation but my words balk before leaving my head. I'm pretty sure it's love, seeing as how I've felt lust before and know what that feels like. So, I'm frustrated because I can't manage to get the words out, and I feel stupid, because I just end up making stupid 'filler' conversation instead.
Starting asking yourself the hard questions. What is your ideology of love? Why are you attracted to her? What kind of relationship do you want to create?
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You'll know love when it hits you.
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I disagree Pyt Fumv, you don't know what it is at first. The first love is a brand new experience.
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I wouldn't consider myself an expert of love, but know that love is just as much a decision as it is emotional heartbeat. Give it some time, think on it, but absorb it. Spread it out on your bed and dissect it, examine it. It is beauty beyond what you have ever known (at the same time it can also be frustration beyond what you have ever known :D)
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Lust is tricky, you can know what it feels like & still be completely blindsided by it the next go-around...When you're in love, both of you (because love is a 2-way street & one of the main differences between it & lust) will know it, no questions necessary.
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I need to do something relaxing after all this Crimson Echoes related work.
I guess I'll upload all that Chrono Cross background art to the encyclopedia.
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That's relaxing? You're silly :D
Y'know what's really frustrating? Waking up from dreams and thinking they were real. I had a dream last night that my tablet pen's nib was completely worn down and I couldn't find my spares. I almost cried. Can't live (or finish homework..) without my tablet pen!
And once, I woke up thinking the sky was falling, because the poster on the wall behind my bed (Tychus Findlay YES) fell off and landed on top of me.
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That's relaxing? You're silly :D
Hah.
Relaxation for the ambitious is continuing to work but taking it down a level. =)
Y'know what's really frustrating? Waking up from dreams and thinking they were real. I had a dream last night that my tablet pen's nib was completely worn down and I couldn't find my spares. I almost cried. Can't live (or finish homework..) without my tablet pen!
And once, I woke up thinking the sky was falling, because the poster on the wall behind my bed (Tychus Findlay YES) fell off and landed on top of me.
Ugh, yeah. I dreamed last night that I was a spy at some magnificent huge hotel, but that I had been compromised and poisoned, and I'd die within 24 hours if I didn't find the antidote. The people who poisoned me were happy to give me the antidote if I'd just yield some secrets, but I was just too distraught at the thought of the entire affair to act. It felt so real; I was glad to wake up.
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That's relaxing? You're silly :D
Y'know what's really frustrating? Waking up from dreams and thinking they were real. I had a dream last night that my tablet pen's nib was completely worn down and I couldn't find my spares. I almost cried. Can't live (or finish homework..) without my tablet pen!
And once, I woke up thinking the sky was falling, because the poster on the wall behind my bed (Tychus Findlay YES) fell off and landed on top of me.
Sometimes they are real. I left my spare nibs in the states, so I've been putting off drawing a lot until my family forwards some new ones I ordered.
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Stupid Firefox. I can't really watch Youtube much because of it. I start watching a video or two and after about 10 or 20 minutes worth of video, it freezes. Completely. I hit the close button and it closes without a problem.
Which is the problem.
It should come up with the annoying message that Firefox isn't responding and you need to end the program. But it doesn't. So Firefox is still technically running and will not start again.
Thus you have to SHUT YOUR WHOLE COMPUTER DOWN.
And when you go to search for Internet Explorer, guess what? WINDOWS EXPLORER (the toolbar thing at the bottom and the program that runs your document windows) CRASHES.
GAH.
Also, sticky spacebars suck. I'm gonna pull this thing up and see what the problem is.
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I think you have a Virus, tea... Go through your programs and delete some unused ones of no vital importance, too....
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Yeah, my mom has, like, a million things on here I'll never use. Can't wait to clean this sucker out...
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Actually, a lot of what gets chalked up to be due to viruses is simple instability caused by lots of different software installing their own versions of either commonly used libraries and components or system libraries and components and causing the registry to get mucked up. Likewise, anything that install browser plugins or add-ons, or even modifies your browser's settings can cause it to become much less stable.
Buggy drivers and hardware firmwares also cause a lot of issues, for similar reasons, but on a much deeper level. Often, there's not much you can do here without good vendor support.
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... cool. We usually only get this thing checked by a professional when there's something seriously wrong with it, like it won't start or restarts over and over. But other than that, I can deal. A little bit of lag, a lack of Youtube, a lack of Windows Media Player... that's cool with me.
Until it just pisses me off.
I did run a virus scan. Came up with cookies and three 'suspicious objects'. Sent those to Lavasoft. Yay. Not like sent to go infect their computer, but sent for them to figure out what the hell they were.
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Aside from buying quality hardware, keeping your firmware/drivers up to date, and re-installing a clean copy of Windows on a somewhat regular basis, there's not much you can do. If you have the first two down, and you started with a clean Windows installation, ran it through all the updates, and didn't install and uninstall a lot of stuff, you'll usually have a pretty stable system that stays that way.
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Are you using an up to date version of Firefox? Older versions suffered from memory leaks.
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Yeah, we're running the most up-to-date version. I'm actually thinking it might be a flashcard issue. But I dunno how those things work, so... yeah.
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Frustration: Evil fucking human beings.
So the other day these people were cleaning up around this "alternative" school in a bad part of town for the Great American Cleanup or whatever it is called. It was a mother and her three children and some other people too. Apparently some low-life piece of shit drives up and drops off a 3 year old child and a puppy and then drives off. No one got his liscense plate number. The child was taken by the police and likely placed in CPS, and the puppy was brought to us. Both the puppy and the kid (apparently, I heard through second hand info) were in pretty bad shape and clearly had been severely neglected and abused. From the way people described it, they were dropped off in an area where there were no people and the two were only discovered by chance. Presumably, if it had been any other day besides that day, the two would have wandered around that extremely bad part of town alone.
At this point, I've seen so much fucked up shit in my life that the depravity of human beings doesn't surprise me anymore. But it still pisses me off. At least both the kid and the puppy will find a family that will love them now.
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Frustration: I don't know anything about lettuce, but that's all we seem to have in our kitchen (about three or four kinds, can't tell them apart). Which part of the lettuce is actually filling?
Also, salad does NOT count as dinner. I will never be able to understand vegetarians or dieters.
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Salad can easily be a dinner. If you completely against the *veggie* stigma then toss in some cheese and ham, trust me its good.
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Had cheese and some bell paper. Might be dinner in the fact that it's nutritious, but it really does nothing to curb an appetite. Still, a kitchen is not complete unless it has some kind of meat or substantial food in it.
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frustrations: I forgot my belt and Star Trek: Nemesis.
edit: and my exam this past Friday...did not walk out of there with my head held high...bah!
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Frustration: I don't know anything about lettuce, but that's all we seem to have in our kitchen (about three or four kinds, can't tell them apart). Which part of the lettuce is actually filling?
Also, salad does NOT count as dinner. I will never be able to understand vegetarians or dieters.
Vegetarians don't just eat lettuce and salads. They eat tofu and meat substitutes that can almost be as tasty as the real thing.
But not always.
My current frustration is my history teacher. I was drawing a blank on an essay we had to write, so I wrote that I wanted to talk to her later. I got a 58 on this test, even though my calculations say I should've gotten a 71. And now she's only 'thinking' about letting me try again.
Even though she probably knows that I have an IEP that states I can have extra time.
Also, I can't seem to focus on anything anymore, other than sleeping and writing and COMPUTER.
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Frustration: I don't know anything about lettuce, but that's all we seem to have in our kitchen (about three or four kinds, can't tell them apart). Which part of the lettuce is actually filling?
Also, salad does NOT count as dinner. I will never be able to understand vegetarians or dieters.
You are probably thinking of iceberg lettuce, the worst food in existence. Not that it tastes bad, but it has so little of anything that it is a joke to call it food.
Unfortunately, most salads you see in the U.S. are based on that stuff. There are heartier lettuces, and of course plenty of things to add. Eggs and cheese are good options (which not all veggiterians avoid). But lacking that, one tends to need legums of tofu to get what you need (that is, protein).
Though salads tend to be horrible for dieters for the simple reason they too often think "salad=low calorie" and thus pile on the dressing. I've seen salads with more calories than a big mac. Its sad, but true.
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I love iceberg lettuce. My dad always bought romaine when I was a kid. Its okay, but it's no iceberg. Different strokes for different folks!
I agree about the problem of filling yourself up on just lettuce, though. Speaking literally, you can't do it. Lettuce doesn't have enough calories. What you can do is look beyond lettuce. Avocados are a very rich food and will go a long way toward filling you up. If you have onions, you can caramelize them and make French onion soup--the "meatiest" meat-free food I've ever eaten. With a smattering of all the usual veggies--such as carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, etc.--you can make soup or gazpacho. Add barley, split peas, or beans for a very filling experience. You could take a butter squash and turn it into a rich soup with a little cream and some spices. You could stuff a bell pepper with sauteed mushrooms, onions, and radishes. Broccoli and asparagus can be very filling, especially with pasta or rice. Add cheese to the list, and your options are endless. Ditto with potatoes and portabello mushrooms. Experiment with less common veggies, like jicama; those go very well in salads. And then, of course, there is tofu.
Open your mind, and you can fill yourself up with veggies. It just takes some creativity, some time, and some money.
But, honestly? Meat and fish are awesome. Add those to your diet, and life is ten times better.
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I like iceberg lettuce too. Not so great by itself, but it adds crispness to sammiches that other condiments can't.
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Not to mention it's easier to prepare.
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Well, it's official. My uncle has only been breathing six times an hour recently. He will not make it through the night.
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Man, I remember going through that with my grandparents last year. Only thing you can do at this point is support the family emotionally. Really sorry to hear that.
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My deepest condolences, Zephira. I hope you and your family are able to pull this hard time.
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I pray you and your family find the strength and support to get through this Zephira.
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Thanks... I'm just worried about my Grandma. She's taking it the worst. She's pretty old too, I don't want this to be too much of a strain for her.
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Aw, I'm sorry. Just ignore the RP and stuff until you want to come back. I'm seriously sorry about your family, Zephira. Heres hoping you guys get through it soon.
On the brighter side, I'm the only one I know who loves Broccoli, and Spinach. THOSE are what I look for in a salad.
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Meh, spinach is alright as long as it's just regular spinach. And so is broccili, but it'd be one of the last thing I choose.
Sorry about your family Zephira :(
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Yikes. I don't really remember what it was like when my granma died, but I don't think I have fond memories of it. Support your family as much as you can, but don't forget to support yourself.
So, it turns out that the thing my computer has against Youtube isn't just against Youtube. Firefox completely crashed after a few minutes worth of Blendtec videos. I'm starting to think it might be a flashcard related issue. Either that or my computer just hates everything I love so...
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I'm frustrated that rice will swell to encompass whatever volume of liquid you provide it, thus rendering many a soup unfortunately stew-like.
Edit: Oh, rice...I can't stay mad at you!
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I'm frustrated that rice will swell to encompass whatever volume of liquid you provide it, thus rendering many a soup unfortunately stew-like.
Edit: Oh, rice...I can't stay mad at you!
The make-up meals are always the best. There's no other way pizza and I could have stayed together so long.
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What's frustrating me atm?
If Americans were to rebel against the government, I'd have to fight my best friend. :(
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Is it because he is military or because he sides with the goverment, because if its the former the he could still side with the people and in fact be a great asset then.
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What's frustrating me atm?
If Americans were to rebel against the government, I'd have to fight my best friend. :(
Not going to happen.
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What's frustrating me atm?
If Americans were to rebel against the government, I'd have to fight my best friend. :(
Not going to happen.
True. No matter how deep corruption goes everyone thinks the next votes will change it all. Even if they're voting for more of the same and can't see it.
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Is it because he is military or because he sides with the goverment, because if its the former the he could still side with the people and in fact be a great asset then.
He just joined the Air Force, so he's have to side with the president.
Not going to happen.
I wish it would. I hate the corruption in this fucking government. I wish they would all be purged. Every single one of them.
True. No matter how deep corruption goes everyone thinks the next votes will change it all. Even if they're voting for more of the same and can't see it.
That's why I want Congress to be removed from power. Look at the fucking stimulus bill, billions of dollars to RESEARCHING PIGS!? Go to hell America.
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But think of it...SUPER BACON! :lol:
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Now, that's pork! (http://rlv.zcache.com/super_bacon_dark_tshirt-p235983554490641746qqq6_400.jpg)
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For 3 days now, my hot water has been broken. I'm about to take my third ice cold shower this week.
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Next year, my college is doubling the price of units from 20 dollars to 40 dollars.
To put into perspective: I need to take at least 12 units to keep my insurance, both life and car (fuck you CA), right now I pay 240 a semester. Next year I'd pay 480 dollars, and that doesn't cover the cost of books and other materials either!
So you can see why I think this government is a joke, they'd rather waste money on useless stuff than education, health*, law enforcement, etc.
*I take health back, we're getting socialized healthcare! YAY! *shoots himself*
For 3 days now, my hot water has been broken. I'm about to take my third ice cold shower this week.
Fuck man, that sucks. I hate cold water.
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Its midnight and I suddenly want pancakes... :?
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Its midnight and I suddenly want pancakes... :?
Damnit, now I do.
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Is it because he is military or because he sides with the goverment, because if its the former the he could still side with the people and in fact be a great asset then.
He just joined the Air Force, so he's have to side with the president.
Assuming they haven't changed the oath of enlistment, then his first and foremost priority and duty is the defense of the US Constitution, which is the physical embodiment of the contract between the people and their government.
Following orders that break the government's contract with the people is downright un-American, unpatriotic, and dishonorable in my book. I'd also consider such orders against the law, making it his duty to disobey them if such a thing were to happen.
Unfortunately, you'd be hard pressed to find any Airman, Officer or Enlisted, who's even thought to read the Constitution since they joined, yet alone think about how they'd handle themselves in such a situation.
As far as making change goes though, if you haven't gone so far as to write your representatives and hold them accountable for what they do in government, take part in awareness movements and petitions in your area of problems you've seen and changes you want made, or even just plain campaign and run for office yourself, then armed revolution shouldn't even be on the table yet.
And no, merely voting isn't good enough.
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I am planning on going to a protest about the college fees on Monday, but I hadn't thought of writing to my representatives. Thanks Ramsus.
Should I write via email or snail mail?
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My dad wrote an email to both Ohio Senators once, and their staff amazingly gave replies tailored to the topic. Took them a long time though. It seems they send a form letter back first, then a more tailored letter, like, months later.
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I would think both, email would be easier and may get a response fast but a written letter does seem to carry more weight.
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E-Mail, snail mail, and phone calls. If you're adamant about a situation, fucking show it, don't just keep it to yourself and friends.
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Next year, my college is doubling the price of units from 20 dollars to 40 dollars.
To put into perspective: I need to take at least 12 units to keep my insurance, both life and car (fuck you CA), right now I pay 240 a semester. Next year I'd pay 480 dollars, and that doesn't cover the cost of books and other materials either!
So you can see why I think this government is a joke, they'd rather waste money on useless stuff than education, health*, law enforcement, etc.
*I take health back, we're getting socialized healthcare! YAY! *shoots himself*
That is dirt cheap. Each class is 500 in my world, before books and ancillary fees.
Speaking of that: Frustrating that I can't vote in the buss pass referendum going on at my uni. It is either "keep the mandatory 8-month bus pass, for 130ish or eliminate it" The idea that they would eliminate the bus pass is just fucking outrageous. Sure it is mandatory and every full time student has to pay the fee...but considering there are 30k students going to this university, with the majority full time, eliminating the bus pass would be a huge burden on the student. The mandatory bus pass is $130. Buying the equivalent monthly bus pass for 8 months = $648. Mind you I haven't been a full-time student in a couple years, so I've been ineligible for the pass, but jesus that is a huge price difference. Sure, some have cars and don't need the pass...so why the fuck does it have to mandatory. blah
And quit saying socialized as if it is the ultimate evil. It has its place in this world and in the US, right along side capitalism.
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I actually enjoy a bit of cold water after a long, hot shower, Ramsus. Just make sure you didn't chew mint gum before hand. Or else your mouth will feel like it's freezing. Don't know what to make of the college thing though; I'm not in college. I'll figure it out when I get there. And do send emails and letters and phone calls to the people in charge. Things change because of angry people voicing their opinions.
Current frustration is that I always seem hungry. Yesterday, I just couldn't stop eating. Hopefully, the filling breakfast I had (BISCUIT!) will keep me full for a while. As opposed to cereal.
EDIT: Also, the lack of stuff on this computer. I really wanted to watch 'Will it Blend?' here, because too much Blendtec action kills my computer. Which upsets me. Apparently, either there's an elaborate blocking system that only blocks the videos on the site but not the site itself (doubt that) or this computer simply lacks the plugins. And I don't think I can just install them. You need an admin account to do that.
Also also! I gave my story to someone to read. They read part of it, then remembered that they needed to play Webkinz. So they started doing that. I asked where they got to and they said a few pages. I asked if they remembered what was happening.
"Not really."
GAH. The point of reading a story is to remember what happens and to understand it! Maybe it's just because this poor sap is a moron. Probably. Still frustrating, though. I'm a starving author needing feedback and my audience doesn't give me anything other than 'It's okay.'! GAH! What is wrong with it? Anything you don't get? Anything I should cut or add or reword? 'It's okay.' ... need more people reading it.
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College: it's not just tuition, books, room, and board, but also lots and lots of miscellaneous fees. I remember at my university the fees every semester adding up to be about equal to the cost of tuition.
I had a full-ride scholarship, so I didn't care much, but I remember a lot of parents and students weren't really expecting that much extra cost on top of what you typically think of when you think of as your typical college expenses. I mean, a few hundred dollars is one thing, but a few thousand dollars in unexpected fees your first semester must be kind of shocking...
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@ teaflower
At least you're getting feedback at all.
Ever since I posted my story on here (granted it's just the 1st prologue... and I put it in the Submissions section instead of Fanfiction by mistake...), I've seen that the topic was looked at, but not a single reply. Not even an "It's okay"!
Was I too wordy? Did I make my character some sort of Gary Stu? Should I continue?! What does everyone want from me?!!! :x
*pants*
The most frustrating thing is that I don't know if this silence is a silent okay to keep going or if nobody even gives a shit. Since I'm a pessimist at heart, I usually think it's the latter... :(
*sigh*
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My frustrations right now are kinda silly xD I wish the mangas I read would put out more than 1 chapter a week =) Bleach and Tsubasa mainly. Bleach is extremely suspenseful right now, currently on chapter 348 The Lust 2. Cant wait to see what happens xD
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To put into perspective: I need to take at least 12 units to keep my insurance, both life and car (fuck you CA), right now I pay 240 a semester. Next year I'd pay 480 dollars, and that doesn't cover the cost of books and other materials either!
What's this about car insurance being tied to school? When I was in California (granted, I left after high school) there was a huge discount if I maintained a B/3.0 GPA, but no threat of losing the insurance. When I moved to Washington, I was with the same insurance company, and I could have continued with the discount if I'd kept my grades up in college. When I didn't, my insurance got more expensive, but it didn't go away.
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My frustrations right now are kinda silly xD I wish the mangas I read would put out more than 1 chapter a week =) Bleach and Tsubasa mainly. Bleach is extremely suspenseful right now, currently on chapter 348 The Lust 2. Cant wait to see what happens xD
I guessed the Tsubasa bit, mainly because of the Syaoran avatar that is in that Tsubasa style. Card Captor Sakura Syaoran is kind of gay looking.
In any event, I don't really read fanfiction much, so I can't really say anything about your story, Skylark. I'll check it out soon, 'kay? Before the bell rang, I quizzed the friend on the characters. She wasn't entirely sure who the main character was and her grasp of the characters' names was weak at best. She read about ten pages, then stopped. I doubt she'll ever pick it up again, because of the lack of hawt vampires like Twilight has.
Ugh.
A few frustrations today. Ordered mustard on a wrap. Lunch lady put mayo. Mayo = gross in my mouth. Made me feel like I was going to puke. Sister is crazy. Left me with less than half a cup of coffee because she needed to overfill her cup, then forget about it completely. And now... for some reason, my MP3 player is cutting off bits and pieces of songs. It's weird. It's not like it just skips a part, but it starts about in the middle and even when you start the song over, it just sort of plays the middle part again.
Must investigate.
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HAY GUYS
I woke up at 5:s30 AM this morning, and while I'm at the computer lab at school, I couldn't abstain from Compendium.
Current frustration: I'm tired.
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Wow, your MP3 player's crapping out too? :shock:
Ugh... I think I might need to replace mine... with money I don't have because I'm on a budget...
Damn economy keeping my job from calling me back for more work... >_<
Current frustration: Lack of work coming my way.
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frustration: having the type of insomnia I've known for over half a decade and gotten used to switched out for a different type of insomnia that I'm not used to.
Instead of the slow-to-sleep insomnia, I now have the type that doesn't allow me to ever fall into a deep sleep. I've now had it for a few weeks and it's facking horrible. I go to sleep and wake up 50 million times a night causing me to wake up tired every morning, and go through the day tired. I am so not used to dealing with this.
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Okay, so it turns out the thing needs to be reformatted so my computer can figure out what's up. See, the thing is I have songs on there I forgot to back up elsewhere. Like some of the Radical Dreamers MP3s Z got me. As well as other songs I love. But the good news is it might still be able to work. I'll check it out tomorrow.
Let's hope it's not dying, yes? I love it so much and cannot afford a new one. Um... may I suggest a sleep aide? Though they can be dependent making, they can help. I suggest Melatonin.
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I've taken to drinking coffee in the morning after I wake, which I never used to do.
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I suggest Melatonin.
I wouldn't. I would suggest 25-50 mg of Diphenhydramine. You may not get as restful of a sleep as you may need, but you will knock straight out for 8 hours or so. That is just in the short term, if the insomnia condition is as bad as idioticidioms says, then I would suggest going to the doctor pronto to get something better.
I have issues with Melatonin and here is why (ready for another Chrono Eric chemistry sciency post?):
Yes, melatonin is the natural regulator hormone of sleep in the body. However, Melatonin is N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine. The N-acetyl group conveys a great degree of polarity to the molecule, and large polar molecules cannot cross the blood-brain barrier with ease unless they have a transport protein specifically for them or one that they can piggyback on. Additionally, 5-MeO tryptamines are notable serotonin agonists and psychedelic drugs. So notable, in fact, that the famous chemist Alexander Shulgin published a synthesis of Melatonin in his book TiHKAL and several people experimented with various doses in an attempt to obtain psychotropic effects, but to no avail. The subjects didn't even report sleepiness. This is especially interesting considering that 5-MeO tryptamine itself is a potent hallucinogenic drug. This strongly suggests that the Acetyl group conveys so much polarity that significant amounts of exogenous melatonin do not cross the blood brain barrier. The exception, of course, is if there is a receptor for melatonin specifically in the area of the pineal gland where it is naturally synthesized.
Nonetheless, melatonin does seem to induce sleep and promote REM dreaming. It also seems to have other benefits. However, the dosages for each individual seem to vary greatly. Taking anywhere from 3-10 mg of melatonin, I can safely say, does jack shit to me except possibly induce a placebo effect. I've found its sleep-inducing capabilities to be much worse than diphenhydramine, and after taking melatonin for a long term in an attempt to adjust my circadian rhythm - I saw no significant results at all. Other people have reported positive results with as little as 0.3 mg, with higher doses being completely ineffective. Furthermore, I would tend to wake up about 3-4 hours after falling asleep, with no desire to return to sleep at all. With diphenhydramine, I can sleep straight through the night without waking.
I think that the dosage problem with Melatonin is too much of a pain to jack with, especially with insomnia. If you are looking for an effective and short-term sleep aid, diphenhydramine beats out melatonin any day.
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I suggest Melatonin.
Crazy technobabel.
I suggest you just live with the fact you sleep different then others, I know I do.
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If Modafinil is ever demonstrated to have no long-term effects, then I might be seriously interested.
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I suggest you just live with the fact you sleep different then others, I know I do.
That's the whole point. Everybody sleeps differently, and this reflects a biochemical difference. Presumably, this difference can be adjusted for by taking an exogenous sleep-aid. Diphenhydramine, and whatever else he can get prescribed after seeing a doctor, is so much more effective than melatonin. The dosages don't vary wildly depending on a persons individual metabolism/biochemistry and the effects are predictable - unlike with melatonin. And Zeality raised an important point that even further illustrates the uselessness of melatonin:
If Modafinil is ever demonstrated to have no long-term effects, then I might be seriously interested.
People often get hung up on the world "natural". Melatonin is the body's "natural" sleep hormone. But that doesn't mean that ingesting massive amounts of melatonin is actually good or harmless for you in the long term. There have been numerous (and contradictory) studies into this. My own guess would be that melatonin at least is not neurotoxic because of its limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. But studies on melatonin are still in their infancy. Diphenhydramine, constrastly, is a very well-studied chemical.
So why take a less effective and less well-studied sleep-aid where you will have to adjust the dose through trial and error over the course of several days, when you are suffering from insomnia? That doesn't make sense.
And as far as Modafinil is concerned Zeality...very few chemicals that one ingests truly have "no long term side effects". The question to really ask is, "are the potential long term side effects worth the benefit that the drug offers?".
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Oh, I wasn't posting that in relation to anything except the discussion of medication. I've already read a lot about Modafinil, including most of the experiences of the peopel who post at that...that site; I already forgot the URL, but it's a catch-all for people to report their experiences with medication.
Supposedly, Modafinil's already being used by businesspeople, writers, etc. and I'd be thrilled to use it once or twice a week to smooth out days with rough sleep transitions (for example, I've got a morning class right after a night class, and I'm almost never prepared for that sudden shift each week). I wish the long-term effects would be discovered already, because the entire thing sounds like the first daring step in removing the human need to sleep.
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Fuck. So I was essentially rejected by :shock: earlier tonight. I'm not handling it well at all. I had been bracing myself for this, but it hurts so much more than I thought it would. Fuck. It's tough when you see this person 5 nights a week for 8 weeks...and they slowly start to take over your thoughts. Then throw in the teaser night when she spent the night and we got close. This fucking hurts, there's no other way around it.
The beauty of the clouds are reserved for those who keep their head up.
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I'm going to have to possibly face that in May. Hope you at lesat got some closure.
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My frustrations right now are kinda silly xD I wish the mangas I read would put out more than 1 chapter a week =) Bleach and Tsubasa mainly. Bleach is extremely suspenseful right now, currently on chapter 348 The Lust 2. Cant wait to see what happens xD
I guessed the Tsubasa bit, mainly because of the Syaoran avatar that is in that Tsubasa style. Card Captor Sakura Syaoran is kind of gay looking.
Hahaha yea I agree completely. Tsubasa is in a different league that CCS =P
Frustration today. . . Alarm failed to wake me this morning, hour and a half late to work. . . Guess I need more than 3-5 hours a night xD
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More novel related problems. I'm trying to get my friend to read my novel again, but she doesn't want to read it. I tried making her a deal; I would read Twilight is she read The End of the Worlds. GOD. To try and continue on about how awesome it is, I try and compare Alex, my little ghostie boy whom I love and obsess over, to the hawt boyz of Twilight. So you know what she does? She googles Jackson Rathborne and is like, "He's so hawt!" She then CLOSES my novel, pissing me off, and starts posting pictures of him in a document.
One of these is a wallpaper, which says, and I quote, 'Jasper 'cause he is so emphatetic'.
... WHAT?!
I'm sorry, but I just looked up emphatetic and it is not in the dictionary. I can understand the 'cause because I frequently use that, but emphatetic? That is not a word!
IN ANY LANGUAGE!
Except... maybe HAWT TWILIGFT OH EM FUGGIN GEE! language.
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Oh, I wasn't posting that in relation to anything except the discussion of medication. I've already read a lot about Modafinil, including most of the experiences of the peopel who post at that...that site; I already forgot the URL, but it's a catch-all for people to report their experiences with medication.
I'd be quite interested to hear more about this web site, if you can remember anything more.
For example, I'm curious as to if it has a legitimate connection to a research institution. If not, then the quality of the information there could well be no better than a website that is a catch-all for people to report their experiences with UFOs. But if so, it could be a valuable resource for investigating medications before one takes them.
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Fuck. So I was essentially rejected by :shock: earlier tonight. I'm not handling it well at all. I had been bracing myself for this, but it hurts so much more than I thought it would. Fuck. It's tough when you see this person 5 nights a week for 8 weeks...and they slowly start to take over your thoughts. Then throw in the teaser night when she spent the night and we got close. This fucking hurts, there's no other way around it.
The beauty of the clouds are reserved for those who keep their head up.
I hope you cope well. Rejection is never an easy thing to deal with, no matter how prepared you are. It'll hurt for a while, but it will heal in time. It just means that there's someone better out there for you.
Stay optimistic, stay happy, and eventually the world will all be better again :D
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THERE IS AN EXTREME LACK OF GOOD RPG BEING RELEASED THESE DAYS! my wife is unemployed so I cant afford to buy anything! mgs4 is still not being released on the 360 or pc! Money sucks!
On a good note, Ninja Swords Rule!
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@Kage
Nice to see another married man around here. :D
Look up some emulators and go play some old school RPGs. The 16-bit era was the best... Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, the Tales series, Bahamut Lagoon, Phantasy Star series, etc...
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Frustration:I can't ride my bike because my sister keeps yelling at me to do stuff that I could do after I ride, but she b%!ch that she wont let me go. And once I'm done my mom or dad will be home, And they'll make me do stuff so I wont get to ride then and right now I'm too frustrated to go while I have a freaken chance. Plus, this sucks because riding my bike is my passion; it's what keeps me alive inside.
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THERE IS AN EXTREME LACK OF GOOD RPG BEING RELEASED THESE DAYS! my wife is unemployed so I cant afford to buy anything! mgs4 is still not being released on the 360 or pc! Money sucks!
On a good note, Ninja Swords Rule!
RPGs on the 360.
Blue Dragon, Enchanted Arms, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Eternal Sonata, Fable II, Fallout 3, Final Fantasy XI (MMO), Infinite Undiscovery, Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom, The Last Remnant, Lost Odyssey, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Mass Effect, Phantasy Star Universe (MMO), Star Ocean: The Last Hope, Tales of Vesperia and Two Worlds.
I'm sure at least one of those might appeal to you.
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Hmm... you seem to be in the same situation I often find myself in. Crazy bitch catches me right when I'm in the middle of something and makes me do something else, even though it would be better for her to do it. Like I'm taking my lunch upstairs and she's leaving the kitchen, right near the coffee maker. She makes me make coffee.
The best thing you can do, Asafigow, is to tough it out. Take it like a man and beat the shit out of a pillow. Hitting a girl is never the option. And when you find some free time, just pedal your heart out on the longest trail you can find. If you're a mountain bike person.
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I'd be quite interested to hear more about this web site, if you can remember anything more.
For example, I'm curious as to if it has a legitimate connection to a research institution. If not, then the quality of the information there could well be no better than a website that is a catch-all for people to report their experiences with UFOs. But if so, it could be a valuable resource for investigating medications before one takes them.
The website that he is speaking of is Erowid.org. It is not a website connected to a legitimate research institution. It isn't even really devoted to reporting legitimate medical uses of new chemicals. It primarily serves as a non-profit organization and the online website is a massive database concerning psychoactive plants and chemicals and devoted to responsible drug use. A typical page on Erowid contains information concerning effects, dosage, and chemistry of substances derived from scientific/medical literature, in addition to links to journal articles, other media, and perhaps most importantly* personal experience reports.
Here is a typical page for dimethyltryptamine as an example: http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/dmt/dmt.shtml
* - I say that the personal experience reports are most important here, whereas I typically hold the information derived from journal articles to be of higher importance, because people primarily use Erowid if they self-experiment with psychoactives for entheogenic purposes. Because most psychoactives are harmless if used correctly, and because the subjective effects of each substance often vary wildly, the personal experience reports are of great use for someone looking into a new substance because they give one an idea of what they are getting themselves into.
So, ultimately, Erowid is a good site for researching dosage, subjective effects, and legality of certain substances. And the extensive links to journal articles and other media can make one thoroughly informed. Many physicians and toxicologists have praised it in literature, but conversely many also believe that Erowid potentially minimizes the importance of adverse toxic effects of substances because there is so much information there that certain things get drowned out.
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You know what REALLY sucks? Not being able to ride at all because you're bandaged like a freaking mummy. The only parts of my body untouched after my escapade with the mile run, a rock, and sand yesterday is my face and fingers. So, Sorry Asafigow, but having most of the skin on your knees sucks more then your sister who isn't always a B!tch. Anyways... I can't help you out here, dude. Until I get my skin not off.
Alright, bye guys. See you in a week or so. Maybe this weekend. I dunno.
<HyperNerd has left the Party>
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I hate my older brother sometimes. He's such a pig. Here's what happened. My mom got a tray of four corn muffins. My sister doesn't want a whole one at the moment, so she goes down and picks at one. I debate over whether I want to have corn muffin for breakfast, but decide not to have one. I go through my day, and when I get home I want muffin. I go to the tray and guess what I see?
One muffin that has been picked at.
My sister tells me that my mom had one and my brother had two, then starts bitching about how no one ever asks her if she wants something. It just frustrates me that my brother decides he gets two without asking my sister, and if I hadn't eaten the last one, I bet he would've eaten that one!
Life is unfair, but my brother is a jerk. Aside from being a pig who eats everything that isn't 'gross' (and even changes his mind about these things), he's selfish and lazy. My mom recently told him that the three of us kids needed to work together to bring up the trash, right? He comes upstairs and says that my sister and I have to do it, while he stays inside and deals with the dishes. And this isn't the first time this has happened. One time, I woke up early and saw a list my mom left us. It was chores. I shrugged and mentally said that it was cool. I messed around on the computer a bit, then went back to bed. My brother woke up, looked at the list, and when my sister and I got up, he told a different story, where he did less stuff and got to sit around and do nothing.
And get credit for our work.
Another thing he does. He makes us bring the PlayStation down to his lair room, and says that we can play it whenever, right? He's either watching TV, playing PlayStation, or has it on and not saved but is using his computer. On top of this, he has turned the TV so that it is facing his bed, making it impossible to play from the other chairs in the room. Mind you, this is not just his room, but the family room, where people come in and where you have to go through to get to the kitchen. He promised he wouldn't do shit like this, which pisses me off.
I hate him sometimes. And by sometimes I mean ALL THE FUCKING TIME.
EDIT: And let's not forget the second one, shall we? The evil fucking bitch who doesn't understand that people other than her SLEEP. I'm tired and she's gone to exercise the fat she thinks she's covered with away, right? I turn off the monitor, turn off the speakers, get into bed and take a nap. Next thing I know she's screaming at me to come up to the car. So I go up to the car and bring down the laundry. Because she's so weak, she asks me to take the basket that needs to go upstairs... upstairs. I do so, because I don't want to fucking deal with her shit, and as I'm coming up the stairs (rather loudly because the thing is heavy) she tells me not to stomp and doesn't bring up the hamper that needs to go up as well, even though the hamper is lighter and less cumbersome, and it's not even out of her way. It's right by the stairs.
Part of me says that she believes she is the only fucking human being on earth and we're all here for her amusement and ease. Given that the room I'm in right now will never truly be MY room because her shit is still in here and she believes she has every right to walk right in without so much as a knock, causing awkward moments (her catching me completely naked holding our cat Rosie, who conveniently blocks all my parts) for everyone. Keep in mind when we shared a room, I had to knock and ask if I could come in before coming in to play video games or going to sleep. But she didn't. She just walks right in. She doesn't knock when my mom's door is closed, but everyone, EVERYONE, has to knock to get into her room. Even my brother, who still has his shit in there.
She's also the only being that needs sleep. Because if she's taking a nap or it's 'early' (by early I mean noon when she gets her ass out of bed) she can stay in bed as long as she wants. But given that I was just pulled out of bed to bring two things of laundry up without her help and now cannot get back to sleep, I obviously do not. Neither does my mother, given she has been woken by my sister randomly coming into her room at night to get the food she's stashed in there. Or steal the cat. And my brother doesn't sleep either, given that she will make the loudest noises in the kitchen when she's getting her food even though he's asleep.
God, I hate my family sometimes. My mom is cool most times, and I'm okay with my dad when he doesn't owe me money, but my brother and sister? Want them OUT.
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Y'know tea, I hate my family too sometimes, but deep down- VERY deep down- I love them. I'm sure you're the same way too. Anyways, Today was not good for my knees. THEY STILL BURN.
Oh, and I have most of the same problems. My brother is a cry baby who always gets what he wants, and he sees it as sort of a sport to get me in trouble. AND he apparently hates me, because he got my parents to hate my best friend by bothering the HELL out of him by kicking him , then by crying when he got hit back. So, my parents don't like Asafigow as much as they used to now. DAMN MY BROTHER. My sister is WORSE. She really does hate me, and is an evil brat to me, then demands help, and if she doesn't get it, she cries. DAMN YOU TOO.
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See, the main difference here is that your younger siblings are, what, 5? My older siblings are 21 and almost 20. That sucks worse, because even if they mess up, they don't get in trouble. My mom 'talks' to them, but nothing ever gets better and my brother is allowed to call me names and my sister to boss everyone around, as well as stress out everyone.
You have it lucky; they'll probably grow out of it. Or you could beat it out of them... but that's my vicious side speaking.
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Oh shit, I thought they were like, 16. Damn, they act like they're freaking 6th graders. 20 year olds??
Whoah.
My siblings are 10, and 5...
They annoy the piss out of me.
As the youngest child, you have it relatively easy...
I have to watch out for 2 children I frequently find myself despising.
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As the eldest child, you have it relatively easy. You don't have two big people stepping all over you to get what they want and drive you to the point where you find yourself in a psyche ward. Little kids like that grow. Wait until your little bro hits puberty. He'll be a completely different person. And maybe by then you'll be out of there. I have to deal with these guys until they grow the balls to move out or I go to college.
My frustration right now is my grade seems to have dipped lower than I thought it would in biology. About a week before progress reports came out (today they did) my biology teacher told me I had a 69. Nice. That's almost a C-. But I didn't do two or three assignments between then and Wednesday, when grades were due. It dropped from a D+ to a D-. I think my mom is going to murderlize me.
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Eldest Child is the worst to be. If your little siblings get in trouble, you're usually blamed for not "putting a better example" on them. It's annoying.
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Eldest Child is the worst to be. If your little siblings get in trouble, you're usually blamed for not "putting a better example" on them. It's annoying.
Good thing that is no longer the case for me. But 'him getting out of trouble most of the time for being the younger one' still annoys me. And his overreactions.
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Eldest Child is the worst to be. If your little siblings get in trouble, you're usually blamed for not "putting a better example" on them. It's annoying.
Then there's always the flipside. You get in trouble, you're blamed for not being like your amazing older brother/sister. But you know, I do better than them most times. I plan on graduating high school (more than my brother can say) and I actually have plans for my future, other than sitting and doing nothing (sis can't really say that and actually mean it).
Either way you look at it, having siblings sucks. And even if you don't, your parents might expect far too much from their only child. So in short, life sucks.
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Well, I'm the youngest child in my family. I have two older sisters. The eldest is and has always been nice and fun. My other sister is a real b!%ch. She's like Nerd's little sister, except if she doesn't get what she wants, she'll go all out on you. And she is honestly sort of an idiot because(and she even knows this) she picks fights that are pretty pointless and doesn't stop until she's either forced into her room and gets everthing taken away, or she gets what she wants. And then she thinks she has a lot of control over me just because she's older. It's annoying!!! And when she's happy and gets to drive somewhere on her own, (she's about 17) she treats me like I'm her pet and drags me along!
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My younger sister was absolute hell on earth from the years 10-14 or so. And actually, I recall not being too fond of her earlier than that because she would destroy my toys/video games. But now that she's 18, she's pretty cool and we get along just fine.
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I am the oldest, my parents always make sure I understand that I am the experimental one. They raise me to find out what works what doesn't.
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lmao. At least they're honest about not knowing what to do. But I suspect that sometimes it has make you feel like a human guinea pig.
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@Kage
Nice to see another married man around here. :D
Look up some emulators and go play some old school RPGs. The 16-bit era was the best... Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, the Tales series, Bahamut Lagoon, Phantasy Star series, etc...
lol I know this was posted four days ago but I just wanted to add that Im married as well xD
But more on the topic. Frustrated today mostly cause I have a huge pile of about 100ish Motion Tablets to tech by the end of the week. . . lame
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God, I'm just so testy lately. It's like the littlest thing will make me feel like I need to scream.
Here's the frustration:
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.
There are all sorts of little things that build up, and you can't really tell what each of them is. They grow and grow and grow until one itsy bitsy thing makes you just blow up in an explosion of fists, tears, and a whole lot of screaming. Maybe I'm so testy due to hormones, or maybe I'm just in a bitchy mood. Whatever it is, I don't like it.
EDIT: I think I might have figured it out. Maybe.
Poor grammar.
I'm sitting here in the SPED class and I'm listening to two of the teachers having a discussion about Dells. I chime in that Dells are evil and they laugh. What do I know? I'm a SPED kid! That's not the thing, though. A few minutes later, the adult says, and I quote...
Well, I've boughten two...
Now, Dictionary.com says that it is a word. It's just not used in that sense. EVER.
WHAT THE HELL LADY?!
I'm routinely exposed to things of this nature, and I just suck my teeth and turn away, because every time I try and explain proper functions to them, they either say 'Whatever' and walk away or they swear at me in Spanish.
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Pissed off just because you're pissed off.
Don't worry, you're not the only one. There's been plenty of times I can remember having those "F everything!" days, just because.
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... you just HAD to post while I was editing, didn't you?
Yeah, grammar is getting me right now. Still like to say to my teachers when they mess up, but it still frustrates me that they do. Especially English teachers, or teachers who majored in English. I've marked up papers my English teacher has given me, as well as papers my Latin teacher has given me (he's an English major) and probably other papers. It's just like WHY DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS YOU WENT TO SCHOOL FOR THE EXACT PURPOSE OF KNOWING THIS STUFF AND TEACHING IT TO STUDENTS WHO DO NOT KNOW BETTER AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH.
Maybe they can get away with it because most student's DON'T know better.
But I'm not most students.
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... you just HAD to post while I was editing, didn't you?
No... you just HAD to edit while I was posting. =P
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@Kage
Nice to see another married man around here. :D
Look up some emulators and go play some old school RPGs. The 16-bit era was the best... Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, the Tales series, Bahamut Lagoon, Phantasy Star series, etc...
lol I know this was posted four days ago but I just wanted to add that Im married as well xD
But more on the topic. Frustrated today mostly cause I have a huge pile of about 100ish Motion Tablets to tech by the end of the week. . . lame
I'm so late at replying that I will reply to both of you at once.
I have beaten pretty much every old school emulated rpg that I can get my hands on these days. Though I greatly enjoy them, why is it that I cannot expect something new and updated to be good? Its sad that I look forward to an old school port or remake more then the new rpgs coming out that so far are almost all disappointments. I am currently playing both alundra and the chrono trigger re-translation. Both are awesome!
I would just like to point out that being married is awesome! Anyone who thinks otherwise, probably just didn't marry the right person lol.
Right now I am mostly frustrated at the new neighbor who moved into the apartment under me... she is around 50+ sits our on her balcony 24/7 and yells on the phone while smoking. I can't breath when I go outside and I get to hear her yelling all the time form inside... There is nothing I can do about it but shrug it off but its really annoying!
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I've gotten so skinny, it's getting tougher for me to do stuff anymore.
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i have to write a paper on the documentary "The Corporation"...while the doc is interesting...I have already seen the damn thing a year ago...and now it feels like a chore to have to watch it again ...2 hours and 20 minutes...bleh
edit: the corporation website has the transcripts..broken down by topic....awesome
edit2: i forgot how good it was...no longer a chore!
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Finals week and the first test is done, I am not good at studying alone. Way too easily distracted with other stuff.
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“I have a lot of faith in the corporate world because its always going to be there, so you may as well have faith in it because if you don't then that's just not a good thing”
oh, what a gem!
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I hate my older brother sometimes. He's such a pig. Here's what happened. My mom got a tray of four corn muffins. My sister doesn't want a whole one at the moment, so she goes down and picks at one. I debate over whether I want to have corn muffin for breakfast, but decide not to have one. I go through my day, and when I get home I want muffin. I go to the tray and guess what I see?
One muffin that has been picked at.
My sister tells me that my mom had one and my brother had two, then starts bitching about how no one ever asks her if she wants something. It just frustrates me that my brother decides he gets two without asking my sister, and if I hadn't eaten the last one, I bet he would've eaten that one!
Life is unfair, but my brother is a jerk. Aside from being a pig who eats everything that isn't 'gross' (and even changes his mind about these things), he's selfish and lazy. My mom recently told him that the three of us kids needed to work together to bring up the trash, right? He comes upstairs and says that my sister and I have to do it, while he stays inside and deals with the dishes. And this isn't the first time this has happened. One time, I woke up early and saw a list my mom left us. It was chores. I shrugged and mentally said that it was cool. I messed around on the computer a bit, then went back to bed. My brother woke up, looked at the list, and when my sister and I got up, he told a different story, where he did less stuff and got to sit around and do nothing.
And get credit for our work.
Another thing he does. He makes us bring the PlayStation down to his lair room, and says that we can play it whenever, right? He's either watching TV, playing PlayStation, or has it on and not saved but is using his computer. On top of this, he has turned the TV so that it is facing his bed, making it impossible to play from the other chairs in the room. Mind you, this is not just his room, but the family room, where people come in and where you have to go through to get to the kitchen. He promised he wouldn't do shit like this, which pisses me off.
I hate him sometimes. And by sometimes I mean ALL THE FUCKING TIME.
EDIT: And let's not forget the second one, shall we? The evil fucking bitch who doesn't understand that people other than her SLEEP. I'm tired and she's gone to exercise the fat she thinks she's covered with away, right? I turn off the monitor, turn off the speakers, get into bed and take a nap. Next thing I know she's screaming at me to come up to the car. So I go up to the car and bring down the laundry. Because she's so weak, she asks me to take the basket that needs to go upstairs... upstairs. I do so, because I don't want to fucking deal with her shit, and as I'm coming up the stairs (rather loudly because the thing is heavy) she tells me not to stomp and doesn't bring up the hamper that needs to go up as well, even though the hamper is lighter and less cumbersome, and it's not even out of her way. It's right by the stairs.
Part of me says that she believes she is the only fucking human being on earth and we're all here for her amusement and ease. Given that the room I'm in right now will never truly be MY room because her shit is still in here and she believes she has every right to walk right in without so much as a knock, causing awkward moments (her catching me completely naked holding our cat Rosie, who conveniently blocks all my parts) for everyone. Keep in mind when we shared a room, I had to knock and ask if I could come in before coming in to play video games or going to sleep. But she didn't. She just walks right in. She doesn't knock when my mom's door is closed, but everyone, EVERYONE, has to knock to get into her room. Even my brother, who still has his shit in there.
She's also the only being that needs sleep. Because if she's taking a nap or it's 'early' (by early I mean noon when she gets her ass out of bed) she can stay in bed as long as she wants. But given that I was just pulled out of bed to bring two things of laundry up without her help and now cannot get back to sleep, I obviously do not. Neither does my mother, given she has been woken by my sister randomly coming into her room at night to get the food she's stashed in there. Or steal the cat. And my brother doesn't sleep either, given that she will make the loudest noises in the kitchen when she's getting her food even though he's asleep.
God, I hate my family sometimes. My mom is cool most times, and I'm okay with my dad when he doesn't owe me money, but my brother and sister? Want them OUT.
I've barely even called my parents or my sister in the last five years, so maybe I've lost some perspective on what it's like to be a teenager still stuck living in their parent's house with their siblings, but I think you're making a bit more drama out of things than there needs to be. If you keep cool and level-headed, it's easier to find a bit more harmony in your life instead of constantly getting stressed out.
Also, life is inherently unfair. You won't fix things by pointing out how unfair they are. Instead, it falls on you to use whatever opportunities come your way to gain an advantage and keep it.
In your specific case, I'd suggest being more clever in regards to dealing with your brother's laziness (he assumes you'll get upset, but won't do anything about it except complain) and more nonchalant concerning your sister's outbursts (she's conditioned to think that it gets her something -- at the very least it certainly seems to get your attention more than it should).
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True, but it's just so difficult. My mom, my sister, and I just cleaned up a large portion of little room, which at one point was my brother's room. It was a sty. We even found an old container of OJ, with... rotting OJ in it... meanwhile my sister just blows everything out of proportion. Earlier she was upset that my brother called little room, which she had recently inhabited, a sty and she perceived it as calling her a pig and it was all her fault.
I know I'm not a gem either (memory issues, homework issues, the littlest things will make me start screaming...) and I do have a tendency to add more drama into a situation than I should (people wonder why I aspire to be a theater teacher), but a lot of that isn't just me. I'd say... 80% is not me. 25% for sis, 25% for bro, 25% for mom, and about... 5% is everything else. Typing things out here makes me less likely to let it blow up in real life, where fists can fly and ruin any chance I have of getting the stuff I really do want. Like a new monitor.
Which leads me to my current frustration:
THIS MONITOR.
Everything is too dark. I'm looking at the Hitake guy we have next to the Additional Options button, and I can't really make our the details. The silver on the site looks like a dark gray. The brightness is at the max. We're thinking it's that this thing is OLD.
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Uh... No offense or anything, but I would deal with a selfish brother/sister over a screaming, dramatic brother/sister any day.
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With apologies to ZeaLitY, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques is as ugly as fuck and every time I have to look at one of his pictures--be it ZeaLitY's latest icon, his sig, or just a spontaneous Grimmjow outburst in one of Z's many posts, I cringe. My favorite updates to the Compendium are those when ZeaLitY switches to any of his other heroes, be it Teddy Roosevelt or Bruce Lee or anyone the fuck else.
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True, but it's just so difficult. My mom, my sister, and I just cleaned up a large portion of little room, which at one point was my brother's room. It was a sty. We even found an old container of OJ, with... rotting OJ in it... meanwhile my sister just blows everything out of proportion. Earlier she was upset that my brother called little room, which she had recently inhabited, a sty and she perceived it as calling her a pig and it was all her fault.
I know I'm not a gem either (memory issues, homework issues, the littlest things will make me start screaming...) and I do have a tendency to add more drama into a situation than I should (people wonder why I aspire to be a theater teacher), but a lot of that isn't just me. I'd say... 80% is not me. 25% for sis, 25% for bro, 25% for mom, and about... 5% is everything else. Typing things out here makes me less likely to let it blow up in real life, where fists can fly and ruin any chance I have of getting the stuff I really do want. Like a new monitor.
Which leads me to my current frustration:
THIS MONITOR.
Everything is too dark. I'm looking at the Hitake guy we have next to the Additional Options button, and I can't really make our the details. The silver on the site looks like a dark gray. The brightness is at the max. We're thinking it's that this thing is OLD.
By all means, complain here. That's certainly a lot healthier than just getting worked up over things. I'm just giving suggestions to help ease the source of that frustration.
Also, try adjusting the gamma on your monitor. Try a more linear gamma (i.e. 1.8 versus the normal 2.2), and that might help brighten things up, letting you push a little more life out it.
I guess, to adjust your gamma you might give the program mentioned here a try:
http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html#QuickGamma
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Big frustration; someone is smoking something around here. I don't know what, but it smells REALLY bad, and it's just wafting through the whole house. It's like a stinkbug's public restroom, or zoo animals on a diet of old tires that haven't been cleaned in months.
How in the world can people like sucking that stuff down their lungs? I can hardly stand the smell from yards away, but inhaling it directly? Ugh.
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Convince them to smoke nice, flavored tobacco from a pipe. At least then it won't smell as bad.
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Convince them to smoke nice, flavored tobacco from a pipe. At least then it won't smell as bad.
Ah, pipe tobacco... so very nice. You smoke as well, I take it?
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Smoking sounds pretty cool, so long as you don't go through a pack a day. I'm alright with Grimmjow, actually. Don't know much about his series, but still pretty awesome. ZeaLitY seems to somehow connect with him, which is why he likes using him as an avatar. Much like me and Utena Tenjou. Although she's just badass. ... though I do get the whole acting like a boy thing. Posting here is better than letting it all sit up in my head, I know this. If I let it stew too long my brain will collapse.
Just got a test I thought I did pretty well on back.
81.
Not bad, actually. Considering some just flunked it outright. It was a history test and what really got me was the essay. 10 points off. 9 points off the multiple choice.
Our teacher was livid at the generally bad scores, though. So she made us rewrite the essay. That's not what pisses me off. What's getting me is that everyone was TALKING during it. I couldn't focus. I asked the teacher to get everyone quiet, and they were for a while. Then they started talking AGAIN. Had to go to a different room. At least I got it done.
Another frustration. Typos in professional documents. We recently got a notice about free dental care for kids in the school. For kids who fit the requirements. Quite nice. Now, looking on the front page, here's something that bothers me.
What is the cost? There is no direct cost to the patient, however if the child has insurance the insurance will be billed. If the child doses not have insurance an effort will be made to sign the child up for dental insurance.
Find the problem in there. On the second page is another little thing that makes me go AAAAAAAAAAGH.
The Caring for kids program will run from September 2008 to June 2008.
Note that those quotes are verbatim. How sad is it that this information came from the superintendent of schools?
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Typos in proffesional documents. .
tee hee
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Typos in proffesional documents. .
tee hee
... they don't have the red underline in this... and... and...
Shut up, okay?! If this were a word processing thingy, it would be red underlined and I would know it's wrong. But 'doses' is a word and thus does not excuse poor editing on the part of the secretary, or even Mr. Ravenelle himself!
Plus, posts on the Compendium =/= professional documents. ... is that right?
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There is a spell check feature...
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Typos in professional documents. We recently got a notice about free dental care for kids in the school. For kids who fit the requirements. Quite nice. Now, looking on the front page, here's something that bothers me.
What is the cost? There is no direct cost to the patient, however if the child has insurance the insurance will be billed. If the child doses not have insurance an effort will be made to sign the child up for dental insurance.
Find the problem in there.
Well that first comma should be a semi-colon instead, there should be a comma after "however," and another between "insurance" and "an effort." That is an "if/then" statement, with the "then" gapped, but the comma is still needed.
Of course, as everyone knows, "doses" (pronounced dough-say) is Anglo-French for "holy crap, that's a bad typo."
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Convince them to smoke nice, flavored tobacco from a pipe. At least then it won't smell as bad.
Ah, pipe tobacco... so very nice. You smoke as well, I take it?
No.
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the smoke off of pipe tobacco is just much more pleasing to the senses than the smoke off of other tobacco.
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the smoke off of pipe tobacco is just much more pleasing to the senses than the smoke off of other tobacco.
Well, personally, I must admit to prefer cigars. Pipes, however, are a bit cheaper. That is, assuming you go for better quality ones in both. After all, you don't want to be smoking because you have to, but because it tastes good. Personally, I don't even smoke a pipe a day... just one every few days. The occassional cigar.
Then again, you've gotta be careful. Some people just have a natural bent to being addicted to smoking. I'm fortunate in that I'm not (ie. I can smoke a bit, then not for a week or two, and so on, without any adverse effects or cravings.) For me, it's just a matter of relaxation and enjoyment. From what most studies would show, there are no health drawbacks from such moderation (I myself would argue there are benefits, as the psychological effects of the relaxation are not usually accounted for.)
Of course, you don't usually get told that in regards to tobacco products. This is because cigarrettes are most certainly NOT good (after all, what's the point in smoking them? They don't even taste good.) They're cheap and dirty and really worthless. It's quite different if you smoke a nice tobacconist blend of pipe tobacco, or a nice Domincan cigar. So it's a shame that the stigma has extended to pipes and cigars, both of which are very excellent in moderation.
There's my frustration: the anti-smoking Fascism that has come down so heavily in recent years that they've dismissed some of life's best pleasures. Namely, a cigar/pipe, a Guinness, alongside some intellectual discussion with one's closest compatriots. Nothing better in all of life in my opinion.
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I'm with you on the Guinness, and honestly I agree with you that pipe tobacco smells better than most everything else tobacco-related, but it's still a nasty habit and a nuisance to public health. Smoke at home, or at your friend's home, but not in the public square.
Gestapo enough for ya? =P
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I think Krispin's pretty much hit the nail on the head (again).
Cigarettes smell horrible and are quite a nuisance in the household. There is one guy who uses my bus stop at school, and smokes a pipe. It smells faintly of lavender, and something else. Not sure how to describe it. If you really have to smoke, please, PLEASE don't go for the cheap things. Make it something that won't drive crowds away.
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the smoke off of pipe tobacco is just much more pleasing to the senses than the smoke off of other tobacco.
Well, personally, I must admit to prefer cigars. Pipes, however, are a bit cheaper. That is, assuming you go for better quality ones in both. After all, you don't want to be smoking because you have to, but because it tastes good. Personally, I don't even smoke a pipe a day... just one every few days. The occassional cigar.
Then again, you've gotta be careful. Some people just have a natural bent to being addicted to smoking. I'm fortunate in that I'm not (ie. I can smoke a bit, then not for a week or two, and so on, without any adverse effects or cravings.) For me, it's just a matter of relaxation and enjoyment. From what most studies would show, there are no health drawbacks from such moderation (I myself would argue there are benefits, as the psychological effects of the relaxation are not usually accounted for.)
Of course, you don't usually get told that in regards to tobacco products. This is because cigarrettes are most certainly NOT good (after all, what's the point in smoking them? They don't even taste good.) They're cheap and dirty and really worthless. It's quite different if you smoke a nice tobacconist blend of pipe tobacco, or a nice Domincan cigar. So it's a shame that the stigma has extended to pipes and cigars, both of which are very excellent in moderation.
There's my frustration: the anti-smoking Fascism that has come down so heavily in recent years that they've dismissed some of life's best pleasures. Namely, a cigar/pipe, a Guinness, alongside some intellectual discussion with one's closest compatriots. Nothing better in all of life in my opinion.
shisha smells and tastes better than pipe tobacco, imho. a hookah is an elaborate smoking device though, and can be kind of a pain in the ass.
i am pro smoker's rights. why the hell can't you go out for a cigarette between planes at the airport without going back through security? the smoking rooms in the airport always reek of cancer and other diseases.
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I'm with you on the Guinness, and honestly I agree with you that pipe tobacco smells better than most everything else tobacco-related, but it's still a nasty habit and a nuisance to public health. Smoke at home, or at your friend's home, but not in the public square.
Gestapo enough for ya? =P
Oh, yeah, I do almost exclusively at home. I don't want to interfere with others. Especially considering the fact that, even if it's not immediately dangerous to most, there are those with, say, asthma, who might have a very adverse reaction. That sort of consideration is understandable.
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Liam Neeson's wife died.
:(
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Yes, I saw that, a grievous pity. From what I read, they had been married 15 years. What a rarity in Hollywood! Theirs seemed a strong love by the indications in the article.
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So I found out why it smells so bad over here. Step-brother has a friend over, and he's stoned out of his mind.
"What are you guys smoking down there? We can smell it through the whole house."
"Heh heh, noooothing. Nutmeg?"
I wish I had one of those ionic breeze things. Or a gas mask.
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So I found out why it smells so bad over here. Step-brother has a friend over, and he's stoned out of his mind.
"What are you guys smoking down there? We can smell it through the whole house."
"Heh heh, noooothing. Nutmeg?"
I wish I had one of those ionic breeze things. Or a gas mask.
Yeah, that stuff... doesn't smell so pleasant.
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Doesn't work when you smoke it either.
I'm frustrated with my internet. Dial Up sucks major BAWLS. And what's worse, I spent four hours downloading Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 only to have it give me a message stating that I'll need to download 2.0 service pack 1 in order to install 3.5.
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I always dealt with dial-up and slow connections using download managers (well, more like wget), checksums, and lots of time spent away from the computer. If it's really bad (like the 5 months I spent in Texas on dial-up speeds), I also disable flash, javascript, java, and images.
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God damn it, I threw out my back.
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Like my favorite band ever a while ago had one of their lead members leave, and now recently the lead singer is leaving and being replaced by someone else. The other guy is good and actually used to be in another one of my favorite bands, but it's just not going to be the same.
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Frustration: myself. Why: staying up all night to work on a paper that I should have started earlier.
Thing is, really, from a stoic point of view, all our frustration come back to ourselves.
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True... true...
Hey, remember how much I hate poor grammar and spelling and typos? We had a test in Biology today. Don't know what I got, but one of the answers had to do with eukarytoes. As opposed to eukaryotes, for people who don't get that.
I think I pulled something in my right wrist...
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I just took my Calc III final
U = <1,2,3> V = <4,5,6>
Using the cross product please prove that U x V are orthogonal to each other.
Then I blanked.
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That is why I stopped at Calc I!
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Microsoft Exceel.
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That is why I stopped at Calc I!
I'm skipping my math class, two and a half hours of review is two and a half hours too much.
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God damn it, I threw out my back.
That's what happens when you lose weight and become a twitchy skinny wreck. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc!
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Following Lord J here I'd like to state I hate it when words like "ergo" and "quid pro quo" are brought up by movie villains. Hannibal Lector and that old fart in the Matrix shouldn't need to talk like thesauruses to appear clever.
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Well, things like that are basic if you know Latin. Or the creators want the character to appear intelligent. In the Lion King in 'Be Prepared', Scar says, "Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected to take certain duties aboard." He's an evil genius, thus even though he's the villain of a kid's movie and he speaks Latin!
What upsets me about the usage of Latin phrases is the misuse of them. A group of people who graduate from college are not Alumnis, they are Alumni. A man who graduates from college is not an Alumni, but an Alumnus. And a woman who graduates from college is not an Alumni, nor an Alumnus. She is an Alumna, and a group of women who graduate from college are not Alumni but instead are Alumnae.
Continuing with my rant about Alumnus and all of its appropriate forms, the mispronunciation of words like this frustrate me. Most people will say 'AH-luhm-nae', with the 'ae' being a long I sound. Ha. Alumni, going by Latin pronunciation, should be 'ah-loom-nee', given that U's are pronounced as OOH sounds, and I is more like EE, as in knee. AE is the way they spell the I sound in Latin.
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I just find bringing a dead language into conversation just to flaunt your knowledge of said language to be smug. What does it prove? I can study Mayan and interject short phrases of that unused language into conversation, but does using them make me more clever than the next man?
I think it was most apparent in the second Matrix movie. Neo asks the architect who he is, and in 500 words or more he tells Neo "You're here because you're an anomally." Six words, eight if you don't want to use contractions, saying exactly what he said. Does taking six words and expanding them into a few hundred make you itelligent? If you're writing an essay, sure. If you're having a conversation, it makes you pretentious.
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You're talking about two different things: Originally you were ranting against foreign words. Then you suddenly started talking about verbosity. Big mistake to conflate them.
Taking each in turn, I disagree with you on both counts: I disagree with you that using foreign language is inherently smug, and I disagree with you that length in communication is inherently redundant. I think you would be hard-pressed to support your claims at this level. You would find more support by ditching the erroneous absolute associations and sticking to narrower claims which exist at the situational level.
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You're talking about two different things: Originally you were ranting against foreign words. Then you suddenly started talking about verbosity. Big mistake to conflate them.
Taking each in turn, I disagree with you on both counts: I disagree with you that using foreign language is inherently smug, and I disagree with you that length in communication is inherently redundant. I think you would be hard-pressed to support your claims at this level. You would find more support by ditching the erroneous absolute associations and sticking to narrower claims which exist at the situational level.
C'est vrai.
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You're talking about two different things: Originally you were ranting against foreign words. Then you suddenly started talking about verbosity. Big mistake to conflate them.
Taking each in turn, I disagree with you on both counts: I disagree with you that using foreign language is inherently smug, and I disagree with you that length in communication is inherently redundant. I think you would be hard-pressed to support your claims at this level. You would find more support by ditching the erroneous absolute associations and sticking to narrower claims which exist at the situational level.
C'est vrai.
No me digas.
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You're talking about two different things: Originally you were ranting against foreign words. Then you suddenly started talking about verbosity. Big mistake to conflate them.
You missed the bigger picture of my rant. I'm sorry your vision in the matter is clouded with your own personal views on flaunting expanded vocabulary. Suffice to say, throwing in common Latin sayings and talking in circles using the longest words you can find in a thesaurus like some "intellectual" villains tend to do in movies makes the characters look less like super geniuses and more like douchebags in my opinion.
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You're talking about two different things: Originally you were ranting against foreign words. Then you suddenly started talking about verbosity. Big mistake to conflate them.
You missed the bigger picture of my rant. I'm sorry your vision in the matter is clouded with your own personal views on flaunting expanded vocabulary. Suffice to say, throwing in common Latin sayings and talking in circles using the longest words you can find in a thesaurus like some "intellectual" villains tend to do in movies makes the characters look less like super geniuses and more like douchebags in my opinion.
They do that to make you hate them more. :D
My mom wants me to get her shit off of this computer with these three jumpdrives, right? Two problems with that. One, her shit is ICKY. It's just... gross. I don't want to dig through that. Two, the jumpdrives aren't being read by the computer. I can't find a different one, so it'll have to wait. And if she's not happy about it...
... screw her.
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Current frustration: Mom's going to the Rock Girl Gala in Seattle and I don't get to go. Age limits suck.
Is she trying to transfer her icky shit to another computer, or just store it on flash drives? If you're transferring it, you can put it all in a passworded RAR or ZIP file and use yousendit.com or megaupload.com to email it to her.
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My mom doesn't get stuff like that. I'm trying to transfer her documents, pictures (the ick part of the operation), maybe programs... I dunno.
But whatever. I'll figure it out.
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You missed the bigger picture of my rant. I'm sorry your vision in the matter is clouded with your own personal views on flaunting expanded vocabulary. Suffice to say, throwing in common Latin sayings and talking in circles using the longest words you can find in a thesaurus like some "intellectual" villains tend to do in movies makes the characters look less like super geniuses and more like douchebags in my opinion.
Feisty, aren't we? "Post hoc, ergo propter hoc" is the title of a logical fallacy. In English, that's "After this, therefore before of this." But people rarely refer to it in English; this phrase is a very foolish instance on which to press your argument. If you're going to take the Bill O'Reilly route and insist that even common expressions which are by convention given in a foreign language should be spoken in English (lest one become a dreaded "elitist"), then you're going to find yourself with a full-time citizen's crusade on your hands, as you attempt to undo the injustices of "douchebaggery" in law, music, art, philosophy, food, and plenty else. It's good you'll have your hands full with your little crusade, because only that would be sufficient to distract you from the highly inconvenient fact that the assimilation of foreign terms has been the major engine of growth in this language, and that any policy against foreign terms is both hypocritical and narrow-minded.
You could have made a perfectly legitimate point by narrowing your claim: Some people do indeed come off as pretentious by using foreign vocabulary when suitable English alternatives exist and there is no convention or context to provide an excuse. Unfortunately, this course of action did not occur to you. Well, here I am to help you out. Fas est et ab hoste doceri.
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You missed the bigger picture of my rant. I'm sorry your vision in the matter is clouded with your own personal views on flaunting expanded vocabulary. Suffice to say, throwing in common Latin sayings and talking in circles using the longest words you can find in a thesaurus like some "intellectual" villains tend to do in movies makes the characters look less like super geniuses and more like douchebags in my opinion.
Feisty, aren't we? "Post hoc, ergo propter hoc" is the title of a logical fallacy. In English, that's "After this, therefore before of this." But people rarely refer to it in English; this phrase is a very foolish instance on which to press your argument. If you're going to take the Bill O'Reilly route and insist that even common expressions which are by convention given in a foreign language should be spoken in English (lest one become a dreaded "elitist"), then you're going to find yourself with a full-time citizen's crusade on your hands, as you attempt to undo the injustices of "douchebaggery" in law, music, art, philosophy, food, and plenty else. It's good you'll have your hands full with your little crusade, because only that would be sufficient to distract you from the highly inconvenient fact that the assimilation of foreign terms has been the major engine of growth in this language, and that any policy against foreign terms is both hypocritical and narrow-minded.
You could have made a perfectly legitimate point by narrowing your claim: Some people do indeed come off as pretentious by using foreign vocabulary when suitable English alternatives exist and there is no convention or context to provide an excuse. Unfortunately, this course of action did not occur to you. Well, here I am to help you out. Fas est et ab hoste doceri.
By the way, not to nitpick, but I think you meant 'because' not 'before' when explaining propter. A little slip, I think you're mind right away went 'after/before.'
I'd think, honestly, that if someone knows what the term means, says it in the proper context, it's perfectly admissable. This is most especially the case with terms that have either fallen into general use, or being used in a technical sense, as Lord J was doing.
Oh, and teaflower, yeah, the whole thing with people misusing the ending on alumni (just as with formulae, etc.) does bug me. Though, to be fair to them, their pronuncation is somewhat correct, they're just using later Medieval Latin, and not the Classical you're used to. All the same, I don't see why it has to be done in many cases.
In reply to Lord J...
veritas est et a scelerato dici. :)
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Quite right. My mistake on the "before."
I must confess that I'm a fraud with Latin. I don't actually know Latin. What I do have is a handy reference source of Latin sayings and terms that I've used for a decade, and a generic understanding of Romantic vocabulary terms stemming from my Spanish instruction and my interest in etymology generally. So! Without knowing what you actually wrote, I'll try and translate it and you'll have to tell me if I'm right or wrong.
Actually, most of it is easy; I recognize all the root words except "scelerato." So, literally, you're saying something like "The truth is a ____ saying." The only thing that comes to mind for "scelerato" is the Irish word sceal, meaning "story," and, juxtaposed with "veritas" as it is, conceivably indicating a fiction or a wrongness. If that's right, then I imagine you're making a point to the effect of "The truth (as told to you by an enemy) may still be true, but it is not necessarily helpful."
Am I on the right track?
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I just drank an "Incredible Hulk".
Whoa.
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Once again I was not able to go with my family on vacation. First it was Hawaii for Christmas holidays, Now its Florida! Stupid school ruins everything. I always end up having to go to school because acording to mother: "If you miss too much school, you'll fail! ". I`m not magnificant for nothing, I am always able to catch up and pass everything. Another opportunity of fun gone...
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My 'Noles just lost in the opening round of the NCAA Tourney. In the first round. In overtime. It was a sliver of joy I could've used...but no. Fucking lame. Super Lame. Uber Lame. Lames Bond.
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@ Lord J
I thought my point was narrowed down enough. I was never trying to direct my gripes toward you, it was in reference to fictional characters in movies in such. The silver tongued villains are presented as pretentious bastards most of the time, intentionally I might add, but their predictable placement in media is just lame half the time. Not to mention the fact that they're mostly carbon copies, with all too perfect schemes planned out like a game of chess they can't lose. I prefer villains that are clever, but don't flaunt it in such over the top dialogue.
I thought I gave enough references to properly infer that I was speaking of movie villains, and if I came off as acerbic to your critiques I apologize. Been pretty busy with spring cleaning and was really lacking a lot of sleep when I composed that rant. So for lack of a better term I was prolly in a pretty bitchy mood. Then again, this is the thread for such tones.
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Quite right. My mistake on the "before."
I must confess that I'm a fraud with Latin. I don't actually know Latin. What I do have is a handy reference source of Latin sayings and terms that I've used for a decade, and a generic understanding of Romantic vocabulary terms stemming from my Spanish instruction and my interest in etymology generally. So! Without knowing what you actually wrote, I'll try and translate it and you'll have to tell me if I'm right or wrong.
Actually, most of it is easy; I recognize all the root words except "scelerato." So, literally, you're saying something like "The truth is a ____ saying." The only thing that comes to mind for "scelerato" is the Irish word sceal, meaning "story," and, juxtaposed with "veritas" as it is, conceivably indicating a fiction or a wrongness. If that's right, then I imagine you're making a point to the effect of "The truth (as told to you by an enemy) may still be true, but it is not necessarily helpful."
Am I on the right track?
Oh, yes, very close. Sceleratus means merely 'villain', much like hostis is enemy. So it's something near about 'it's true, even said by a villain.' I was poking fun at our many conflicts. I must admit myself, my Latin brain was dead when looking at what you had, since I could not for the life of me recall the meaning of either hostis or doceo until I consulted a dictionary. And the form of doceo, as doceri, entirely eluded me for a while (being a passive infinite, as I finally found.)
And no worries on the Latin. It sounded much like a famous saying, so I supposed you might have gotten it, and been able to by association get mine, which you essentially did. At least you got the gist of it. :)
Seriously, though, you should take Latin. I don't suppose it'd be much trouble for you.
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Alright, this frustration requires a bit of backstory.
A couple weeks back, I saw this big sign with Mario and Luigi drawn on it with marker. It was for a Battle of the Sexes competition held at my school. I grabbed a flyer and looked at the events. Volleyball... obstacle course... Family Feud... Inflatables of Death... ooh! looking at Tuesday, it's the day where we play video games! Mario and Luigi have their part, as we'll be playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl. I didn't see this on the sign, but we'll also be doing Dance Dance Revolution.
Two things I consider myself okay at.
I get the okay from my mom and the next day sign up for both. This was like, last Tuesday. I see that no one has signed up for DDR other than me and I'm the third girl to sign up for Smash, while there are about 10 guys already doing it. To check on how we're doing for sign ups, I look at the sheets again yesterday. Four more girls have signed up, as have a group of five guys for DDR. Meanwhile, there are three girls signed up for Smash with almost 30 guys signed up.
So essentially, this Tuesday, we're going to get our asses handed to us. I'm okay, but I'll be facing the likes of Dougles, who strikes fear into the heart of my one Smash nemesis, my one Smash nemesis Parker, Saad (who hates me because I almost took his head off with a door once), Smart Ian (I think...), and GOD knows who else!
See, this is the frustration. NOT ENOUGH GIRLS PLAY VIDEO GAMES. You look at our statistic center and see that the male to female ratio is 8.4:1! It's not fair. I'm going to Smash my way to victory to prove that just because you have boobs doesn't mean you can't kick a guy's ass in a video game!
... let's hope Mewtwo is similar to Lucario...
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어젯 밤에 감기가 걸렸는데 제 방은 너무 답답해서 잠을 잘 못한다.
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어젯 밤에 감기가 걸렸는데 제 방은 너무 답답해서 잠을 잘 못한다.
Um... I can't read that. Help? Please?
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... let's hope Mewtwo is similar to Lucario...
I think that Lucario is a bit heavier, but most of his attacks are similar to Mewtwo's. His Final Smash is pretty kickass: he floats to the top of the map and fires and huge laser beam across the whole stage, and it's pretty hard to dodge. Oh, and his voice sucks.
Good luck!
And your not-enough-girls problem doesn't really exist over here. At least half the DotA players in my class' random game nights are girls.
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There is a difference in their attacks though. All of his Aura-based attacks get stronger the more damage he has received. It's a little risky, but if you are good with dodging then there is little to no problem.
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My 'Noles lost. And in less than 24 hours the NCAA denies FSU's request to NOT take away some of St. Bobby's wins. I HATE THE NCAA!
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Frustration: My headphones broke. One of the earpieces fell off. I was able to tape it back together, but it doesn't sit right anymore. Maybe In a few months I'll be able to afford another pair like these..
Everglide = best headphones ever.
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I was never trying to direct my gripes toward you, it was in reference to fictional characters in movies in such. ... So for lack of a better term I was prolly in a pretty bitchy mood. Then again, this is the thread for such tones.
Fair enough!
If that's right, then I imagine you're making a point to the effect of "The truth (as told to you by an enemy) may still be true, but it is not necessarily helpful."
Am I on the right track?
Oh, yes, very close. Sceleratus means merely 'villain', much like hostis is enemy. So it's something near about 'it's true, even said by a villain.' I was poking fun at our many conflicts. I must admit myself, my Latin brain was dead when looking at what you had, since I could not for the life of me recall the meaning of either hostis or doceo until I consulted a dictionary. And the form of doceo, as doceri, entirely eluded me for a while (being a passive infinite, as I finally found.)
And no worries on the Latin. It sounded much like a famous saying, so I supposed you might have gotten it, and been able to by association get mine, which you essentially did. At least you got the gist of it. :)
Seriously, though, you should take Latin. I don't suppose it'd be much trouble for you.
"Villain," eh? It'd be very interesting, then, if that word is etymologically related to the Irish word for "story." Sounds more likely that I managed to get lucky without knowing the missing word.
It's too bad that I came along just after Latin fell out of general use. But, honestly, I think it's even better that English is the new "lingua franca." What an awesome language!
Praeterea censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.
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어젯 밤에 감기가 걸렸는데 제 방은 너무 답답해서 잠을 잘 못한다.
Um... I can't read that. Help? Please?
Google Translate says it's Korean: "It just took us a cold in my room last night, can not sleep so he got frustrated. "
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We had our state's version of proficiency tests this week.
Although I liked getting out of classes I despise the fact that we get 2 hours and 30 minutes to take this test and can't go straight to our gym for intermurals or just go home when we are done. It takes more than half of our class less than 30 minutes to finish these damn things, and we gotta sleep in these uncomfortable desks for 2 hours.
Total BS.
When we are done with this test, a. let us go home or b. let us go to our intermural period and to lunch.
Either way, I can't sit still for that amount of time and just sleep I have to talk to people or do something it's sooooooo boring.
So... F(_)Cl< you Graduations Tests...
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"So Z, we're doing financial planning. How much will we have to pay for your tuition?"
"You don't have to pay for my tuition. My college is free as long as I'm still in high school."
"Right, but what about transferring to DigiPen? When are you doing that?"
"I'm not. I'm going to finish my degree here."
"Okay, but when are you getting your Bachelor's? What's your plan for transfer?"
"I don't know how long I have left in my program, and I'm finishing my degree here. At least a year."
"Okay, but what about tuition? When are we going to have to pay?"
"You don't."
"Well how long do you have left?"
"Until I finish my high school credits, or I turn 21."
"So how long is that? When do we have to pay?"
My frustration: Drunk people that do not listen. Who knew not having to pay for school could be such a hassle.
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어젯 밤에 감기가 걸렸는데 제 방은 너무 답답해서 잠을 잘 못한다.
Um... I can't read that. Help? Please?
Google Translate says it's Korean: "It just took us a cold in my room last night, can not sleep so he got frustrated. "
Whoops, looks like I hit the wrong button and modified your post instead of replying. Sorry about that.
It says, "I caught a cold last night, but my room is too stuffy, so I can't sleep well."
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Frustration: Being unbelievably bored. Girlfriend is out of town visiting family. Friends are all out of town for Spring-breakness. I'm stuck with my Playstation 2 and all the RPG's I've already beaten 10 times, a television with basic cable broadcasting shows I've already seen re-runs of a million times, a library of DVD's I've already watched at least once each, and last but certainly not least the Chrono Compendium.
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Mooks.
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Misheard lyrics.
I was flipping through radio stations the other day while driving and landed on a song that seemed to be a lesbian love ballad. Rather impressed at the song and it being aired on what is, for the area, a fairly mainstream station, I later went online to find out more.
No, I had just totally misheard the lyrics. It was, in reallity, quite banal and utterly devoid of the guttsiness I had originally ascribed to it. Really, it was like someone had taken Twilight and made a song out of it.
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No, I had just totally misheard the lyrics. It was, in reallity, quite banal and utterly devoid of the guttsiness I had originally ascribed to it. Really, it was like someone had taken Twilight and made a song out of it.
Dear God!
... DEAR GOD!!!
... one of my SPED teachers is thinking of bringing in Twilight on Friday. If I have to fucking sit through that shitfest I'm either going to gouge my eyes and ears out, make everyone in the room read my novel FIVE FUCKING TIMES, or I will go on a murderous rampage, ending with me killing the cast of the Twilight movie, the directors and producers and all those people, draining Stephanie Meyer of all her blood, then taking every single fucking copy of that shitty book and the shitty follow up books or whatever and BURN THEM TO HELL.
I HATE TWILIGHT.
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Tea, I've decided I love you.
My frustration is neighbors. Specifically, duplex or apartment neighbors. Neighbors who don't know how to close a door any other way but slamming, with wives who don't know any form of communication besides shrieking, and kids who don't know any form of play time aside from apparently screaming and running into walls headfirst followed by crying. (Seriously, that's what it sounds like)
I'll be so glad to move.
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Don't forget apartment neighbours who play extremely loud techno music through huge subwoofers at three in the morning, the ones who practice their trombone on the other side of a thin wall, or the ones who always have parties right above your bedroom.
Other frustration: Horses are hard to draw.
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Tea, I've decided I love you.
My frustration is neighbors. Specifically, duplex or apartment neighbors. Neighbors who don't know how to close a door any other way but slamming, with wives who don't know any form of communication besides shrieking, and kids who don't know any form of play time aside from apparently screaming and running into walls headfirst followed by crying. (Seriously, that's what it sounds like)
I'll be so glad to move.
Everyone does. :D
Yeah, I hear you on the apartment thing. In one we lived above a family and below another. The one below us was nice, and the smell of Hispanic food drifted up from the basement. The one above... not so much. We called them the Horses, because they sounded like horses. The second apartment wasn't that great either, considering the landlady's mother lived upstairs and was loud. Now, we sort of have a duplexy thing going on. I couldn't get to sleep last night not just because of the pasta I ate (DAMN YOU COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES) but because the kids next door didn't seem to understand that they had school tomorrow and it was late. Thus they gossiped about who's going out with who and sang along with some song about a halo. Which made me cringe, because I couldn't tell who was worse... the girls singing along or the actual singer.
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Don't forget apartment neighbours who play extremely loud techno music through huge subwoofers at three in the morning, the ones who practice their trombone on the other side of a thin wall, or the ones who always have parties right above your bedroom.
Mexican techo/hip-hop for mine. *shudders*
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No, I had just totally misheard the lyrics. It was, in reallity, quite banal and utterly devoid of the guttsiness I had originally ascribed to it. Really, it was like someone had taken Twilight and made a song out of it.
Dear God!
... DEAR GOD!!!
I used that analogy just for you, actually ;)
Other frustration: Horses are hard to draw.
Which is a shame, since they make such great super villains.
Mexican techo/hip-hop for mine. *shudders*
O.o
Mexican techno? I am afraid. Regular techno is odd enough.
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Oh wait wait, better frustration! Drawing an anatomically correct horse, complete with saddle, gas mask, reigns, air tanks, and other details in an action pose, and colouring it realistically to match the style of other artists who draw and colour completely differently. Then drawing a storyboard of said pimped-out horse running. Weee. Oh yeah, and it's due this week.
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Frustration: Being unbelievably bored. ...a television with basic cable broadcasting shows I've already seen re-runs of a million times...
You should check out hulu.com. it's owned by nbc and fox (so it's legal), and they have a ton of free tv shows. The daily show and colbert report, heroes, always sunny in philadelphia, 30 rock, the office, and EVERY episode of arrested development to name a few gems. It's all really good quality streaming video with advertisements, which are a drag, but they're harmless and they do tell you how long till they're over.
They have a lot of movies too, but the list is less impressive.
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Misheard lyrics.
I was flipping through radio stations the other day while driving and landed on a song that seemed to be a lesbian love ballad. Rather impressed at the song and it being aired on what is, for the area, a fairly mainstream station, I later went online to find out more.
No, I had just totally misheard the lyrics. It was, in reallity, quite banal and utterly devoid of the guttsiness I had originally ascribed to it. Really, it was like someone had taken Twilight and made a song out of it.
That's what you get for listening to the radio.
You should check out hulu.com. it's owned by nbc and fox (so it's legal), and they have a ton of free tv shows. The daily show and colbert report, heroes, always sunny in philadelphia, 30 rock, the office, and EVERY episode of arrested development to name a few gems. It's all really good quality streaming video with advertisements, which are a drag, but they're harmless and they do tell you how long till they're over.
They have a lot of movies too, but the list is less impressive.
Thanks man I actually did check it out after seeing one of their goofy-ass commercials. There were some more obscure shows that I was disappointed that it didn't have, but oh well. It's Always Sunny and Arrested Development are two of my favorite shows, btw ("Magic, not tricks. Tricks are what hookers do for money *realizes kids are present* - aaannddd cocaine" - love it). And they seemed to have pretty much every episode of South Park in existence. Overall I'd say it's pretty cool and it can only get better.
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Other frustration: Horses are hard to draw.
Which is a shame, since they make such great super villains.
The THOROUGHBRED of SIN?! HAHAHAHA!
You should check out hulu.com. it's owned by nbc and fox (so it's legal), and they have a ton of free tv shows. The daily show and colbert report, heroes, always sunny in philadelphia, 30 rock, the office, and EVERY episode of arrested development to name a few gems. It's all really good quality streaming video with advertisements, which are a drag, but they're harmless and they do tell you how long till they're over. They have a lot of movies too, but the list is less impressive.
Thanks man I actually did check it out after seeing one of their goofy-ass commercials. There were some more obscure shows that I was disappointed that it didn't have, but oh well. It's Always Sunny and Arrested Development are two of my favorite shows, btw ("Magic, not tricks. Tricks are what hookers do for money *realizes kids are present* - aaannddd cocaine" - love it). And they seemed to have pretty much every episode of South Park in existence. Overall I'd say it's pretty cool and it can only get better.
Illusion, Mi-Chael!
and
Wild Card, BITCHES!
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I think I've watched "The Gang Solves The Gas Crisis" at least 80 times and I find something new to laugh at each time.
Dayman
aaaaahhhhhhAAAAAHHHHHaaaaahhhh
Fighter of the NIGHTMAN
aaaaahhhhhAAAAAHHHHHaaaaahhhhh
Champion of the Sun
aaaaahhhhhAAAAAHHHHHaaaaahhhhh
You're a Master of Karate, and Friendship for everyone!!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/sern_terd/dayman.jpg)
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don't forget the episodes with father o'hara! or just matt. or just rickety cricket.
"she told him she'd kiss him if he ate a horse turd. when he did it she wouldn't kiss him and she said it was because his breath smelled like shit."
To keep this on topic, you know what frustrates me? People who say they don't (or won't) like a show simply because they didn't find it on their own and somebody is suggesting it. I'm in a web design class in college and was assigned a group project. Make a website with CSS(nothing new).
So our topic is music and I wanted to do a site on Flight of the Conchords, simply because it's not genre specific, it's universally enjoyable, their fan base is huge and there is a lot of content available (fan art, music videos, photos, clips of the show, clips of their standup act, music clips, etc.) that we could use to build a site rather easily and enjoyably for everybody. The people in my group had no idea who Flight of the Conchords were and even when I showed them one of the funniest songs from the show on youtube, and they laughed their asses off, they still didn't want to admit they liked it. They were all "we don't have HBO" and I was all "that's why I bought the DVDs until I could afford HBO". In the end, I showed the professor "Too Many Dicks on the Dancefloor" and it was decided that we SHOULD in fact do the project on them, which I consider only a small victory, as my team members still want to half ass it.
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Yeah I think that It's Always Sunny beats out Arrested Development in the hilarity department. But it's close.
Oh man I wish I could remember the exact quote from the Dennis and Dee go on Welfare episode. I'll probably butcher it but:
"My retarded sister and I are recovering crack addicts"
"Your sister...is retarded?"
*points at the backwards bicycle helmet*
"Can't you tell?"
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i think that one may be too close to call. i'd have to say that arrested development won me first, it's always sunny in pa won me much quicker. but i think both have strokes of genius in every episode.
the office, flight of the conchords, and even 30 rock are all fantastic, but each has at least one bad episode. i don't feel that way about development or sunny. EVERY episode is good. which is also subtlely frustrating. why'd they have to raise the bar so high damnit?
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I haven't touched French in over three years now, but if I can get back to a pretty fluent intermediate state with my reading and listening in the next few weeks and pass a government proficiency test, I get a $200+ bonus every month. The only bad part is that all my French study materials (textbooks, notes, CDs) from college are back in the states, so I'm having to make due with whatever I can find.
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I learned my French from Chef Louie.
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Virus going around Washington pretending to be System Security, or scan4any.com. Don't know how to get rid of it. If you see this site, run for your life. There's also another virus or trojan that's supposed to stay dormant until April 1st. Any computer connected to shared networks (especially in colleges) in Washington state are at greater risk, so be sure to scan your computers thoroughly before the month is over.
"An error occurred while trying to uninstall System Security 2009. It may have already been uninstalled.
Would you like to remove System Security 2009 from the Add/Remove Programs list?"
But, of course, it hasn't been uninstalled. Can't remove it that way. Anyone know any other ways?
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How does the virus get installed?
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I do not know. When I woke up this morning, mom was shaking me and telling me the computer was acting screwy. Only had time to run an AdAware scan before leaving for school. I think it's fine for now, but I'm not sure. Just be careful what you download.
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"Ugh, Israel are monsters! They are killing innocent people for no reason!"
Shut the fuck up. Just shut the fuck up.
When you get punched in the face, do you go and let them continue? Or do you fight back?
Now, say they're still punching your face after 60 years, aren't you tired of it? Don't you just want to beat the living shit out of them? That's exactly what's going on.
Fuck Palestine. Fuck all those children who think Jews are monsters. YOU ARE THE MONSTERS.
If there could ever be another genocide...
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"Ugh, Israel are monsters! They are killing innocent people for no reason!"
Shut the fuck up. Just shut the fuck up.
When you get punched in the face, do you go and let them continue? Or do you fight back?
Now, say they're still punching your face after 60 years, aren't you tired of it? Don't you just want to beat the living shit out of them? That's exactly what's going on.
Fuck Palestine. Fuck all those children who think Jews are monsters. YOU ARE THE MONSTERS.
If there could ever be another genocide...
I have a close friend who lives in Haifa, and I totally hear you man. I really don't understand how the world possibly makes Israel out to be the bad guys in their combat situations.
I mean, if your neighbors tried to set your house on fire every other day, in hopes of killing you, while voicing their hopes of killing you every time they had a chance, would the logical response from the police be "ask them nicely to stop and give them some stuff to try and convince them."
The leaders of the world are so fucking stupid.
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Ah, the Middle East. Religious war for millennia, and perhaps for another century to come. Thanks, faith.
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If there could ever be another genocide...
Wishing for another genocide would make you the monster. and israel is a monster, just like any other religious states. though, the most i do about my dislike for israel is that i make sure not to buy israeli products...they certainly produce a lot of sweet peppers.
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Edit: Even for the frustration thread I was harsh. My apologies. I have rather strong feelings and personal attachments to this issue, so I'll leave it at that.
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I am aware that they are people, like you and I. I live in Canada now and I see many cultures. I see "fresh off the boat" immigrants and I see 2nd and 3rd generation "immigrants" and I don't have a problem with any of them (except maybe some Chinese...). What I don't have sympathy for is their 'plight'. I don't have sympathy for religiously driven wars, conflicts etc. I don't like israel as a whole (or palestine for that matter). I don't have a problem with israeli people. edit: being Jewish has nothing to do with it, btw.
It is possible to like people as individuals but not the institution they represent or work for or believe in etc.
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I was a bit out of line on that one. Edited to keep things somewhat clean.
I don't have sympathy, nor give support for religious wars either. But the way I see it, hezbollah and hamas fired first, they broke the ceasefires first, and they continue to front an effort to wipe Israel off the map. Israel in return defends itself, and in an ironic twist gains the ire of the UN and others.
All religious methods aside, the reactions are natural. Israel could be a nation of athiests and would probably still come to the conclusion of "blow up the guys shooting rockets at us".
It's a damn shame too. Conflicts aside, Israel is a beatiful country, especially the Mediterranean cities, that I'd love to go back and visit on my own terms.
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If there could ever be another genocide...
Wishing for another genocide would make you the monster. and israel is a monster, just like any other religious states. though, the most i do about my dislike for israel is that i make sure not to buy israeli products...they certainly produce a lot of sweet peppers.
Yeah, I was just a little pissed off.
But still, Israel is not the badguy here. It's Hamas and no matter what you say, their only agenda is to wipe the Israeli's off the map.
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I hear that Israel shuts off all the water (or maybe it was electricity) in Gaza sometimes in retaliation for suicide bomb attacks. This, in turn, breeds more suicide bomb attacks. There's several facets to the Israel/Palestinian conflict, and I think simple standard of living issues are just as important to the equation as religion. Then there's also the sense of national humiliation the Palestinians likely feel as they're going through all this.
I'm not saying that Israel shouldn't protect its people, just that it's doing it wrong.
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Faust, the closest thing to Israel shutting down water that I could find in reliable news sources (rather than blogs that just cite each other) is that, due to blockades, the water systems (and sewer, and electric) basically get to the point where they cease functioning. It appears that the situation is not that Israel shuts off water to Gaza like the water company might shut off water to you if you don't pay your bills; rather, it appears to be closer to water being shut off because the water company went under and no one is working there. However, even that much was difficult to find and I am not sure how trustworthy it is.
Israel is in a lot of no win scenarios. They need to have Jewish settlements in non-Jewish land removed, but it is REALLY bad press for any nation to be attacking its own citizens (even when those citizens are in the wrong). A government can't stay in power long if the news agencies can show its military forcing its citizens out of their homes.
Israel is trying to establish a peace with groups who are supported by nations that refuse to recognize the state of Israel and have vowed to erradicate it off the face of the planet.
Israel has to appease the western nations of the world, even when the western nations are full of crap, because it can't survive without external lifelines.
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I do not know. When I woke up this morning, mom was shaking me and telling me the computer was acting screwy. Only had time to run an AdAware scan before leaving for school. I think it's fine for now, but I'm not sure. Just be careful what you download.
If you have one of the newer processors from the last two years or so, you should add some more RAM to your machine and install Windows XP on a virtual machine using Sun VirtualBox or Microsoft Virtual PC (both free), and just leave them running full screen for other people to use. Then make copies of the virtual hard drive every now and then as backups, and when things go wrong, switch back to the old hard drive images.
Anyway, I'm interested in how the virus might be installed, since I'm currently studying software reverse engineering in my spare time and sort of want to disassemble and figure out this virus.
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Faust, the closest thing to Israel shutting down water that I could find in reliable news sources (rather than blogs that just cite each other) is that, due to blockades, the water systems (and sewer, and electric) basically get to the point where they cease functioning. It appears that the situation is not that Israel shuts off water to Gaza like the water company might shut off water to you if you don't pay your bills; rather, it appears to be closer to water being shut off because the water company went under and no one is working there. However, even that much was difficult to find and I am not sure how trustworthy it is.
Israel is in a lot of no win scenarios. They need to have Jewish settlements in non-Jewish land removed, but it is REALLY bad press for any nation to be attacking its own citizens (even when those citizens are in the wrong). A government can't stay in power long if the news agencies can show its military forcing its citizens out of their homes.
Israel is trying to establish a peace with groups who are supported by nations that refuse to recognize the state of Israel and have vowed to erradicate it off the face of the planet.
Israel has to appease the western nations of the world, even when the western nations are full of crap, because it can't survive without external lifelines.
Actually, Thought, regarding the water being shut down, I've heard first-hand accounts regarding that. Some friends of the family have relatives over there and have spoken of such things going on. So it's not just a rumour or anything: it does actually occur. In fact, I've heard at times that what you have is the Israelis watering their lawns whilst the Palestinians across the way are going thirsty.
And this is not just to those groups that are antagonistic to Israel. The family I'm speaking of are Christian arabs, and are somewhat seperate from the typical Jewish/Islamic conflicts of the area. This is not a tactical move against those who bear extreme enmity, but against civilians and groups who are essentially neutral. So it becomes very difficult to justify, indeed, nearly impossible. Pragmatically, as a political move, perhaps... yet many terrible things have been done in the past in the name of political appeasement.
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I heard about the water/electricity shutting off from a Palestinian friend, but I can't verify it personally. Closest thing I can find offhand is Bibi Netanyahu suggesting that it be done back in 2007:
http://www.nogw.com/download/_07_netanyahu_shut_off_gaza_water.pdf
You're right, it's important to get the facts straight on things like this so I don't sound like I'm running around bashing Israel willy-nilly. Good thing I didn't mention rumors that Starbucks coffee is made from Palestinian baby's blood...just a joke among hardline Palestinians apparently, but that sounds like the blood libel rumors all over again, doesn't it? I worry that as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict drags on, it's promoting a culture in the Middle East that is not only anti-Zionist, but also anti-Jewish (isn't everyone Semitic over there?). It's like history repeating itself, only there's nukes in the mix this time, and the geographical focus of the conflict just happens to sit right next to a hill called Armageddon.
Oh, looks like Dan's heard some of the same things.
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Two things that are getting me right now. One: my sister, who was doing so good about knocking before coming into my room, has stopped knocking. I'm looking at an online store for something to buy her for her birthday and she just waltzes right in. It really bugs me.,.. especially when I want the thing to be a surprise!
Second, these terrible headaches I just started getting today. One minute I'm fine, the next my head hurts so much I have to take a nap. I took some medicine, I've been eating and drinking... it hasn't helped.
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Oh I didn't mean to imply that it definately isn't happening. I just couldn't confirm one way or the other. The few sources I could find weren't about that specifically, but seemed to relate to a deteriorating infrastructure that leads to similar results.
Daniel: The historian in me wants to now grill you for information ;)
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It's like history repeating itself, only there's nukes in the mix this time, and the geographical focus of the conflict just happens to sit right next to a hill called Armageddon.
Funny, isn't it?
Yeah, I do find it kinda strange that Semitic is commonly used to refer to Jews alone, when technically all the Arabs, Jews, old Babylonians... all those are Semitic peoples. It's unfortunate that they must be ranged in this conflict, yet I don't think there's really much of a solution to it. Such old hatreds of embattled peoples are difficult to put aside even in the best of times.
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Sorry for interuptting anything but I am frustrated as hell that KHInsider is NOT giving answers as to why the download section is down and furthermore they chew people out just for asking. http://forums.khinsider.com/feedback-support/announcements.html So where's the beef?
Little innocent Bob or Joe comes in and asks but gets chewed the hell out. http://forums.khinsider.com/feedback-support/124413-wtf-happened-downloads.html
http://forums.khinsider.com/feedback-support/124416-what-s-point-running-khd-if-there-s-no-download-huh.html I don't blame him for being mad if he got the rude treatment. :picardno :(
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Computer viruses, rootkits, etc. At least with an honest robbery, you can know what was stolen and take appropriate actions. But with these, getting rid of the infection is only half the work involved.
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@Triforce: I don't think you need to make a post in the frustration thread considering you put one in its own topic. It frustrates me as well (WANT SMASHING LIVE DAMMIT) but unless you take over KHInsider and find a way to fund everything, there's nothing you can do. Remember the serenity prayer (if you're religious like that), because I certainly don't.
@The discussion about viruses: Viruses suck. They're horrible and they make your computer run slow and do all sorts of other nasty stuff to your computer. One of the computers in my house is basically useless now, because of a virus. It got a virus a long time ago and now runs insanely slowly. I guess it never really got over it.
Current frustration: My history teacher. Aside from being absent while I was out yesterday, she apparently made a mistake. She signed me up to do a paper on Autism and signed another girl up to do mental illness. The other girl apparently narrowed her topic down to... Autism. We're going to work something out tomorrow but... IT WAS MY IDEA FIRST!!!
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You should be fine as Autism is not a mental illness but a development disorder.
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You should be fine as Autism is not a mental illness but a development disorder.
True, but her thesis statement was on Autism. So was mine. I'm frustrated because my history teacher didn't do something to prevent this. Because either I do a paper on Autism or she does. Not both.
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Why not both? Is that a rule by the teacher? Or do you not want someone to do the same topic as you?
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Why not both? Is that a rule by the teacher? Or do you not want someone to do the same topic as you?
It is a rule. We can't do the same thing as another student, as it's easy to just copy off of them. But whatever. My paper shall be grand...
... GRAND I SAY!
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In a (usually) milder connotation of the word, it frustrates me when authors are so oblivious about detail that they'll almost never state which hand a character is using for a given activity. If it's something simple and fleeting, like saying hello and waving to a passerby on the street, then it isn't as important to know which hand they're using. But for anything significant, I want to be told explicitly. I don't like making an assumption about handedness, so the lack of information hinders my visualization. (Although most of the time I end up deciding that the author just didn't care enough to bother, so I get to pick and choose. The mooks end up being right-handed.)
I suspect that this happens most often with clueless right-handed authors who by virtue of their overwhelming majority in society have never given handedness much thought. I often see it in visual art as well, with the artist getting obvious details backwards or committing continuity errors.
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Or, worse still, when the author refers to a single hand as 'the hand', as if it should be taken as a given that it's the right one. (Obviously it won't be the left one, because authors invariably feel a need to state when it's the left hand as if it were some perverseness.)
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Or it might be that most authors utilize the statistical mode of humans in order to avoid Reinventing the Wheel and unnecessary Infodumps (both of which are traits that make for bad writing).
Writers are usually urged to only include that which is important to a story. The handedness of a character tends to be unimportant... except when it is important, which is when authors state it, and it tends to be important because it is outside of the statistical mode.
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In a (usually) milder connotation of the word, it frustrates me when authors are so oblivious about detail that they'll almost never state which hand a character is using for a given activity. If it's something simple and fleeting, like saying hello and waving to a passerby on the street, then it isn't as important to know which hand they're using. But for anything significant, I want to be told explicitly. I don't like making an assumption about handedness, so the lack of information hinders my visualization. (Although most of the time I end up deciding that the author just didn't care enough to bother, so I get to pick and choose. The mooks end up being right-handed.)
I suspect that this happens most often with clueless right-handed authors who by virtue of their overwhelming majority in society have never given handedness much thought. I often see it in visual art as well, with the artist getting obvious details backwards or committing continuity errors.
Read Watchmen.
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Writers are usually urged to only include that which is important to a story. The handedness of a character tends to be unimportant... except when it is important, which is when authors state it, and it tends to be important because it is outside of the statistical mode.
You are speaking of relative importance--importance as perceived by the observer. On those terms, I would disagree with you entirely--which matters not a whit. However, it is hand-specificity's importance in absolute terms that I was getting at previously. Note that I wasn't referring to handedness per se; I was talking about the much simpler information of which hand a person is using to perform a given task. That information is significant very often, objectively, because the hands are the center of most human activity and usually pertain to any human action happening in a story. Most physical interaction with another person, or humanoid, requires knowing which hand they're using for a given action. More fundamentally, our understanding of our own position and motion requires knowing which hand we're using (for a given action). In real life we process this information without even thinking about it, taking it totally for granted, but imagine how much trouble we would be in if we didn't have it!
Now, there is a more general, tangentially related point: You mentioned the principle of relevance...of clean, crisp prose not cluttered by extraneous information. Most of the time, hand specification requires only a single four- or five-letter adjective in front of a noun that's already there. The rest of the time, it's a matter of adding one short phrase. From that small investment, a considerable gain can be realized. If the writer specifies which hand their character is using to hold a cup, the reader can and usually will put that information to immediate use. What's really interesting, though, and directly central to this little vignette, is that, by including this information, the reader may be able to see even more than what they are told, purely by association. Try it yourself:
He was holding a cup of tea in his hand.
He was holding a cup of tea in his left hand.
Functionally, these two sentences are identical. But they have two different impacts on the reader: The former is straightforward. Reading it is a passive experience. We understand that the character is holding a cup of tea. But the second sentence provokes our thoughts. In addition to providing us with the basic information of the cup in the left hand, very obviously the mention of the left hand raises the question of what the character's right hand is doing. Less obviously, the asymmetry of the description generates further details in the image.
In visualization, the brain takes all kinds of shortcuts: In a non-visual medium, like a book, have you ever known what a character's voice sounds like or face looks like, even without explicit description by the author? If so, have you noticed that, when you try and pin it down, you don't actually have all the details? The brain uses symbols and associations and partial constructions to illustrate only what it considers relevant; it never paints the entire picture into a literal image as we might see it in reality.
Owing to our evolutionary past, lateral information about animals and especially fellow humans is one of these things that people consistently notice. In fact, the impressiveness of how easily artists neglect to include such information in their writing and drawing is more likely a testament to the significance than insignificance of this information: Specifically, I propose it is so important that it predates our higher consciousness. Thus, while many people don't think to include it in their work, everyone reacts to it--whether they realize it or not. Asymmetry in the human form is very significant to us. You don't even need to take my word for it; you probably already know it. Anything that can appeal to our older brain structures is significant to the skillful writer, who can exploit our biases to describe scenes without stretching into the uncontroversially disadvantageous realm of verbosity and superfluity. (Yeah, yeah, I know....) Thus, the mere mention of a word like "left" or "right" adds a hefty spatial dimension into the author's description, which the reader's brain readily seizes upon to create even more imagery. Try it yourself with other sentence constructions that are hand-neutral and then hand-specific.
Lastly, although I am not implying that you would fail to make the distinction, nevertheless I want to point out the distinction between the quality of a piece of writing and its level of detail. They are independent variables. It's certainly possible for a writer to incorporate hand-specificity in a way that detracts from the quality of their work, but this is not inherently because they are being verbose or straying off-topic. Any such detraction is more likely due to deficiencies in the writer's skill or technique.
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The rest of the time, it's a matter of adding one short phrase. From that small investment, a considerable gain can be realized.
Quite right, but I think you might be undervaluing the potential of this. Consider your own example:
He was holding a cup of tea in his hand.
He was holding a cup of tea in his left hand.
Consider that in light of a straight up, no nonsense sentence:
He was holding a cup of tea.
That he was holding it in his hands is assumed (if he was holding it with his foot, that would be unusual enough to merit mention, for example). Adding "in his hand" emphasizes that he was holding tea. Adding "in his left hand" instead further stresses the fact that he was holding tea. Yes, it brings up all the issues you mentioned, but fundamentally it draws attention to itself. Which is all well and good, if it serves a purpose. If it does not serve a purpose, if the tea has no reason to be stressed, if the author doesn't want a reader to pause over this information, then it is useless and aught be discarded. But if it serves a purpose, if the tea has a reason to be stressed, if the author wants a reader to pause over this information, then by all means it should be included.
One might call it a verbose form of underlining words and phrases.
If so, have you noticed that, when you try and pin it down, you don't actually have all the details?
Yup. To note, that can be an intention trick of the author. By leaving a character ill defined in the text, it allows the reader to "fill in the holes," as it were. Most individuals will vaguely fill in the holes with those features that are most familiar to them, creating an image of a character that appears familiar and thus, trusted. When done properly, this can increase the empathy that the reader feels for that character without requiring additional text.
Thus, the mere mention of a word like "left" or "right" adds a hefty spatial dimension into the author's description, which the reader's brain readily seizes upon to create even more imagery.
I quite agree; however, the issue seems to be more of when it should be included (and in turn, why isn't it included more). You seem to want it mentioned more often, I want it mentioned only when necessary. This disagreement is all in a hypothetical world; in reality, we might agree perfectly on if it belongs in any given place.
Lastly, although I am not implying that you would fail to make the distinction, nevertheless I want to point out the distinction between the quality of a piece of writing and its level of detail.
Quite right again, however I would in turn point out that I never made a claim regarding quality of a piece. The closest I came was in regards to what writers are urged to do. Admittedly, one could take such guidelines that writers receive to be rules for desirable levels of quality, but in practice these tend to be rough crutches used for novice wordsmiths until they learn better. For example, Infodumping is considered bad, but Heinleining (a type of infodump) is considered good. Writers are urged to show, not tell, yet at times something isn't important enough to show and should be gotten out of the way with a quick tell. But the point being, if writers are urged in one direction, even if that direction isn’t the way a master of the craft would go, it is understandable that one would see if often in writing.
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I've had "quite" enough of your bad forum tags, mister!
Anyhow: Our difference seems to be mainly stylistic, and I am not suggesting that everyone gets frustrated when an author is serially vague about hand-specificity. I stand by my hypothesis, however, that such information is innately useful and does produce a stronger mental image in the reader's mind. I also disagree that the strength of that piece of the image would inherently distract from the reader's focus on the whole, conjecturing instead that, absent some incompetence on the writer's part, the inclusion of hand-specific information would be assimilated into the whole with productive results. I suppose that from your point of view the key bit to recognize is that hands and their actions are not so heavily referenced, and that qualifying those instances with a "left" or "right" in most cases would not introduce any flaws or irrelevancies that were not already there.
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I've had "quite" enough of your bad forum tags, mister!
I have no idea what you are talking about!
<.<
>.>
That does seem to be a bad habit of mine. I'd have thought I'd have learned better by now.
So to get this thread back on track, let me say that a frustration of mine is how difficult it is for me to change a bad habit.
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I'm kind of stuck in the middle with this debate. While handedness can be very useful, I don't use it much. Usually, when unspecified, I believe the character is doing something with his right, as the majority of people are right handed. When the character is described to be holding two objects, I usually envision the character holding the former object in his right and the latter in his left, unless otherwise specified.
However, handedness is very very important in many stories. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom should be found innocent because Mayella Ewell was beaten about the right side of her face, suggesting the person who did it lead with his left. Mr. Ewell is left handed, while Tom cannot use his left arm at all. Other times, it is simply too wordy. I know which hand my characters use predominantly (Zach = right, Alex = left, Aurora = right, Lovell = right, Mayim = right, Seren = ambidextrous but prefers right, Aderyn = same as Seren, Sinclair = ambidextrous but prefers left), but writing all that down can lead to many inconsistencies. Maybe I decided Alex is right handed half way through the story and write it down as such. Not good!
In the end, though, it's all about preference.
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Maybe it's the mystical 'otherness', but being right-handed myself, I tend in writing to attribute left-handedness to my more heroic characters. If there's someone I'm writing that I find particularly interesting or exceptional, I would tend to give them the left, rather than the right. Due to its relative rareness, I suppose it underlines the character as standing out from the rest. And of course, my style isn't such that I'd draw particular attention to it (ie. I loathe those 'descriptive' paragraphs that give every single trait and attribute of a character in short.) If there's left-handedness involved, it'll not draw undue attention to itself, but exist as inherent in the figure.
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I'm sorry; I only read the part about left-handers as heroic figures. Daniel, why didn't you ever tell me you were a Man of Wisdom?
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You know what bothers me? The concept of the one way street. It's not just about traffic (but that's part of it), but about giving and receiving things.
Let me lay out the basic concept of downtown Fitchburg. It is a mass of one way streets. Because someone decided it would be fun to make the business section of a bustling mill town composed mostly of streets you can only go one way down. And then situate the court there. UMASS Boston has a similar set up. You miss a turn, you have to go ALL THE WAY AROUND THE WHOLE CAMPUS to get back to where you want to be.
Second, on the whole giving and receiving thing. My dear older sister expects everyone to knock before entering her room, then ask if they can come in. Even me, even though I have stuff in there. Like my clothes. I'm not going to go to school in my pajamas! ... unless it is pajama day. Anyway, this rule doesn't apply to her. I'm sitting in here with the door cracked so I can hear people call me and stuff and let the cat in and out if she wants to, and my sister just barges in. She hops on my bed, then mocks me for the sounds I have play when I send/receive IMs and my choice of wallpaper (ooh, Sailor Saturn!; ooh, Aeris!; ooh, yuri! [I didn't even know what that was until she told me!]). When I was in the big room we used to share, she would walk in without knocking at all, causing some... embarrassment... from me... (getting into pajamas, holding cat; fortunately she covered all of my parts) This wasn't just when we were sharing the room. She would do this even when the room was mine. Her reasoning? Her stuff was in there.
However, now she continues to barge into my room. And I can't do the same to her. Because it's not nice. Even though my shit is in her room. It just makes me want to strangle her. Break her skinny little spine in half...
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However, now she continues to barge into my room. And I can't do the same to her. Because it's not nice. Even though my shit is in her room. It just makes me want to strangle her. Break her skinny little spine in half...
i had the same problem with my buddy/neighbor barging into my HOME whenever he felt like it. every time he'd be all "what were you jerkin it?" and i'd be all "no but i coulda been" till i just started locking my door and stopped answering it. i told him there was a new rule. call before you come over. it didn't keep him from trying, but he knew if he came over and the door was locked, he had to call. and even then, if i heard him touch that door at all, i'd let the phone just ring and ring.
cause fuck em. if they don't show you respect, they don't deserve respect. i'd reccomend getting your clothes out of her room if she continues the same behavior, and if you can't, just go in. all you have to do is shout the words "GOLDEN RULE" every time, which can be used doubly as a warning and a justification.
just a suggestion. good luck with that!
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How the entrance of a single female into my life cane completely flip it upside down and render me into a quivering mess of weaknesses and insecurities, as I allow her complete access to my heart. Seriously, was doing just fine and dandy, going strong and now I find so many things to worry about, the oddest insecurities have been rising up to slap me in the face. Insecurities such as, every time she's gone unexpectedly, I worry that I've done something that will make her leave me, when I know I haven't. Little instances where I know something logically, and yet these little worries, despite my logic, rise up in size and say, listen here, bitchboy, she's dumping your faggot ass and there's nothing you can do about it. Of course, this isn't the truth, but in the expanse of time it takes her to get back in contact with me, it's as if the very substance of the world is unraveling around me.
And as much as I complain about it, I love every minute of it because of the way she makes me feel when she is around. Am I masochistic son of a bitch or what.
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Spent half of the day writing a css style, which always looked different among IE5.5, 6,7.
But when I finally made it look correct, I tried it in IE8, wtf, it changed again. :x
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Writing for IE is... ugh. I always feel like buying people beers when they tell me they're having to do something along the lines of writing for IE.
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Trolls, spineless twerps, disorganized organizations, and having an MRE for dinner after skipping breakfast and lunch.
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[. . .] and having an MRE for dinner after skipping breakfast and lunch.
OUCH. That does suck. Haha, and the hunger still didn't make it taste better?
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[. . .] and having an MRE for dinner after skipping breakfast and lunch.
OUCH. That does suck. Haha, and the hunger still didn't make it taste better?
Smoking pot would probably make it taste better, haha. Or at least it may make you THINK it tastes better. But seeing as you're obviously eating MRE's against your will, I'd say weed is not an option.
Try beer. If possible.
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Smoking pot would probably make it taste better, haha. Or at least it may make you THINK it tastes better.
One and the same thing. But I'd advise against it anyhow. Not only would it increase your hunger and appetite but it would probably make you crave delicious ice cream sandwiches, and then you'd be stuck with the MRE's instead. That would be worse torture than skipping breakfast and lunch.
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Kind of funny yet sad in a way that everywhere I go there's someone talking about pot or weed. Never expected it to be a constant on here either.
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yeah, because you would never expect hardcore gamers to smoke pot. *rolls eyes*
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Maybe I'm off in this characterization, but I get the impression that the people on this forum aren't the kinds of gamers who regularly get stoned and play Halo for hours on end.
To stay on topic: I haven't read my supervisor's yearly review yet, and I'm a little nervous about it. I have to meet with him tomorrow to discuss it, too. Also, I really need to get the hell out of town for a while and go camping...
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yeah, because you would never expect hardcore gamers to smoke pot. *rolls eyes*
Where I'm from they are the only group that doesn't actually.
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yeah, because you would never expect hardcore gamers to smoke pot. *rolls eyes*
- I didn't expect it to be talked about like it's an amazing thing to do.
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The people that do smoke pot speak of it like it's an amazing thing to do. Those who do not smoke it, do not speak praise for it. I think I'm in your boat here.
And I'd be proud to be a hardcore gamer in Kebber's area :D
Other frustrations... ate a burrito too quickly. Feels like there's a brick in my chest. Yay!
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Mara-JU-ana is bad, Mmkay.
(http://pubpages.unh.edu/~kmt47/IMAGES/MrMackey.jpg)
Edit: I have smoked pot before, for almost a full year in high school. Quit cold turkey one day, tried it again half a year ago and got sick.
So yeah, it's not that amazing a thing to do.
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Yes, there are far better drugs than weed out there kids. :mrgreen:
/badinfluence
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Yes! Like Seroquel!
Oh my god, I'm going to kill people slowly and painfully. Like this douche sitting next to me, calling me a dude. It's fucking ridiculous how angry I am right now.
Today we took the first part of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assesment System, or MCAS. All public schools in Massachusetts MUST take the MCAS. If you do not pass the MCAS, you will not graduate any public school in Massachusetts. I needed to write a long composition essay thing on pride. So I'm sitting with my number 2 pencil, trying to write a decent paper, and I'm about to rip my hair out. You see, the people were being LOUD. They were laughing. They were talking. They were gossiping. They were discussing their papers. The teachers told them to shut up, but they didn't. I had to leave.
Worst excuse for a standardized test.
EVER.
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Shit, That happened to me during my CST test, too.
More or less.
I suggest you don't lose your temper, and find the library, or somewhere quiet where you can finish it in peace, because that test is obviously more important then kicking the asses of some immature students who will be working at McDonalds because they were talking during their final exams.
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You're all just weak-minded. I could ace an essay exam using a pen in the middle of a night club with hot, topless girls all around me and lots of beer and painfully loud dance music after downing several beers and working all day.
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Today we took the first part of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assesment System, or MCAS. All public schools in Massachusetts MUST take the MCAS. If you do not pass the MCAS, you will not graduate any public school in Massachusetts.
In Texas it's called the TAKS or something. I had to take it in High School before I could graduate. It was one of the most sorry excuses for a standardized test I have ever seen in my entire life. I shit you not, this was literally a question from it:
Which of the following is alive?
a) A rock
b) A fish
c) The moon
d) A pair of scissors
I'm pretty sure those were the answer choices although I am unsure of the right order they were in.
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... pfft.
Oh my god, Chris Brinkley. My hoverer.
HAS JOINED.
Oh my god.
The world is ending.
Forgive me, Compendium!
Please!
I didn't mean to get him interested!
FORGIVE ME! *cry*
Also, if I have to put up with the shit I put up with this morning, I'm going to not come to school anymore. I'm just... not.
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Anybody else online here get up and smell the damn coffee!
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You're all just weak-minded. I could ace an essay exam using a pen in the middle of a night club with hot, topless girls all around me and lots of beer and painfully loud dance music after downing several beers and working all day.
That's nothing. You must have ridden the short bus as a kid. I could ace an essay exam in a language I've never even seen, on a subject I know nothing about, using only a charcoal briquette and a napkin, at four o'clock in the morning, after not sleeping for nine days, and drinking fifths and taking sleeping pills all evening, while falling out of an airplane without a parachute, in a Houdini water tank spinning at 22,000 RPG, in which I am trapped and handcuffed and have no breathing gear, in a blizzard in the dark midst of a freezing Antarctic winter, as high-energy radioactive meteorites explode all around me, with nude masturbating amphibious lesbian ninjas waving their private parts inches from my face, and European death metal ringing out at 300 decibels from the oversized amplifiers of massive alien battle cruisers, even as Nazis shoot at me with missiles from the ground. In fact, that's how I got into the prestigious Harvard College of Theoretical Interdisciplinary Awesome.
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But could you do it when ensnared by the painful throes of a love whose future or realization is in question?
The answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPvmIxu-LSA&fmt=18
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It was one of the most sorry excuses for a standardized test I have ever seen in my entire life. I shit you not, this was literally a question from it:
Which of the following is alive?
a) A rock
b) A fish
c) The moon
d) A pair of scissors
Trick question. The correct answer would be E) Not Enough Information. The fish could be dead, after all. And if you have a pair of scissors, then they could well be sisters, yes? And the Scissor Sisters are still alive, to my knowledge.
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You're all just weak-minded. I could ace an essay exam using a pen in the middle of a night club with hot, topless girls all around me and lots of beer and painfully loud dance music after downing several beers and working all day.
I want to take this test.
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You're all just weak-minded. I could ace an essay exam using a pen in the middle of a night club with hot, topless girls all around me and lots of beer and painfully loud dance music after downing several beers and working all day.
That doesn't mean we're weak minded. It just means you have a very profound way of concentration.
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You might recall I posted how happy I was to be watching my Wiz on national tv. Well, my TNT is blacked out. The anger that this causes me....I'm surprised I was able to get words that resemble English out here.
Rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble
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Obama and the G-20. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/02/g20/index.html)
Which isn't a frustration in and of itself. Rather, this is a preemptive frustration, because this can only mean I will start to get more emails claiming Obama is the anti-Christ. In circles that are actively looking for the anti-Christ, the world banking systems have never sat well. Because it’s related to the “mark of the beast,” or some such.
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Obama and the G-20. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/02/g20/index.html)
Which isn't a frustration in and of itself. Rather, this is a preemptive frustration, because this can only mean I will start to get more emails claiming Obama is the anti-Christ. In circles that are actively looking for the anti-Christ, the world banking systems have never sat well. Because it’s related to the “mark of the beast,” or some such.
Here's what I don't get about the anti-Christ/prophecy nutters (well...one thing)...don't they consider the rise of the anti-Christ necessary to fulfill prophecies they want fulfilled? If so, why are they so worried?
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I think the sky hates me. Right when I get ready to leave and walk to school, it starts hailing. Hard. Just watch, it'll stop hailing as soon as I get inside the campus, and start again when I leave for home.
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Yea just wanted to blame God for making me a lazy person. I'm an atheist but still. Nobody else to blame, so I guess I'll blame God. No offense to religious people.
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Ha. It was pouring when I came outside the school to get on my bus today. Just... pouring. And worst off, the project I needed to finish and was carrying couldn't be folded, so I couldn't tuck it under my coat. As for God, I feel there is some higher power. Maybe just sort of kicking back and relaxing. What it is, though, I dunno. Onto my frustration.
People suck. Let's just leave it at that.
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Kind of frustrated and not. We're apparently in the middle of spring and out of nowhere;
Sunday: EXPECT 6 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW! The fuck? Wisconsin is seriously the only state that can go from an AC to a heater in the same/1 day.
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VA has the same problem, j-man-3k
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Kind of frustrated and not. We're apparently in the middle of spring and out of nowhere;
Sunday: EXPECT 6 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW! The fuck? Wisconsin is seriously the only state that can go from an AC to a heater in the same/1 day.
Probably not the only state. Here in Washington, it snowed twice this weekend, but it's been nice and warm aside from that little outburst. The weather's just screwy all over the place.
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Fuck u E*MlN....
I hate to say this on herer but you made me waste my time... u bitch!
U told me that u love me and then left me and tell me that u want to be my friend!
Love makes us crazy but you were already crazy before this happened....
Can't belive it! DAMN U!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just frustrated about love!
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Yea just wanted to blame God for making me a lazy person. I'm an atheist but still. Nobody else to blame, so I guess I'll blame God. No offense to religious people.
You could blame genealogy instead.
On that note, fuck DNA! You and your base pairs forming chromosomes that determine the structure of all life! It's all your fault!
(http://www.eyeondna.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/mrdna.jpg)
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Fuck u E*MlN....
I hate to say this on herer but you made me waste my time... u bitch!
U told me that u love me and then left me and tell me that u want to be my friend!
Love makes us crazy but you were already crazy before this happened....
Can't belive it! DAMN U!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just frustrated about love!
Yup, it sucks. "No, I really liked you but then I saw how happy that made you." :lol:
Head up! Eyes...forward! Heartbreak's a bitch, no 2 ways about it. Let it fuel you, inspire you.
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Love is an evil evil mistress. So is DNA. But you have to learn to accept the things you can't change. ... unless you're a scientist. Then go nuts.
Yeah, DNA is just mean. I got all sorts of good things from my folks (beautiful red hair, amazing body...), but I also got the worst shit ever. I got Beta Thalasemia minor, the worst eye sight EVER, and a whole slew of other stuff.
My frustration right now is... I dunno. I'm actually quite content this morning.
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When are they finally going to make a laptop battery that lasts more than a year? You know the technology's floating around out there, but everyone's too busy trying to sell designer laptops to worry about actual usability issues like batteries that choke out after a year of usage.
Man, if I had some capital right now, I'd track those guys down and make that an essential part of a notebook computer designed for real use. It'd be silent, cool, environmentally friendly, rugged, with a respectable looking black plastic matte finish that's easy to handle without scratching or smudging up. The keyboard would have a simple, replaceable silicon skin membrane that keeps all the dirt and grime out of the moving parts and offers some liquid protection, and the keys wouldn't be so fragile that they pop out after writing a short novel.
The big emphasis would also be on battery life with a single charge. I'd give it enough juice for a guaranteed 10 hours of real work, with the wireless on and moderate CPU usage with the screen on full brightness, and I'd use new battery technology to guarantee you still keep getting the same 10 hour full battery charge years later.
Granted, it wouldn't be sleek, slender, shiny, or sexy, but it wouldn't melt your pants with moderate CPU loads or fall to pieces after a few months of heavy use either. And it'd still be no more heavier than a decent textbook.
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It is snowing here. It's never snowed in April in at least 20 years here.
Should we be rethinking the whole 'global warming' idea right about now?
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It is snowing here. It's never snowed in April in at least 20 years here.
Should we be rethinking the whole 'global warming' idea right about now?
Climate is a lot more complex than that. Even if things were getting warmer, it could cause shifts in the way temperatures are distributed across various parts of the world by changing air and ocean currents, causing temperatures to become more extreme, and certain places to experience colder temperatures than they had in the past. Simply checking your local temperature year in year out tells you nothing of what's happening globally. Checking things like the mass of the polar ice caps and rising sea levels is a lot more revealing about what's really happening.
However, based on information we have regarding sunspots and temperature, short term climate change such as small ice ages may also be induced by events such as a lack of sunspots over several years, and we just hit a cyclical sunspot activity low-point, so things might cool down a little. It'd be sad if such a thing happened, but was counter-balanced by global warming, leading people to think nothing was happening at all and resulting in an even worse global warming crisis after the ice age.
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We had a snow day in April 3 years ago because of the cold or something. Seems to be it might happen on Monday as we're suppose to get 4-6+ inches of snow out of nowhere tomorrow. Along with decent wind speeds. That'll be interesting to see.
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It is snowing here. It's never snowed in April in at least 20 years here.
Should we be rethinking the whole 'global warming' idea right about now?
Climate is a lot more complex than that. Even if things were getting warmer, it could cause shifts in the way temperatures are distributed across various parts of the world by changing air and ocean currents, causing temperatures to become more extreme, and certain places to experience colder temperatures than they had in the past. Simply checking your local temperature year in year out tells you nothing of what's happening globally. Checking things like the mass of the polar ice caps and rising sea levels is a lot more revealing about what's really happening.
However, based on information we have regarding sunspots and temperature, short term climate change such as small ice ages may also be induced by events such as a lack of sunspots over several years, and we just hit a cyclical sunspot activity low-point, so things might cool down a little. It'd be sad if such a thing happened, but was counter-balanced by global warming, leading people to think nothing was happening at all and resulting in an even worse global warming crisis after the ice age.
I know many factors add up to climate, and I was mostly being sarcastic in response to the general mass hysteria regarding global warming. While I am all for finding cleaner less polluting advancements in technology, I'm also quite positive that any amount of CO2 we produce will not destroy the earth (considering that eons ago the levels of CO2 were 3 times what they were now during life supporting times). Maybe it could destroy us, but not the planet.
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Who knew that by roller blading you could seriously mess up your hand?
I'm having a lot of difficulty typing this. We went roller blading down at the rink and I fell. Landed on my knees and on my left hand. Knees are bruised, but the hand... my thumb got jammed. It's all swollen and stuff. It hurts to type... but I must.
Also, watching people try to DDR at the rink is fun. They do it on beginner and gawk at me on Light and my sis on Standard. ^_^
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I know many factors add up to climate, and I was mostly being sarcastic in response to the general mass hysteria regarding global warming. While I am all for finding cleaner less polluting advancements in technology, I'm also quite positive that any amount of CO2 we produce will not destroy the earth (considering that eons ago the levels of CO2 were 3 times what they were now during life supporting times). Maybe it could destroy us, but not the planet.
That's mostly because hippies and Starbucks-drinking pseudo-intellectual liberals don't understand that even if most of the animal species we adore are fragile and highly dependent on the ecosystem being just right, life as a whole is violently tough and capable of adapting and surviving much harsher conditions than we can imagine.
There's a lot of truly intelligent people behind the push that made that hysteria though, and I think they're right in that we do have to switch away from burning carbon-based fuels for everything. Otherwise, the main concerns of this next century will be mass human migrations, extreme weather, and intense famine, with many of the hardest hit countries being First World nations dependent on technology and industry.
Some climate models even predict that the Atlantic currents warming England could change with global warming, turning the island into a frozen hell.
Personally, I think global warming will be a win-win for America, Russia, and maybe China, but a big "Oh fuck!" for rest of the world. That depends on how well we can stay out of all the wars that'll be raging on all over the world and make use of our own resources though.
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I actually bloody hate it when people reply to posts by breaking them up into tiny little quoted sentences and replying piecemeal to everything. It always comes across as inarticulate and amateurish, and to me it simply shows that you either didn't want to take the time to fully read everything and write a coherent response that addresses what I covered as a whole and then descends into the key points on which you either agree or disagree, or that you can't hold more than a few points, yet alone larger concepts, in your head at any one time.
I mean, I can understand separating an argument into its logical key points (each of which would usually consist of more than a single sentence), but going through something sentence by sentence doesn't make sense unless you're trying to completely break down and analyze the actual logical flow of the argument.
Basically, if you're only replying to each sentence with a sentence, then no question about it -- you're doing it wrong.
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Don't hate. Relax. It's all in good fun.
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Sleepy sleepy...
It seems 5 hour's sleep is not enough to make a good day.
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Sleepy sleepy...
It seems 5 hour's sleep is not enough to make a good day.
U need about 9 if u study they say now.
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So I've been reading about this Zeitgeist movement -- which is mostly a bunch of idealistic, touchy-feely hippies who think that society can be run from the top down by abolishing money and government and having computers run everything based on instruments measuring the earth's remaining resources and running robots that manufacture all the goods.
They don't realize that any social order governing the use of resources and distribution of goods must work from the bottom up, or else it can't be resilient and reliable. That's why money is so popular and capitalism works so well -- real money doesn't need to be managed or centralized to work, there just has to be enough of it to be fluid.
Not to mention all their arguments only apply against fiat money, not real money. Sure, fiat money fails because it doesn't have the decentralized, unmanaged property of real money, makes those who get the newly printed money first wealthier while making everyone else poorer, and causes continuous inflation which encourages people to take on debt instead of save, but that's no reason to abandon money altogether.
They also think that technological automation means capitalism will fall apart due to mass unemployment, but they don't stop to consider more practical alternatives like someday drastically reducing the length of the full-time work week to 2 or 3 days a week and increasing vacation time. Or if it ever gets to the point where there's just no work needed to be done by the majority of people, providing a basic monthly stipend to everyone, so those jobs that do exist still have incentives in terms of being able to find more wealth.
About the only good thing they're really proposing is an end to short-sighted consumerism and overuse or destruction of resources and more emphasis on long-term planning and sustainable resource usage, but they just don't realize that you have to do it by setting up the system so that there's natural incentives and disincentives governing what people do rather than simply telling society what the right thing to do is.
Otherwise, the system is too centralized and fragile. Some ambitious jackass who doesn't do what they're told can use resources to the detriment of everyone else, or a sun storm can knock out the world's central planning computer causing all the robots to not know how much stuff to make, and you get chaos.
Or worse, the instruments used by the computer turn out to be giving bad readings, and so the robots over-produce stuff and suddenly we've run out of gasoline or copper 50 years too soon.
It's frustrating because people actually buy into their ideals without stopping to deeply consider just how complex systems like societies work or to consider alternative ideas of how to change our society to be more functional.
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Sometimes I think that the world would just be better off without people. A system can work if there's no people. Communism sounds like a good idea in theory. In practice (i.e., with people) it doesn't work too well.
Indeed, a society needs to be built from the bottom up like any building. You don't usually make the roof of the house before you dig the foundation. Notice that the richer, wealthier people are up at the top while the poorer people are at the bottom of society's ladder. That's because, ultimately, there are a whole lot more poor people than there are rich people.
Robots are, in essence, people told to do one thing or more. To quote Lucca, "Robots aren't evil, people make them that way." Why? Because people make robots. You make a robot, you can hack into its interface or something like that and have it eat up all the gasoline. And then what happens?
Honestly, I feel like no matter what there will be criticism to the government. People criticize American policies and what not. People criticized the Roman Republic. And if this new Zeitgeist movement goes through and they have their government as they wish it, then people will criticize them. People like you, Ramsus.
Now, onto my frustration. Either last night wile roller blading I pulled all the muscles in my shoulders or I did that while I was sleeping. It could be either, but it hurts. LOTS. The good news in all this is that I can type without my thumb hurting too much. I think I jammed it last night when I fell. But I can move it!
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...[Fiat money] makes those who get the newly printed money first wealthier while making everyone else poorer, and causes continuous inflation which encourages people to take on debt instead of save...
Elaborate?
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Not to mention all their arguments only apply against fiat money, not real money. Sure, fiat money fails because it doesn't have the decentralized, unmanaged property of real money, makes those who get the newly printed money first wealthier while making everyone else poorer, and causes continuous inflation which encourages people to take on debt instead of save, but that's no reason to abandon money altogether.
What do you mean by "real money"? All money, and all monetary value, is determined by human consensus.
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So I've been reading about this Zeitgeist movement -- which is mostly a bunch of idealistic, touchy-feely hippies who think that society can be run from the top down by abolishing money and government and having computers run everything based on instruments measuring the earth's remaining resources and running robots that manufacture all the goods.
They don't realize that any social order governing the use of resources and distribution of goods must work from the bottom up, or else it can't be resilient and reliable. That's why money is so popular and capitalism works so well -- real money doesn't need to be managed or centralized to work, there just has to be enough of it to be fluid.
Not to mention all their arguments only apply against fiat money, not real money. Sure, fiat money fails because it doesn't have the decentralized, unmanaged property of real money, makes those who get the newly printed money first wealthier while making everyone else poorer, and causes continuous inflation which encourages people to take on debt instead of save, but that's no reason to abandon money altogether.
They also think that technological automation means capitalism will fall apart due to mass unemployment, but they don't stop to consider more practical alternatives like someday drastically reducing the length of the full-time work week to 2 or 3 days a week and increasing vacation time. Or if it ever gets to the point where there's just no work needed to be done by the majority of people, providing a basic monthly stipend to everyone, so those jobs that do exist still have incentives in terms of being able to find more wealth.
About the only good thing they're really proposing is an end to short-sighted consumerism and overuse or destruction of resources and more emphasis on long-term planning and sustainable resource usage, but they just don't realize that you have to do it by setting up the system so that there's natural incentives and disincentives governing what people do rather than simply telling society what the right thing to do is.
Otherwise, the system is too centralized and fragile. Some ambitious jackass who doesn't do what they're told can use resources to the detriment of everyone else, or a sun storm can knock out the world's central planning computer causing all the robots to not know how much stuff to make, and you get chaos.
Or worse, the instruments used by the computer turn out to be giving bad readings, and so the robots over-produce stuff and suddenly we've run out of gasoline or copper 50 years too soon.
It's frustrating because people actually buy into their ideals without stopping to deeply consider just how complex systems like societies work or to consider alternative ideas of how to change our society to be more functional.
Ah! You know, just the other week a bunch of my friends were hanging out, and one of us was very much in line with the whole Zeitgeist theory of things, and the others of us were attempting to point out the philosophical and social problems that would be inherent in it.
For example, people will always use things to take power over others. It's not just in the use of money. Whoever has set up the computer systems, etc. will always have an edge, and as long as there's even the most subtle difference between people, it will be exploited to the advantage of one over and against another. That's nature. Not just human nature, but nature as a whole. Nature is not something peaceful and in proper accord and tune and all that crap, but it works because the various conflicting systems stand at a perfect stalemate of power. The same works between people.
Anyway, my main objection to things like this is the over-dependancy on technology. I think we should be careful of putting ourselves into such a circumstance more than we already are. Or, at any rate, we should be wary of doing it too quickly. We can't let our technology so overcome us that we become utterly dependant on it for our absolute survival.
Actually, I think essentially the main problem with this and every other altruistic system that has been proposed it nicely summed up in your statement of 'an ambitious jackass.' Not to mention something else... this is an ideal of an entirely planned society... and though I am not really at all versed in science fiction writing, I am dead certain the pitfalls of such a society have been examined a hundred and a thousand times. It is an interesting thought, but I don't think it has much realistic potential.
Then again, the most of Zeitgeist is out to lunch as it is. Anyone watch the first part of those videos? Anyone with a low-level knowledge of myth and mythological theory would laugh at their naive and logically incoherent assumptions. From stating things that are outright false in regards to ancient myths (ie. Dionysus as a virgin birth, a claim that is simply false), to claims that make use of mythological theories that are outdated by a century (ie. attribution of mythic origins to solar/natural phenomenae alone is a theory that holds very little water anymore, at least in mainstream scholarly community.) I know there are those who consider the things proposed on them somehow earthshattering or some sort of disproving of religion, but it's nothing of the sort. If one truly wanted to make an intelligent comparison, such as might be found in modern scholarship, you could, for example, cite the similiarities between the life, death, and aftermath of Sokrates to the story of Jesus as told in the Bible. I think a strong argument can be made for a typological similarity. There are such arguments that are, if not entirely sound, at least interesting and plausable. But to anyone who has invested any time in studying the fields of antiquity, of old literature and archaeology and all that surrounds it, can at once spot how fallacious and essentially childlike the arguments are, not only on a factual basis, but also on a methodological one.
As such, it already puts their understanding and ability to reason into doubt. It's little wonder that their discussions on social problems would be frought with error and the like.
My gripe, therefore? The people who set forward and then those who believe pseudo-science, pseudo-history, pseudo-myth, and all the other pseudos, rejecting the standards of those fields with fringe theories based on ignorance. There is a very real reason we have peer review and experts in fields and, like it or not, most of the time those people are experts for a reason. It's the rarest circumstance where an outside party can bring something new to the table intelligently (ie. Michael Ventris and his decipherment of Linear B), and in that case it generally takes far more than a theory with a few specious tidbits that one's attempted to mould into proof. The logic that stands behind pseudo-whatever is generally based on a distrust of 'the man' (whilst still citing several 'authorities' in the system, to appear legitimate), generally propogated by one or a few individuals, and takes the very un-scientific method of setting forward a pet theory on little to no initial evidence and finding everything one can to support it whilst twisting or denying everything that doesn't. So, because pyramids exist in both Meso America and in Egypt, we have Egyptian colonists sail to America (because there's NO way those new world primitives could build things like THAT on their own, right?) or, better yet, aliens did it because people then, well, we weren't as smart as these days, so we couldn't have done it. *sigh* Please, for the love of all that is at least partially true, run from such theories. Question standard theorems if you wish, but question their premises with intelligent dialogue! Don't just make sweeping statements based on bloody esoteric knowledge claims! Because I'll tell you what... Zeitgeist and its ilk... is to the modern system of knowledge what the Mystery Religions were to the people of old: claims to arcane knowledge. That's always got an appeal to the human spirit, no matter what. But it's almost never founded on anything sure.
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Not to mention all their arguments only apply against fiat money, not real money. Sure, fiat money fails because it doesn't have the decentralized, unmanaged property of real money, makes those who get the newly printed money first wealthier while making everyone else poorer, and causes continuous inflation which encourages people to take on debt instead of save, but that's no reason to abandon money altogether.
What do you mean by "real money"? All money, and all monetary value, is determined by human consensus.
The value of real money is limited by the scarcity of the very thing it's based on, and as such real money has the ability to naturally come about as a form of intermediary exchange without the need for institutions to force upon people the perceived value. Sure, if your money isn't as scarce as you think it is, you can always go out and find more of the thing and make it overly abundant, but then a new form of money based on something that is scarce will come about and quickly replace it.
The value of fiat money is dictated to us by the institution making it, but honestly, without force and intimidation keeping people from abandoning or reproducing fiat money, how would its value continue to exist? The very existence of fiat money leads to tyranny.
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...[Fiat money] makes those who get the newly printed money first wealthier while making everyone else poorer, and causes continuous inflation which encourages people to take on debt instead of save...
Elaborate?
As the Fed or central bank increases the money supply, those who can take advantage of the newly created money first can do so before prices have adjusted to the inflation they've created. By the time the money has funneled through the federal reserve system and has been used to create new factories, new jobs, and improve your employer's business enough to begin affecting you, prices will have already started reflecting the inflation.
Except, you probably haven't gotten a raise yet.
In the end, you lose out. As the cycle repeats, those who get the money first accumulate more wealth, while you lose wealth, because they can use the money to generate wealth at today's prices, where you aren't affected by it until tomorrow's prices have taken effect. Basically, their purchasing power is increased by the new money, while yours is decreased.
But what does that have to do with debt? People take on debt instead of saving, because the Fed's consistent increasing of the money supply means that inflations has become an inevitable norm, and an entire generation of Americans now think that this is simply how money works. Knowing that your dollar is worth more right now than it will be in a few years (or really, ever will be), means that simply saving your money is almost absurd, and the temptation to borrow money now and pay it back with money that has less value later is increased. Sure, you can invest it, but then you'll either come out at about even, or if you try to get ahead, you could lose a lot too. And all of this is intuitively understood by the American public.
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Hmm it is my friends birthday and I just took him out to a local bar. It was $2.50 wells and that is pretty much all we drank. But somehow, between just the two of us, we racked up a bill of fifty dollars in three hours. Something doesn't add up. But the thing is, I was a little too drunk to do the math and argue about it in the bar. Now that I'm home though, I'm fairly certain that I somehow got ripped off.
But can you imagine having a last name of "Smith" or something? God that would suck. So many people would say, "put it on my tab, the last name is 'Smith'." and then you would frequently have a massive tab that you would have to argue with the bartender about.
Actually, come to think of it, that is a pretty good idea...maybe I'll try to drink for free next time.
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Trying to reinstall windows has brought me to the brink of boot nuking.
:picardno
And in the process of writing a boot nuke CD I somehow managed to drop my laptop on my dog. I'm a little worried about him now, because I think my laptop weighs more than my dog. :(
(I blame Microsoft.)
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...fiat money...
Money as Debt by Paul Grignon is a nice little 47 minute artciulation on how today's money is debt. I'd post a link but I don't have access to streaming video websites atm...but it is on Google Video.
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I'm frustrated at myself.
You see, we got hit with a poster to do for bio a few days back. Mine was on whooping cough. I didn't have the materials, so yesterday my mom went to the craft store and got this bigass poster board. Right? Now, here's the thing. Yesterday, I spent the time I could've been using on my poster... here. Here and elsewhere on the internet. The poster is due NEXT PERIOD so...
... my own inability to focus, as well as my tendency to procrastinate, has probably tanked my bio grade.
I'm debating between playing sick and getting sent home and toughing it out, trying to finish it. If I don't finish it, I left it at home. If I did, no problem.
But... still. I need more discipline.
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I actually bloody hate it when people reply to posts by breaking them up into tiny little quoted sentences and replying piecemeal to everything.
Whereas I quite like it (when it is done well). Certainly, it can be done poorly, such as when the responder doesn't have anything to say and could have really left the entire matter to rest without another word on the subject but didn't. Admittedly, when I write lengthy responses there are many times I have to go back through them before posting to remove such things; there are many things I want to say but they seldom are things that would contribute to the whole.
When done, however, this practice serves the same function as a text citation, only the citation is actually provided for convenience. This gives it an academic feel. Not only can I see what person B said in response to person A, but I can see what exact part of person A's statement they are responding to. It provides a degree of context that makes things much easier to follow. Additionally, if a single responder is adressing multiple posts, this nicely allows one to skim it all for the relevant portions of it.
The practice of breaking up the original post into smaller quotations also has a visal appeal; a large wall of text can be daunting to just look at. Even if the post is several pages long, it is much easier to read because, as the reader, there are convenient breaks of thought that allows one to catch one's breath.
Of course, a quotation should always contain everything that is relevant and nothing that is not; it is an art form that can be bungled easily.
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Replying to a few properly excerpted quotes to address specific points is one thing, but have you ever tried replying to the reply to the reply of a post that's simply been broken down into 10-15 different individual sentences so the replier would only have to address each sentence with a sentence, instead of actually addressing the logical points? Every reply to a reply like that only gets worse, especially if the person keeps replying to each and every individual sentence of your replies to their replies.
The end result is that it leads to monster posts with lots of redundant points, circular reasoning, and stupid one-liner wanna-be retorts that don't add anything to the argument. If you don't believe me, just search through all the older argument threads.
Anyway, the real reason I'm posting is that I've gotten even more frustrated with mobile computing. It seems, ever since they introduced technology like SpeedStep to allow CPUs to run at lower speeds when the full speed isn't needed in order to lower heat output and reduce energy use, PC manufacturers have been abusing the feature to design their laptops to run properly at half the full clock speed of the processor, with the expectation that most people won't need to push their laptop enough to run at full speed. As a result, running at full clock speed, even with near idle usage, forces the fan on and generates too much heat. Actually doing something at full speed will actually fry most laptops within an hour or so.
It's stupid design. They might as well not be so damn misleading and just include cooler processors running at half the speed to begin with.
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Hey, guess what?
I'm not going to have supper tonight!
Why?
Stupid. Fucking. Bitch. Sister.
Aside from walking right into my room when I could be changing and me not being able to do the same to her without being bitched at, she decided that I'm too fat to have waffle fries or something like that. She decides that she'll make my brother some fries. So she goes upstairs and asks my mom if she does. So after confirming this, she goes downstairs and makes fries. My mom tells me over IM that she's having fries, so silly me I think I'm going to get some. Ha. Consideration. What was I thinking!
So the fries are done and I go downstairs. I naturally expect my fair share, but NO. I didn't ask for them. So guess what? None for me! And now she's making it out to be my fault. Because I'm hungry, she tells me to get something to eat. Guess what?
Because the stupid fucking bitch doesn't need anything, NO ONE needs anything!
So we're basically out of EVERYTHING that isn't fucking tofu or Boca Burgers. Meanwhile, my mom and brother are feasting on waffle fries and I'm near tears. And guess what? When I try and talk to my mom about it, she turns me away! Because I get so damn dramatic about everything, I don't need counseling. Obviously, I blow everything out of proportion and it's all in my head. It's not real.
Yeah.
My lack of food and my anger are as not real as the tears on my face right now.
I just can't wait for her to get out of the house. I can't wait until I don't have to deal with her shit. I can't wait until I can go and get a pair of panties without having to knock on a door. Until I can say whatever the fuck I want to say about her without being bitched at. Until I can have whatever I want on my computer and do whatever I want with my room without her saying it sucks. Until I don't feel pressured into eating her healthy shit, or getting food that I don't want so that she can have some. Until she stops trying to make me fat. Because that's what she's trying to do, you know. Either she's trying to make me as sick and skinny and unhealthy as her or she's trying to make me a fatass. That way she won't feel as bad about her being a 'fatass'. Apparently she wants to be less than a stick figure.
God, I could just rip someone's head off right now...
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Fried tofu is much better than not eating (slice it into strips and cook some crispy flavor in), and boca burgers wouldn't even be that bad either. Chances are, no matter what your sister makes you eat, it's not any worse than a lot of the stuff I have to eat on a regular basis, so don't feel too bad.
Also, it sounds like a lot of what's causing you to cry is a perceived lack of control over your life. Other people seem to dominate every aspect of your life, while you're simply left to suffer. If that's how your situation leads you to see your life, then you're going to end up more than a little messed up in the head -- maybe even permanently. Check out research on learned helplessness to get an idea of what I mean. Unfortunately, nobody in your household cares enough to help you out, so you're pretty much screwed.
You could try finding aspects of your life that you can control, or that give you more control, even if it means more stress. Part-time jobs are especially great in this regard (just avoid working in fast food). Having a car is another big one. You don't sound like a real go-getter though, and getting a first job can be a real tough hustle sometimes.
Ultimately though, if you can just develop a mindset that gives you a strong sense of control and direction over your own life regardless of the circumstances or the people around you, then you can more calmly deal with the problems of your sister and your household life in general. Not to mention, later in life when faced with hard challenges, you'll be much more capable of overcoming them.
But you're just a teenage kid, so that kind of highly developed mental state is pretty much out of your reach, especially if you're a teenage kid trying to get there on your own. Instead, try not to get too messed up in the head, and when you move out as an independent adult, try to repair the damage a little.
Also, just out of curiosity, what does your sister do to try and lose weight and be healthy?
The key to healthy weight loss is a little bit of strength training for toning and to increase your metabolism followed by a pretty good amount (2-3 miles at least) of somewhat intense aerobic exercise like running to use up energy and burn fat. Repeat every other day, and you can still eat like a normal person (to include some fast food) and still lose weight well into your 20s. If you still don't lose weight, then the next key is to eat just a small amount in the evening and not to eat at night, which, as long as you exercise, works even as you get older. And don't worry if you stop losing weight after that. Anything more will probably lead to unhealthy weight loss, and chances are you've found your healthiest weight at this point, so congrats.
The real reason to eat "healthy" foods is nutrition, so your body doesn't wear out and you aren't as likely to get cancer or diabetes (or gout or something). Furthermore, starving yourself on an irregular basis (i.e. skipping a few meals one or two days a week) actually drives weight gain, as it makes your body try harder to store most of the food you eat as fat rather than use it as energy for the week or so after you suddenly stopped eating.
If you really want to mess with your sister, you ought to take up running to get rid of the stress, while eating the foods you want to eat, and see if you can make her fat by getting her to alternate between eating more of what you're eating and not eating. Then as you achieve her dream image (or at least a better body image than she has), she'll go insane and leave the household feeling disgusted with herself and inferior to you.
And even if that doesn't work, you'd have a lot more physical power and endurance, plus you'd feel better. If you have a hard time finding a place to run, don't forget that you can always stay after school an hour or so and use the track and shower there, and then if you're only a few miles away, walk home.
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On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Spam is delicious. Especially fried spam with barbecue sauce. Sadly, my parents think Spam is the devil, so it is not allowed in the house. Farewell, tasty meatstuffs...
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It depends on what her mood is. She's pescitarian (I think that's how it's spelled, but not sure), so she eats fish and tofu. I've tried some of her tofu. It was actually decent, if not for the squishyness of it. She also obsesses over her caloric intake and her needs in food (no fried, no meat, light light food) to the point where very few places have something for her.
Aside from her eating habits, it's her exercise routine that gets me. She heads down to the gym for an hour or so daily and does a whole lot of strength stuff and cardio. I guess. I dunno. But she used to do an hour of DDR on Standard.
Ultimately, I want to get out of this hell hole. Fitchburg is nice, but not where I'd like to live forever. I want to get a job and do plan on getting an application to the local grocery store soon (I can walk there), I want to get an apartment during or after college, I want to find my own way. But right now, again, I'm basically powerless.
Um... the whole messed up in the head thing... kind of already happened. I do have some mental illnesses to deal with already (Bipolar + Asperger's = FUN), so... fun. I can't wait to get out of here. Though last night I did find some hotdogs. Mmm... hotdogs with honey mustard... amazing.
Current gripe is the fear that I ended the world. I helped a friend join the Compendium because he thought it was so cool and all that. I regret it now. Username 'Glen'. Be nice. He's messed up, too.
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I seriously dislike the noobs in my program.
I got to class a half hour before it was scheduled to begin and I was the only one in the room, so I decided to take the time to colour something in photoshop. I get out my hard drive and Wacom, opened photoshop, and got to work. About three other people came in eventually and sat at the other side of the room. Ten minutes before class started, a friend of mine came in and asked if I wanted to go to the bookstore for food. So we go get our food and come back five minutes later. When I get back, about half the class is full, and there's some guy sitting at my computer. He had unplugged my wacom and hard drive and moved all my stuff to a nearby table and closed out of my photoshop without saving. Twenty minutes of work, gone. I know, I know, shame on me for not saving, but this IS a graphics program. You don't just sit down at a computer that is obviously in use and exit all their work.
I really wonder what must have been going through that brat's head. 'Gee, this is the only computer in this row that's turned on. But wait, what's this? A half-finished drawing is open in photoshop? There is a wacom tablet and hard drive hooked up? Someone's backpack is here? Oh, someone must have forgotten all this from last quarter. I'll just take this. Nobody will mind!'
Not to mention the guy from last quarter that put uTorrent on the computers and clogged the servers by torrenting during class. Then there's the people who download and install tons of games without permission, when only three games have been authorized by the teacher and school board. Five of our computers are still out of commission from that virus last quarter!
No offense Falawful, but these new kids pull some really stupid crap. I hope you're not like that too.
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That sounds crappy. I go to a technology college, and every room is a computer room. We have to lock our screens if we leave our desk at ANY point because if we don't other people fuck with our settings, like big GAY PRIDE desktop wallpapers, switching the left/right click buttons, flipping the screen upside down, actually deleting or renaming homework files (we don't turn in paper assignments), or just plain shutting down your comp. I hate when that happens, so I always have to remember to lock it.
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Stupid. Fucking. Bitch. Sister.
I used to butt heads with my younger sister a lot. Trust me, things will get better. Now we are friends.
It depends on what her mood is. She's pescitarian (I think that's how it's spelled, but not sure), so she eats fish and tofu. I've tried some of her tofu. It was actually decent, if not for the squishyness of it. She also obsesses over her caloric intake and her needs in food (no fried, no meat, light light food) to the point where very few places have something for her.
Pescetarian, I believe. What always amuses me is the people that choose that lifestyle for a perceived moral reason, as it seems hugely hypocritical to me. If they believe that it is more moral to eat one animal, but not another, then how is that any different from what the rest of us typically do? At least vegetarians are consistent, I respect that. Since I'm going through veterinary school, I feel that at some point I should really become a vegetarian for what I feel would be a moral choice. But I get some moderate health issues if I don't eat meat, and I have trouble supplementing my diet effectively. Every time I have tried it, I have had to stop for one reason or another. Kudos to people that can keep it up.
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I used to butt heads with my younger sister a lot. Trust me, things will get better. Now we are friends.
Now, here's the thing. She's not my younger sister. She's 20 years old.
GAH.
Current frustration is... I dunno. I feel lost, I guess.
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OH MY GOD
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN
MY EYE
Someone stuck some cologne under my nose. I sniffed it. It was strong. I said it smelled like my dad, because it does. Then, guess what? My eye started twitching. I don't know why, but OH MY GOD IT HURTS.
Owwwww...
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Try holding cold water cupped in your palm up to it.
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It's actually much better now. But god, it hurt when it was happening.
Right now, I'm kind of addicted to Vocaloid. I can't get enough of hearing computers sing crazy songs, nor can I get enough of making them sing. But the thing is Vocaloid is in Japanese (CANNOT READ) and costs money (THAT I DO NOT HAVE). And torrents hurt my computer's soul...
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I have a friend who is almost more than obsessed with Vocaloid, and then she got another of my friends as if not more into it who now wants to buy one of them which I don't get because she doesn't even know Japanese. What frustrates me is when they're together it's all they talk about.
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FUCK BEING SINGLE!
FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT!
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/FouCapitan/kinnison.jpg)
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^Who is that?
It looks like Christopher Hitchens in pirate getup.
Frustration: I have no frustrations at the moment, but I don't want to drag the thread off topic.
Oh wait, I have one. One of my coworkers just let me borrow the movie The Right Stuff, and I can't watch it for 2 days because I'll always be doing work-related things while I'm not asleep.
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^Who is that?
It looks like Christopher Hitchens in pirate getup.
Sam Kinnison. One of the funniest, angriest comedians ever. Taken from the world way too soon as well.
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Cool, I'll have to check him out.
2 days from now... :picardno
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Cool, I'll have to check him out.
2 days from now... :picardno
If you can use youtube, why wait?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1GjyrQiSRs
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Frustration: My brother and cousin, they are so annoying when they are together. As right now, as it has been earlier through the day, and yesterday, and the day before, and Monday...
It has been a long week...
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Cool, I'll have to check him out.
2 days from now... :picardno
If you can use youtube, why wait?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1GjyrQiSRs
Thanks! I just got a break from my job. The kind of work we're doing literally requires undivided attention for up to an hour at a time because one of our systems to automate our machines is down. But we just hit a snag, so now we're not doing anything. (yay)
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^Who is that?
It looks like Christopher Hitchens in pirate getup.
Sam Kinnison. One of the funniest, angriest comedians ever. Taken from the world way too soon as well.
Basically who Lewis Black wishes he was.
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FLEAS! OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I'M COVERED IN FLEA BITES!
I can't stop scratching!
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FLEAS! OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I'M COVERED IN FLEA BITES!
I can't stop scratching!
Better than dealing with Flea, eh?
... I'm angry, but I don't know why. That's my current frustration. Good news is I'm getting out of this hell hole, at least for an hour or two. Actually going to go to a friend's house. We'll make swords of duct tape and play Brawl till our thumbs fall off.
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FLEAS! OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I'M COVERED IN FLEA BITES!
I can't stop scratching!
GO SEE A DOCTOR OR SOMETHING AHHHH
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We'll make swords of duct tape and play Brawl till our thumbs fall off.
Boy does that sound familiar.
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Just got back from my grand adventure. I did a whole lot of Smashing. I didn't win, but... I smashed. And we talked a lot. And Merrick (Parker's awesome little brother) brought in the giant ass sword. It's apparently from Bleach, so I did the Inigo Montoya thing, but instead of Inigo Montoya it was Ichigo Kurusaki. It was heavy.
Frustration = I feel really hot. Maybe it's from sitting around and playing video games. And yelling at Zelda for having boobs bigger than mine. Then realizing that ALL video game females have bigger boobs than me. Mainly because they aren't affected by body type...
EDIT: Hmm... how does this sound to you guys? My sister refuses to knock on my door when I'm awake and in my room, potentially changing, for no apparent reason other than mocking my choice in wallpaper and telling me about her stupid-as-all-hell RP... because I don't see the need to knock on her door to go in and get my underwear when she's asleep.
So I'm going to start doing that. In five days, if she doesn't start doing what I want her to do when I knock, I am going to stop knocking to go into her room when she's asleep. You don't do what I want? Fuck you, bitch.
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Why five days, if you don't mind my asking of course?
And don't worry, big boobs are overrated. Especially after high school, nobody will care as long as they are boobs and not pectoral muscles.
(http://beerinfood.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/extreme_muscle_man.jpg)
TOO MUCH MUSCLES!!
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Frustration: My brother and cousin, they are so annoying when they are together. As right now, as it has been earlier through the day, and yesterday, and the day before, and Monday...
It has been a long week...
And today too...
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Five days because that's a good time to wait. Knocked on her door this morning while she was still asleep. She hasn't come in to my room at all.
Hey, guess who's annoying me this time?
Sister.
You see, we have this doohiky that we can hook up to the tape player of our car. It lets you play music from your MP3 player. Right? Right. So I call shotgun and my sis says she wants to listen to her music. I give her shotgun next time, but then she decides that my music sucks and hers is better, so we listen to that. I'm not upset about that. No. She basically said that she would skip more songs on my MP3 player than she would on hers. She skipped, like, two songs on my MP3 player last time it was hooked up. We're going down the street and basically every two seconds she skips the song we're listening to. And then sticks us with the SUCK songs.
Ugh.
I know I probably shouldn't be so easily frustrated by her, but at this point I'm just sick of her shit. I can't wait until August when she gets the fuck out of the house to RIT. But then five bucks says that she'll be crying to come home in a week.
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Five bucks says you'll bitch til the end of time. Ho ho!
(just kidding)
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Shouting match with my father while home this weekend because I radically believe that yeah, a glass ceiling against women still exists, and that women shouldn't be forced to endure painful periods every month or the rigors of pregnancy if it's not their choice just because they were born female. Seems this makes me a radical.
I've stopped asking, "Why was I born into a world as this?" I know now. I'm here to effect changes.
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Think of it this way, Z. It's either the women do it, the men do it, we both do it, or we don't do it at all. Although humans are overpopulated, we're organisms and we have to reproduce somehow. And unfortunately, women are stuck with chunks of baby pillow falling out their sex hole monthly. We aren't forced to do it. We have evolved to do what we do.
Sometimes it's actually kind of fun. It makes guys leave you alone more. Then again, if you don't take care of it right... it kind of stinks. Literally... and it hurts.
So... I kind of downloaded a pirated copy of Japanese software... at this point, I'm kind of cool with it. I wish I could read it, though. But I can use it. Now, if only it would understand WAI.
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Not true. I'm sure I'll get accused of mad, unethical science here, but pregnancies could be engineered outside the body. And there are gestational surrogates even today, although religion and outmoded thinking have made them difficult to come by illegal in many places.
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Engineering it outside the body is possible, but not right now. We don't have the technology, or the money, or the means. And even if we had those things to do research on it, it would take a while before people started using it. And even longer for people who need to do it and people who are poor can do it. This sort of thing will be for rich people who don't want to have a baby inside them.
Here's another point against this, though. Pregnancy within the mother (or father) is good for the child. It bonds the child with the parent and then makes it less likely for the parent to eat it. And even if we found a way around that, there's the issue of breast feeding. That bonds the child even more to the parent and vice versa. In the latter stages of pregnancy, all sorts of hormones rush through the woman's body, causing her boobs to start milking. By not going through pregnancy, a woman doesn't do that. Even if we found a way around that, why would a woman who has her child born in a laboratory and not from her want to have the kid suck on her boobs? That hurts, too!
Again, even though we could do it outside the body, women would still go through it. We kind of need to have those eggs in us, and we kind of have to discharge them to make babies happen in a lab. And that kind of makes our uteri swell up with blood to feed the baby. And when there's no baby... ha. Again, if we stopped that, we would not be women anymore, really. We would be a thing. We don't need most of our womanly parts, and ultimately guys won't need them either. Humans will simply be... things. No male, no female. We will become asexual creatures, better off dividing than meeting with another member of our species.
... good for basement dwellers.
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Engineering it outside the body is possible, but not right now. We don't have the technology, or the money, or the means. And even if we had those things to do research on it, it would take a while before people started using it. And even longer for people who need to do it and people who are poor can do it. This sort of thing will be for rich people who don't want to have a baby inside them.
...Yes, that's why we need to make it possible. And it's not going to happen if people don't fight for sex equality.
Here's another point against this, though. Pregnancy within the mother (or father) is good for the child. It bonds the child with the parent and then makes it less likely for the parent to eat it.
Those stimuli can be emulated.
And even if we found a way around that, there's the issue of breast feeding. That bonds the child even more to the parent and vice versa. In the latter stages of pregnancy, all sorts of hormones rush through the woman's body, causing her boobs to start milking. By not going through pregnancy, a woman doesn't do that. Even if we found a way around that, why would a woman who has her child born in a laboratory and not from her want to have the kid suck on her boobs? That hurts, too!
This can also be induced by science or even physical stimulation. Midwives were retained for this reason throughout human history.
Again, even though we could do it outside the body, women would still go through it. We kind of need to have those eggs in us, and we kind of have to discharge them to make babies happen in a lab. And that kind of makes our uteri swell up with blood to feed the baby. And when there's no baby... ha. Again, if we stopped that, we would not be women anymore, really. We would be a thing. We don't need most of our womanly parts, and ultimately guys won't need them either. Humans will simply be... things. No male, no female. We will become asexual creatures, better off dividing than meeting with another member of our species.
Fertilization of the egg needn't happen within the body, either. And transhumanism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism) is coming whether anyone likes it or not. Science is going to allow us to enhance both our bodies and our brains, and sooner or later, we are going to have to take responsibility for self-directed evolution. Whether we explore the galaxy or ourselves with our newfound powers is all up to us, but there's no use in clinging to useless parts of the human condition out of some idea of religious sanctity or because of fear of being inferior to the next, improved generation or post-humans. If we only did what was "natural", we'd all still have life expectancies of 40. It's not natural to clean our teeth, cut ourselves open in surgery, or administer high-tech antibiotics and vaccines. But humanity is better for it.
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:shock:
Umm... I thought gender equality would entail something more along the lines of understanding the needs of women who want to have a baby.
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I understand the plight of the victims of Darfur, but the genocide is still happening. Pain is pain, and inequality is inequality. Knowing is half the battle, but only half.
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.....That was....Quite a conversation.
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Not true. I'm sure I'll get accused of mad, unethical science here, but pregnancies could be engineered outside the body. And there are gestational surrogates even today, although religion and outmoded thinking have made them difficult to come by illegal in many places.
Read A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Lots of detail in how they cultivate the human fetus. I know it's science fiction but it's still really neat.
The only problem with doing so is something they're already doing. Baby customization. Want a boy or a girl? How bout hair color? Eye color?
Before you know it, you're Hitler.
I'm not against the idea of advancing genetic science, but it could go too far.
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Wait. Didn't this start with Tea and Zeality fighting about how much it sucks for a woman to have her period? Now it's about how genetics are going to do all this crazy stuff to the next generation? What screwed up world do we live in? :| All I know is that women either have several periods and maybe a baby or two in there life span, or we're ALL screwed to kingdomkum. Plus, all this genetics stuff is going too far. I mean come on, baby custimization? Why not just let it come out natrally instead of having the chance of screwing the baby up during the process. Man, and I thought us humans had only adapted to want to destroy each other.
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What is wrong with choosing what hair or eye colour you want your child to have? It's not the government creating all babies uniform, it's the parent making the decision. What, are people afraid that the child will not like his hair or eye colour and get mad at the parent for choosing it?
I wish that technology were around before I was born. It'd be great if I could have been born with naturally purple hair, or two different eye colours.
Random moment of stupidity: I went to the mall with my mom, step-brother and his girlfriend. They were all taking forever to buy clothes. There just so happened to be a Claire's shop on the level above us and figured it would be pretty cool to get a second ear piercing. So I did. Ow.
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I want to quit my job but I put a down payment on my next tattoo so I can't quit yet or I lose the fifty bucks.
Come on, May 12th!
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I actually can't wait for science to reach the point of genetic modification, not because I could create a super-kid, but so I could prevent my genetic defect from spreading to any children I may have.
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Admittingly, you have a point Zeph, it's not bad. But it's not 'natural' if your changing it to something else. Plus, doing something like that while the baby's still in the womb could seriously screw something up. And I agree with Nightmare about not passing STDs on to new borns. If we're going to do something to unborn babies, it might as well be something useful like not passing on diseases.
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I don't think you would do anything to the fetus while it's in the womb. The doctors would alter the egg and the seed before fertilization. If it's already in the womb, then it is already growing, and it is too late to drastically alter the DNA. The biggest risk would probably be stillborn, or some mutation caused by the altered DNA.
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First(and I know I'll sound stupid. Hey, I'm only a teen), what is a stillborn? And two, have you ever seen actaully mutated creatures? Think about what a seriously mutated baby would look like. It might not even be abe to servive that long. Then think of how often that COULD have happen even IF it's tested.
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First(and I know I'll sound stupid. Hey, I'm only a teen), what is a stillborn? And two, have you ever seen actaully mutated creatures? Think about what a seriously mutated baby would look like. It might not even be abe to servive that long. Then think of how often that COULD have happen even IF it's tested.
A stillborn is the name given to a dead fetus carried to term.
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Think about what a seriously mutated baby would look like. It might not even be abe to servive that long.
There's a movie called Eraserhead that has a mutated baby, it takes place in the future and it's really freaky. (http://www.nicksflickpicks.com/f100eraserhead.jpg)
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The concept of altering the baby before it's born is iffy with me. I'd want my kid to not have suckass vision like me, or the slew of genetic disorders I have (beta thalasemia minor is FUN). But I don't want my kid to be designer made. I want an adventure with my child, and the adventure starts with what does it look like. As for mutated babies, think conjoined twins. They're two babies mutated in a way that they're stuck together. There's a little girl in India who was born with 8 arms and legs or something. Humans find a way to survive like this because of technology. If we were wild critters like foxes or something, 8 arms/legs girl wouldn't last a day. Neither would the conjoined twins.
Current frustration = Easter. Have to go to church, but I need decent shoes. UGH.
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Took me all frickin' day to get a low-latency Linux setup for audio processing with pulseaudio running on top of jackd, but I finally got it all figured out. Turns out all I really had to do was have ALSA redirect audio to pulseaudio which then mixes it all and uses jackd which uses ALSA to access the actual hardware. That way, normal applications end up going through pulseaudio, while the high end applications can just use jackd directly.
After all that though, I think I'd rather have just spent $300 on a low-latency, external USB-2.0 sound card with a preamp, phantom power, hardware monitoring, and midi input/output, and used it with a Mac.
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First(and I know I'll sound stupid. Hey, I'm only a teen), what is a stillborn? And two, have you ever seen actaully mutated creatures? Think about what a seriously mutated baby would look like. It might not even be abe to servive that long. Then think of how often that COULD have happen even IF it's tested.
Every creature you, I, or anyone else has ever seen has been a mutated creature.
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But I don't want my kid to be designer made. I want an adventure with my child, and the adventure starts with what does it look like. As for mutated babies, think conjoined twins. They're two babies mutated in a way that they're stuck together. There's a little girl in India who was born with 8 arms and legs or something. Humans find a way to survive like this because of technology. If we were wild critters like foxes or something, 8 arms/legs girl wouldn't last a day. Neither would the conjoined twins.
Conjoined twins usually aren't technically a mutation, tea. That is if we are to assign a strict definition to mutation as alteration of DNA.
And I was going to say something more along the lines of what Radical_Dreamer said but he beat me to it.
The technology for most of what you all are talking about already exists and is routine practice in genetics laboratories. So why don't we do it with humans? Because genetic engineering is largely inexact and prone to error. Don't get me wrong - modern genetics is extraordinarily powerful. I'm just not disillusioned by it. I worked as a genetics researcher for several years and I am fully aware of the limitations of this science.
That said, I agree with Zeality that eventually the day will come when genetic engineering, designer babies, and artificial wombs become a routine reality. But that day is far in the future. What will happen much sooner is routine application of gene therapy. Although likewise dangerous, it offers enormous promise for curing a variety of genetic disorders. And yes tea, that potentially includes beta thalassemia minor.
I actually can't wait for science to reach the point of genetic modification, not because I could create a super-kid, but so I could prevent my genetic defect from spreading to any children I may have.
I don't know what kind of "genetic defect" you have nightmare, but if it is the result of a recessive mutation, and your mate is not a carrier for that mutation, then your kids will have a zero chance of having the disease - although they could still be carriers for it. If it is a dominant mutation and you are a heterozygous individual, and your mate is likewise not affected, then your kids will have a 50% chance of inheriting it. Or, if you believe you are a carrier for some allele that your parents possess and you are afraid to pass it on to your children, there is likely a DNA test available now that could confirm it and put your mind at ease. Radical genetic engineering might not be necessary, so I would hate to have you live in fear of having kids. And if for whatever reason you feel that the chance of your kids inheriting your particular allele is not worth the risk, there is always adoption.
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Divine intervention helped Antonello Colangeli find his son (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6070052.ece)
Ah, so it was a miracle his son survived. Well if God's going to hand out miracles, it'd be nice if he didn't go through the trouble of killing 272 other people just to single out this little kid, eh?
Really, why do journalists do this except as emotional pandering or because they're religious nuts themselves? Does it never occur to them that God didn't work a miracle for all the scores of others who died? It's like plane crashes. I guess God didn't see it fit to save the 200 people who perished on impact, but threw a bone to one survivor so people would believe in miracles. Or what about that guy who fell from a skyscraper and lived? If God was looking out for him, why didn't he, you know, stop him from falling in the first place instead of merely allowing him to survive after being smashed to pieces internally? Did he hurl him off the building for some sweet laughs? "The Lord works in mysterious ways" indeed.
Here's a better headline:
God Kills 272 People, Saves One Child in "Miracle" Attempt
Jesus Unavailable for Comment at Press Time
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Yes, that is something that always irritates me. Most people seem to be incapable of abandoning an anthropocentric view of the universe and incapable of abandoning the concept of a paternal god that cares about their well-being. Even many atheists, I've found, express similar irrational logic at many times.
People of western religious faith often freeze up when asked the question - "Why does god let a devout mother of four die with her children in a highway car crash, but lets a child rapist and murderer get away with his crimes scot-free?". They reluctantly answer - "Uh...god works in mysterious ways?" What a cop out. Either your god doesn't exist as you imagine him or he does exist but doesn't give a flying fuck about humanity.
And that is actually far more appealing to me than a non-existent god - a god that does exist but doesn't give a damn about us. This universe is unimaginably vast and beautiful. To think that we are at all important enough in that grand scheme of things to warrant divine intervention is hugely egotistical.
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The Ant Farm Theory, I call it! God is that little kid who bought that ant farm, we're his ants.
He may have given us what we need to survive, but that little kid doesn't think about the ants' lives, thoughts, dreams, prayers, etc. And he sure as hell doesn't care about whether they believe in him. Why would he? It wouldn't have any effect on him at all.
(He is gender neutral in this sense, and could be replaced with she just fine if you prefer. I don't care, and he probably doesn't either.)
The Ant Farm and the Domino Rally Effect are what I would call the extent of my religious "belief". Domino Rally, as in a semi-intentional big bang. There's a chain reaction set up that leads to life, and beyond, and all it takes is the finger to push down that first domino, then they all come crashing down one after the other, and we're right in the middle. It works if "God" is a force comparable to gravity or friction, without conscious thought or any solid plan.
(As far as I know I made those terms up, but they very well may be used for something else, I have no idea.)
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Either your god doesn't exist as you imagine him or he does exist but doesn't give a flying fuck about humanity.
There are so many potentialities, I find the entire argument (on either side) to be overly simplistic. It very well may be that god isn't omnipotent. Or it may be that god is omnipotent and just has higher priorities than humans, but that he still cares to a degree (sort of how a human might care for a pet but will go to greater lengths to save a loved one who happens to be human). Or it might be that god is omnipotent and has willingly limited himself (take Christianity, for example; if one follows the religious cannon of the religion, the question isn't why God lets bad things happen, but why do Christians let bad things happen, seeing as Christians claim to be the indwelling of the divine). Or god exists, is omnipotent, and omni-benevolent, and we just have a mistaken perception as to what is good and bad. There are so many possibilities that it seems foolish to attempt to claim any single one without further evidence.
This universe is unimaginably vast and beautiful. To think that we are at all important enough in that grand scheme of things to warrant divine intervention is hugely egotistical.
Huh, so size and beauty determine importance?
So, is someone who is 6ft tall more important than someone who is 5ft tall? Is a supermodel more important than your significant other?
Indeed, is the United States inherently more important than England because it is larger and contains a greater number of beautiful sights?
Or perhaps you are merely claiming that it is only pass a certain size and degree of beauty that these factors become significant? Akin to how certain laws of physics only seem to apply at certain scales. If so, could you hypothesize at the scale necessary before these considerations become important?
It may well be that the earth and humans are unimaginably unimportant in the universe, but I must say that I find mere size to be an inadequate means of calculating such.
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There are so many potentialities, I find the entire argument (on either side) to be overly simplistic. It very well may be that god isn't omnipotent. Or it may be that god is omnipotent and just has higher priorities than humans, but that he still cares to a degree (sort of how a human might care for a pet but will go to greater lengths to save a loved one who happens to be human). Or it might be that god is omnipotent and has willingly limited himself (take Christianity, for example; if one follows the religious cannon of the religion, the question isn't why God lets bad things happen, but why do Christians let bad things happen, seeing as Christians claim to be the indwelling of the divine). Or god exists, is omnipotent, and omni-benevolent, and we just have a mistaken perception as to what is good and bad. There are so many possibilities that it seems foolish to attempt to claim any single one without further evidence.
I agree, that's why I said "either your god doesn't exist as you imagine him", not simply "either your god doesn't exist" - alluding to the fact that there are countless possibilities. Read more carefully. I mentioned the second possibility only because I find particular favor in it.
Huh, so size and beauty determine importance?
No, I was simply commenting on the scale of it relative to the scale of human lives. I was not associating importance with the universe by saying that (hell, god could have created it and not care at all about it, or there could be no god and the universe has zero purpose for all I know), but I was expressing distaste for the concept that human beings think they are so important in this universe that a divine being would concern themselves with our lives.
I could make an equally relevant and analagous argument as the one you just made for the concept of human consciousness being superior, and thus putting us in a state of higher importance to the universe (and god). But no matter what argument you make, anthropocentric views of the universe always fall flat for the reasons that you have already alluded to, although perhaps unintentionally.
But back on track. Frustration: People that have no basic medical knowledge shouldn't be allowed to own pets. Plain and simple. Just saw a dog with immune mediated hemolytic anemia. We hospitalized her for 3 days and did everything that we could, but it had progressed so far and she was so jaundiced that her gums, skin, and eyes were literally neon yellow. She had been this way for the better part of a month, getting progressively worse. But her owner never noticed. Not until she stopped eating. Did they think their clearly very yellow dog was a normal situation? A human child can speak and would alert their parents to the subjective effects of the illness, and an adult human being would notice them and see a doctor. But if you don't have the common sense to recognize a basic, clearly obvious, and deadly medical situation then you don't deserve to be the caretaker of a living being that can't take care of itself in any way. I would love to say that now her dog, which would have lived for another ten years probably, is dead solely because of her. But in the end, I'm afraid the responsibility falls back on veterinarians for not educating this woman as much as possible about potential medical/genetic problems prevalent in certain breeds of dogs.
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I agree, that's why I said "either your god doesn't exist as you imagine him", not simply "either your god doesn't exist" - alluding to the fact that there are countless possibilities. Read more carefully.
I did notice that, which is why I didn't say that you had presented a false dichotomy. I just believed it to be useful to note the potential other answers that you had glossed over. As I said, I tend to find such things "overly simplistic" and thus attempted to added some much needed complexity.
... but I was expressing distaste for the concept that human beings think they are so important in this universe that a divine being would concern themselves with our lives.
... anthropocentric views of the universe always fall flat for the reasons that you have already alluded to, although perhaps unintentionally.
I think you might have misunderstood; my intent was to illustrate that anti-anthropocentric views are equally invalid as anthropocentric (woo, learned a new word) ones. To put it simply, importance is inherently subjective; it is dependent on the specific circumstances and relationships between entities. Any objective criterion is inherently flawed.
While anthrpocentrism may be egotistical, the reverse may well be false humility. One overvalues, but the other undervalues.
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So... remember the deal I struck with my sister? Yeah... she... she's not following through. She continues to not knock before barging in. I dunno what I'll do.
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booby trap?
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Locks?
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Locks?
With a combo, so she can't copy the key while you sleep. Worst case scenario.
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Either your god doesn't exist as you imagine him or he does exist but doesn't give a flying fuck about humanity.
There are so many potentialities, I find the entire argument (on either side) to be overly simplistic. It very well may be that god isn't omnipotent. Or it may be that god is omnipotent and just has higher priorities than humans, but that he still cares to a degree (sort of how a human might care for a pet but will go to greater lengths to save a loved one who happens to be human). Or it might be that god is omnipotent and has willingly limited himself (take Christianity, for example; if one follows the religious cannon of the religion, the question isn't why God lets bad things happen, but why do Christians let bad things happen, seeing as Christians claim to be the indwelling of the divine). Or god exists, is omnipotent, and omni-benevolent, and we just have a mistaken perception as to what is good and bad. There are so many possibilities that it seems foolish to attempt to claim any single one without further evidence.
This universe is unimaginably vast and beautiful. To think that we are at all important enough in that grand scheme of things to warrant divine intervention is hugely egotistical.
Huh, so size and beauty determine importance?
So, is someone who is 6ft tall more important than someone who is 5ft tall? Is a supermodel more important than your significant other?
Indeed, is the United States inherently more important than England because it is larger and contains a greater number of beautiful sights?
Or perhaps you are merely claiming that it is only pass a certain size and degree of beauty that these factors become significant? Akin to how certain laws of physics only seem to apply at certain scales. If so, could you hypothesize at the scale necessary before these considerations become important?
It may well be that the earth and humans are unimaginably unimportant in the universe, but I must say that I find mere size to be an inadequate means of calculating such.
Heh, Tolkien said something similar, who anticipated or had heard such comments before. Though I cannot find the precise quote, it does run along the lines of saying the world itself seems rather small and insignificant to those who only consider size and grandeur rather than subtlety and precision.
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I believe it was G.K. Chesterton who opened my eyes to the curiosities of the argument-from-grandeur, and I know Lewis was a fan of Chesterton. It wouldn't surprise me if Tolkien was as well, or at least got a second hand dose of his writings from Lewis.
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Alright, what I'm thinking I'll do is every time she does it, I'll call her on it. If that doesn't work, I'll start going into her room without knocking. Because obviously she wants to be treated like that, so... might as well.
Frustration = lack of sheet music for awesome songs. I've gotten into VOCALOID, but in order to decently perform the awesome songs I want to perform, I need the sheet music for the song. I can get video game music easily, but it's another thing to get decent Utena sheet music. I have yet to find a decent Rinbu Revolution file. Also, I CANNOT READ JAPANESE. So I can't make Miku sing faster or slower.
EDIT: UGH. Her excuse is that my door is open. I'm sorry, but it was open a crack. When her door is open more than a crack, I must knock before entering her room. So you know what? Screw her. Screw her and her stupid ass rules. I'm sick of it.
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Thought -- have you been watching EWTN? A G.K. Chesterton show was actually on last night. I turned to that channel precisely because I was pissed that I couldn't find either The Ten Commandments or Jesus of Nazereth anywhere on TV during Easter. Really -- Hollywood does religion so much better than clergy. If you hand the Bible to well-trained scriptwriters, the theme becomes humanist and rather consistent. But still colored by 1950s sensibilities. :( Someone should totally do a movie in which Mary Magdalene is a cyborg ninja who enables Jesus to complete his mission.
For that matter, I'm pissed that there are no shows about the Prophet Muhammad on Western TV during Ramadan, about Vishnu on whatever his day is, or about a leading Atheist figure on whatever day Atheists celebrate as their...awesome day.
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Um, if you have Cox cable it would have been on channel eleven which is KPBS. In fact it would be on KPBS anyways, even if you didn't have cable. Sorry you missed it, man. It was pretty good.
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Someone should totally do a movie in which Mary Magdalene is a cyborg ninja who enables Jesus to complete his mission.
Have you seen Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter? Jesus saves Lesbians from Vampires or something, I haven't seen it yet. Come on, Netflix!
or Jesus Christ Supercop? Based on this, you'd probably appreciate it. "My stigmata's acting up...Something's wrong!" and "Nietche! You killed my father!"
whatever day Atheists celebrate as their...awesome day.
Halloween. It's pagan, which is close enough as far as the 700 club is concerned.
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Have you seen Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter? Jesus saves Lesbians from Vampires or something.
I have made a solemn vow to check that out. If Jesus' goal was not to save the lesbians from each other, Western society has indeed made progress.
PBS is ironically the one channel I didn't even think about checking, Asifagow.
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Have you seen Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter? Jesus saves Lesbians from Vampires or something.
I have made a solemn vow to check that out. If Jesus' goal was not to save the lesbians from each other, Western society has indeed made progress.
The lesbians may be the vampires that he fights but I'm pretty sure he saves them. Either way there's Jesus, lesbians, vampires, and a luchador (which kinda connects it with the Chrono theme! Thanks Greco, you came in handy for once!) and it's supposed to be a comedy. I can't wait for it, honestly.
Jesus Christ Supercop is far more obscure, the only version I've ever seen (or known to exist) was on a bootleg VHS tape, and I think it comes in three episodes, but it may have just been a crappy copy. It was super low budget and had one of the most clever scripts including Jesus that I've ever even heard of.
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Thought -- have you been watching EWTN?
Nope. As far as I know, this is the first time I've heard of it, too.
My family doesn't go fancier than broadcast TV. If we had cable or satalite (as would be required to get EWTN in my area, I suspect), we'd never turn off the history and discovery channels (assuming they are still as interesting as about 7 years ago).
I've mentioned this movie before, but I'm not sure if it was to you. If you ever get a chance to watch the BBC's movie, "Son of Man" you definately should make all reasonable and unreasonable attempts to do so. I've only caught the clips incorporated into Philip Yancey's "film" for the Jesus I Never Knew (great book by and by, its made me lean more towards liberalism) but they are hilarious and powerful. There is something about a short, pudgy, and passionately angry Jesus that works so well.
For that matter, I'm pissed that there are no shows about the Prophet Muhammad on Western TV during Ramadan...
That would be nice, but it is quite understandable. After all, to my knowledge most Muslims frown on any depictions of Muhammad. So the largest potential audience for such a show would be offended by such a show.
... or about a leading Atheist figure on whatever day Atheists celebrate as their...awesome day.
Well National DNA Day is coming up. Could always celebrate by watching Richard Dawkins ;)
Halloween. It's pagan, which is close enough as far as the 700 club is concerned.
Only sort of. Halloween is very much a traditional Christian/Catholic Holy Day, though it was also a pagan holy day. But when the Christian Church literally has a holy day for every calendar day, you have to expect some overlap, both in time frame and theme.
Of course, the 700 club would generally not consider Catholics to be Christians.
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Someone should totally do a movie in which Mary Magdalene is a cyborg ninja who enables Jesus to complete his mission.
Kinda reminds me of this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pUrsUORF4Y&fmt=18)
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That would be nice, but it is quite understandable. After all, to my knowledge most Muslims frown on any depictions of Muhammad. So the largest potential audience for such a show would be offended by such a show.
Very true, and I think that presents a huge cross-culture accessibility problem. There were two such movies managed that I know of (Muhammad - the Last Prophet) (http://tr.youtube.com/watch?v=UNQli2Ng50E) and (The Message) (http://tr.youtube.com/watch?v=Whjpd3G9Ltk), and they creatively got around the problem by portraying Muhammad from a first-person perspective. Kind of like Doom.
Hahaha! Yeah Pyt, I've seen Jesus vs. The Terminator and it's got to be one of my all-time fave Youtube videos. That should be shown in Sunday schools, because it gets the message across very beautifully and succinctly.
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Halloween. It's pagan, which is close enough as far as the 700 club is concerned.
Only sort of. Halloween is very much a traditional Christian/Catholic Holy Day, though it was also a pagan holy day. But when the Christian Church literally has a holy day for every calendar day, you have to expect some overlap, both in time frame and theme.
Of course, the 700 club would generally not consider Catholics to be Christians.
All Hallows Eve. Pagan. Stolen by Christians to replace All Saints Day, which used to be in May (and that date was taken from another pagan holiday) and was moved to the end of October/beginning of November by a Pope. It also has roots in the Celtic holiday called Samhain.
What's funny is that "pagan" doesn't mean anything other than "not Christian". If you have any non-Christian religious beliefs (or lack of belief) you are a pagan as far as they are concerned. The concepts of witchcraft and the devil came from...pagans!
And Pat Robertson and the 700 Club are the worst of the worst when it comes to religion. They push their beliefs on people (evangelism, ugh!), refuse to acknowledge that non-Christians can do good in today's world, would probably be the first to go kamikaze suicide bomber on some unsuspecting building, and are some of the most close-minded people I have ever seen (or met).
Edit: I don't have a problem with real Christians (Open minded, pleasant, accepting people of other faiths). But extremists in any religion are no good for anyone, as you may agree (Nazis, Al Quaida, religious war in general)
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Edit: I don't have a problem with real Christians (Open minded, pleasant, accepting people of other faiths). But extremists in any religion are no good for anyone, as you may agree (Nazis, Al Quaida, religious war in general)
National Socialists? That's not a religious groupa. Seems more like political extremists.
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Yes, the term Nazi is an abbreviation, it comes from National Socialist. But I'm not talking about where they came from. I'm talking about where they went. ie. Holocaust. Radical antisemitism. Which is technically based on religion. (And apparently Hilter had syphilis but that's not the point either) Neo nazis carry the same hate but lack the history AND the war motive completely.
To reiterate, people and groups who are BOTH political extremists AND religious radicals are no good for anyone, at least not when the two overlap.
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Yes, the term Nazi is an abbreviation, it comes from National Socialist. But I'm not talking about where they came from. I'm talking about where they went. ie. Holocaust. Radical antisemitism. Which is technically based on religion. (And apparently Hilter had syphilis but that's not the point either) Neo nazis carry the same hate but lack the history AND the war motive completely.
To reiterate, people and groups who are BOTH political extremists AND religious radicals are no good for anyone, at least not when the two overlap.
Heh, point taken.
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All Hallows Eve. Pagan. Stolen by Christians to replace All Saints Day, which used to be in May (and that date was taken from another pagan holiday) and was moved to the end of October/beginning of November by a Pope. It also has roots in the Celtic holiday called Samhain.
Halloween is a supplementation to All Saints Day; it doesn't replace it. I suspect you already know all this, but to be sure: starting from Jewish culture, there used to be a strong tradition in Christianity to begin celebrating Holy Days the night before. As you noted, Halloween is merely a form of "All Hallow's Eve." Which, of course, means the night before All Hallows Day (All Hallows itself being another name for All Saints). All Saints Day is still celebrated, right along side Halloween.
As for being "stolen;" if it was stolen it would have failed to serve its purpose. Christians in the 6th century would indeed attempt to replace pagan holidays with Christian ones. Pope Gregory the Great, for example, specifically wrote to St. Augustine of Canterbury to this very effect. However, the entire intent was to replace the undesirable tradition with a desirable tradition, not to steal. To use an analogy, think of a holiday like a car. The Catholic church would come into an area and find that everyone is driving GM brand horseless carriages. The Church then shipped in a lot of Ford automobiles (or built them onsite) and gave them to the people so that they'd drive something acceptable, instead of the heathen GM things. Calling it "stolen" doesn't accurately reflect the practice. Indeed, from some perspectives, it would have been far better if the Church had merely stolen the holidays, rather than replacing them; as it was, many times the act of replacing resulted in the original celebration being destroyed.
What's funny is that "pagan" doesn't mean anything other than "not Christian".
Actually it means something along the lines of "rural individual", coming from a time period in which Christianity was primarily in cities while non-Christian religions tended to persist in the countryside.
The concepts of witchcraft and the devil came from...pagans!
If one defines Pagan as not-specifically-Christian, then yes. However, the devil is a much-changed carry-over from Jewish tradition, and Jews are often not considered pagans by Christians. This originates in the text of Job specifically, which also happens to be one of, if not the, oldest part of the Jewish Cannon.
Perhaps you are familiar with the story? The Accuser comes before God, God says "Dude, Job there is, like, wicked faithful!," the Accuser responds with "Dude, that's messed; he's just a gold-digger. If you weren't buying him stuff, he'd drop you like brown underwear."
The Hebrew word for "the Accuser" being Hasatan, if memory serves me correctly. And the world devil coming from the Greek word "diabolos" which means the same. I have heard that this started with the Septuagint, but admittedly I haven't read that (much less in the original Greek) so I am not positive.
Since then, yes, the devil has accumulated many "pagan" trappings; sometimes being given the name Beelzebub, for example, which was a local middle east god. Certainly in Christianity he's gone from the original servant-in-good-standing-of-God to foe-of-God, which in turn foreshadowed the Christian tradition of recasting pagan gods in general as demons (the Nordic god Frey comes to mind as a notable example due to the long overlap of the Nordic religion with Christianity and the survival of many contemporary texts). But while changed, it would be improper to claim that the devil is entirely pagan.
They push their beliefs on people (evangelism, ugh!)...
While certainly I agree that their cause, means, and behavior leaves much to be desired, I would whole heartedly disagree with the sentiment that evangelism is inherently bad (or "ugh!" if you will). Though the word has been much abused in recent years, so perhaps we are thinking of different things when we see it?
At its heart, conceptually at least (as opposed to actual implementation), evangelism is altruistic. Believing that one has found something that is good, one then desires to share that goodness with others. Religious individuals are quite like Cassandra in that regard; believing that they know the future, they attempt to save others from certain destruction. They tend to be faced with the Priam's of the world... and the Christian god is certainly less hyperactive than Apollo, so these Cassandra's don't have as firm proof of their blessing and curse as the original.
If one whole heartedly believes something, and believes that such a something is good, I would certainly hope that such a person would attempt to bring others around to their way of thinking. We use evangelism for religion specifically, but the basic concept is a human one. If you believe that all humans aught be treated as free and equal, I would hope you would attempt to convert others to your way of thinking.
Attempting to force one's believe on others is, indeed, undesirable. But merely attempting to convert others to one's way of thinking is at the heart of human discourse.
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All Hallows Eve. Pagan. Stolen by Christians to replace All Saints Day, which used to be in May (and that date was taken from another pagan holiday) and was moved to the end of October/beginning of November by a Pope. It also has roots in the Celtic holiday called Samhain.
Halloween is a supplementation to All Saints Day; it doesn't replace it. I suspect you already know all this, but to be sure: starting from Jewish culture, there used to be a strong tradition in Christianity to begin celebrating Holy Days the night before. As you noted, Halloween is merely a form of "All Hallow's Eve." Which, of course, means the night before All Hallows Day (All Hallows itself being another name for All Saints). All Saints Day is still celebrated, right along side Halloween.
As for being "stolen;" if it was stolen it would have failed to serve its purpose. Christians in the 6th century would indeed attempt to replace pagan holidays with Christian ones. Pope Gregory the Great, for example, specifically wrote to St. Augustine of Canterbury to this very effect. However, the entire intent was to replace the undesirable tradition with a desirable tradition, not to steal. To use an analogy, think of a holiday like a car. The Catholic church would come into an area and find that everyone is driving GM brand horseless carriages. The Church then shipped in a lot of Ford automobiles (or built them onsite) and gave them to the people so that they'd drive something acceptable, instead of the heathen GM things. Calling it "stolen" doesn't accurately reflect the practice. Indeed, from some perspectives, it would have been far better if the Church had merely stolen the holidays, rather than replacing them; as it was, many times the act of replacing resulted in the original celebration being destroyed.
I only mean stolen in that they took the date and the name and replaced the history of the original holiday. It's like everyone was driving GM brand "Hallow" and it had an exclusive mint green color, but Ford thought they could do it better and released a bunch of mint green cars called the "Hollow", just different enough to not be the same. (I'm reminded of My Cousin Vinny) Edit: also, Pope Gregory was the one who changed the date. Thought that was worth noting.
What's funny is that "pagan" doesn't mean anything other than "not Christian".
Actually it means something along the lines of "rural individual", coming from a time period in which Christianity was primarily in cities while non-Christian religions tended to persist in the countryside.
I say tom-ay-to you say tom-ah-to, but I get what you're saying. People who study wicken and similar religions today actually take a lot of pride in calling themselves pagan.
The concepts of witchcraft and the devil came from...pagans!
If one defines Pagan as not-specifically-Christian, then yes. However, the devil is a much-changed carry-over from Jewish tradition, and Jews are often not considered pagans by Christians. This originates in the text of Job specifically, which also happens to be one of, if not the, oldest part of the Jewish Cannon.
Perhaps you are familiar with the story? The Accuser comes before God, God says "Dude, Job there is, like, wicked faithful!," the Accuser responds with "Dude, that's messed; he's just a gold-digger. If you weren't buying him stuff, he'd drop you like brown underwear."
That's comedic gold right there! I didn't expect a joke to be implanted in your statement. Props.
The Hebrew word for "the Accuser" being Hasatan, if memory serves me correctly. And the world devil coming from the Greek word "diabolos" which means the same. I have heard that this started with the Septuagint, but admittedly I haven't read that (much less in the original Greek) so I am not positive.
Since then, yes, the devil has accumulated many "pagan" trappings; sometimes being given the name Beelzebub, for example, which was a local middle east god. Certainly in Christianity he's gone from the original servant-in-good-standing-of-God to foe-of-God, which in turn foreshadowed the Christian tradition of recasting pagan gods in general as demons (the Nordic god Frey comes to mind as a notable example due to the long overlap of the Nordic religion with Christianity and the survival of many contemporary texts). But while changed, it would be improper to claim that the devil is entirely pagan.
Agreed, as I said the concept came from pagans, not that the devil is entirely pagan.
They push their beliefs on people (evangelism, ugh!)...
While certainly I agree that their cause, means, and behavior leaves much to be desired, I would whole heartedly disagree with the sentiment that evangelism is inherently bad (or "ugh!" if you will). Though the word has been much abused in recent years, so perhaps we are thinking of different things when we see it?
At its heart, conceptually at least (as opposed to actual implementation), evangelism is altruistic.
Emphasis on "conceptually", because evangelists definitely think they're doing the right thing, so to speak. It just doesn't always end up that way. (Watch the film 'Jesus Camp' as this point is shown in great detail.)
Believing that one has found something that is good, one then desires to share that goodness with others. Religious individuals are quite like Cassandra in that regard; believing that they know the future, they attempt to save others from certain destruction. They tend to be faced with the Priam's of the world... and the Christian god is certainly less hyperactive than Apollo, so these Cassandra's don't have as firm proof of their blessing and curse as the original.
If one whole heartedly believes something, and believes that such a something is good, I would certainly hope that such a person would attempt to bring others around to their way of thinking. We use evangelism for religion specifically, but the basic concept is a human one. If you believe that all humans aught be treated as free and equal, I would hope you would attempt to convert others to your way of thinking.
Attempting to force one's believe on others is, indeed, undesirable. But merely attempting to convert others to one's way of thinking is at the heart of human discourse.
Again, I almost agree. But I want to point out the difference between conversion and understanding. I would rather people understand why I think and feel the way I do than convert people to think and feel the way I do, and the real difference is intent. To convert is to assume that Jon (as a human) is better or has it better than Jane (also human) and that if only Jane would change, she could have it better too, when in reality, both are just people who have a set opinion of things and a set of beliefs that are entirely valid, and using the same logic, there's no reason that Jane shouldn't try to change Jon. Even though they may be different, they are equal, they just need to understand and change if they choose.
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My work has us on during Presidents Day and Labor Day but 4/20 is a holiday off for every one.
:picardno
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Edit: also, Pope Gregory was the one who changed the date. Thought that was worth noting.
Yup, but different Pope Gregory. That was Pope Gregory III, whereas Gregory the Great was the first Pope with that name.
That's comedic gold right there! I didn't expect a joke to be implanted in your statement. Props.
I'm long winded and fairly dry; I occasionally try to throw in a few jokes to make my posts not so tedious to read ;)
My work has us on during Presidents Day and Labor Day but 4/20 is a holiday off for every one.
Really? Wow. Mind if I ask where you work?
And here I used to think working every holiday but "Cesar Chavez Day" was random.
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My work has us on during Presidents Day and Labor Day but 4/20 is a holiday off for every one.
Well, that's a bit biased to be celebrating Hitler's birthday but not Lincoln's or Washington's.
Or perhaps your boss just has a thing for marijuana?
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Hooray for delayed responses. I've been busy working / playing my new x-box.
I think you might have misunderstood; my intent was to illustrate that anti-anthropocentric views are equally invalid as anthropocentric (woo, learned a new word) ones. To put it simply, importance is inherently subjective; it is dependent on the specific circumstances and relationships between entities. Any objective criterion is inherently flawed.
While anthrpocentrism may be egotistical, the reverse may well be false humility. One overvalues, but the other undervalues.
At the root of it all you are correct, and we don't disagree. Except that I deny the existence of any objective value whatsoever, placing all value that exists as a result of a subjective observer. As such an argument in favor of anthropocentrism is not equal to one against it, because the former requires you to either accept that objective value exists or to accept that the subjective value that defines the anthropocentric worldview comes from humans themselves or from a god. The latter argument claims no existence of such objective value at all, no signficance to subjective value at all, and holds the position that all life is equally meaningless.
The lesbians may be the vampires that he fights but I'm pretty sure he saves them. Either way there's Jesus, lesbians, vampires, and a luchador (which kinda connects it with the Chrono theme! Thanks Greco, you came in handy for once!) and it's supposed to be a comedy. I can't wait for it, honestly.
I think my friend has this movie (I'm pretty sure it's this movie), and I had been meaning to get drunk and watch it sometime. Or maybe it's Zombie Christ or something. I'm pretty sure the blurb on the back included both zombies and vampires. Hmmm.
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the gripe
Waiting. of course it's a given with the industry I've chosen, but it's still lame. Got a callback for a lead in a feature film and rocked it. They want me and this other guy paired together as the leads, but he might not be able to make the entire shoot, so I don't know if he can, or if he can't what that means for me.
Also, had to host at the open mic tonight, which means I get 4 minutes of material for everyone that just wants the show to start, then I sit through it all and deal with late/stupid people. Ahhh...show biz.
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This is interesting, I've never seen a "bitch about something" thread turn into a detailed philosophical debate about religion...
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The Chrono Compendium - Where 95% of all threads turn into a detailed philosophical debate about religion
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The Chrono Compendium - Where 95% of all threads turn into a detailed philosophical debate about religion
Hey wai-da-min-ut!
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Read for the producers. Went well. Didn't get cast, though. Gaaaaawwwdammit. So it goes.
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'Tis the same for any field of work, Shee. Don't feel bad, sometimes it isn't about talent as much as it is about connections. Although...that idea makes me feel bad.
:picardno
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Damn, something technical isn't working.
Anyway: http://zeality.livejournal.com/26180.html
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Oh cool, you're on LJ. I added you. You need moar friends, especially with the amount of content you post!
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Grandma: "I made a lot of casserole so we can have leftovers for tomorrow!"
Step-brother and girlfriend: "Gee, thanks, I think we'll eat this WHOLE FUCKING DISH so you guys can't have any tomorrow! Oh, and why don't we take this entire box of soda, all the oranges, and all the cereal, too? Oh, did we mention we're having company spend the night, even though mom and step-dad said NO GUESTS while they're in Mexico? Yeah, our friends are going to want to eat the whole kitchen, too. We'll just get up at two and four in the morning to wake you up while we chow down and make unnecessary amounts of noise in the kitchen. Thanks!"
No wonder I'm underweight.
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When my brother did stuff like that, what my mom and my sister did to keep some of the good stuff to themselves is they hid the stuff that doesn't need to be refrigerated and stash the stuff that does deep in the fridge. Cereal lasts much longer that way. I say you smack them and invest in a minifridge. That way you can keep what you want in your room or something like that.
But whatever you do, do not stay underweight. It's better to be overweight than underweight, actually. Although it's not too great for your heart and your body, that does less damage than not having enough energy to fuel your heart and organs and all that crap.
Frustration = VOCALOID. Again. I found a way to make the menus English, but it involves uninstalling VOCALOID 2, reinstalling Hatsune Miku with one thing uninstalled, reinstalling Kagamine Rin and Len with one thing installed (as well as a crack, I think), and installing Prima fully. Prima because she's the English part of it. Her voice is okay, too, but I want my Rin and Len, dammit!
Here's the thing.
In order to install these things you have to mount the ISO on a disc. I've already done that for Miku and Rin/Len, but I recently lent them to my friend Angel to see if he could figure them out. He hasn't gotten back to me on them. I don't want to waste CDs my remounting Miku and Rin/Len, because then my sister will notice that they aren't there. I know I need to mount Prima, but... I don't want to go through the shit with Miku and Rin/Len. I'm going to see if something will work, though...
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Waaaaaaiiiiiiiittttttttiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnggggg.......
Got a call from the director again...more scheduling issues with the other actors....so I call my boss and test the watersa bout me missing a week of work....that goes smoothly enough and I get back in touch with the director and they are having camera issues, so the entire shoot may get pushed back a couple days. Oiiii, at least I might still get cast in this thing.
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Frustration: Star Ocean 4 being so goddamn short.
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Frustration: Star Ocean 4 being so goddamn short.
Wait...
Did you skip the dialog or something? :shock:
I don't think anything 50 hours or above is short, but that's me.
Current frustration: Being so poor I need to sign up for food stamps... >_<
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BAH! Back to normal life for me again it seems. Anyway, I always laughed when someone said a game was short at 24 hours. Maybe it's true by comparison, but it still seemed like a while to me.
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I prefer short epic game than long and boring!
Anyaway, I am frustrated about a girl who was my friend then I told her that I was bigining to like her. Well in the end nothing happened!
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SO3...there are people that not only say THIS is their favorite Star Ocean, but also their favorite RPG!? wtf is wrong with the world? *sigh* And I'm also getting people telling me that the most annoying characters (Peppita & Roger...though I also found Adray to be annoying in & out of battle) are some of the best in battle...This could very well be true, though, as my first playthrough I got them both (not gonna happen this time), but wasn't really raising them properly (I EFFING HATE STUPID A.I. WITH THE FIERY FIRES OF A THOUSAND FLAMING NOVA STARS!!!)...
...and the god-awful dub...when will mainstream gaming catch up with anime & realize that there is a vast majority of fans that actually like their original language with a nice good sub-job? C'mon, dammit! Get with the program! You could even release it as a separate version to test the waters if you're too big a pussy to just give us the option of both! It would come out sooner, be cheaper (if they did away with the dub completely, but i know that's a far-flung hope) & thus would attract the stupid people who say they like dubs and would eventually turn them towards the light.
& damn, I'm going to use a Item creation FAQ for this run because my last play I didn't use it at all and from what I hear you can make incredibly useful stuff (& with my utter disdain for the A.I. I'll take all the help I can get)...
...I also hate walking into enemies and areas I'm not supposed to go into yet, but that's a personal problem and really isn't that big a deal...I mean, w/o that it'd be too linear I guess...but a head's up would be nice...maybe I'm just too big a stickler for not running from battles that seem out of my league...it's a problem that reminds me of FFII where you could walk like 5 feet from the first town and be utterly obliterated by monsters way out of your level-range...I mostly blame the A.I. on this problem though...but then again, if the other party members' A.I. was better that would mean the enemy A.I. would end up looking stupid...Maybe action RPGs just aren't for me...V_V
I wish I had Xenosaga or FFXII...I would just emulate the first Star Ocean, but I'd feel bad using ZSNES for something other than Crimson Echoes...Speaking of which, idk why the hell I haven't felt like getting back to that yet...>_<
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I prefer short epic game than long and boring!
Anyaway, I am frustrated about a girl who was my friend then I told her that I was bigining to like her. Well in the end nothing happened!
Not sayin' she's an idiot...but she's a woman :lol: /sexism'
Heartbreak hurts, no way around it. There will be others.
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Current frustration:
I know Gamefaqs message boards aren't what you'd call 'higher learning', but many posts are funny as hell.
However, there is an unfortunate supply of trolls. After reading through Chrono Cross boards, I have to say...
I hate felixrush with an undying fervor.
If you're going to bash my favorite character, don't dig for flaws that aren't there, for starters. Second, play the damn game all the way through before making fucking judgements!
I know everybody has their opinions, but this guy should be shot...
...out of a cannon...
...into a brick wall...
...full of manure...
...I could keep going...
...but for the sake of good taste, I'll stop.
Damn trolls... *grumble* *grumble*
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Wait...
Did you skip the dialog or something? :shock:
I don't think anything 50 hours or above is short, but that's me.
Current frustration: Being so poor I need to sign up for food stamps... >_<
Nope. Talked to every NPC / had every PA in the Calnus / did every Quest. It was more the way it felt. Heavy emphasis on cutscenes and limited amount of planetary exploration. 5 cities / towns to visit, and most of them very small, and of the ones that are on the same planet they are connected by a landscape that takes literally seconds to dash across. The storyline itself felt like a melting pot of the various storylines from prior Star Oceans, no doubt in an attempt to connect the new one to the others, and at the end of it when you finally get on track with the "real" main enemy it left me wanting more. More planetary exploration, more hashing out of seemingly abandoned storylines, more backstory / character development.
And don't even get me started on the way the plot progesses (because I'll write a more thorough review later). The game feels as if it takes place in the relative span of a month or so, when ship specs / planetary distances / dialog from NPC's suggest that it really takes more like a year. Example: You actually have to dig a bit in the in-game dictionary to realize that the initial SRF journey to Aeos takes three months and not several minutes as is implied by the opening scenes. WTF? Why couldn't they have just added "Three months later" somewhere on the screen to avoid confusion?
Thus the plot ends up feeling cramped and hastily rushed through.
The game starts out feeling absolutely epic, but this changes about midway through the game. That said, I admittedly have a huge hard-on for the Star Ocean series and this is still one of my favorite games ever. But it is definitely not the best in the series.
I do like the divergence from the classic plot of "oh noes I've been stranded on an undeveloped planet and I can't get off but that's okay because apparently this random world has huge galactic significance" to a heavy emphasis on space exploration. But it's like they were testing the waters with it and didn't know how to really make it feel like a Star Ocean game. Hopefully Star Ocean 5 will continue along the same lines but be better.
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How "geniuses" tends to be portrayed on television. Apparently being unusually intelligent is somehow the equivalent of being a Vulcan, minus the ears and the bad haircut.
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Sounds like someone's watching Big Bang Theory! :lol: It's like whenever they can't think of something actually funny they just fall back on HEY LOOK! THEY LIKE STAR TREK! OMG LOL ISN'T IT FUNNY!?!
As for my own, I'll just say I hate laugh tracks. I know the vast majority of the viewing community is stupid, but do they really need auditory cues in order to find what's funny is funny? How about you big-wigs in broadcasting just put something decent on television instead of trying to rape our ears into laughing...M*A*S*H would have been awesome without the laugh track (I think that's how it was broadcast outside of the States or so I hear).
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Funny which random avatar you were on when I read that comment V.
My frustration? Finding a new job. Current one is leading nowhere, despite how much I enjoy the people I work with, but the market is slim as hell right now.
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My brother got caught with drugs.
:picardno
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Shit, man. Shit. How bad is it?
Uh... I keep biting my hands. Fingers, specifically. Ugh. HURTS. Also, my NES is being bitchy.
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Hasn't told me yet.
God I always bite my fingers, I've done it my whole life. Started on nails, and now I'm onto the soft, chewy undernail.
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Do tell your brother to be careful. Those Mexican drug cartels that are killing people right and left? They're in our back yards. (http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/04/grisly_slayings_including_five.html) All of our back yards. Screw the side effects and illegality -- his life could be in danger.
It's high time far more people started videogame hacking to get their kicks. Hex stimulates the same nerve centers in the brain as chocolate. Or so I hear...
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It's high time far more people started videogame hacking to get their kicks. Hex stimulates the same nerve centers in the brain as chocolate. Or so I hear...
Hear, hear!
And on that subject, sprite sheet palettes. Maximum is twelve colours for character, three for weapon, and one transparency. This sheet had fifty-two colours. Took four hours to colour correct. Well, now I can start spriting it! ...After school tomorrow. And after math homework. And if I'm even awake then. I hate morning classes.
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He was caught with E.
:picardno
fucking idiot
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He was caught with E.
:picardno
fucking idiot
Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support
It sucks to hear that. Hopefully he'll wisen up. But give support.
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He was caught with E.
:picardno
fucking idiot
Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support
It sucks to hear that. Hopefully he'll wisen up. But give support.
I've been nothing but supportive. But he's been lying to my face about this for too long. My parents think I knew the whole time and lied to them as well. So of course I'm a little furious.
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When he got caught as you said, was it by police or the parents? And how much E?
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Sounds like someone's watching Big Bang Theory! :lol:
Nope, "Bones," actually (which if I recall correctly you're not a particular fan of). Big Bang Theory generally attempts to be funny when they poorly portray smart people. But in this case, Bones was attempting to be dead serious, which made it all the worse. It was the episode where Booth and Bones were investigating a murder of a fancy-to-do scientist at a think tank. The scientists there acted as if emotions are infectious diseases.
As for today's frustration, Texas Drivers. Now you might think the drivers where you live are bad, and perhaps they are, but Texas Drivers are short-bus special. Consider the following examples:
1) About once a month I will see someone attempt to make a left turn at a lighted intersection. They have a green arrow to turn, and so they start to turn left. Halfway into the turn they see the traffic light for the perpendicular traffic. Because Traffic lights tend to attempt to avoid having conflicting flows of traffic going at once, such a light will always be red. Halfway into the turn such individuals will thus stop, in the middle of the intersection, and wait for this other light to turn green. Doesn't matter that other cars are honking at them, or that sane individuals are going around them to successfully turn left. They just sit there.
2) Also about once a month I will see someone run a red light. This isn't a "oh I didn't see it" sort of thing, or a "I couldn't stop in time sort of thing." No, the driver will come to a dead stop, wait several minutes, and then run the red light. But that is actually when the individual is being good. When the individual is being particularly bad, they will pull out into oncoming traffic in order to bypass all the individuals stopped ahead of them, just to then run the red light.
3) Texas Drivers have no problem cutting across three lanes of traffic abruptly because they have almost missed their exit on the highways. But again, that is just when they are being good. When they are being bad, Texas Drivers will stop on the freeway and back up because they missed their exit.
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I have no experience with E, or experience with Texas drivers. But support your brother and make sure you aren't one of those drivers.
Here in Massachusetts, it seems that turn signals are optional...
Current frustration = my cluttered room. I thought it would be fine, because I could find everything, but now... I need to go somewhere and I can't find my purse, which has my wallet in it.
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Yeah, I bite my fingers/fingernails too...
Well, that sucks. Hope you find that wallet.
Current Frustration: My family is a bunch of assholes.
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You know this thread over hear right? http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,4445.0.html
Well my thread is for computers and internet related frustrations such as a software you installed that's crapping out or you had a reallly bad day at a chat-room somewhere and you just need to vent.
Now you don't have to clutter the other thread since I've notice it's mainly used for daily life outside of the computer.
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Today's Cyber related problem is VGmusic.com. How can you have problems when there is over 24,000 midi files there you ask?
Well most of their games are incomplete which not much people seem to care about the requst section. To top it off if you are a new i've notice they get ignored and not looked at much which I feel is a sillly behavoir, I mean everyone's new at forums sometime or another and not everyone is a computer literate teenager geek that undestands what all the buttons do and how to say things.
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Unlike the @#@$ Frustration thread which mostly deals with social life outside the (box) my thread is for cyber-issues that frustrate the hell outta you.
You download a probram like a music sequencer and it just doesn't work right for you or you have a bad day in a chat room where some one is trolling/spamming you.etc
This is the thread to vent it out so it won't clutter up the other topic.
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Todays problem is VGmusic.com How can you have problems at vgmusic that has 24,000 (estimate) midi files you ask? Well the problem lies with the fact that most of the games are very incomplete and the request forums are a joke which no one even bothers to look at.
The other big problem is the lack of a warm welcome when someone is a "newbie" and wishes to understand the forum. They seem to be a close knitted community where if they don't like you they toss you for having too many freckles on your face or something stupid.
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My computer frustration: Three frustration threads, two of which are the exact same thing. Two identical threads posted within twenty minutes of each other is spam. Please stick to the normal frustration thread instead of cluttering the board with useless topics.
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He was caught with E.
He could have been caught with worse. MDMA is not addictive and has only limited neurotoxicity, especially compared to other drugs, including legal ones. Moreover the risk of death from MDMA use is extremely minimal if the pills are pure and overdose via serotonin syndrome is unlikely. My point: At least he wasn't caught with cocaine or heroine. Then you would have cause for extreme concern.
Do tell your brother to be careful. Those Mexican drug cartels that are killing people right and left? They're in our back yards. (http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/04/grisly_slayings_including_five.html) All of our back yards. Screw the side effects and illegality -- his life could be in danger.
It's high time far more people started videogame hacking to get their kicks. Hex stimulates the same nerve centers in the brain as chocolate. Or so I hear...
I wouldn't be too concerned about the cartels. Wherever he got the pills from, it was likely a middle man of a middle man of a middle man. He probably got them from a school buddy who got them from his brother who knows a friend that deals drugs or something. I would take the reverse stance as you, and say that I would be more concerned about the illegality and side effects. Not the side effects of MDMA mind you, those are minimal, but most pills on the streets today do not contain MDMA but instead contain methamphetamine or a mixture of the two. Some even contain piperazines, phenethylamines like 2C-B, and DXM (contained in some cough syrup).
MDMA is a very safe drug in pure form, but one would have to be fucking retarded to purchase a pill from some sleazy dealer and ingest it when they have absolutely no idea what the contents of it are. That's like a roll of the dice right there. Either don't do the drug, or buy a testing kit to practice safe and responsible drug use, is my opinion on that.
My Frustration of the Day: Canine parvovirus. Why don't people vaccinate their dogs? I try to educate as many people as come into the clinic, but it seems like for every one I teach about parvo ten come in with pets on their deathbed from it. And because they didn't want to shell out a minimal amount of cash in the first place, now their dog needs IV fluids / blood transfusions / antibiotics / hospitalization and they still only have a 20% chance of survival on average.
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You know this thread over hear right? http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,4445.0.html
Well my thread is for computers and internet related frustrations such as a software you installed that's crapping out or you had a reallly bad day at a chat-room somewhere and you just need to vent.
Now you don't have to clutter the other thread since I've notice it's mainly used for daily life outside of the computer.
Did you read the first posts of that thread? Computers are the reason it exists.
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Yeah, and it's kind of a free-thought post explosion in there anyways...There's no way to clutter that which is there to gather clutter...-ness...And regardless, why the need to create this thread? To announce that other thread? >_>
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In light of Ramsus' and V's comments, I feel a compulsion to merge these into the big Frustration Thread, which is all-encompassing in its frustrating awesomeness.
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You made the same thread in GD...
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Sorry if the recent discussion here seems kinda choppy, I merged two separate computer frustration threads into this frustration topic. If anyone's frustrated by that, well, sound off here as always. :P
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I'm sick and tired of cheap, stripped down audio cards and noisy integrated components. It's sad, but all of the decent low-end sound cards are out of production these days.
Finally, I just ended up ordering one of these (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta44.html) for $150, which should work great with realtime Linux and 64-bit Windows too. Now hopefully it actually gets here.
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The Iron Man soundtrack does not have the song, Iron Man.
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Just get the Black Sabbath/Ozzy album with it. It rocks and includes more songs that rock.
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My internet connection is stupid. We work off of a wireless set up and have issues with it in the past. But now... the main secured network we use isn't working right. It says it's connected, but I can't get anywhere. So now, I'm on the unsecured network that I think is standard for the complex. Nice, if you ask me.
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Just get the Black Sabbath/Ozzy album with it. It rocks and includes more songs that rock.
Well that is more money. And I can't say I'm a fan of the lyrics or singing style. The instramental music is quite nice, but beyond that... meh.
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Just get the Black Sabbath/Ozzy album with it. It rocks and includes more songs that rock.
Well that is more money. And I can't say I'm a fan of the lyrics or singing style. The instramental music is quite nice, but beyond that... meh.
And some of the music is fantastic. That solo at the end of Mr. Crowley? Good times.
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Well, my brother is getting expelled and going to juvenile hall.
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...Shit.
I hate my brother, but that's terrible.
Sorry. Good luck...
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Anything I had resembling a sleep schedule just went out the window....sheeeeit
Sorry to hear about your borther. Hopefully it will be a blessing in disguise, hopefully he's learned, and hopefully the tempers have subsided for now and healing can begin. WOW in other words head up! Eyes...forward!
My gripe is these damn directors and producers dangling shit in front of me. The SAME lead role for this feature is up for grabs, not up, casting again, not casting again. All I know is they could of had me 3 times now and passed on me every time. But they keep teasing and the SHIT'S WEAK.
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Next time wear a wig!
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Just get the Black Sabbath/Ozzy album with it. It rocks and includes more songs that rock.
As do all of the Ozzy era Sabbath albums. The last two, Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die are a bit weak, but still have some good stuff. If you enjoy Paranoid (the album w/ Iron Man on it), I would definitely recommend the rest of the 70s stuff :
Master of Reality (often seen as the album that started heavy metal, as the band tuned down a step and a half to C#)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (a bit more progressive, spacey stuff on here like 'Spiral Architect')
Vol. 4 (lots of heavy guitar riffs. includes a thank-you to Coke-a-Cola, as they were doing a lot of drugs by this point)
Sabotage (a few of their heaviest songs on here... the first three are killer)
Black Sabbath (the debut. a bit more heavy 60s rock style, but the devil themes were a novelty at the time.)
The Ozzy lineup also has a great live album from '97 or '98 called Reunion. It's great stuff if you want to hear the old songs without the dated production of the old studio albums. It was the album that got me into heavy metal - and older rock bands in general.
If you're interested in hearing what the band sounds like today - with their second vocalist, who's keen on D&D lyrics and the like - you can check out an official stream of the new album from VH1 here: http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/heaven_and_hell/2424995/album.jhtml?popThis=playIt() (http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/heaven_and_hell/2424995/album.jhtml?popThis=playIt())
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Oh yeah, I wouldn't really suggest anything current unless you were a big fan or something...Do your ears a favor & just get some Ozzy when he was with Randy Rhoads (RIP).
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Not much to choose from there though. Just two studio albums and a live compilation. Each of which are great, mind you. The solo Ozzy stuff is okay but I much prefer his material with Black Sabbath.
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I hate everything at the moment.
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Gah. How did having drugs make him get expelled? Was he busted at school for it? That really sucks : (.
I hate blackheads. I'm already in my mid 20s, you'd think they'd be gone by now, but it seems like they've gotten worse since I was in HS. I just spent time steaming my face in hopes of getting the blackhead strips to work, but they don't work at all, even with that. Neither does the vibrating thing I got that's supposed to help blackheads. That seems to leave my face cleaner at first, but later they all come back or something( in the span of a couple hours) The only thing that does seem to work is the blackhead tool I have, but it's rough on skin and leaves my face blotchy >_>. Seems like nothing can be done but use the tool, and they still come back after a couple days : (. And it's impossible to make them all go away at once.
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Try proactive. It takes a few minutes to apply cause it's three bottles to the set, but it works. I never use it cause I'm lazy, but when I do use it, blackheads tend to disappear for at least a weak. It's a good idea to use the stuff every night though.
Frustration: Having to walk to the store. Bags are heavy.
Also frustration: The first (long-term) time I got my ears pierced, one ear was pierced crooked. Sometimes I get the earring in and can't push it any further, so I gotta dig around to find the end of the hole. Ow. Also, got my ears pierced again Sunday before last, and I keep getting my hair tangled in the earring in the middle of the night. More ow.
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I am 2###$4 Frustrated that my thread got removed.
I made an alternate version of this thread for computer frustration so if anybody is having issues on their computer or a very bad day on the internet they can vent their frustrations but it's like friggen gone man! I don't know Y.
THIS thread is more for social problems rather then computer/internet trobules so I don't know WHERE to post frustrations.
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This thread is for all frustrations, in fact the very first post was about an internet connection.
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my thread got removed.
I don't know Y.
I feel a compulsion to merge these into the big Frustration Thread, which is all-encompassing in its frustrating awesomeness.
all-encompassing = all frustrations...social, computer or otherwise
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Ahh, I should have PM'd Triforce to let him know what happened, since merging doesn't leave an automated message like moves do. Sorry about that Triforce, your threads are now on page 180 of this thread, as a matter of fact.
You see, if we combine the power of all our frustrations, we can generate a thread with OVER 9000 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq5csKvXCT4) replies!
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Speaking of DBZ, the slow rate at which comics are released gets frustrating.
I wants me Ultimate Iron Man mini-series #3! (well, to my knowledge no such thing is planned, which is even worse).
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Ahh, I should have PM'd Triforce to let him know what happened, since merging doesn't leave an automated message like moves do.
They really should though.
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Ahh, I should have PM'd Triforce to let him know what happened, since merging doesn't leave an automated message like moves do.
They really should though.
If SMF better documented how to packages mods, and I actually had some free time, I could probably make Mr. Tuesday automatically notify people whenever mods move or edit their threads/posts.
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The NFL Draft is on TV. It's pretty cool to see who will go where and all, but the amount of coverager anf analysis and THE POTENTIAL AND THE ATHLETICISM AND THE TREMENDOUS UPSIDE POTENTIAL!!!
It gets annoying after a while, I guess...and what is the deal with Sheriff Goodell? Dude is going crazy on the NFL.
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Can someone close the internet @#$!$ frustration thread I made. People think I am a troll whne I am not.
I hate how the internet is so unforgiving. Jesus said to forgive others and nobody seems to give a s--t abou that.
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Jesus said to forgive others and nobody seems to give a s--t abou that.
Thankfully, he sacrificed himself for all our internet sins.
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I hate how the internet is so unforgiving. Jesus said to forgive others and nobody seems to give a s--t abou that.
The internet isn't dictated by a sky fairy and barbaric diety-worshipping tribes.
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Can someone close the internet @#$!$ frustration thread I made. People think I am a troll whne I am not.
I hate how the internet is so unforgiving. Jesus said to forgive others and nobody seems to give a s--t abou that.
You can lock or delete your own topics.
Also, we are forgiving. I have a strong feeling that a lot of people wish to say many mean spirited things towards you regarding your attitude towards others here and multiple threads about nearly the same topic, but out of decency refrain from doing so.
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Can someone close the internet @#$!$ frustration thread I made. People think I am a troll whne I am not.
I hate how the internet is so unforgiving. Jesus said to forgive others and nobody seems to give a s--t abou that.
Nobody's holding it against you personally for making these mistake. I've only seen one person throw out the possibility that you're a troll, and I can't even find that post now. Most of the posts in reply to yours are by people who understand that you're just making mistakes and are just pointing them out for you and explaining why they're considered mistakes here so you won't keep repeating them.
In other words, most of the persecution you make yourself out to be receiving seems to be out of misunderstanding on your part. It's not mean or malicious to point out to someone that they're doing something wrong, and nobody meant for you to be offended by it.
So don't take it personally. Just take it for what it is and leave it at that. It's nothing to get upset about.
EDIT: After reading some of your other posts, if you really feel like you might hurt yourself, please find someone to talk to. Even if nobody's around, there's still numbers you can call like 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Sometimes, talking to someone is all you need to get past that feeling.
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I hate how the internet is so unforgiving. Jesus said to forgive others and nobody seems to give a s--t abou that.
The internet isn't dictated by a sky fairy and barbaric diety-worshipping tribes.
Huh, well that was rather non sequitur...
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I agree that there's far too much "diety worship" in the United States.
(http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/3184/dietbiblee.png)
We need to do something about this phenomenon. It's been dictating people's behavior for over...a decade.
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I'm a little PO'd that no one's bothering to describe their links at all in the "WTF? Check this link out!" thread...I can understand a few every now & then not because maybe it's some kind of surprise or w/e (omg, I clicked that link and now there's bacon on the Compendium! *har har*)...but it just makes the whole thread seem a lot more sloppy than it needs to be...It's like people are just randomly throwing crap at it just for the sake of piling it on. If you're going to share something, SHARE ABOUT IT!! wtf is this that you want me to click on? Why do you think it's worth the time? etc.
I know that's probably just me though...It's not like I'm asking that it become a literary thread or anything, but damn. I go in every once in a while and just see every other person throwing out youtube links like there's no tomorrow...I might actually click on some of them if I knew wtf they were!!
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I agree that there's far too much "diety worship" in the United States.
(http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/3184/dietbiblee.png)
We need to do something about this phenomenon. It's been dictating people's behavior for over...a decade.
Wait, what?
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I'm a little bit frustrated that everyone at the GameFaqs forums are complete idiots. I heard people bitching about that here but I had no idea...
...I think the general intelligence level of the Compendium has spoiled me :D
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If you want, you could always read through random Youtube comments for an hour to make the GameFAQs forums seem smarter.
That said, it's sad that you can always find a dumber group out there.
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I only went to the gamefaqs forums out of curiosity, but from what I've seen if anyone attempts to post anything thought provoking they get immediately flamed into submission by the moronic masses.
Youtube comments are always good for a laugh though. I love reading the comments on the science videos with all the idiots trying to figure out how it is done / claiming that it is fake and made via video editing.
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Depends on which GameFAQs board you're perusing I think. In the PSX -> Xenogears board, I had some great conversations with the English-speaking world's prevailing "Xeno-scholars" recently. Not a bad time at all; reminded me of the Compendium.
As an example of non-idiotic GameFAQs discourse...
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.php?board=199365&topic=49205683
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Youtube comments are always good for a laugh though. I love reading the comments on the science videos with all the idiots trying to figure out how it is done / claiming that it is fake and made via video editing.
If you think giving yourself aneurysms are funny, yeah, Youtube comments are a blast.
Current gripe: I ave absolutely no free time. Outside of School, spending time with Mara (which is going very well, thank you), and devoting two hours a night to a personal game project I'm working on, I barely have times to take a meaningful piss these days, let alone catch up on stuff here.
Anyone have secrets on time management?
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As an example of non-idiotic GameFAQs discourse...
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.php?board=199365&topic=49205683
That's interesting Faust, I always thought Elru was on the northeastern continent for some reason - I'm not sure why I always assumed that, but I definitely didn't know it was on Taura's continent. Also, where in the game script does it say Sigmund was from Elru? I've played Xenogears multiple times, it being one of my favorite games and all, and I somehow overlooked that little tidbit of information.
I think the Xenogears boards are populated by people like that because anyone that doesn't like a deep and thought-provoking story (read:stupid) likely wouldn't make it through the first few hours of Xenogears without abandoning it.
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Yeah, I totally forgot Elru was on the world map at all, hah. An atrociously dedicated fan named Ichiban recently (like, 2009 recently) did the world's first 99.9% complete English translation of Xenogears: Perfect Works and it's mentioned that Kaiser Sigmund was from Elru in there. It probably wasn't even mentioned in the game script, or at least not prominently.
I guess I'll make my frustration for this post the fact that Masato Kato never came clean with the Chrono world's deepest secrets like Takahashi did with Xenogears for the most part. Then again, Kato probably wanted to reserve material for future Chrono installments whereas Takahashi may have known there wasn't a snowball's chance of completing Xenogears.
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I guess I'll make my frustration for this post the fact that Masato Kato never came clean with the Chrono world's deepest secrets like Takahashi did with Xenogears for the most part. Then again, Kato probably wanted to reserve material for future Chrono installments whereas Takahashi may have known there wasn't a snowball's chance of completing Xenogears.
This reminds me of the huge Q and A sessions with J.K. Rowling, which makes me wonder at the prospect of a Chrono series' "Dumbledore is gay" moment... Imagine the possibilities, and as Rowling said after her big revelation, "Think of the fan fiction."
And, typical frustrations: Too much to do, to much I want to do, not enough time, why does my head hurt? etc..
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OK:
48 chemistry topics to finish in 2 days.
each topic can consist of from me doing 2 problems quick to me messing up the problem 3 times then having to get it right 4 times in a row.
after X many topics (not that many, like 10 to 20) I will be given a "review" of the topics i did... ...in which afterwards i will either be given credit for topics i havent done yet or lose credit for topics I already did. the review will often consist of 25 questions.
so... mean value of 5 q per t....
48 * 5 = 245 questions, + 2 * 25 =
... Basically i have almost 300 questions to do within the next 2 days... each question taking 1 to 3 minutes each...
so 2*300 is 600
600/60 = 10.
10. 10 fucking hours.
Damn... this sucks.
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Ouch!
As lame as this may sound, when I really have to buckle down and do mentally taxing things for a long time I find that simple yogic-style breathing is helpful. So, say, after each problem a take a break and spend about 20 seconds taking the deepest breaths you can, and then try to remember to long deep breathing as much as possible. Flooding the brain with oxygen is better than any energy drink, or coffee... alright maybe not coffee.
Complex carbs like potatoes work well in conjunction with this^.
Frustrations: Same as before, yadda yadda.
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Anyone have secrets on time management?
Slave labour.
I agree that there's far too much "diety worship" in the United States.
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/3184/dietbiblee.png (http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/3184/dietbiblee.png)
We need to do something about this phenomenon. It's been dictating people's behavior for over...a decade.
Wait, what?
While I could be wrong, I am fairly sure Fausty was commenting on the religious nature of the weight industry in the western world. Thinness being considered next to godliness, fat being a sin worthy of excommunication, the central role that weight and weight management plays in our lives, etc. That is certainly one religion I wouldn't mind seeing in decline.
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Yeah, I totally forgot Elru was on the world map at all, hah. An atrociously dedicated fan named Ichiban recently (like, 2009 recently) did the world's first 99.9% complete English translation of Xenogears: Perfect Works and it's mentioned that Kaiser Sigmund was from Elru in there. It probably wasn't even mentioned in the game script, or at least not prominently.
Huh. I thought there was only one character from Elru, and that was the point of bringing up that former place.
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While I could be wrong, I am fairly sure Fausty was commenting on the religious nature of the weight industry in the western world. Thinness being considered next to godliness, fat being a sin worthy of excommunication, the central role that weight and weight management plays in our lives, etc. That is certainly one religion I wouldn't mind seeing in decline.
I am a Christian myself...
But, don't worry you guys, I won't shove things down your throught or throw pamphlets at you... (how do you even spell pamphlets?)
*sigh*
Our good nature given a bad name by so many people...
But yeah, agreed about that weight thing...
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Well, what Thought said, and the fact that Pyt Fumv typed "diety worship" when it should have been "deity worship." Then I saw the "dieter's Bible" and just had to point it out with a pun. 8)
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My current frustration: that I totally didn't notice Faust's pun.
I am ashamed of my oversight in that regard. I should be punished.
Okay, maybe using that pun is just making things worse for me.
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Here we go....
I'm sick of the shit that is being flung at one Michael Vick. I'm so sick and tired of all tehse groups including PETA who would never turn down a chance to get some publicity while crucifying someone. I'm so sick of all the hate for what Michael Vick "did."
Is the situation really scrwed up and evil? Sure. I don't think anyone disagrees with that. The REAL gripe I'm having here actually has nothing to do with Vick himself, just when was the last time we got this up in arms for OTHER PEOPLE!? Living or otherwise, fighting or not, cute or not, they're DOGS, the things we describe beggars and vagabonds as, they're not people!!!!! Don't read this as I'm inhumane or ignorant towards the plight of poor pet ownership (I'm sure Crono Eric can testify that it is indeed a massive problem) but rather...let's use this energy and focus to something for fellow man, not his best friend.
There I said it.
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I didn't know there was a number for suicidal problems and I am getting a cell-phone soon.
I'll keep it in mind as I do tend to feel suicidal at times. It's not enough to get me locked up but I really do get them like a movie. :picardno
This frustration thread actually helps me not think suicidal thoughts.
I have an understanding as to why.
I have had an accident since years ago and I hurted my tailbone and when I am in pain it causes my whole body to lock-up and it's gotten very bad since it wasn't taken care of due to reasons I won't explain out here in the open. PM me if you are intrested as I'll listen even if I don't respond in a timely matter.
I've recently discovered that when I am in pain I just lock up. I am not sure if it's an Autistic thing or not. Talk about Planet Weird! :? :?
I am getting seen by a chiropracter on May 7th so I am not going to be on here until then as I just do simple stuff and am going to school also.
PS: When I get back I am going to find out about making my own RPG cause I have an idea but I don't do well with ideas while in the motion of pain.
Cya!
PSS. Shee I don't know who Vick is but I understand your frustration when organize groups make a big deal out of stuff that's not as important as say.......The economy crisis and all the goverment lies.
We should just worry about fixing our country before we start crucifying someone even though ti's wrong period to crucifix someone like that.
Sorry if that was confusing. Shutting up now. (zips lip)
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PS: I gave you a serious PM IamSarge.
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Is the situation really scrwed up and evil? Sure. I don't think anyone disagrees with that. The REAL gripe I'm having here actually has nothing to do with Vick himself, just when was the last time we got this up in arms for OTHER PEOPLE!? Living or otherwise, fighting or not, cute or not, they're DOGS, the things we describe beggars and vagabonds as, they're not people!!!!! Don't read this as I'm inhumane or ignorant towards the plight of poor pet ownership (I'm sure Crono Eric can testify that it is indeed a massive problem) but rather...let's use this energy and focus to something for fellow man, not his best friend.
There are many issues in this world, and a great variety of individuals. Some people care about one particular topic or political position, the rest care about countless others. We should not take a perceived view of importance based on the superiority of one viewpoint over another, of one species over another, and use that to monopolize what we should or should not be talking about in the news, or what people should or should not care about. The fact is that out of that great diversity of individuals there are plenty that care about human affairs and will devote their lives to that cause, and there are plenty that care about animal affairs and will devote their lives to that cause. Whether one is more important than the other is completely subjective.
Michael Vick should and was punished for his brutal and inhumane crimes against animals. Whether that punishment is sufficient, I will leave up to others to speculate. That, I imagine, is primarily what the news is talking about nowadays. And it seems to me to be a perfectly reasonable, valid, and important thing to discuss.
However, I don't lie that if the news is going to be covering topics on the welfare of animals, and if PETA is going to raise hell about it, then I certainly wish they would cover more pertinent ones instead. Because as widespread as animal abuse is, it is nowhere near as widespread as heartworm disease, parvo, and distemper - fatal illnesses of dogs that I see nearly every day and that are due solely to the negligence/ignorance of their owners. A form of abuse in its own right, I've decided - by denying an animal under your responsibility the most basic medical care necessary for its continued well-being and survival.
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Regardless of who takes it upon themselves, it's important to put the welfare of animals above those of humans because they can't do it themselves...We are the ruling species of the planet and it's kind of our responsibility to take care of it and our co-inhabitants as best we can...By being responsible for those around us we better ourselves as a whole anyways, so it's not like you're neglecting humanity by taking care of the animals that may or may not be beneath us...
That's my $.02 anyways.
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Regardless of who takes it upon themselves, it's important to put the welfare of animals above those of humans because they can't do it themselves...We are the ruling species of the planet and it's kind of our responsibility to take care of it and our co-inhabitants as best we can...By being responsible for those around us we better ourselves as a whole anyways, so it's not like you're neglecting humanity by taking care of the animals that may or may not be beneath us...
That's assuming Douglas Adams wasn't right about the dolphins and mice being smarter than us. :lol:
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Three frustrations
1. Six Days in Fallujah was cancelled by Konami. Why don't we cancel Castlevania games because they portray the Christian religion in a bad light, or vampires even? Fucking idiots. At least it's still being made.
2. SomethingAwful is closed to non-members for about a week X_X which brings me too...
3. I really want to join SomethingAwful, but I don't want to get helldumped. That and I'm really unsure about paying the 10 bucks with my credit card. Ugh, don't want my identity stolen.
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That's assuming Douglas Adams wasn't right about the dolphins and mice being smarter than us. :lol:
Well, we still have rule over their environments...Mice slightly less-so though I suppose...But we still have the ability to fuck even them over...
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I have no problem with people who protest real mistreatment of animals. Yes, there are people who protest mistreatment of people, but it doesn't make the news like a dog-fighting ring (in Vick's case) and what not. The life of a person is worth more than the life of any animal. People like PETA really chap my ass.
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I think the life of some people is worth more than the life of an animal...but there's plenty of people I'd sacrifice for a dog with even the worst disposition I think.
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The life of a person is worth more than the life of any animal. People like PETA really chap my ass.
PETA's great, you just have to know which PETA to be a part of. Me? I'm a proud member of People for the Eating of Tasty Animals. We are an old and proud organization who have been unfairly targeted by the squater group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
But jesting aside, you can tell more about a person by how they treat their inferiors than by how they treat their equals or superiors.
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I'm part of the PWHATLOC (People Who Hate Acronyms That Leave Out Conjunctions). P-What-Loc! Stupid Acronyms with their stupidness...!
What if a person doesn't believe in inferiors of any type? Or what if they believe they are the inferior? What if someone eats babies but cares for old people? What if a baby eats old people and leads an army of babies against us ALL!?!? It starts with our women's milk, but they'll never be satisfied with just that!!
I should probably go to sleep soon...EAT BABIES BEFORE THEY EAT YOU!! IT'S LIKE YUMMY YUMMY HUMAN VEAL!!!!
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Yeah, PFTETOA is another group. It's basically People for the Ethical Treatment of Anal-retentiveness. :lol:
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What if a person doesn't believe in inferiors of any type?
Maybe I'm just being pessimistic, but I can't imagine a human like that. Intelligent people value their intelligence, and thus hold themselves as luckier than unintelligent people. Non-intellectuals hold the literati in disdain and thus hold themselves as "more real." Successful people find value in their success, while unsuccessful people find value in having "lived through a harsh life." People go into a restaurant and expect to be waited on, people expect to be held accountable but employers, etc. While humans might have different kinds of hierarchies, it seems like hierarchies always exist.
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The life of a person is worth more than the life of any animal. People like PETA really chap my ass.
Your basis for this being?
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MY personal basis for this is:
If a dog and a random stranger, neither of which I knew, were balanced on opposite ends of a beam suspended over shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, and if i save one the beam would unbalance thusly dumping the other one into said shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, I would probably save the random stranger.
...but thats just my basis. he still has to explain his.
Oh, and yes, sharks and crocodiles are awesome enough to live in sulfuric acid, I know =D
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You have been better off going with ill-tempered mutant sea bass.
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they still live in sulfuric acid tho.
always
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The life of a person is worth more than the life of any animal.
Define "worth". If you are talking about subjective worth, then yes - many people would value the life of a person higher than the life of an animal. But many people - like yourself I am assuming - confuse subjective worth with objective worth. As V_Translanka said, there are many dogs that I too hold to much higher value than a great many people.
But how do you determine the true , objective, value of a life? Is one species more superior than another? Is one species more worthy of living than another?
If I believed that humans were objectively superior to animals, and thus their lives were objectively more valuable, then I would become a human doctor instead of a veterinarian because I would conclude, as others like you indirectly say - that I am wasting my life and time by saving the lives of animals instead of the lives of people.
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What if the human on the balance beam was a sick & dying old man, crying out in pain and wishing he were dead but the dog was a cute lil newborn puppy who just wanted to chew on your socks a bit? Or better yet, one of those amazing rescue dogs or one of those blind people's dogs (I guess those ones would be harder to tell on-sight though)?
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What you have described is still an example of subjective worth, but it illustrates just how convoluted the concept is - especially when people make such umbrella-claims as "every human life is worth more than any animal life".
To take your example further, what if the dying old man was weighed against a rescue dog that would go on to save dozens or hundreds of healthy human lives? What would the choice, based on a subjective determination of the worth of a life - be then?
These are questions that cannot reasonably be answered, of course, but it demonstrates just how useless it is to label the lives of all animals as inferior to those of humans - or to even place a value on a life of any higher species (human or otherwise) in the first place.
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Which is why I say: "I'll make the choice when I get there."
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Don't get me wrong, I like my dog and cat much more than I like a lot of people. However, my level of liking them != their value. In the subjective log over alligator infested sulfuric acid... Knowing nothing else, I would save the dying old man. And I know Zeality is going to hate me now, but the reason for that is because of my faith. Going any further than that would probably lead into a theological discussion that does not belong in the frustration thread.
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Personally, an AVERAGE humans value (not some radical extremist that everyone wants dead) in my opinion is greater than an average animal's value based upon one statistic mainly: intelligent communication...
If dogs or animals could speak... If any animal could speak and understand things on the same mental level as us... (not in a way that its like "BALL BALL BALL PLAY PLAY PLAY")... then the could and should be held on the same social status as us.
however until then my personal verdict will stand.
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The kind of worth you people are talking about is arbitrary. We define the criteria and the scale. "Worth" does not exist in the physical sense as a general concept. In other words, there is no "worth" particle...it isn't biological, or chemical, or atomic. At best, we can associate worth with objective quantities. I do that in my philosophy, on very strict terms.
Anyhow, back on-topic: I am not particularly frustrated at the moment, but if I had to try, I would be topical and identify my extraordinary powers of procrastination. They're really quite terrifying in their ruthless efficiency.
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Fucking Amazon. Fucking US Postal System. I got gba Zelda from an Amazon seller, and the envelope and booklet showed up, ripped open with no game. That's a federal offense, right there, but to whom do I complain? (I already emailed the seller)
FUCK.
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My frustration: Heavy textbooks and hills. We have a GIANT textbook in math class, and similarly GIANT textbook for flash. Add to that tablet and headphones. My backpack must have pulled one of my shoulders the wrong way, because it's really sore and doesn't like to move. At least it's not my drawing arm.
As for Amazon: It's better than ebay.
And procrastination: My 3D teacher encourages it.
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Firefly was one of the best shows ever. I cannot believe that a show so good only got like one season...It's like they didn't even know what they had. Like they didn't even watch the show (I can't imagine someone watching it and not immediately understanding the greatness they were capturing). Or more like all they saw when they watched it were percentages, age brackets, and fucking pie charts...Just a bunch of corporate pricks chasing the numbers. No fucking wonder television as we know it is dying out. They sold out all of the art for sponsers. I feel no pity for them, certainly not anymore. Makes me sad to wonder...how many shows got that far? how many shows didn't even GET that far but were just as good? how many shows died because their pilot wasn't what they were looking for but that would have been better? how much art are we losing to this bullshit system run by people who are judging things on past sucesses? Comparing & contrasting like shows with what they believe are like audiences or who the sponsers would most profit from...fucking makes me want to puke or rage to know this kind of stuff is going on.
It was such a good show...So much more aching to be told. Its like I could tell that it just needed a little more time & a little more push and it would have really caught on...Cut down in its prime...
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It was a bad time to release a show like that. That was when Reality TV was the hot thing and anything more traditional got ignored. Course, it didn't help that the episodes were aired out of order and the time it was on kept changing. Really, it doesn't matter what the show if, when ever the time of a show is changed (especially to a new day and time), you loose viewers who aren't sure what is going and and subsequently never remember the new day and time (I'm one of those people).
It is like Fox had been given a baby unicorn and instead of nurturing it they clubbed it to death.
The fact that the fans got a movie of it made, after less than one season, should be a hint to Fox than they need to swallow their pride and beg Joss Whedon to start it up again. Or sell the rights to the SyFy channel so they can make it.
Along those lines, my wife and I have decided that if we ever have a daughter, she'll be named Kaylee. Yeah, we're freaks.
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It is like Fox had been given a baby unicorn and instead of nurturing it they clubbed it to death.
Don't forget they drank it's blood too. (DVD SALES $$$$)
Along those lines, my wife and I have decided that if we ever have a daughter, she'll be named Kaylee. Yeah, we're freaks.
Yeah if I have a daughter she'll be named after a song by Cursive. The name is Sierra, and the song title as well. Maybe I'm a freak for that but listen to the song! It's great!
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I dunno, its been so long. The actors have aged, story wise its a completely different atmosphere now, plus Joss has other projects. It's a toss up whether or not I want to see it back on air...maybe a miniseries?
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An animated miniseries? Hull yus!
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Frustration: A major storm ripped through here last night and it kept me up all night. I managed to fall asleep at about 6 AM but woke up again at 8, and then got intermittent sleep for the next couple of hours. Luckily I only have to work at 1 PM today. I would be majorly pissed off right now if I had to get up in the morning with no sleep at all.
Personally, an AVERAGE humans value (not some radical extremist that everyone wants dead) in my opinion is greater than an average animal's value based upon one statistic mainly: intelligent communication...
As Lord J Esq pointed out, this worth is still subjective and completely arbitrary. Why did you use intelligence as a measure of worth, and not some other biological trait instead? I could easily argue that the average lifespan of an animal should be a measure of the worth of their life, in which case the life of a human would not be worth more than the lives of several species. Or, I could just as easily argue that since high intelligence is extremely rare in the animal kingdom, that worth should be measured by some other more important and common trait. My earlier point is exemplified by your post here - you cannot assign any sort of objective value to any life, human or otherwise - no matter how much you may want to.
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He did say in his opinion. I think we're being counterproductive in the splitting of which life is more important than which other life. It's all life, it all effects the ecosystem, and it's all important.
Then again, this discussion kind of reminds me of a psychology assignment, where you're in a hypothetical apocalyptic situation and you have a list of like 25 men and 25 women and their jobs and you have to choose ten people total to survive. Who do you pick?
While it's kind of pointless, it's also rather fun, seeing how few people agree on the subject of the value of human (or other) life.
Also kind of related, the president of the US gets an entire armed force to watch his back anywhere he goes, and they get to call themselves the "Secret Service". What does the average american get for protection? Nothing except the legal right to own a weapon for self-defense and an emergency phone number to tell cops to stroll by when they feel like it. I dunno, inequality pisses me off.
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So several of my friends are huge fans of Fallout 3, so I lent them my copy of the first two. Alas the give it back the next day saying:
"Those dumb fucks at Black Isle had such a great world and just made another Diablo clone...Lame."
:shock:
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It's all life, it all effects the ecosystem, and it's all important.
Or it is all unimportant, depending ;)
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:lol:
Yes, but I meant if any life is important, then it's all important. Philosophy teeheehee.
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life doesn't exist... we're merely strings of atoms quarks molecules photons and etc. put togethor. Life is but an illusion, an unwanted idea that was unexpectedly created when the massively formulaic groups of molecules called "cells" grouped up to create massive objects which are guided by the electronic pulses in the parts of theses massive objects called brains... there is no life. There is no randomity, there is no
"will". all that we are or will be was predetermines at the beginning of the universe... everything is a mere reaction to another reaction, of which the results could and would never be different, because of the exact placement of particles and matter runs everything that exists.
I was fated to write this.
..... well, thats what I COULD say.
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LoL
If your going to try and pretend your smart do by using big words do some research buddy. Because from that right there you don't seem to have a clue on the behavior of atomic structures and the like. If you did you see the blatant contradiction in your message.
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MY personal basis for this is:
If a dog and a random stranger, neither of which I knew, were balanced on opposite ends of a beam suspended over shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, and if i save one the beam would unbalance thusly dumping the other one into said shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, I would probably save the random stranger.
...but thats just my basis. he still has to explain his.
Oh, and yes, sharks and crocodiles are awesome enough to live in sulfuric acid, I know =D
That is your conclusion. Not your basis. Try again.
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MY personal basis for this is:
If a dog and a random stranger, neither of which I knew, were balanced on opposite ends of a beam suspended over shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, and if i save one the beam would unbalance thusly dumping the other one into said shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, I would probably save the random stranger.
...but thats just my basis. he still has to explain his.
Oh, and yes, sharks and crocodiles are awesome enough to live in sulfuric acid, I know =D
That is your conclusion. Not your basis. Try again.
nope. my conclusion is that I prefer human life over animal life.
my basis is the example that I made.
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He did say in his opinion.
I'm pretty sure I didn't say that. Were you talking about someone else?
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He did say in his opinion.
I'm pretty sure I didn't say that. Were you talking about someone else?
Yeah, sorry. That was a direct response to eric's response to iamserge. These conversations get a bit convoluted at times. Here, in red:
Frustration: A major storm ripped through here last night and it kept me up all night. I managed to fall asleep at about 6 AM but woke up again at 8, and then got intermittent sleep for the next couple of hours. Luckily I only have to work at 1 PM today. I would be majorly pissed off right now if I had to get up in the morning with no sleep at all.
Personally, an AVERAGE humans value (not some radical extremist that everyone wants dead) in my opinion is greater than an average animal's value based upon one statistic mainly: intelligent communication...
As Lord J Esq pointed out, this worth is still subjective and completely arbitrary. Why did you use intelligence as a measure of worth, and not some other biological trait instead? I could easily argue that the average lifespan of an animal should be a measure of the worth of their life, in which case the life of a human would not be worth more than the lives of several species. Or, I could just as easily argue that since high intelligence is extremely rare in the animal kingdom, that worth should be measured by some other more important and common trait. My earlier point is exemplified by your post here - you cannot assign any sort of objective value to any life, human or otherwise - no matter how much you may want to.
Also to note:
life doesn't exist...
There's a lot of evidence against this claim. Also, you should either smoke more weed or less weed. Whatever the amount, I'm not sure you've nailed it yet.
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*sigh* I... nvm.
just forget I even said that ok?
It was a failed attempt at something, but I refuse to say what.
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There's a lot of evidence against this claim. Also, you should either smoke more weed or less weed. Whatever the amount, I'm not sure you've nailed it yet.
This is the funniest thing I've read all week. :D
life doesn't exist... we're merely strings of atoms quarks molecules photons and etc. put togethor. Life is but an illusion, an unwanted idea that was unexpectedly created when the massively formulaic groups of molecules called "cells" grouped up to create massive objects which are guided by the electronic pulses in the parts of theses massive objects called brains... there is no life. There is no randomity, there is no
"will". all that we are or will be was predetermines at the beginning of the universe... everything is a mere reaction to another reaction, of which the results could and would never be different, because of the exact placement of particles and matter runs everything that exists.
What in that entire passage that you wrote demonstrates that life "doesn't exist", exactly? Did you mean to say, or are you trying to demonstrate that free will doesn't exist instead of life? Or are you equating the definition of both, saying that conscious life that is aware of an illusory "will" is the only relevant form of life? I'm thoroughly confused.
Don't take it all back now. Discussions like this are fun, you know. It's the only way to get practice with putting the ideas that are in your mind into writing.
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I do take it back because thats not my true beliefs...
but if they WERE my true beliefs, then what i was doing was exactly what you said: Free will does not exist and I was equating the two that way. Based upon the idea that nothing beside this universe and set of universal laws exists, technically everything should be predetermined, though whilst still being incalculable to us.
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*sigh* I... nvm.
just forget I even said that ok?
It was a failed attempt at something, but I refuse to say what.
If you don't mind, I'm going to smoke and forget about it very soon. :)
It's all good though. Don't take it personally. It just sounded like you were high.
Here's the thing. Life is seemingly random. That's why it's life. It should mean something to you that we haven't found any life anywhere else but here. As far as we know for sure, we're all there is. I love the idea of aliens, and think it's incredibly probable. But the fact is life exists on our planet, not on the other 8 (cause I still count Pluto :P ) in our system. We cannot duplicate life synthetically. We can genetically modify things, and we can create viruses, but they're not technically entirely alive. They're kind of half-alive, and that's because life is so extremely improbable in the first place and therefor difficult to recreate, there's no accepted universal definition of life. Instead, there are traits and behaviors which, if posessed, indicate life in most cases.
From Wikipedia:
Conventional definition: The consensus is that life is a characteristic of organisms that exhibit all or most of the following phenomena:[9][10]
Homeostasis: Regulation of the internal environment to maintain a constant state; for example, electrolyte concentration or sweating to reduce temperature.
Organization: Being structurally composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life.
Metabolism: Consumption of energy by converting chemicals and energy into cellular components (anabolism) and decomposing organic matter (catabolism). Living things require energy to maintain internal organization (homeostasis) and to produce the other phenomena associated with life.
Growth: Maintenance of a higher rate of synthesis than catabolism. A growing organism increases in size in all of its parts, rather than simply accumulating matter. The particular species begins to multiply and expand as the evolution continues to flourish.
Adaptation: The ability to change over a period of time in response to the environment. This ability is fundamental to the process of evolution and is determined by the organism's heredity as well as the composition of metabolized substances, and external factors present.
Response to stimuli: A response can take many forms, from the contraction of a unicellular organism to external chemicals, to complex reactions involving all the senses of higher animals. A response is often expressed by motion, for example, the leaves of a plant turning toward the sun (phototropism) and chemotaxis.
Reproduction: The ability to produce new organisms. Reproduction can be the division of one cell to form two new cells. Usually the term is applied to the production of a new individual (either asexually, from a single parent organism, or sexually, from at least two differing parent organisms), although strictly speaking it also describes the production of new cells in the process of growth.
Edit:
There's a lot of evidence against this claim. Also, you should either smoke more weed or less weed. Whatever the amount, I'm not sure you've nailed it yet.
This is the funniest thing I've read all week. :D
I hoped you'd catch that :lol:
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But the fact is life exists on our planet, not on the other 8 (cause I still count Pluto :P ) in our system.
Pluto being planet = win.
If you read my last post I said that these arent even my true beliefs, so... heheh
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But the fact is life exists on our planet, not on the other 8 (cause I still count Pluto :P ) in our system.
Pluto being planet = win.
If you read my last post I said that these arent even my true beliefs, so... heheh
Well it took me a while to write it all, Speedy Gonzalez!
This is getting interesting though. The way I see it, life through a person's eyes is like a book's story told through a movie. We miss some stuff and fill in the gaps with details as we see fit. There are rods and cones in your eyes, and those are the two types of cells that make you see. IF everyone is different, then everyone may see things differently, like you see a blueberry that looks what would be red to me, I see what would be green to you, but we both know it's blue. It's all about our brain's interpretation and sensory input. But cut off that sensory input, and you get some pretty crazy experiences, which suggest that our senses actually distort reality, rather than clarify. Life is awesome and mysterious.
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mai bad. sorry
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Frustration sucks. What I hate most at the moment is the very thing that makes humanity not so pointless: compassion, comfort and down right love. Plus or minus a little pity. The thing I hate most, and I know this out of a whole 14 years of life experience, is that when I'm frustrated and full on pissed at something, people try to cheer me up! It's horrible! I don't want them to be sorry for me. It's just a bunch of crap to me because all I want to do is be in my own little corner when every little nook and cranny is filled with people. Ugh... A least I get to go to bed now.
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Frustration sucks. What I hate most at the moment is the very thing that makes humanity not so pointless: compassion, comfort and down right love. Plus or minus a little pity. The thing I hate most, and I know this out of a whole 14 years of life experience, is that when I'm frustrated and full on pissed at something, people try to cheer me up! It's horrible! I don't want them to be sorry for me. It's just a bunch of crap to me because all I want to do is be in my own little corner when every little nook and cranny is filled with people. Ugh... A least I get to go to bed now.
Aw I'm sorry, cheer up! :lol: Get it? I jest.
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:) Donke Norestien. :roll: You stink.
(donke is german for thank you. I at least think that's how it's spelled.)
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:) Donke Norestien. :roll: You stink.
(donke is german for thank you. I at least think that's how it's spelled.)
I think it's Danke. Dunno, though. Welcomes! :)
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its most def Danke.
I lived in Germany in the 5th grade. thats one of the few things i remember.
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its most def Danke.
I lived in Germany in the 5th grade. thats one of the few things i remember.
Bekkler levels up!
+1 Credibility
+1 Wayne Newton
+1 for Guessing
-1 for Making +1 list
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its most def Danke.
I lived in Germany in the 5th grade. thats one of the few things i remember.
Bekkler levels up!
+1 Credibility
+1 Wayne Newton
+1 for Guessing
-1 for Making +1 list
omg that was so much win... hahaha =D
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IMO/IMHO - two of the stupidest things ever spread over the internets forever. Completely redundant...I mean, who else's fucking opinion are you going to be stating? Either you're being idiotic by saying it or you're being condecending by saying it thinking that we can't figure out that what you're saying isn't in fact factual but is "Just Your Opinion"...as if that should end everything and give you complete immunity for w/e BS you're saying. Oh, but it's "Just My Opinion"...
And, yes, it's basically a viewpoint completely stolen from Maddox. So it's not even just my opinion, ha! :lol:
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I say it to differentiate between when I'm trying to state fact and opinion, especially when what I'm saying is so close to the line between the two that it could be misconcieved.
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I say it to differentiate between when I'm trying to state fact and opinion, especially when what I'm saying is so close to the line between the two that it could be misconcieved.
Same. Also, though, if i want to know what somebody else thinks, I'll say what I think first to egg it on. But yeah, I'd never use "IMO" in real life.
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If you're trying to state a fact, it will be factual without you having to say "and that's a fact!". The same should hold true for your opinions. If your statements can't hold water without you pointing out what it is you're trying to convey then you should just say it in a more precise manner instead of dancing around the subject or w/e the hell you happen to not actually be saying.
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The reason I say IMO when it is my opinion and nothign when its a fact is because if my opinion is percieved as "fact" then people will tell me that there is no basis to support either side appropriately enough to say its a fact. But if its a fact I'm stating that can be misconcieved as an opinion:
A: they'll state their own opinion to provide a 2nd "opinion" in the matter, weather they be wrong or right
OR
B: they wont say anything because my opinion just so happens to be a fact as well.
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If you're trying to state a fact, it will be factual without you having to say "and that's a fact!". The same should hold true for your opinions. If your statements can't hold water without you pointing out what it is you're trying to convey then you should just say it in a more precise manner instead of dancing around the subject or w/e the hell you happen to not actually be saying.
But if you're trying to state an opinion, people on the internet will automatically think you're trying to state a fact and are wrong about it, then will try to correct you. Then you spend the next two pages trying to explain yourself with other new people arguing how wrong you are. This can be filtered with "IMO," even if only slightly. I understand you don't like it but at least it's not useless.
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It's useless because those stupid internet people are too stupid to be bothering with explaining anything to anyways.
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Once in a while something gets through. :)
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MY personal basis for this is:
If a dog and a random stranger, neither of which I knew, were balanced on opposite ends of a beam suspended over shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, and if i save one the beam would unbalance thusly dumping the other one into said shark and crocodile infested sulfuric acid, I would probably save the random stranger.
...but thats just my basis. he still has to explain his.
Oh, and yes, sharks and crocodiles are awesome enough to live in sulfuric acid, I know =D
That is your conclusion. Not your basis. Try again.
nope. my conclusion is that I prefer human life over animal life.
my basis is the example that I made.
So am I to understand it that the reason you think human life is more valuable than other animal life is that you personally would be more likely to save the life of an arbitrary human at the expense of the life of another arbitrary animal than the other way around?
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HDMI has shitty sound quality.
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Someone came into my room this morning at 3 in the morning and turned on the light. And apparently turned off my alarm clock. Thank goodness I can wake up at 6:03 without it...
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Also kind of related, the president of the US gets an entire armed force to watch his back anywhere he goes, and they get to call themselves the "Secret Service". What does the average american get for protection? Nothing except the legal right to own a weapon for self-defense and an emergency phone number to tell cops to stroll by when they feel like it. I dunno, inequality pisses me off.
One thing that really chaps my ass is that if the alleged president gets his way, we won't have the right to own, let alone carry, a firearm.
teaflower - are you sure it wasn't you that did it? On a fairly regular basis, I used to turn the light on by my bed and turn off my alarm and not realize it...
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Unless I developed telekinesis and turned on the big light (that I never turn on), stepped on something crunchy, turned off the alarm, then turned off the light after I yelled 'TURN THAT FUCKING LIGHT OFF', it wasn't me.
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Unless I developed telekinesis and turned on the big light (that I never turn on), stepped on something crunchy, turned off the alarm, then turned off the light after I yelled 'TURN THAT FUCKING LIGHT OFF', it wasn't me.
You know, theres people who can help fix problems like that...
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HDMI has shitty sound quality.
If you can even get it to transfer the audio to where you want it. HDMI devices refuse to play nice with the optical out on the television, and my receiver only has one HDMI in. Fuck HDCP.
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Unless I developed telekinesis and turned on the big light (that I never turn on), stepped on something crunchy, turned off the alarm, then turned off the light after I yelled 'TURN THAT FUCKING LIGHT OFF', it wasn't me.
You know, theres people who can help fix problems like that...
Who you gunna call?!
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Frustration: Last post-game dungeon in star ocean 4. I'm beginning to find that it is god damned annoying. 20 levels that are randomly generated, with no save points, and unbelievably difficult bosses in some places. But to get the really valuable weapons/armor just to easily beat those bosses in the first place requires you going even further down - and if you get game over you have to start all the way over from the beginning with everything lost.
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Frustration: Last post-game dungeon in star ocean 4. I'm beginning to find that it is god damned annoying. 20 levels that are randomly generated, with no save points, and unbelievably difficult bosses in some places. But to get the really valuable weapons/armor just to easily beat those bosses in the first place requires you going even further down - and if you get game over you have to start all the way over from the beginning with everything lost.
Ehrgeiz had a similar problem. When a character died, all the items and weapons they had just dropped on the level they were on, and the other character could collect them by reaching that far.
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So my mom and brother went to a church auction yesterday. They came home with this clock. It came in a mostly blue box with a white clock on the front that had blue trim. I thought, 'Oh, cool! A clock for my room!' I take it upstairs and open the box to try and figure it out. First thing I notice is that it's not white with blue trim. It's black with that weird creamish trim you see in 60's stuff. I think, 'Okay, not what I was expecting, but still cool.' I take it out and see if there's a sheet of instructions with it, because it's a CHURCH auction and most stuff at church auctions are crap. Fortunately, there is instructions.
I didn't read them. I just started figuring out the clock.
I take off the back and see that there are 3 battery openings. They look slim and long. I figure that they fit AAAs. So I went downstairs and got 3 AAA batteries. I pop them in and then I see there's a fourth hole. So back I go for the 4th AAA. I pop them all in and see that I didn't take into account that the holes are LONG. AAAs are not long enough. So I look in the instruction sheet and it said I needed SUM-3 batteries. I growled and decided to decipher how to make it record messages, because it plays a voice recording when the alarm goes off. You apparently need a microtape.
... a whatenwho?
I'm sure we have those in the house, but... I keep forgetting that this thing has that weird 60's cream color... so... yeah. I have a clock here that may or may not work, a need for four SUM-3 batteries (that you probably can't pick up at the local WallMart), four AAA batteries, and a rather upset self, who wants to wake up to the sound of Grimmjow laughing like a madman.
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Seems like a better way would just be to find a alarm app or some such for your computer than try to figure out dated tech...>_>
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Yes, but that would require leaving my computer on at night. It's a LOUD computer. I can't sleep with it on. I still have another clock in here, but I want to get this one working. My mom has gone off to church with the instruction sheet and will look into the mysterious SUM-3 battery. I, meanwhile, will poke at this thing and try and make the AAAs fit.
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In a fit of curiosity (because I'd never heard of them either), I plugged "SUM-3 batteries" into Google, and the results I got suggest they're either AAs or some weird size not used outside the Orient.
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Ehrgeiz had a similar problem. When a character died, all the items and weapons they had just dropped on the level they were on, and the other character could collect them by reaching that far.
Ha, Ehrgeiz. I remember that shitstain of a game. I still have a copy of it stashed away someplace in my room. What's particularly annoying about the SO4 situation though, unique from Ehrgeiz (at least I don't remember Ehrgeiz being this bad) is that you can't casually play it to beat the last post-game dungeon. By casually play I mean you can't sit down for an hour, get a bit further, and then resume at some later time. No, you need at least 6 hours blocked off solely to play the game, and even then there is still the possibility that you could die and lose everything that you collected - effectively wasting those six hours.
This was no doubt intended to be a challenge and an extremely difficult one at that. But it seems unnecessarily so. SO3's final post-game dungeon, for example, had 211 floors filled with progressively stronger enemies/bosses culminating with an epic boss battle at the top. After you beat each floor you could access it from a central elevator. This was a huge challenge, but it was very well done. You could casually play the game, beat a couple of floors, and come back at a later time.
But right now I am about to hurl my 360 controller through my television screen.
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Frick, I bet this is frustrating someone out there. I get frustrated just reading it:
http://www1.fastweb.com/college-jobs-internships/articles/445-a-recent-grad-shares-her-job-search-nightmare
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Aye, quite frustrating indeed, and it only seems to be getting worse. Things have been heading in that direction for quite some time; the current economic situation just seems to be making it worse. It used to be that a High School diploma was all you needed to get a livable job. Then, a Bachelor’s degree became the standard. Things have been shifting, unfortunately, over the last 5-10 years (or longer; being young skews my perspective) it is becoming that a Master’s degree is required, and seeing a Ph.D. working in a totally unrelated, non-academic field isn’t unheard of.
That article hinted at it, but individuals with postgraduate degrees have been having the same problem. If I am remembering my half-heard articles correctly, around 10% of individuals working towards a biomedical Ph.D. will actually become tenured faculty members, which means 90% of grad students in that field are being trained for something they'll never do.
Such a practice has been going on for years for a simple reason; most universities need under-paid grad students to function. The system is perpetuated for economic, not academic, reasons.
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Wow, the biomed PhD student example really puts things into perspective.
It's easy to say that higher education is worth it for the sheer technical and cultural learning opportunity (indeed, I think our society is better off for all the higher learning going on), but there's got to be huge economic inefficiencies at work here. People are taking out huge loans on false expectations future income will suffice to pay off that debt. A biomed degree would hopefully guarantee one a job as a grocery bagger, for example, but I doubt the resulting income is going to cover the loan. Why, I'm surprised financial institutions haven't begun trading student loans amongst themselves as high-risk assets (this is what happened in the subprime mortgage market).
What's really amazing though is all the nursing jobs that are around, at least in the midwest; not sure how that industry is faring elsewhere in the US or in other countries. If you're willing to be an in-home personal care assistant, you've got it made.
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Unfortunately, to my understanding, such nurses tend to have a high burn out rate due to depression.
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Unfortunately, to my understanding, such nurses tend to have a high burn out rate due to depression.
That's just depressing...
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That's just depressing...
It's an oppressive environment.
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A far cry from the entry-level fashion marketing gig she’d dreamed of.
Keywords are marketing and fashion. Combine the shallowest, most bullshit-ridden field of business with one of the shallowest, most bullshit-ridden and corrupt "enterprises" in human history and the results can't be pretty.
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Of course, we must remember, the purpose of a university education is not to get a degree.
But yes, times are difficult. I've not yet managed to find a summer job, despite having a BSc Mech. Eng., and currently in Grad studies. But as I've said, it's hardly for the sake of a job or career that we get educated at a university level. If one wants a career, there are technical schools for that. And, I must add, that as far as I see it, despite having a degree in the field, I do not think engineering has much place at a university. It belongs at a technical school. University is about broadening one's intellectual scope, not about teaching a skill set.
Anyway, the frustration today... that Humanities, once the core of the University, has all but ceased to exist in favour of, in part, the Sciences and Engineering, and such things as make the universities a profit. English, Classics, History... these things which teach the very meaning of life are thrown by the wayside because of their marked lack of value in regards to future profits. But they were and will always be the true heart of the university. To speak the much spoken words of old Cicero: O Tempora, O Mores...
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The purpose of a university education was not to get a degree. All of my old highschool buddies or current students in my University are in for the degree. They know what they want to do and it doesn't require any additional knowledge just the degree to prove that they ready. Just as said jobs are getting higher and higher requirements. There are drop outs that are in school again not for learning but for jobs.
Now for grad schools students it maybe different, I imagine that there is a larger portion of people who are there too learn not to work. I still believe that just me romanticizing it though.
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3D Realms closed down yesterday.
I could have had a job there about a year ago. Arg.
There goes Duke Nukem Forever.
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What about those Duke Nukem remakes for DS...?
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What about those Duke Nukem remakes for DS...?
I'd say they were canceled as well, but I think they were being made by another company.
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Did anyone notice the site was down for a couple hours yesterday? At least it didn't work at my school or my apt till later at night. At first I thought the school had just blocked it within the five minutes it took me to check updated posts and X out of the window, then go back when the teacher left. But no, no magical site-blocking telepathy here, cause I tested it as soon as I got home. Curious. Very curious.
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Yes, it happened to me too. But since nobody posted anything about it, I thought it was the computer's fault or something.
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To be exact, the webserver at www.chronocompendium.com was down for several hours yesterday. irc.chronocompendium.com was still up, for some reason, and the hosting computer responded when I used its IP address to ping it. Guess it's just one of those mysteries.
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To be exact, the webserver at www.chronocompendium.com was down for several hours yesterday. irc.chronocompendium.com was still up, for some reason, and the hosting computer responded when I used its IP address to ping it. Guess it's just one of those mysteries.
The IRC service and the related CGI client are both hosted separately from the main site (they're hosted on my cable connection here in Korea, whereas the site is hosted in some huge collocation center run by a web hosting company somewhere stateside), so there's no mystery there.
Our hosting service provider was doing a routine system upgrade, and something went wrong, so about a dozen of their servers were down for the day.
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A skunk was run over somewhere within a mile or two of my house. Unfortunately it's starting to get hot, and the AC in my apt hasn't been turned on yet. So I'm forced to leave my window open overnight or else I'm stuck with a sauna for a room.
So having to deal with stinkyness. :cry:
Making me cough too.
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A skunk was run over somewhere within a mile or two of my house. Unfortunately it's starting to get hot, and the AC in my apt hasn't been turned on yet. So I'm forced to leave my window open overnight or else I'm stuck with a sauna for a room.
So having to deal with stinkyness. :cry:
Making me cough too.
Skunk stench doesn't bother me at all anymore, because I used to use a chemical called beta-mercaptoethanol during DNA extractions every day and that shit is the worst smelling stuff in the world. It smells like a potent mixture of rotten eggs and alcohol shaken up and kept in the heat for a day because of the chemical groups that are on it. I'm permanently desensitized to everything bad-smelling after that. Because of the toxicity of it I would use it in a hood and the stench was still nearly unbearable to me.
Here's a wikipedia excerpt:
2-Mercaptoethanol is considered a "severe" poison, causing irritation to the nasal passageways and respiratory tract upon inhalation, vomiting and stomach pain through ingestion, and potentially fatal absorption if it contacts the skin
Nasty shit right there.
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Do I want to know what line of work that was?
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It doesn't bother me too much Eric. It was the fact that I had a cough to begin with and skunk fumes were making it worse that bothered me most of all. I can prolly name off 10 things I find stinkier than a dead skunk off the top of my head.....
1. Shit
2. Bad breath
3. Armpits after going without a shower (daily people, do it daily, and wear fucking deoderant!)
4. The drain of a soda fountain (found this out the hard way at a previous job, ugh)
5. Water treatment plants (drive by one on the way to work)
6. Farts
7. Rotten eggs
8. Vomit
9. Compost
10. Any U2 song
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Do I want to know what line of work that was?
Researcher in a genetics lab. It's months on end of boring, repetitive tasks with intermittent sparks of excitement when something is discovered. Not my cup of tea.
10. Any U2 song
I hope that list isn't in order of decreasing nastiness because it is extremely unfair to shit to place it before U2 songs :lol:.
Which reminds me of that one South Park episode that I don't remember the name of but somehow involved Bono competing with Stan's dad to make the world's biggest shit.
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fucking piece of shit AC is broken and its hot as hell in georgia. not to mention my fucking migraines are beating my face into the fucking ground. fucking stress reliever game may be fucking more stressful than useful. fuck
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I remember that South Park...."YEA YEA YEA YEA"
Fuck U2.
I think the general frustration is...known. Not what my hungover ass needed to read today...but my fear is that this kills momentum of the site somewhat at least. What is frustrating is that feeling of being unable to change your surroundings.
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I just shaved of a beard I have been working on for exactly 1 year yesterday, my face is freezing cold right now.
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Why? It's a scientific fact that beards increase your manliness +10 points at least.
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Why? It's a scientific fact that beards increase your manliness +10 points at least.
It's a scientific fact that - if grown correctly - beards increase your ability to attract women by +10 points.
Goatees are fun to tug on and stubble is handsome. My favourite is the curly-ish kind that isn't too long.
Also, side burns are AWESOME.
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I had it for one full year, and it was one of the most turbulent and rough years ever for me. I just wanted to see how I looked, besides I grow it VERY quickly anyways.
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My current frustration is that CE got C&Ded.
As well as that far as beards/goatees/sideburns/stubble and attracting women, mine haven't seemed to help me out a whole hell of a lot... Granted, my goatee is fuller now than it was 2 years ago, but stubble and sideburns have been on my face for quite sometime... In high school, guys who could grow facial hair before me were jealous of my sideburns...
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I think a lot of us are feeling frustrated over the C&D... hell, I've only been here what, a month, and I'm still pissed that SE would treat their fans this way.
As for facial hair... well, I've always considered goatees to be the mullets of the 21st century. It's beard or bust for me. I've had three girls tell me I looked like Rasputin in the past. 8)
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Is impossible... Fucking Square Enix ! If you don't want us to make ROM hacks or anything... DO A FUCKING SEQUEL! This is unbelivable how many ROM hacks has been done and none of them recieved anything. This is bullshit... I am not gonna buy any other SE game anymore, I am not suporting them they can go to hell!
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So I just stumbled upon that "OMG Laith is dying" thread or whatever only to discover that it was a prank pulled by Laith because he wanted attention or something. Why would someone make such a horrible joke, essentially taking advantage of the goodwill of all the Compendium members here that truly cared about him?
What a douche.
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I hate randomly feeling anxious. I mean, it's like I'm sitting and reading and then BAM! I get short of breath, my stomach aches, I can't breathe enough... ugh.
The whole CE thing has really brought that up...
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I hear ya Eric, people just like being dicks, I suppose. At another forum I frequent, a guy mentioned how he befriended this girl online who revealed she had cancer; everyone at the forums they posted at got to know her and she seemed like a likable person. A year or so later, she revealed that she was a guy and just wanted to see how people would react, for a book she was writing.
Laith suckered a bunch of us though, which really pisses me off. I mean, I didn't even remember the guy and I really got disheartened when I read that he was in a coma. MOTHER FUCK.
I hate randomly feeling anxious. I mean, it's like I'm sitting and reading and then BAM! I get short of breath, my stomach aches, I can't breathe enough... ugh.
The whole CE thing has really brought that up...
Holy shit, me too. I wasn't like this yesterday, only recently, as I've been reading up at other forums I post at. I feel like I'm being watched, scrutinized, stalked...it's really weird.
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Doctors and diagonostics that are essentially "don't know, don't care." There are a wide range of health problems that doctors do not know the cause of and still treat. While I understand that medical knowledge is not all encompassing, at least caring that you don't know would be nice, rather than taking it as an accepted and acceptable fact of life.
And that is why M.D./PH.D.s are on average better than your regular M.D.s. Those people tend to want to know the answer to unanswered questions.
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Doctors and diagonostics that are essentially "don't know, don't care." There are a wide range of health problems that doctors do not know the cause of and still treat. While I understand that medical knowledge is not all encompassing, at least caring that you don't know would be nice, rather than taking it as an accepted and acceptable fact of life.
And that is why M.D./PH.D.s are on average better than your regular M.D.s. Those people tend to want to know the answer to unanswered questions.
And it doesn't help that a large fraction of the students being accepted into med school these days ain't so great either. One of them that I am unfortunately acquantainced with didn't know the location of the thyroid gland when he applied and thought the Earth was over a hundred thousand miles in circumference. I shit you not.
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Bwahaha. Hey even doctors that barely pass can still become doctors: "My neck hurts," "Hmmm, sound like a rectal problem. Drop your pants."
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Bwahaha. Hey even doctors that barely pass can still become doctors: "My neck hurts," "Hmmm, sound like a rectal problem. Drop your pants."
Oh, wow.
:picardno
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Yeah, about Laith. He was in irc last night and made it pretty believable that it was his brother who did that. After the incident, I thought it was him, but now I'm kind of inclining to the brother story. i really don't know, and in any case, it was pretty fucked up because a lot of people believed it and were upset.
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Now that all this is kinda behind us, I can finally ask, who the hell is Laith? Like I said earlier, the moment I heard "what happened" my heart went out for him, and I even made him a little get well image, but honestly, I still didn't know who he was. It was the situation that moved me, not the person. I recognize the name (kinda), but nothing about Laith rings a bell...
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Yeah, about Laith. He was in irc last night and made it pretty believable that it was his brother who did that. After the incident, I thought it was him, but now I'm kind of inclining to the brother story. i really don't know, and in any case, it was pretty fucked up because a lot of people believed it and were upset.
Meh, I'm still skeptical. No offense to Laith or anything. It's easy to alter the way you type to make it sound like you are another, or more immature, individual.
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I had no part in that whatsoever. Honestly, I believe it was a cruel joke. But worry not, my brother will get what's coming to him.
Now that all this is kinda behind us, I can finally ask, who the hell is Laith? Like I said earlier, the moment I heard "what happened" my heart went out for him, and I even made him a little get well image, but honestly, I still didn't know who he was. It was the situation that moved me, not the person. I recognize the name (kinda), but nothing about Laith rings a bell...
I'm somewhat of a hidden member. My post count rises, yet nobody knows how. I haven't really made myself known in too many of the forums. I used to be "ClayakaMe", "Matt Shadows", "Nathan Jonas Jordison", and the most recently banned "JEEZUZKRYSTE". I've cleaned up my act and have matured quite a bit. I'd say I've done a damn good job at being a productive member for ZeaLitY to allow me back into the forums.
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I knew you were Matt Shadows but you were JEEZUZKRYSTE too?
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Yeah, I was JEEZUZKRYSTE. I mean, come on, it's my AIM screen name.
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Hmmm...I guess we just don't post in the same forums here. Whatever though, post well, good to see you, etc, etc.
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I hate alcohol. It's ruining my life, my girlfriend's life, and all of those who drink it's lives.
Recently, I've been drinking a lot and allowing my girlfriend to drink. It's just something to do on occasions for me, but for her.. she is seriously letting it throw her life down the drain. All she ever wants to do now is get drunk and I'm so sick of it. Earlier today she called me as she was just finishing a water bottle full of Vodka. She was completely wasted, so I hung up on her. Now she's bitching at me in text messages asking me what the fuck my problem is. I tried to explain to her that I'd rather not watch her throw her life away for alcohol, but she'd rather make a big deal out of me being angry with her. This is complete bullshit.
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I hate alcohol. It's ruining my life, my girlfriend's life, and all of those who drink it's lives.
Yes, there are much better drugs out there :D.
But I feel the same way, which is why I drink only occassionally, and when I do I only drink enough to get buzzed - not wasted. Alcohol is one of the worst recreational chemicals that you can ingest, and I have seen it destroy countless lives - both from those that consumed it and those that didn't. One of my ex-girlfriends OD'd on a fatal combination of alcohol and prescription pain killers. My best friend nearly died from alcohol poisoning not once, but twice. Ask nearly anyone and they will tell you that their family either knows someone that died or was directly affected somehow by the actions of a drunk driver.
That's why everyone should just stick to psychedelics 8). You can't drive a car if you don't know what the hell a car is while you are tripping balls, melting into your living room floor while listening to Pink Floyd and watching the undulations of your lava lamp.
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The 'shrooms will do it to ya, bro. Although, I'd prefer Ketamine, PCP, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, or Acid.
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I personally love alcohol, but find it best to consume in quantities that are self-limiting, i.e., there's really not much in a wine or champagne bottle, especially if you share it with someone. And it's best to set ground rules for yourself, like you'll only consume alcohol after all the day's driving is complete. That means no bars, though, unless you've got a designated driver.
I read that a rapper ate someone else's lungs while he was on PCP. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Lurch) I'd...stay away from that.
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I wish I could somehow replicate the gene in me that determined I'd have no desire to even drink alcohol or try recreational drugs.
It's the same thing that makes me wonder about Modafinil, though...
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I hate alcohol. It's ruining my life, my girlfriend's life, and all of those who drink it's lives.
Yes, there are much better drugs out there :D.
But I feel the same way, which is why I drink only occassionally, and when I do I only drink enough to get buzzed - not wasted. Alcohol is one of the worst recreational chemicals that you can ingest, and I have seen it destroy countless lives - both from those that consumed it and those that didn't. One of my ex-girlfriends OD'd on a fatal combination of alcohol and prescription pain killers. My best friend nearly died from alcohol poisoning not once, but twice. Ask nearly anyone and they will tell you that their family either knows someone that died or was directly affected somehow by the actions of a drunk driver.
That's why everyone should just stick to psychedelics 8). You can't drive a car if you don't know what the hell a car is while you are tripping balls, melting into your living room floor while listening to Pink Floyd and watching the undulations of your lava lamp.
I only drink a little bit but I can relate to Laith in that my girlfriend drinks like a fucking fish.
I used to like psychedelics until this one time I was drunk (go figure) and this guy at a party offered me acid via Sour Patch Kid. I bought it and ate it before thinking, because if I was thinking, I would have realized I had to be at work in a matter of hours, and I ended up driving to work still tripping. It was pretty horrifying, not to mention I had missed a meeting I set up to get a friend hired the day prior, so I was tripping while getting an hour (or maybe it lasted a couple months) long lecture from my boss's boss on how disappointing I was. Fuck that. Plus I had done it quite a bit within the year and acid and shrooms are not things you want to be doing every month or even every two months. You gotta space that stuff out.
"You don't need meth and you don't need speed, cause everything is better with a bag of weed." -Brian Griffin
PCP is scary shit, I will never touch it. Same goes for heroin, crack, meth, and some other stuff. I'd have to say ketamine and ecstasy (while probably incredibly dangerous) was my favorite drug combination I ever tried. So I only tried it once. Not trying to get an addiction here, I already had like three friends go to rehab and I can't stop smoking cigarettes so if I learned if I like it enough to call it my favorite, it's probably something I should stay away from.
And fuck cocaine. I've never spent money on it but I've tried it (while drunk, go figure) and I've seen former friends disappear off the face of the earth because of it. Either because they resorted to stealing from their parents or they end up on the run from cops or dealers they owe, IT IS NOT WORTH IT.
Dextromethorphan is incredibly dangerous in most cases, because it's almost always paired with acetaminophen (Tylenol). And to get any effect from it you essentially have to OD on it. So no thanks. Tried it, didn't like it. It's cough medicine. Robitussin, Robotripping, Triple C's, Corcidin Cough and Cold, DXM, and Robitussin Cough gel caps. I won't even take it when I have a cold anymore. Well, maybe Nyquil. But never at threshold level!
My advice, if you're thinking of doing drugs: don't. Dabble maybe, see what your body is capable of feeling and thinking to the extreme, broaden the mind, feel the music, but don't just do drugs to do drugs. That's stupid and can get you addicted and killed.
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...see what your body is capable of feeling and thinking to the extreme, broaden the mind, feel the music...
ZeaLitY teaches us to do that while completely sober. Hahaha! The Springtime of Youth is our anti-drug.
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...see what your body is capable of feeling and thinking to the extreme, broaden the mind, feel the music...
ZeaLitY teaches us to do that while completely sober. Hahaha! The Springtime of Youth is our anti-drug.
Well, ideally you should be doing that while off OR on drugs/alcohol. But if that's not how you're thinking, and you start doing drugs, you'll probably end up addicted, depressed, and broke.
What I mean is this; most people who choose to use have depression or angst as their motivation. This makes drugs an emotional experience, and once they become associated with an emotion, especially positive emotions, the user will fall into the mindset that thinks to get that emotion again, just get that drug again! It doesn't work well, and eventually a tolerance is built up, and the user finds they've been on a "slippery slope".
Those who choose to take an experimental approach are usually more conscious of their body and mind, and try to avoid any placebo effect to find what happens exactly. Intent is the name of the game.
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My frustration: People that think you can't experience life to its fullest or broaden your mind without drugs. There are many activities that are much more stimulating than drugs, without any of the negative side affects.
Also, weed smells really, REALLY bad. It might feel good for the person smoking it, but no one else in the vicinity is going to enjoy it at all.
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My frustration: People that think you can't experience life to its fullest or broaden your mind without drugs. There are many activities that are much more stimulating than drugs, without any of the negative side affects.
Also, weed smells really, REALLY bad. It might feel good for the person smoking it, but no one else in the vicinity is going to enjoy it at all.
My frustration: Just because someone mentions they have tried a drug anyone who hasn't deems them some kind of 1. idiot 2. junkie or 3. plebian.
And I know lots of girls who don't smoke weed but love the smell. My girlfriend included.
You can't experience life to the fullest without trying new things. Drugs were a very small chapter in my life, and I've done much more than experiment with chemicals. A little weed on occasion is much safer than alcohol and who cares if it smells bad? People who smoke weed don't hurt anyone.
Now people who sell drugs, those are the ones you have to watch out for. Also, actual addicts. They can really just steal a bunch of your shit without even realizing it. (Don't believe me? Sit in on an NA meeting and they'll tell you what they used to do instead of coming to meetings.)
And if you have never experienced a waking hallucination, just don't talk about tripping. Cause you don't know. I thought I knew. I was wrong. I still think I know, and I'm probably still wrong. The mind is a curious computer indeed.
I'm not endorsing drugs by any means. I'm saying close-mindedness is close-mindedness.
If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and flies like a duck and swims like a duck, it's clearly either Huey, Dewey, or Louie, right?
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I've said it before and I'll say it again - drug use is fine, it's drug abuse which is bad. It appears to be part of the human condition to seek out mind altering experiences. It has been going on since the dawn of recorded history (and no doubt much longer than that), and I imagine it will persist in some way, shape, or form until the very last day humanity exists.
Plus I had done it quite a bit within the year and acid and shrooms are not things you want to be doing every month or even every two months. You gotta space that stuff out.
That's good advice for anything, but especially with psychedelics and entheogens. One shouldn't do them for "fun", and it shouldn't be more than once every couple of months at best. Gotta give your neurotransmitters ample time to regain homeostasis.
I'd have to say ketamine and ecstasy (while probably incredibly dangerous) was my favorite drug combination I ever tried.
I'd be extremely skeptical that you actually acquired ketamine and ecstasy. Real "special K" is rare - almost all of it is stolen from veterinary clinics and most of what is passed off as K on the streets is a variety of different chemicals - most notably 2C-B. Likewise, half of all MDMA pills are straight methamphetamine or a mixture of methamphetamine, MDMA, and dextromethorphan.
And without chemically testing any substance you acquire it is impossible to safely determine what you have before trying it on yourself. For all you know it could be warfarin (although that wouldn't be good business practice for drug dealers 8)). Which is one reason why chemicals contained within natural plants / fungi are so much safer, assuming one can identify the correct species. Several fungi that look nearly identical to Psilocybe cubensis are actually poisonous, for example.
And if you have never experienced a waking hallucination, just don't talk about tripping. Cause you don't know. I thought I knew. I was wrong. I still think I know, and I'm probably still wrong. The mind is a curious computer indeed.
Now this is the understatement of the century. Only people who have tripped know what it is like to trip. It is insane what the brain is capable of doing once it is stripped even partially of the base function of survival. It's always refreshing to talk to someone that has undergone similar experiences.
This reminds me of something I heard a professor say during a lecture on 5HT serotonin receptor agonists. He clearly had never done any of the chemicals that he was "expertly" lecturing on, and he was attempting to explain to the audience what it felt like to experience synesthesia. He said it was like the old comics, where when someone punched someone else and the words "POW!" appear in the frame. He was attempting to equate an auditory stimuli overlapping with a visual stimuli in the only way he knew how - by relating it to the closest thing in his mind that he had experienced. I remember thinking, "if he only knew what synesthesia was truly like, this lecture would be about a hundred times better".
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I've said it before and I'll say it again - drug use is fine, it's drug abuse which is bad. It appears to be part of the human condition to seek out mind altering experiences. It has been going on since the dawn of recorded history (and no doubt much longer than that), and I imagine it will persist in some way, shape, or form until the very last day humanity exists.
Some people think the reason there is conscious thought in the first place is because some advanced apes ate hallucinogenic mushrooms. After trying them, I can see where they may get that idea, but I don't know if it holds any water. How could you tell, really?
I'd be extremely skeptical that you actually acquired ketamine and ecstasy. Real "special K" is rare - almost all of it is stolen from veterinary clinics and most of what is passed off as K on the streets is a variety of different chemicals - most notably 2C-B. Likewise, half of all MDMA pills are straight methamphetamine or a mixture of methamphetamine, MDMA, and dextromethorphan.
All the more reason for me to never seek it out again. (It was definitely ketamine, at least it came from a vet and Erowid seemed to agree, but I do wonder about the roll. Either way, it felt like being sober, but out of my own body. Special K is a very strong disassociative, and in combination with a drug that's supposed to heighten the senses, right when the two mixed, it was like a click and suddenly I was basically controlling myself with a clear mind and a remote control from inside a tunnel five feet away.)
And without chemically testing any substance you acquire it is impossible to safely determine what you have before trying it on yourself. For all you know it could be warfarin (although that wouldn't be good business practice for drug dealers 8)). Which is one reason why chemicals contained within natural plants / fungi are so much safer, assuming one can identify the correct species. Several fungi that look nearly identical to Psilocybe cubensis are actually poisonous, for example.
Yet another reason not to seek it out.
It's always refreshing to talk to someone that has undergone similar experiences.
Yes it is. Be they drug experiences or not.
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Some people think the reason there is conscious thought in the first place is because some advanced apes ate hallucinogenic mushrooms. After trying them, I can see where they may get that idea, but I don't know if it holds any water. How could you tell, really?
Never heard that one before. Sounds like something a subculture evangelist would say :D. And besides, define "conscious thought". I imagine the definition you are using is actually that of higher cognition, since the vast majority of higher animals are clearly conscious and can think in some manner and I would suspect that the vast majority of lower animals are as well.
It seems doubtful to me that such a behavior could influence selection and the development of the brain. Although the behavior is not without precedent. Many animals have been observed consuming psychotropic plants / fungi, presumably for enjoyment since it temporarily decreases their fitness by making them more vulnerable to predation.
All the more reason for me to never seek it out again. (It was definitely ketamine, at least it came from a vet and Erowid seemed to agree, but I do wonder about the roll. Either way, it felt like being sober, but out of my own body. Special K is a very strong disassociative, and in combination with a drug that's supposed to heighten the senses, right when the two mixed, it was like a click and suddenly I was basically controlling myself with a clear mind and a remote control from inside a tunnel five feet away.)
Most psychedelics are dissociative if taken in a high enough dose, and especially if insufflated as ketamine usually is. That said, this does sound like a ketamine effect as profound hallucinations are usually part of the package once the dissociation begins with other chemicals (like 2C-B). Veterinarians are starting to phase out ketamine now that the next generation synthetic dissociative tiletamine has been created. It is even safer than ketamine for use in animals, and it has the added benefit of raver kids not knowing what the fuck it is so they won't try to break into clinics to steal it. I disagree with its use on animals, however, and I will not administer it to an animal myself without first experiencing the effects. From what I've read of the several people that have self-experimented with it on Erowid, the subjective effects are very undesirable compared to ketamine. I imagine it is the same for other species. I've seen a dog trip balls on tiletamine while undergoing a minor surgical procedure. It was not a pretty sight at all.
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Some people think the reason there is conscious thought in the first place is because some advanced apes ate hallucinogenic mushrooms. After trying them, I can see where they may get that idea, but I don't know if it holds any water. How could you tell, really?
Never heard that one before. Sounds like something a subculture evangelist would say :D. And besides, define "conscious thought". I imagine the definition you are using is actually that of higher cognition, since the vast majority of higher animals are clearly conscious and can think in some manner and I would suspect that the vast majority of lower animals are as well.
It seems doubtful to me that such a behavior could influence selection and the development of the brain. Although the behavior is not without precedent. Many animals have been observed consuming psychotropic plants / fungi, presumably for enjoyment since it temporarily decreases their fitness by making them more vulnerable to predation.
Evangelist! :lol: Sorry, by conscious thought, I meant free will, coming up with the question "why am I?" and thinking that useless junk and leftovers just laying around can be used as tools and weapons. I kinda lumped it all together there. You get what I'm saying though. From the "subculture evangelist bible": "First there were apes. Then there was an idea. The idea was to be human. They taught the idea, and the idea spread, until the apes and the humans were very different from each other."
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BROKE AS A JOKE
It's true, but I never understood the phrase, not a damn thing is funny about it. BAH got some credit card mailing issues that are preventing me from submitting for more roles (and more potential cash)...not to mention every time I blink the shit hits the fan here....
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People who smoke weed don't hurt anyone.
Pish posh. People who smoke weed support those who procure the substance, which in turn supports those who grow it. Since it is currently largely outlawed in the United States, that requires government funding to track down and suppress. Even assuming no one is physically harmed in the process, natural wildlife is infringed upon (national parks are for some reason prime real estate for marijuana) and resources that could have been better spent on other projects are wasted. Now you might say that the illegality of weed is improper, attempt to define proper use as different from improper use, but until such a time as a Utopia arrives, people who smoke weed are indeed hurting people, albeit indirectly.
Though to be fair, we all do that, to an extent, both legally and illegally. Chances are right now there is clothing in my closet that supports economic tyranny over someone else and I just don't realize which is the offending article.
I'm not endorsing drugs by any means. I'm saying close-mindedness is close-mindedness.
If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and flies like a duck and swims like a duck, it's clearly either Huey, Dewey, or Louie, right?
You're forgetting Howard.
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I totally forgot Howard!
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People who smoke weed don't hurt anyone.
Pish posh. People who smoke weed support those who procure the substance, which in turn supports those who grow it. Since it is currently largely outlawed in the United States, that requires government funding to track down and suppress. Even assuming no one is physically harmed in the process, natural wildlife is infringed upon (national parks are for some reason prime real estate for marijuana) and resources that could have been better spent on other projects are wasted. Now you might say that the illegality of weed is improper, attempt to define proper use as different from improper use, but until such a time as a Utopia arrives, people who smoke weed are indeed hurting people, albeit indirectly.
Hellllllllllo hydroponics~!! Seems like a poor 'well, indirectly...!' excuse...Almost like saying people that make guns kill people indirectly, only backwards and not at all like that. In fact, it sounds like you're saying that people that illegalized marijuana are the real ones who are hurting people, albeit indirectly...
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I use electricity. I may even be an electricity abuser. Depleting fossil fuels are my fault, albeit indirectly. :lol:
I still say people who smoke weed don't hurt people. Just like people who wear Nike shoes don't hurt people. Just like people who eat McDonalds don't kill animals.
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In fact, it sounds like you're saying that people that illegalized marijuana are the real ones who are hurting people, albeit indirectly...
Exactly. Social ignorance does not expunge an individual from social responsibility, indirectly speaking of course.
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You know, logically speaking, if marijuana is illegal, so should both alcohol and tobacco. Yet prohibition of those doesn't work, so we do have them legalized. I'm not personally a fan of it, but I don't see why it should be illegal. The rule for most things is the old Greek saying from Delphoi, 'nothing in excess.' Those things should be illegal whose faintest portion is an excess. I do not think that can be a proven case with marijuana, unlike some more potent drugs whose even trace use is perilous. And, of course, the situation is different person to person. There are also those to whom a slight bit of tobacco results in peril and addiction, and as such should for their own wellbeing stay away from it. We cannot, however, restrict such things in entirety, and some portion of responsability and judgement must lie on the individual person. After all, most anything in excess can become dangerous. Should we outlaw fatty foods because there are health problems associated with it in some people? Certainly not.
Now it might be argued that marijuana, unlike food, is not a necessity to life. This is certainly true, but if that is a tangental argument, then that regarding alcohol and tobacco is not. And those, even if they are not necessary, can add enjoyment, and add psychological benefits apart from the hard tangible health effects. After all, a pipe a day will hardly cause you health problems (national studies showed that even five a day did not cause discernable problems, and as such one or even two is not about to cause one peril.) Indeed, I'll argue it increases quality of life. I am very fond of smoking the occasional pipe... there is a great deal of relaxing and enjoyment involved, and it does not have a negative effect on my body... certainly far less a detriment than my abysmal sleep habits. In the end, I think I am in fact better off for smoking, so long as I stand by moderation. It is a distinct and cultured pleasure, in fact. And in some sense the rule that underlies 'nothing in excess' is this: that one must have control over one's self, rather than letting something exercise the control. If one can enjoy tobacco or alcohol, or even marijuana, without the compulsion and with discernment and will, not subverting the will to the impelling force of a 'need', then it is in my view ethically right. But if one is set subservient to a desire - and this is in everything, whether it be substances or even moods, such as love - then this is wrong. Things should be enjoyed, but to be truly enjoyed one must be able to take it up and place it down at will, and not at the behest of an overriding compulsion.
Therefore the same enjoyment cannot be said for everyone, in particular those who have a natural disposition to addiction in a certain form. That has been proven now, that a certain gene makes one more likely to be addicted to tobacco, and to get cancer from it. But all the same, for those who can practise moderation, there is no ethical reason why it should be wrong. I think the same could be said for marijuana. I do not favour it because it dulls the mind, rather than sharpens it (for that reason I prefer my pipe/cigars and coffee), but I cannot see what is ethically wrong in moderation.
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I had a canister of canned air(for keyboards and the like) and it just ruptured and spilled all over my hand with some minor burning. It hurt bad but was hella cool!
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There are also those to whom a slight bit of tobacco results in peril and addiction, and as such should for their own wellbeing stay away from it.
To note, there are indications that ther are addiction "genes," as in more than one. If it is reasonably to require certain individuals to prove their age in order to purchase tobacco or alcohol, for example, might it be likely reasonable in a far-future date to require individuals to provide clean genetic bills of health?
I don't have an answer, I'm just curious as to your thoughts, particularly with genetic privacy laws just recently enacted in the United States.
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I get frustrated when people assert (often unwittingly) that we should behave according to gender roles as if this particular social construct has any special significance whatsoever, when in fact all of civilization has been one continuing endeavor in selectively modifying our behavior away from the world of our animal instincts. Lesser instances of civilization have shown us what terrors result when we allow animal instincts to determine the course of people's lives on the basis of sex. Therefore, whatever sex-specific behavioral tendencies people may have--and, although most behavioral tendencies are conditioned rather than inborn, there are probably at least a few--we should teach and enable both males and females alike not to embrace these differences, but how to overcome them, and then let individuals decide for themselves what to embrace and what to reject. Even if there were some truth in a statement like "Females are more nurturing than males on average," why should that ever imply that roles ought to be segregated based upon sex? There will always be exceptions to the rule; people who are not representative of their sex; people who are more extreme in one direction or in the other. Sex is not a meaningful piece of information for determining an individual's ideal course in life. It frustrates me that, in the absence of critical thought, people draw such overly simplistic conclusions so very often.
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I had a canister of canned air(for keyboards and the like) and it just ruptured and spilled all over my hand with some minor burning. It hurt bad but was hella cool!
SE did it.
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Whoo for 13 hour days with no lunch break. 9:30 PM and I just got out of work.
To note, there are indications that ther are addiction "genes," as in more than one. If it is reasonably to require certain individuals to prove their age in order to purchase tobacco or alcohol, for example, might it be likely reasonable in a far-future date to require individuals to provide clean genetic bills of health?
I don't have an answer, I'm just curious as to your thoughts, particularly with genetic privacy laws just recently enacted in the United States.
That's awfully big brotherish, and I think people wouldn't stand for such a law. Even if I was a carrier for the addiction genes, I should still be able to get myself addicted to anything that I damn well choose.
I mean, caffeine is addictive as well. Should someone have to provide evidence of a "clean genetic bill of health" at Starbucks before they buy a freakin' coffee? But come to think of it, Starbucks already rules the world, so maybe that would be a small leap. If only it wasn't so, sooo delicious.
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(http://eguiders.com/uploads/js13.jpg)
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Jon Stewart is doing a history special with the History Channel at the end of this year. Should be worth checking out, and it'll be nice to see him in a more serious tone.
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Z, that's fantastic.
I guess I have a mild frustration. People are afraid of change because all they know is the same and while the possibility of good things to come from change exists, it's much less attractive than the big bright lights in the sign that says "HEY IT MIGHT GET 100 TIMES WORSE" so that's often the sign they look for.
Revolution is an incredibly rare event because of this exact fact. And that is frustrating. Not particularly right now, but some times, it's incredibly hard to accept.
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Never do meth. Not only is it ignorant, but you'll be very ashamed of yourself afterward. I got a good fourty minute rush.. felt like I was the incredible hulk.. and just like that it disappeared and I felt like a fucking emo kid.. waiting to die. Maybe that's why it's so damn addictive. Meth is really the only thing I've done outside of marijuana and DXM (not stupid enough to consume with expectorants or any other kind of shit that'll fuck me over).
Be smart, kids. Zicam 8 hour cough spray is pure DXM.. don't buy none of that cough and cold shit. It's got other crap in it.
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Never do meth. Not only is it ignorant, but you'll be very ashamed of yourself afterward. I got a good fourty minute rush.. felt like I was the incredible hulk.. and just like that it disappeared and I felt like a fucking emo kid.. waiting to die.
Usually anything that doesn't come from nature I test chemically to make sure I'm not getting sold something like methamphetamine. However, one time nearly a year ago I did not test and I regret that decision ever since. 9:1 Sulfuric acid to formaldehyde (Marquis reagent) is particularly useful to test for meth as it will react to turn blood red in the presence of either methamphetamine or amphetamine. Like I said in prior posts, I am extremely skeptical of drug dealers (because you know they're such trustworthy people and all) and the claims that they make. Most often, they will simply attempt to sell you a common amphetamine instead of the relatively safe psychedelic chemical (that at the time was legal - woot!) that you ask for. Best bet just isn't to mess with them at all - go out into the woods and pick some 'shrooms I say.
But I digress, that one time, I thought - "well, I've never been ripped off by this individual before, so I think the probability is high that I will not be ripped off this time" - WRONG. It became blatantly obvious that I had been sold an amphetamine substance (which I had never taken before but the effects are unique enough to discriminate), and I crashed so fucking hard that I was physically sick for four days straight. I couldn't keep any food down in the mornings, and I lost about ten pounds in weight. That's just after one time use.
Of all the chemicals one can ingest recreationally, meth is one of the most dangerous. Don't fuck with meth. I support an individuals right to recreational drug use, even if that use is decidedly against the law, but be smart about the chemicals that you choose to do. If you ever have to deal with the scum which are drug dealers, test test test.
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Most people who use drugs usually never test the chemical structure before using. It's like, "Hey, I'm getting high.. so I don't care what the hell it is."
Meth is something that shouldn't even be in existence. I live in Alabama so I know what it does to people.
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I live in Alabama, too, but I don't know anyone who uses it... I did in North Dakota, though.
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I live deep in Mobile. Wilmer, Alabama. Close to Semmes. And I'd have to say there's a meth lab on every corner.
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Meth - destroys the brain in a special way.
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I'm in southern Oregon, no matter where you are it's not worse then it is here. Its some scary shit.
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Z, that's fantastic.
I guess I have a mild frustration. People are afraid of change because all they know is the same and while the possibility of good things to come from change exists, it's much less attractive than the big bright lights in the sign that says "HEY IT MIGHT GET 100 TIMES WORSE" so that's often the sign they look for.
Revolution is an incredibly rare event because of this exact fact. And that is frustrating. Not particularly right now, but some times, it's incredibly hard to accept.
This frustrates me quite often as well. I get the feeling this is what's holding America back from being a leader in innovation today. We had a good thing going on, but we can't seem to let go of our old successes and move on in the fields we need to advance in, like energy, agriculture, transportation, and especially health care...
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Z, that's fantastic.
I guess I have a mild frustration. People are afraid of change because all they know is the same and while the possibility of good things to come from change exists, it's much less attractive than the big bright lights in the sign that says "HEY IT MIGHT GET 100 TIMES WORSE" so that's often the sign they look for.
Revolution is an incredibly rare event because of this exact fact. And that is frustrating. Not particularly right now, but some times, it's incredibly hard to accept.
This frustrates me quite often as well. I get the feeling this is what's holding America back from being a leader in innovation today. We had a good thing going on, but we can't seem to let go of our old successes and move on in the fields we need to advance in, like energy, agriculture, transportation, and especially health care...
Same here. WE COULD HAVE WARP DRIVE BY NOW! Okay probably not. But we could be a heck of a lot further.
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Ugh... I hate seasonal things... I'm completely out of it. It's like... I have no desire anymore. I just want to curl up and sleep all the time. I never want to do anything that needs to be done.
Grah.
Needs MassHealth to start liking me again...
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Ugh... I hate seasonal things... I'm completely out of it. It's like... I have no desire anymore. I just want to curl up and sleep all the time. I never want to do anything that needs to be done.
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/1192192498931rj8.jpg)
GET
FIRED
UP
:kamina :kamina :kamina
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I'm frustrated at the lack of gold doubloons in my treasure chest.
Hey, that reminds me:
Q: Why are pirates usually so illiterate?
A: They can spend years at C !!
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Q: Why are pirates usually so illiterate?
A: They can spend years at C !!
I'm not sure whether to love you or hate you.
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I'd suggest both: hate to love or love to hate.
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Aw shucks, who could hate J? :grimm
Uhh... currently frustrated at... very little! The CE situation attracting tons of nay-sayers and conspiracy theorists has me a bit annoyed, of course.
Hm, actually, I'm fairly annoyed at my inability to sit down and play a game the whole way through. This only kicked in recently; I find myself being hyped up for a game, playing it for a while, loving it, then not playing it again (not for a long time if I do pick it up again). Even games I love to bits or I was really excited for end up being left aside. Pretty irritating.
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Hm, actually, I'm fairly annoyed at my inability to sit down and play a game the whole way through. This only kicked in recently...
I have that same problem with reading books. As a kid I made it a point of honor that I had always finished reading every book I started. Then I grew up, my tastes matured, my standards rose...and I found myself putting down more books than I finished. When a book disappoints me, that is a significant disappointment indeed, and the commonness of it only serves to elevate my disappointment to...you guessed it...frustration.
By the way, all sorts of people on this site have a legitimate reason to, if not "hate" me, then at least not think very highly of me. I think I like them more than I like the mooks.
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Z, that's fantastic.
I guess I have a mild frustration. People are afraid of change because all they know is the same and while the possibility of good things to come from change exists, it's much less attractive than the big bright lights in the sign that says "HEY IT MIGHT GET 100 TIMES WORSE" so that's often the sign they look for.
Revolution is an incredibly rare event because of this exact fact. And that is frustrating. Not particularly right now, but some times, it's incredibly hard to accept.
This frustrates me quite often as well. I get the feeling this is what's holding America back from being a leader in innovation today. We had a good thing going on, but we can't seem to let go of our old successes and move on in the fields we need to advance in, like energy, agriculture, transportation, and especially health care...
It's really general, but the theme going on with a bunch of stuff in my life is fear of change. My girlfriend's kind of not been very fun lately and I've been getting bored a lot, she lives with a friend and the friend's mom so I can't go over there, she has to come here, and then we just glue ourselves to the couch and don't do anything. It's really been bugging me lately, but I know it's gonna start a fight if I bring up her being lazy. She doesn't want to ride bikes or go for walks or dance when we go out or anything.
SE and Nintendo and other gaming companies should embrace Homebrew games and other software, and figure out a system where it's legal and they still make money so everybody's happy and we can have our CE.
My bosses suck. My job is easy, the money's okay, they're flexible with my college classes, and the customers are great, but the bosses and their fucking tiny detail micromanagement style is incredibly frustrating. They keep adding things to our menu and they've been changing distributors and I've been there over six months with no recognition other than "You do everything better than everyone else here." If that were true, I'd have a raise by now, for all the added responsibility and my ability to take it all on in stride, but no, I have not even had a review or evaluation for a raise, and as a result, I've taken applications from a few other places to find a new sidejob while I'm at college.
School is going great, actually. I'm just frustrated with the early morning drive and long hours there. Class time is 8am to 1pm and I live 20 minutes away if there is no traffic. If there is traffic I live 45 minutes to an hour away. Damn interstate and terrible drivers who rubberneck whenever they pass by an accident, or a cop who's already pulled someone over, or anything else that's not just road and sign.
My dad remarried recently, which is no skin off my nose, but his political standpoint is still I'm right (wing) and you're wrong. No matter what. I'm an adult in every way except when it comes to political conversations with my dad. As soon as I open my mouth, I'm fucking five years old again as far as he's concerned. Well, guess what dad? Other people felt the same way as me this time. We got Obama in office because of it. And Virginia is now a Blue state. Suck on that! Even my mom, who has voted Republican in every election since she was 18, had enough from Bush and voted Dem this past election. Not that things are looking much different because of it...
On the upside, some new friends and I started a band. I've wanted to start a new band since I got out of high school five years ago, but have had no luck finding a drummer. At another musical friend's party, I met a drummer who's into the same music I am, and we started listing bands one after the other and it's really the same stuff 100%. And I got a synth player! They were just stoked that I already had a bunch of songs finished. So I practiced with them recently and that's the change that I've been waiting for. It's going great, and when I record a demo song in a few weeks, I'll post a link somewhere around here. The anticipation is frustrating though. :lol:
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Hm, actually, I'm fairly annoyed at my inability to sit down and play a game the whole way through. This only kicked in recently; I find myself being hyped up for a game, playing it for a while, loving it, then not playing it again (not for a long time if I do pick it up again). Even games I love to bits or I was really excited for end up being left aside. Pretty irritating.
I sort of have that too...I always have to really try to limit myself to playing only one or two games of a couple different genres (playing more than one SRPG at a time is impossible for me, for example)...With RPGs I usually need something light to break up the monotony of leveling or farming or w/e...A nice shooter or maybe a platformer or some legal goofiness from Capcom's Ace Attorney series...
I WILL BEAT YOU THIS TIME, BoF2~!! (http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/pacman/)
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Q: Why are pirates usually so illiterate?
A: They can spend years at C !!
That and the only letters they can say are "I" and "R."
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That proves nothing. Absent some conjugation problems, "I R" is one of the most fundamental statements of identity and expression. By your example, it remains plausible that pirates are in fact so wise and aware that they need say nothing else!
Technical quibble: Not being able to talk properly isn't "illiteracy." It's "dumbness," or whatever modern politically correct equivalent they've come up with by now.
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By your example, it remains plausible that I.R. Baboon is in fact so wise and aware that he need say nothing else...
My frustration: I just spent half an hour of my life watching Hi-5 (for those of you who are not familiar with the show, it basically consists of a group of five fellows jumping around and singing songs to entertain chilren who are sat in front of the TV when mothers are too busy to watch them). The lil' nephew decided to start crying his brains out unless I sat with him to watch...
It also frustrates me that my frustration is so mundane and meaningless. It's just further proof that my life sucks right now.
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That proves nothing. Absent some conjugation problems, "I R" is one of the most fundamental statements of identity and expression. By your example, it remains plausible that pirates are in fact so wise and aware that they need say nothing else!
Indeed, though no one ever said that wisdom must necessarily include literacy. Given that pirates have spent much time on the ocean, one could even classify them as "old salts." Old salts tend to be wise individuals -- veritable storehouses of insight into the human condition -- even if they don't keep much with the fancy art of drawing words.
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I've wanted to start a new band since I got out of high school five years ago, but have had no luck finding a drummer.
Ah, the challenge of finding a good drummer...
Q: Why do drummers have a half ounce more brains than horses?
A: So they don't disgrace themselves at the parade.
Q: How do you know if there is a percussionist at the door?
A: The knocking gets slower.
Q: How can you tell when there is a drummer at your front door?
A: The knocking gets faster.
Q: How do you know when a drum solo's really bad?
A: The bass player notices.
Q: How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one, but he'll break ten bulbs before figuring out that they can't just be pushed in.
Q: How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Twenty. One to hold the bulb, and nineteen to drink until the room spins.
Q: What did the drummer get on his I.Q. test?
A: Drool.
- + - The annoying drums - + -
This guy goes on vacation to a tropical island. As soon as he gets off the plane, he hears drums. He thinks "Wow, this is cool." He goes to the beach, he hears the drums, he eats lunch, he hears drums, he goes to a luau, he hears drums. He tries to go to sleep, yet he hears drums.
This goes on for several nights, and gets to the point where the guy can't sleep at night because of the drums. Finally, he goes down to the front desk.
When he gets there, he asks the manager, "Hey! What's with these drums. Don't they ever stop? I can't get any sleep."
The manager says, "No! Drums must never stop. It's very bad if drums stop."
"Why?"
"When drums stop...bass solo begins."
Maybe these terrible jokes will frustrate some people, haha.
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Maybe these terrible jokes will frustrate some people, haha.
Quite the opposite! :lol: These are great!
Q: What do you call someone who really wants to play drums?
A: A guitarist.
Q: What do you call someone who really wants to play guitar?
A: A drummer.
Q: What do you call someone who really wants to play bass?
A: Misled.
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Quite the opposite! :lol: These are great!
Oh, now you've set me off! :lol:
Q. Why don't bass players play hide and seek?
A. Because no one will look for them.
Q. How do you know when a bass player is at the door trying to get in?
A. He keeps fumbling around trying to find the right key.
Q. How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Just one, but he'll do it too loudly.
Q. How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Only one - but the guitarist has to show him first.
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Q. How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Only one - but the guitarist has to show him first.
LAUGH OUT LOUD. LITERALLY! :lol:
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I don't get it...Isn't the bass harder to play since it's basically the same as a guitar only with struts that are further apart...?
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Nah. There's fewer notes, and most bass players tend to be failed guitar players. :p
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Bassist are usually lazy guitarists who don't like to practice, but own a musical instrument so automatically consider themselves musicians. There are exceptions, but not many. They also tend to be less successful with ladies, and even fans. And most rock songs the bass follows the guitar, so he's basically playing a dumbed down version of what the guitarist wrote, hence the "guitarist has to show him first". Nothing against bassists who take it seriously, but there are far too many who do not.
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And yet the double-bass is considered a refined instrument while the double-guitar is rather the opposite.
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I've played with more sick bassists than anyone else. ANYONE else. Really good guitarists are everywhere, and 99 percent of them are assholes. Any chump can learn guitar. Bass, on the other hand, is MUCH more difficult I think. And drums? Well, we all know those are the best...
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I've played with more sick bassists than anyone else. ANYONE else. Really good guitarists are everywhere, and 99 percent of them are assholes. Any chump can learn guitar. Bass, on the other hand, is MUCH more difficult I think. And drums? Well, we all know those are the best...
Bass is much more difficult to impress. It's not difficult to fake it though. I've played with some crazy awesome bassists, but I've met my fair share of hacks as well.
Also, it's odd when somebody plays guitar and only plays one style. Then they still just say they "play guitar".
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I play both guitar and bass. I've played each for about 8 years or so. I can't imagine a guitarist that plays only one style of guitar. I would get incredibly bored with that. But then again I have a wide range of music that I like. I could go from playing blues to hendrix to punk in 20 minutes because my attention span sucks when it comes to music. But playing one style all the time...that seems like you wouldn't diversify enough to become a good musician. I once met a kid who was amazing at playing metal music. He could tear up the fretboard something fierce. But ask him to play any other style of music and he was horrible at it.
And as far as bassists go - it is true that the vast majority of them play rhythm bass and follow guitar. But as far as I'm concerned, you can't call yourself a true bassist until you can play either slap bass or scale as feverishly as this right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J08skBDQ3C4
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FLEA!! Oh, and the bassist from Dying Fetus... just type in "Homicidal Retribution" in youtube. I don't feel like linking it.
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But as far as I'm concerned, you can't call yourself a true bassist until you can play either slap bass or scale as feverishly as this right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J08skBDQ3C4
I have to disagree. That sort of wanking is the same sort of thing I meant by 'failed guitar players'. It sounds exactly like some average, speedster guitarist playing a solo on bass. Right down to using a pick for the fast stuff. He's got no chunk to his sound, no tone, no feel. To me a 'true' bassist if that's we call it someone who knows how to stay in the background and do their thing, AND impress with some lead chops - but they should really give the bass its own style, not weedle like Yngwie Malmsteen or the guys in Dragonforce. I agree on Flea, he's great stuff.
I'd have to say Victor Wooten's the king of the instrument for me though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsRTMqD9-oA
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Yes, but it is one thing to scale like that on guitar, and a completely different thing to scale like that on bass. Look at any 70's funk band, bassists like Flea are a dime a dozen. But no one plays bass like Matt Freeman. The only reason people reference flea is because the Chili Pepper's are a modern band and insanely popular.
Which is why I referenced the extremes of both styles - you could be a good bassist with soul, pumping out slap bass riffs that are incredible, or you could be a good bassist with scales and speed. Both set you apart from guitar, and both are very difficult to master. Too often are there bands where the bass simply follows guitar (insert any popular rock band here) or the bass follows cookie-cutter scales (insert any popular jazz/ska band here). It is a fact that bass is an easier instrument to learn, but a much more difficult instrument to master, which is why truly good bassists are few and far between.
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Jaco Pastorius>Victor Wooten>all other bassists
A little bit of an over-generalization, but it's how I feel...
here's a vid of Jaco, really gets hot at 2:45
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXOnhzoC-i8
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Yes, but it is one thing to scale like that on guitar, and a completely different thing to scale like that on bass. Look at any 70's funk band, bassists like Flea are a dime a dozen. But no one plays bass like Matt Freeman. The only reason people reference flea is because the Chili Pepper's are a modern band and insanely popular.
Practice your scales for two months and you'll get your speed up like that in no time, whether it's on bass or guitar. But if you've got the tone of cold ham sandwich, what's the point? That sort of technique is very limited, IMO and only serves two purposes - looking for blowjobs, or trying to impress people who don't play an instrument / have just started.
I also have to disagree on 70s funk bass. A guy like Bootsy Collins (Funkadelic, James Brown) sounds nothing like Flea. The Peppers are well known for their pop hits in the early 90s, sure, but Flea / Navarro / Frusciante / Smith are great at what they do, especially if you search out some of their sideprojects or solo stuff. Smith's my favourite of the Pepper's guys at the moment, his clinics are smokin' - all kinds of gems on youtube, here's a shorter one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnOa9LtDemg
^^ only picks up speed as it goes on, I agree with the post about 2:47.
Jaco Pastorius>Victor Wooten>all other bassists
Jaco's amazing. The harmonic stuff he does is just nutty... I've tried and tried to get into his playing though, but I just don't like his tone(sacrilege, I know). Of the Weather Report albums, I prefer the material with Alphonso Johnson. Especially "Black Market", which had Jaco on a couple tunes as well.
One of my favourite bass albums of the last few years was SMV's "Thunder". SMV being Stanley (Clarke), Marcus (Miller) and Victor (Wooten). Just awesome stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrav_MSMjNs
I haven't actually played [guitar] for about a year or so now. I used to be pretty decent with the rock / metal / weedly-wee stuff, but then I went away for 4 months and didn't play, and shortly after getting home I broke my thumb (in 4 different places, somehow) in a weird fall. It never quite felt the same after that; my arm would go stiff after a while, and I didn't have as much range as before.
Hope I can pick up an instrument again in the future though. I'd like to go for drums or percussion if I could. Went to a Zakir Hussain (king of the tabla) concert last year, and that was just awesome. Guitar, I still really enjoy listening to but I'm into mostly jazz stuff, and I could never get that down, even after six years.
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Got up early and showed up to work, only to realize that this was my day off...
...don't you hate it when that happens?
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Moving apartments.
My friends put it quite well. Moving is like transformers; it's more than meets the eye.
So. Much. Crap.
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Kris Allen winning American Idol. :|
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Quite frankly, I hate American Idol in general. The 'singers' can't sing. They butcher songs. The decent ones get eaten out by the fans. I mean, one of my teachers went for American Idol. She is a singing instructor and has an amazing voice. She didn't make the cut. Why?
She didn't have a story.
It doesn't make sense to me at all. And plus, all the publicity it gets. I mean, it makes the local news it's so 'important'. I don't mind the fans, but I despise the show.
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^^^ Sorry for killing the music discussion above... I take them a bit too seriously sometimes.
Frustrations? Having to get up early! I have a presentation at 10am on Sunday and have been going to bed at 5am for the last month or so. Ugly turnaround! :P
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I'm starting to think that more and more people I know get little to no sleep.
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Kris Allen winning American Idol. :|
Yeah, I was an Allison fan myself. At least it makes me feel better because Adam and Allison will make tons of records and Kris will fade into obscurity. The first words he said after he won were "Adam should have won", which really should tell you something.
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I've said this before in this thread, but it really deserves to be mentioned again.
Texan Drivers. Specifically, those drivers who, in turning left at a 4-way stoplight intersections, will see that they have a green light when they begin the turn, then see the red light that is meant for perpendicular traffic, and then STOP in the middle of the intersection until that perpendicular traffic light turns green.
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I've said this before in this thread, but it really deserves to be mentioned again.
Texan Drivers. Specifically, those drivers who, in turning left at a 4-way stoplight intersections, will see that they have a green light when they begin the turn, then see the red light that is meant for perpendicular traffic, and then STOP in the middle of the intersection until that perpendicular traffic light turns green.
Holy shit. We have that in Virginia. They're called North Carolina Drivers.
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Robbed at gunpoint today. Yaaaay. Thankfully unharmed and lost nothing too bad, just some cash.
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Shee, are you effing serious!? Holy shit. Take care man. Glad to hear you didn't bite the bullet.
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laaame man.. laame. thats soo uncool.
so sorry bro V.V
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Coulda been a LOT worse, but was quick and done with. Wasn't about to argue and he wasn't about to cause unnecessary problems for himself. Classy people of L.A. Times like those suck, I felt violated and all that, angry and useless. Of course as I'm leaving I'm thinking of how I could of pulled some Jackie Chan shit and all that nonsense....never would happen, as much as I like to talka big game I'm not stupid and quite frankly don't have the balls for something like that. Even worse is if my head was on just a LITTLE tighter it could of been avoided.
Good news, though, is I'm fine and well if not a little shook. Just more broke than before...
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Well just glad you're okay.
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That sucks, man. You have my sympathies.
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Damn.
If you're in a rough-and-tumble neighborhood, it helps to travel light, which means taking any unnecessary valuables out of your pockets or bag or purse. It might also help to carry a fake wallet with some of those fake credit cards that come in the junk mail and maybe a few dollars in ones and a five.
Very important:
1. Always keep a written backup copy (at home) of the personal information on your cell phone.
2. Always keep a written list (at home) of everything that's in your wallet, including the important information like debit card details. I actually have a photograph of both sides of everything in my wallet (other than the money, obviously).
This way, if you ever lose your phone or your wallet, you'll not have lost any important information, and you'll also know who to call. (For every card in your wallet, you'll have to call the company involved, take any necessary security steps to protect your accounts, and have new cards sent out.)
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Yeah, I was an Allison fan myself. At least it makes me feel better because Adam and Allison will make tons of records and Kris will fade into obscurity. The first words he said after he won were "Adam should have won", which really should tell you something.
I was a big Allison fan as well; she truly could "sing her face off", as Randy liked to put it! :) I was really hoping it'd be Adam and Allison in the final. To me, they were clearly the best singers in the bunch. Kris is a really nice guy, though, and definitely has some talent. Nonetheless, it should have gone to Adam. At least it's good that Kris and Adam are such true friends; it really impresses me how much class both of them have. :D
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My recurring frustration: People who don't take care of their pets by getting them the bare minimal amount of medical treatment required to keep them healthy.
This lady comes in with her 8 year old Chihuahua for a Rabies vaccination. I ask her if her dog has ever been vaccinated before, she says she never has and that she doesn't care (apparently she got the Rabies just for the legal requirement of it). I tell her that the vaccines protect against several potentially fatal diseases, and that even an 8 year old dog can still contract them. She says she knows and doesn't care. I asked if the dog has ever been dewormed. She laughs. I ask her if she knows that there is a high probability that the dog has intestinal parasites, and that several of them are transmissible to humans and can cause potential complications - especially in children. Once again she laughs.
But the grand finale: I ask if her dog is on heartworm prevention or if she has ever been tested for heartworm disease. I ask if she knows that the disease is fatal if left untreated and that it is extremely, extremely common in Texas. She laughs and says "she is healthy as can be!" as she's blowing kisses at her little Chihuahua. Well that's great, why are you at the vet again? I mean, I personally don't know why we invented things like bloodwork machines or antigen tests when we can just look at a person or animal and tell immediately that they are in an asymptomatic stage of an eventually fatal disease. Despite her uncanny diagnostic capability, I still recommended the tests and gave her pamphlets on heartworm disease. She declined everything.
So if you love your pet so much, why don't you get her the bare minimum amount of preventative medical care necessary to keep her at the very least healthy? I predict that she will bring the dog back in a year or two with congestive heart failure and terminal heartworm disease and she will claim that she had no idea about it whatsoever. Almost like a confirmation of that, about 30 minutes later I ran the blood test on another 8 year old dog in an identical situation. Lo and behold, heartworm positive. Big fucking surprise. Luckily that owner was committed to the nearly $700 treatment that could have been avoided in the first place with a simple and cheap preventative pill.
People piss me off. That's one of the reasons I've devoted my life to the care of animals.
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I hate people who mistreat their animals. I mean, if you can do something about it, do it. I grew up with dogs. One of them died from a stroke. One got torn apart by the others. And one of them... I don't even remember what happened to her. Though I am having some problems with my cat Maud, and probably with Rosie too. We just... can't afford to have them taken to the vet. No offense, Chrono Eric, but your profession costs people like me a lot of money we don't have. But if we were to go, we'd probably take as much treatment as necessary.
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Honestly, people who can't afford to take proper care of their pets...should not have them. Pets are not decorations. They are living beings entirely dependent on our care.
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I know, but... things happen. We could afford to have cats when we got cats. But now... we can't. We're doing everything we can for them, but... times are tough.
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I hate people who mistreat their animals. I mean, if you can do something about it, do it. I grew up with dogs. One of them died from a stroke. One got torn apart by the others. And one of them... I don't even remember what happened to her. Though I am having some problems with my cat Maud, and probably with Rosie too. We just... can't afford to have them taken to the vet. No offense, Chrono Eric, but your profession costs people like me a lot of money we don't have. But if we were to go, we'd probably take as much treatment as necessary.
I often say "if you don't have money, why would you think it would be a good idea to have a pet?". However, for people that have had pets for years and suddenly fall on hard times, it is understandable. They face two choices - either cut back on basic medical care or give their pet to another family that can better take care of it. Choice number two is obviously the more moral one, but people often misguidedly think that another family would never care for their pet as they do, or that their pet would be unhappy there and so they side with choice number one. This is a choice made out of love, and not a lack of compassion, and so I don't blame people for it.
But to me the choice is so simple that I don't even have to think about it. Should I put away a few bucks here and there for my pet, a sentient being that depends completely on me for its continued well-being and survival, or should I buy that new HD TV? If I was hurting for money, I would simply not own a pet. However, people make a variety of choices and I believe that the majority of people attempt to make the correct choices even if they fail at times.
It is the uncompassionate assholes like that lady that I will never understand.
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Choice number two is obviously the more moral one...
Is it? Give the pet to some other family and that means there is one less family that will adopt a pet from a shelter. One pet lives a marginally better life, another pet will probably die.
If you were a parent and fell on hard times, would you put your child up for adoption? Families (should) stick together. If you've accepted an animal into your family, that should extend to them.
Choice number two might be the more economical and logical choice, but it is at the very least not obviously the more moral one.
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If you were a parent and fell on hard times, would you put your child up for adoption? Families (should) stick together. If you've accepted an animal into your family, that should extend to them.
That's an interesting hypothetical coming from you, as I would have surmised that your religious bearings prevent you from considering that a policy for humans should "extend" to other animals, as that is a very different and much stronger assertion than one which merely accommodates for pets' welfare on humanistic or obligatory grounds. Effectively you're arguing that pets are full family members. Do you actually mean that--and, if so, on what grounds--or did you simply phrase your argument incorrectly, with undue "empathy" and correspondingly deficient logical verbiage? =P
(Sorry...been watching the news today.)
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That's an interesting hypothetical coming from you, as I would have surmised that your religious bearings prevent you from considering that a policy for humans should "extend" to other animals, as that is a very different and much stronger assertion than one which merely accommodates for pets' welfare on humanistic or obligatory grounds. Effectively you're arguing that pets are full family members. Do you actually mean that--and, if so, on what grounds--or did you simply phrase your argument incorrectly, with undue "empathy" and correspondingly deficient logical verbiage? =P
(Sorry...been watching the news today.)
I am not sure I am fully understanding the distinction you are attempting to make. For one, I have no idea why religions would play into this one way or another, which indicates I'm not appreciating a subtlety in your statement. Could you please elaborate?
Though as for the "grounds," this would be based on the concept of community. One might define a family as a biological unit, but I would reject such a definition. A family need not be constructed entirely of biologically related components (a married couple, for example, should not share a recent common ancestor, and adopted children are family regardless of unassociated parentage). It would seem if families aren't purely biological, they must be social. To put it in an overly simplistic manner, a family is that which one defines as a family. It would appear what separates family from friends is a life-long commitment. As we see with divorces, this isn't an unbreakable bond, but the original intent is that the relationship is to last until one or the other dies. A friendship on the other hand is a bit more transitory. While certain ones might be better defined as family (as I am here using the word), for the most part they come and go.
So if we define family as those that we have made a life-long commitment to, and we accept that family need not share a specific degree of genetic similarity to our selves, it doesn't seem that much of a leap to potentially include animals in such a category (though admittedly English doesn't have the proper words to describe such a relationship).
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In essence, you were implying an equivalence between animals and people that is blatantly contradicted by Christian thought. Except for a few committed animal rights activists, I've never met a Christian who said that and meant it.
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Well I won’t be going around preaching to a flock of birds, if that is what you are getting at ;)
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There goes my comedic material for the week. =(
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Yeah, I generally think people should not be taking in animals if they can't afford them. A friend of mine's mom has 13 cats. A couple of them died, and then she replaced them, so it's always been around 13. Well she takes them to the vet if they're sick or something, but some of them have some kind of congenital conditions that require surgery and she says they can't afford that... so then why does she keep taking in MORE cats?!
I lost 2 cats, one a couple weeks ago. They both got run over... we have one more cat and he's this little nasty feral thing who only likes my mom. I told her not to let the other cat outside, but she did anyway and he died : (. So that's my pet peeve- cats getting run over. I can't really get a cat right now, no matter how much I want one, but even if the cat enjoys going outside, I am not going to let my next cat go outside. It's just too risky. Something like 60 percent of outdoor cats get run over or dead in some way or another. Just not very good statistics.
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The rumor mill is saying s sequel to Xcom is coming out at long last, I am more so then anything I am a Xcom addict. This would normally be great news but its being made by the BioShock team, I don't think they can pull it off at all. All the game needs is a graphics overhaul, it has got the most clean cut gameplay of anything. It longer then most game will ever be so no new mission are needed, and its got a lot of detail that will only get lost if they try and "bring it in to the 21st century". Frankly I am scared out of my mind.
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As long as it has a Geoscape, a Battlescape, and aliens, it'll all be good (I hope).
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Is it? Give the pet to some other family and that means there is one less family that will adopt a pet from a shelter. One pet lives a marginally better life, another pet will probably die.
This argument assumes that family #2 would have adopted a pet from a shelter in the first place, and secondly that they would have chosen a pet that would not have been adopted by a subsequent family and thus euthanized. The number of animals that are euthanized in shelters is a sad statistic, but there is little way to change it except to urge people to adopt from shelters and to neuter/spay as many animals as possible.
However, I see little moral difference in my original conclusion. If the first family has a three year old labrador, the likelihood that he will fall seriously ill is remote and so the likelihood that very expensive medical treatment would be required is remote. However, what if the family cannot afford to keep him on heartworm prevention? If they can't afford that, then they probably couldn't afford to pay for the nearly $1,000 heartworm treatment if the dog contracts heartworm disease. And if they can't pay for that, then the animal would die eventually as well. Or what if the dog gets hit by a car, and the family takes him to an emergency animal clinic but can't pay the bill? In either case, they are essentially condemning their own dog to death just as they would condemn the animal from the shelter to death. There are other possibilities in these situations of course, such as signing the legal ownership of their dog over to the emergency shelter so that they would perform surgery for free but then find a new home for the dog that could take care of him better. Which is essentially what should have been done in the first place.
The choice is even more clear when you consider if the first family's pet was an old dog. The number of likely medical problems that dog will encounter that could potentially be fatal if veterinary care is not pursued is enormous. So now the moral choice becomes - do you potentially condemn your own dog to death or potentially condemn another dog to death?
So I still stand by my original point that the moral choice is clear. Come on Thought, I've heard better arguments from you :D. Sometimes I think you argue solely for the sake of arguing because you enjoy it so much.
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Sometimes I think you argue solely for the sake of arguing because you enjoy it so much.
That is a correct statement.
This argument assumes that family #2 would have adopted a pet from a shelter in the first place, and secondly that they would have chosen a pet that would not have been adopted by a subsequent family and thus euthanized.
If family #2 is willing to adopt a pet from family #1, that would indicate that they are willing to forgo the one thing that buying a puppy offers over adopting a dog: the childhood of the dog. If family #2 didn't adopt the dog from family #1 they might have bought a dog, but if they are willing to not have a puppy, adoption is more likely.
As to your second point, it doesn't matter; the same argument can be applied down the line. Let us say that there are 100 families willing to adopt a dog, and there are 101 dogs in animal shelters. Family #87 adopts a dog from a family outside either group, rather than adopting from the shelter. Even if Family #88 would adopt the dog from the shelter that family #87 would adopt, at the end of the day there are two extra dogs instead of one.
The number of animals that are euthanized in shelters is a sad statistic, but there is little way to change it except to urge people to adopt from shelters and to neuter/spay as many animals as possible.
Exactly. Adopting from poor families does not change that statistic at all (unless the poor family would be forced to give up the animal to a shelter regardless, in which case one is merely cutting out the middle man).
And if they can't pay for that, then the animal would die eventually as well. Or what if the dog gets hit by a car, and the family takes him to an emergency animal clinic but can't pay the bill?
Would you agree that potential death is better than certain death? And that comparatively, a less certain death is better than a more certain death?
If so, a simple comparison of such rates should suffice. If a dog is in a shelter, how long will it have until it is put down? Let us say 1 year (which as far as I am aware, is a ludicrously generous supposition). If a dog is with a family that cannot afford proper medical treatment, how long until it dies of lack of medical care? A 3 year old lab could probably live another 4 years without any serious health problems. Do you find any of these numbers (though they are just uneducated estimates) offensive?
If not, then the comparison should speak for itself. A dog in a loving family, regardless of medical care, is better off than a dog in a shelter. It might not be the optimal state, but at its worst it is better than a shelter at its worst.
The choice is even more clear when you consider if the first family's pet was an old dog. The number of likely medical problems that dog will encounter that could potentially be fatal if veterinary care is not pursued is enormous.
Pishaw. Older dogs are always harder to adopt than younger dogs. Surrendering an older dog is more likely to result in a shortened lifespan because a loving capable family will logically go for a younger, healthier dog.
However, as has happened before, it appears that we both understand the foundations on which we are basis our arguments but are disagreeing on the significance. In this case it is, interestingly, revealing something about our natures, rather than the issue. You appear to be more willing to take risks than I am. I'd say the potential benefits of a family giving up their dog are outweighed by the risks, whereas you seem to be taking the opposite stance
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Out of about 100 people(if that) we have almost 200 pages of frustration about the world.
My response: Damn
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OOOOOIIIIIIII!!!
Drank too much last night, feelin' it today...less than pleasant.
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So I've been in the hospital the past day or so because I was involved in a pretty serious car crash. Luckily, I have no broken bones - just a lot of soft tissue injury. They t-boned me on my passengers side with their large surburban and my tiny car is completely totalled. Usually my girlfriend is in the car with me at that time of night; however, right now she is on a trip. If she was in the car with me, they said she definitely would have died.
So I come to find out that the person who hit me was a 14 year old driver without a drivers liscense (obviously). Both him and his friend attempted to lie to the cop and one of them gave them a clearly false statement of events because if it happened as they said then they would have hit me on the drivers side, which they didn't. So I'm hoping it is pretty open and shut that here we have an experienced driver who has never been in an accident before recalling very clearly what happened, against the word of two high school kids without a drivers liscense (he apparently hadn't even started drivers-ed yet).
I'm just very thankful that my girlfriend wasn't with me when this happened.
However, as has happened before, it appears that we both understand the foundations on which we are basis our arguments but are disagreeing on the significance. In this case it is, interestingly, revealing something about our natures, rather than the issue. You appear to be more willing to take risks than I am. I'd say the potential benefits of a family giving up their dog are outweighed by the risks, whereas you seem to be taking the opposite stance
I would agree with this. I place significance more on the importance of preventative medical treatment while you place significance more on relative quality of life. Nothing that you said is false and nothing that I said is false. But I think that the root of our differing opinions is that I witness daily the results of not keeping up with preventative medical treatment, and often those results are a long and painful death compared to the quick and painless euthanasia that occurs at shelters. I could make an argument much along the one you did and ask you if all deaths should be considered equally significant. If one animal dies from suffering heart and kidney failure due to heartworm disease, and one dies by being humanely euthanized in an animal shelter - which is the worse death? I also understand that the shelter situation is sad and potentially impossible to solve, so I don't hold people morally accountable for not adopting from shelters if they have a choice - although I certainly suggest it. I guess I am a realist, not an idealist. Perhaps even a pessimist with a lot of things.
That said, both the current state of animal rights laws and humane treatment in animal shelters greatly depresses me. There have been huge improvements over the past few decades even, but there is still a long way to go. Because I equate all higher animal life as inherently objectively equal in value to human life, I sincerely wish that there will someday be a day when animals will not have to be euthanized in shelters, abandoned on the streets, or suffer from preventable but fatal medical conditions that would have been completely avoided had they been born as a human being. Which is one reason why I've devoted my life to the study of veterinary medicine, and not to the study of human medicine.
That and you'll never see an asshole teenage animal deliberately get behind the wheel of a car and nearly kill someone. Although I'm sure someone can find an adorable youtube video of a dog releasing an e-brake and cruising his masters car through the middle of a road.
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Holy cow, glad to hear you made it out of that one chrono eric.
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http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-30/funimation-cancels-one-piece-simulcast
Toei and Funimation had worked on an arrangement where Funimation would web broadcast a sub of the newest episode of One Piece at the very same time it was first aired in Japan, but what would have been a breakthrough event is now cancelled thanks to one dipshit I hope has a very fatal accident in the near future as his just rewards. Knowing that episode would be coming up, he managed to hack Funimation's serves and extract the episode by force. Because the episode became available online - thanks to Captain Dipshit - before it even aired in Japan, the deal is now over (and it will probably be extremely unlikely to see something like this ever attempted again for a very long time).
TO CAPTAIN DIPSHIT: Do the entire world a favor by putting the barrel of a loaded gun in your mouth and then pulling the trigger over and over until you are no longer able to do so.
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Ugh. People are stupid. Can't they just wait? Hopefully this will teach the general populous that hacking servers aren't wise. Maybe they'll try it again. Maybe not.
Ugh why does it have to be hot? It's like I can't breath it's so hot... I prefer the cold to this.
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Oh dear, Eric... I'm glad you're safe! It could have been a lot worse, so at least you know that just your car didn't survive this accident...
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current flustration@anxiety and irrational fear - Apparently even when my own health (and not just the emotional kind, but the hard knocks of life physical kind!) is possibly on the line, they can both still stop me dead in my tracks...STUPID BRAIN, STOP BEING STUPID~!!!
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Holy cow, glad to hear you made it out of that one chrono eric.
Thanks man, it was definitely a close call for sure. I feel like shit but at least I'm alive and not severely hurt. The vicodin they gave me works wonders though.
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Eric, I'm glad you're alive and hope you're okay.
I lost my job a couple days ago. My boss came in and said to the guy I was working with and I that we were her best employees and the night before showed record sales. She then proceeded to ask how we were doing. We said we were fine, but had customers staying in the restaurant past close and we had to wait for them to start closing. I suggested having three people on staff, so we could actually get work done while one of the two usuals were on a delivery. Also it would help us close faster.
Then she started asking what I meant by that, and I told her I meant what I said. Then she told me to get the fuck out, because she didn't like my attitude. I asked why does she think I have an attitude, then she started yelling at the guy I was working with. She accused us of foul play and we denied, and she screamed at the top of her lungs "I'M THE FUCKING OWNER AAAAUUUGGGHHH!" and she actually made that sound. For the record, she's not the owner. She's married to the owner's son. That's one divorce away from having nothing to do with the place. But whatever. The other guy and I both got fired.
I was gonna quit, and she saved me the trouble. I was just going to wait till I had another job lined up.
What gets me is what she said right when she showed up, and the day before she was crying asking if I thought she was a bad manager. I think she needs help. But she's not gonna get it from me. Fucking two-faced, unstable bitch. I feel sorry for the other employees. The guy I was working with and I covered 70 hours on the schedule. We each literally had more hours than any other two workers combined. There are two brand new people who haven't been trained, and one girl who's been there a month, and one who's been there a year. They're fucked, and they'll never have a day off again.
Now to find a job.
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Eric, I'm glad you're alive and hope you're okay.
I lost my job a couple days ago. My boss came in and said to the guy I was working with and I that we were her best employees and the night before showed record sales. She then proceeded to ask how we were doing. We said we were fine, but had customers staying in the restaurant past close and we had to wait for them to start closing. I suggested having three people on staff, so we could actually get work done while one of the two usuals were on a delivery. Also it would help us close faster.
Then she started asking what I meant by that, and I told her I meant what I said. Then she told me to get the fuck out, because she didn't like my attitude. I asked why does she think I have an attitude, then she started yelling at the guy I was working with. She accused us of foul play and we denied, and she screamed at the top of her lungs "I'M THE FUCKING OWNER AAAAUUUGGGHHH!" and she actually made that sound. For the record, she's not the owner. She's married to the owner's son. That's one divorce away from having nothing to do with the place. But whatever. The other guy and I both got fired.
I was gonna quit, and she saved me the trouble. I was just going to wait till I had another job lined up.
What gets me is what she said right when she showed up, and the day before she was crying asking if I thought she was a bad manager. I think she needs help. But she's not gonna get it from me. Fucking two-faced, unstable bitch. I feel sorry for the other employees. The guy I was working with and I covered 70 hours on the schedule. We each literally had more hours than any other two workers combined. There are two brand new people who haven't been trained, and one girl who's been there a month, and one who's been there a year. They're fucked, and they'll never have a day off again.
Now to find a job.
Don't be hatin' she sounds pregnant.
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She's not, but she does have a history of cocaine use, so I'm thinking she's clinically depressed or maybe manic depressive. Or she's on teh drugz.
I'm much better off away, but I'm still gonna complain about it.
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Eric, I'm glad you're alive and hope you're okay.
Thanks man. That's a bummer though about your job. I guess you don't want it anymore, but can't you petition her husband for your job temporarily at least, citing that you're a good employee, until you have another job lined up? I mean all you did was speak your mind.
Oh, and I thought this was funny so I'll share. Apparently the kid that hit me, his name was - dun dun duuunn:
Jesus dejesus.
I laughed so fucking hard I swear that just completely made my otherwise depressing week right there.
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Jesus dejesus.
His parents certainly have an odd sense of humor...
Well, my last day of school is tomorrow (at long last), but the world decided that I could not enjoy it at its fullest so it's given me a runny nose... damn
And now I've gotta decide what to do with my life... frustrating (should it be frustrating?)
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Jesus Dejesus, thank goodness I was sitting when I saw that. Glad to hear you're gonna be ok, Eric. Take it easy with them painkillers 8)
Just watched Conan (which was great) and then got the ol' red ring on the Xbox. Had it for a year. Lames Bond. No new work yet. It'll come.
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A mild frustration is that I am leaving for Washington DC on Friday. Our tickets for a White House Tour still haven't arrived. When we put the request in with out senater the wait was three months, as we were a little over three months out. Then the next week the wait for tickets increased to six months. Almost like a more-popular president took up residence there... But the end result is that even though we followed the guidelines, we probably wont get to see the White House. Totally understandable, but still annoying.
But I think that the root of our differing opinions is that I witness daily the results of not keeping up with preventative medical treatment, and often those results are a long and painful death compared to the quick and painless euthanasia that occurs at shelters.
Possibly, but we are talking about a very unusual set of circumstances. Good family taking care of a pet responsibly falls on hard enough times that they are unable to provide preventative treatments but are still capable of providing necessary resources to the animal (such as food and shelter). Also, considering that a family that was financially stable in the past has a decent chance of being financially stable again (particularly when compared against a family that was financially unstable to begin with), there is a respectable potential that the lapse in preventative treatment will be temporary.
Also, glad to hear you are okay.
Jesus dejesus.
That is so totally the sort of name I'd give my child. Lucky for any potential children, my wife has veto power over names. And she's had to use it excessively for my various name suggestions so far (okay, so 6th and 7th century names probably aren't the best for modern times).
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Thanks man. That's a bummer though about your job. I guess you don't want it anymore, but can't you petition her husband for your job temporarily at least, citing that you're a good employee, until you have another job lined up? I mean all you did was speak your mind.
Well, incidentally the one application I turned in before getting the can was to a hotel (a field with which I have over seven years experience) whose General Manager knows my stepmother from another hotel job, and basically I'm getting hired. I try not to worry too much about these types of things and then they just seem to work out.
Plus I'm never going back to that shitty little restaurant. I was only working there cause I could have an easy, low hours, low stress (if i only knew then!) job while I'm in college for the third time. It's time for something new.
Jesus dejesus.
I laughed so fucking hard I swear that just completely made my otherwise depressing week right there.
That is fantastic! I almost busted out in class just now.
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I just sneezed, and in doing so slammed my head in to a bed post. God damn that's going to bruise up, meanwhile my friend is just cracking up at my pain.
EDIT: Were now at 200 page of $%*! frustration
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I only see 199. :shock:
You know what that means.
(It means I'm the first to get on page 200, for those that didn't get it.)
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I'm frustrated by people who tell one-sided stories that make them look like innocent victims and and their opponents like cartoon villains or penny-ante operators. I've heard that spiel often enough to see right through it...
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I've been reading about chrono eric's ordeal, and this seems like the appropriate thread to express my own relief and sympathy. Very glad to hear you're alright, and I'm also glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read "Jesus dejesus", or my laptop would be shot!
Wonder if he'll turn out at all like this guy:
(http://blog.newsok.com/staticblog/files/2009/03/lebowski-jesus.jpg)
Seems I had a frustration a minute ago, but lost it. Damn.
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Wow. 200 pages of frustration. That's kinda sad.
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Shared frustration is better than internal frustration (maybe).
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Think about it like this. There's 200 pages here instead of 200 dudes getting kicked in the balls or 200 walls with holes in them. Not bad at all, I'd say.
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200 frustrations over 2 years. That's about one frustration every three days, which is pretty good, I'd say.
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I'm frustrated by people who tell one-sided stories that make them look like innocent victims and and their opponents like cartoon villains or penny-ante operators. I've heard that spiel often enough to see right through it...
In addition to this, I'm frustrated with people who act like cartoon villains to innocent people. There are some rare people, that if they had a mustache, they'd be perpetually twirling it.
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In addition to this, I'm frustrated with people who act like cartoon villains to innocent people. There are some rare people, that if they had a mustache, they'd be perpetually twirling it.
*Cough Cough* Dark Serge *Cough*
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JD Salinger sues! (http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/books/06/03/salinger.catcher.lawsuit/index.html)
What's the one really important thing that separates Salinger's claim from Square Enix's claim against Crimson Echoes, hmmmmm?
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People would still play Chrono Trigger even if it wasn't required reading in public schools?
EDIT: Oh, and this J.D. California dude is trying to make a profit off it. Also, SE may someday make use of their copyright on the Chrono Series, whereas Salinger has clearly indicated that he never learned to share and even though he wont do anything with the IP, ever, he wont let anyone else either.
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People would still play Chrono Trigger even if it wasn't required reading in public schools?
:lol:
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:1999
Shit pisses me off
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Yeah. Purple's not a color. It's actually violet. Thanks a lot, Crayola. Also, salmon is not a color. It's a fish.
And Realism is an art style, like Cubism or Impressionism. So if you see somebody's drawing and it looks almost real, you can't say it looks "realistic" because then you're saying it looks like it was intended to be drawn with that art style, the proper term is "naturalistic".
Art school is expensive and teaches you how to be pretentious.
That's pretty frustrating.
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I passed French 2!
With a 61.5%.
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I recommend to a lady that her high beam bulb is out, and needs to replace it. She says no and leaves
Two weeks later she comes back and says she got a ticket and blames me for not replacing her bulb.
:picardno
Bitch I told you two weeks ago to get it and you said no
(I work at a dealership as an autotech)
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Yeah. Purple's not a color. It's actually violet. Thanks a lot, Crayola. Also, salmon is not a color. It's a fish.
Roses are red,
Violets are BLUE.
See? Violet is a flowering plant,
But it's a color TOO.
I'm not going to rhyme with 'salmon' and Seuss took 'fish'...
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If it smells like salmon, keep on jammin!!!!
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If you want delish, try potato knish!!!!
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Yeah. Purple's not a color. It's actually violet. Thanks a lot, Crayola. Also, salmon is not a color. It's a fish.
Are you sure? I've always heard that purple is derived from the shellfish the ancient Mediterranean’s used to dye fabric the color commonly associated with it. The rarity of the color made it associated with the well-to-do, which in turn lead to the behavior of uppity upstarts sewing patches of purple cloth onto non-purple clothing to appear to be of a higher social rank. That in turn led to the coining of the term Purple Prose.
Oh crap, we were trying to ryhm, weren't we?
Um... ... ... ... damn.
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Look at a color wheel. My words are straight from art classes (more than one and they all say the same thing). Except the Crayola thing, that was a joke about using random object names as color names.
(http://schools.bvsd.org/whittier/artsite/graphics/colorwheel1.jpg)
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And the word "purple" really is derived from the Greek word "porphyra" which was used to describe the dye produced from certain shellfish (the dye being called "Tyre purple," I think). Admittedly, I'm not an etymologyst, but it appears that "purple" was used to describe a color of the “violet”-persuasion long before the word violet arose.
Though further investigation, via wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple#Purple_versus_violet), seems to indicate that violet isn't purple at all, nor is purple violet, as the colors are produced through different means (violet being a spectral color whereas purple can only be produced by mixing colors of the red/blue variety).
So it would seem to depend on who you are talking to if purple is a color or not. Historian would probably say it is, artisans would probably say it’s really violet, and physicist would probably say it varies by one's defintion of "color".
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In art it's violet.
Even high school art classes teach this. I don't get what's so difficult.
If you really want to go to Wikipedia...
This is from the "purple" article
Violet is a spectral color (approximately 380-420 nm), of a shorter wavelength than blue, while purple is a combination of red and blue or violet light.[7] The purples are colors that are not spectral colors – purples are extra-spectral colors. In fact, purple was not present on Newton's color wheel (which went directly from violet to red), though it is on modern ones, between red and violet. There is no such thing as the "wavelength of purple light"; it only exists as a combination.[
Edit: I'm done talking about this. If you don't believe me, fine. Take an art class. Any art class, but preferrably color theory. Ask your teacher/professor about the color purple. Proceed to get smacked in the face.
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The point being, while it is valid to call purple "violet" in "art," that is not an end-all be-all definition. That is all I'm doing; pointing out that while that is an accurate statement, it isn't an absolute or objectively true statement. Other perspectives are not only possible, they are reasonable and supportable. My concern isn't over "colors" or "art" but the conflation of a simplistic representation of reality with the reality itself.
Which gets to an underlying frustration I have: the assumption that one subjective perspective is the only valid perspective. Color just happens to be the guise under which this happened today.
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you guys forgot indigo!
...which is just another name for a wierd blue. ugh.
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you guys forgot indigo!
...which is just another name for a wierd blue. ugh.
Huh, I thought that was a guy with a grudge against a six-fingered man...
wait, that's Inigo! sorry ;)
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you guys forgot indigo!
...which is just another name for a wierd blue. ugh.
Huh, I thought that was a guy with a grudge against a six-fingered man...
wait, that's Inigo! sorry ;)
haha, The princess bride (methinks?), nice reference!
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And then there color blind people like me and just see it all was blue.
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The point being, while it is valid to call purple "violet" in "art," that is not an end-all be-all definition. That is all I'm doing; pointing out that while that is an accurate statement, it isn't an absolute or objectively true statement. Other perspectives are not only possible, they are reasonable and supportable. My concern isn't over "colors" or "art" but the conflation of a simplistic representation of reality with the reality itself.
Which gets to an underlying frustration I have: the assumption that one subjective perspective is the only valid perspective. Color just happens to be the guise under which this happened today.
I never said I only use the term "violet" and never say "purple".
Violet is the proper term when you're in art school, like I said in the first post I made about this. Jesus.
It's not the end-all be-all, and it's not a generalization. It's a specific place and setting with specific terminology. Color is not a guise under which anything happened today, except misunderstanding intent. I'm not generalizing, I'm specifying.
It's like, when you ask a normal person when the Declaration of Independence was signed, they'll say July 4th. When you ask a historian, they'll say, that's a generalization. Specifically, different people signed different days, and most of them signed in August.
Or Columbus was the first person who discovered America. No. It was Vikings who got here "first". Unless you count people who aren't white, in which case it was the Native Americans who migrated from a land bridge between Canada/Alaska area and Russia that is now covered in water.
But the generalized answer remains the public view.
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In every art class I had no one called it violet. I think violet is a more random object for color word than purple. Plus, how do you give a violet-nurple? That doesn't even rhyme! Maybe it's a regional thing, Bekkler...? I barely even believe in colors, so w/e...
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you guys forgot indigo!
...which is just another name for a wierd blue. ugh.
Huh, I thought that was a guy with a grudge against a six-fingered man...
wait, that's Inigo! sorry ;)
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. I'll make sure to put that six fingered man to the pain when we fight, though! So long as he isn't Sicilian. You don't play logic games with a Sicilian when death is on the line!
Okay, done with the Princess Bride jokes. I have taken to taking cans in my room and ripping them apart with a pair of tweezers. Last night, while doing so, one of the pieces of can cut open my finger. It's probably going to get infected, no matter how much I clean it... ugh.
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But the generalized answer remains the public view.
Inconceivable!
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But the generalized answer remains the public view.
Inconceivable!
:lol:
Damnit. I'm trying to be serious, and I can't when you're being all hilarious.
That's my favorite quote from that entire movie.
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I've been reading about chrono eric's ordeal, and this seems like the appropriate thread to express my own relief and sympathy. Very glad to hear you're alright, and I'm also glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read "Jesus dejesus", or my laptop would be shot!
Thanks a bunch. I really appreciate everyone's support. I've gotta say, vicodin is a helluva drug. The anti-inflammatory drugs I was also prescribed do absolutely nothing for the pain, but 30 minutes after taking the vicodin I feel like I can do cartwheels.
If I can put my own two cents in for this hilarious color argument (are we really arguing about this?): There is no such thing as color in objective reality - only various electromagnetic wavelengths that we perceive subjectively as color. Which makes this whole thing rather amusing actually.
Which reminds me of an old thought problem: Two women are looking at a rose. One is completely colorblind. The non-colorblind woman perceives the rose as a vibrant red. The colorblind woman sees the rose as shades of gray. Which woman is more correctly perceiving the nature of reality? And which woman is more visually impaired?
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Which reminds me of an old thought problem: Two women are looking at a rose. One is completely colorblind. The non-colorblind woman perceives the rose as a vibrant red. The colorblind woman sees the rose as shades of gray. Which woman is more correctly perceiving the nature of reality? And which woman is more visually impaired?
I suppose the obvious answer is not the preferred one. Still, it's worth saying: The colorblind person is processing less information than the other person. She is more visually impaired, therefore, and would be less "correct" in her perception inasmuch as it would be that much more removed from objective reality.
I suspect this is one of those questions that's supposed to get people thinking about interpretation. Gray and red have no inherent value relative to one another; neither is "superior" on its own merits. So if the colorblind person is seeing something that fewer people see--the gray--then maybe she's having a less common experience than her counterpart. On the other hand, even if experiences are commonplace, we each bring our own interpretations to them, and so even if everybody saw the same shade of red in the exact same way, we'd still be looking at a totally diverse package of perceptions.
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Yes it is one of those questions that is supposed to defy an obvious answer. The person that can see color is perceiving an extra facet of objective reality - the wavelengths within the visible spectrum that an object reflects, transmits, or emits. Thus she is actually perceiving more information about objective reality. But at the same time she is perceiving that information subjectively and in a way that is not representative of the true state of that reality.
So is the colorblind person observing objective reality more accurately because she does not perceive "color" except for the grayscale, or is she perceiving objective reality less accurately because she cannot obtain subjective information about wavelengths of light associated with an object?
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Which reminds me of an old thought problem: Two women are looking at a rose. One is completely colorblind. The non-colorblind woman perceives the rose as a vibrant red. The colorblind woman sees the rose as shades of gray. Which woman is more correctly perceiving the nature of reality? And which woman is more visually impaired?
Trick question. The correct answer is the bee that can see the ultraviolet patterns on the petals.
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Hate... I hate that one of my friends is addicted seriously addicted to videgames... She spent all holidays playing Mass Effect(total of 6 playthroughs) ...
And now she got Sims3 and I won't be able to take her out from it now. Plus I have her a copy of Fallout 3 for her birthday which I shouldn't done it. She got some serious problem.
I gonna ask her out so wish me luck! XD
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Yeah, but in her defense...Mass Effect is a really damn awesome game.
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Apologies if this has been mentioned, but the fact that people actually think that not pursuing legal action in response the C&D sets -legal precedent- frustrates me. What frustrates me more is the fact that they hold the Compendium responsible for this unfavorable "legal precedent".
Said I wouldn't lament about it again, but what the hell... seriously...
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Jealousy. Regret. Also traffic, which isn't really related to the first two.
Also, the damn Magic can't make any free throws and I have to listen to non-stop Laker talk. Bah. Such a winnable game for them.
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How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? :picardno
My $%*! frustration problem is when forums memberd god mod people even though things should be left to the moderators! I have lurked at various forums and do not like the cliched attitudes.
I am not even sure WHAT to call it when someone tries to act like the moderator and makes people look retarted.
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It's called V_Translanka... owait O___o silly me
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I'm sick. On my birthday. Fucking lame.
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My music pastor is abandoning my church.
See, a few months ago, my old church split. I went with my music pastor and most of the core church family I had come to love and started attending another church. I played guitar for two years at my old church, and loved every minute of it. Well, I started playing guitar the very week I started attending the new church. My old worship pastor was leading the music there, and it just felt like old times with a few new people in the band. Well, he put his two weeks notice in again because everyone at the new church apparently hates him. Scratch that, it's the richest man at the church that hates him and wants him gone. This man also happens to be the director of the board of the church AAAAAAND the CHIEF OF MEDICINE at LeBonheur Children's Research Hospital here in Memphis.
On top of that, this church has been without a pastor for a few months now. Well, it's a decent size congregation (~1,100) so you would think they'd have at least a few people come and speak at the church before they elected someone to lead it right? Well that's not how Dr. Ken wants to do things. No, no. He's much more content being all corrupt and throwing a puppet of his into the pulpit so he can bend the church to his will. I wish I could explain in more detail but it's so complicated.
I'm so fucking tired of church politics that I'm not going to go anymore. My relationship with God is just that, mine. I don't need a building full of two-faced liars to keep my faith strong. After my music pastor leaves, I'm leaving, and I'm probably never going to come back.
:picardno FML.
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That Reallly sucks and I thought I had bad problems.
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That Reallly sucks and I thought I had bad problems.
I'm just so damned tired of getting burned by the people that are supposed to be "family." That's why they call them a church FAMILY. That's what we're supposed to be. But I guess nobody wants to follow Christ's commands and would much rather be the moneychangers that Christ forced out of the temple.
And these people wonder why their lives continue to be shit even though they're buying in tot he lie that church is supposed to be this huge place where everybody gets together, where "Church" is literally meant to be a total body of believers. Even God himself had people operate in SMALL groups. I honestly believe that most people have lost touch with the divining Holy Spirit that dwells in them and are just blindly following a man that's simply been told to regurgitate the same words over and over again and beg for money.
Sorry, venting. But hey, that's what this thread's all about, right?
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Sorry, venting. But hey, that's what this thread's all about, right?
Sorry for putting it in bold but I thought I hit the quote tag. :picardno :picardno
Your dead on. This
Now about my vgmusic dot com problem. I made a request for a song in Mario Party 2 and I got ignored and I''ve noticed the people who get ignored are newbies with low post counts compared to people with high posts counts and it doesn't matter if you have good forum behavior or not. :(
The higher post counts seem to generate most of the attention no matter what.
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I. Hate. Mosquitos.
simple as that.
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Bank overdraft fees. When a check bounces (guess what happened to me last week), not only do most banks charge a fee that's around $35, but they'll charge whomever was receiving the check, too, typically another $35. That's $70. The actual cost of processing a bad check is less than $5. I understand the fiscal responsibility argument. It was my fault for not having enough money in my account. But that doesn't excuse the exploitative behavior on the part of these banks--who set their overdraft fees to match one another. Charging me a markup of almost 1000 percent ought to be illegal, and charging the other party so much as one thin dime ought to be illegal.
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The unnamed bank I work for charges a $38.00 NSF for EVERY ITEM (meaning check, debit card purchase, etc.), and if the account is overdrawn for 7 days receives a $42.00 extended overdraft fee. For every additional day the account is overdrawn they then charge you $7.00 a day for up to thirty days. It's a shame, really. And if you deposit a check that bounces, you are charged a $6.00 per check processing fee...
Seeing that I work in customer service, it sucks having to talk to people about these fee's all the time. It's simply outrageous.
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Huh, I didn't realize there was a fee for people on the receiving end of bad checks. Good to know.
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What about vgmusic.com? What frustrations have you had from there?
The only good thing about it is I got a lot of Chrono Trigger midis there. I actually have a very large collection from there.
This is the last time I am asking this question as I am not receving any responses.:picardno
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What about vgmusic.com? What frustrations have you had from there?
The only good thing about it is I got a lot of Chrono Trigger midis there. I actually have a very large collection from there.
This is the last time I am asking this question as I am not receving any responses.
the reason you're not getting any responses is because this topic isn't about discussing what frustrations have come from a source at any time.
This topic is about people ranting and letting off steam about their current frustrations, not what has made them pissed off in the past.
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What about vgmusic.com? What frustrations have you had from there?
The only good thing about it is I got a lot of Chrono Trigger midis there. I actually have a very large collection from there.
This is the last time I am asking this question as I am not receving any responses.:picardno
http://www.vgmusic.com/phpBB3/
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Frustration: Cleaning. Specifically, cleaning my apartment. I hate it. I hate dusting, I hate vacuuming, I hate doing dishes. I mean, this is the 21st century, aren't we supposed to have robot slaves for that shit by now? The Jetsons ruined my childhood view of the future and got my expectations way too high I think.
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Speaking of which:
You can buy the Jetsons on DVD. For some reason that feels wrong.
Also, Seven Days is still not available on DVD. My memory of how good the show was might be flawed (it definately was with Sliders), but still...
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Oh shitake mushrooms! I forgot all about Seven Days! I used to watch it before Star Trek: Voyager... And that other show (I think it was called the Sentinel or something).
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I very well may have to start using the phrase "oh shitake mushrooms" myself.
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I very well may have to start using the phrase "oh shitake mushrooms" myself.
funny one of my favorite things to say is shitake muffins, I haven't said it in a couple months actually. I guess mushrooms could be substituted but now I want to look at all my posts and see if I have posted "Shitake muffins some where but that will have to wait I have to mow an acre of lawn...damn parents don't even give me a buck. Its time consuming and I can think of 10 better thing to do off the top of my head Play the Wii Play my DS play My 360 Play the PS2, Plat My PSP, Play My SNES, Laptop stuff, And the last three are simlar, Play Chronotrigger on one of the systems it came out for.
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Walmart can take a very large dildo in their asses. Plain and simple.
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Walmart can take a very large dildo in their asses. Plain and simple.
Oh it is hardly that plain or simple. Would it be a glass one, rubber, metal, plastic, wood, or alternate material? Would this be manual or electronic? Anatomically correct or stylistic? Scented or unscented?
And you have failed to take into account the sexual preferences of Walmart. Does it like south entry, is it into S&M, is it conservative or experimental, etc?
For all we know, you could be saying that Walmart can have a pleasant evening at home alone.
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Walmart can take a very large dildo in their asses. Plain and simple.
Oh it is hardly that plain or simple. Would it be a glass one, rubber, metal, plastic, wood, or alternate material? Would this be manual or electronic? Anatomically correct or stylistic? Scented or unscented?
And you have failed to take into account the sexual preferences of Walmart. Does it like south entry, is it into S&M, is it conservative or experimental, etc?
For all we know, you could be saying that Walmart can have a pleasant evening at home alone.
:lol: Wow... awkward; if it was the electronic bit, it would be specifically called a 'vibrator' (which alone encompass many other options I'll not be going into).
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Wal-Mart should get anal beads.
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You spelled "BLEEDS" wrong, Shee. :lol:
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Ho boy.
Anyway, I busted my ass to get to this class this morning...only to be 24 hours early.....lames bond!
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Damn. I keep dreaming about having to take tests and study. Killing my summer nights.
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My house got struck by lightning.
I don't have Internet, TV, or air conditioning at my residence and don't know when I'll get them back.
Ffffffffffffuck.
I'm also currently stuck at a friend's place until the current storm let's up and I'm paranoid that the appliances that were saved will short circuit.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
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You should totally whittle a bat out of your house. You'll hit nothing but home runs with it.
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You should totally whittle a bat out of your house. You'll hit nothing but home runs with it.
That was the single greatest thing I've ever heard in my life.
On the topic of Walmart's sexual preferences, I do believe they're pro anal. Walmart is a scrawny little man with a gaping anus thanks to our friend, Tyrone. Way to go, prison bitch. Dildos just will not suffice.
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What's with people making Dream threads and somehow thinking it hasn't been done before in a forums that have been around for several years? C'mon, search function, use it!
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So earlier in the week I bought a brand new car - Nissan Sentra. And today, my dad asked if he could drive it to the dealership to make a copy of the key for me. Being the nice guy that I am, I said "sure dad, drive my brand new car, just don't wreck it or anything, haha". So what do you think happened?
He fucking wrecked it.
I'm not joking. You can't make this shit up. It's like the universe decided to take a giant shit on my life this past month. Maybe it's gods vengeance for not technically believing in him, to strike me with a kid not only named Jesus, but Jesus deJesus. The Jesus of Jesuses! Then, when I finally get a new car - guess what? Aaaaawwww psyche, fuck you.
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Oh dear! I'm sorry... this is just not a good time for you is it?
I hope it gets better soon...
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So earlier in the week I bought a brand new car - Nissan Sentra. And today, my dad asked if he could drive it to the dealership to make a copy of the key for me. Being the nice guy that I am, I said "sure dad, drive my brand new car, just don't wreck it or anything, haha". So what do you think happened?
He fucking wrecked it.
I'm not joking. You can't make this shit up. It's like the universe decided to take a giant shit on my life this past month. Maybe it's gods vengeance for not technically believing in him, to strike me with a kid not only named Jesus, but Jesus deJesus. The Jesus of Jesuses! Then, when I finally get a new car - guess what? Aaaaawwww psyche, fuck you.
I am so sorry to hear that, but at this point I am going to have to claim schadenfreude and laugh.
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Fuck academic databases. They're disparate, unreliable, and wonky. I've spent hours upon hours searching tons of databases to work on my Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Wikipedia article, including a bunch of obscure databases and newspaper archives. And now, wrapping up my search with a tour of REALLY obscure databases, I get a hit on EBSCO "Internet and Personal Computing Abstracts" for an enlightening paper about the show's use of Quest World.
...
Okay, I'm sure there's some kind of logical reason for the division, but doing this has made me wish there were a real Academic search Compendium. Search everything, all at once. Pore over thousands of results, but leave with the satisfaction that nothing was missed.
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Going to be in the school library today from open time to closing to work on my Flash final project. I've kinda run outta time, so I have to cut it down from an awesome music video to this wimpy little greeting card about the changing of seasons. Nothing annoys me more than having to throw away so many good ideas because of lack of time.
Also, it has to be done on a Mac, and these keyboards are tiny. I'm used to reaching farther to hit the keys, and this is kinda confusing.
Even better: The librarian on duty doesn't know the administrator name and password for these computers, so I can't install the tablet driver. Sweet.
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Ugh. I stayed up all night to work on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Real_Adventures_of_Jonny_Quest, and now I feel pretty terrible. But I got a lot of work done.
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Damn that's pretty extensive. Never was much of a Quest guy but I do remember that show coming out. The intro was pretty damn sweet if I recall correctly, with the green lights and they shaped the outline of a ravine or something like that. The music was also damn good in that intro.
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Wow, I know...way more about Johnny Quest than I would have had you not written that. Fascinating bit about the hubbub over the inclusion of a female main character.
I'm pissed at Iran's Ayatollah for at the very least sanctioning his people's subjection to things that induce bleeding, and I hope Rafsanjani (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4104532.stm) boots him per the constitutional fine print they theoretically have over there.
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Ugh. I stayed up all night to work on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Real_Adventures_of_Jonny_Quest, and now I feel pretty terrible. But I got a lot of work done.
Sweet, this is an article I've been waiting for. The Real Adventures was such a great show...Bbeautiful uses of art and graphics, as well as fantastic stories...Your effort won't go without thanks, Zeality.
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I am VERY pissed that some how one of my post's was deleted, which almost ruined everything.
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I am VERY pissed that some how one of my post's was deleted, which almost ruined everything.
Is that why you're back to Kebrel?
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I am VERY pissed that some how one of my post's was deleted, which almost ruined everything.
Is that why you're back to Kebrel?
Nah, it messed up his post count of 1337 on that account.
When he reached that number, he made a new account to immortalize it.
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Ugh. I stayed up all night to work on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Real_Adventures_of_Jonny_Quest, and now I feel pretty terrible. But I got a lot of work done.
Good job Z! You're so good at using proper references! The article turned out to be very detailed and informative. I'm sure you're an ACE at writing academic papers. I could learn a thing or two from you lol. I can never seem to get my references right.
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I lost to the fifth member of the "elite 4" in platinum cause I forgot that these pokemon games have an extra boss to beat. And I lost cause I didn't bring enough healing items with me! I guess that was annoying, but the battles just leveled up my Gyrados and Giratina so I should be unstoppable next time.
Over the last week, pokemon has completely consumed my life! I spend up to 10 hours or even more a day on it... but after I beat the elite 4, I won't really be playing at all cause I don't want to complete my pokedex. Doing that was great when there were 150 pokemon, but now that there are 500, it's too much XD.
What will I do without pokemon! I guess I could find something more productive to do with my time XD.
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I lost to the fifth member of the "elite 4" in platinum cause I forgot that these pokemon games have an extra boss to beat. And I lost cause I didn't bring enough healing items with me! I guess that was annoying, but the battles just leveled up my Gyrados and Giratina so I should be unstoppable next time.
Over the last week, pokemon has completely consumed my life! I spend up to 10 hours or even more a day on it... but after I beat the elite 4, I won't really be playing at all cause I don't want to complete my pokedex. Doing that was great when there were 150 pokemon, but now that there are 500, it's too much XD.
What will I do without pokemon! I guess I could find something more productive to do with my time XD.
I can't beat Cyrus in the Giratina world. ;___;
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The Elite Four and Cynthia are significantly harder to beat in Platinum, I found.
I can't beat Cyrus in the Giratina world. ;___;
TRAIN UP TRAIN UP
Have your party at lv45-50 and you'll be fine.
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Yeah, that whole world of distortion sucks so much. there is no way to level up your pokemon, and if you're stupid like me, you brought a bunch of shitty pokemon into there thinking there would be a way to level them up... then you're stuck jumping around rocks for half an hour before Cyrus completely kicks your ass. I had to go in there a second time and then I barely managed to beat him (mainly cause I used a ton of items)
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The Elite Four and Cynthia are significantly harder to beat in Platinum, I found.
I can't beat Cyrus in the Giratina world. ;___;
TRAIN UP TRAIN UP
Have your party at lv45-50 and you'll be fine.
They are.
;______________________________________;
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Ok, then don't bring crappy pokemon. lol. Mine were around that level too, and I had crappy pokemon with me.
Bring a ton of hyper potions and you should be fine.
Giratina is a bitch to catch, btw. I went through about 8 ultraballs(and then 5 or maybe more other random pokeballs). What worked for me, the down b trick... lol. No one even knows if it's fake or not, but I swear by it XD. Also, make sure to put it to sleep.
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Only 8 ultra balls? Lucky. In Silver, it took around 30 ultra balls and 50 great balls, until a pokeball and down b (yes I do that too) caught it. On a low battery, too!
Frustration: My laptop is at the computer doctor. I think he might have to wipe the drive. And I just got new RAM, too... wonderful timing.
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Am I the only one who didn't do "Down B", "AB Mash", or "AB Down" when catching a Pokemon?
Instead, I clench my right hand into a fist, glare at the screen intently, and snap my fingers if the catch is successful. I have been doing this since I received Pokemon Red at the age of five.
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(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/stupidity.png) (http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/06/a_miracle.php)
Edit:
They weren't even praying to God, ferchrissakes.
"he survived a severe head injury last year in part because his family and hundreds of friends successfully prayed thousands of prayers to the soul of Father Emil Kapaun, a U.S. Army chaplain from Pilsen, Kan., who died a hero in the Korean War."
So Catholics can pray to whatever dead guy's soul they want to? Even though their god let the guy die in a prison camp? It's weird stuff.
I also loved this:
"Chase's neurosurgeon, Raymond Grundmeyer...said in a brief e-mail last week that he considers Chase's survival a miracle."
I wonder which dead guy was prayed to in the equally miraculous case of Phineas Gage.
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Almost as bad is when all that praying doesn't work and the person croaks. Then, instead of chants of "Miracle!", it's a somber bow of the head and solemn words about "The Lord's Plan" or some such. So...they'll sing their god's praises when things turn out well, and they'll marvel at his ineffable wisdom when things go bad. These people are so indoctrinated that it's embarrassing to watch them humiliate themselves like this.
But, yeah, as far as frustration goes, it's pretty frustrating to watch these religious types blame everything we do poorly on ourselves, while giving their god credit for everything we do well. Christianity in particular is terrible about that. In their belief system, the only good person is a broken and humiliated one, one who believes and accepts that the whole human species is nothing but flawed sinners who can do nothing decent on their own.
Blargh. Gets my hairs standing on end just thinking about it.
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At the same time, you cannot outright deny the existence of something supernatural, or at least extra-empirical. I'm rather the skeptic on the subject as well, but at the same time, it is not philosophically inconceivable that there are things which lie outside of the empircal framework. Unfortunately, the nature of any knowledge system is such that it attempts to set a framework over events and things, and as such anything that fits outside of the scheme is rendered either invisible or else cruedly fit into it. We must understand the fact that empiricism is itself a framework. It might work well in very many of the scientific situations we encounter, but we must also accept the possibility that not everything may fit into such a framework of knowledge.
It's a similar crisis such as faced, say, Archaeologists a few decades back. The frameworks into which they set their finds was challenged, and a great debate began with the influx of philosophy into the field. The meaning of evidence began to shift and change to the extent that to this day there has been no solid conclusion, but various fields of thought.
My frustration, then? Over-reliance on empiricism. Virtuous though it may be, it's not the end all and be all of reason. As scientists we must be skeptical... including the very framework into which we set our findings. And this is probably the least questioned of all the finds... but it is no less important. It's a good question, really. What happens, as an example, if people were to find that something like, say, remote viewing, can work. If such a theoretical thing could be, what then? Well, one might say 'it must have an explanation', but that's a very unscientific way of going about things... that's assuming there must be a conclusion to fit within our pre-determined framework... as though we certainly have our framework correct from the get-go and that it cannot be wrong, and that whatever we discover must fit into this. I must admit this would be my own first inclination, but it must be guarded against. I should hope we are open-minded enough to perceive when our own frameworks need alteration. After all, if you're sorting coins, and come across a button, is it prudent to merely say 'it's the size of a nickel, so it must fit in here.' Sometimes, we have to open a new category that defies the old explanations. Otherwise we become too dogmatic.
See, over two thousand years ago the Epicureans were atomists. Read a bit of Lucretius, and you here some amazing little bits that are actually very coherent with our modern understanding of the physical world. But Aristotle, too, had his theories, of the elements and what not, and in the end, his camp won the day. For two thousand years it was the standard view of the world, and was that adopted as the right one by the Church, moreoever. Oh, it was logically consistent INTERNALLY to itself, assuming certain premises and what not. But in the end, it just wasn't right, and eventually, the Epicureans had their vindication. But it's a good lesson from history. Even though what we take for true in science might be logically consistent internally, sometimes the problems can like in the pre-suppositions, and who knows... maybe in a thousand years people will look back at us, just as those who thought themselves entirely rational in holding to the theories of Aristotle, and wonder how we could ever believe such things...
Ah, now I'm musing. But it's a thought to be remembered. And, of course, this is why we keep seeking new things in heavens and on the earth.
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I couldn't have said it better myself, Daniel.
As an atheist, I'll always zealously defend evolutionism as it is what I believe to be true, because there is enough evidence to support it as fact, but I'll always keep an open mind. And by open mind, I mean that if someone can prove to me that theism and intelligent design are more credible than my own beliefs, I would embrace them with open arms, because it would bring me that much closer to discovering the truth behind the origin of this beautiful world we live in.
I just wish more people could do the same.
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I couldn't have said it better myself, Daniel.
As an atheist, I'll always zealously defend evolutionism as it is what I believe to be true, because there is enough evidence to support it as fact, but I'll always keep an open mind. And by open mind, I mean that if someone can prove to me that theism and intelligent design are more credible than my own beliefs, I would embrace them with open arms, because it would bring me that much closer to discovering the truth behind the origin of this beautiful world we live in.
I just wish more people could do the same.
Well, heh, actually, I'm pretty much convinced by evolution, depite being a theist. I'm not exactly sure how you can get around it, even philosophically. I mean, there are those dinosaur bones and all of that... *sigh*... I don't think Ockham's Razor is applied often enough. I know there are those that maintain that God created things as such several thousand years ago, yet this asks the question... why? I mean, isn't that unneccesarially complex for a god to create things with deception in mind?
And heavens, then there's the added problem of... what if we meet other intelligent races in the universe? This is not unlikely, or so the current trend in scientific thought tells us. What if they have a recorded history going back, say, twenty thousand years? Several million years? What if they have even recorded the process of evolution - something we are incapable of, but that an older civilization might have recorded knowledge of?
There are a myriad of problems in all of that.
However, just thinking of the nature of being and intelligence, I came across this very interesting little theory of intelligence the other day, a formula by which this guy quantified intelligence, or at least the ability of a system to compute. It has a lower bound of -50, and an upper of 75 or so. Humans are a 9 on the scale. Animals near to that. Anyway, the number is found by taking the number of computations per second, dividing by the mass of the system, and taking the base-ten logarithm. A -50 system would be something that in the entire lifetime of the universe has made one calculation, and whose mass is the entire mass of the universe. Heh. A human neron does something like 3000 bits/second, and dividing by the mass, and taking log10 of that, one gets about 9. Cool, eh?
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Hah, that is pretty cool I must say. And they always say you can't define everything with numbers.
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Krispaelion:
When you talk about questioning the framework of "empiricism," essentially you are suggesting that we should be skeptical of the scientific method. That's not really a legitimate conclusion. This is because we can legitimately question the framework of a structural organization of knowledge like taxonomy, and we can legitimately question the framework of a theoretical explanation of physical phenomena like gravity, because in these instances the word "framework" refers to concepts we create. We can and should be skeptical of the concepts by which we interpret the world. The validity of systems of organization is dependent upon the factual information they contain, and they must always therefore be treated subordinately to their underlying facts. Meanwhile, scientific theories are explanatory, and explanations imply an assertion of truth--truth which is justified on the basis of the underlying facts. Theories also must be treated subordinately to the facts they explain, because if the facts are not accounted for then the theories concerning them become incomplete, or even false.
Why are facts--specifically, the facts describing physical phenomena--superior to systems of organization and theories of explanation? Philosophically this is pretty heady stuff, which you can appreciate, but on the lay level it's very simple: Facts matter in a way that concepts don't. Nobody ever died by being classified in the animal kingdom, but many an animal has died in the history of the world. Similarly, nobody ever got killed by the theory of gravity, but the fact of it has claimed many a life over the eons. Now, we don't have to use words like "animals" and "gravity." The labels are arbitrary. What isn't arbitrary is the relatedness of separate instances. The reason we have the concept of "animals" is because there are enough things out there which share enough physical characteristics and behaviors in common that we find it useful to talk about a group: animals. Likewise, there's something pretty consistent about the direction of motion that objects will travel in (at least on the Earth's surface) if the ground beneath them is removed. That came to be called gravity.
These advances in human thought did not come easily. They are both recent developments in the tale of a species whose civilization extends millennia into the past. And we have no guarantee that future advances in human thought will not greatly alter or even entirely overturn these concepts of animals and gravity. Skepticism is due.
Science itself, however, is not built out of a conceptual framework. Its framework is procedural, and indeed the scientific method does not need to be understood conceptually at all in order to be applied. It emerges, unbidden, from the fact that the universe behaves in predictable ways:
1. Make an observation.
2. Ask a question.
3. Form a hypothesis.
4. Run an experiment.
5. Evaluate the hypothesis.
6. Draw a conclusion.
7. Verify the conclusion.
At each step in the scientific method, we must commit to an action which is in some way falsifiable. Our observations may be faulty. Our question may be irrelevant. Our hypothesis may be incorrect. Our experiment may be flawed. Our evaluation may be illogical. Our conclusion may be false. Our verification may be atypical. These are some of the perils of ignorance. What is not falsifiable is the method itself: If our observations are accurate; if our question is pertinent; if our hypothesis is correct; if our experiment is sound; if our evaluation is valid; if our conclusion is true; and if our verification is representative; if all of these things are so--and we do not know that they are so (Sam I am)--but if they are so, then we will have achieved some specific understanding of the phenomenon at issue. It cannot not be so, because the only way it could not not be so would be if the universe did not behave predictably. Because it does behave predictably, the scientific method is valid inherently.
Now, perhaps you would argue that we cannot prove that the universe is predictable. Perhaps the universe only appears predictable. That is, logically, a point I must concede. However, just because this "grand cosmic lie" theory is not impossible does not mean it is in any way plausible. Surely you understand the implausibility of the statement "The universe that we experience is a lie." Moreover, such a claim could no more be proved decisively than could the claim that the universe is what it appears to be, and therefore the two sides would be at a stalemate for eternity. However, one side would have the benefit of continual circumstantial evidence in their favor, while the other side would never have any evidence in theirs. For this reason, even if metaphysical certainty is unattainable, the descriptions of science favor--decisively--the claim that the universe is indeed predictable.
In the same vein, you might claim that our own senses cannot be proved to be reliable. The exact same argument unfolds, and the exact same conclusion emerges: Metaphysical certainty is not attainable, but science supports the possibility that our senses are not some "grand personal lie." This is because we as individuals can begin without knowledge of an external phenomenon--i.e., one outside our consciousness--and can, via the accumulation of data, move from our initial position of ignorance to a point of making accurate predictions about the phenomenon. In scientific terms, that's very compelling.
Your scientific open-mindedness has evolved over the years, and I congratulate you for coming as far as you do today. For some time now you have developed this holdout idea that the scientific method itself has overstepped its bounds. You said:
(I)t is not philosophically inconceivable that there are things which lie outside of the empircal framework.
Now, you're right about that. It is not philosophically inconceivable. However, for you to defeat science and actually hold in your mind the premise that the supernatural is real, you would have to renounce the natural: You would necessarily have to adopt one of two very unsavory philosophical positions: ether solipsism ("The universe is a lie.") or nihilism ("Everything is a lie."). Why? Because nature precludes the supernatural. The supernatural is not predictable. It is not observable. It is not decisively knowable. The existence of even one supernatural speck would render the entire universe suspect, because who is to say what are the properties of a supernatural speck?
I don't know if you've properly grappled with the implications of your assault on objective reality vis-a-vis the scientific method vis-a-vis empiricism, but, even if you have, I think you have yet to realize that your faith-based knowledge of god is not immune from all of these same metaphysical uncertainties which have comprised the backbone of your criticisms. Truthfully, you don't really know that your knowledge is true; you only think it is. Thus, you are in the same boat as me when I say I "believe" the sun is going to rise in the morning. My knowledge is fact-based; yours is faith-based, but both are knowledge.
Ironically, my position is going to be affirmed in about two hours whereas your position is majestically untenable: See, right now you're in a terrible limbo, occupying a space wherein your views are inherently self-contradictory. What you really need to do is choose a direction. You have two options: You would be better-justified in asserting the validity of your knowledge of god by abandoning your insistence upon the supernatural. Unfortunately, that would preclude the object of your faith altogether. On the other hand, if you were to embrace the supernatural, you would be unable to validate your knowledge at all, because I could come along and say that you're just plugged into some fancy matrix that has manipulated your consciousness, and you wouldn't be able to prove me wrong.
Damned if you do...damned if you don't. If you ever realize this, you will have no choice but to abandon either your faith or your sanity, and I do feel some sympathy for you, because I think on some level you already suspect that your position is unwinnable.
Most religious people retreat into a shell of ignorance; they never try to do what you are trying to do, which is to reconcile nature with divinity. I despise them; you I can applaud, because it would seem that my earlier accusation of your intellectual incuriosity was at least partially incorrect. However, I can only pity the brick wall you're headed toward. Yours is a road with no turns. I find it wryly intriguing that believers so often pity unbelievers for the supposed emptiness of a godless existence, when in fact their ideal existence is even emptier: When it comes to substance, Nature beats God every time.
I suppose this has digressed unacceptably from the topic of frustration, and I expect the good V_Translanka will ship our posts off to Siberia, but before that happens, O Krispy One, let me take the opportunity to say something that has been bubbling in the back of my mind for some time: In our five-and-counting years of knowing each other, I have alternatively detested and grudgingly admired you. I think, finally, I am ready to say with some finality that you are an admirable guy. We'll probably never agree on this whole god thing, but, and it'll always grate on me that you think I'm wrong (just as I'm sure it grates on you that I think you're wrong), but, outside of this unending contention, and the prejudices of sexism and more which come with your austere Lutheran background, I'm putting away the enmity for good.
It's interesting...
Folks at the Compendium rarely get to see my satisfied side, because usually my role here is to confront or contend or control...all of which require feisty antagonism. Sometimes I get the impression that people here think of me as a grouch, and I wouldn't blame them, because it's the more obvious conclusion. The truth could not be farther away, though. I don't know how clearly my tone has come through in the words, but this was a very satisfying post to write...one of the first times it has ever been satisfying to argue with you. Sure, I know you'll disagree with me. I don't really care anymore. You're a decent fellow and I'm having a good time--and I thought I'd let you know that.
Ten years ago I could have befriended you without any problem. Why? Well, we do have a lot in common. I can tell by the way you write and the words themselves. More importantly, though, I could have befriended you then because it was much easier for me to make friends with ideological (and theological and philosophical) opponents in those days, because I wasn't as aware of myself as I am today, or as developed in my own worldview as I am today, and therefore there was less of a contradiction present in befriending an enemy, and, even when it was present, the contradiction was not as thoroughly noticed.
Then there were the years when I was figuring this stuff out. I've been essentially the same person for this past decade--no huge shifts in personality or worldview. But mine was an emptier slate then than it is now, and my awareness was more primitive, and I had more work that needed to be done in establishing my identity. You will remember how very emphatically we did not become friends during the entire time we have known each other. More than your religion, it was because I perceived you as a sexist in particular and a closed-minded bigot in general, and I couldn't stand that. But over time I have watched your ideas mature, and, more and more, it seems as though your sexist past has subsided along with your closed-mindedness generally. You never address it directly, but I infer it from your other comments and your style generally that you no longer hold the views you once did, and are no longer as constrained in your speculations as you once were. I first noticed when you were taking that religious philosophy class.
Oh, perhaps I am mistaken and you have merely learned prudence, prudence to conceal your bigotry, in which case I'll submit myself to being made a fool of in front of all these uninterested bystanders. But I'd like to think that I'm right, and that you understand the power of individual exceptions to undermine group-based social roles.
Nowadays, I think I've gotten to the point where I can finally both define and understand a fundamental disagreement with someone, and still befriend that person at the other end of it if they are in possession of appealing qualities. You certainly are! So, if I am correct in my assumption that you no longer hold those sexist views, then your religion itself is no longer an obstacle to me, because, much as I will reaffirm virtually everything I have ever said about religion, I have come to regard you as an honorable person despite your faith, and in my book that's the last word.
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Even though what we take for true in science might be logically consistent internally, sometimes the problems can like in the pre-suppositions, and who knows... maybe in a thousand years people will look back at us, just as those who thought themselves entirely rational in holding to the theories of Aristotle, and wonder how we could ever believe such things...
Oh I don't think you have to wait a thousand years. String Theory is a rather nasty one, but hardly the only one that is commonly believed by many individuals.
Diabetes is another area where numerous supposedly objective and knowledgeable individuals believe in a false system. Ask most doctors how many types of diabetes there are and they'll give you a laughablely incorrect answer: two. Present them with a case of LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) and they'll be stumped. But that isn’t the end; there are well over a hundred different forms of diabetes.
However, it isn't that the science was wrong, but that the conceptual frameworks resulting from scientific research were wrong.
Science's main advantage isn't just in empiricism but rather in its willingness to radically change when presented with new evidence. Science doesn't just tell us how the universe works, it tells us how to change our perspective so that we can tell how the universe works. It is self-correcting, essentially.
We can apply evolutionary ideas to, well, ideas. That which survives is that which is best adapted to its environment. Science is amazing at adapting to changing environments, and so it will survive. This isn't to say that Science is definitely "Truth," no more than it is to say that humans as a species are "Truth." It is, however, useful. Indeed, Josh's entire argument for science seems to be essentially that it is pragmatic to assume that the universe is predictable and that science can cash in on that predictability.
From a metaphysical standpoint, we don't know what is real. However, if our goal is to try to find out, then we can't remain indecisive either. So, we might as well use what appears to be a real (even if it isn't) tool until we have reason to believe otherwise (even if it is). It is pragmatic.
But this leads into Tact's comments:
As an atheist, I'll always zealously defend evolutionism... if someone can prove to me that theism and intelligent design are more credible than my own beliefs...
That is a False Dilemma. Belief in Evolution does not bar theism, nor does theism exclude belief in Evolution. Francis Collins (surely some people are tired of me mentioning him by now) is a living example of this. He was the head of the Human Genome project, he was part of the transition team for President Obama, he is the author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, and he is the founder of the BioLogos Foundation (an organization dedicated to reducing strife between religion and science).
To tie this back into my comments to Krispin, science and empiricism are not opposed to theistic or Christian beliefs. However, a hardline adherence to empiricism as the only source of knowledge is opposed to religious beliefs (and a hardline adherence to specific interpretations of religious dogma is opposed to scientific beliefs). It is a tool that can be quite useful, but tools can be misused as well. And, tools are always used for an end; they're rather pointless as an end to themselves.
(I)t is not philosophically inconceivable that there are things which lie outside of the empircal framework.
Now, you're right about that. It is not philosophically inconceivable. However, for you to defeat science...
Why did Aethelbert of Kent marry Bertha, daughter of Charibert? That he married her is based on empirical evidence, insofar as we can observe physical records attesting to this event. But that only attests to the "what," not the "why." Unfortunately history is a rather sloppy science experiment. There are no controls, the lab notes are fragmented and biased, and we've yet to figure out how to re-run the experiment.
Or consider the Harry Potter series. That it is a financial success can be confirmed empirically through examination of sales receipts and shipment records. Why it appealed to individuals to such a degree as to cause them to wait in lines for hours, dressed in ridiculous outfits, just to get a new book at a midnight release is... well, outside the realm of strict empiricism. They did it because they liked the books, but why did they like the books?
There is a great realm of knowledge and understanding outside of science and empiricism. This is not just philosophically conceivable, this is a certain reality. We tend to call this realm "The Humanities."
If History, Art, Literature, Music, etc can be important subjects worthy of study, belief, and acceptance, then we must admit that Science does not have a stranglehold on reality and truth. Such things can be found outside its control. If real, valuable information can be found in Literature, then it becomes a much shorter leap to postulate that real, valuable information could be found in religion and the supernatural. It isn’t necessitated; there is still a logical leap, but there is less distance to cross.
When it comes to substance, Nature beats God every time.
Ah, my dear Josh, you are confusing substance for sustenance. If you give me food and water, then I won’t die. But if you give me books, then I'll live.
Such a statement is, admittedly, philosophical backwash; however, let us apply it to your early sunrise supposition.
You claim that the sun will rise in two hours, I claim that Pride and Prejudice is a good book. You wait two hours and behold!, the sun rises on your body. I read for two hours, and the sun rises on my mind. You can point to the sun in the sky as proof that you were right, where as I have nothing to prove my case. But I would still argue that I was the one who benefited most from those two hours and that my claim was more affirmed than yours.
Now yes, you were comparing science to religion, not science to literature, but that is an irrelevant distinction. If you are correct and religion is bunk, then there is no significant difference between it and a work of fiction. Neither is real. Of course, if you are wrong then I have indeed put forward an improper comparison :)
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Truthfully, you don't really know that your knowledge is true…yours is faith-based, but both are knowledge.
I object to your usage of ‘knowledge’ here to lump together any belief or conviction. By definition, that which is known is knowledge, and vice versa. I don’t consider belief to be knowledge, because it is not sufficiently substantiated to be rational to believe—again by definition. If one has faith that the Sun will rise, that’s not knowledge, even if it’s true. Knowledge is decided by how a position is reached, not what the position is or its veracity.
Of course, that makes the acceptance of knowledge qua knowledge arbitrary, because everything is technically based on faith (or so I believe), and thus nothing could ever be knowledge. But that’s another matter.
Diabetes is another area where numerous supposedly objective and knowledgeable individuals believe in a false system. Ask most doctors how many types of diabetes there are and they'll give you a laughablely incorrect answer: two. Present them with a case of LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) and they'll be stumped. But that isn’t the end; there are well over a hundred different forms of diabetes.
However, it isn't that the science was wrong, but that the conceptual frameworks resulting from scientific research were wrong.
Perhaps I’m misunderstanding you, but that doesn’t indicate a fault in the scientific method or even a specific failing in its results in the field of medicine, but simply ignorance on the part of someone within the field. That’s not even an error in execution.
Why did Aethelbert of Kent marry Bertha, daughter of Charibert? That he married her is based on empirical evidence, insofar as we can observe physical records attesting to this event.
The records’ claims are not empirical evidence in that they are not results generated using an empirical approach.
But that only attests to the "what," not the "why." Unfortunately history is a rather sloppy science experiment. There are no controls, the lab notes are fragmented and biased, and we've yet to figure out how to re-run the experiment.
Or consider the Harry Potter series. That it is a financial success can be confirmed empirically through examination of sales receipts and shipment records. Why it appealed to individuals to such a degree as to cause them to wait in lines for hours, dressed in ridiculous outfits, just to get a new book at a midnight release is... well, outside the realm of strict empiricism. They did it because they liked the books, but why did they like the books?
There is a great realm of knowledge and understanding outside of science and empiricism. This is not just philosophically conceivable, this is a certain reality. We tend to call this realm "The Humanities."
If History, Art, Literature, Music, etc can be important subjects worthy of study, belief, and acceptance, then we must admit that Science does not have a stranglehold on reality and truth. Such things can be found outside its control. If real, valuable information can be found in Literature, then it becomes a much shorter leap to postulate that real, valuable information could be found in religion and the supernatural. It isn’t necessitated; there is still a logical leap, but there is less distance to cross.
If I pointed out that the scientific method and empirical approaches have failed to fully explain human behaviour (or more specifically, why our brains ‘tell us' to do what we do), that doesn’t indicate that the scientific method is one too weak to explain our behaviour. It would be possible to predict a brain’s behaviour and thus a human’s behaviour if one were to analyse it at a low enough level and with enough understanding of the underlying structures.
The thing is that you’re the trees for the forest. The accepted knowledge of sociology, history, art, music, literature and the rest are (or should be) rooted in approaches that are at least pseudo-empirical. If I know that people respond well to certain colours or other aesthetics, it’s because of evidence (data) that says so. If I make a general statement about the way and the why people behave and it becomes a prominent sociological principle, it’s because (or so one would hope) I’ve made an observation about behaviour, formed an explanation and used an approach that is empirical in its basics.
The reason that science might seem to fail is that you’re dealing with equivocal ideas like the ‘why’ of sociology or the ‘taste’ of art that aren’t being used rigorously or are not being looked at from the right perspective, which is causing a breakdown that you’re attributing to a breakdown of empirical approach as opposed to your input being unsuitable. It’s like how maths seems to break down if we casually treat infinity as a number. While even in something as exact as physics we can get away with that, we can’t do so within the scope of mathematics, even though mathematics can very much address infinity—just not as a number.
You claim that the sun will rise in two hours, I claim that Pride and Prejudice is a good book. You wait two hours and behold!, the sun rises on your body. I read for two hours, and the sun rises on my mind. You can point to the sun in the sky as proof that you were right, where as I have nothing to prove my case. But I would still argue that I was the one who benefited most from those two hours and that my claim was more affirmed than yours.
This is a good example of what I meant. If you were to give an explanation of what it means to ‘benefit’ from your activities and give a way to quantify that benefit based on preference, one could settle the argument.
[Edited for quote tag corrections, minor sentence change.]
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It would be possible to predict a brain’s behaviour and thus a human’s behaviour if one were to analyse it at a low enough level and with enough understanding of the underlying structures.
Are you are making the claim that free will doesn't exist? If so, that is very interesting, and I certainly didn't expect it.
Consider the following. If we do not have free will and all our actions can be predicted with the same certainty that an object on earth can be predicted to fall at a rate of roughly 10 meters per second squared, then what is the significance of your post?
All the thought processes behind your post were predetermined. You couldn't have posted differently than you did and you couldn't have thought anything differently than you did. Let us apply this to a wider scope. James Watson discovered the structure of DNA. But if his behaviors could have been predicted ahead of time, then discovering the structure of DNA is no more impressive than an object falling towards a center of gravity when all opposing forces have been removed.
You might have realized by now that I am making little more than an appeal to emotion logical fallacy. Alas, if you are correct, I didn't have a choice in the matter. It could have been predicted before I had written it; what was I to do? ;)
But can we know if you are correct and that humans lack free will? If we lack free will, then all of our potential arguments could be predicted ahead of time, just as our reactions to those arguments. While what you say could influence my mind, it couldn't really "change" it, at least not in the sense of the phrase. If we lack free will, then our belief in it or rejection of it isn't up to "us." But if we do possess free will, then arguments can change our minds, in the proper sense of the phrase, so that we can believe that we don't have it, or that we do.
If we have free will or not, our responses will be the same, either because we choose our response or because we can't avoid our response. Like Josh' analysis of the universe, we can't know for certain that we have free will or not. But if I assume I have free will, then I assume I am free to grow and develop in a manner of my choosing. I can't tell you for certain if we have free will or not, but I can tell you that free will appears to be more useful, so a pragmatic approach would indicate that we should accept it.
And if we accept free will, then while science can comment greatly on the humanities, it can't write the definitive work on them.
But I suppose I am being rather unfair. I am saying that, if we have free will, science can't know everything. That is rather nonsensical because I am defining free will as something science can't know. Of course if there is something that science can't know, it can't know everything.
EDIT: Edited to remove comments that I realized were irrelevant
EDIT #2: Edited again, this time to remove the phrase "thought experiment" since what followed wasn't really a thought experiment.
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Correct. However, please do note that I never stated that the claims contained in those records were empirical. Anyone (well, any historian with the proper connections) can see these records. And one can then claim that the records claim that Aethelbert married Bertha. That can be easily verified by anyone reading the records. That the records claim something is empirical. The verasity of those claims, not so much.
Yes, you’re right here; it was hypocritical of me to pick on that like I did, given the rest of my post.
[I know you edited this out, but I wanted to make this concession.]
On free will…
The question of free will is one of those ones that is often treated as unanswerable and of utmost and unwavering importance when it is actually easily resolved and of little ongoing importance. (So, naturally, now I’m about to address the question I’ve just bashed.)
Free will is never satisfactorily defined. If I were to define it as the ability to consciously make our own choices, that wouldn’t get us very far, because our choices being conscious and our own doesn’t tell us anything we don’t know and still doesn’t preclude determinability, which goes against the spirit of its intention. If I were to define free will as defying determinability, then radiation would have free will for being random. If I were to define it as the ability to make choices that ‘could go either way’, it would be outright false because a reducing approach will tell us that we our simply the sum of the interaction of our parts, the behaviour of which can in turn be predicted.
But! I’m sure you see what I did there. I just applied contingent, scientific knowledge to the problem in implying that the reducing approach is valid. That’s where there’s some room for people to jump in with, ‘But how do you know? You’re assuming that science is correct…but you don’t know that!’ The problem here is that such people imply that even the most basic and indisputable scientific knowledge goes halfway or all of the way out of the window as soon as they go into philosophy mode. This approach is only useful within the limited scope of metaphysics and whatnot, because for discussion of things as they contingently are, the evidence we have is good enough to say that the Universe is macroscopically determinable, even if it’s not provable or necessarily necessary.
To punch another hole in the concept, free will is one of those questions that is treated overly…sapio-centric, if you like. (And I know you will like, because you like –centrics.) What I mean by that is that our human tendency to forget that we are of the same stuff as the Universe clouds our ability to answer the free will question. To look at the question from a higher perspective still, we realise that the question is only raised because our advanced sapience affords us the opportunity to ask such a question about ourselves. Free will revolves around ‘consciousness’, but consciousness is simply a convenient but by no means absolute quality that simply clouds the free will issue. From a Universal perspective, consciousness is nothing special, and thus doesn’t make us warrant the question of free will any more than my water bottle does.
That all aside, even if we accept free will as being a valid concept (for it does hold some meaning to some people, even if doing so is doublethink or the definition is outright invalid), it still doesn’t make any difference (http://www.mit.edu/people/dpolicar/writing/prose/text/godTaoist.html). There is no practical difference between a state of free will and a state of not having free will—as I think you touched upon. The fact is that we live assuming our decisions make any difference, which would be the case whether or not we had free will…and that’s reasonable, given that the alternative is to try to ‘do nothing’ (which is still a choice, and so wouldn’t work anyway).
A richer question is what the practical and contingent extents of determinability are.
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Am I the only one who didn't do "Down B", "AB Mash", or "AB Down" when catching a Pokemon?
Guess what? Turns out that does work after all, but on a level of rapid button pressing humans can't perform without an emulator. Speedrunners make use of it apparently. In other words, it doesn't work, but pressing it at an insane turbo speed with an emulator at the right moment causes it to actually affect stuff. Applies to holding A for extra battle damage too. I think this is first-generation (R/G/B/Y) only though. Similar to how emulator users can do the backwards long jump glitch in Mario 64 without stairs.
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Free will is never satisfactorily defined.
Can I define it then?
"Free will" being here defined as an individual’s ability to make decisions that cannot be definitively predicted ahead of time, even if an individual were to have perfect knowledge of the starting state of the system, and yet still conforming to a conscious-and-internally-perceived-as-reasonable process of thought.
Free will could, thus, essentially be defined as a supernatural phenomenon. Which is why it really was unfair of me to say that if it exists, science can't know everything. And, indeed, is rather bold of me, as I am in turn claiming that the humanities, even where religion is absent, is fundamentally based in the supernatural. It is all very circularly-logical, I hope I fully conveyed that point.
(And I know you will like, because you like –centrics.)
You know me so well, which is particularly amusing given the current topic.
There is no practical difference between a state of free will and a state of not having free will—as I think you touched upon. The fact is that we live assuming our decisions make any difference, which would be the case whether or not we had free will…and that’s reasonable, given that the alternative is to try to ‘do nothing’ (which is still a choice, and so wouldn’t work anyway).
That was actually (more or less) my main point. There is no difference between the states. I just find it useful to believe one over the other, not because it is right, but because it lets me get on with life. But this choice offers an distasteful element of the supernatural to the world, so as long as I believe I have a choice, I am, to use (or possibly misuse) Josh' words, letting a speck in, making everything else suspect. It is the basic assumption that either allows science the possibility of dominating the humanities or forbids it.
It is a poor question, but, well, people only give me pennies, so I can't provide richer answers.
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This is all your fault, Z! How dare you turn the whining thread yet AGAIN into the philosophical discussion thread. I demand they be separate!
Here is my vain attempt to yet again turn this back to the whining thread.
The following is whining about girl things, so I know how some guys don't like to read about this, so that's why I'm putting it under a "spoiler". If you are squeamish, don't read it! Also , for some reason, this BBS has no spoiler tag? Sorry, not my fault... if it exists, it's not on the menu... Maybe I'll look for it a little more...
[spoiler]
I hate getting my period when I'm not prepared for it. I guess I should have been, since it's on time, but most of the time, it happens overnight, so there isn't some huge surprise. Today I was caught off guard, but guys, this is why girls always like to carry their purses with them. They like to be prepared for any and all events XD. I didn't have any tampons cause a while ago I switched to the sponge, and I didn't have my sponge with me, so I used some random crap in my purse XD. At least I had my anti-period meds in there. I never leave home without them cause you know, YOUR PERIOD CAN WRECK YOUR LIFE.
My only PMS symptoms are depression and cramps, which is nice, I suppose. Supposedly,when I have a child, I won't even have the cramps any more, and the depression isn't a symptom always, but it explains why I haven't been able to sleep well the last few days. It really annoys me when men think that a woman is bitchy around her period due to PMS. That's a myth. Some are, depending on what their symptoms are, but no woman I know is bitchy, including me. I'm actually slightly less bitchy because occationally I get depressed. Which really intensifies if my period is late... I HATE it when it's late, which is why I'm looking into cooking up some parsley tea next time that happens.
A late period is no good for the woman's body, unless she's on birth control. It's not really terrible, but it is often accompanied by intensified PMS symptoms : (.
[/spoiler]
That pretty much concludes that complaint, another one I have is that my dad is really annoying sometimes. He's the biggest neat freak you'll ever meet and constantly complains about how I'm so trashy and he has no idea where I get it from since I'm supposedly his child.
Every day he has to move my car because we only have one parking spot, and the minute(or less) he's in my car, he likes to "clean up" the car by finding all of its garbage and moving it to my front seat. I keep telling him to stop it and it pisses me off, but he won't stop it. He says he wants the car to be neat, but it's MY car. He's a guest in it. He wouldn't do that with someone else's car, why does he have to do it to mine? He's so annoying... I wish he'd be more messy XD.
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Feel free to air that complaint whenever you wish. It's a crime how ignorant and insensitive many men are about basic female facts of life, and I wonder just how many could accept or get through 2-3 days of pain every month. They can all go to hell.
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I am beginning to show much detest towards my family.
The reason being so is that I feel they do not show any signs of attachment towards me. I have a detached relationship with my family, and over time we have attempted many times, every day, to form a better bond. However, it is as if they do not wish to form that bond.
And it bothers me. Very much.
Why can we not just get along for goodness sake? Gah!
Besides, I will never understand why they feel that I am a failure.
*sighs*
Perhaps I am the one who is blind?
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Oh, it's more like 5-6 days of pain for many women. :) But it's great to see men who are supportive of airings of female grievances! ZaiChik, I completely agree with your rant; I hate it when it happens to me as well. Usually if it strikes randomly, it always happens on the day I have no supplies in my purse to deal with it.
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I will not deny that a woman is much stronger than a man, Zelbess. I do not understand how you women can go through so much pain and misery...especially childbirth.
Willpower? Or life?
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Whining about girl things!
How bad are the cramps? When it happens for me, it's like I get punched in the get repeatedly with a big sledge hammer, and kinda that sick feeling like you're in a really fast elevator. It's really not too bad though if I get some pills for it. Motrin works great, except I need to take it a lot. Midol is probably better at blocking pain/cramps than any of the others, except it leaves me feeling really tired and lethargic. I'm still trying to decide which is better; being in pain and still able to get work done, or to be pain-free, but unable to concentrate on anything for more than a second.
That, coupled with a cold that made it nearly impossible to breathe, really cut into the time I had to work on my Flash final. Plus, there was this dyslexic girl in my class who was constantly asking questions, so most of my in-class time was devoted to helping her.
(Zaichik, the code for that spoiler bar is <glow=black,2,300></glow>, but with [] instead of <>)
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I am beginning to show much detest towards my family.
The reason being so is that I feel they do not show any signs of attachment towards me. I have a detached relationship with my family, and over time we have attempted many times, every day, to form a better bond. However, it is as if they do not wish to form that bond.
And it bothers me. Very much.
Why can we not just get along for goodness sake? Gah!
Besides, I will never understand why they feel that I am a failure.
*sighs*
Perhaps I am the one who is blind?
TK, please keep in mind that you still are a teen and a lot of teens deal with your issues. I'm sure that when you get older, and when your parents start to realize you're not a kid anymore, they will accept you better. For now, try not to let it get to you!
EDIT: I'll try to remember that. I'll just use it this time
I dunno how cramps are supposed to really feel like. They just make me feel really shitty XD. I take 2 extra strength tylenol as soon as I realize I've started my period and usually I don't have to take any more meds.
As for feeling crappy otherwise, I only have cramps my first day(I think that's true for most women), the rest of the days are just waiting for the bleeding to die down. lol. Because you know the second day is very heavy but the rest of the days aren't.
Also, the few ladies that are here. I recommend alternative menstrual products. Not cause I'm such a huge hippie, but cause it really saves you money. The average woman spends like... up to 200 a year on menstrual products. If you get a sponge or cup, then you just need the initial fee : ). I like my sponge... a lot of women like cups, but I prefer the fluid to be absorbed rather than collected...
And what is even more annoying are blood stains because you know, blood is one of the few substances that will NOT wash off in the washing machine, so I always have to pre-treat it and it's just a little annoying... It's so common too, to get blood on clothes so if I forget to pre-treat my clothes, they'll be ruined if they go through the dryer... at times I've forgotten and I've managed to get the stain a little down, but it never fully goes away.
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Ah, it's not the "teen" issue. It is literally the fact that they do believe I am a failure.
They see me as a lazy fool who does nothing but use these blasted machines and cannot comprehend what responsibility is. In fact, it is at the point where my grandmother (whom is the leading force in my family financially and house-hold nonsense) has given up on me. Gurg...she won't even support my education now! That and the fact that they refuse to let my stress levels run low...my if it isn't one thing I did wrong it is another. Gah, I'm not the best handyman, but I can get the job done if you give me the chance!
It is not a matter of realizing who I am, but a matter of realizing that I am not worthless. (My, you should hear some of the behind the back talk I hear.)
EDIT:
Was just chewed out for being on here, apparently wasting my time.
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I read some scientific fact somewhere that women have more nerve endings per square inch of skin than men, so barring brain and perception differences, similar pain stimuli will be comparatively more painful for women than men. chrono eric might affirm or deny. I can't really find the fact now except in reference to sexual pleasure, so maybe it's totally bogus.
Well, whatever. Menstruation, ovulation, pregnancy, glass ceilings, societal expectations to sacrifice life for the sake of the family and exist as a second-class citizen in cultural and civil matters, religious discrimination, etc....there's a huge list of things women suffer and most men are ignorant of or endorse. I've made at least one group of friends enter the awkward zone when I stopped a menstrual joke and brought up just how painful it is and how insensitive most people are. When I'm not fighting religion, I'll be fighting sexism. This world is not fucking fair, and rather than idly complain or just accept the way things are, I'm going to fight the power.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/kaminasigsmallfd4.png)
I'm enrolled in a Women's Studies class in the fall devoted to practical and theoretical ways to combat sexism. I can't wait. It's the first like it I've taken, and a perfect way to end my education before I get my graduate degree.
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TK: Sorry to hear about that : (. Maybe you should trying talking to them, or at least talking to a friend about how you feel?
Z, you may not like the women's studies class. I know some men who take them, and ok, I shouldn't compare you to this one asshole I knew, but he seriously hated the class a lot because he did not take the complaints of the women seriously.
In one example, a woman was complaining because I guess female soldiers in Iraq have it really hard cause if they're on these missions in a desert, it's really hard for them to pee, and a guy it's easier. Then the guy started debating with her about how the women should just hold it in and if you can't hold it in during a mission, you don't belong in the army... I just find all sorts of levels of stupidity in that arguement... but I'm just saying you should be prepared to defend your position because you will probably be subjected to a lot of "feminist" nonsense that some girls or maybe boys spew in that class.
This is why I tended to stay away from Women's Studies classes. They're great in principle, but some really dumb people with illogical opinions talk too much at times...
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Aye...perhaps I should.
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Combating religion, combating religious radicals, or combating specific parts of religion?
Eh, none the less,
In my dorm, us people who hang out in the lobby make racial, sexist, and all other kinds of jokes that anywhere else can and would be taken horribly... and we do it for the fun of it, and because no one really cares. We'll make a joke about black people to our black friends, and they'll just laugh.
Mainly because we aren't making fun of those people themselves, we're making fun of the stereotypes (which we all know don't represent anyone accurately).
And about racism or sexism anywhere ELSE in the world or my life, I really haven't experienced it. The world is seriously a different place than the 1960s. Either that or I just luck out.
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TK: Sorry to hear about that : (. Maybe you should trying talking to them, or at least talking to a friend about how you feel?
Z, you may not like the women's studies class. I know some men who take them, and ok, I shouldn't compare you to this one asshole I knew, but he seriously hated the class a lot because he did not take the complaints of the women seriously.
In one example, a woman was complaining because I guess female soldiers in Iraq have it really hard cause if they're on these missions in a desert, it's really hard for them to pee, and a guy it's easier. Then the guy started debating with her about how the women should just hold it in and if you can't hold it in during a mission, you don't belong in the army... I just find all sorts of levels of stupidity in that arguement... but I'm just saying you should be prepared to defend your position because you will probably be subjected to a lot of "feminist" nonsense that some girls or maybe boys spew in that class.
This is why I tended to stay away from Women's Studies classes. They're great in principle, but some really dumb people with illogical opinions talk too much at times...
If anyone does that, I will verbally fuck them up. I'm ready to decimate and use the full power of my presence to unleash a torrent of passionate, beautiful idealism upon Dark Age idiots. I'm in the springtime of youth, and I'll be refreshing like a spring breeze to that class. I have budding genius oratory skills, and combined with being 6'7", I can really be a spellbinding, heroic, imposing force. They're going to have to contend with fantastic liberty wrapped in piercing charisma if they want to air their medieval sexism. I'm almost always the best presenter in every class I touch, so it's high time to put that to use improving the human condition.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/grimmmania.png)(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/grimmmania.png)(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/grimmmania.png)
Combating religion, combating religious radicals, or combating specific parts of religion?
All religion, or better put, all faith and irrational belief.
We'll make a joke about black people to our black friends, and they'll just laugh.
As innocent as it sounds, there are usually one or two idiots in the group who are taking it seriously, so be careful.
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6'7, damn you are huge XD. But yeah, I'm sure you won't be hesitant to verbally slap them around quite a bit. I don't usually like arguing for the sake of arguing, but it's better than letting verbal diarrhea run its course.
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The main thing that bothers me about my period is that I can't take pain relievers. :( I have an auto-immune condition that effects my liver, so basically any drug that is metabolized through the liver I am not allowed to take. Drugs like Tylenol and Advil are hard on a damaged liver, so I basically have to grin and bear it. I was put on birth control to help with the cramps, and it helps tremendously but I can only be on it when my blood tests come back within a normal range for various clotting factors, like platelets, prothrombin time, etc. Auto-immune conditions often cause clotting issues, and birth control increases clotting as well. I've had to go off of birth control a few times because of it. :( Stinks!
Also, hang in there, Temporal Knight! You know you are not a failure. :) I've been through some very rough times with my family as well, and I found that you can never underestimate the importance of your friends. Turn to them; they will support you! If you can't find support from your family, perhaps turn to a trusted teacher or school counselor. When my family situation was very bad back in high school, I turned to my teachers and friends and they were completely there for me. Just know you're not alone and that you probably have more support than you even know! In the end, it's how you feel about yourself that matters. You are your best ally, and do your best to keep reinforcing to yourself what you already know: that you are not a failure and that you are certainly not worthless. Hang in there!
As for Zeality... why can't there be more men like you in this world?
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It's hard not to idol Zeality, isn't it? :lol:
I put up with much racism where I am from. Between being in the south of the United States and me just being accepting of others, it's a cannon to the face.
I don't know a minute that I do not hear a racist remark about Mexicans or African Americans or any other racial group that doesn't seem right to the Caucasian race. *shakes head*
And than you, Zelbess and the others. My friends are my "family", I suppose.
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I can pretty much assure you that no one in that group takes it that seriously. You have no idea of the things that are spoken and talked about in regular conversation. It makes our IRC seem like business talk.
The will to fight to convince people of the truth as you see it, for the bettering of others, is always a noble cause, when done in a noble manner atleast.
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Dang, clotting issues suck. Hats off to you for being able to put up with that!
For times when you can't use the birth control, go on a little sewing project. Get some fleece and sew a pillow out of it. Before you close it, fill it with flax seeds. You can microwave this bean bag until it's hot and press it against your stomach/neck/whatever hurts. The warmth helps alleviate pain, and the smell that the seeds gives off takes care of headaches and the like.
Also:
As for Zeality... why can't there be more men like you in this world?
He just needs to grow his hair out, then he'll be set.
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Get some fleece and sew a pillow out of it. Before you close it, fill it with flax seeds. You can microwave this bean bag until it's hot and press it against your stomach/neck/whatever hurts. The warmth helps alleviate pain, and the smell that the seeds gives off takes care of headaches and the like.
Someone who uses simple yet potentially working and archaic-like remedies. I like that. *chuckles*
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Actually, my grandma and my dad's old girlfriend made those for us. Current frustration being that I can't find any of the pillows we made, and I don't know where to get flax seeds to make my own (and I'm afraid of needles). I'll have to browse Pike's Place or the farmer's market for it sometime.
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Get some fleece and sew a pillow out of it. Before you close it, fill it with flax seeds. You can microwave this bean bag until it's hot and press it against your stomach/neck/whatever hurts. The warmth helps alleviate pain, and the smell that the seeds gives off takes care of headaches and the like.
Someone who uses simple yet potentially working and archaic-like remedies. I like that. *chuckles*
Its always nice to use the simple stuff. You actually know what it is that you're using to cure yourself.
Medicine really doesn't let you know, or not that much...
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The main thing that bothers me about my period is that I can't take pain relievers. :( I have an auto-immune condition that effects my liver, so basically any drug that is metabolized through the liver I am not allowed to take. Drugs like Tylenol and Advil are hard on a damaged liver, so I basically have to grin and bear it. I was put on birth control to help with the cramps, and it helps tremendously but I can only be on it when my blood tests come back within a normal range for various clotting factors, like platelets, prothrombin time, etc. Auto-immune conditions often cause clotting issues, and birth control increases clotting as well. I've had to go off of birth control a few times because of it. :( Stinks!
I have a friend with a similar condition (although not so extreme on the blood side of things), and she also takes medication that affects her liver in combination with birth control for cramps. I'm just curious; is there a chance of, or are you hoping to eventually phase off the medication? My friend's committed to it as a serious personal goal, but it sounds like an incredibly difficult challenge.
As for Zeality... why can't there be more men like you in this world?
If some of the reactions I usually get here are any indication, a lot of people are afraid of "overdoing it" :/ but I think what matters is a serious commitment to doing something positive, or having dreams, whether personal or grand. It's sort of a cliché that most people start out as children with idealistic dreams and hopes to change the world, and then lose it as they become gradually embittered and disillusioned. For me, it was the opposite; I didn't give a damn about what happened to the world as long as I fulfilled my selfish goals. But over the last few years, I matured a lot, lost my religion and irrational beliefs, came to adore humanism and believe in humanity's capacity to better itself and its environment, opened my mind incredibly to new experience, and realized that improving the human condition, working against things like sexism and ignorance, and actually believing in myself and working for ideals instead of wistfully wishing for them were dear to me and wonderful courses in life. That, combined with a desire to live a life of no regrets and a lot of mental training, has produced a real commitment and dream. I honestly wouldn't get much out of life if I just took some kind of career path, enjoyed what pleasures came my way, and simply had a family for its own sake. I want to make some kind of difference, and achieve some kind of burning dream. I guess I couldn't make some kind of flashy declaration like the one about combating sexism if I weren't seriously going to back it up with lifelong action.
So, uh, GET FIRED UP YOU BASTARDS :kamina
Also, no need to censor the menstrual discussion unless it's just a smoke-screen for immature members or something, or just some kind of personal layer of privacy. I don't think anyone's going to behave immaturely at this point.
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But over the last few years, I matured a lot, lost my religion, came to adore humanism and believe in humanity's capacity to better itself and its environment, and realized that improving the human condition, working against things like sexism and ignorance, and actually believing in myself and working for ideals instead of wistfully wishing for them were dear to me and wonderful courses in life.
You had a religion? What happened there?
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But over the last few years, I matured a lot, lost my religion, came to adore humanism and believe in humanity's capacity to better itself and its environment, and realized that improving the human condition, working against things like sexism and ignorance, and actually believing in myself and working for ideals instead of wistfully wishing for them were dear to me and wonderful courses in life.
You had a religion? What happened there?
I realized it was anti-human, counter-productive superstition.
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I was raised Catholic, but I strayed from religion myself and became more spiritually inclined due to religions being to biased and corrupted.
But I don't blame you for leaving one.
EDIT: And just in case anyone is offended by my post, I do not have anything against following a religion, but I do have something against the biased effects and distorted views in them.
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I realized it was anti-human, counter-productive superstition.
Man, what were you, Catholic? Amish?
But seriously, if you dont want to explain it further, thats coo'.
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I realized it was anti-human, counter-productive superstition.
Man, what were you, Catholic? Amish?
But seriously, if you dont want to explain it further, thats coo'.
My point is made. *laughs*
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I realized it was anti-human, counter-productive superstition.
Man, what were you, Catholic? Amish?
But seriously, if you dont want to explain it further, thats coo'.
I believe he's talking about all religion...he's also explained it on multiple occasions...Check out the Zen thread or w/e it was for the most recent posts about it, I think...
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I have a friend with a similar condition (although not so extreme on the blood side of things), and she also takes medication that affects her liver in combination with birth control for cramps. I'm just curious; is there a chance of, or are you hoping to eventually phase off the medication? My friend's committed to it as a serious personal goal, but it sounds like an incredibly difficult challenge.
Oh, my condition wasn't caused by a medication. :) I have a disease that is a form of lupus, which attacks my liver; basically, my immune system is confused and is attacking my healthy liver cells as if they were unhealthy or intruders. The process damages my liver and causes hepatitis, as well as a variety of blood and joint issues. The disease comes in flares, meaning there are periods when the illness is active, and then periods where the illness goes into remission and I am well. They still don't know what causes the immune system to turn against the patient's own body, so sadly, I have no idea what caused it. :( Lupus is strange in that it affects 9 times more women than men; they think it might be hormone related. I started getting symptoms around December of '07 and was finally diagnosed in October '08. It's common to develop the disease around your late teens and early twenties, which is when I was diagnosed. There is still no way to treat it; the main treatments now are corticosteroids and immuno-suppresants, both which have some very bad long-term side effects. When I'm in an active phase, I get a large injection of prednisone as needed until my ASTs and ALTs (liver enzymes) in my blood go down. (My rheumatologist takes a very conservative approach to treatment, which I appreciate thoroughly!)
So basically, the reason I can't take medications that are metabolized through my liver is because of my autoimmune condition. :( I can take medications that are filtered by the kidneys, but medications like Tylenol tend to be quite hard on the liver. Because of my liver condition, my doctors don't let me take any harsh, liver-metabolized medications unless I absolutely have to because of the risk for extra damage. Whew, that was a long-winded explanation! Sorry for the ramble!
If some of the reactions I usually get here are any indication, a lot of people are afraid of "overdoing it" :/ but I think what matters is a serious commitment to doing something positive, or having dreams, whether personal or grand. It's sort of a cliché that most people start out as children with idealistic dreams and hopes to change the world, and then lose it as they become gradually embittered and disillusioned. For me, it was the opposite; I didn't give a damn about what happened to the world as long as I fulfilled my selfish goals. But over the last few years, I matured a lot, lost my religion and irrational beliefs, came to adore humanism and believe in humanity's capacity to better itself and its environment, opened my mind incredibly to new experience, and realized that improving the human condition, working against things like sexism and ignorance, and actually believing in myself and working for ideals instead of wistfully wishing for them were dear to me and wonderful courses in life. That, combined with a desire to live a life of no regrets and a lot of mental training have produced a real commitment and dream. I honestly wouldn't get much out of life if I just took some kind of career path, enjoyed what pleasures came my way, and simply had a family for its own sake. I want to make some kind of difference, and achieve some kind of burning dream. I guess I couldn't make some kind of flashy declaration like the one about combating sexism if I weren't seriously going to back it up with lifelong action.
All I can say is that I'm thoroughly impressed. :) It's something that I need to do as well; I have a lot of convictions, but I've been bad about getting out there and utilizing action for change. Wistful wishing will get me nowhere, that's for sure! I'm inspired now.
Dang, clotting issues suck. Hats off to you for being able to put up with that!
For times when you can't use the birth control, go on a little sewing project. Get some fleece and sew a pillow out of it. Before you close it, fill it with flax seeds. You can microwave this bean bag until it's hot and press it against your stomach/neck/whatever hurts. The warmth helps alleviate pain, and the smell that the seeds gives off takes care of headaches and the like.
Thanks, Zephira! :) That sounds like a great idea; I love to sew, I'll definitely try it. I know my school nurse back in high school used to have these amazing home-made pillows filled with rice; she heated them up in the microwave and they felt amazing!
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I realized it was anti-human, counter-productive superstition.
Man, what were you, Catholic? Amish?
But seriously, if you dont want to explain it further, thats coo'.
LDS. And now will probably follow a bunch of "lol they rnt real religion newayz, if u had a real church u would still believe in god instead of that cult shit." Make-believe is make-believe, no matter what you call it; Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, the...Ba'hai faith or whatever it is that tries to incorporate everything, it's all grounded in complete fabrication and fairytale with punitive moral codes and contradictory texts thrown in for good measure. Add thousands of years of practice and dogma, and you've got the appearance of legitimacy.
And I'm sure we all know what the best approach is to dealing with tradition handed down through dogmatic arguments from authority:
(http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/artist_biographies/Bruce_Lee_Biography.jpg)
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Oh, Ok, I understand your position!
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This is random, but speaking of the LDS religion... I'm currently being harassed by a Mormon guy (that I barely even know or have spoken to) who claims he is "deeply, profoundly and madly in love" with me. Very creepy; he's like a borderline stalker. :( He's definitely been frustrating me lately. I wish he'd leave me alone! He has a very patronizing attitude towards women and believes the ideal woman is submissive and religious. Why he has interest in me, a very independent agnostic with Jewish/Catholic roots, I'll never understand.
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Confront him and tell him off, I say! My, to disrespect a lady like that! Dishonor I say!
Do it sternly, yet with passion!
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This is random, but speaking of the LDS religion... I'm currently being harassed by a Mormon guy (that I barely even know or have spoken to) who claims he is "deeply, profoundly and madly in love" with me. Very creepy; he's like a borderline stalker. :( He's definitely been frustrating me lately. I wish he'd leave me alone! He has a very patronizing attitude towards women and believes the ideal woman is submissive and religious. Why he has interest in me, a very independent agnostic with Jewish/Catholic roots, I'll never understand.
First of all, creepy stalkers are not fun...
Second of all, if he is madly in love with you, he'd give you the ability to do whatever you want, not be submissive.
Third of all, if his perfect woman is teh submissive quiet and uberreligious type, wtf is he going to you for anyways?
And so, yes, I will never understand either. Theres something majorly wrong here.
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Oh, my condition wasn't caused by a medication. :) I have a disease that is a form of lupus,
Ouch. But it seems you're keeping it in check and not letting it hinder you, so that's wonderful. Good luck! My friend has rheumatoid arthritis, but she's not letting it depress her or lower her outlook and motivation in life either.
This is random, but speaking of the LDS religion... I'm currently being harassed by a Mormon guy (that I barely even know or have spoken to) who claims he is "deeply, profoundly and madly in love" with me. Very creepy; he's like a borderline stalker. Sad He's definitely been frustrating me lately. I wish he'd leave me alone! He has a very patronizing attitude towards women and believes the ideal woman is submissive and religious. Why he has interest in me, a very independent agnostic with Jewish/Catholic roots, I'll never understand.
In the LDS church, men and women are under massive pressure to get married from age 19 and on. Typically, men go on missions for two years and return at age 19 or 20, at which point they need to find their eternal soul-mate as soon as possible. Likewise, women had better get attached to someone quick, because being even 22 or 23 without being married is approaching old maid status. In marriage, they're sealed for all time and eternity (unless they have a divorce of course, ha), and the female is immediately expected to start producing babies for the faith and become a homemaker who supports the male in all his priesthood endeavors.
It's a very sick mindset, and it's especially screwed up because of the dating rush that goes on and the usual immaturity of the parties involved. It's interesting that he's harassing you, though, because Mormon boys are told to date within the faith and find a nice, wholesome Mormon girl. If someone goes outside the faith, they're either not good churchgoers, or they're absolutely convinced they can convert you.
Either way, ugh. Be careful, and don't hesitate to use legal deterrents if it comes to that. I've known two girls who've had stalkers, one of which whom suffered for two years over it because of his constant harassment. I'm preaching to the choir, I know, but never give them a chance or let them in. Ewww.
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I was once followed around by some Jehovah's Witness people trying to get me into their "group".
I swear, not only was I rather disturbed by the occurance, but their cliche' "Join us..." faces made the matter worse.
So I left the store I was in.
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I was once followed around by some Jehovah's Witness people trying to get me into their "group".
I swear, not only was I rather disturbed by the occurance, but their cliche' "Join us..." faces made the matter worse.
So I left the store I was in.
Thats pretty funny, =D
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Funny, it might be, but if you were there I would bet my bottom dollar that you wouldn't sleep without some sort of blade next to your bed-stand for the next week.
*laughs*
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Ouch. But it seems you're keeping it in check and not letting it hinder you, so that's wonderful. Good luck! My friend has rheumatoid arthritis, but she's not letting it depress her or lower her outlook and motivation in life either.
Thanks, Zeality! :) If anything, lupus gives me an excuse to show off my brilliant "Lupus Patient (And Rocking It!)" t-shirt.
In the LDS church, men and women are under massive pressure to get married from age 19 and on. Typically, men go on missions for two years and return at age 19 or 20, at which point they need to find their eternal soul-mate as soon as possible. Likewise, women had better get attached to someone quick, because being even 22 or 23 without being married is approaching old maid status. In marriage, they're sealed for all time and eternity (unless they have a divorce of course, ha), and the female is immediately expected to start producing babies for the faith and become a homemaker who supports the male in all his priesthood endeavors.
It's a very sick mindset, and it's especially screwed up because of the dating rush that goes on and the usual immaturity of the parties involved. It's interesting that he's harassing you, though, because Mormon boys are told to date within the faith and find a nice, wholesome Mormon girl. If someone goes outside the faith, they're either not good churchgoers, or they're absolutely convinced they can convert you.
Either way, ugh. Be careful, and don't hesitate to use legal deterrents if it comes to that. I've known two girls who've had stalkers, one of which whom suffered for two years over it because of his constant harassment. I'm preaching to the choir, I know, but never give them a chance or let them in. Ewww.
Lucky for me, the creep is leaving for his two-year mission in August. Here's to hoping he gets shipped somewhere far, far away from me! ;) I'm not surprised about the Mormon obsession with marriage you mentioned; he constantly goes around parading ideas like "A woman is not complete without a man; marriage is the ultimate happiness!", "You can't accomplish things in life single!" He has insinuated to me many times that he'd like to marry me when he returns from his mission. It's very alarming, as well as disturbing, because I've told him countless times I'm not even remotely interested in him and don't even consider him a friend. I've told him to stop contacting me, yet I find my inbox filled with messages about how he "can't live without me", and that the pain from me rejecting him has given him a "near-fatal heart condition". (Yeah... and I'm Tammy Faye Baker and originate from the planet Saturn!) I've been ignoring him as well as his messages, hoping it will detour him. They say silence can often speak the loudest, so I'm hoping it will work.
I also find it interesting he's targeted me; I'm very outspoken about my views, and I certainly don't look or act like a wholesome Mormon girl. If he continues to harass me, I will definitely step in and take legal measures to stop him. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends and their ordeal! :(
As for marrying young, especially with Mormons, I never understood the merits of it. I've heard of a lot of Mormon couples getting married and starting a family before they've even entered or finished college, and have no reliable or stable source of income on top of it all. It's like children taking care of children; I find it quite disturbing. I wonder how many of these couples end up in divorce? :P
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I also find it interesting he's targeted me; I'm very outspoken about my views, and I certainly don't look or act like a wholesome Mormon girl.
That's probably why. It's the forbidden fruit angle. He wants what he can't have. Plus he's an idiot who can't take a hint.
At least that's what it sounds like.
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I had a Mormon guy flirting with and trying to convert me for a while (and a Jehova's Witness around the same time, I think they were friends). Maybe they just really like trying to converting or subduing a woman who is an obvious challenge, maybe even for bragging rights.
Next time he asks you, try saying you're the anti-christ or the devil or something.
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yes, the whole marry-within-the-religion thing is definitley a BIG deal for those people...
Its not as much of a big deal to Christians, however it is still suggested, not because "everyone else is a bad person" but because it would create conflict within the household.
I can especially attest to this because my grandmother, a baptist, married my grandfather, a catholic. Even with those two religions being close there was a LOT of conflict within the family, or atleast between those two.
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Zephira and Mr. Bekkler, that makes a lot of sense. I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case! Next time he pesters me, I'll tell him I'm not only the devil, but that I also watch R-rated movies, curse, drink delicious caffeined tea and have six piercings. Oh, and I show my ankles and hate babies. Gasp! ;) Perhaps if I got a Chrono tattoo like La Bella, then maybe I could push him over the edge even further, haha!
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Don't overdo it now.....*trips*
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No worries, just being facetious. ;)
But I might throw in a few of those things for good measure...
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I hate some file sharing sites list my id along with those $%*! key words.
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Sorry to hear about your liver, condition, Zelbless. That must suck... at least it's not any more severe. Yeah, there are a lot of natural remedies to help with symptoms that dong involve traditional drugs.
As for Mormons, the Mormons I've known were all pretty decent people. I used to have a ton of them when I was in HS because it was right next to a huge Mormon church and they never harassed anyone. Of course, they all came from massive families, but that was the norm. They never tried to convert anyone or hit on anyone... Actually it's really weird because one of them, I used to like and I swear, he comes up in my dreams all the freaken time. These days, it is rare for me to go a week without dreaming about him and I never even talk to him anymore!
Just about all the Mormons I used to know in HS went to Brigham Young University... that's what a good Mormon does. They go there to get married, pretty much. They have their families as soon as they're done with their missions. As far as I know, the Mormon divorce rate is pretty low in the community compared to the rest of the US. Divorce is frowned upon and most Mormons grow up with huge family values... so they really try to make the marriage work out... that and they're stuck considering the average Mormon has like 6 kids... lol.
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Good heavens! You're being dream-stalked!
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Good heavens! You're being dream-stalked!
It must be because the mormons are actually in connection and control of the Dream Devourer, and they are using peoples dreams to keep track of everythign thats going on in the real world to make SURE that their plot for world domination goes unnoticed and unhindered!
OMG I figured it out =D
(jk, of course!)
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Good heavens! You're being dream-stalked!
I know! lol. It would be more creepy, but I suppose it's actually nice dreaming about the guy... it's just that I wish I could still see him ya know >_>. I guess I know what he's up to in facebook, but a while ago I wrote him an embarrassing comment and ever since then, I don't really want to keep in contact >_>
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Awful as it sounds, the first thing that graces my mind when I think of Mormons is that classic Trey Parker film, Orgazmo... the only comedy you'll find with a Mormon pornstar superhero. :lol:
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No worries, just being facetious. ;)
But I might throw in a few of those things for good measure...
That's the right attitude! :)
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What frustrated me is my life is full of easy going and happiness that there is nothing to be posted here to rise my post count :D
(excluding this of course)
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They still don't know what causes the immune system to turn against the patient's own body, so sadly, I have no idea what caused it.
That is no longer completely true. At least some cases of auto-immune disorders are caused by, essentially, a bored immune system. A newly developed treatment for some such disorders is to actually give the patient parasites (I would assume that viral diseases and bacteria would also be viable options, but I haven't heard of either being used). That gives the immune system something to do other than attacking the body. There has been some success in a cases of diabetes (Type I or Type I-Like forms of it), Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and fibromyalgia. However, the full implications of this discovery are still being investigated.
The new era of medicine is about patient investment in the treatment process. You doctor doesn't know everything s/he needs to know, so it is always a good idea to try to research your condition yourself. Wikipedia and WebMD are fine places to start for some diseases, but if you want cutting edge information, I'd recommend searching PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) and PubMed Central (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/) every now and then. Those are the National Institute of Health's repositories for all biomedical journal publications resulting at least partially from government funding. In short, there is more information on Lupus in those two repositories than your doctor has probably read.
As a side note, I believe estrogen is one of the hormones that can influence the immune system and, as such, can make auto-immune disorders worse. Yes, this does basically mean that women have better immune systems than men.
First of all, creepy stalkers are not fun...
Charming and witty stalkers, on the other hand...
Anywho, to interject some non-relationship, non-religious, non-biological angst: I really hate humidity. Texas is unnecessarily humid; step outside and in about 5 minutes (10 if there is a breeze) you'll be drenched in your own juices.
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GOD DAMNIT.
I just got a phone call that scared the shit out of me. My heart is still beating like it's gonna explode out of my chest.
Him: "Hello, sir, this is the X city Police Department, is this X name?"
Me: "Yes, it is."
Him: "We have reports of your vehicle executing a hit-and-run."
Me: "What? No, you can check my car, I didn't..."
Him: "Sir, I have security camera footage with your vehicle and license plate."
Me: "But I wasn't..."
Him: "Are you willing to turn yourself in?"
Me: "I would be, but I want to see the footage..."
Him: "Dude, it's Ben."
Me: "Fuck you."
Him: "You still looking for a job?"
Me: "...Yes."
Him: "Come to X address and interview today!"
Me: "Awesome, Ben! Thank you so much! But still, fuck you!"
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Anywho, to interject some non-relationship, non-religious, non-biological angst: I really hate humidity. Texas is unnecessarily humid; step outside and in about 5 minutes (10 if there is a breeze) you'll be drenched in your own juices.
Right you are, my good man. During the afternoon my car read that it was 104oF and even though it had dropped at least 10o, it was incredibly worse by nightfall. You could feel the humidity all around yourself...
As bad as Dallas weather may be, I'm thankful I don't live in Houston.
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GOD DAMNIT.
I just got a phone call that scared the shit out of me. My heart is still beating like it's gonna explode out of my chest.
Him: "Hello, sir, this is the X city Police Department, is this X name?"
Me: "Yes, it is."
Him: "We have reports of your vehicle executing a hit-and-run."
Me: "What? No, you can check my car, I didn't..."
Him: "Sir, I have security camera footage with your vehicle and license plate."
Me: "But I wasn't..."
Him: "Are you willing to turn yourself in?"
Me: "I would be, but I want to see the footage..."
Him: "Dude, it's Ben."
Me: "Fuck you."
Him: "You still looking for a job?"
Me: "...Yes."
Him: "Come to X address and interview today!"
Me: "Awesome, Ben! Thank you so much! But still, fuck you!"
Clever. That's rather funny.
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GOD DAMNIT.
I just got a phone call that scared the shit out of me. My heart is still beating like it's gonna explode out of my chest.
Him: "Hello, sir, this is the X city Police Department, is this X name?"
Me: "Yes, it is."
Him: "We have reports of your vehicle executing a hit-and-run."
Me: "What? No, you can check my car, I didn't..."
Him: "Sir, I have security camera footage with your vehicle and license plate."
Me: "But I wasn't..."
Him: "Are you willing to turn yourself in?"
Me: "I would be, but I want to see the footage..."
Him: "Dude, it's Ben."
Me: "Fuck you."
Him: "You still looking for a job?"
Me: "...Yes."
Him: "Come to X address and interview today!"
Me: "Awesome, Ben! Thank you so much! But still, fuck you!"
That made my day to hear Mr. B got punk'd =D
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Oh MAN, Mr. B, your friend is a jerk! My friends like to do that from time to time, I find it annoying :p.
Lol, the weather in the Bay Area is really nice.... I'm really glad I don't live in a humid place anymore. That kind of weather is really not for me -_-. Try living in Japan. lol. it's insanely humid from about now till the end of August. I hated that D:
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I got the job. For what it's worth. 8)
They told me they'd call me back later tonight, but before I got all the way home they already made the offer. I'm pretty excited.
"Ben" is cool, and I really should have seen it coming cause he pulls peoples' legs all the time. He just called me from a number I didn't recognize, so I didn't catch on until it was over.
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That is no longer completely true. At least some cases of auto-immune disorders are caused by, essentially, a bored immune system. A newly developed treatment for some such disorders is to actually give the patient parasites (I would assume that viral diseases and bacteria would also be viable options, but I haven't heard of either being used). That gives the immune system something to do other than attacking the body. There has been some success in a cases of diabetes (Type I or Type I-Like forms of it), Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and fibromyalgia. However, the full implications of this discovery are still being investigated.
The new era of medicine is about patient investment in the treatment process. You doctor doesn't know everything s/he needs to know, so it is always a good idea to try to research your condition yourself. Wikipedia and WebMD are fine places to start for some diseases, but if you want cutting edge information, I'd recommend searching PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) and PubMed Central (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/) every now and then. Those are the National Institute of Health's repositories for all biomedical journal publications resulting at least partially from government funding. In short, there is more information on Lupus in those two repositories than your doctor has probably read.
Thank you for the great suggestion, but I actually have done vast amounts of research on my condition. :) (I was very lucky in that I went to a medical magnet school for highschool, which opened my eyes to the great amount of resources out there! Students had full access to all sorts of online databases for research projects.) Right now, I'm inclined to say there is no known cause because there isn't a definitive, medically-agreed upon answer to what causes auto-immune conditions. I've heard the theory you mentioned as well as many others, including one that believes autoimmune conditions are caused by a chronic infection, which is therein treated by pulsed doses of antibiotics over a long period of time. (Marshall Protocol, you might have heard of it!) Until there is a definitive answer from the scientific community - and not just theories and treatments with some evidence of success inside test groups - I'm inclined to say that there really is no answer, at least not yet. There certainly have been some wonderful developments, though, that's for sure. :)
As for the "bored immune system" theory, I'm not a doctor or a researcher, so my opinion here is completely worhtless, but I don't think that was the case for me. Before I was diagnosed, even still after, I was the type who got sick extremely frequently, mostly with bacterial bronchitis. I usually was in the doctor's office with it seven to eight times a year for most of my life. My immune system has always been pretty busy, haha! :P I've even had bronchitis and a lupus flare at the same time, but I don't know if my symptoms were alleviated because of it; I had a large dose of prednisone at the time, which would have taken care of both the liver inflammation and the bronchial inflammation. It's an interesting theory nonetheless, and I can't wait to see how it plays out!
Also, just as a side note, I don't believe fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions usually require certain antibodies present in the blood, and from what I've gathered, they've typically found none of these antibodies in a primary fibromyalgia patients. (Interestingly enough, though, fibromyalgia tends to be a secondary condition to a lot of AI disorders. Even in myself, I have a much higher number of painful pressure points when my disease is active. 14/18, compared to 3/18 when in remission.)
As for Texas and humidity, I understand! I'm a Texan myself. :) You know it's bad when your jeans start sticking to your legs.
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Even in myself, I have a much higher number of painful pressure points when my disease is active. 14/18, compared to 3/18 when in remission.
Glad to hear you do your own medical research!
As a side note, vitamin D deficiencies can cause fibromyalgia-like pains. Sorry, I'm not trying to diagnose you or pretend like I'm a doctor (I'm not; I'm a ancient historian by training). I just happen to get exposed to a lot of cool biomedical information (my wife is a doctoral student in at a biomedical research university) and I love to share it.
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Ancient historian, eh? Pass some of that information this way, my friend! *laughs*
My own teachers cannot even entertain my need for historical studies.
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Mormon divorce rate is pretty low
Yeah. Just as an interesting fact, the state of Utah has the most personal debt of any state per capita, and people attribute it to Mormon tithing and the prosperity gospel. Who knows. But you're flat out told that you're not going to the best heaven if you don't pay your 10%. There's a legendary cliché story about some young, daring man who passed away at age 20 or so, and was venerated at his funeral by church members. Then, some bold, solemn member comes up and says, "no, he's not going to the Celestial Kingdom, since he didn't pay tithing" and drops an awkward nuke. It's almost a fear tactic.
Next time he asks you, try saying you're the anti-christ or the devil or something.
Haha, believe it or not, when missionaries return they often pass these examples down as stories to scare others. "We met people who threatened us with violence and said they followed Satan." It seems a lot of missionaries actually believe this, and I knew one person who started going back to church because someone told him "horrifying stories about demons" that happened on his mission.
As for Texas and humidity, I understand! I'm a Texan myself. Smile You know it's bad when your jeans start sticking to your legs.
Ugh; not looking forward to this when I go back in July, though I've admittedly never been to Houston, where I've heard it's really, truly hell. It seems like there are a lot of Compendiumite Texans and Washingtonians; if I had another 2-3 buffer months, I'd try to organize some kind of meet-up for PAX in Seattle. Not going to happen now, probably...
Hah, quoting three distinct people with Z-names in one post :grimm
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WHILST at the same time having a Z name yourself, your post makes quadruple excellence and Z^4 win
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Not coming to PAX? Tsk tsk, ZeaLitY. You disappoint me. And what will your fan club say?
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Not coming to PAX? Tsk tsk, ZeaLitY. You disappoint me. And what will your fan club say?
Hm, I'm more over worried with the idea that if I go, I'd want a serious Compendium meetup to go on, and that needs proper planning. I also probably have to worry about the money side...
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You're good at worrying! Get on it. I'm sure that with your orchestration, a meetup would be much likelier to happen.
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And somehow, I've now managed to get two cavities...one on each of my back lower molars.
What next, eh? What next? *laughs*
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Back upper molars?
Edit: And, for relevancy, I'm frustrated that I just ran out of Cinnamon Imperials. Life won't be the same...
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Gah, my wisdom teeth have been coming in as well, which is not fun at all.
But I don't understand the cavities. I'm a very hygienic person when it comes to such matters.
Just happens, I suppose.
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What websites in general frustrate you so much you want to throw your keyboard at someone? :shock:
Does anyone get chrono trigger midis from vgmusic.com?
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What websites in general frustrate you so much you want to throw your keyboard at someone? :shock:
Does anyone get chrono trigger midis from vgmusic.com?
Dude, I don't think anybody goes to that website but you. Then you come here and tell us how bad it is. You convinced me not to check it out the first time I saw your name. If it makes you so angry, I ask, why do you keep visiting said website?
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Glad to hear you do your own medical research!
As a side note, vitamin D deficiencies can cause fibromyalgia-like pains. Sorry, I'm not trying to diagnose you or pretend like I'm a doctor (I'm not; I'm a ancient historian by training). I just happen to get exposed to a lot of cool biomedical information (my wife is a doctoral student in at a biomedical research university) and I love to share it.
Thanks for the information on the Vitamin D! I'll definitely keep it in mind. :) Also, you didn't come across like that at all; no worries! I love hearing new information, so if you find out anything more from your wife, feel free to share it! I'm a big pathology nerd, I'd thoroughly enjoy it. As a random side-note, you and your wife sound like a very interesting, highly intelligent duo. Between the ancient history and biomedical research, I bet you have some pretty interesting discussions at the dinner table!
Also, where in Texas do you live, Zeality? I'm in San Antonio; I noticed there were a lot of Compendium members around the Denton area! And good luck with your dental issues, Temporal. Wisdom teeth are a bother! I know I need to get mine out as well.
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Gah, my wisdom teeth have been coming in as well, which is not fun at all.
But I don't understand the cavities. I'm a very hygienic person when it comes to such matters.
Just happens, I suppose.
Sucks. I had a cavity filled today. I was at the dentist for over an hour and a half. Along with the cavity, I had a deep cleaning finished... it was my final one.
I have shit gums : (.
I had to get a shot and it hurt like FUCK. Also, since my mouth was open for so long, my jaw is still sore right now >_>.
I know this really depends on parents and what their decision on the matter is, but I highly recommend an oral surgeon for taking out the wisdom teeth. Not only because you are asleep for the procedure, but just because a lot of complications are reduced if performed by an oral surgeon as opposed to a dentist. I mean, who and how would you rather have your teeth pulled?
I had to get all 4 of mine out at the same time. I have had a lot of problems in my mouth... and still continue to. I have cysts that tend to form in my mouth, so one of these cysts pushed one of my wisdom teeth up into my nasal passage. If it wasn't removed, it would have caused a really nasty sinus infection... that also explains the problems I had before then with mild sinus infections. One time I couldn't breathe out of my nose for 2 months >_>. I'm still having some problems, but I'm happy now.
I'm not sure why they decided to get rid of all my wisdom teeth(because technically I only needed 2 out) but the oral surgeon highly recommended it so I had to get them all out at once. my bottoms had come in, but my tops were never going to come in.
Anyway, I could have worse problems, so this is not necessarily a frustration, just telling you a story about my terrible mouth. LOL. I hope to get my gum problems under control... part of it is a problem I have with chewing on metal. Actually I just now noticed... as I'm typing this, I am chewing on a small piece of metal -_-.
*sigh* I think I need more iron or something...
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Not coming to PAX? Tsk tsk, ZeaLitY. You disappoint me. And what will your fan club say?
Hm, I'm more over worried with the idea that if I go, I'd want a serious Compendium meetup to go on, and that needs proper planning. I also probably have to worry about the money side...
Zephira, Lord J Esq, Radical_Dreamer, Alcyone, and Myself. It sounded like Ramsus and V might be going as well. Getting close to a compendium meetup.
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pax is n seattle, so not for me this year!!!
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I could do it. I'd have to get consent due to being a minor, but I could do it.
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Are there age restrictions to PAX?
Nope. But if you're under 13, please make sure your parents know where you are.
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Are there age restrictions to PAX?
Nope. But if you're under 13, please make sure your parents know where you are.
Fifteen years sexy, good to go.
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What websites in general frustrate you so much you want to throw your keyboard at someone? :shock:
Not a specific site, but I don't have much fondness for those "load the ads first, the navigation second, and the content last" websites.
Does anyone get chrono trigger midis from vgmusic.com?
I used to use that site all the time, and for more than just Chrono music. For many years my midi collection was bigger than my mp3 collection. Admittedly I don't go there much anymore, but a well-made midi can be a beautiful thing. I sound like Cranky Kong, but there was something charming about the constraints on video game music back when it was all programmed from scratch.
I'm not sure why they decided to get rid of all my wisdom teeth(because technically I only needed 2 out) but the oral surgeon highly recommended it so I had to get them all out at once. my bottoms had come in, but my tops were never going to come in.
I had this exact same issue once upon a time: two needed to come out, and the other two were marginal. It was a top-bottom split, which is more typical than a left-right split. The dentist told me that by removing the upper wisdom teeth but not the lower ones, or vice versa, the remaining two won't be checked by their mates, and may grow in unfavorably. Apparently it's important for dental health for the upper teeth and the lower teeth to be able to grow against each other.
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Does anyone get chrono trigger midis from vgmusic.com?
I used to use that site all the time, and for more than just Chrono music. For many years my midi collection was bigger than my mp3 collection. Admittedly I don't go there much anymore, but a well-made midi can be a beautiful thing. I sound like Cranky Kong, but there was something charming about the constraints on video game music back when it was all programmed from scratch.
Exactly. This is the very reason I don't want a Final Fantasy VII remake, because I love those midi quality bgms and polygons-you-can-count-on-one-hand graphics to death.
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Also, where in Texas do you live, Zeality? I'm in San Antonio; I noticed there were a lot of Compendium members around the Denton area!
Denton, which has contributed to a few posts in this thread. Although it technically does have a vibrant night life, most of it at least seems terrible; a lot of the music scene seems to be quasi-Christian metal or emocore. I visited San Antonio in 2006, but only really stayed in the Riverwalk area except for a trip a few blocks away to find a renowned Mexican restaurant. I was amazed at how quick the transition from city center to what felt like "dusty barrio" took place. I loved how one leg of the river docked in a shopping mall. I was also told that falling in the river (even if you're pushed) is an automatic night in jail, but I never bothered to fact-check it; I also heard that Austin ships its homeless with one-way bus tickets to SA. What's it like living there?
I had this exact same issue once upon a time: two needed to come out, and the other two were marginal. It was a top-bottom split, which is more typical than a left-right split.
My orthodontist and a dental assistant both told me that I was going to have all mine out around age 18 or 19. I sought a second opinion, and so far I've gotten away with keeping them. I'm sure almost all the cases of removal are for valid health reasons, but I wonder if any people like me were shanghaied into having them out because it seemed the normal thing to do.
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Not coming to PAX? Tsk tsk, ZeaLitY. You disappoint me. And what will your fan club say?
Hm, I'm more over worried with the idea that if I go, I'd want a serious Compendium meetup to go on, and that needs proper planning. I also probably have to worry about the money side...
Zephira, Lord J Esq, Radical_Dreamer, Alcyone, and Myself. It sounded like Ramsus and V might be going as well. Getting close to a compendium meetup.
Sounds cool. I don't live like... terribly far from Washington. I would go, but I will be broke by then : (. I like going to cons though... maybe some year when I will actually have money. My stash of money will run out by the end of this summer... I guess 6 months is ok XD. I wish I could find a job that actually... pays >_>. There is a slight possibility over the fall, but it'll just be a stipend so I can't get paid till winter anyway.
EDIT: Today SUCKS. Not only did we lose Farrah Fawcett, but most likely Michael Jackson too. I doubt anyone really cares about Jackson, but I have always adored him. He just has some... problems >_>.
What am I gunna do when all the 80s wildebeests die out? : (.
*SADNESS AND WOE*
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Denton, which has contributed to a few posts in this thread. Although it technically does have a vibrant night life, most of it at least seems terrible; a lot of the music scene seems to be quasi-Christian metal or emocore. I visited San Antonio in 2006, but only really stayed in the Riverwalk area except for a trip a few blocks away to find a renowned Mexican restaurant. I was amazed at how quick the transition from city center to what felt like "dusty barrio" took place. I loved how one leg of the river docked in a shopping mall. I was also told that falling in the river (even if you're pushed) is an automatic night in jail, but I never bothered to fact-check it; I also heard that Austin ships its homeless with one-way bus tickets to SA. What's it like living there?
I've been to Denton quite a few times! Are you at UNT? I've spent quite a bit of time at TWU for a Women's Choir Festival I participated in. I remember it being quiet and lined with some very lovely Victorian-style houses. I don't think I could live there, though; I'm too much of a city girl. As for San Antonio, there are some very beautiful parts of town. The area outside of the River Walk isn't the nicest, but there are some beautiful suburbs on the north side of town. :) San Antonio doesn't have a very consistent look or feel to it, I find. It's very much like you described, it has a lot of very awkward transitions. I do like the friendly atmosphere and the delicious (and cheap!) food. There's four themeparks and a myriad of things to do, so I really enjoy San Antonio. I don't know much about the nightlife, since I'm not much into clubbing or drinking; I do know there's a pretty good jazz scene downtown, though. As for falling in the river, I never heard of that, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's true. I know Ozzy Osbourne was banned from our city for urinating on the Alamo, so it seems we have a few strange policies in place. :P
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I've been to Denton quite a few times!
Huh... I wonder how many other people are in this general area. PAX is a bit far to go for people living in Texas, but there is the Scarborough Renaissance Fair every year that might serve as a Compendium East gathering place (with Pax being Compendium West. Then we can start our own rap labels and start a mock war with each other).
Or Fredericksburg. They have the best pies there, ever. Oh yeah, and fun germanic culture.
EDIT: And on today's random biomedical info update, apparently recent study indicates that a fatty liver can cause a lupus-like disease.
And in today's random ancient history info update, apparently a bone flute was found in Germany, dating back 35,000, making it the world's oldest musical instrument. Take THAT, Egypt and Middle East.
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And in today's random ancient history info update, apparently a bone flute was found in Germany, dating back 35,000, making it the world's oldest musical instrument. Take THAT, Egypt and Middle East.
Any idea what process of dating they used to determine that?
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Nope. Being a product of a biological process, I'd imagine they'd have a wide range of options for testing the object itself (rather than stuff near the area). Here, have a link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjlhuiV8Ebp72c_6bYVyKd529oQgD9917URG2
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Scarborough Faire is fun =D Ive been a few times
my friends are more apt to going, some of them have seasons passes =D
I usually only go once a year.
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Current annoyance: the concept of the Mary Sue.
What a foolish and narrow concept! I happened across this once again today - a 'test' of some sort on the matter - and thought for interest's sake to attempt it with figures in my own rating. Now, as it stands, a score over 35ish is considered painfully Mary Sue... my score on that was in the 70s. Now, I figured, this certainly cannot be right, and rather frustrated me.
So I put in as best I could figure the charactaristics of the great hero of perhaps the greatest (and certainly most influencial) work of Western literature, the Iliad. And sure enough, Akhilleus ranks in the 70s (and, certainly, this is why my creations do as well, as my style is nearest that of antiquity.) I did not do Herakles from the rest of the Greek corpus, but from what I saw of the questions, he would certainly rank in the 100s. In fact, he would probably fit in all the most damning cliches of having killed his family, it not being his fault, and so on and so forth.
Yet the writers of those works penned literature of far more lasting appeal and deeper thought that many that would be technically not be considered Mary Sueish. So something is amiss in the matter.
And thinking about it, my conclusion is that the concept, and any such addeneded quizzes, are narrowly based and biased to a single form of storytelling driven heavily by character (as opposed to, say, story and event, as most of the ancient works were), and more than this characters that are deeply disadvantaged or flawed, a storytelling style that is extremely modern: mostly this is a hallmark of novels (though not all even of those can be classified as it), and more than this of a focus on the vulgar, as opposed to the noble.
See, the ancient writers favoured writing about noble characters, the fortunate and the handsome and all - things which the concept of the Mary Sue finds particularly damning. Their tragedies were based around the fall of people who were highly blessed. And even when there was not a fall, the characters were typically of brilliant in aspect. Unlike we who have this idea of 'inner' beauty, to, say, the Greeks, it was quite the opposite: something that was 'good' was 'beautiful.' The two went in accord, and something that was ugly was something that was evil. Look only to the Iliad: every single character that makes an appearance is of the nobility save the unfortunate (and ugly!) Theristes. Aristotle would say this is because characters such as these have futher to fall, and make better subjects for stories because of that.
The problem is, for thousands of years that was the storytelling style, and it worked. Those works are still read and loved to this day. Yet along comes the novel - which has its own virtues - and the arrogance of the common. This pervades many fields. I see it in, say, the few Archaeology classes. Suddenly it's scorned to look at the great structures and buildings of magnificence, and all thought is bent to the lives of the common folk. Now that might have its virtue, but there is a certain arrogance that has crept into it that the common is really where one's head should be at.
And this is, I think, the very same thought, albeit in literature, that has given rise to the atrocity of the highlighting of the Mary Sue. What is considered good writing of character (at least by the form of the quiz) is that which is of common personality, is unexceptional, does nothing truly great and is deeply flawed. Now, who is to say that that is superior? Why must our works deal only with such topics and write in such ways to be good? It's ridiculous!
In short, if someone can write well, it doesn't matter how much of a Mary Sue a character is. Indeed, some of the most memorable characters in all of literature are such.
As a quick tangent, I think the same holds true for the concept of 'purple' writing. This is thrown around as though it's the hallmark of inferior writing, but from what I have been able to tell, some of the best writers of history have made use of it to good effect. As vulgarity (that is, the common) is lauded over and against the Mary Sues, so here simplicity and utter clarity is held chiefmost. Yet why? Why is that the end all and be all of writing? For Shakespeare, and some would argue him the best of all writers in our language, was said to have tried all styles except simplicity. And Aeschylus, my own dear ancient Tragedian, was by no means clear of diction! I think his phrases are 'purple' beyond anything anyone else could think of. Yet he is a master!
So in both of these situations I am frustrated. What's going on with this?
Let us all lay aside the scornful use of the terms Mary Sue and Purple... maybe they are not the villains we have been told, but instead the highest hidden virtues. Let they who wish read about the doings of fishmongers... but these works they declaim as cliched and inferior are in fact the works of dreams and high flown imaginations, more beautiful to behold and more touching to the soul.
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I believe the Mary Sue concept is mostly scorned in fanfiction, where the character will interact with already established characters from video games, television shows or books. Also, when said Mary Sue is shallow or poorly written. I tend to enjoy Mary Sue stories, mainly for trying to put myself in the Mary Sue's shoes. It's every fangirls dream or guilty fantasy, which is why it is scorned so much.
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I can't comment on that particular test, but the problem with concepts like Mary Sue and Purple prose isn't that they contain poor element, but that they are good elements used poorly.
What makes purple prose bad is not that it is a grant writing style, but rather it is a grand writing style handled poorly. Words are fickle, rebellious things and it takes a skilled trainer to get them to perform flawlessly.
It is a similar situation for the Mary Sue character; no writer can avoid placing themselves inside the story. When it is done well, it is a pleasure to read. But when it is done poorly, then the reader wishes to follow Oedipus' example. Mary Sue isn’t when the characters are larger than life, it is when the larger-than-lifeness of the characters are not earned through the storytelling. Good characterization might be like a super bowl commercial; totally fantastic and unrealistic, but not particularly annoying. Mary Sue characterization, however, is more like any commercial with this guy in it:
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyCQ2N1piH4/RzSyr1O-vJI/AAAAAAAAAto/GE5dsyqD1jo/s320/Billy_Mays2.jpg)
Or any commercial in which individuals fail at basic activities, like using a blanket:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h05ZQ7WHw8Y
Though to note, it seems like there is some divergence in what I understand a Mary Sue character to be and what you have encountered. As I learned the term, a Mary Sue is a character with no flaws and to who all good things occur. A tragedy with a Mary Sue character at its center would be a strange thing indeed, as almost by definition nothing bad can happen to a Mary Sue character (at least, not during the story; before only increases their mystic so that is all good).
Achilles, for example, should automatically be discounted from consideration as a Mary Sue character since, though he is important to the Greeks and all their hopes rest on him, crap happens to him. That he is doomed to die, that his dear friend dies because of him, that he has few redeeming qualities, etc all go against the Mary Sue theme.
There is, of course, some overlap as modern Mary Sue characters may well specifically attempt to cash in on established clichés (and these clichés were established by the likes of Achilles). The problem there is that clichés aren't actually bad; they're too good. Clichés are so good that they become overused. I like the taste of chocolate, but I do not want it for every meal; in the same way, cliché’s are good, but let us have variety as well.
Like any literary element; when used expertly, the device is good, and when used ineptly, the device is bad. Mary Sue and Purple Prose are just two examples of literary devices being used poorly. Not that the thrust behind them is poor, just the execution.
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Did you check out College Humor's parody vid on that? "WTF Blanket". It's pretty funny...
Anyway, I typically don't read Mary Sue fics... I just like fics to contain non-original characters, usually.
Mary-Sue fics could be done very well, but usually they're not. I mean, I have read some exceptions, but it's usually lame when the author includes their own characters. You want to do that, why not just go all the way and write your own, original story?
That's what I do anyway. If I want to make original characters, I write original stories. It usually doesn't turn out well when half the characters are legit and half are made up by the author... You can just do RPs....
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Krispophenes, that quiz is flawed; I've evaluated it myself. When expressed correctly, the concept of “Mary Sue” is sound. Your rant is legitimate, but what you're talking about is, to use your phrasing, the vulgarization of literature—not the Mary Sue.
The Mary Sue is a caricature, and a self-applauding one at that. It is a magnet into which weak or inattentive writers can pour no end of errors and flaws; an extreme of indiscipline and ineptitude to be rightly averted. Mary Sues are not bound by the same laws as other characters in a story. They're immune, almost invincible to imperfection: Even their suffering only makes them look better. They are desire's indiscretion, idealism's bane; they are author surrogates run amok. Such writing should be kept to oneself if it is written at all.
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Ah, now I understand.
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The downside of razzing you for all those years is that I'm never sure when you're being sincere or just humoring me. :P
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Denton, which has contributed to a few posts in this thread. Although it technically does have a vibrant night life, most of it at least seems terrible; a lot of the music scene seems to be quasi-Christian metal or emocore. I visited San Antonio in 2006, but only really stayed in the Riverwalk area except for a trip a few blocks away to find a renowned Mexican restaurant. I was amazed at how quick the transition from city center to what felt like "dusty barrio" took place. I loved how one leg of the river docked in a shopping mall. I was also told that falling in the river (even if you're pushed) is an automatic night in jail, but I never bothered to fact-check it; I also heard that Austin ships its homeless with one-way bus tickets to SA. What's it like living there?
I've been to Denton quite a few times! Are you at UNT? I've spent quite a bit of time at TWU for a Women's Choir Festival I participated in. I remember it being quiet and lined with some very lovely Victorian-style houses. I don't think I could live there, though; I'm too much of a city girl. As for San Antonio, there are some very beautiful parts of town. The area outside of the River Walk isn't the nicest, but there are some beautiful suburbs on the north side of town. :) San Antonio doesn't have a very consistent look or feel to it, I find. It's very much like you described, it has a lot of very awkward transitions. I do like the friendly atmosphere and the delicious (and cheap!) food. There's four themeparks and a myriad of things to do, so I really enjoy San Antonio. I don't know much about the nightlife, since I'm not much into clubbing or drinking; I do know there's a pretty good jazz scene downtown, though. As for falling in the river, I never heard of that, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's true. I know Ozzy Osbourne was banned from our city for urinating on the Alamo, so it seems we have a few strange policies in place. :P
Yeah, I'll be finishing up a Master's. I guess music is the real draw; the university has open rehearsals with amazing musicians and even secures legends time to time, like Dave Brubeck in April (amazing concert, but the entire first third was unexpectedly really religious). Those Victorian houses are also considered one of the city's jewels (despite that on any given schoolday, they're lined street-to-street with student cars). Ooh, I wonder if those suburbs are like Austin's. I'd never seen normal looking residential streets and neighborhoods carved into the sides of hills like that; it was almost a little frightening to drive. I'd also heard that San Antonio is really, really dry, but I don't really remember the scenery going in to the city.
I'm not much into clubbing or drinking
Hah, I take a lot of flak for the same from my friends and even parents, who were in Denton in the 70s and envy that I have such easy access to music and clubs. It sounds really terrible when I tell them that most of those places are depressing and the music sucks, but jeez, it really seems that way. I was also sort of unpopular in Austin since I didn't want to rush out and inhale all the bars on 6th street on a Thursday night. I'm relieved I'm not the only one, at least :lee:
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyCQ2N1piH4/RzSyr1O-vJI/AAAAAAAAAto/GE5dsyqD1jo/s320/Billy_Mays2.jpg)
NEED TO BALANCE THE THREAD
(http://www.cynical-c.com/archives/bloggraphics/250pxVince_offer.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CztvSpKdCeY&fmt=18)
DOESN'T DRIP DOESN'T MAKE A MESS WRING IT OUT
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I haven't traversed Denton as much as I should--I really stick around the university area. Everything around the university is just damn ugly, in my opinion. The whole city depresses the hell outta me...which is why I've decided to commute 45 minutes everyday instead of living in the city.
San Antonio, on the other hand, is wonderful. I went there for the first time a couple weeks ago: did the Riverwalk, went to Sea World (I never realized how breathtakingly majestic whales were), and to the caverns in the area. Even though all three of those events were tourist strongholds, none of them had the same atmosphere. Hell, the Riverwalk felt like a different country altogether.
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I haven't traversed Denton as much as I should--I really stick around the university area. Everything around the university is just damn ugly, in my opinion. The whole city depresses the hell outta me...which is why I've decided to commute 45 minutes everyday instead of living in the city.
Hahaha, I take flak for this too. "It's kind of an ugly city..." "WHAT NO YOU INGRATE, ALL LIES, ITS SO RICH WITH HISTORY AND CULTURE"
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I haven't traversed Denton as much as I should--I really stick around the university area. Everything around the university is just damn ugly, in my opinion. The whole city depresses the hell outta me...which is why I've decided to commute 45 minutes everyday instead of living in the city.
I really don't understand what you dislike about the place...
I mean, I don't travel outside of the university itself that much, when I'm there, but I havent seen anything too bad...
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Being a newb. Everyone has to start somewhere, sometime, it just sucks when that where is right where you are, and the time is right now.
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Haha, it's so strange to me how many of us live in or around Denton. I've lived in Denton Tex-sucks for close to ten years now, unfortunately. Got my undergrad degree from UNT. I also have to agree that the area around the university is just plain ugly. I've been looking at houses recently because my little black lab puppy is going to outgrow my apartment very soon, and every house I've looked at in that area is incredibly ugly.
One was from the 60's and still had the same interior decoration. Think tan walls and baby puke green carpeting. Noooo thank you.
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I DON'T FUCKING CARE ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON! I almost care about Farrah Fawcett, but definitely not about Mike. Seriously, the coverage for this is almost as grossly bloated as the 9/11 stuff was (though technically that stuff is still ongoing...?)...Goodbye freaky-ass skeleton chimo~!! :lol:
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current frustration:
the step of getting a level 8 magic to become a level 9 magic
(legend of legaia. Level 9 magic is highest. The only way to level magics is to use them. And the step from 8 to 9 is the LONGEST)
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I DON'T FUCKING CARE ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON! I almost care about Farrah Fawcett, but definitely not about Mike. Seriously, the coverage for this is almost as grossly bloated as the 9/11 stuff was (though technically that stuff is still ongoing...?)...Goodbye freaky-ass skeleton chimo~!! :lol:
Actually I'm with you, but you know what they say: No sense wasting passion on the dead.
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I DON'T FUCKING CARE ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON! I almost care about Farrah Fawcett, but definitely not about Mike. Seriously, the coverage for this is almost as grossly bloated as the 9/11 stuff was (though technically that stuff is still ongoing...?)...Goodbye freaky-ass skeleton chimo~!! :lol:
Actually I'm with you, but you know what they say: No sense wasting passion on the dead.
I second that. I don't really care for Michael Jackons, but that's probably because I was born after the 80's, when he was most popular. Plus, if you take away the fact that we was a famous singer, he's actually just a pretty freaky guy.
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He died of a drug induced heart attack, so my sympathy is lacking compared to many others.
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He died of a drug induced heart attack, so my sympathy is lacking compared to many others.
So if you get hit by a drunk driver in a car, someone can say "oh yeah he was in a car accident that had something to do with alcohol, so fuck him." ?
He may have died from a drug induced heart attackcardiac arrest, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was taking drugs recreationally, or even willingly. His doctor is getting questioned over and over and over again by cops even though they took his statement already. They think it sounds like foul play.
Conclusions are not for jumping.
Edited for accuracy. Thanks Zelbess.
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I totally called the drug thing. The second I heard Michael Jackson died of a heart attack, I go - "had to be drugs". There's no way that a 50 something year old dude that gets on stage and dances for a living and that has had eighteen bajillion plastic surgeries would have a pre-existing heart condition. And every other cause is so unlikely. Plus, I mean, there's all that sprinting after kiddos to keep him in shape - badaching!
Seriously, though, Fawcett totally got shafted in the news. I didn't even know she died because of the Jackson coverage. I guess that's probably a good thing for her family though.
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Seriously, though, Fawcett totally got shafted in the news. I didn't even know she died because of the Jackson coverage. I guess that's probably a good thing for her family though.
I found out before I heard about Jackson. But that's a very good point.
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What really frustrated me is this dude http://www.youtube.com/user/kevinmlai Doesn't want to admit that SquareSoft hates Chrono Trigger so much because they are into cash cow games.
I don't think reasoning will work as my comments showed.
On YouTube my username is HeatBlizzard for anybody who wises to reply to me on any Chrono Trigger videos.
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What makes you think they hate Chrono Trigger without citing anything spurred by their legal departments overseas (overseas from their actual company that is)? They re-released it twice already on 3 separate platforms over 15 years and it has two sequels...That's more than you can say for some games...
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There's no way that a 50 something year old dude that gets on stage and dances for a living and that has had eighteen bajillion plastic surgeries would have a pre-existing heart condition.
Actually, that's not true; like myself, Michael Jackson had lupus. In older lupus patients, the risk of heart attack and cardiovascular issues is quite high. You can read more about it here (http://lupus.webmd.com/news/20031217/lupus-patients-risk-early-heart-disease). Also worth mentioning, Jackson's health has been in shambles for awhile, and there are a lot of documented accounts of people involved in his O2 rehearsals commenting on how sick and listless he seemed. He even canceled a few performance dates awhile back because of his health issues. Jackson tended to remain very private about the status of his health, so I'm sure there was a lot going on that we, the public, didn't know about. :(
He may have died from a drug induced heart attack, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was taking drugs recreationally, or even willingly. His doctor is getting questioned over and over and over again by cops even though they took his statement already. They think it sounds like foul play.
One distinction to make here. :) Michael Jackson was in cardiac arrest, which differs from a heart attack. A heart attack is usually related to a circulatory problem, like clogged arteries, which blocks the supply of oxygen rich blood to the heart; a cardiac arrest is caused from an electrical issue within the heart (ventricular fibrillation). Cardiac arrest tends to be more fatal, unfortunately. :( There's a really good explanation of it here (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartDiseaseOverview/story?id=4222711). The doctor in the video explains it a thousand times better than I ever could! Last I read on the case, the police said they don't consider Dr. Murray, MJ's personal physician, a suspect in any way. They say he's been cooperating with police and answering their questions. It's all up to toxicology reports now... they know he had a Demerol injection shortly before he died, which is known to cause cardiac arrest, so that very well could be the cause! I just hope his family finds the answers they need.
I think Jackson's death is getting more notoriety for a few reasons: first of all, Jackson has had a large, world-wide cultural impact, while Farrah's influence is quite a bit smaller. Secondly, the mystery surrounding Jackson's death and the investigation going on currently will give it more press. Fortunately, Farrah cause of death was completely known when she passed. Thirdly, a lot of things are up in the air because of the sudden nature of Jackson's death, like the custody of his children and his debts. Both deaths were extremely tragic and very, very sad, but I can see why Michael is getting more publicity.
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He died of a drug induced heart attack, so my sympathy is lacking compared to many others.
So if you get hit by a drunk driver in a car, someone can say "oh yeah he was in a car accident that had something to do with alcohol, so fuck him." ?
He may have died from a drug induced heart attack, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was taking drugs recreationally, or even willingly. His doctor is getting questioned over and over and over again by cops even though they took his statement already. They think it sounds like foul play.
Conclusions are not for jumping.
Not analogous. If he took the drugs voluntarily, it's apples and oranges. If someone voluntarily got drunk and then drove, crashed, and died, then yes, fuck them.
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He died of a drug induced heart attack, so my sympathy is lacking compared to many others.
So if you get hit by a drunk driver in a car, someone can say "oh yeah he was in a car accident that had something to do with alcohol, so fuck him." ?
He may have died from a drug induced heart attack, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was taking drugs recreationally, or even willingly. His doctor is getting questioned over and over and over again by cops even though they took his statement already. They think it sounds like foul play.
Conclusions are not for jumping.
Not analogous. If he took the drugs voluntarily, it's apples and oranges. If someone voluntarily got drunk and then drove, crashed, and died, then yes, fuck them.
"A car accident that involves alcohol" could also be describing the person who was hit by the drunk driver. My point was that the fact that drugs were involved doesn't explicitly imply deviant behavior.
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*steams out of his ears*
My SPORE game stopped working. A 1004 error.
And after that, I've tried reinstalling it multiple times.
Now it won't let me! As soon as I type in the code on the back of the manual, it stops the installation dialogue boxes and takes them off the screen!
Gah! I wonder if it is the disk or my computer. Funny after four days that the game would stop like that. Though, I did have the same issue (minus the stopping of the installation) before I got it working...
*frustration*
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Ya kinda like the red drum in guitar hero world tour dies after like six hours of playing. one of the sensor's wires comes loose. on almost every drumset! just google "red drum problem" and you'll see.
the fact is, shit breaks sometimes. keep your receipts!
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*steams out of his ears*
My SPORE game stopped working. A 1004 error.
And after that, I've tried reinstalling it multiple times.
Now it won't let me! As soon as I type in the code on the back of the manual, it stops the installation dialogue boxes and takes them off the screen!
Gah! I wonder if it is the disk or my computer. Funny after four days that the game would stop like that. Though, I did have the same issue (minus the stopping of the installation) before I got it working...
*frustration*
Download and install through the EA download manager. I had to wipe my hard drive recently and I lost all my save files, and I can't find my discs, but I was still able to redownload it. Took about a half hour. You can get the download manager on their site, and if you have the game registered under your email and Spore account, you should be able to download a digital copy. Good luck!
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That's a good idea. I might try that. Thank you for the advice, Zephira.
It won't let me use the activation code now! And it uninstalled!
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T.K., I had the Same problem with the Activation Code. I still haven't fixed it.
On Jackson's death...
Micheal Jackson=Billy Mays?
They're both dead....
DUNH DUN DUUUUUUUUUH!
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My SPORE game stopped working. A 1004 error.
On the plus side, your computer could, in theory, run Spore. Mine unfortunately cannot, so I have been denied that sweet nectar entirely.
Ti's better to have played and lost than to have never played at all.
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Actually, it's kind horrible. Because I want to make more things, but I can't now. GAH! My creativity is being hindered by mere computer software!
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I've got writer's block something horrible, heh.
That's probably why I've been here most of the day today(besides the obvious luxuries that come with it, I mean). Can't seem to get motivated enough to write.
Plus I found my old Chrono Cross disc after three or so years and can't start a new playthrough because I got rid of my old PS1 Memory Card. Apparently it can't save on the PS2 Memory Cards, which is ridiculous.
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Well, with help from the EA support team, I managed to get the game installed again. Now it's just not letting my play it.
But they are talking with me now to see what they can do.
Oh! And I have a dentist's appointment tomorrow.
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Technology.
People think I'm a computer nerd, but I'm really not. Which can lead to dashed expectations.
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I have the same problem. I mean, I can do many many many amazing things on these machines, but I'm not an expert at technical support unless it's something minor.
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Tea got on my laptop's keyboard, now none of the keys work. It has to sit out and dry for a couple days now, and even then it might not work, and I'll have to get a new keyboard off ebay. What's even worse is I had just gotten it back from IT from having it reformatted a couple days ago, now it's back to sucky slow computer for me.
Between this, losing photoshop, and the trojans and recent reformatting, my poor computer just can't catch a break.
I'm officially depressed now.
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It was either yesterday or the day before it got up to 99 degrees and has gone down not very much. At least it's a bit more comfortable at night...outside. Inside it's really hot at least for trying to sleep. And whenever I open up my window the stupid dog that my neighbours have starts barking like crazy. that thing makes it hard enough to sleep with it closed, but almost impossible when it's open. That thing kept me awake for like 3 to 4 hours one night. *Sigh*
So my frustration you ask...Hot weather and dogs. But it's even more annoying knowing it will probably get even hotter further in the Summer.
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Read Zephira's last post, only think teaflower and have yourself a mighty good laugh! :lol:
Hmmm...current frustration...uh...I have this terrible thing where if I have too many games to choose from I never know which to focus on and often decide on none or some mindless playing (shmups mostly)...speaking of which, Aero Fighters, for SNES...it's near impossible for me to use the alt ships (player 2 only)...I have to take out my player 1 config, config player 2 controls first...Then undo it after I'm done or want to use the player 1 ships...V_V
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Read Zephira's last post, only think teaflower and have yourself a mighty good laugh! :lol:
Yeah, I read it the same way XD. Actually I read it too fast and thought that Zeph gave Tea her keyboard and somehow the keyboard broke XD. Then I had to re-read it.
Just pick up another keyboard, they're only like 10 dollars. Sorry yours got fried, though!
I have a lot of frustrations right now, but it's mostly perl. I worry that by the time dad gets home, I will be no further in my program because I'm not really sure how this while loop is supposed to turn out...
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Tea got on my laptop's keyboard, now none of the keys work. It has to sit out and dry for a couple days now, and even then it might not work, and I'll have to get a new keyboard off ebay.
Patience is a virtue -- let it sit out overnight, upside down over an air register or something, and it will hopefully work itself out. While doing some campaign work in '08 my cell phone (the one the campaign was paying for, and the one my boss used to check on me constantly) fell into a freaking pool of muddy water in a crappy parking lot, and the damned thing came back to life after I exposed the circuitboard to air overnight. A little tea can't possibly stop a circuitboard for long!
That is my belief. At least for now.
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Frustration: Renting houses in Denton. I've looked at countless ones so far and they are either A) all ugly B) in a bad neighborhood C) rediculously expensive to rent or D) all of the above. Lame.
Actually, that's not true; like myself, Michael Jackson had lupus.
Hmmm Jackson had lupus? I had no idea. I guess his purported extracurricular kiddo-activities got more publicity than his health in recent years.
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Read Zephira's last post, only think teaflower and have yourself a mighty good laugh! :lol:
I can't believe I didn't think of that! ROFL!
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It's kind of sad that this is, by far, the most popular and posted in topic on the entire message board.
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Because frustration is a good thing to vent out and easily spoken about?
Gah, my computer was harassed by trojan viruses today when I was downloading music. Luckily I caught them in time.
And SPORE still won't work. I even had conversations with the EA Support Team over the phone, twice! All they did was get it reinstalled, but it still didn't fix the fact that I cannot play it. I'm still awaiting an alleged E-mail telling me what to do.
*thinks*
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Committee meetings. I suspect that all evil in the world can be traced back to a committee meeting.
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Right now, my current frustration is Twitter! I try to like it, I really do. I think I'm just too introverted/private to maintain one, haha. :P Plus, keeping up with all those new tweets is overwhelming! I have come to this conclusion: I fail at social networking. I have a Myspace only to read my favorite celebrity blog, I never check my Facebook, and now I manage to fail even at Twitter. To make matters worse, I don't find most tweets particularly interesting... I guess I'm just apathetic to the mundane things people do.
I'm such a party pooper! :?
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Committee meetings. I suspect that all evil in the world can be traced back to a committee meeting.
Close. Oprah, actually, is the answer. I would say committee meetings is a nice second or third....
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http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html (http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html)
GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html (http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html)
Didn't someone already mention that a while ago, in a different thread?
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http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html (http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html)
Didn't someone already mention that a while ago, in a different thread?
Its quite possible it was in the E3 "three secret new SE games" thread. thats not the exact title of the thread, but...
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Right now, my current frustration is Twitter! I try to like it, I really do. I think I'm just too introverted/private to maintain one, haha. :P Plus, keeping up with all those new tweets is overwhelming! I have come to this conclusion: I fail at social networking. I have a Myspace only to read my favorite celebrity blog, I never check my Facebook, and now I manage to fail even at Twitter. To make matters worse, I don't find most tweets particularly interesting... I guess I'm just apathetic to the mundane things people do.
I'm such a party pooper! :?
Twitter is a glorified Status Update. You shouldn't feel bad about "failing" at it. It just means your aptitude for the lameness pop culture is low. That's a good thing!
I'm sorta trying to learn how to play Ogre Battle properly, but the RTS-like aspects are kind of driving me away...I got swamped trying the extra chapter if you use the name "Fireseal"...It's also a effing hassle getting moneys in Shadowrun, but shooting the normies who don't give any info is fun just like I remember it in the original Fallout games...Though they don't give up any items or moneys like the Fallouts...V_V
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Ogre Battle is way fun. I liked the one for N64 more, probably because there are less "limitations" on what you can do. For example, deploying units is free and there are no cards etc etc etc. But probably my favorite bit is the whole class changing deal. If you raise some people the right way, they will be indestructiomnipotent!!!
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I'm just playing the SNES one...I cringe at every deployment cost (though with Fireseal you start out with quite a lot of cash it appears)...and I wish you could check what the cards did DURING battle...
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http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html (http://release.square-enix.com/na/2009/06/03_2.html)
Hah. If they're not careful, Final Fantasy XIV will come out before Final Fantasy XIII.
Right now, my current frustration is Twitter! I try to like it, I really do. I think I'm just too introverted/private to maintain one, haha. :P Plus, keeping up with all those new tweets is overwhelming! I have come to this conclusion: I fail at social networking. I have a Myspace only to read my favorite celebrity blog, I never check my Facebook, and now I manage to fail even at Twitter. To make matters worse, I don't find most tweets particularly interesting... I guess I'm just apathetic to the mundane things people do.
I'm such a party pooper! :?
I think social nets create the expectation that you have to follow everything all the time in order to be properly using the service. You don't, though. You can utilize them as little or as much as you like. What you're describing is overkill, and it's one reason why people stop using social networks altogether. It's like having an infinitely large chocolate bar: The trick is not to eat as much as possible, but to eat as much as is enjoyable.
In any case, it's no failure to be "apathetic to the mundane things people do." =)
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Also, always make sure to check your settings (mess around with your News Feed) and don't feel bad blocking stupid effing apps that people use (fuck Mafia Wars BS)...Facebook is better about user control over such than MySpace, I think (but they're mostly the same)...
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Ogre Battle is awesome. I much prefer March of the Black Queen to the later ones, though I do think some more interactivity during battles would have helped greatly.
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Ho, when to a dentist a while ago. Turns out I have several small (hardly noticeable) spots that were caught before they could progress further into what eventually would be cavities. Going to have those taken care of sometime soon, and filled in.
Plus my wisdom teeth will have to be removed by an oral surgeon.
And my grandmother is being a nasty witch to me today. Ahh.....
Ah, what else, eh?
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I went to a dentist a couple weeks ago as well: 9 cavities, 2 ultra-exposed wisdom teeth, and 2 vertically-impacted wisdom teeth. The vertically impacted ones need to be removed by an oral surgeon, the other two are recommended for removal by a regular dentist, and all the cavities need fillings. I also gotta start flossing.
Stupid dentists...
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9 cavities? Golly... On me, they only catch one at a time. That must suck... can't get them all filled at once either... I recently finished my deep cleaning procedure and they carried that out to 4 times for the entire mouth. Wasn't too fun... but maybe my gums are better now... I can't really tell. Last time I went, I had the deep cleaning and the cavity filled... and that cavity, they actually made the tooth normal sized with the filling (kinda like a mini crown) due to it being worn now... I'm still trying to get used to that.
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I'm not looking forward to getting the teeth pulled, but I don't really care about getting the fillings at all. I haven't been to the dentist in a decade, so bad news was bound to come my way. She warned that I would have some serious gum problems without a deep cleaning, so I reluctantly had one...that I hated, but it wasn't too excruciating.
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Yeah... I guess that makes sense if you haven't been to one in nearly a decade. My bf has NEVER been to one. I wonder just how fucked up his mouth is XD. I think he's one of those lucky bastards that has a good mouth with little need for a dentist. All 4 of his wisdom teeth came in with no problems and he doesn't ever have any pain.
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I have about eight of those small (hardly noticeable) spots. The dentist I went to seemed like a swell dentist.
And I finally got that Email from EA. I hope they can help my issue with SPORE. Gosh, I have so many ideas for it!
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(fuck Mafia Wars BS
Aww. I like Mafia Wars. That's like, the only thing I like on facebook.
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The Facebook application I can't stand is "Compare People". I'm always getting notifications about it, "See what your friends think of you!" Very annoying. Not to mention, I dislike the idea of comparing people. :P I wonder how many petty fights between friends have arisen from that application?
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I hate finding out about the current lives of people I knew in high school. It is so depressing. There was so much potential back then, and so little of it has been realized.
One girl was a fast runner, as in Olympic Hopeful fast. She's now working for a standard-issue business and the milestones in her life are the people she's dated and broken up with.
A friend of mine was a talented writer. He didn't have anything published at the end of high school, but he had several stories optioned by various fiction magazines (essentially, they paid him for the right to keep his work on file for a year as backup in case something else fell threw). Now days he writes questions for game-shows, is unpublished, and now seldom puts pen to paper with the intent of crafting worlds.
What happened to the passion, the drive, the raw talent?
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What happened to the passion, the drive, the raw talent?
Reality, student loans, family, aging, etc. Its easy to be passionate and driven in high school or even college, but when you realize that you're in so much debt that you need a job at whatever the cost, you have to fit into a mold to live.
Speaking of frustration, how about this: I'm now the Federal Government's bitch to the tune of $30,000 in student loans for college. I now have to tow a very narrow and steep line regarding behavior(that's not really a problem though) and academics, simply because I wanted a decent education.
Wait a second. *Goes and grabs a soapbox to stand on*
Besides, I want to teach, and thanks to No Child Left Unscrewed, I can't do that without 4 years of college, whereas ten years ago you could get by on an associates degree.
I would like to point out that those two years do absolutely nothing but add about $15000 to my loan. I won't be teaching Junior and Senior year history to Freshman high school students. All it does is make the teachers fraking hard asses. When the hell did teaching become more about knowing every banal aspect of your field rather than, you know, teaching kids what they need to be taught?
I'm not going to be writing treatises like a college professor would, I'm going to be teaching High School History, which I know about all I need to know with what I learned in high school. The teaching certification thing I can understand, as people can't be decent instructors without some background in the field. And if it weren't for forcing chemistry and physics down my throat, as well as music and other boring subjects, I could graduate in two or three years with my teaching degree, have $15000 less to pay back to the government and actually start doing some good for the community.
And why the hell do we have standardized tests? All they do is cut into my time to teach. Instead of teaching kids about the Gettysburg Address, I'm going to be teaching them how to answer question #4 in packet #9 of the Generic State Issued Standardized Test. ACT and SAT, and even Exit Exams are fine. But aren't Terra Nova, PACT and EOC exams a tad excessive?
I understand the reasoning behind them. You want to make sure the kids are learning. And that's fine, but damn it, you're acting like teachers are the dishonest ones, especially when you have people like politicians and lawyers dictating what I have to teach and when. When's the last time you heard of a teacher stealing money, or killing healthcare with million dollar lawsuits, or raising taxes on people who just don't have that money?
Presumably it's all about the kids,but they always trot out a line of dirty-faced kids when they want to get their own laws through. It's like bringing your son to a restaurant, and then saying it was his birthday so you could get the free Mile High Mud Pie. Maybe he gets a bite or something, but mostly you'd really like to eat five pounds of frozen cake and chocolate ice cream, and there's not really any nobility associated with that.
*Soapbox breaks*
And now my head hurts. Great.
So, Thought, the reason we give up on that drive is because the government and real life hate us. Even in free countries like the US or Britain, you still have so many things tying down your wings that you honestly wonder whether or not its worth it to try to fly. Sometimes its easier to stick low to the ground and live your life in peace.
The raw talent is there, it always has been and it always will be. Whether or not you want to use it comes down to you and your ambitions. Many people just don't bother with their ambitions, because it's more comfortable to stay close to the ground and let others step on you, than to attempt something as lofty as our dreams.
Luckily, you'll still see people like Zeality who do something they really enjoy with their lives and dedicate themselves to that ideal of the Springtime of Youth, where passion gets you through any tough situation. They spread their wings and attempt flight. Sometimes they soar, sometimes they don't.
That's life for you.
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Besides, I want to teach, and thanks to No Child Left Unscrewed, I can't do that without 4 years of college, whereas ten years ago you could get by on an associates degree.
Yeah, that requirement has very little to do with NCLB. If an education system was worth its salt, it required a 4 year degree long before that program (and either a major in the subject being taught, or a competency test).
The program isn't exactly a bad thing, but it is ineffective, which should be a crime as far as education goes. Schools need less oversight, not more. Indeed, everything above a principle could probably be cut without hurting education. Teachers need the freedom to teach; bureaucracies restrict that.
I would like to point out that those two years do absolutely nothing but add about $15000 to my loan. I won't be teaching Junior and Senior year history to Freshman high school students. All it does is make the teachers fraking hard asses. When the hell did teaching become more about knowing every banal aspect of your field rather than, you know, teaching kids what they need to be taught?
Right around when society forgot what education is supposed to be about. Education can take two forms. One is to teach children the skills they need to get a job and, essentially, survive. One might call it trade school, and it is a noble thing in itself. Then there is teaching children how to be human. Our history, our culture, our essence. That is what a lot of high school and college are supposed to be about (they aren't, for the most part, which is why they fail).
Those two extra years are supposed to (and do, though ineffectually so) make individuals into well rounded human beings. History needs music in order to be understood, and music needs math to be fully appreciated, and math needs three beers to be tolerated, and beer needs philosophy to be enjoyed. Human understanding and knowledge suffers when it is compartmentalized. It is bad enough that we teach our children that way; it would be worse if the teachers were that was as well.
ACT and SAT, and even Exit Exams are fine. But aren't Terra Nova, PACT and EOC exams a tad excessive?
No, ACT and SAT exams are excessive to begin with (as are the GREs). They test route memorization, not actual comprehension or understanding. The measurements are largely meaningless; one's GRE scores, for example, are not indicative of one's success in grad school or post grad school. One could do away with standardized testing and loose very little real value (a little would be lost, but only a little).
If you want to be a teacher, I highly recommend you read the Homework Myth by Alfie Kohn. Kohn is a little idealistic at times, so one must take care to keep one's feet well grounded when reading him, but he makes some terribly good points about the American school system.
Of course, you might have realized that I’m an idealist as well. Work and the real world ideally should uplift us, not crush our souls. That a business suit is little more than a prison uniform is one of the great crimes of the modern era.
Hence, my frustration and depression over the issue.
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and math needs three beers to be tolerated, and beer needs philosophy to be enjoyed.
Ew no, I like my math sober! =D
But I understand your point!
And here is another, more fun way to look at it!
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/XKCD_Purity.png
....and I'm frustrated that I now officially have back problems for the next 6 weeks..
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Thought, I've heard the well-rounded individual argument a lot recently. I'm sure there is some merit to it, and something like that does appeal to me as an idealist.
At times I'm an idealist, but when it comes to money, I'm an extremely practical person. Right now, as rising college freshman looking at $30,000 in debt, I'm more concerned with getting my degree and getting a job soon afterwards rather than paying an extra $60 lab fee per science class to take that class and be miserable and gain nothing from it that I'll use in real life.
As for the major/4 year degree thing, if they would just make a program, one to two years long, to teach people how to teach, and then give them some type of competency test, we wouldn't have the shortage of teachers we do now.
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I think I'd rather have a teacher who went to school for four years and who really knows his subject, than one who rushed through school and is only regurgitating what he read in a text book. If you are going to teach you have to be passionate about your subject and you have to be able to help your students. If you're having monetary issues, find another job to tide you over until you can finish your degree. If you cut your education short because of money and go on to teach, your students will not get the full benefits of a completely trained teacher, and thus will have to cut their own education short and repeat your debt scenario.
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I'm passionate about history, don't get me wrong, and I'll probably end up going back to school at a later date to study it, when I have the money. But I'm not passionate about music, chemistry, biology, physics, etc.
If I can get all of the history knowledge and teaching skills I need in two or three years for a Bachelor of Arts degree, then why shouldn't I?
Knowing chemistry and physics might help me look smart at parties, but after high school, there's no real need for it. I won't be teaching chemistry, math or physics, just history.
And yes, a lot of college ends up being filler and unnecessary. Its a waste of my money going in, and that's the fact of the matter, and that's what's got me frustrated. It's not necessary and its wasting my money.
About 70% of kids who go on to college are in my debt scenario regardless of their teachers. The average indebtedness of a student right out of college is somewhere around $17-18,000.
Another thing on the topic real quick. I'm betting that one of the people in this thread have had at least one teacher during high school that was a coach of some sport. According to the law, to coach at a school, you must also teach.
Now, is it fair to students to get a coach as their teacher, who more often than not knows nothing outside of what the textbook teaches them? At least in my scenario, you're getting someone that is knowledgeable on the subject.
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Current frustration: Curling irons. I'm trying to do something fancy for a friend's birthday party tonight, but I really suck at using this thing, and I keep burning my fingers. These things really need to come with better directions.
Back to the schooling.. True, you don't absolutely need to know the exact structure of an atom or how kidneys work if you want to teach history, but there are other fields important to history as well. Literature, geography, economics, art and even music all lend to an understanding of history. I'm not saying you need to be a jack of all trades, but if you're going to teach our children, it'd be great if you knew more than one subject and how all these fields intertwined.
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Fair enough.
I mean, yeah, literature, geography, economics are extremely important. There's no point discussing the Great Depression or the Wirtschaftswunder without being able to say what caused them or how they ended. But the music and art I'm talking about is more music theory or composition, not about who Van Gogh or Mozart were and their contributions.
Heck, even splashes of sociology and psychology could be extremely beneficial.
But now I've moved on to a new frustration...paperwork...'nuff said.
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Truth, you probably should have thought about going to a community college to deal with all the crap that you have to take before you get into your STUDIES OF PASSION. That way, there would be pretty much no debt and the other 2 years could be spent solely on what you love...
I went to a 4 year college, but actually for me my parents insisted I go to one when I wanted to go to a community college. I guess I was lucky in some ways.
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What happened to the passion, the drive, the raw talent?
Were you being rhetorical, or do you think you know?
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Truth, you probably should have thought about going to a community college to deal with all the crap that you have to take before you get into your STUDIES OF PASSION. That way, there would be pretty much no debt and the other 2 years could be spent solely on what you love...
Heh, don't I know it. Unfortunately, when I was applying to colleges that option never crossed my mind, nor did anyone advise me to do so.
All in all, the debt's the only real bit of the frustration. The filler classes I can live with. I'll be bored out of my freaking skull, but I can handle it.
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This might be of some help to you, Truthordeal:
http://www.ibrinfo.org/
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Nice. In the end, with interest and whatnot, that should be able to take down at least a quarter of my debt.
Its far better than nothing.
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What happened to the passion, the drive, the raw talent?
Were you being rhetorical, or do you think you know?
A little bit of both (I intended it as rhetoric but I do think I know, as least partially). I'm fairly confident in my suspicions for the individuals I references, I'm more certain about elements from my own life, and so from that I extrapolate to the larger populace... but I desperately hope that I am wrong, that I am arrogant, that I am the only one who suffers these problems (it's nicer to think that I struggle, rather than that the human race struggles).
As Truthordeal said, a lot of it is life. It is terribly easy to get into a pattern; indeed, it is something that one must struggle against daily. Get up, go to work, die a little bit more, come home, do chores, sleep, repeat. Like the white noise of the road, life can lull us to sleep with amazing ease. Where is the time to write, to think, to discuss, to do? Life wont give it up easily, so one must pin it down and force it to. By good fortune I happen to be an individual who at least is still awake enough to realize that everyday life is trying to steal my humanity. Some days I'm awake enough to fight against it, other days I get swept away and it can be weeks or months before good fortune shocks me awake again (I find Boo, Z, and the forum in general to be quite splendid at this).
The pattern of life doesn't just try to steal our lives away, it tries to seduce us. There is a certain, tantalizing appeal to just letting go, to letting sleep take you.
I really feel like all this has been said better by some classical writer, but I cannot recall who. Perhaps Daniel, if he comes by, might enlighten me.
... wow, that was far more rhetorical than I had intended.
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I'm frustrated that my back hurts. Pain meds wore off.
I mean, its not WRETCHED pain, but it bothers me enough that I can't sleep.
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Power outages. 'Nough said. :x
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The cover of OK magazine. :( It's so disrespectful and completely unnecessary. It's a new tabloid low, that's for sure...
My second frustration is that I might have to have my tonsils and adenoids removed. I've been having issues with them since early May, and been on a few two-week rounds of antibiotics with no avail. Both a strep test and a mono test came back negative! We have no idea why my tonsils are misbehaving. :P I have another two weeks to show improvement, and if they don't, I can kiss my tonsils goodbye. :( My doctor tells me getting them removed as an adult is much more painful than having them taking out as a child. I also heard I won't be able to sing for a good four weeks. As a vocal music major, I didn't like that news at all. Last thing I need is to be rusty before the new semester starts! I also heard it can permanently alter your voice, because removing your tonsils and adenoids affects the resonance quality in your mouth. I'd be horrified if I came out of surgery with a completely different timbre. Here's to hoping I'll have a miraculous improvement and won't have my tonsils and adenoids removed.
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V.V DONT LOSE YOUR SONG!
I mean seriously that would be really disappointing!
Hopefully they find something wrong with your tonsils that doesnt involve removing them!
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As Truthordeal said, a lot of it is life.
There's a salient quote from one of the Bleach collection covers, which regularly feature proverbial-sounding poems to match the characters depicted. The quote is, "Everything in this world exists to wear you down." That's how it feels when I'm on a regular work or school schedule. I have time for my peripheral pursuits, like learning a new language, but something about my experiences leaves me drained and only willing to seek out leisure or at the very least, go to sleep. I consider myself decent at combating this, but I still know that I'm nowhere near as productive, energetic, and effective at living a fulfilling life as I could be. And I also attribute the day to day fights and tiring stimuli of the world to the dulling of the teeming masses. If you're fighting to support a family or stay one step ahead of debt, where's the time to read about politics, pursue artistic avenues, or care about humanity? I'm sure at least a respectable chunk of my learning can be found in the ample free time of my youth. If I had been working like a dog since I was 16, perhaps I wouldn't have had the time for reflection and thought necessary to grow certain interests and perspectives.
I think one of the next steps for me will be empathizing with different conditions like these. It's easy enough to hold everyone to my standard and trumpet my ideals with agog station, but not everyone has had the time or education I've been afforded. I need to be more understanding. And I'll need more free time myself as I start getting career experience towards improving the human condition, so I'm not quite sure what will end up happening to the Compendium and my other massive time-suck Internet projects.
My second frustration is that I might have to have my tonsils and adenoids removed.
My vocal experience is limited to karaoke'ing Robert Palmer, but I want to say something like, even if you do have them removed and there's a slight difference, perhaps it can be overcome or even used to an advantage if it expands your range. This is a pretty unqualified opinion, but there are at least several good high-profile cases in which athletes or other public figures have injuries that threaten their livelihood and are told they'll never have it the old way again, only to lay down serious effort and do the impossible. Mental conditioning plays a lot in this recovery, so in addition to believing that they'll recover, believe with total conviction that you'll have the strength to overpower any hiccups from the removal. It's probably very painful to consider this, but as long as you engender that complete faith in your resolve and alacrity, you can rest knowing there will be a future no matter what the outcome. Make yourself an ∞ multiplier in this equation.
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Sorry about the tonsil thing, Zell >_>. I hope they get better. it's rare to get them out when you're an adult, so let's hope they stay in!
My mom's cat had a huge fight with the neighbor's cat who likes to come in through our window. They started yowling at around 5 in the morning till my mom broke it up and both ran outside. It's like there was a fireman on the roof outside my window... Poor cat, that thing is scraggly enough as it is. I don't know why it looks so skinny and scraggly. I'm pretty sure the neighbors feed it... maybe it's old or something. My mom's cat is healthy... little shit should just share his food .
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I'm back to say one thing...
Transformers 2 sucked and Micheal Bay can't make a movie to save his life.
Yo dawg, wes two getto robots with big ears and gold teeth and wes can't read! Yo dawg Miky B made us for the kiddies and shit yeah, lets go eat sum pussy and fried chicken.
Fuck you racist robots.
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I'm back to say one thing...
Transformers 2 sucked and Micheal Bay can't make a movie to save his life.
Yo dawg, wes two getto robots with big ears and gold teeth and wes can't read! Yo dawg Miky B made us for the kiddies and shit yeah, lets go eat sum pussy and fried chicken.
Fuck you racist robots.
Considering they are the most vulgar and crude part of the show, yes, Michael Bay made those ones ESPECIALLY for the kids.. >.>
w/ever.
You just wanted a fan-pleasing movie.
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I roll with Ebert most of the time, and Transformers 2 is a good case.
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I'm back to say one thing...
Transformers 2 sucked and Micheal Bay can't make a movie to save his life.
Yo dawg, wes two getto robots with big ears and gold teeth and wes can't read! Yo dawg Miky B made us for the kiddies and shit yeah, lets go eat sum pussy and fried chicken.
Fuck you racist robots.
Considering they are the most vulgar and crude part of the show, yes, Michael Bay made those ones ESPECIALLY for the kids.. >.>
w/ever.
You just wanted a fan-pleasing movie.
Doesn't mean they can't be found offensive.
Wanting it to be fan-pleasing is absolutely understandable after the not-quite-Transformers mess that was the first movie. Besides, it's Transformers, it has to go beyond just "Giant morphing robots fighting each other" and contain that feel and style the franchise emits as a whole. The movies don't do this, however. It just feels shallow.
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I didn't watch much Transformers as a kid, but I did really like the firsts Transformers movie. It's nice for someone who wasn't a past, avid fan of the series. I've been trying to find a time to go see Transformers 2 in theatres, but I either never have the time, or never have the money. Guess that's my frustration for now :D
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You mean the first live action Transformers movie. The first Transformers movie was about Unicron and that douchebag Hot Rod. ;)
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Dammit I knew
someone you would say that.
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My problem with Transformers is that it could be better with someone else directing it. Micheal Bay has always just made shitty but selling movies.
Pearl Harbor comes to mind, over three hours of a boring love story that overshadows the entire reason you saw the movie, the attack. It's like what, 10, 20 minutes? Not cool Mike.
Transformers didn't have enough robot action, and the second one just brings you up for some epic fights but sort of just peters out, save for one, but I'm not spoiling it.
My friend (now a private in the Air Force) wished there was more military action like in the first one. He also hated the ghetto bots, and he hadn't heard a thing about them, he has been in boot camp since May. Though he says "They ripped the black robot in half in the first one, so we get two black robots in this one."
All in all, Micheal Bay loves to make long films, but can't carry the story without boring the audience.
BTW Z, what did Ebert say? I haven't read a thing of his since he disappeared for a short while when he had his jaw removed, good to see the man still doing what he loves though.
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Am I the only one who finds the idea of 'black robots' necessarily hilarious?
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You know, I didn't necessarily consider them black. I've plenty of white people who are like that.
It almost seems like reverse-stereotyping to me.
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If you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together. Then close your eyes and use your imagination.
I watched Public Enemies, and though good, it was morbidly depressing. The only other Michael Mann work I'm familiar with is Miami Vice (the TV show, not the movie).
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Fireworks. Can't get 'em here in L.A. due the fire threat situation...which makes sense BUT I WANT TO BLOW SHEEEIT UP!
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You know, I didn't necessarily consider them black. I've plenty of white people who are like that.
It almost seems like reverse-stereotyping to me.
You could say that they were wiggers if they didn't have these giant ears on the side of their head.
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Here's a little non-religious, non-political frustration:
Dario keeps kicking my ass!
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I fell a couple days ago so I have a new large one forming. I am doing hydrotherapy for it once or twice a day... I am not sure if it's working.
I bruise really easily, and it's a pain that bruises last 2-3 weeks... there isn't much you can do about it either. I may try that cream and the random other natural remedies... but I need to go to an herb store or something for some of the concoctions they recommend...
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I just added private messaging and a few UI tweaks to the new web chat, but because of the time difference between me and most other users, I can't do any usability testing. :(
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My problem with Transformers is that it could be better...
To note, this is TRANSFORMERS we're talking about. The franchise started as a half-hour commercial for rebranded toys. Given the context, you might be setting your expectations rather high.
"Shitty but selling" is what transformers is all about.
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While I agree, hell, I was going to post the same sentiment myself earlier, and it IS true. Half of the eps of the show were terrible Saturday morning animated commercials...there was the other side when episodes were actually compelling and kind of deep and meaningful. At the very least they got you to feel for these giant robots in disguise...Even today I get a little choked up in the animated movie when Optimus turns all black & white (for w/e reason)...The live action movie (I've only seen the first one) didn't focus on the Transformers and thus they were sorta just there to look impressive (thus facilitating the commercial half of the franchise)...HUMANS SUCK!
Also, wtf...I think I just traveled back in time in this thread...O_o
EDIT: Oh, I see now what happened...
Dear Moderators and Entities:
I request that every post in this topic from #3279 (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,4445.msg170669.html#msg170669) up till this point be split into a separate topic, so that we can get the Frustration topic back on-topic. (You can then delete this message entirely.)
Edit: Pft, except for Ramsus' just now.
That doesn't even make sense to me.
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I was very sad watching the Michael Jackson tribute's final performance, but not because of sorrow for MJ. Rather, that ridiculous billboard in the back had religious symbols coming together graphically to preach a message of unity.
Where do people get the idea that religious differences can be reconciled? Even if Christians became friends with everyone else, their dogma still dictates that the world is going to end and only Christians will obtain the real heaven. (Granted, denominations and sects differ on this definition, but this is a good general example.) The same goes for other flavors of religion. If people are going to unite and understand each other, it's going to be because of the shared bond of humanity. Religions are anathema to one another and reason.
It's like this stupid sticker:
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/moimemoi/Coexist.jpg)
I'm happy the Atheist scarlet "A" isn't anywhere to be found on it, because atheists and agnostics have no business in something that ignorant. It's incredible that they actually have the female symbol on the e lined up with those religious symbols as if free sex equality can actually exist among religion. Unbelievable.
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Where do people get the idea that religious differences can be reconciled?
Simple. We're not all close minded. According to the Jewish faith, only they will be accepted into heaven. Same with Islam, Buddhism and to a much lesser extent Hinduism.
That's for the next world though. There's no reason I can't have a Jewish friend, despite the fact that he thinks I'm going to Hell.
Besides, I don't really think they are going to Hell. I think that any person who behaves responsibly and does good in the world should be invited to Heaven. That's what my church preaches, and that's what I believe.
We all vaguely have the same ideas. Be good; don't murder; and keep some faith. What difference does it make what we call God? I know some people of some groups of all religions did and still do put an emphasis on that, and they are dumb and a butt(Really love that line, Kid123).
The majority of us, just don't really care. And Zeality, as an atheist, you're not really in a position to judge our reasoning for reconciliation, because without being in our position, you don't understand.
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Where do people get the idea that religious differences can be reconciled?
Simple. We're not all close minded. According to the Jewish faith, only they will be accepted into heaven. Same with Islam, Buddhism and to a much lesser extent Hinduism.
That's for the next world though. There's no reason I can't have a Jewish friend, despite the fact that he thinks I'm going to Hell.
"You're my bud, except according to my deepest worldviews and beliefs, you belong in hell forever. No offense."
Absurd. You don't seem to have much personal dignity.
Besides, I don't really think they are going to Hell. I think that any person who behaves responsibly and does good in the world should be invited to Heaven. That's what my church preaches, and that's what I believe.
Yes, this is what your lotto ticket for the afterlife states. You'd better hope one of the larger denominations' gods doesn't turn out to be The Real God™, or else you'll be going to hell as they believe. Oops!
We all vaguely have the same ideas. Be good; don't murder; and keep some faith. What difference does it make what we call God? I know some people of some groups of all religions did and still do put an emphasis on that, and they are dumb and a butt(Really love that line, Kid123).
"Vague" is right, because religious ideas and schools of thought are wildly disparate, both concerning the soul and the practical operation of humanity. We eat pigs, but some religious people don't. We're supposed to refrain from working on Sunday, but a slew of others don't have any problem with it. Things like these are codified into law and upheld through tradition all over the world; many cultural differences have their root in religious practicum. But I agree, some vague ideas are the same, like "women are inferior to men" and "non-believers are inferior and are going to hell."
The majority of us, just don't really care. And Zeality, as an atheist, you're not really in a position to judge our reasoning for reconciliation, because without being in our position, you don't understand.
Yes, it's obvious you don't care about several things, such as the plight of women, the state of the world and the environment, or your own "immortal soul", since you have such a blase attitude towards the entire thing. There are much more sincerely religious people than you who at least make an effort to confirm their God is The Real God™ or understand their theology; the LDS church's finest recruiting technique is even asking people to pray to God and confirm that the LDS faith is the real one, and that other Christian sects and religions are apostate. But you can't even muster this effort! "Eh, maybe any of us are right, but we really don't care; if I get tortured in hell for an eternity, pfft. Ditto for my friends; if they get their skin peeled off while being boiled in acid in hell, meh." Aw, charming!
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You see? You're spewing the same nonsense and diverting from the point again.
I never talked about any of that stuff. As far as I'm concerned, that happens with religion or not. Look to the Soviet Union or China. Women's rights there are deplorable, especially when compared to America. Environment? Chernobyl. That's all I have to say about that. And my immortal soul is nothing for you to concern yourself with, as you don't believe I have one.
I was talking about religion, pure and simple. More specifically, religious reconciliation. You condemn the hell out of religion for not being open minded, then you mock us when we are. With you, its a never ending game, full of twisted logic and malformed reasoning.
I don't have to live up to your expectations of my faith, because quite frankly, you know nothing about it. You think you do, in fact you've probably read the Bible, if only to pick out which quotes suit your purpose. But apparently you've been around too many Bible-thumpers in your life time, because you know nothing about the people or the practices.
We don't go around pushing women to their knees and blowing up abortion clinics. Fringe nuts do that, but that has nothing to do with me. Nothing.
And until you learn something about it, you have no right to judge-Well, I shouldn't say that. The Constitution says you can express whatever opinion you have, no matter how far up your ass you have to stick your head to get to it. But if that's the case, you'll simply end up sounding like the idiot that mispronounces Dostoevsky's name at a literary summit.
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You see? You're spewing the same nonsense and diverting from the point again.
I never talked about any of that stuff. As far as I'm concerned, that happens with religion or not. Look to the Soviet Union or China. Women's rights there are deplorable, especially when compared to America. Environment? Chernobyl. That's all I have to say about that. And my immortal soul is nothing for you to concern yourself with, as you don't believe I have one.
Religion facilitates human evil. How much more would people care about the planet if it weren't simply a grand stage for the testing of souls, said in the Bible to be the complete dominion of man anyway?
I was talking about religion, pure and simple. More specifically, religious reconciliation. You condemn the hell out of religion for not being open minded, then you mock us when we are. With you, its a never ending game, full of twisted logic and malformed reasoning.
You missed the point: religious reconciliation is impossible, because religions fault one another to varying degrees. Most condemn non-believers to hell, and the rest hold the others to be wrong about life and how it should be lived. These are sweeping differences in worldview that cannot be seriously reconciled, and your idea that differences of life, death, and the immortal soul can be shrugged off among pals betrays your intellectual insincerity. You don't care to think much about your own theology.
I don't have to live up to your expectations of my faith, because quite frankly, you know nothing about it. You think you do, in fact you've probably read the Bible, if only to pick out which quotes suit your purpose. But apparently you've been around too many Bible-thumpers in your life time, because you know nothing about the people or the practices.
Unlike you, I was a serious religious person; it wasn't simply something to make me popular in high school through Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or something to bide my time with. I read the Bible and the Book of Mormon; I attended six hours of church each week; I strove to abide by the commandments and doctrine of the church; I attended youth conferences and service projects; I prepared to be a missionary; I cried watching my church's religious movies and propaganda; I went tracting as a home teacher and envoy for my youth group; I laid on hands to ordain quorum subordinates; I prayed at the deathbed of a dying woman; and I even defended my beliefs on theological grounds in confrontations with other Christians. Anyone serious about religion knows that there is no reconciliation; almost every church holds itself to be the one true church, and has different rules for living and thinking. But you aren't serious about religion. As it is with most people, religion is a convenient cop-out for finding meaning in life and dealing with fear of death, as well as an avenue for reinforcing the status quo of culture and socialization.
We don't go around pushing women to their knees and blowing up abortion clinics. Fringe nuts do that, but that has nothing to do with me. Nothing.
You have already badly acquitted yourself of your arguments in the Independence Day and Fuck Sexism thread, in which you displayed a shocking ignorance of sexist abuse and other ills. I'm afraid no one will believe you now when you say something like this.
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Religion facilitates human evil.
There you go. You refuse to answer any of my charges on secularism by throwing your head in the sand, and shouting a pre-moulded overused reply. Despite the millions that secularism has murdered, the millions of women oppressed, all of the gays killed, and all of the damage to the Earth in the process, religion is the only one that breeds evil.
In fact, I'll do you one better. I won't just say this, I'll prove it.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3398379/Black-Book-of-Communism
That is a link to the Black Book of Communism, a list of the millions killed by secular government. And that was in the last 92 years.
Just as you make the absurd assumption that there is no religious reconciliation, I can make my own assumption that you cannot created a successful democracy based on pure secularism or religion. The American model, where you have a combination of religious and secular interest groups, with zealots on both sides, seems to result in less casualties, less oppression and less destruction of our natural resources. That is the model I support.
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Unlike you, I was a serious religious person; *snippity snip* ...culture and socialization.
[Athiest speaking here] Just curious, was there a particular moment or event that spurred you to our side of the fence?
Converts, I find always tend to be a bit more hardcore and uptight about things, whether we're talking athiesm, judaism, christianity, islam etc.
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Besides, I don't really think they are going to Hell. I think that any person who behaves responsibly and does good in the world should be invited to Heaven. That's what my church preaches, and that's what I believe.
Mind if I ask what kind of church that is?
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I'm not sure of the exact name of the denomination. Some form of Methodism. We're probably a bit more conservative(nonpolitical) than Unitarians, but a lot more liberal(again, np) than Baptists.
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We're going to need another topic split at this rate... :picardno
Truthordeal: Unsurprisingly, you seem not to understand Jewish "eschatology" very well, if I might borrow that word for a minute. Jews don't believe in a Heaven in the Christian sense of the word, and they certainly don't believe in the Christian Hell. You would be ill-advised to tell nonreligious people to mind their own business when you yourself don't even know what your business is. I think you would only benefit from the presence of people better-informed than you in these discussions.
ZeaLitY has a point, however indelicately he articulated it: Religious reconciliation is a contradiction in many cases, because their divine premises are mutually exclusive and there are ancient and profound cultural enmities at work. In modern times, part of the decline of monotheistic religion in the West has been a movement toward nondenominational and interfaith religious cooperation. That's great; I'd like to see more of it! But it is deeply hypocritical from a theological point of view. Essentially, these "let's get along together" people are having their cake and eating it too by subscribing to an exclusive religion and then cherrypicking the parts of it they don't want to follow. They don't realize it, but this undermines their credibility when it comes to dictating from a religious standpoint how society should operate, because they allow themselves to change the rulebook that they're working from.
That's progress; that's how monotheism as a dominant cultural force will pass into history...but it's hypocritical. The smarter thing for such people to do would be to toss aside all this religious dressing and focus on the underlying principles and sentiments that people find compelling. Smarter...but not easier, I guess.
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Unlike you, I was a serious religious person; *snippity snip* ...culture and socialization.
[Athiest speaking here] Just curious, was there a particular moment or event that spurred you to our side of the fence?
Converts, I find always tend to be a bit more hardcore and uptight about things, whether we're talking athiesm, judaism, christianity, islam etc.
It was after I had finally been exposed to atheism and arguments here on the Compendium; I had previously regarded atheists as militant asses complaining about nothing. Lord J and others gave me the reason, but I needed time. And that time came when I was sitting in a youth group meeting while one of the most exuberantly religious people at my church gave a talk on what exactly would happen on Judgment Day. The level of detail was so precise that at some point, something inside snapped, and I realized it was all a lot of shit.
religion is the only one that breeds evil.
I'd like to know where I'm quoted as saying religion is the root of all evil. If you notice, I choose my words carefully. I say that religion amplifies evil, is complicit in evil, and facilitates evil, but nowhere do I make a generalization about it as the source. For the record, you've been ignoring almost all of my arguments, so I'm amused at being accused of passing over yours.
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I am so torn, Adam just passed the first stage of auditions on American Idol. Preforming is his dream n' all and I don't want to impede on it, but that bastard can't keep doing things like this!
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^ Uh, what? Is Adam a friend of yours? That reminded me of the Adam last season. He was really fabulous.
I'm really upset about perl... like anything else is new. I feel like I wasted the ENTIRE day doing nothing productive.
Also, maybe I'm going to have to move because the landlords are trying to sell the place, and my dad thinks if they do that, the rent will increase. We've had the same rent since we moved in 3 years ago and we've been through 3 landlords and it hasn't increased, but who knows. I don't particularly want to move...
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Zaich, unfortunately it is fairly common for rent to increase every year (even in economic downturns). For example, even though my then-current rent was more than similar apartments in my complex were going for to new renters, my complex wanted to increase my rent by a nominal amount (less than $20 a month). It is unfortunately a nationally owned chain so intelligent thought seldom enters their actions.
Logical Fallacies frustrate me, such as straw man arguments, hasty generalizations, appeals to emotions, and slippery slope arguments.
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Housing market here is still developing, so we get smacked with rent increases every year. But, since the housing market is in a slump right now, now would be a good time to invest in buying a home.
You don't get rate increases, you don't have to worry about some damn landlord lording over your shoulder, and once you get your mortgage taken care of, all you have to worry about is property taxes, which aren't too terribly crippling.
Property taxes usually go to fund education, btw.
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Logical Fallacies frustrate me, such as straw man arguments, hasty generalizations, appeals to emotions, and slippery slope arguments.
It'd be interesting to visit a universe where the inhabitants were bound by physics never to state a logical fallacy. It'd sure be a hell of a lot quieter. I think their version of Fox News would be a test pattern.
Say...when's the last time anybody actually saw a live test pattern?
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My old work just sent me my paycheck even though I didn't work at all. Life isn't like Monopoly so I can't keep it, huh.
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Not unless you wanna be charged with some BS white collar crime, unfortunately.
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My work sent me to the wrong class to teach this morning, which wouldn't be too bad if:
1 - This place wasn't 25 miles away
2 - They told me before I got there
3 - I didn't ahve to drive back those 25 miles, only to go another 15 PAST MY HOME
4 - Traffic didn't exist
5 - The kids weren't....um....disinterested?
6 - It didn't set back the rest of my classes for the day
BUT all of those happened. And the rest of my classes today suffered as a result. Not really that angry about it now, but man there was 'nary an English word coming out of my mouth this morning.
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Zaich, unfortunately it is fairly common for rent to increase every year (even in economic downturns). For example, even though my then-current rent was more than similar apartments in my complex were going for to new renters, my complex wanted to increase my rent by a nominal amount (less than $20 a month). It is unfortunately a nationally owned chain so intelligent thought seldom enters their actions.
I got lucky. New management took over my complex, and they offered discounts for renewing. This month was the first month of me paying less for renting the same apartment.
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Shee, what kind of teaching do you do? I was an English teacher in Japan for a year and half. That job left me pretty frustrated sometimes... but it's common in teaching.
Radical Dreamer, it would be nice if that were the case! My rent is CHEAP right now. It really doesn't get any cheaper in my area. Also, I don't have a contract, because it's privately-owned and everything...
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I work for a third party Science company that hundreds of elementary schools in L.A. and Orange counties hire. So when a school asks the company for an instructor, they send me or one of the other instructors. Then I go to that school and do a class, usually an hour, and then on to the next school that day and on and on. It's fun most of the time because I get to wear a lab coat and act like a lunatic while I teach, but it is SOUL CRUSHING when the kids don't care...and the driving and constant traffic gets old (a nice 105 miles today! :D). Plus in summertime there's a lot less work to be had...
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My old work just sent me my paycheck even though I didn't work at all. Life isn't like Monopoly so I can't keep it, huh.
Maybe you could charge them a finder's fee...Y'know, for finding their negligent error? That's practically like working for them, right? PLAY THE ANGLES, FUCK YEAH~!!
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Well, one of the family computers was hacked.
Gotta change a bunch of things....bank stuff....aye. That kind of hacking.
Phishing and such.
So I don't know how long I'll be out, but I'm going to not my computer for a while to make sure everything is safe, if you understand. A week is all I want.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but I do hope you understand!
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I am so torn, Adam just passed the first stage of auditions on American Idol. Preforming is his dream n' all and I don't want to impede on it, but that bastard can't keep doing things like this!
And he just got cut, they're reasoning was he sounded too much like Elliott Yamin(I had to look him up, some R&B dude). I kind feel bad for wishing ill upon him.
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I just watched a documentary about coffee on PBS. Now I'm really in the mood for some coffee, but I don't think i can get any because it's past 9 pm and probably all the coffee shops in the area are closed. I wish I knew of one that was open late... I'd so be there right now.
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I just watched a documentary about coffee on PBS. Now I'm really in the mood for some coffee, but I don't think i can get any because it's past 9 pm and probably all the coffee shops in the area are closed. I wish I knew of one that was open late... I'd so be there right now.
Too bad you don't live in Seattle! Even some of the cafes proper stay open past midnight--especially on Saturday nights--and there's plenty of good coffee to be had at the bars, clubs, and restaurants, too.
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^ Yeah... I'd love to live in the coffee capital of the US >_>. I'm sure there is SOME coffee shop open till 11 out here, but I don't know of it : (. I only know the Asian milk tea place is open till midnight, but I'm not sure if I'm gunna go there...
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I'm frustrated that I'm f'n tired all the time. Between working full time at one job, part time at another, then with a new puppy + girlfriend time to juggle I crash at ten o' clock like a friggin' 70 year old. I haven't hung out with my friends in several weeks. I haven't even had time to get on the intranets very much. Yeah, I'm lame.
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Not sure if this fits with here, but I'll post anyway.
My dad's having me throw things out of my room. It makes me feel upset and sad, especially when he quickly labels things as "garbage".
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I got a milk tea, but I really wanted a coffee >_>
Chrono Eric, maybe quit the part time one? Do you really need both jobs? Sounds stressful...
Vehek, yeah my mom's kind of like that... but she likes to throw out my stuff herself! I don't live with her anymore, but I found that really annoying. I live with my dad now and he always complains about something when going into my room, but never throws anything away and anyway... I don't have so much junk here...
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My Internet connection has been really unreliable in the past couple of days. I've had to powercycle the modem maybe half a dozen times (usually it can go weeks or months without needing it), and I just ran a speed test and learned that my upload speed is off by a third, and my download speed is what my upload speed should be (i.e., off its normal rate by about 70 percent).
I have no idea what's up. Maybe it's the thunderstorms that are passing through the area. Maybe there's something wrong with Qwest's lines or equipment in my immediate vicinity. Maybe my power strip is going bad. Maybe my modem is corrupted or wearing out. Maybe the Internets are braekking!!
It could be anything, but whatever it is I am not pleased. >=(
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I have the North Seattle Boat Show song stuck in my head, and it's been there for MONTHS. I can't stop humming it, and absolutely everything I hear makes me think of that song. GET IT OUT.
:fuk
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Ok, I'll bite...what is with the horribly photoshop'd cowboy?
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Ok, I'll bite...what is with the horribly photoshop'd cowboy?
well
:fuk
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(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Magus-PonderFront.gif)
Suffice it to say, I'm not satisfied with your answer...
So where did it come from?
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Suffice it to say, I'm not satisfied with your answer...
That's because the :fuk of a thousand :fuk begins with a single :fuk. If you don't understand :fuk, I don't think we can :fuk a :fuk satisfactory explanation. :roll:
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they are dumb and a butt(Really love that line, Kid123).
Wrongly wrong, mate. That line is maggiekarp's, not mine.
As a result, here is your punishment!
:fuk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vhm0HKv8F8&fmt=18 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vhm0HKv8F8&fmt=18)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r252/addiesin/time_paradox.jpg (http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r252/addiesin/time_paradox.jpg)
Get frustrated with the answer,Truthordeal?
I really can't tempt myself to move recklessly because of sudden ache of my lower right part. Dunno what and how it was happened, but one thing for sure I must prevail the pain each time I forced to unwillingly play sport games on the field >_<
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Noooo, my one weakness!
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I don't like that picture, for the record. But I think I know where it comes from. The top left guy in bonanza.
(http://www.tahoelifeofluxury.com/images/bonanza.jpg)
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Stiletto "shoes." What were men thinking? Shoes shouldn't be that creepy.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vhm0HKv8F8&fmt=18 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vhm0HKv8F8&fmt=18)
His theme song is cooler than mine. =(
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Stiletto "shoes." What were men thinking? Shoes shouldn't be that creepy.
Agreed. I haven't tried stilettos yet, but they look PAINFUL. Normal high heels are bad enough!
And on that topic, shoes/sandals with triangle points are butt ugly (unless it's super exaggerated for a costume).
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Do you mean that disturbing point at the front of the shoe where it is clear that no human bone or tissue could naturally grow in such a shape?
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Shoes...on an unrelated note I went to the dentist, expecting my nine cavities to be filled (which they were), but was blindsided when my top two wisdom teeth had to be removed. It didn't hurt, it doesn't currently hurt, but I wish I saw this coming--I just didn't expect them to be removed today...On top of that I was told about my prescription but wasn't given the sheet, so I trekked back to the dentist and picked it up. Then my mom and I headed to the pharmacy where I bled all over myself, the car, and the asphalt for waiting too long to remove the gauze...and I found no tissue, even though I received a "scolding" for not having tissues in my own car yesterday.
On the plus side, I got some Vicodin.
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I love my new lappy, but one further lameness perpetrated by the crappy lappy is the fact that I can't transfer files from it...The USB port is apparently fuct (possibly due to the worm/virus/whatever it has)...and I have no idea what I'm doing with the wifi connections (I tried some things, but when nothing came of it, I quit)...fortunately, I can now use the wifi at the library to reacquire many of the things I had w/o the horrible slowness of my usual 56k.
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You can use something like yousendit.com to email your most important files to yourself from crappy lappy and download them onto your new computer. It' what I use for school projects. Good luck getting your new computer up to speed!
Frustration: I lost one of my knitting needles! I can't knit with only one needle! Also I can't find my Goblet of Fire dvd. Suckfest.
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I love my new lappy, but one further lameness perpetrated by the crappy lappy is the fact that I can't transfer files from it...The USB port is apparently fuct (possibly due to the worm/virus/whatever it has)...and I have no idea what I'm doing with the wifi connections (I tried some things, but when nothing came of it, I quit)...fortunately, I can now use the wifi at the library to reacquire many of the things I had w/o the horrible slowness of my usual 56k.
You have to make an ad-hoc wifi network. What operating system/versions are you running on each machine? Wifi configuration varies a lot between different versions of Windows, and to make things worse, older versions don't even have system wifi configuration options -- it's all mostly dependent on whose drivers and connection management software you're using.
My suggestion would be to by a cross-over ethernet cable (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_crossover_cable). They're a special kind of networking cable with the wire's switched backwards at one end, so instead of plugging into a router, you can wire one computer directly to another. One cable shouldn't cost more than $10, and will let you transfer files at speeds of around 10-100Mbs. Some older network devices and a lot of newer ones don't even require the special cable -- they automatically turn a normal cable into a cross-over cable via Auto-MDIX (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-MDIX), so you might be able to get away with using just any ethernet cable you can find lying around.
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Current frustration: People who think incest in anime and RPGs is an okay thing.
No offense Zephira, I definitely like some of the Magus pics that show up as your avatar, and I know you aren't part of that crowd.
But anyone who thinks Magus and Schala are a couple need to get their heads out of the gutter. Don't listen to the Woosley translation, people! They are brother and sister!
Mainly to people in Japan. I hate the whole 'pure blood means pure people' mentality some people have going there. :picardno
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Current frustration: Mudbloods? I dunno. This:
I hate the whole 'pure blood means pure people' mentality some people have going there.
just made me think of Harry Potter.
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On the plus side, I got some Vicodin.
Vicodin is an awesome drug. When I had my car accident, it was the only thing that would take away my back pain. Nothing else would work. Plus that mild euphoria it gives you just makes the day that much better.
Here's a fucking frustrating story for you all: So my girlfriend and I had been planning on moving in together for half a year. Now, my lease is up in less than two weeks and we were about to sign on a house when her dad (who is Mexican and super traditional) told her he would disown her if she moved in with me before we were married. So she backed out. Which was fine, because I was just going to move in with my current roomate instead. Everything was hunky-dorie until I find out that my girlfriend, behind my back, found a house for herself, her friend, and MY ROOMATE to move into together that would be cheaper for all three of them. So ultimately, my roomate, who has to pay off school loans, naturally decided to move in with her. So now I have no roomate, and no place to move into, and now my dog and I will be effectively homeless as of less than two weeks from now.
The funny thing is, she does stuff like this all the time. If I didn't love her, I wouldn't still be with her. She is probably the most selfish person that I know. Anything that makes her life easier, or her bills cheaper, she'll do - even if it means fucking me over. So now I'll be forced to crash at her place until I can find my own. All of this is hugely frustrating because everything was set in stone until just a few days ago.
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On the plus side, I got some Vicodin.
Vicodin is an awesome drug. When I had my car accident, it was the only thing that would take away my back pain. Nothing else would work. Plus that mild euphoria it gives you just makes the day that much better.
Here's a fucking frustrating story for you all: So my girlfriend and I had been planning on moving in together for half a year. Now, my lease is up in less than two weeks and we were about to sign on a house when her dad (who is Mexican and super traditional) told her he would disown her if she moved in with me before we were married. So she backed out. Which was fine, because I was just going to move in with my current roomate instead. Everything was hunky-dorie until I find out that my girlfriend, behind my back, found a house for herself, her friend, and MY ROOMATE to move into together that would be cheaper for all three of them. So ultimately, my roomate, who has to pay off school loans, naturally decided to move in with her. So now I have no roomate, and no place to move into, and now my dog and I will be effectively homeless as of less than two weeks from now.
The funny thing is, she does stuff like this all the time. If I didn't love her, I wouldn't still be with her. She is probably the most selfish person that I know. Anything that makes her life easier, or her bills cheaper, she'll do - even if it means fucking me over. So now I'll be forced to crash at her place until I can find my own. All of this is hugely frustrating because everything was set in stone until just a few days ago.
Wow. Either you're right and you're dating a loser, or you're wrong and your worldview is out of order. You need to respect yourself more. I hope you can work it all out.
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Frustration: I lost one of my knitting needles! I can't knit with only one needle!
Oh really? Are you sure about that? It sounds like a challenge to me.
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That seriously sucks Eric. What a treacherous thing to do...I'd just barge in and live off 'em till I get myself situated. Then again, that's easy for me to say, since I don't know the people or how they'd react.
I have no idea whether the Vicodin is working. I was told I'd have minimal pain anyway (since it was a fairly easy extraction) and I don't currently feel any pain (well I am too afraid to wait for the pain, so I just take it every 8 hours as prescribed), but I don't feel any of the other effects either: it's not making me tired or euphoric. Whatever, I'm just happy there's no more blood and drool oozing out of me. But it's gonna suck to have to eat these freaking soft foods for the next while.
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So now I'll be forced to crash at her place until I can find my own. All of this is hugely frustrating because everything was set in stone until just a few days ago.
That does suck. There seems to be one option, unless you magically find people to live with within a week, and you're not gonna like the suggestion probably cause it's a big step and a lot of bullshit comes with it, but have you considered asking to move in together? You'd have a place to live, she'd have cheaper rent. Again, it's a big thing to consider, but if you got nowhere else to go...
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... have you considered asking to move in together?
So my girlfriend and I had been planning on moving in together for half a year... she backed out.
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Oh yeah. Oops. I'm not very useful today.
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Gah....lost a member of the Re-Temporal Odyssey. Luckily, it's early on so it shouldn't mess up anything.
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Gah....lost a member of the Re-Temporal Odyssey. Luckily, it's early on so it shouldn't mess up anything.
And I thought nobody would leave this time (or at least, this early). So, who was it?
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My frustration is people who rant about their problems, and, in so doing, present themselves very favorably and characterizing their problems as other people's fault. I hate that personality trait.
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My frustration is people who rant about their problems, and, in so doing, present themselves very favorably and characterizing their problems as other people's fault. I hate that personality trait.
Shōgun, p. 748
How baffling it was that even the most cunning and clever people would frequently see only what they wanted to see, and would rarely look beyond the thinnest of facades. Or they would ignore reality, dismissing it as the facade. And then, when their whole world fell to pieces and they were on their knees slitting their bellies or cutting their throats, or cast out into the freezing world, they would tear their topknots or rend their clothes and bewail their karma, blaming gods or kami or luck or their lords or husbands or vassals—anything or anyone—but never themselves.
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You must have shown that to me before--you or someone--because it's in my quote book.
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Politically oriented emails from one's parents (or parent-in-laws, grandmothers, etc).
I can ignore them (which is rude) or respond properly to them (which will offend), or I can give a non-committal response (which would be wrong).
gorram no-win scenarios
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Gah....lost a member of the Re-Temporal Odyssey. Luckily, it's early on so it shouldn't mess up anything.
And I thought nobody would leave this time (or at least, this early). So, who was it?
Zephira, due to the fact that she now has a job. A very good, legitimate reason to have to leave. I do wish her luck.
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I didn't really want to leave the RP, but I talked about it with Captain B first, and thought he would be able to do my character more justice since he has more time.
Frustration: The Unreal level editor. I have to set up a level streaming system for my Unreal II team, yet I can't get it to work. Lucky we're using Unreal3's editor this quarter as opposed to UT2K4. We've only had one crash so far! Though once we get into multiple terrain layers I expect there to be many more.
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http://patriotsandliberty.com/?p=5653
Not that I'm transgendered, or would ever want to change genders, but this pisses me off to no end.
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It pisses you off that people are trying to make transgenderism morally acceptable through the means of law, or that this idiotic blogger seems to dislike it and even goes off tangent as calling transgenderism a mental disorder?
I honestly couldn't care less about the issue of transgendered people. It doesn't seem right to me that you should be able to/would have to force people to accept it through law though.
I just wish people would quit bringing children into it. Let them have their childhoods, for God's sake.
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The part that irks me is that broad, loosely defined fine they have. If you see someone walking down the street and say "Hey, there's a man in a dress!" or anything to that effect, you get fined $250,000 and sentenced to a year in prison. Here they're really broadening the definition of a hate crime.
Personally, I wouldn't want men - even a man who thinks he's a woman - in a woman's restroom. It's just.. awkward. Although, what direction will the bathrooms and locker rooms go in the movement for sexual equality? I don't really like the idea of unisex, so how about separate restrooms for men, women, gays, lesbians, men who want to be/think they are/sex changed to women, and women who want to be/think they are/sex changed to men. I think that covers all of them...
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you get fined $250,000 and sentenced to a year in prison.
I think it was $2,500, Zephira. Just nitpicking here.
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I don't really like the idea of unisex, so how about separate restrooms for men, women, gays, lesbians, men who want to be/think they are/sex changed to women, and women who want to be/think they are/sex changed to men. I think that covers all of them...
I think that bathrooms should stick the way they are:
penises go with penises, and vaginas go with vaginas. No matter their sexual orientation.
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I honestly couldn't care less about the issue of transgendered people. It doesn't seem right to me that you should be able to/would have to force people to accept it through law though.
Yes, we already know you don't give a damn about the human condition.
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I honestly couldn't care less about the issue of transgendered people. It doesn't seem right to me that you should be able to/would have to force people to accept it through law though.
Yes, we already know you don't give a damn about the human condition.
:roll: Ignored.
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I honestly couldn't care less about the issue of transgendered people. It doesn't seem right to me that you should be able to/would have to force people to accept it through law though.
Yes, we already know you don't give a damn about the human condition.
:roll: Ignored.
It might be the best way to go about doing that, yes, but perhaps it isn't the best way to state it.
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nevermind then. *didn't read properly*
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The law is to make making fun of transgendered people a hate crime. Also, if you don't hire one or whatnot, you get fined and thrown in jail too for a hate crime.
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Personally, I wouldn't want men - even a man who thinks he's a woman - in a woman's restroom. It's just.. awkward. Although, what direction will the bathrooms and locker rooms go in the movement for sexual equality? I don't really like the idea of unisex, so how about separate restrooms for men, women, gays, lesbians, men who want to be/think they are/sex changed to women, and women who want to be/think they are/sex changed to men. I think that covers all of them...
Beyond the social sense of either modesty or an ick factor, can you think of any reason you are opposed to unisex bathrooms? My emotional response is for segregated restrooms, but I'm not sure if I can think of any practical reasons to back that up.
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Truthordeal, you honestly have no clue how hard life is for transfolk. In addition to working through the upheaval in their sexual identity, they get even worse treatment by society than the queer community at large. And, since they're smaller in numbers, their plight is all the harder to see. I believe you when you say that you couldn't care less about their wellbeing, because you evidently do not even begin to understand the injustice at work here.
Ignorance is the source of all evil.
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Unexplainable fatigue.
There's nothing quite as annoying as planning a ton of activities for the next day, and then, inextricably losing the energy or willpower to do them. Perhaps it's summer... Perhaps, I'm innately a horrible procrastinator. Whatever it is, it seems I have to fight this curse everyday.
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I rarely get hopping mad, but I am right now. Absolutely livid. Don't want to talk about it; just want to kill stuff.
(And nothing to do with Truthordeal's comments or anything...)
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^ eep... I hope you feel better >_>.
Man I'm bored today... It's also getting hot again. I could take my dog for a walk, but it's too hot right now and I'm kind of bored of pokemon.
Also, about the trans thing. I guess it's ok if you don't care about trans issues, but they're pretty much the most oppressed group in society, IMO. In their case, I would actually argue that "opressed" is a good way to describe their condition...
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Lord J, I don't pretend to know. I respect whatever decision they make with their lives so long as they don't step on my toes. But the fact of the matter is, there are tons of idiot people out there that hate them simply because they choose a different lifestyle. Asinine hate crime statutes aren't going to change that. You told me before about the 4 camps of feminism. At least this time I'm not in the camp that impedes growth. I'm just the one that doesn't care.
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Personally, I wouldn't want men - even a man who thinks he's a woman - in a woman's restroom. It's just.. awkward. Although, what direction will the bathrooms and locker rooms go in the movement for sexual equality? I don't really like the idea of unisex, so how about separate restrooms for men, women, gays, lesbians, men who want to be/think they are/sex changed to women, and women who want to be/think they are/sex changed to men. I think that covers all of them...
Beyond the social sense of either modesty or an ick factor, can you think of any reason you are opposed to unisex bathrooms? My emotional response is for segregated restrooms, but I'm not sure if I can think of any practical reasons to back that up.
Simple. Most men like the toilet seat left up, and most woman like the toilet seat left down. :P
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Personally, I wouldn't want men - even a man who thinks he's a woman - in a woman's restroom. It's just.. awkward. Although, what direction will the bathrooms and locker rooms go in the movement for sexual equality? I don't really like the idea of unisex, so how about separate restrooms for men, women, gays, lesbians, men who want to be/think they are/sex changed to women, and women who want to be/think they are/sex changed to men. I think that covers all of them...
Beyond the social sense of either modesty or an ick factor, can you think of any reason you are opposed to unisex bathrooms? My emotional response is for segregated restrooms, but I'm not sure if I can think of any practical reasons to back that up.
The only practical reason I can think of (probably still considered an ick factor) is deterring sexual harassment. For a time there was a transgender man-turning-woman here at my school who would use the women's bathroom. But after a while, he was caught sticking mirrors or video cameras under the stall dividers to see the other women relieving themselves. I know that not everyone would do something like that, but it's still something that a lot of people fear.
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Know what I'm frustrated about? STUPID PET OWNERS. I'm kind of traumatized right now.
I was walking my dog when I ran into these guys working on a house with their two dogs with no leashes on. The little dog didn't like my dog and ran across the street. So I kept walking. Then that dog decided to run back across the street and runs into a car instead. I'm pretty sure it was killed. I screamed and the owners were like "whut" and I told them their dog got run over. When I turn around to check to see if they picked it up, their other dog was in the middle of the street. I feel really sad for the dog, but at the same time really pissed off that its stupid owners couldn't keep their dogs on leashes.
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Lord J, I don't pretend to know. I respect whatever decision they make with their lives so long as they don't step on my toes. But the fact of the matter is, there are tons of idiot people out there that hate them simply because they choose a different lifestyle. Asinine hate crime statutes aren't going to change that. You told me before about the 4 camps of feminism. At least this time I'm not in the camp that impedes growth. I'm just the one that doesn't care.
"I don't care" was responsible for greater evils than this in human history. The state of America would be fantastically better if people simply "cared" about politics, the environment, or even economic issues. At some point, a person should realize that this is planet earth, and they're on it; that this is human civilization, and they're in it. I'm not advocating collectivism, but rugged individualism shouldn't lack empathy or concern for Other.
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Know what I'm frustrated about? STUPID PET OWNERS. I'm kind of traumatized right now.
I was walking my dog when I ran into these guys working on a house with their two dogs with no leashes on. The little dog didn't like my dog and ran across the street. So I kept walking. Then that dog decided to run back across the street and runs into a car instead. I'm pretty sure it was killed. I screamed and the owners were like "whut" and I told them their dog got run over. When I turn around to check to see if they picked it up, their other dog was in the middle of the street. I feel really sad for the dog, but at the same time really pissed off that its stupid owners couldn't keep their dogs on leashes.
Ooohhh... I hate seeing animals involved in road accidents. :(
I wonder why people decide to take care of animals if they're eventually not going to care about them. I guess they don't know how they'll feel later, but that doesn't excuse the lack of foresight.
Edit: If they don't want to take care of their animals, they should put them up for adoption.
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Zeality, I'm not saying I don't care because I'm callous to their needs. I'm saying I don't care because I'd rather not get wrapped up in that particular debate.
Its a matter of freedom to do what you want with your life(transsexualism) vs. freedom to say or think however you want(something hate crime laws will prevent)
I accept transsexuals to do as they wish, but I don't accept passing a law where so much as saying something against transsexualism is a crime punishable by up to a year in prison.
Its a no win situation, so I'm staying out.
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Those god forsaken pathetic spelling errors that are all to common in my posts. Most recently "Said" when I meant to type "Sad"
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Zeality, I'm not saying I don't care because I'm callous to their needs. I'm saying I don't care because I'd rather not get wrapped up in that particular debate.
Its a matter of freedom to do what you want with your life(transsexualism) vs. freedom to say or think however you want(something hate crime laws will prevent)
I accept transsexuals to do as they wish, but I don't accept passing a law where so much as saying something against transsexualism is a crime punishable by up to a year in prison.
Its a no win situation, so I'm staying out.
Alternatively, you can raise your consciousness to the awareness that the dichotomy you pose is false, and that other, potentially better solutions can be found.
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Yes, like not supporting this particular legislation, which will get me slammed as a bigot or ignorant or both, if past experience is any indication, or agreeing to sell out people's right to free speech for some oppressed(yes, I'm using that word in this instance) minority's civil right not to be picked on or criticized.
Those are the only two options: support it or oppose it. There was a third, which I tried using; that being, not getting involved and not caring, because it doesn't really affect me down here in SC, but of course I got slammed for that too.
It is a no-win situation.
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Well it could affect you. If it gets passed in Massachusetts, it won't be long before the bill moves on to other states, and soon it will spread like wildfire. So you could choose not to care until you gets to your state, then it's your problem.
The fourth option is just keep quiet on the matter and let others do the talking if you don't wish to get caught up in an argument. It's worked for me so far. If you don't care, don't dignify it with a response. Apparently you must care at least a little if you feel the need to spend time typing your thoughts on the matter.
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man...
...I don't mind a similar legislation getting passed but...
...me telling a no harm intended joke costing me a year in jail? That is... a bit overcharged.
Or for that matter, me saying a comment that is taken the wrong way (aka: not insulting to insulting)?
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man...
...I don't mind a similar legislation getting passed but...
...me telling a no harm intended joke costing me a year in jail? That is... a bit overcharged.
Or for that matter, me saying a comment that is taken the wrong way (aka: not insulting to insulting)?
It's a tough issue: Where does your right to be "funny" end and the next person's right to be treated humanely begin? Very tough issue.
Except that it's not. Bullies and jerks sometimes need a good punch in the nose--or, in this case, a fine and some jailtime or community service--before they'll learn their lesson.
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man...
...I don't mind a similar legislation getting passed but...
...me telling a no harm intended joke costing me a year in jail? That is... a bit overcharged.
Or for that matter, me saying a comment that is taken the wrong way (aka: not insulting to insulting)?
It's a tough issue: Where does your right to be "funny" end and the next person's right to be treated humanely begin? Very tough issue.
Except that it's not. Bullies and jerks sometimes need a good punch in the nose--or, in this case, a fine and some jailtime or community service--before they'll learn their lesson.
I think it very simple where to draw the line. At an action. In no way should we punish words, words are are most powerful and simple powers that should never be limited or taken. I find the whole practices completely counter productive to "Freedom" of Speech. As for the idea of crunching down on the behavior the uses it, sure go ahead at smack the bastard for calling someone a nigger but don't ever prevent him from saying it.
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I think it very simple where to draw the line. At an action. In no way should we punish words, words are are most powerful and simple powers that should never be limited or taken. I find the whole practices completely counter productive to "Freedom" of Speech. As for the idea of crunching down on the behavior the uses it, sure go ahead at smack the bastard for calling someone a nigger but don't ever prevent him from saying it.
That sentiment is held out as most laudable...at the mainstream level of intellectualism. At a higher level of thought, it's overly simplistic and not very helpful. The truth of society is that, contrary to nursery school wisdom, names can be as damaging as sticks and stones. It's the damage that should be prevented wherever possible, not the names per se, but if the names cause the damage, then what are you going to do? You discourage the words from being said. It's not as if this is unthinkable: After all, it's not legal to go up to a person and say "I'm going to kill you." Why, then, should it be legal to say "We should shoot the queers," when such sentiments are actually acted upon in real life?
You need to remember that bigotry isn't a transitive institution. What's dangerous to an oppressed group is not necessarily dangerous to other groups. Disenfranchised groups require special protections, up to and including controls on free speech, because they are under serious threat. They are under serious threat in part because of the words spoken against them. This isn't some game...transfolk are routinely harassed, abused, fired, driven to suicide, or murdered because of their sexual status. Their plight is a crisis for our society, and their wellbeing outranks our right to demean them and further endanger them with our words. This is the reasoning where hate crimes legislation comes from. "I was only kidding" is about the lamest excuse imaginable when somebody's life gets ruined.
Oppressed groups require special protections. In the meantime, we have no need to limit speech on most subjects...such as hair color, or white skin, or income level, or handedness...because those groups are not under siege. Those bullies among us who get their kicks from making gay jokes and "kid around" at other people's expense ought to be made, by power of law, not to pick on the victims who are already lying on the ground bleeding.
In practice, these kinds of laws have a very narrow constraining effect on free speech, precisely because America's tradition of free speech is so highly prized. You don't see people going to prison for years at a time because they told a bad joke. You see them get a fine, or some community service, or a few days in jail. Oftentimes you see them get off scot-free! The ones who get multi-year prison sentences are the ones who did far worse than make a bad joke. So don't worry too much. And if you are worried--general "you," not necessarily you in particular--then maybe jail is where you belong after all.
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Another frustration of mine is that these long debates keep erupting in the Frustration thread. This thread should be a spontaneous place. The above discussion more properly belongs in the Sexism thread or in its own thread.
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They can always be split after the fact.
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is it a problem when the same people I would tell the joke to tell white person jokes, blonde jokes, black jokes, gay jokes, and any other type of joke in existance, whilst at the same time, the group consists of blondes, whites, blacks, and gays (Oh, and they tell more of these jokes than I do. ever)
We aren't being asses. We are doing it in good fun. just like the British make fun of Americans, and vise versa.
If the same jokes were taken to a different crowd, yes, the results could/would be bad.
Assholery being involved, intentional assholery, then yes, I think that punishment should be enacted. But seriously, a year? Thats LIFE devastating. A few months at most is what I think should be the punishment, barring that the assholery was limited to verbal, and strictly verbal. I mean, if someone is a "frequent flyer" ass to them, then yeah, I think punishment should be enacted. Very much so.
Jokes about stereotypes that I fit, I personally find hilarious! Usually, that is. The rare case exists where I hear one intended to be an ass to me or my stereotype, and that isn't cool.
Personally, I don't tell jokes to be malicious.
However, in truth, what I fear from this kind of legistlation isn't against joking.
What I mainly would fear would be abuse of the legistlation into stealing a year away from someones life, just for making a comment that gets misunderstood. Something like a "I have this gay friend named John" kind of thing. Not trying to be rude or mean about it, merely trying to add a description and category to the following name. I fear those kinds of statements being taken to court.
The reason? Because of the court case where a robber tripped and got injured while robbing some peoples house. The robber took those people to court and WON a lawsuit against them. These kinds of foolish lawsuits and stuff really bother me.
Anyone understand what I'm saying?
This isn't some game...transfolk are routinely harassed, abused, fired, driven to suicide, or murdered because of their sexual status.
^^ that is pure asshattery, and assholery. TOTALLY not for that. This is the side of the legistlation that I LOVE.
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It's not as if this is unthinkable: After all, it's not legal to go up to a person and say "I'm going to kill you." Why, then, should it be legal to say "We should shoot the queers," when such sentiments are actually acted upon in real life?
I would like to say that I find it complete crap that we can't say "I'm going to kill you."
You need to remember that bigotry isn't a transitive institution. What's dangerous to an oppressed group is not necessarily dangerous to other groups. Disenfranchised groups require special protections, up to and including controls on free speech, because they are under serious threat. They are under serious threat in part because of the words spoken against them. This isn't some game...transfolk are routinely harassed, abused, fired, driven to suicide, or murdered because of their sexual status. Their plight is a crisis for our society, and their wellbeing outranks our right to demean them and further endanger them with our words. This is the reasoning where hate crimes legislation comes from. "I was only kidding" is about the lamest excuse imaginable when somebody's life gets ruined.
To start in no way do I defend the "Joking" plea made by some.
There "plight" won't be solved by censoring a word, it just a quick political fix that in the end does harm by creating more Taboo linguistic tool for those who do wish harm on others. And as you said each situation needs special attention, so how does a blanket penalty on hate prevent that?
Oppressed groups require special protections. In the meantime, we have no need to limit speech on most subjects...such as hair color, or white skin, or income level, or handedness...because those groups are not under siege. Those bullies among us who get their kicks from making gay jokes and "kid around" at other people's expense ought to be made, by power of law, not to pick on the victims who are already lying on the ground bleeding.
Oppressed groups given special protections WILL make them more of an outstanding sect. It there is an effective enforcement that protects, in this case transsexuals, the people wishing ill can easily turn to say those benefits that they are receiving. Equality needs well...equality special treatment is just bait for the rabid dogs.
As for a frustration, I have a hella big one:
These topics although interesting to me very much as a reader (I really have read every single page of these discussions for the 14 months I have been here), are very embarrassing to me as a participator. I been bad at writing all my life top of my school all the time in math and science but never was I an outstanding student due to my remedial writing conventions.
I can't keep up with you guys, and I hate using that "excuse". I try think of a way to mold my ideas into words but the are not the ideas I have in my head. I don't try and write the huge fucking essays that are here, in fact I find many of the more illuminating post to be only a paragraph or two. I do think that in some ways my "philosophy" is simpler then many of the ones posted here. I also fell that is an advantage in my favor. One saying I have lived by my whole life:
"Intelligence can solve everything, the problem is that intelligent people can rationalize everything even if it obviously wrong."
Its simple but has gotten me threw most everything. So in the case of transsexuals or more broadly the law censoring words. I say Fuck No! A word is a powerful tool I ain't given' it up.
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I can't keep up with you guys, and I hate using that "excuse". I try think of a way to mold my ideas into words but the are not the ideas I have in my head. I don't try and write the huge fucking essays that are here, in fact I find many of the more illuminating post to be only a paragraph or two.
In my philosophy courses, I knew people who could straight "stream-of-thought" 15 pages on a topic in one night, and then be angry when they had to cut their essay down to six pages. I had the opposite problem. I always had to struggle to get ideas on paper. I spent a lot of time second-guessing and running every little phrase by my own logic gates, so to speak. I finally had to accept that I wasn't one of those people who could just write and write for the sake of, well, anything. I also found that I felt better writing and reading things which said as much as possible with few words.
(http://fredfred.net/skriker/images/fred/2005/sverige/stockholm/you_are_not_alone.jpg)
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In my philosophy courses, I knew people who could straight "stream-of-thought" 15 pages on a topic in one night, and then be angry when they had to cut their essay down to six pages. I had the opposite problem. I always had to struggle to get ideas on paper. I spent a lot of time second-guessing and running every little phrase by my own logic gates, so to speak. I finally had to accept that I wasn't one of those people who could just write and write for the sake of, well, anything. I also found that I felt better writing and reading things which said as much as possible with few words.
Likewise; I can't write for the sake of writing like so many other people, or even make a half-hearted effort for a term paper. When I really care about a subject and intend to write about it, I have to own it, so to speak. And really owning a subject is very difficult for a lot of large topics and issues; there's either too much information, or too much change to keep track of things. It's the same thing that holds me back from helping or editing the articles of others on Wikipedia—if I don't know enough about a subject, I don't feel qualified to edit the prose describing it, and possibly obscure the meaning. I could only write the featured articles about the Chrono series and The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest because I researched the everliving hell out of those topics (especially the latter, which I spent countless hours in academic search databases finding information about and even interviewed the creators of the show for). I'd rather not write anything at all about a topic I don't confidently own than wing it.
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the problem with a lot of people who can just write and write like that is that most of what they write is filled with fluff. Not really any specific detail or needed piece of information, just fluff. There is a very big difference between a person who actually has something to say and a person who just loves to hear themselves talk.
A person who actually has something to say could fill pages of illuminating material where every word counted for something, while a person who loves to hear themselves talk could fill pages with absolutely nothing but ramblings, which is what a lot of people do. Or, you get the type of person who is so in love with their own intelligence that they will use large, very rarely used words, just to flaunt it.
My belief is that if someone has something to say, just come out and say it and try to make it as non-confusing as possible.
That being said, my current frustration is looking in on this thread to see this huge posting mess of conflicting conversations.
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I take the opposite view: I rarely see long posts that are pointless, although they can be verbose (like my own). However, verbosity is independent of substance, and for me the real problem is all those people who can't be bothered to string together more than two or three sentences at a time, and whose vocabulary is locked squarely in the confines of junior high school. They feel just as entitled to their opinion as the next person (which they are), but they are unwilling or unable to structure their ideas effectively and to make an argument in support of their claims.
When your ideas have no structure, they cannot be properly understood by others. When you don't support your claims in an argument, you're just spouting off...and your opinions are next to worthless. When you limit yourself to brevity, you lose the space needed to build coherent, comprehensive lines of thought such as are required to communicate complex ideas or lengthy chains of ideas. When you refuse to utilize a mature vocabulary, you lose the ability to write with subtlety and to make fine distinctions. Remember 1984? One of the whole points of Doublespeak was that people would literally lose the ability to talk about revolutionary ideas because the language would have no words for it.
There is a lot of anti-intellectualism in this country. When I was a kid, I took my share of grief from classmates who were dumb and proud of it. As an adult, I see those same people swaggering around, thinking their feeble little grasp of the world is the supreme truth, and mocking those who are "too serious" or who "think too much," or, in this case, who "write too much."
Rarely, I will come across a person who writes long posts that have little or no substance. In comparison, short posts are very frequently devoid of substance. As for the snobbery factor: I think it is the people who "can't be bothered" to write more than short blurbs who tend to be more disrespectful of their conversation partners, because they expect their ideas to be treated with the same worth as those of people who actually work to communicate successfully.
Consider this: If I wanted, I could just write the topic sentences of my ideas: Sexism is everywhere. Sexists suck. You probably have sexist tendencies. Game, set, and match. Right? Why bother with all those other paragraphs...right?
Right... :roll:
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Whoa whoa whoa...whoa I am not bashing on larger posts at all, I am just saying that they're not my forte.
The larger point I was making is something you yourself just stated my good Tomato. You seek the lengthier and more verbose passages to combat with, more often then the short and sweet ones.
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My reply was focused mostly at idioticidioms...although I suppose it stands just as well as a general comment. No personal offense intended, of course.
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Yes, like not supporting this particular legislation, which will get me slammed as a bigot or ignorant or both, if past experience is any indication, or agreeing to sell out people's right to free speech for some oppressed(yes, I'm using that word in this instance) minority's civil right not to be picked on or criticized.
Those are the only two options: support it or oppose it. There was a third, which I tried using; that being, not getting involved and not caring, because it doesn't really affect me down here in SC, but of course I got slammed for that too.
It is a no-win situation.
You don't understand. If you feel that the presently proposed legislation is somehow deficient, think about what sort of legislation (or non legislative solution) would more ideally solve the problem. Not getting involved, not attempting to solve a problem is not a solution. I know it sounds tautological with me spelling it out in those terms, but I'm trying to get you to see that the actual set of options is not the same as the set you've laid out.
I'm not trying to trap you in a support-or-else false dichotomy. I'm saying "If not this legislation, then what do you see as a better solution?" Remember, doing nothing doesn't solve problems, so that's not a valid answer.
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Remember, doing nothing doesn't solve problems, so that's not a valid answer.
Unless the problem is that you're always doing crap; then doing nothing would indeed solve the problem.
... now where is that "Love" thread when I need it...
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Frustration: The tape holding my headphones together melted. Now I have to tape it again (or buy new headphones). I miss having unbroken headphones.
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Lord J Esq: I never pointed my words at you, nor did I say that every person who used large words was just trying to show off their intellect. You assumed that I was making a generalization, which I wasn't. I never said 'everybody', or 'all people'. All I said was that there are people who do such things. If you are not such a person, then you have nothing to get upset about. There is a difference between a person like you, who actually knows the right words to use in a given situation and a person who just thinks they know and uses that garbled knowledge to try to show off. You hardly have need to show off, Lord J. When your posts are verbose, there are no extra words, no waste, and no misuse. For you to think that I meant that towards you is a mistake.
However, that being said, I think you make a lot of valid points with your post, because those people can be equally as annoying. There is nothing wrong with a large, verbose post in cases like yours where the person posting knows exactly what they're talking about and how they want to say it. It's the large posts filled with nothing but fluff, or people trying to show off and failing that I think upsets a lot of people to the point where, when someone like you does come along, they are unwilling to give your posts a chance due to the nature of large posts they have read in the past.
I actually do get tired of dealing with people who do not like to read large bodies of text, because I often like to put out large bodies of text, simply because I am a person who likes to rant. When I have something to say, I say it, and try as hard as I can to have it make sense in as few words as possible. However, both side of the equations should be aware that a person can only do the best they can with what they have and most people who do like to fill large posts with false intellect are usually those who wish they really had the intellect to do so. I would go even further to say that many of them know, deep down, that what they're doing isn't the right way of doing things, but again, people like to pretend.
I've got no reason to piss anyone off here, so there should be no reason why anyone thinks that I am purposely attacking them in any of my posts. None of my posts are generated specifically at any individual or group here, unless I say so. I'm pretty point-blank with what I have to say. If I have a problem with someone or a group of someone's, I'm going to say something, directly and clearly, and it may not be nice.
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I wasn't accusing you. I was directing my comments at your comments.
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Personally I like being concise if possible. If my words are skewed and twisted to mean something other than what I intended, I'll step in and explain further. But to each his own. I don't mind reading if I have time. I often check this site before I head out to go to work or school or band practice or something and end up not being able to state my exact meaning.
My frustration: A hard day's work. It's been too long since I've had one, so today kicked my ass. At least I don't feel like my time is worthless though! I am a busy man, damn it!
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Current frustration: I cut my hand open trying to open a salsa jar.
That, and my stepmom the woman my dad married is being an idiot, moreso than usual.
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What in the fuck does a comma separating two values in an exponent mean? I passed the AP Calculus AB test, and yet I never saw this. It's an expression to the power of (3,1). What in the fuck is that comma supposed to mean?! What do I do with the 3 and 1?
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Grammar in math!? :o Does not compute!
You're not looking at a European textbook or anything are you?
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This:
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Wow Z, that makes my head hurt just looking at it. You are truly a brave man.
My frustration: Nintendo WiFi. I can't connect Mario Kart to wifi unless I change authentication for wireless from No Authentication (Open) to Shared. But when I do that, I would have to change the wireless settings on every other computer and wireless device in the house. Plus, my brother's playing WoW right now so I can't change the settings.
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Holy cow, what a messed up problem. It's poorly formatted in the first place -- do you know if that 1+(.1)^3,1 is even on the same line?
If it's Present Value of an Annuity, could it have something to do with compounding frequency?
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The only time I've seen a set up like that was when dealing with x and y coordinates, but the problem it self looks like a compound interest calculation, so I'm not sure myself...I suppose its possibly the boundaries of a sigma summation, or possibly the limits of a differential.
Meh, I dunno.
As far as WiFi, good luck with that headache. Urgh.
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Yes. m is number of compounding periods, n is number of years. I'm trying not to learn how to do this with a mathematically sensible formula, because this is what I'm getting quizzed over in two days.
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Figured it out: there should be parentheses so that it's [1+(.1/1)]^3, and the 1 at the end apparently means nothing in this particular case. Still no idea how to apply it in cases where it DOES mean something.
:picardno
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Only thing I've come across that's anywhere near what you posted ZeaLitY is this:
(http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7402/image3owz.png) (http://www.frickcpa.com/tvom/TVOM_PV_Annuity.asp),
where they separate the total number of compounding periods into years. I can't tell if what you're looking at is just really poorly formatted or if this formula is something completely different.
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To my knowledge, there is no function for a comma in an exponent. It is almost certainly either a type or an accidental European instance of a comma instead of a decimal point.
Edit: My frustration is the dead weight in society. The people who are ignorant and happy to stay that way.
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Double post: okay, in the context of these equations, it means do one exponentially, then do the other. The parentheses are still badly-formed.
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Ah, order of operations thing.
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(3,1) used to be used in place of 3! so if you found a problem with say (7,1) its 7! or (6,2) its 6!-2!. Its not standard though and mostly its older people who write it that way.
In this that seems to be nothing more then a typo though :?
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I am frustrated by the current economic hardships of our country. More specifically, I'm frustrated by the daunting task that is employment. Many employee's live in a constant state of fear (of downsizing), me included, and I wallow in the constant feeling of heightened competition. Mostly that is due to the fact that I work front-line for a major banking institution, and corporate is constantly bombarding us with numbers and epic scope. They give us outrageous numbers to meet, and on the by-chance that we do meet them, they raise the numbers. Meanwhile, while we attempt to meet their numbers, they're constantly riding us and keeping us busy with distractions. I've wanted to quit my job before, but even moreso now. The problem I'm running into is that a lot of the jobs I'm looking for either aren't hiring or think I'm too young / inexperienced.
Alas!
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That is one of the great conundrums of the modern world. Employers will only hire you if you have experience, but if they do not hire you then you'll never gain experience... are these positions that are eternally vacant? Are they reserved for the once and future king or some other mythological figure who can perform impossible feats.
...
"I am Arthur, King of the Britons."
"Yes, well Mr. The Britons, I'm afraid we're looking for someone with a little experience."
"But I have pulled the sword from the stone, showing that by divine right I am entitled to this position!"
"Ah yes, I did notice that you put God as a reference. Thing is, Tim in HR hasn't been able to get a hold of him and we've been unable to get a background check on the guy. I'm not even sure he exists."
Edit: fixed spelling
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That made me lol. Thanks, Thought.
(Oh, how I admire wit!)
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Employers will only hire you if you have epxerience, but if they do not hire you then you'll never gain experience... are these positions that are eternally vacant?
::bitterly:: No, they're filled by nepotism, which is the only way you can get hired without experience.
I've been unemployed for four fucking YEARS now. Not because I'm incompetent, but because if I try to start looking for a job, I end up with a really serious, really nasty depression within two weeks. Even just typing this is causing me problems. So I've pretty much stopped trying, on the grounds that broke and living with my parents is better than landing myself in a mental institution. What happens when they're no longer there is something that I try really hard not to think about.
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The economic system we've got going in the United States is fraught with inefficiency. So much productive talent is being wasted because there just aren't enough jobs to go around; how strange that the market -- the famous omniscient Invisible Hand -- all too often utterly fails to call forth production even when confronted with boundless human potential. I'm fed up with the economic establishment's attitude that business cycles are somehow "natural," as if it's just fine and dandy to let the market take us way off our production possibilities frontier. If there's a sin in economics, it's untapped (but tappable) resources.
IMHO the largest problem hindering the Western (or at least the US) economic climate is lack of a central information clearinghouse where all willing workers in existence can declare their skills to all employers in existence. Having to search through a gazillion different job search engines and newspapers, or having to rely on connections, or even worse, trying to start one's own business without a huge helping hand from some body experienced in local market analysis, is so 1990s. The job searcher is constantly being led down false paths while that perfect job opportunity slips by. Just as the automobile met the Interstate Highway System and it was kismet (albeit with fatal car accidents), something must make use of the Internet to take us into a more efficient economic era.
It's times like this when I feel the government is justified in stepping in, and perhaps even printing money to call forth production when the private market's demand for labor falls below the supply of willing workers. There are burned-out and abandoned houses that need torn down and rebuilt; cityscapes that need beautified; food that needs to be grown to feed the needy in Africa (let alone the needy at home). Of course this process should reverse itself to the appropriate degree upon economic recovery. It's the Keynesian answer to Marx's reserve army of labor, the existence of which allows employers to engage in the kind of "I've-got-your-balls-to-the-wall" behavior Boo describes. Employ the reserve army and that should hypothetically disappear.
EDIT: Alfadorredux, if you're not in immediate danger of severe economic hardship, you may want to try an internship or volunteer work to build your connections base. You're right, connections are your best shot at landing employment at all -- even at a restaurant chain or a department store in some areas. Of course one's connections are oftentimes independent of one's skillset, which is what I take issue with from an economic efficiency standpoint. But you can meld those two by working for free, because nothing impresses people quite like willingness to work without pay. That has been my experience at least.
EDIT: Although, on a really sad note, it seems the free market always finds a way to reinstitute slavery in some form, doesn't it?
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Today I am frustrated by Mr. Insomnia and Mr. Heat. These two individuals are making sleep an unachievable waking dream. Poor little exhaustion and tired brain have no choice but to keep going, even though it is very obvious that Dr. Sanity has left the building.
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Pfft, Sanity's only a D.O.
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I'm a bit miffed that, in America, the closest one generally gets to exposure to poetry (writing it, reading it, or appreciating it) is in pre-printed blurbs on greeting cards.
I blame the United States' education system. Students are taught to hate poetry from a fairly young age. I've only discovered it in my old age (and by "old age" I mean my twenties) and now have the task of trying to teach myself something that should have been included with learning the alphabet.
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I find it interesting that this was your experience in school. Mine was the opposite; my exposure to poetry outstripped my interest, particularly in high school.
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I'd say I had fair exposure to poetry in high school, but it barely scratched the surface of what was out there. So much of every type of literature has accumulated over the past 200 years that I pity the people who have to choose which samples teachers should expose students to.
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I had pretty good exposure to poetry in high school. In addition to stuff like Beowulf and Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, we did at least one entire unit on poetry that lasted about a third of the year, where I discovered my love of William Blake and Emily Dickinson. I don't remember the years anymore...probably more in 11th and 12th than 9th and 10th.
I was in a pretty decent school district, and I was in honors and AP classes, and these factors probably made the difference in the quality of my education.
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Gah I don't know what I'm going to do. I really worry I'm going to fail my perl class. My teacher refuses to help me with my program and I'm not speaking with my dad because I asked him to help the other day and instead what he did was yell about how I'm such a big mess so I kicked him out of my room. I really wish I never signed up for this class and I really think it's going to fuck me over. I don't understand how to do hardly anything and the teacher won't help me... this sucks so much.
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I wish I could help but I dont know perl... =(
...and my frustration?
The idiotic FF7 fanboys that say it needs a remake. Not only that, but the fact they also say that they aren't fanboys/girls AT THE SAME TIME.
Ugh.
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copyrights
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@ZaichikArky: I've been known to do some Perl. No guarantees, but PM me if you like and I'll see if I can help.
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The idiotic FF7 fanboys that say it needs a remake. Not only that, but the fact they also say that they aren't fanboys/girls AT THE SAME TIME.
...Why? It's not one of my favourites, but I had a great time playing through the whole game and I think it's fully deserving of a remake, but V and VI should come first, naturally.
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My comment regarding the lack of poetic exposure in modern life actually was the result of commentary on how our ability to learn new languages decreases significantly after the age of seven (though it begins to decrease around the age of one). Like foreign languages, poetry is usually covered primarily in High School and is often segregated from other topics. And indeed, poetry is almost like a language itself; by waiting so long to get into it in any depth, Americans are about as fluent in poetry as they are in French.
Younger children are a perfect audience for creating a lifelong passion for poetry; they've just graduated from annoying their parents with endless repetitions of nursery rhymes, so that is a wonderful time to give them meatier verses.
I had pretty good exposure to poetry in high school. In addition to stuff like Beowulf and Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, we did at least one entire unit on poetry that lasted about a third of the year, where I discovered my love of William Blake and Emily Dickinson.
I am jealous. My first exposure to Blake was in the old Batman cartoon series (the episode, "Tyger Tyger,"). Though I'm amused that you included Beowulf as an example of poetry; usually epic poetry is presented more as odd prose stories, rather than actual poetry (the Iliad is another that often suffers such a fate).
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As a writer of prose who only wanders into the realm of poetry with much deliberateness, I am happy to make the distinction. Beowulf is a fine piece of work; beautiful structure. Even greater kudos must go to the ones who translated it into modern English without losing the alliteration so essential to the work's structural cohesion. It was Beowulf that gave me my love for alliteration; today alliteration is my own signature technique (in my creative writing, that is; not so much in casual stuff like this).
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My first exposure to Blake was in the old Batman cartoon series (the episode, "Tyger Tyger,").
Holy crap! Me too! Not only was that a sweet ass ep (hello Catwoman furry!), but the actual poem is awesome as well (one of my favs).
As for something frustration-related...I think part of my not liking the 'funny' game pics thread is that I'm stuck on this 56k so much of the time, so I'll make amends with that whole sitch here as I prob won't be visiting the actual thread much...Though I DO have quite a few funny out-of-context screengrabs from Ace Attorney games and such...Hmmm...
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*curses in a mild, noble manner*
Gah....don't you just love random life moments that interfere with other things such as one's internet life? It pesters me so.
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I find it mildly frustrating that my laptop was completely unstartable this morning. I got one of those classy Windows errors that basically says "Error 000: FUCKED!"
I'd been using my laptop as my main computer. Right now, pretty much all of my work and recreation are dead in the water until I can get it to a repair shop on Tuesday.
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Pokemon Diamond and Pearl's GTS (Global Trading Station). Why? Because people request the most ridiculous trades there, like Mew, Dialga, and other legendaries that I am NOT going to trade for a fucking Starly. And it's not just common little beginning-of-game Pokemon, it's everything. A fair trade isn't easy to find, which defeats the purpose of the GTS.
Yeah, I noticed that too. It really freaken sucks! Especially if you're someone like me who just wants common pokemon. My other gripe is with all the people who want shiny pokemon. I have never even encountered one and everyone wants them just cause they're different colored >_>. I wish more people would be willing to trade common pokemon with me.
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The two-party system is the defeat of America.
Why? Because two means duality, it means rivalry, it means that this one's the good guys and that one's the bad guys and they might switch places any time they want just to fuck with you.
And it's not like other parties don't exist. It's just that those parties are usually so far extreme that the two main one's look tame and even more attractive choices than the others. Combine that with the fact that only a small fraction of the American people vote anyway, and an even smaller fraction of that actually knows what they're talking about when you ask them why did you vote that way.
It's the perfect distraction, a fake war between two sides of a government designed to sit around and do nothing.
My stepmother calls me "Democrat" like a brand name instead of my real name. It's pretty annoying. Yes, I have voted Democrat for the two presidential elections I've been of age to experience, but that doesn't mean I'm a party loyalist, or even a member of the party! Honestly I'd consider myself something between Democrat and Libertarian, but thanks to the two-party system, if I like a candidate in the Libertarian Party, I'm "throwing away" my vote and perhaps allowing an even less attractive runner up to take office. When a voting choice becomes a fight for the lesser of two evils, something's wrong. That said, I feel like Obama is the "real thing" to the extent that I think he believes he's going to do what he promised to do. Whether he'll actually do it all, is unlikely because he's only human. But the point is I think he's trying to give America hope for what could come. Not just democrats. Not just black people. Not just one kind of person or another. But America.
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I've been trying to avoid this thread lately. I absolutely love my chickens. Life is generally good. But like everyone I am not immune to the occasional case of the jazz. Routine is something I love and hate at the same time. Right now I hate it. I feel like I'm on a treadmill sometimes. Constantly moving, but in the same place. A good audition will help, as always. Some hairy comedy shows, no callbacks, and I'm becoming more and more frustrated with our nation's inability to deal with criticism of any kind. Random as far as everything else I just typed goes, but it permeates my thoughts. Drives me nuts, really.
I was in the middle of revamping my SoY, but stopped. Silly. Some long term goals were met in a sense and I eased off the gas ever so slightly, for no good reason.
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Haggling.
Haggling is a lost art, it seems. At least, I have no practical experience with it, nor does anyone else I know who aren't my parents. I am trying to get a new car using the governments Cash for Clunkers deal (which started last Friday and is apparently already almost out of money) but I can't get the dealer to budge at all on the price. I expect it is partially because they know that we like the car (a bad move on our part) and that we have a limited time (because the program's money isn't going to last). Still, paying full price for a new car feels like we're getting totally ripped off. But alas, I have no idea how to haggle the dealer down.
Buying a car and buying a house are some of the only areas in modern life where people still haggle, but we no longer grow up being taught how to haggle, so I suspect people will get ripped off more and more for that very reason.
Alas.
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I hate haggling. It feels dishonest and distasteful to acknowledge at the opening of a negotiation that the other party could sell at a lower price, but won't until they're harassed. So unpleasant. I would have been a terrible merchant.
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God dammit. I hate stray fucking cats.
I can't wash the comforter for my bed in my machine, so I have to hand wash it and leave it out to dry, which wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't for the countless number of ferrell cats in my neighborhood. I come out to get it from where put it, and there's like three of them pissing and shitting and shedding hair all over it. I've tried to notify the "owners" (pure bullshit, they let them fuck like rabbits and run free with their litters around the neighborhood), and they don't care at all. I apologize for the profanity, but god damn it.
Fuck.
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God dammit. I hate stray fucking cats.
I can't wash the comforter for my bed in my machine, so I have to hand wash it and leave it out to dry, which wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't for the countless number of ferrell cats in my neighborhood. I come out to get it from where put it, and there's like three of them pissing and shitting and shedding hair all over it. I've tried to notify the "owners" (pure bullshit, they let them fuck like rabbits and run free with their litters around the neighborhood), and they don't care at all. I apologize for the profanity, but god damn it.
Fuck.
The bold words above express the pain of my neighborhood as well.
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Whether it is an act of weakness or treachery, betraying the trust of a good friend who has come to you in their time of need is something I view as unforgivable. I am apparently nearly alone in this opinion. It's not me, is it? I don't think I expect too much of people (nothing that I do not demand of myself); and it frustrates me that they fail so spectacularly. And if I'm wrong...if what I ask is too much to ask of man kind then...well...that's something bigger than frustration, isn't it?
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Whether it is an act of weakness or treachery, betraying the trust of a good friend who has come to you in their time of need is something I view as unforgivable. I am apparently nearly alone in this opinion. It's not me, is it?
I totally agree here. I'd be left with a huge bitter feeling if I betrayed a friend. Same goes for standing up for them; I wouldn't suddenly turn around and run if one was, say, being beaten up, I'd do whatever I had to. I'd rather die than let someone down.
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I've suspected that Obama is an atheist for a while, and I think PZ Myers also postulated that he was probably playing for the reasonable team, but couldn't ever reveal it for fear of committing political suicide.
I don't see an atheist nominating Francis Collins to be head of the National Institutes of Health, so my suspicion stands corrected. Sad.
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What difference does it make if he's an atheist, Muslim or Christian? I've been asking this ever since his and Mitt Romney's religion became a factor back in 2008.
A majority of his policies and appointments, if not all, are fairly secularly based, so the secularists are getting their policies in either way. Who cares if its an atheist president acting like a Christian or a Christian president politically acting like an atheist?
EDIT: Given some time to think on it, I see your point, Z. When Clinton was elected as quote unquote, the "first black president" because his policies were beneficial to the black lobby, it didn't really have the same impact as Obama's election, where he was the first black man elected president.
So I figure that even though Obama may arguably be the "first atheist president," until an actual atheist is elected that goal is still kind of out of reach.
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I was going to type up a big long ditty about religious life on the Obama campaign trail, but I'll let the New York Times speak for me since they did it so much more eloquently. (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/obama-and-faith-on-the-stump/)
That article was written before the Jeremiah Wright controversy and of course before Obama dumped Wright, but I feel it accurately reflects the spirit of the Obama Campaign right up to Election Day. The Obama Campaign out-religioned the Religious Right. And on November 8 it felt good.
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Yeah, I felt sick watching him pander to Rick Warren, but Obama really did outmaneuver the religious right, and it was satisfying. In other western countries, mention of "God" in politics is laughable and religion isn't an issue. I can only hope the American people advance mentally so that it stops being an issue here, too; after all, it's in the goddamn Constitution.
If you want a good idea of why Collins matters, Sam Harris has saved everyone the trouble of dredging old articles with this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/opinion/27harris.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1
Dr. Collins has written that “science offers no answers to the most pressing questions of human existence” and that “the claims of atheistic materialism must be steadfastly resisted.”
One can only hope that these convictions will not affect his judgment at the institutes of health. After all, understanding human well-being at the level of the brain might very well offer some “answers to the most pressing questions of human existence” — questions like, Why do we suffer? Or, indeed, is it possible to love one’s neighbor as oneself? And wouldn’t any effort to explain human nature without reference to a soul, and to explain morality without reference to God, necessarily constitute “atheistic materialism”?
Francis Collins is an accomplished scientist and a man who is sincere in his beliefs. And that is precisely what makes me so uncomfortable about his nomination. Must we really entrust the future of biomedical research in the United States to a man who sincerely believes that a scientific understanding of human nature is impossible?
~
On a related note, I'm sick of e-mails passed around workplaces of the
Praise!
Just remember, everything will be fine!
God is great!
Live, love, laugh! Trust in God.
(kitten picture)
Never forget!
variety. The perpetrators are usually ignorant, prejudiced blowhards. These days, they're usually accompanied with "IS OBUAMUA REALLY R PRESIDENT??!??????/////?!?/" or "OBAMA GOIN' KILL 'MERICA" bullshit. It takes a lot not to reply to those. Back when I read DailyKos during election season, I saw a lot of anecdotes about how some of the members made civil, careful replies to some of these chain letters, and received threats of dismissal for it (one guy was fired outright). It troubled me when I worked at a bank that I received more Jesus-spam than real spam.
~
And on another note, look at this website: http://www.evangelcathedral.net/
:picardno
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It looks like both quotes there are from Collins’ Language of God in a section addressed specifically to Christians:
Let me conclude this brief chapter, therefore, with a loving entreaty to the evangelical Christian church... As believers, you are right to hold fast to the concept of God as Creator; you are right to hold fast to the truths of the Bible; you are right to hold fast to the conclusion that science offers no answers to the most pressing questions of human existence; and you are right to hold fast to the certainty that the claims of atheistic materialism must be steadfastly resisted. But those battles cannot be won by attaching your position to a flawed foundation…
...
We must not, then, as Christians, assume an attitude of antagonism toward the truths of reason, or the truths of philosophy, or the truths of science, or the truths of history, or the truths of criticism.
Given the above, it appears that Harris is almost intentionally taking Collins’ comment to mean something that it does not. It would seem that Collins is identifying the most pressing questions of human existences as philosophical ones. Science is inherently not philosophical. It concerns itself with mechanism, not fancies. This perspective is shared by Richard Dawkins, to an extent:
If you want to do evil, science provides the most powerful weapons to do evil; but equally, if you want to do good, science puts into your hands the most powerful tools to do so. The trick is to want the right things, then science will provide you with the most effective methods of achieving them.
Harris seems to have not understand the distinction Collins was making: science might tell us how we suffer and the processes that lead to suffering, but "why" is a terribly loaded question. To attempt to illustrate, there is a difference in asking "why did my car break" and "how did my car break." The latter is primarily concerned with the series of mundane events that led to the breakdown of a desired order, but the former carries the taint of intention.
It will be a sad day indeed if science ever attempts to attribute intent to the natural world.
Also, given the context, "atheistic materialism" seems to basically just mean "there is no god and everything has a natural explanation." Collins might well accept the "everything has a natural explanation" bit, and encourages other Christians to do likewise, but he rejects the stance that "there is no god." Because of the first distinction (science as being concerned with processes and not intent), “any effort to explain human nature without reference to a soul, and to explain morality without reference to god,” would not necessarily constitution atheistic materialism. It would constitute good science. But then misusing that science to say that god doesn’t exist would be “atheistic materialism”
Though to be fair, this is a bit of wild speculation as I have not dealt with that phrase to a mentionable extent.
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Two frustrations today. First, the word "chillax". It just sounds completely and utterly retarded in its current use. "Chill" means the exact same thing as "relax", there is no need to mix the two. The english language is there for a reason people, use it.
Second, it broke 100F yesterday, and it's 102 right now. I can't even go upstairs anymore (yeah yeah, I'm a softie). I'll take snow over this weather any day!
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Z, why do you go to Evangelical sites? Is it just to piss on them? It's practically the same as me becoming a dedicated reader to the Huffington Post just so I can leave messages in their comment boxes.
EDIT: A more apt analogy might be that I visit Richard Dawkins' website and underline and post everything about him that I think is stupid.
Now, on to my current frustration: This Professor Gates fiasco.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's a very bare overview: Professor Gates, a black man, forgot the keys to his house and jimmied his way through the front door. The next door neighbor(a very good neighbor, if you ask me) called the cops and told them that he saw someone breaking into the professor's house. So a patrolman, a white guy, shows up at the house, asks the professor for some ID, and when asked Gates flies into a rage and accuses the cop of being racist, saying that his only crime is being a black man in America, etc.
What happens next various sources seem to argue about, but the general consensus is that Professor Gates made an ass out of himself and then Crowley arrested him for Disorderly Conduct.
It's not the immediate cry of racial profiling or racist cops that frustrated me. Hell, when I first saw the headlines I figured we were in for another Rodney King episode. But in this case, the cops didn't actually do anything wrong. The only thing remotely suspect is that the guy on duty, James Crowley actually arrested him, which you can agree or disagree with whether or not that was the best way to handle it.
But after about a week of crowding onto Crowley's lawn, protesters sending him death threats and the like, the media is just now realizing that not only Crowley is not the evil racist cop stereotype here, but that Gates made up most of the statements he gave to the press.
The charges against him have been dropped, by the way.
So now, after a whole week of whooping and hollering and crying racism, that even the President got stuck in the middle of, once the evidence about the incident(interviews with Crowley's staff, tapes from the 911 call, etc.) starting pouring out, he shuts up. No apology, no nothing except a cheesy photo op that President Obama put together with the three of them sharing a beer on the White House lawn.
It's simply not fair. This man Crowley and his family were put through hell this past week while Professor Gates got to play the victim and threaten lawsuits and look good on National Television. And it's all supposed to go away now because it makes Gates look bad.
Alright, I can understand why Gates reacted the way he did. Its not the most pleasant thing in the world to be confronted by a cop, especially as a black man. You might slip up and say something stupid. And I'm willing to concede that Crowley overreacted by arresting him too. To walk away after getting his ID and confirming that he was in his house would have been the best solution. However, due to the fact that no news source can agree on what happened during the time frame between Crowley asking for ID and Gates being arrested, I can't really say for sure.
The frustration of it is not about who overreacted, because chances are both of them probably did. The frustration is how the incident made the career of one guy and destroyed the reputation of the other. I will admit, the press didn't do too lousy a job of covering it. They did a fairly good amount of actual investigation into what actually happened.
The problem is the medium, really. When you have a Harvard Professor like Gates, backed with men like Al Sharpton and to a far lesser extent President Obama, pitted against a middle class cop on the nightly news, the result is a forgone conclusion.
It just struck me now, as I was looking over this post, how ironic it is that I felt I had to point out which one was the black guy and which one was the white guy.
This just goes to show that race relations in this country are far from gemundlich, as I've said constantly.
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Z, why do you go to Evangelical sites?
That was linked in Reddit. And God forbid I should know my enemy.
As for Gates, some recent points:
1. This is an example of what's being passed around by police who discuss the event among themselves: http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/officer_suspend.html
2. Crowley falsified his police report to say he was warned of two black males with backpacks when the actual witnesses who called him in said nothing about this; they didn't even say the person breaking in was black. (the transcript (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/07/the-gates-911-call.html#more))
3. Crowley did a usual police trick and asked Gates to follow him outside for further discussion, allowing for another charge in the arrest.
Just for you, here is someone on Fox News defending Gates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYo6dR0tf_I
There was ignorance on both sides, but ultimately Gates has the indignant high ground here because it was his own home. Just this week, a deaf and disabled black man was tasered and pepper-sprayed (http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/07/police-taser-use-on-disabled-man-justified-because-he-had-an-umbrella/) for being deaf and having an umbrella, so it's a legitimate exercise and time well-spent to investigate racial profiling, since it does happen.
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As I said, that time frame has been in dispute. Its hard to know who's telling the truth.
1) The first link shows the racism of some other officer, not the Cambridge police station, nor Crowley himself. By the way, the racist officer was suspended.
2) Damnit, forgot to mention the tapes!
3) Was this before or after Gates showed his ID? By the way, did Gates ever show his ID during the confrontation?
I know you tried to pick a conservative source to convince me, but considering that the user who posted the video is from thinkprogress, a fairly left-leaning group as shown by the previous video entitled "Conservatives Push End of Life Smear," it's kind of a catch-22. Besides, I don't usually watch FoxNews outside of Bill O'Reilly.
However, I've seen him before and I do trust Napolitano, and he makes THE only point that really matters, which is you shouldn't be able to be arrested for Disorderly Conduct in your own house. However, since no one can agree on a time line, none of us know whether or not he was arrested after a shouting match on his porch or not.
Just this week, a deaf and disabled black man was tasered and pepper-sprayed for no particular reason, so it's a legitimate exercise and time well-spent to investigate racial profiling, since it does happen.
While I'm sure there's more to that particular story than what you're letting on, I happen to agree with you on this issue. Racial profiling does happen all of the time. Whether or not its the cause or the effect of the disproportionate amount of black men in prison is up for debate. However, you have to realize that a white Cambridge cop arresting a black Harvard professor in the incident described does not necessarily include racial profiling. As you mentioned, the caller gave no indication of race.
As for why he falsified the reports, the only plausible explanation I can think of is that he knew he screwed up royal.
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Truth, I will provide you a link on this issue, because I don't think I could state it any better myself:
http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2009/07/claybourn_on_the_gates_arrest.php
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RD, finally we agree on something. That link is full of truth and win, regardless of the exact outline of the incident at the Gates residence.
As I said before, it wasn't the initial accusation of racial prejudice that frustrates me, but rather the continued insistence of racial prejudice after evidence came up that not only was it probably not racially motivated, but that professor Gates was just as much an instigator as Sgt. Crowley.
Race relations as a whole are not good in this country, that's for sure. And that in and of itself is worth being frustrated over.
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I'm not defending the outrage, but making sure that racial profiling (a real issue) isn't overlooked or rebuffed.
1) The first link shows the racism of some other officer, not the Cambridge police station, nor Crowley himself. By the way, the racist officer was suspended.
Just demonstrating that there are two sides to the outrage coin.
I know you tried to pick a conservative source to convince me, but considering that the user who posted the video is from thinkprogress, a fairly left-leaning group as shown by the previous video entitled "Conservatives Push End of Life Smear," it's kind of a catch-22. Besides, I don't usually watch FoxNews outside of Bill O'Reilly.
Whoa, ending the post here. If these Compendium walls could speak, they'd cry out in anguish that someone has admitted to watching Bill O'Reilly within their confines.
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Whatever dude. I suppose I could look up to Hitler, and you'd be less offended, but that's...yeah, I'm done.
Still can't find a decent avatar of Angelo from Dragon Quest 8 though. This one works for the moment, anyway.
EDIT: Nevermind, I like this one.
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Race issues are very real. IMO the key is being able not only to appreciate but poke fun as well. As a white guy and a comic, there might be nothing funnier than watching a comic of another race blast white folk. That shit cracks me up so hard. The exaggeration of it is the key. ALL stereotypes came from one truth, and that truth gets exploited to hell. Part of it comes from that inability of ours to deal with criticism or negativity. Part of it comes from our inability to accept change or maybe just an inability to accept. I recommend The Wire for both vast entertainment but also several facets of race issues...both in the streets and in the office. Shameless plug, sorry. 8)
In a lighter um....light... is the musical Avenue Q. Here's a nice song, entitled "Everyon'e A Little Bit Racist."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbwNSNLPIfw
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pfft... Damn thunderstorm wakin me up.
I actually have to get up early today, and this is the one day that I'm woken in the middle of my sleep by a thunderstorm >.<
ah well
I'll live.
Goodnight everyone, again
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UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!...or something...AVENGERS ASSEMBLE~!!
My only current frustration would have to be forgetting my keys at home and having to leave my bike in front of the library (note: IN TACOMA)...I probably should have went back for it...BUT IT'S SO DAMN HOT! I'm going to go back to the library tomorrow (and probably every day this week), so hopefully the criminals of this damn city were too heat-exhausted to cut my sad little lock and my bike will be waiting for me (riding a bike is a nice way around the heat...walking 12+ blocks is not)...
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My bank increasing my credit limit by 1,000 without my consent. They have done this to my wife 3 times as well.
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I think we are talking slightly past each other. I am frustrated that Gates was arrested at all. He may have been rude, and his accusations of racism may have been utterly off base. The fact that he was arrested for essentially being rude to a police officer is the real problem, not the superfluous (and likely unfounded) accusations of racial bias.
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The media would disagree with you there, RD, as that's what they concentrated on during just about the entire ordeal. The coverage over the legality of the arrest seems to be a passing thought to them, compared to the juicy story they originally had over racial profiling.
Not to mention that the charges were dropped against Gates.
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I had to get a shot in my butt yesterday. Daaaamn, felt like a kid again.
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The media would disagree with me stating my frustration? The coverage of the story I've seen has been at or linked from a blog; I have no knowledge of how the general media is handling the story. The fact that the charges were dropped does not justify the arrest having taken place. In fact, it is an acknowledgment by the police of the injustice of the arrest in the first place. The police arresting a private citizen for essentially being a dick is to me the largest concern with this story.
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I had to get a shot in my butt yesterday. Daaaamn, felt like a kid again.
Hopefully you mean that you were injected with some medicine, rather than a bullet. Otherwise, I would seriously worry about the childhood you had.
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I had to get a shot in my butt yesterday. Daaaamn, felt like a kid again.
Hopefully you mean that you were injected with some medicine, rather than a bullet. Otherwise, I would seriously worry about the childhood you had.
This reminds me of when I helped my brother film a project for his college film class, in which there was a scene where he was shot in the butt. We used a real gun, unloaded though, and a few packages of fake blood. I wish I could find that file, it was pretty good for something student made.
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I've been thinking about it for a while and believe (at least for now) that this is a frustration rather than a love:
"More to Love," a new reality TV show. I make it a general policy not to watch reality shows (though I will admit, I am a fan of Beauty and the Geek and I have been known to stop to watch Hell's Kitchen if I see someone watching it first), particularly dating reality shows, but I was weak and checked this one out when the premier aired.
Perhaps it was good, as far as dating reality shows go. But it was painful on many levels. For one, the idea that there needs to be a reality show specifically for larger individuals is slightly offensive. For another, some of the women on the show seem to reinforce negative stereotypes (the "I need a man to be complete" stereotype, specifically). The situation in general does not seem to be conducive to the development of healthy relationships (which gives me a bad impression of the guy). And the "Rocket Scientist" was one of the first to go.
Though from talking to some people, it appears that the emotions and prior life experiences displayed on the show are so far fairly close to the norm, which is depressing on its own.
That being said, I do hope that the show will be better than I fear and that it might serve a social good.
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I don't see a problem with people or a show reinforcing negative stereotypes (as long as they aren't doing it in a demeaning fashion i guess)...I mean, these things are around because they exist. Its our job as enlightened individuals to understand that stereotypes should not be the final judgment on an entire sect of any kind. Isn't saying that someone is acting stereotypical a reinforcement of that stereotype itself?
Wait a minute, my auto-corrector is saying 'judgment', not 'judgement'? Really? How long have I been misspelling that?? V_V
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On a related note, people aren't fat enough. That definitely frustrates me.
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On a related note, people aren't fat enough. That definitely frustrates me.
Were you joking, or are you serious? And if you are serious, then please elaborate.
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I think we are talking slightly past each other. I am frustrated that Gates was arrested at all. He may have been rude, and his accusations of racism may have been utterly off base. The fact that he was arrested for essentially being rude to a police officer is the real problem, not the superfluous (and likely unfounded) accusations of racial bias.
I always thought it strange when civilians get brought in for "talking back" or whatnot. Hurting someone's feelings isn't against the law. But some police spin around and say that it's an obstruction of justice or something absurd like that. It's those kind of police that earn all officers the "pig" tag when there are so many real good ones out there.
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On a related note, people aren't fat enough. That definitely frustrates me.
Were you joking, or are you serious? And if you are serious, then please elaborate.
Seconding this, I'm kind of confused. Are you talking about people being anorexic and eating disorders being so common these days?
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Oh boy, this blows SO much. So obviously California higher education has a lot of funding issues right now. Unbeknown to me, they have capped registration in the fall. This means several shitty things for me.
1. Once AGAIN I will receive no credit for my internship
2. I can only do 2 classes so I'll have to find employment
3. I will have to do an extra semester.
Oh boy. *sigh*
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FUCK this image:
http://www.deviantart.com/download/52682456/Death_Note__This_Is_Heaven_by_behindinfinity.jpg
LOOK AT US WE CAN MAKE OUR MOUTHS KAWAAAAAII DESU NE??? ^_________________^
FUCK YOU
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You are so never gonna be allowed near my kids...
"Waaah! Daddy! Uncle Z is scaring us again!"
"Shh, shh...it's okay. He's just in...THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH."
"But he's a freak." =(
"That's why Daddy took out a restraining order against Uncle Z. I'll go have a word with Mr. Police Officer and Ms. District Attorney. You go inside now and play Bruce Lee chess."
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You are so never gonna be allowed near my kids...
"Waaah! Daddy! Uncle Z is scaring us again!"
"Shh, shh...it's okay. He's just in...THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH."
"But he's a freak." =(
"That's why Daddy took out a restraining order against Uncle Z. I'll go have a word with Mr. Police Officer and Ms. District Attorney. You go inside now and play Bruce Lee chess."
Bruce Lee chess. I gotta get in on that action! :lol:
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currently bleeding in my mouth from biting (or attempting to) bite off a small dead (white) patch of tongue cells.
Usually its only the size of one taste bud, but this one is bigger because I can feel I ripped a hole through which blood is flowing.
Kindof painful, but NOT as painful as the patch of dead cells. Every time a patch of dead cells touches the wall of my mouth, or my teeth or something, it hurts.
Idky but really I just will bite it off and it usually goes away.
But its semi frustrating.
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Why bite it at all? The tongue takes pretty good care of its wounds because it heals quickly, I'm pretty sure...
FUCK this image:
http://www.deviantart.com/download/52682456/Death_Note__This_Is_Heaven_by_behindinfinity.jpg
LOOK AT US WE CAN MAKE OUR MOUTHS KAWAAAAAII DESU NE??? ^_________________^
FUCK YOU
WTF? Those Twinkies have Ding-Dongs on them!
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I just spent two hours playing Megaman and dying at a fast rate, and right after I was about to beat Bombman, my Mom's Stupid, STUPID dog came barreling through, knocked down my PS2, pulling out the plug, and then proceeded to take a shit where I play my games. I HATE my family.
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^... LOL
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HyperNerd, that is...possibly the best dog antics story I've ever heard, if it's any consolation.
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Wait a minute, my auto-corrector is saying 'judgment', not 'judgement'? Really? How long have I been misspelling that?? V_V
Either is correct. Judgement is considered the British variant, so it's not surprising the spell checker overlooked it. It's like comparing liter and litre.
What a horrible language English is.
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All languages are that way, Tripehound. Compare Austrian, Swiss and German German, you'll see the same amount of differences between American English, and British, Canadian and Australian English.
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I just spent two hours playing Megaman and dying at a fast rate, and right after I was about to beat Bombman, my Mom's Stupid, STUPID dog came barreling through, knocked down my PS2, pulling out the plug, and then proceeded to take a shit where I play my games. I HATE my family.
B-b-baaaawwwwwwwwwww.
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The creators of the Chrono series were initially faced with the task of writing a unique history for their world; as ours is a product of a logical evolution of human ideas and reasoning, theirs was invariably so as well; many similarities exist between the two. Elements of culture were borrowed and fitted for the games, some inadvertently, others carefully selected for extra meaning. We may thus delve into them to locate each reference to our own world, and in some cases, discover names that hold more value for their objects. Always remember that some things may be coincidental or tenuous at best, and that this guide is food for thought -- not an attempt to make Chrono Trigger biblical or something. This study is divided into the following sections:
Why did I fucking write like this?
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Avoiding my chickens. They're growing SO fast....and it hurts as their independence strengthens. For the first time in my life I feel like a parent. Which is silly to think of because I work with children yet am discussing chickens right now. I've put in tons of time and effort (not to mention some $$$) to make sure theses bastards are ok, and they don't even know it!!!!! 8)
All joking aside, it's really ok. Just feel like a Mom letting go of her kids or something like that. They must be going through bird puberty or some shit, because every once in a while I'll go to pull some thread out of a foot or simply just pet one and they'll run away. Then I shrug and walk away, but they follow basically yelling, "don't go! doooooon't gooooo!" Then I turn around and crouch to say hello and they run away again, saying, "bah, we don't need to anyways..." Rinse and repeat.
Also been thinkin' of some of the most recent heartbreakers lately for the first time in a long time...treacherous waters they be...
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Codeine and Midol and inhaler and soda without food: Bad idea. Now I'm all jittery and can hardly hold my tablet straight. At least the heat's gone down :franky
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Sucks. I just found out that one of my friends has HIV. He used to be my best friend when I was 15... actually through 17, but then we had a massive falling apart. 2 years ago, I agreed to let him back into my life because I could tell that he changed his life. Our mutual friend confirmed that he was clean off hard drugs for over a year and we began talking again. So now I find this out...
I know that people with HIV can live quite a while, but this is quite tragic for me. I wish that he had made better decisions in his life. I don't think that being there for him when he was in his worst situation would have changed the outcome, but it is just very sad that his life is very much cut short because of the wrong decisions he has made. When I was 16, I was there for him when a friend of his died from AIDS... I wish that would have made more of an impact on his life, but I guess it didn't as much as I thought it would.
I'm not really sure, but I guess I'll keep talking to him. I am hesitant to move our relationship to anything further than what we have now.
I have found out through him that our mutual friend through all these years is completely subservient to her boyfriend. She doesn't return any of our calls, and nothing that we can do gets her to acknowledge us. For a while, it seemed to me that she was trying to get her life back, but it has taken a turn for the worse. Both me and him do not want to pursue her any longer. I won't pursue her until she breaks up with this guy, but I'm not sure if she'll ever have the sense to do that... It really sucks because while we have been friends since we were 15, she has not made any effort to value our friendship for quite a while...
*sigh*
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http://digg.com/celebrity/Megan_Fox_Rejects_Seth_Rogan_s_Kiss_VID
FUCK these Diggers.
You have a right to your own fucking body. Megan Fox can refuse to kiss whomever the fuck she wants. Any men who want to kiss her can fuck themselves for feeling indignant that she won't reciprocate. This reminds me of so many male fucking assholes I've seen in my life who force social hugs and kisses on girls simply because the girls don't want to make a scene or don't want to offend them. No one should be fucking violated like that. Fucking fuck those fuckers.
Also, what is the appeal of Seth Rogen? I've failed to understand ever since this was released:
(http://www.hyperobots.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2958xfm.jpg)
It's like he has masterful appeal to derelicts. I don't get him.
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I have found out through him that our mutual friend through all these years is completely subservient to her boyfriend. She doesn't return any of our calls, and nothing that we can do gets her to acknowledge us. For a while, it seemed to me that she was trying to get her life back, but it has taken a turn for the worse. Both me and him do not want to pursue her any longer. I won't pursue her until she breaks up with this guy, but I'm not sure if she'll ever have the sense to do that... It really sucks because while we have been friends since we were 15, she has not made any effort to value our friendship for quite a while...
*sigh*
Some people would say, "it's not your right to intervene in other people's lives or tell them how they should live." And some people would say, "She needs to find her own way out of this situation."
But if you really care as a friend, and/or her situation is really getting bad, don't hesitate to launch an interventionist nuke, especially if you'll regret not doing so later after the situation gets even more worse. Make things awkward and uncomfortable. Lay it down. Even if she doesn't improve, it's at least insurance against feeling bad over it personally down the line.
A lot of my friends are on terms such that they know to criticize me if I ever slip or get depressed. And this is a fantastic thing.
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On a related note, people aren't fat enough. That definitely frustrates me.
Were you joking, or are you serious? And if you are serious, then please elaborate.
Seconding this, I'm kind of confused. Are you talking about people being anorexic and eating disorders being so common these days?
I thought it was pretty straightforward...
Anyhow, my frustration of the moment is the tenuousness of my Internet connection, which has plagued me for a week now. The real frustration is that I have little control over it. Short of training myself as a broadband phone line technician, the best I can do is rip out the phone jack from my wall and measure voltages (which I did). The phone utility room is locked away, and I can't afford the heavy duty equipment. Nope...it's just me, my multimeter, a flashlight, and a screwdriver.
Why does the Internet forsake me? =(
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I can laugh at a bawdy sense of humor(hell, I thought Forgetting Sarah Marshall was funny as hell the first time around) but Seth Rogen pretty much keeps making the same movie over and over again.
After a while, its just bleh from him.
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Frustration: Blood stains. They're impossible to remove completely unless you get them while they're still wet.
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^ Hm... don't really think so. Just wash them out with cold water and soap. If you don't hand wash them before they go in the dryer, you're screwed, though. I always try to make sure to hand wash them before they go into the machines, and I always have a good outcome.
As for Megan Fox... that bitch always makes it into the tabloids. From not kissing some dumbass to not accepting a flower from a kid. I am very ambivalent towards her. Sometimes I think she needs to keep her big stupid mouth shut, and sometimes I silently applaud her for being a bit more of a rebel than most of the other hollywood dimwitted sluts(and yes, she falls into that category, along with Spears, Gaga, Simpson, and a ton of others).
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The deal with Seth Rogen is 1- he's a great writer. 2 - he looks like a normal person. 3 - he's funny to a lot of people. Combine all those and you'll get someone popular. He shows that you don't hsve to look like a Pitt or Clooney to "make it." Zack and Miri was a massive let down, but I really enjoyed some other stuff he's done.
Really all there is to him, and if you think he doesn't work his ass off you'd be mistaken. As far as Megan Fox goes, who cares about her anyway? If a dude wants to kiss her, can't blame him really. Now if she says no and he gets all huffy puffy then it's a different story. I know what you mean with those "forced social situations." You'd think some guys would get it after a while....
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http://digg.com/celebrity/Megan_Fox_Rejects_Seth_Rogan_s_Kiss_VID
FUCK these Diggers.
I love the fact if she doesn't kiss him the diggers will scream that she's a bitch and if she does kiss him she's a slut. AND even though she didn't kiss him they call her a slut. Fantastic.
Cheap sarcasm aside, I've always hated this: people consider a woman either a bitch or a slut for her actions, or lack thereof. Do men get labeled as harshly? I dunno. But fuck me sideways, this annoys the shit outta me. Labels, pejoratives, misnomers...I wish we would strive harder to get away from these things.
Seth Rogen is pretty funny as an actor, but he's written some particularly good stuff, in my opinion. I was a huge fan of Superbad and Pineapple Express--but his acting is always the same; humorous without being particularly funny. And Megan Fox...is she a good actress or is she just usurped for her looks? I guess the two of 'em share one thing in common: unnecessary hype.
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You see the same thing with a lot of male actors and people speculating that they're gay, although that's probably not as widespread.
I'm sure the high Q rating and million dollar contracts will help her forget about the mean old Diggers that call her a skank or a bitch.
And yes, she did sell her dignity for money and fame. That's essentially what makes celebrities and politicians different from regular people.
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I don't think Seth Rogan IS acting most of the time...He seems to be like most of his characters. I like him though. He's a funny looking Jew (his words!) and he knows it and works it. :lol: & yeah, I guess I'll agree with the good writer bit...It's still gonna be effing weird to see him as the Green Hornet, though...>_>
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That Seth Rogen segment is bizarre to me; there really wasn't a hint of awkwardness on Fox's part to the point that it seemed Fox didn't so much reject him as simply not notice what he was trying to do -- in other words, focused on the task at hand, which was getting the interview done. Either that, or she is so experienced at this that she's able to shut down men that smoothly. If the latter, I'm actually impressed at what she did there.
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My filling in one of my teeth fell out last week.
I just went to brush and I must've upset it because
OW OW OW OW ;__________________________________________________________________________;
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http://digg.com/celebrity/Megan_Fox_Rejects_Seth_Rogan_s_Kiss_VID
FUCK these Diggers.
I love the fact if she doesn't kiss him the diggers will scream that she's a bitch and if she does kiss him she's a slut. AND even though she didn't kiss him they call her a slut. Fantastic.
Cheap sarcasm aside, I've always hated this: people consider a woman either a bitch or a slut for her actions, or lack thereof. Do men get labeled as harshly? I dunno. But fuck me sideways, this annoys the shit outta me. Labels, pejoratives, misnomers...I wish we would strive harder to get away from these things.
Yeah, maybe you should mention that in the sexism thread or something. I don't really care about the latest drama of the hollywood starlets. The way I see it anyway, no matter how many tabloids call them sluts or bitches, the number of fans isn't going to fall, it's just going to rise. I call Megan Fox a slut because of the provocative way she always likes to dress. Anyway, she is still considered to be the sexiest American woman, so I almost mean it as a compliment. Hell, most women could only dream of having her looks.
However, I do notice that men aren't judged by these double standards. We don't call men sluts if they sleep around(or at least the tabloids don't), though I guess we do call them assholes or something of that nature.
Stars really don't get my sympathy at all. They are rich and shouldn't give a crap about what the tabloids dig up on them. If I was a star, I would not. They should just be happy that they have millions of fans all over the world, who the hell cares if some haters call them names. It is completely insignificant.
Also, my filling fell out a few months ago and I never even noticed till the hygienist found it. It is a pretty big filling, so I hope it doesn't break again. Only once in my life has a cavity annoyed me, so I'm glad that it was noticed by the dentist. It had been a little bothersome for about 2 years before the dentist finally noticed it >_>.
I hope I never have to have a root canal!! My bigger problem is my genetic gum problems... I wish I had healthy gums like mom, but I have bad ones like dad which require a lot of work : (.
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How appropriate. I have to visit the dentist tomorrow. One of my wisdom teeth is already halfway dissolved, I have a baby tooth that STILL hasn't fallen out, and I need fillings for about most of my other teeth.
I can see at least one root canal from this.
And I have an inhumanly low pain tolerance.
Please please please let them gas me. I don't want to be awak for this shit... :cry:
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Oh man--I sympathize with you Skylark and you too, Fafnir. I went to the dentist for the first time in around a decade a month or two ago (I bitched and moaned about it in this thread) and had my cavities filled and my wisdom teeth pulled two or three weeks ago...It wasn't as terrible as people make it sound. The fillings kinda annoyed me for a week and the pulled teeth were just a chore to clean, but I felt normal shortly afterward. And what exactly makes you think you'll get a root canal? I always thought the pain preceded the canal, but maybe that's not the case.
Oh and I just saw Funny People...I can confirm that Seth Rogen isn't a particularly good actor. Adam Sandler, on the other hand, demolished my expectations.
Current frustration: insane cost of movie tickets and candy. What bullshit.
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I will be frustrated if I can't get the Membership Card from the Nintendo WiFi event, just because I'm using Diamond.
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How appropriate. I have to visit the dentist tomorrow. One of my wisdom teeth is already halfway dissolved, I have a baby tooth that STILL hasn't fallen out, and I need fillings for about most of my other teeth.
I can see at least one root canal from this.
And I have an inhumanly low pain tolerance.
Please please please let them gas me. I don't want to be awak for this shit... :cry:
That's what happens when you don't visit the dentist, unfortunately : (. Sorry to hear about it. I hope they will put you out, too... Also ditto with Mav about the root canal. You need a root canal if your tooth is rotting so you're in a lot of pain before that. They'll probably just take out a couple teeth. Also, cavity fillings do not hurt, so don't worry about that part of it too much.
Are you a redhead? I just read an article about redheads hating the dentist because they discovered they have a bad pain threshold...
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How appropriate. I have to visit the dentist tomorrow. One of my wisdom teeth is already halfway dissolved, I have a baby tooth that STILL hasn't fallen out, and I need fillings for about most of my other teeth.
I can see at least one root canal from this.
And I have an inhumanly low pain tolerance.
Please please please let them gas me. I don't want to be awak for this shit... :cry:
That's what happens when you don't visit the dentist, unfortunately : (. Sorry to hear about it. I hope they will put you out, too... Also ditto with Mav about the root canal. You need a root canal if your tooth is rotting so you're in a lot of pain before that. They'll probably just take out a couple teeth. Also, cavity fillings do not hurt, so don't worry about that part of it too much.
Are you a redhead? I just read an article about redheads hating the dentist because they discovered they have a bad pain threshold...
Yeah... Getting a root canal isnt the part that hurts...
... the time when you are waiting for your root canal is the time that hurts.
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Yeah... Getting a root canal isnt the part that hurts...
... the time when you are waiting for your root canal is the time that hurts.
Indeed. Like I mentioned earlier, it's not the dental work that's gonna bother you (unless your numbing agent or anesthesia don't work, in that case you're given the right to a lifetime of bitchiness), it's the post dental time, the getting used to time, etc. Fillings feel really damn weird, extractions need a bit of attention, and the effect of the root canal probably isn't pleasant: your tooth will have been drilled, filled, and crowned--that isn't even pleasant to type. But don't worry, at the very least they won't do your root canal right then and there, so you'll at least have some time to prepare yourself, but in all honesty, I really doubt you'll need one. My brother had a bunch of achy teeth when he was in his thirties, he had these pains for years, but when he went to the dentist they just said extraction was all that was necessary. In fact, they said cracking and decay are the warning signs of root canals, not just pain.
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Are you a redhead? I just read an article about redheads hating the dentist because they discovered they have a bad pain threshold...
I am not. I am brown-haired. I've just always had a low pain threshold for some reason.
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Are you a redhead? I just read an article about redheads hating the dentist because they discovered they have a bad pain threshold...
I am not. I am brown-haired. I've just always had a low pain threshold for some reason.
Sucks for us, doesn't it? I never really could understand how so many other kids could tolerate knee scrapes and other painful injuries when I was younger.
I was really happy when Trigun wrote a strong character as having a low pain tolerance:
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XFGuSZ6n1LY/SK9xz1nFPDI/AAAAAAAABAc/9CWxGMI0QZ8/s400/trigun_MillionsKnives_pict.jpg)
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When I was younger, I'd get hurt doing stuff all the time. It was rarely to the point of actual injury, just the regular scrapes, cuts and bruises. Fun stuff.
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... :p Don't hate me, but I also read that men have a lower pain tolerance!
I've always had a high pain tolerance. I guess I'm lucky. My problem is that I bruise *very* easily >_> I just got a whole new set of them, actually since my large doggie jumped all over me >_>. At least I've found that hydro therapy works pretty well. Also, in my general experiences, I have also found that for some reason men don't bruise easily.... I really think it has something to do with muscles because I hardly have ever in my life seen a guy with a bruise that wasn't a black eye. It may be anecdotal, though, I don't know, I've only really seen women have bruises... I just know that it really annoys me how easily I bruise. Either I'm a type O blood(very much doubt it), or I am lacking some kinds of vitamins or something : (.
Man, I remember when I had to have 8 teeth yanked when I was 8 years old, I think. It was the most painful thing ever done to me and I never cried out even once. Though it did cause slight trauma that I was only able to get over recently- I was really afraid of getting shots at the dentist. Recently I had a ton of work done and it was the first time they required shots in that time period, but I found that it didn't hurt. I think the teeth-yanking shots hurt more or something, especially if it's on the roof of your mouth -_-. I have never since then gotten teeth yanked unless I was under general anesthetic.
Also, I find it annoying how stores do not cater to tall fat women. Also, I can't shop at the fat womens stores because I'm not fat enough for that! I have read recently that the average size of an american woman is 14-16. Well that's not so great and everything, but why the hell do they not have pants that are long enough for me if I fall within the average size! The longest size of pants they NOW carry are size 12. Yeah freaken right, I haven't been a size 12 since I was 14 years old >_>. Gap used to carry pants in my size that were long, but they don't anymore. I made a complaint and they told me to shop online... yeah and then pay extra for shipping. I just ended up getting mens jeans. They fit and everything, though there is extra space in the crotch area and it looks slightly odd(though I doubt anyone would notice). Though at least with guy pants I don't run into those ones that sit on the hips and always fall off, because I find that also really annoying... Unfortunately, those pants are the ones I look best in XD; So if I want to look nice, I'm constantly pulling up my pants.
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... :p Don't hate me, but I also read that men have a lower pain tolerance!
I believe that. I think women are more naturally biologically conditioned to tolerate more pain because of the stress child birth has on the body.
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... :p Don't hate me, but I also read that men have a lower pain tolerance!
I believe that. I think women are more naturally biologically conditioned to tolerate more pain because of the stress child birth has on the body.
Yep, that was the logic in the article that I read, though it was several years ago. I think the general research still shows that women tolerate heat much better than men(this is proven), and also generally tolerate pain better.
Actually I just read another article which said the opposite- this wasn't true and men respond to pain slower than women do so men have a better pain tolerance XD;. I kind of wish there was further research into this because the results weren't so conclusive to me and the only kind of pain they tested was heat and I know for a fact that women handle general heat better than men do. It's why all the Orcs in LOTR were women! LOL XD; Stupid science :p...
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I will be frustrated if I can't get the Membership Card from the Nintendo WiFi event, just because I'm using Diamond.
It's for Platinum (http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Member_Card_to_be_available_to_North_American_and_European_Platinum_players). Sorry mate. :(
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I will be frustrated if I can't get the Membership Card from the Nintendo WiFi event, just because I'm using Diamond.
If you want, I can clone and trade you the Darkrai once I'm far enough into the game to use the card.
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Toilet paper is stupid. Especially the beginning of the roll.
As a matter of fact, all plumbing is a pretty bad idea.
When am I gonna have my ASS LAZER?! and a clean-zer instead of a shower?
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You mean a sonic shower like in Trek? We also need universal translators already.
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You mean a sonic shower like in Trek? We also need universal translators already.
Heck, just give me a food replicator and a transporter I'll be satisfied.
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Okay, I have an appointment for the dentist for a filling on the tenth. However, Community Health can't do what really needs to be done.
Current frustration: I need to get all four of my wisdom teeth removed. Apparently, they've all been buried under my gums. >_<
I have to go to a private practice doctor to do that, which I certanily know I CAN'T afford.
*sigh*
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^ that sounds terrible. I had to get all 4 of mine out at once via oral surgery. I strongly recommend that an oral surgeon does it. It is very pricey if you don't have insurance covering it, though... There are added risks if a dentist does it with just topical anesthetic, not anything that I would personally undergo.
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I got Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor, Which I have thoroughly enjoyed. The game is pretty easy though, until Day 6 and there is this GOD DAMN FIGHT THAT IS NIGH IMPOSSIBLE. After about a week of trying non-stop I final won, then my battery died.
Another thing, how the hell does the Shin Megami Tensei time line work? Whats the order.
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(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/msnnews.png)
Fuck this. News constantly covered in this unnecessary bullshit.
I got Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor, Which I have thoroughly enjoyed. The game is pretty easy though, until Day 6 and there is this GOD DAMN FIGHT THAT IS NIGH IMPOSSIBLE. After about a week of trying non-stop I final won, then my battery died.
Ouch. :( Your battery dying right then and there is just cruel.
I'm at the battle where you have to protect Haru... died when I failed to get close enough in time. I'll beat it today.
Another thing, how the hell does the Shin Megami Tensei time line work? Whats the order.
If I recall correctly there is a coherent timeline; can't remember where I saw it. All I know myself is the online game takes place between 1 and 2.
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Okay, I have an appointment for the dentist for a filling on the tenth. However, Community Health can't do what really needs to be done.
Current frustration: I need to get all four of my wisdom teeth removed. Apparently, they've all been buried under my gums. >_<
I have to go to a private practice doctor to do that, which I certanily know I CAN'T afford.
*sigh*
Oi. Are your wisdom teeth currently troubling you? I'd tell you to try waiting it off, but I don't wanna make a bad situation worse. I mean, I do know people who haven't gotten their wisdom teeth pulled and when visiting the dentist at age 55, the dentist still suggests that they should be removed, even if there's no pain. So I dunno man. Either way, you have my sympathy.
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I might agree with Mav. I dunno. I had a pretty extreme situation. My uppers were really fucked up and not giving me any pain. I found out that this was due to a cyst pushing one of my uppers into my nasal cavity and my other upper being upside down.
My lowers had been coming in and causing me some pain, so I went to the oral surgeon about that and he said that all 4 of them needed to come out. Really, what I asked was if all 4 really did need to come out, and he "strongly recommended it". The truth of the matter was that I could have chosen to just get the two problem ones out and the other 2 would have been ok for who knows how long, but I chose to get all 4 out because of insurance. I suggest assessing the situation... I also really would try to wait till you can get a professional oral surgeon to do it.
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(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/msnnews.png)
Fuck this. News constantly covered in this unnecessary bullshit.
Yes, indeed. The sad thing is that we, as a society at large, are just realizing the volatility of our insatiable hunger for distraction. By surrounding ourselves in this fugue of information that was, for all intents and purpose, supposed to make our lives more convenient, it has caused us to become ambitionless and vane creatures obsessed with the latest gossip and entertainment just to numb us of cognitive and civic responsibility...
Isn't it deliciously ironic that, instead of taking care of more important things, I'm posting this in a personal frustrations thread intended to bring attention unto myself, if only for a moment?
Moreover, what's with all of these new smilies? I leave for a short stint, and there's already two new ones...
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Moreover, what's with all of these new smilies? I leave for a short stint, and there's already two new ones...
I can't believe there is a Queen Zeal one D:. I HATE queen Zeal. Why don't other characters get one too... I guess that's something ppl will have to complain to Ramsus/Z about if they want them added in, or else Z adds in everything he finds interesting.
I want icons of all the CT characters (maybe CE chars too- HUMAN GLENN) and then one of flea. I have this really awesome flea moving sprite that I'm sure others will really like.
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That's King Zeal, not Queen. ALPHARD YOU RULE :kz
Frustration: The Wednesday Market moved. I was planning on going straight there after school, but it isn't at the transit center anymore. Darn you moving people!
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Oh yeah, I thought that might be it actually when I was writing the last post . To me, it looks almost exactly like Queen Zeal. I guess I approve more now XD;. I thought it was strange considering most people uniformly hate Queen Zeal. Ugh, worst character in the entire game. Azala was much more awesome than that dumb brainwashed woman >_>. I don't know why no one likes Azala!
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For the record, I thought Azala was sweet.
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Yeah, Azala always struck me as an overworked bureaucrat whose dreams had been frustrated by the brutal realities of time. Definitely a sympathetic character. "Sweet," I dunno...but very relatable. Queen Zeal was a little too monotone-cartoon-villain for most people. I didn't dislike her, though. Just found her grating. Dalton too. What a pair!
I wonder why the reptites didn't have a nuclear program. In retrospect: :picardno
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It would seem that they were more into the life-sciences.
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Actually, Dalton was my favorite villain in the game XD;. I found him really cheesy and amusing!
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Actually, Dalton was my favorite villain in the game XD;. I found him really cheesy and amusing!
No kidding? They're almost exactly the same character...dismissive, haughty, narrow-minded, obsessed with immortality, overbearing, and ludicrously devoted to evil. The only difference is that he's a mook and she's a prick.
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Exactly XD. The big difference is the very fact that he was a moot and she was a prick. the characteristics that they share somehow ended up working to Dalton's advantage for me because I like really stupid characters like him. I'm a huge fan of Team Rocket after all! Even though TR is basically worthless, at least Dalton gave the Epoch wings! I also think that Dalton was evil all along(much cooler), and the Queen's evilness just arose from the Mammon machine. It makes more of a difference to me that Dalton always was so dedicated to evil and the Queen was just under the influence of Lavos and was more misguided.
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The sad thing is that we, as a society at large, are just realizing the volatility of our insatiable hunger for distraction.
(...)
Moreover, what's with all of these new smilies? I leave for a short stint, and there's already two new ones...
As an experiment, it sadly might have worked out better than I thought. I suppose it would prove too much though, so it remains inconclusive why I achieved the desired results.
Moving on, my real frustration for the day summer is being separated from loved ones. Nothing quite ruins what is supposed to be a time for relaxation and merriment.
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I also think that Dalton was evil all along(much cooler), and the Queen's evilness just arose from the Mammon machine. It makes more of a difference to me that Dalton always was so dedicated to evil and the Queen was just under the influence of Lavos and was more misguided.
I'll give you that. It's an important character difference. I wonder what he was like before the Queen went crazy. The problem with video game villains like him is that there's no plausible explanation whatsoever for how they came to be trusted with such power and authority in the first place. The Kingdom of Zeal, with its three gurus and love of learning, set itself up as a place for merit to be recognized, yet Dalton's only merit is that he is damn sexy...which has nothing to do with the security services for which he is supposedly responsible.
It's possible that we're both mistaken and that he too was corrupted by the Mammon Machine somehow, although unlikely. More likely is that Dalton was a symbol of everything wrong with the Kingdom of Zeal: a case-in-point which proved that the kingdom was not so paradisaical after all: If someone like him could rise to be so entrusted with the people's safety, then clearly Zeal did not care about its people's safety. A similar, but distinct possibility is that he was corrupted by the breakdown of the royal family, an example of the Japanese cultural attitude of one's own failures having ramifications for one's whole family. We don't know for sure how King Zeal died, and Queen Zeal's corruption may have been the last straw for him.
But it's also possible that he was just a bad egg, rotten apple, scum of the bottom of the barrel kind of a mook right from the start.
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But it's also possible that he was just a bad egg, rotten apple, scum of the bottom of the barrel kind of a mook right from the start.
I believe it's more of that because if you do recall, in I *believe* CT DS, they implied that Dalton got sent to the middle ages and caused the Mystics war. In that way, you could tell that he was no longer really influenced by Lavos. He was just dedicated to evil from the very start, it's just that Queen Zeal gave him the opportunity for him to rise to power. I also never thought of him as an example of everything that was wrong with Zeal. he would make a good case in point, though.
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So I borrowed a copy of Unreal Tournament 3 from a classmate to install on my laptop for its editor, so that I could do my UnrealII homework at home. Turns out the Unreal editor doesn't support my graphics card. I can still run it, but it gets a bunch of weird results. Darn you graphics card!
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Still Zephira, it's kind of awesome that you have "Unreal II homework." Are you continuing to pursue game design as a career then? You're livin' the dream, livin' the dream.
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The Kingdom of Zeal, with its three gurus and love of learning, set itself up as a place for merit to be recognized, yet Dalton's only merit is that he is damn sexy...which has nothing to do with the security services for which he is supposedly responsible.
We don't really see much of how Dalton interacts with his superiors or perceived peers. Society is full of people who get into their positions by appearing to be worthy while in reality they stand on the necks of those below them.
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No frustrations today. :lee:
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No frustrations today. :lee:
Happy to hear it. Maybe you should've put that in the "Stuff you LOVE, baby!" thread?
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No frustrations today. :lee:
Bah, that's frustrating me!
EDIT: Hmm, actually, I find frustration to be frustrating.
To explain: I used to have an anger problem (but I suspect such is more common than I once thought), took care of that mostly in 4th grade. I don't get particularly angry now, but I do get frustrated/annoyed with people far more easily than I would like.
Though I guess when you have the original Obi-Wan Kenobi as an emotional role model, that does skew things a bit.
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We don't really see much of how Dalton interacts with his superiors or perceived peers. Society is full of people who get into their positions by appearing to be worthy while in reality they stand on the necks of those below them.
Most of the banking industry, yes?
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Microsoft Word's auto-format features.
As this is an affront to sanity, I turn it off. However, others do not and so I am still faced with this plague. If the auto-format features were good, I wouldn't mind, but generally if you want a document to look half-way decent, auto-format gets in the way.
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Very stressed out right now.
I have 7 hours to correspond with this guy helping me with my perl program. I have one semi important problem on it that won't get my website to load on the teacher's server due to file writing restrictions, and I have to change that now, but can't seem to figure that out. If the website won't load, I will get an F on this assignment too, and it's a nastier F than last time because this assignment is worth 20 percent of my grade. Worst comes to worst, I will get a "D+" in the class and I *may* end up on academic probation. Let's hope that even if I do fail the assignment (and I'm really trying hard to figure my problem out), I may not get on academic probation and my GPA would just take a nasty plunge hitting JUST above the 3.0 mark. I was pretty happy with my 3.5, but I will be ok as long as I'm not on academic probation.
Oh please don't make me go on academic probation, perl : (.
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I was frustrated last night by the widespread lack of appreciation for Shakespeare in that thread on the polling board. It's one thing to prefer the Chrono series to the works of Shakespeare, but the way people were talking made it clear that Shakespeare is over their heads. I guess it's better this way; worse would be if they merely claimed to appreciate Shakespeare (or anything else) without actually being able to do so. Still, it points to glaring incompetence in our education system and affirms our stark lack of regard for intellectualism as a society.
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I didn't even notice that thread... Maybe it's because other people didn't too. I thought the polling thread was only for chrono stuff.
Anyway, I am a huge fan of shakespeare. I'll go vote now, if the poll isn't closed.
Edit: I found the thread you were talking about and it kind of bothers me too. I don't understand how people can make such threads. Chrono fans are so weird >_>;
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I haven't gone over all of Shakespeare's works, but those I did seemed like events were pulled out of bad sitcoms. The comedy was great, but the rest seemed boring. My best guess is that I'm missing something in terms of context with his times or something...I'm not a fan of sonnets either, really...
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I'd blame it more on the educational system forcing Shakespeare on us since 4th grade(I was in the honors program, so that might have something to do with it, but I digress). As I said, I like Hamlet, Macbeth and Julius Caeser, probably because of my interest in history.
The word "appreciate" in this context has always baffled me though. I understand his work, and its importance, but I certainly can't say I "appreciate" having to read it.
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The cramming of Shakespeare that we get throughout the school system works well for some(like me) but backlashes with others. I have read so many Shakespeare plays throughout school, and some in University too. In Uni summer school, I took a very special writing class for my last GE where we had to see 3 Shakespeare plays (my college town puts on a sort of Shakespeare festival during the summers) and then write analytical reviews about them. It was really exciting for me since I LOVED King Leer and that was one of them I saw.. and with superb acting too. I like his dramas a ton, but don't like his comedies. His comedies are kind of lost to me... I just don't get most of the humor because what was funny 600 years ago doesn't always translate to being funny in modern times so easily. Teh dramaz, though, it is all still so relatable to me even in these days.
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I've been restless all day. I hate being restless. I wasn't even able to concentrate on work tonight, so I took the night off to drink and watch Homicide.
Ehh... I guess that's not so bad.
Zaichik, hope your perl assignment went alright. I still have nightmares about college predicaments like that!
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You've probably heard about the helicopter and small plane collision in New York City that left 9 dead. While reading about it at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/08/helicopter-small-plane-co_n_254625.html, I read this quote from a lady who was supposed to board the helicopter but didnt:
I feel very, really lucky," Casali said. "I think God was in our life. Today is the beginning of a new life, to catch every moment, every minute of this life.
God was in your life, eh? If God was awake during this, why didn't his holiness fucking stop the helicopter and plane from colliding and killing those other 9 people? Does God just have a thing for people with the surname Casali?
I mean, how fucking insensitive is a statement like that? Fuck religion.
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Somebody here forgot to clean the cheese grater before putting it back up. So, I go to grate some cheese for omlettes this morning, and see that inside of the grater is almost completely covered in old, dried cheese. It took nearly ten minutes to scrape off the inside of that panel enough to be usable, but it still isn't completely clean. I think that is going to be my (disgusting) project for the day.
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You've probably heard about the helicopter and small plane collision in New York City that left 9 dead. While reading about it at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/08/helicopter-small-plane-co_n_254625.html, I read this quote from a lady who was supposed to board the helicopter but didnt:
I feel very, really lucky," Casali said. "I think God was in our life. Today is the beginning of a new life, to catch every moment, every minute of this life.
God was in your life, eh? If God was awake during this, why didn't his holiness fucking stop the helicopter and plane from colliding and killing those other 9 people? Does God just have a thing for people with the surname Casali?
I mean, how fucking insensitive is a statement like that? Fuck religion.
Yes, how insensitive a statement like the one you just made. The woman is grateful for being alive, due to something so lucky, so off-chance that it can only be described as a miracle, religious interpretation or not, and you seem to interpret it as a slam against the people who weren't so lucky.
I could go over it and explain to you why things turned out the way they have, but from what I've heard you used to be extremely religious, so you ought to know yourself.
Hell, this woman even encourages living life to the fullest, something you're rather fond of.
I've got to wonder, Z, how different your reaction would've been to her statement if she had mentioned something like an abstract secular force such as fate or karma, guiding the events instead of God.
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Yes, how insensitive a statement like the one you just made. The woman is grateful for being alive, due to something so lucky, so off-chance that it can only be described as a miracle, religious interpretation or not, and you seem to interpret it as a slam against the people who weren't so lucky.
It isn't that the woman is grateful for being alive (of course that's not a bad thing), it's that she's thanking some fantastic force she believes in that could've easily prevented the deaths of an extra nine people. She's (presumably) not super ignorant to these others, but it has to be pointed out.
What's scary is that a lot of religious folk would probably say something like, "Oh they must've been sinners if God didn't save them". So much for "God forgives all sins, he loves everyone", eh?
I've got to wonder, Z, how different your reaction would've been to her statement if she had mentioned something like an abstract secular force such as fate or karma, guiding the events instead of God.
Fate and karma are bull too, so no difference there.
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What's scary is that a lot of religious folk would probably say something like, "Oh they must've been sinners if God didn't save them". So much for "God forgives all sins, he loves everyone", eh?
She said nothing even resembling that, and its not fair to compare her as an individual Christian woman to the bigoted religious activists that Z seems to see every time religion is even mentioned.
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Fate isn't bull, she just can't access her Frozen Flame right now :fuk
If you want to see an example of a good, not-bull miracle, watch (or read) Watchmen.
Frustration: Blockbuster doesn't have this movie I want to buy. Meanies.
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She said nothing even resembling that, and its not fair to compare her as an individual Christian woman to the bigoted religious activists that Z seems to see every time religion is even mentioned.
Your mistake is to think that bigotry is always malevolent. It often ends up that way, but many people do not intend to inflict the harm that they nevertheless do inflict.
ZeaLitY's point is 100 percent legitimate, and I could not have put it better myself, so I won't even try. Take your ball and go home. When Christians use their faith to stroke their own egos at the expense of anything and everything else, I can think of no other word for it but "disgusting." Granted, she's thankful to be alive and perhaps she can be forgiven for some emotional overwhelm during this time, but I bet you that, in a few days from now, when the emotions have faded away, she'd still say the exact same thing. Those kinds of people usually do.
If you don't like our frustration at that, then go complain to your All-Loving God.
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Why is it when I show up here every so often that we have a new smiley?
First this: :franky
And now this: :kz
Second, let her think what she wants to think Z, don't shun someone because of their beliefs, or you're just a douche. Sure her statement is a little dumb, but hell, I once thought like that, hell, I hated science. Now I love it, and hate God apparently. Not too happy with him lately.
Third frustration, I told Alice that I think Anne Hathaway is attractive and now she's mad at me. Damn, first you're angry because I wont answer the question and now you're angry because I answered it.
I just don't get women sometimes...
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Whoa, whoa, whoa...Everything you just said was wrong J. Everything.
This woman was not stroking her ego, she was not slamming the other people who died. She was saying that she was happy to be alive, and she attributed it to God looking out for her.
Can you not see how wrong it is that this woman is being flaked for saying "I feel very, really lucky. I think God was in our life."? There was no bigotry in anything she said. You can interpret it that way by looking for bigotry, but most of us see it as a comment made by a Christian woman who believed that her life was saved by God looking out for her. Duress or not, there's nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with that.
If you don't like our frustration at that, then go complain to your All-Loving God.
Oh yes, and you're the one to lecture me on bigotry...
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The thing they're getting that is that if God was looking after that one woman, then what about the rest of the people in that crash? Why wasn't anyone looking after them?
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I'd be hesitant, to say the least, to find any fault with Casali before finding fault with the kind of theism that prompted her comment. As a former Baptist, I can remember the forced nature with which myself and those around me were supposed to thank god for -everything- in our lives, because our faith was supposed to hold that strong come hell or high water. To say our gratitude was a matter of ego stroking would be a misrepresentation to say the least. It was a matter of doing what we were expected, by the church and god, to do.
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I'd be hesitant, to say the least, to find any fault with Casali before finding fault with the kind of theism that prompted her comment. As a former Baptist, I can remember the forced nature with which myself and those around me were supposed to thank god for -everything- in our lives, because our faith was supposed to hold that strong come hell or high water. To say our gratitude was a matter of ego stroking would be a misrepresentation to say the least. It was a matter of doing what we were expected, by the church and god, to do.
This. I am so glad I never got baptized.
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The thing they're getting that is that if God was looking after that one woman, then what about the rest of the people in that crash? Why wasn't anyone looking after them?
If they would say that, then I would've answered the damn thing. Zeality should know the reason I'm about to give, because of his religious background, though.
First of all, if you're a deist, then the answer should be obvious. However, she is not, so I won't deign on that for very long.
Now, for one thing, God makes people suffer because people gain wisdom from tragedy. Moreover, He allows tragedy to test people and to bring them closer to Him. If life was always perfect, with no suffering or sadness, people would grow away from Him, forget Him, even deny His existence. I personally believe that the reason atheism is growing in our country is because of the increase in the SOL of our country, due mainly to the efforts of man and the guidance of God.
When a religious person faces tragedy, they either blame God or they embrace him. Being religious, of course I believe that religion gives people hope. But unless you follow a path of righteous living, it is simply an opiate. Mock that if you will.
This is why suffering exists.
In the end, we all die. Some sooner than others, but this common fate is inevitable. As for who dies and who lives, that's up to God to decide. This may sound horrible, but no one is in a greater position to judge than He is, because He loves us all equally.
In this case, he chose Carsali to escape the accident. Literally speaking, Lord knows why. He obviously has something planned for her to do with her life before she meets her Maker.
Her comment, however, was merely in gratitude for Him guiding her to continue her life. As a Christian woman, she believes that God had a hand in the miracle she experienced.
She did not, however, comment on the deaths of her would-be passengers. She said nothing bigoted or insensitive at all.
And I'm not saying this to attempt to proselytize any of you. In fact, I'm sure I just turned most of you away from religion. I'm well aware that what I say sounds naive or silly to a nonbeliever(for lack of a better word).
Be that as it may, I've never looked down on anyone for their religious preferences, and I wish you would grant me that same courtesy.
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I can respect your right to chose for yourself to be religious, but that's about it. However, the air crash story isn't about you; it's about the insensitive and frankly grating comments made by the interviewee. If you don't think they're insensitive or grating, that's your prerogative, and you've said so, and now here we are. =)
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Truth, I actually found your explanation fascinating from an academic standpoint at least. You might be interested in reading Simone Weil sometime, especially her Waiting for God. (http://www.archive.org/details/waitingforgod013456mbp) It's always interesting to hear different rationales for human suffering -- secular, humanist, religious, or otherwise. It's tough subject matter no matter which angle you approach it from, I think.
I've been more influenced by Deists in this regard I guess, but I've grown to find the notion of God directly controlling affairs unsettling. There is something to be said for an element of love in granting unfettered freedom too. Not what a parent would or should do, certainly, but maybe when you've got the power to defy immutable laws of science, intervening in the slightest becomes questionable.
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like an abstract secular force such as fate or karma, guiding the events instead of God.
Same reaction. Karma is an attractive idea to some people because it gives them a sense of universal justice, and it just so happens that sloppy people usually do get what they give out, sooner or later. But it's a myth, just like astrology or other "fate".
In the end, we all die. Some sooner than others, but this common fate is inevitable.
What about those who are raised in cultures that have no exposure whatsoever to the Christian religion, like native Amazonians, or some Africans, or sheltered Asians? What happens when they die without a chance to board the Jesus train? Are they just going straight to hell because luck of the draw sent them six feet under before they could get baptized?
In this case, he chose Carsali to escape the accident. Literally speaking, Lord knows why. He obviously has something planned for her to do with her life before she meets her Maker.
It must be fun rationalizing everything as part of some plan. By this logic, we shouldn't try to make cars or streets safer, or make air travel safer, or try and prevent death. After all, the same people are going to die anyway, because it's all part of the divine plan. Why, we might as well not even choose to breathe. Everything is controlled by God.
We'll see what happens to this line of thinking when decades from now, Christians are a tiny majority of the last diehards as the rest of humanity has moved on. Religion is a logical house of cards; pull one, and the entire thing falls.
She did not, however, comment on the deaths of her would-be passengers. She said nothing bigoted or insensitive at all.
"I'm pretending that the word 'imply' doesn't exist or that 'indirect statement' is impossible in this world." Because God saved her, God must have wanted those other 9 people to die. There is no getting around this.
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So Buck Sagebrush may end up being a rooster, which is bad news bears for us city slickers...jury's still out as the chick is only 3.5 weeks old right now...
I did however find basically damn near the equivalent of this place - only for chickens - and the early consensus there is rooster. So that means we would need to find him another home so our neighbors don't murder us/he dosen't murder the hens with incessant mating. Also then the other hen (assuming it's a hen, if they're BOTH roosters I'm going to FREAK)would be all alone in the coop because the other chicks we get this week will be a few weeks behind and unable to join her out here...not to mention all the time and effort and $$$ that went into them only to have to move them somewhere else safe...BAH
Never thought I'd come to fall in love with chikens...
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Attributing dumb luck to an act of God seems rather insulting to both Christianity & common sense if ya ask me...>_>
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What about those who are raised in cultures that have no exposure whatsoever to the Christian religion, like native Amazonians, or some Africans, or sheltered Asians? What happens when they die without a chance to board the Jesus train? Are they just going straight to hell because luck of the draw sent them six feet under before they could get baptized?
My faith has taught me that as long as they live a life of righteousness, they go to Heaven, regardless of what faith they practice, be it voodoo, Scientology or even atheism.
Yes Z, I do believe that you'll have a happy afterlife despite the fact that you don't believe in God, so long as you don't do anything stupid. I'm sure you don't care, but you would've used it as a club against me had I not made that clear.
It must be fun rationalizing everything as part of some plan. By this logic, we shouldn't try to make cars or streets safer, or make air travel safer, or try and prevent death. After all, the same people are going to die anyway, because it's all part of the divine plan. Why, we might as well not even choose to breathe. Everything is controlled by God.
Come on, Z, you ought to know better. The "plan" refers to the afterlife, not life on Earth. Human progress is essential to increase the happiness here on Earth, I don't deny that. But just like with Soddom and Gamorrah, there is such a thing as too much.
In any event, you should know the old saying by now: "God helps those that help themselves." He's not going to magically save a person committing suicide, unless He has a really specific plan for them. He's also not going to ensure that a pack-a-day smoker of 20 years is immune to lung cancer.
In the end, it all comes down to free will. Do what you want to your earthly body, accept death as soon as you want. The only part He concerns Himself with is death and the afterlife.
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God was in your life, eh? If God was awake during this, why didn't his holiness fucking stop the helicopter and plane from colliding and killing those other 9 people? Does God just have a thing for people with the surname Casali?
You have an interesting perception of what god -- if such a being were to exist -- would be like. You seem to imagine some sort of divine helicopter-parent that is eternally ready to snatch humanity's hand away from the flame. Indeed, you seem to imagine that if a god exists, he should have gone around the universe padding every corner, childproofing every cupboard, and disinfecting every toy.
The thing they're getting that is that if God was looking after that one woman, then what about the rest of the people in that crash? Why wasn't anyone looking after them?
To note, no one ever said that someone wasn't looking after them. Though, if one then makes the claim that God was looking out for them, then that invokes the entire "God works in mysterious ways" argument, which tends to be unsatisfying for many individuals, religious and irreligious alike.
But from what you said, it seems that the original complaint is a rather redundant one. If belief in a divine power is illogical (as, amusingly enough, I would agree with Z on, even while rejecting that as grounds for rejecting religion), then it seems like it should be expected that such individuals would not always follow particular trains of thought out to their logical completion. Therefore, blaming an illogical woman for not having logically thought out the implications of a statement seems to be in poor form. Like chiding a 4 year old for being a child.
Because God saved her, God must have wanted those other 9 people to die. There is no getting around this.
Only in many forms of Systematic Theology. Process Theology, on the other hand, has no problem getting around that. I’m not sure what other forms of theology would say… I suspect Apophetic Theology would get around it as well with no problem, but I can’t say for sure.
There is something to be said for an element of love in granting unfettered freedom too. Not what a parent would or should do, certainly, but maybe when you've got the power to defy immutable laws of science, intervening in the slightest becomes questionable.
But at the same time, neither should a parent be overprotective. A good parent gives a child freedom, ideally not more than it can handle. From a Christian perspective, I find this to be a very heartening concept: that there is evil in the world means that God believes humanity is fully capable of dealing with that evil. Of course, while this form might be unique to religion, cognates of such a belief can be found outside of religion as well.
In the end, it all comes down to free will. Do what you want to your earthly body, accept death as soon as you want. The only part He concerns Himself with is death and the afterlife.
To be fair, there are Christians who believe as Z stated. See: Quiver Full Theology.
Of course, to be fair again, every Christian who believes in Free Will (either specifically or inherently) would reject that stance.
So, I guess Z's not just an atheist, he's an anti-Calvinist on top of that... actually, looking over the Five Points again, Z seems to almost perfectly be opposed to those points based on what they claim about humanity (as what those points say about the divine would be irrelevant in this context). Such an opposition is not so drastic if Calvinism were to be replaced with Armenianism, for example, or Methodism. Which is all really just to say that the Five Points of Calvinism could also be called "Z's Top 5 Things that are Wrong with Christianity." Okay, maybe not the top five, but up there at least.
Would you agree, Z, that you particularly hate the concepts of total depravity, human inability, and predestination (three themes that are in the five points)?
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In any event, you should know the old saying by now: "God helps those that help themselves." He's not going to magically save a person committing suicide, unless He has a really specific plan for them. He's also not going to ensure that a pack-a-day smoker of 20 years is immune to lung cancer.
He's not willing to save a single person, yet he's willing to sacrifice innocent lives for some enigmatic 'grand plan'. Hmm. Despite everyone being 'equal' in his eyes, it's perfectly fine that millions die from disasters and disease, eh?
In the end, it all comes down to free will. Do what you want to your earthly body, accept death as soon as you want. The only part He concerns Himself with is death and the afterlife.
Waiiiit, so God decides what you do, when you die, etc., yet you have free will? ............????????????????
In the end, we all die. Some sooner than others, but this common fate is inevitable. As for who dies and who lives, that's up to God to decide.
So that justifies it? Nine innocent people have died, but that's okay because God said so? Would you say the same thing to their families that are left behind grieving? That's utter tyranny, hell; it's like there isn't much of a line between Christianity and Nazism.
This may sound horrible, but no one is in a greater position to judge than He is, because He loves us all equally.
If he loved everyone equally wouldn't people have control over their own lives? You don't chain someone to the ground all their life and say at the end "Oh it's okay because I love you".
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My faith has taught me that as long as they live a life of righteousness, they go to Heaven, regardless of what faith they practice, be it voodoo, Scientology or even atheism.
Why not just burn the Bible, then, since its commandments disagree with those of scientology, voodoo, and atheism? The Bible has its own metric for living a life of righteousness. If God's just going to let any old bastard in who followed their own way, then everyone should join the Church of Las Vegas and fastidiously follow its hedonistic precepts, since it doesn't matter which flavor of religious righteousness one lives in your faith.
In the end, it all comes down to free will. Do what you want to your earthly body, accept death as soon as you want. The only part He concerns Himself with is death and the afterlife.
For the above, some denominations hold that the plan of salvation occurs on earth, too, and most wouldn't even bother making the distinction since they aim to live religiously and "spread the gospel" (and the word gospel can be used interchangeably with plan). And if you concede free will, then you accept my original point: Casali is an insensitive jerk for assuming that God wanted her to live and implying that God didn't care that the other 9 died.
God was in your life, eh? If God was awake during this, why didn't his holiness fucking stop the helicopter and plane from colliding and killing those other 9 people? Does God just have a thing for people with the surname Casali?
You have an interesting perception of what god -- if such a being were to exist -- would be like. You seem to imagine some sort of divine helicopter-parent that is eternally ready to snatch humanity's hand away from the flame. Indeed, you seem to imagine that if a god exists, he should have gone around the universe padding every corner, childproofing every cupboard, and disinfecting every toy.
You have an interesting way of ascribing to me what properly belongs to Ms. Casali. (And a lot of other Christians who believe in miracles.) They want God to answer their prayers whenever they please, but chalk up misfortune to mysterious ways. Too bad they can't have it both ways. Besides, if it's not God hovering above protecting one, it's a patron saint, or angels, or any other belief. The LDS church held that God knows your every thought and action.
Would you agree, Z, that you particularly hate the concepts of total depravity, human inability, and predestination (three themes that are in the five points)?
I wrote off Calvinism back when I was religious for deeming that God's elect had already been chosen. That seemed rather stupid. "Join us, but you aren't getting your money back in case you don't turn out to be one of the elect." Total depravity flies out of the window the moment education, intelligence, and self-directed evolution step into the room.
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My thoughts on the Bible: It is the Word of God, presented to the 12 disciples by Jesus.
However, ultimately, it is written by man, and is therefore flawed with their prejudices and interest. The DaVinci Code is a great resource on this, despite being a work of fiction.
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My thoughts on the Bible: It is the Word of God, presented to the 12 disciples by Jesus.
What about the letters of Paul?
Okay, sorry, I'm just being argumentative now.
EDIT: Current frustration is that there is no good gender-neutral singular pronoun. "It" really just doesn't work in the modern English language, it has negative connotations, but at the same time is seems sexist to use "he" or "she" if the gender is unknown. "They" works very nicely for the plural, but is grammatically incorrect for the singular.
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I hate how "they" is grammatically incorrect for singular usage. That tripped me up so many times in eighth grade. A nice amalgamation nowadays is "S/He." I guess that's cheating or something though.
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What about using ''that''?
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yes but 's/he' is very difficult to say. i talked to a friend who studied foreign languages and they said this:
When you're conjugating a verb in an inflected language, like English or Latin or French, you tack on endings at the end of the root. Like for Latin, you put '-s' for a singular second person verb (you did something). [...]
Usually, the ways you can translate those verbs with endings are simple. I ___, you ___, he/she/it/they ___, we ___, you ___, and they ___. [...]
i trust this persons judgement, even though she says shes only a second year student.
right now im frustrated because my dog chrisie piddled on one of the key pillows for fort antibubble; we have to wash the cover for it. in the meantime my dad wont let me use the coverless pillow, so fort antibubble has fallen.
to think it would fall to the likes of a lassiedog! lol
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My current frustration, how it seems like half the time I read this thread someone like Z or someone else like that starts a moral/religious (or something else like that) conversation which goes on for several pages and reading it will often frustrate me, but I know if I get involved I'll just get caught up in the debating and flaming which will just make the frustration worse and no opinions will be changed.
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That's correct, Bucky, for English anyways. From what little I understand about the French language, verb conjugation is a bit easier than, say, the German language, where the conjugation looks more like this:
ich(I) -e wir(we)-(e)n
du(you)-st ihr(you, you guys, you all, y'all)-t
er(he, it)
sie(she, it)-t sie(they)-(e)n
es(he, she or it)
Plus the Formal "You," Sie-(e)n
In English, it looks something more like this:
I we
you you
he
she -s they
it
That's for regular verbs though. The English way to conjugate is far easier, either way.
EDIT: I use the German language here to show the difference between the "inflected languages," Bucky mentioned and others. I was merely completing his idea.
But what Thought is having a problem with is gender in grammar. Unlike most other languages, we give gender to individuals, but never to objects.
For example, in German, tables are masculine(der Tisch) cows are feminine(die Kuh) and windows are neuter(das Fenster), and are referred to in the third person as er(he), sie(she) and es(it) respectively.
In English, however, all objects and even non-human animals are all referred to as "it."
I'm assuming here that Thought is talking about referring to people in the third person.
Take for instance the sentence, "Someone dropped their pencil." This sentence is incorrect grammatically because only one person dropped a pencil. You could say "Someone dropped his pencil," "Someone dropped her pencil," or "Someone dropped it's pencil," and it would be grammatically correct, but it might be considered offensive to refer to a person as "it," a man as "she" or a woman as "he." Without prior knowledge of the person's gender, this can get a bit confusing and awkward. You could say "Someone dropped his or her pencil," but this sounds a bit awkward to the ear, and is a bit wordy.
I love this type of analysis though. I used to hate grammar, but since learning German I've found it fascinating to study and compare to various foreign languages.
My current frustration, how it seems like half the time I read this thread someone like Z or someone else like that starts a moral/religious (or something else like that) conversation which goes on for several pages and reading it will often frustrate me, but I know if I get involved I'll just get caught up in the debating and flaming which will just make the frustration worse and no opinions will be changed.
*Nervous chuckle* My bad Delta Dragon. I suppose I do carry on without regard to others here on the forum.
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an inflected language is a language with different forms of verbs and some kind of declension system, i guess. the romance languages, i assume.
religious debates scare me, and we often have them in the house. dad and my sister are catholic while my mother and brother are protestant. im happily agnostic but they keep trying to turn me to one side or the other.
i guess thats my current frustration lol
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Well, to show that I'm not completely humorless on the topic, here's a random Uncyclopedia picture to settle things down a bit.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/200px-1167208116855-1-.jpg)
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Microsoft Word's auto-format features.
As this is an affront to sanity, I turn it off. However, others do not and so I am still faced with this plague. If the auto-format features were good, I wouldn't mind, but generally if you want a document to look half-way decent, auto-format gets in the way.
I know I'm a little late on the reply, but...Google docs, man! All the Word w/o the hassle!
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Microsoft Word's auto-format features.
As this is an affront to sanity, I turn it off. However, others do not and so I am still faced with this plague. If the auto-format features were good, I wouldn't mind, but generally if you want a document to look half-way decent, auto-format gets in the way.
I know I'm a little late on the reply, but...Google docs, man! All the Word w/o the hassle!
Open Office FTW! Portable apps FTW. On the other hand, down with frustrating slow USB! You may have something there.
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I've used all three extensively, and I have to say that MS Word beats Open Office and Google Docs by a mile. As a writer, I spend more time in the word processor than I do on any other application other than Firefox. I use Google Docs at work (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that my team uses Google Docs), and I have Open Office on the laptop...and, frankly, it's not even close. Word is a pleasure to work with; the other two just can't deliver the functionality I've come to expect. And they're slower, to boot!
This is one time when Microsoft wins.
So I suppose this should have gone in the Stuff I Love thread instead. Heh...
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Microsoft Word is definitely the bet word processor, BUT it doesn't come standard on Vistas (I suppose that's my frustration). I can't open any of my rubrics or lectures from online classes unless I first email it to myself to open in google docs.
Also .docx is retarded. Sure it's smaller than .doc, but most people haven't picked up the latest MSWord yet and can't open it. I had a semi-online english class a couple quarters ago in which all the assignments, lectures, rubrics, and required reading pages were .docx files.
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The worst thing about Word... is Windows.
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iGrenades (http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/personal_tech/article6736587.ece) and companywide Brain Vacations (http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Apple-and-Google-on-Brain-Vacation-67817.html?wlc=1249997391). Microsoft isn't the only computer company that makes screwy things happen.
Also, I do prefer MS Office, but I was talking about alternatives to the program, which will not auto-format your document all funky, and are free. V suggested a cloud-computing piece of software, and I suggested an open source alternative. If all you want is no auto formatting, give it a go. If you want something that will open word documents on your comp for free that you can keep forever(also other MS Office stuff) then, again, give it a shot. If you're professionally writing a novel you plan to sell and are Microsoft certified and expect MS Word, don't use Open Office or Google Docs. Simple as that.
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If you're writing a short script or fanfic, use Wordpad. It saves in .rtf which is a fairly universal document format. You can open it in all of those, without the auto-formatting.
And it just looks less menacing.
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one of my favorite word processors is wordperfect. my sister installed it on my computer and i use it most times, but the main problem is it saves in a .wpf file. it only opens in wordperfect which sucks. so after i write it i have to put it in a .rtf or something to share it. the program has a lot of editing tools and is more for proffesional writers iguess, but its still awesome.
im frustrated that i just spent four hours cleaning the living room and kitchen and as soon as my brother got home from a video game session at his friends house he tore the living room up.
why do i do the things i do?
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I did a lot of writing back on the old DOS-based WordPerfect back in the day; it was my first word processor. Ah, that soothing old blue screen...the approachable white text...that blocky blinking cursor. Good stuff! I still have WordPerfect files on my present computer some fifteen years later; I never got around to converting them.
My frustration of the moment is a mild one: waking up late enough in the day that I missed the morning clouds and am facing the prospect of afternoon sunshine. Today, the sky looks to be going that route, although there's still a chance the clouds will regroup around the four o'clock hour.
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Ok, so I'm sitting in class today. For those who don't know, I'm a Respiratory Therapist in training. We're in class, and reviewing for a test on Thursday. Well my teacher thinks it prudent that he ask me the hardest question possible out of his groups of questions. Usually, this wouldn't be a problem. Except for the fact that every answer to this question is RIGHT, but he wants the BEST answer. I of course choose a right answer, but not the best. I felt like an idiot.
Also, my girlfriend is out of town all week. >_<
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The Perseids peak tonight... and it's cloudy. :(
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Here's one.
I have finished my first ever screenplay, The Silver Lotus*, weighing in at a nominal 97 pages. I felt great about myself.
That was over a month and a half ago. Now it's time for the rewrite. Tighter writing, cleaner writing, improved scenes, enhanced dialogue, subtext, proper transition, straightening the facts out... you get the picture. To make matters worse, I still haven't gotten around to an agent yet or even a marketing strategy for my screenplay.
Quick joke:
What's the difference between writing a screenplay and rewriting a screenplay?
The difference the between the first half and second half of A Clockwork Orange.
* * * * * *
*For anyone interested, I can PM you the summary. Sharing one's literary achievements is a great way to ease frustration.
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Yeah, um...I'm still upset at Hollywood for buying licenses for things and just crapping out something knowing full-well that they'll make more than they put in by riding name recognition rather than doing something cool like The Dark Knight (I've liked the last few Marvel flicks [Ironman, Incredible Hulk & Punisher: War Zone] as well). So we get stuck with mediocrity like Dragonball: Evolution or, worse yet, complete trash like Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Disappointed, but I can't say I'm surprised, I guess...*sigh*
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(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/stupidstupidstupid.png)
NEWSFLASH: YOU HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED FROM CHILDHOOD IN THE MUSLIM FAITH, INCLUDING CONDITIONING TO WEAR RELIGIOUS HEADGEAR
:picardno
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First, was she born Muslim or are you assuming"?
Second, meh. Everyone gets conditioned from birth to particular social expectations. That she thinking wearing a hijab is her own choice isn't that different than another woman who might think she wears high heels of her own choosing. Or, indeed, guys who think wearing their hair short it totally their own choice.
EDIT: here's the CNN article, for others: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/12/generation.islam.hijab/index.html
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On that vein, my frustration is guys with short hair. Not exactly the guys themselves, but the fact that it's considered girly or indecent for men to wear their hair long. Come on guys, long hair is sexy!
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Sep-hi-ROTH!
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Current frustration: this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYUmCj4yud4). Man brings gun to an Obama event. While the situation alone is startling in its own right, the way Chris Matthews [mis]handled himself is downright appalling and the one-sided nature of every comment on that page just annoys the living fuck outta me.
Though the way the fella handled himself in the face of Chris's tirade is downright impressive. We can pretend he's a gun-toting extremist, but he really came off as an intelligent individual who made a very glaring move.
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I guess Chris Matthews was trying to make his show live up to the name "Hardball" with that one. However, by flying off the handle he missed an opportunity to skillfully and calmly dismantle his guest.
I'm frustrated that those who are against Obama are playing on irrational fears so heavily. The number of shootings we've had since Obama was elected -- with legally purchased firearms and ammunition I assume -- alone should prove that gun rights aren't in the danger people are making them out to be. It's the people who handle guns irresponsibly (Cho Seung Hui, George Sodini, etc) that pose the greatest threat to gun rights. If the NRA doesn't want the government having any say whatsoever in people's gun rights, they need to develop a system that keeps assholes from getting firearms. With freedom comes certain responsibilities. Govern yourself or be governed.
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Chris was clearly troubled by the mere thought of a man carrying a gun anywhere near the President. Thankfully this bloke was unbelievably level-headed, even in the constantly reddening face of Matthews. Though I'll commend Chris for getting the man to complete his Jefferson quote--the implicit nature of the quote may have been that man's downfall--and by the latter part of the interview, Chris backed down to the point where it seemed like the two could have a decent discussion. But seriously, whether or not this man was trying to make a glaring statement I can't help but feel that bringing a gun to a rally with the President (and then supposedly waiting outside for him) is in completely bad taste. I guess I'm just not used to the Second Amendment...
I just hope this guy doesn't become the next "Joe the Plumber"...Willy the Gunman?
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On that vein, my frustration is guys with short hair. Not exactly the guys themselves, but the fact that it's considered girly or indecent for men to wear their hair long. Come on guys, long hair is sexy!
:franky Hellz yeah!
I love my long hair.
With freedom comes certain responsibilities. Govern yourself or be governed.
Ben Franklin, FTW!
:hey
Why....Just...why?
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Why....Just...why?
Because... yeah, there's no good explanation for that one.
Here, maybe some pancakes will make you feel better:
(http://www.worth1000.com/hosted/tutorials/9192002114305Step-Ten-Final.jpg) (http://www.worth1000.com/tutorial.asp?sid=161002&page=11)
So my frustration is that I'm no where near as good as these people. Admittedly, I don't invest the time, but... Also, I went to add this to the interesting link thread and found that I had ninjaed myself on that matter.
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Oh dear. I wonder at which phase it becomes horrifying.
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Was that photoshopped or just made really creepy?
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Was that photoshopped or just made really creepy?
In the words of Belthasar's Creepy Doll Thing: "Push the picture, click the picture"
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I had kellogg's frosted flakes for the first time ever and was surprised with how much it tasted like crap.
Also that damn new Emote...
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that new emote is scary as all fuck and is waaaaaaay too big to be on the standard reply page. can we move it?
also, my grandmother has aphasia. its a disease that makes people forget words. she cant tell stories anymore and forgets important things. it really hurts because she used to tell the best stories about back when she was younger and about what my mother did while she was growing up. shes at a nursing home now, and id love to see her but she cant talk coherently anymore and thats the worst part of it.
aphasia sucks big hairy donkey balls.
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that new emote is scary as all fuck and is waaaaaaay too big to be on the standard reply page. can we move it?
That's impossible, I'm afraid.
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I had kellogg's frosted flakes for the first time ever and was surprised with how much it tasted like crap.
But...they're great.
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Long hair is a pain in the ass to take care of. It gets in the way a lot and makes me stupid hot in the summer time. I want short hair so I can take 5~10 min showers again, too...V_V
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Long hair is a pain in the ass to take care of. It gets in the way a lot and makes me stupid hot in the summer time. I want short hair so I can take 5~10 min showers again, too...V_V
Yes, well us males must suffer for our beauty...
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/keith.jpg)
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this thing is stupid.
:hey
is there, like some kind of emote competition going on where you have to find the biggest, most annoying ones and add them before somebody else gets to them?
this is really becoming an annoyance, to the point where i don't even want to post.
bleh.
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Use quick reply.
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Where is quick reply?
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Where is quick reply?
Go to "Profile", click "Look and Layout Preferences", then under "Use quick reply on topic display:" select "show, on by default". Then it should appear right under the "Jump to" box at the bottom of the page.
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neat. this quick reply hting is pretty handy!
frustrated because its so damn hot here.
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Where is quick reply?
Go to "Profile", click "Look and Layout Preferences", then under "Use quick reply on topic display:" select "show, on by default". Then it should appear right under the "Jump to" box at the bottom of the page.
Thank god. No, thank MAV. Also, V for the suggestion in the first place.
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Going through forum options should be your first step (after reading the rules) when joining a forums, people!
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Call me old-fashioned, but I don't think the main posting process should be spoiled like this...
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Going through forum options should be your first step (after reading the rules) when joining a forums, people!
Forum options are not what inspires people to congregate at a fan site and they are not what makes people post what they think. I barely use any other forums at all, I never check the options. I say what I want to say and get the hell outta there. Go back to read a reply if there is one. The compendium is the biggest exception to this for me. But I still rarely check forum options.
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Yeah, but it only takes a couple minutes and is there to enhance your forum experience...I can understand if you're just basically lurking like you said, but if you're actually meaning to hang around a forums for any real length of time...*shrugs*
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Again, a good suggestion, just not something I ever really considered before the ridiculous Patrick conehead thumb.
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I was pissed about something... ...then I forgot.
Damn!
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My frustration, and an intense one at that, is the use of the word "woman" as an adjective, as in "woman driver" or "woman doctor." Not only is the term usually completely unnecessary, as in the news headline I just read, "US woman soldier unrepentant over Abu Ghraib," but the very interjection of this word as an adjective implies that the role in question is somehow tainted or diminished when filled by a female, especially since the equivalent usage, adjectival "man," almost never occurs.
The sex-specific adjectives are "male" and "female." If you have to specify a person's sex adjectivally--and usually you don't--use one of those words. "Woman" is bad enough as a noun, since it affirms gender roles, but "woman" as an adjective is unambiguously insulting.
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This:
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My frustration, and an intense one at that, is the use of the word "woman" as an adjective, as in "woman driver" or "woman doctor." Not only is the term usually completely unnecessary, as in the news headline I just read, "US woman soldier unrepentant over Abu Ghraib," but the very interjection of this word as an adjective implies that the role in question is somehow tainted or diminished when filled by a female, especially since the equivalent usage, adjectival "man," almost never occurs.
The sex-specific adjectives are "male" and "female." If you have to specify a person's sex adjectivally--and usually you don't--use one of those words. "Woman" is bad enough as a noun, since it affirms gender roles, but "woman" as an adjective is unambiguously insulting.
yeah I'm with you on this one.
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Agreed. Ever since you made that post on your journal expounding upon the difference, I've used "female" in every capacity, and I've painfully noticed each time I hear "woman [something]" in a public setting.
Perhaps you should post that journal entry here.
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This:
The Entity has a sense of humor. =)
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This:
The Entity has a sense of humor. =)
Win =D
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I got that same error when trying to post something yesterday, but only once. What does it mean D:
My frustration: None of the MMDP classes I need are being offered next quarter, so my adviser went ahead and made a schedule for me. History, nutrition, and math, all morning classes. Morning classes suck, and I was really looking forward to After Effects...
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Agreed. Ever since you made that post on your journal expounding upon the difference, I've used "female" in every capacity, and I've painfully noticed each time I hear "woman [something]" in a public setting.
Perhaps you should post that journal entry here.
I really don't think the community here is ready for that kind of lesson in sexual equality. It takes a lot of sensitivity. Most people here would just write it off as an homage to political correctness, and a few would make the quaint objection that the biological terms are more sexist than the social ones. That's why I myself sometimes use "woman" and "man" on these boards when you know I would much prefer to use "female" and "male."
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I remember what I was pissed about!
I missed my 666 Magus post!
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Sorry double post...
...Gamefaqs has through the weekend to read my "feedback" request about being not underage, and possibly unbanning me.
...after that, I am making my new account, no matter what.
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This isn't really a "frustration," but there's no better thread for it: I never really "got" the whole guitar culture thing. They're such simples of pop and alternative culture alike, and plenty of folks seem to hold them in almost mystical regard.
I don't have anything against the guitar, but, like I said, I just don't get all the reverence for it. I feel the same way about things like hemp and incense.
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This isn't really a "frustration," but there's no better thread for it: I never really "got" the whole guitar culture thing. They're such simples of pop and alternative culture alike, and plenty of folks seem to hold them in almost mystical regard.
I don't have anything against the guitar, but, like I said, I just don't get all the reverence for it. I feel the same way about things like hemp and incense.
Agreed...
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This isn't really a "frustration," but there's no better thread for it: I never really "got" the whole guitar culture thing. They're such simples of pop and alternative culture alike, and plenty of folks seem to hold them in almost mystical regard.
I don't have anything against the guitar, but, like I said, I just don't get all the reverence for it. I feel the same way about things like hemp and incense.
Ditto. I was totally in the tank for Hendrix in my teens and still worship his music, but my contact with him brought me close to that giant guitar culture.
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Music is important to a lot of people. Especially soulful music. The "current standard" acoustic and/or electric guitar is popular because it was designed to cover a wide range of tones in the easiest way possible. It still takes a lot of thought and practice, just like any hobby.
Because of the wide range and the versatility, creativity is necessary for one to have one's own "sound".
It's the sound that's important, the guitar is really just the tool.
But if you're talking about me referring to Les Paul as legendary, it's because of the songs, stories, and bands that were made possible because of him, and that's pretty much everyone that used an electric guitar. It's a bit hyperbolic, yes, but I'm biased.
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Music is important to a lot of people.
Obviously.
Especially soulful music. The "current standard" acoustic and/or electric guitar is popular because it was designed to cover a wide range of tones in the easiest way possible. It still takes a lot of thought and practice, just like any hobby.
I think this is the past where I have the disconnect with the guitar people. I've listened to a lot of music, and I'll certainly grant that the guitar is a diverse instrument, but it doesn't own a monopoly on this, and there are many other instruments that are more accessible.
I expect it's that special combination of being able to offer the single player a rich chordal accompaniment (many single instruments cannot do that) without taking away their ability to sing (as a wind instrument would). A guitar is a great choice for a one-person music show, because it offers one of the easiest routes for a single person to fill up the musical space.
But if you get into the music theory of it, there are many other great choices as well, and I think we're biased somewhat by thinking of music too often in terms of what a guitar (or a bass) can do. If you're playing with a clarinet, you won't fill up the musical space and you won't be able to sing along, but you'll get even more diversity of sound than you would with a guitar, and you'll be able to be expressive in ways that a guitar can't touch. If you're playing a violin, you still won't be able to fill up the music space, but you'll be able to sing along, perform limited chords, and even create harmony between your voice and the instrument due to their overlapping range. As far as expressiveness goes, I don't know of any instrument more expressive than the violin. If you're playing a piano, you get every advantage that comes with the guitar, plus an extended range.
Yet we don't have clarinet cultures, or violin cultures, or even piano cultures. (There are the communities of those who play these instruments or greatly admire them, but no "cultures" per se.) The guitar enjoys a unique status among all musical instruments, and that's what confuses me.
Because of the wide range and the versatility, creativity is necessary for one to have one's own "sound".
"Sound" is hardly unique to the guitar, and I think that instruments like the oboe and the trombone are considerably harder to unlock creatively than the guitar--and both yield greater rewards than the guitar when played well--yet, again, we don't see oboe or trombone cultures. (The poor oboe seems limited almost entirely to the classical world, despite in my opinion being the most beautiful of all musical instruments. Of course, I am biased on that point.)
But if you're talking about me referring to Les Paul as legendary...
It's true that I did think of this because of your thread, but it wasn't specifically directed against you or him. A very important person in music has passed away, and I completely understand how that touches the multitudes.
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I'll do to you what douchebags did to the guitar!
Is this the type of thing you guys are talking about when referring to the "guitar culture?"
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Hmmmm....music is awesome and without it I would have gone totally sane long ago. As a darn good drummer (the vid to back that claim up is coming... 8)) I love listening to different beats and all that, but sometimes a guitar just hits the perfect note for me, and there are differing examples of this. As far as guitar goes, I look to the types like Andy Mckee or Craig D'Andrea as storytellers and then Petrucci and other "shredders" as the movers. Not a huge metal guy (I don't like screaming like a wuss) but that progressive shit knocks my socks off. Happens with all instruments, though.
When I was playing in bands, there was hardly any feeling ever that was better than flailing madly (or groovin softly as the case would call for) and watching the crowd not only be into and active but listening, appreciating, rocking out themselves. Only feelings to ever surpass that would be acting/comedy. Also, from my time in bands, I have noticed that guitarists have some sort of..."air" about them. It smells like poo.
Some guitar vids for anyone interested:
Craig D'Andrea - Morrison County - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv_72VcNreY
Andy Mckee - Ebon Coast - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSnWhsmlGec (I'm trying to get this down on guitar...can sloppily get about 0:25 to 2:03 down, maybe post a vid or a recording of that as well.....hmmmm...)
Oh yea! And my favorite song ever, When The Water Breaks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGZoCbImptY&feature=PlayList&p=00EDDC7A8B5D617A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=48
The song is so long they needed 2 vids, but this is the first one...my fave chunk is about 2:00 - 4:03...enjoy!
and hope that made sense...
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I freaking hate my college(its entry procedures, anyway) at this point. I move up there in two weeks and it was only last week that they decided to inform me about 300 some odd dollars I still need to pay in fees. I have about $500 to use for books, which are going to cost me about $470 if I buy them new at the campus store(which, as much as I've browsed the Interwebs, it seems I'm going to have to do).
Then just a few days ago, I got this notice about an alcohol course I had to take online. They estimated the first part being about 3 hours long, but it really came to about 5 hours spread over two days. I would not wish this on anyone. It doesn't matter that I'm a teetotaler by choice, and that none of really this applies to me, because the entire thing was pretty much set up for people who were already casual drinkers. 4 hours of answering got-damn surveys, about an hour of actually learning anything. And only about 5 minutes of that hour were even that informative. The rest of it was listening to college-age kids put on a display of dumbassery in trying to grab my attention, which, admittedly, sometimes they managed to do, but only because I have an extremely juvenile sense of humor. If I wanted a laugh though, then I would've trolled Youtube for old Dennis Leary stand-ups and been much happier about it.
One other thing I noticed about the program was that it was hypocritical. They spent about half an hour condemning the alcohol industry for marketing towards a certain group of people with certain images in their advertisements, and in the same breath had a debate between two of the cast members about the show Family Guy. I might as well go on and mention the fact that all of the cast members and extras were attractive college-age students in a film about college-age students. Bleh.
Now damn it, why is all of this so hard? I'm not going to college to drink. I'm going to college to meet new people, prepare myself for life outside of my parents house, gain a little well-earned independence, get ready for the real world and, most importantly, get an education and become certified to teach. I'm looking at this alcohol program that they funded and set up on a new domain, and wonder why my tuition has to be as high as it is to collect survey data and occasionally teach kids about safe drinking.
I won't even go into why it's stupid for them to be encouraging minors to drink. I can understand the Juniors and Seniors, because most of them will be turning 21, but not the Freshmen, for whom it's still illegal to be drinking, even if it is safely. Bah.
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I'm not going to college to drink. I'm going to college to meet new people, prepare myself for life outside of my parents house, gain a little well-earned independence, get ready for the real world and, most importantly, get an education and become certified to teach.
So what you're saying is, you're going to college for the sex and drugs. =P
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i seem to have gotten some sort of flu.
the flu frustrates me.
i shouldnt wake up at midnight to go expel waste from my bowels and my mouth! its just not cool!
at least i didnt do it in the bed, right? lol
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That's no fun. Feel better soon.
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Especially soulful music. The "current standard" acoustic and/or electric guitar is popular because it was designed to cover a wide range of tones in the easiest way possible. It still takes a lot of thought and practice, just like any hobby.
I think this is the past where I have the disconnect with the guitar people. I've listened to a lot of music, and I'll certainly grant that the guitar is a diverse instrument, but it doesn't own a monopoly on this, and there are many other instruments that are more accessible.
There are other choices, obviously, but none more portable or more popular.
I expect it's that special combination of being able to offer the single player a rich chordal accompaniment (many single instruments cannot do that) without taking away their ability to sing (as a wind instrument would). A guitar is a great choice for a one-person music show, because it offers one of the easiest routes for a single person to fill up the musical space.
You nailed it.
But if you get into the music theory of it, there are many other great choices as well, and I think we're biased somewhat by thinking of music too often in terms of what a guitar (or a bass) can do. If you're playing with a clarinet, you won't fill up the musical space and you won't be able to sing along, but you'll get even more diversity of sound than you would with a guitar, and you'll be able to be expressive in ways that a guitar can't touch. If you're playing a violin, you still won't be able to fill up the music space, but you'll be able to sing along, perform limited chords, and even create harmony between your voice and the instrument due to their overlapping range. As far as expressiveness goes, I don't know of any instrument more expressive than the violin. If you're playing a piano, you get every advantage that comes with the guitar, plus an extended range.
Yet we don't have clarinet cultures, or violin cultures, or even piano cultures. (There are the communities of those who play these instruments or greatly admire them, but no "cultures" per se.) The guitar enjoys a unique status among all musical instruments, and that's what confuses me.
I assure you that's all purely about popularity and ease of use. You don't need to rosin a bow, you don't need a large space. You can play loudly or quietly as the setting demands, and it's one of the few instruments that's deemed "acceptable" in popular music today, which is unfortunate. While I enjoy classical music, I also enjoy rock music. I love dance music, and any time the three can intersect it's brilliant (check out the Arcade Fire album Funeral if you haven't already). As far as other instrument "cultures", there's just not enough musicians (obviously an opinion). Most musicians I know, and that includes recording engineers that don't even play instruments, choras vocalists, violinists, pianists, banjoists, synthesizer players, and drummers, are all adamantly protective of their instruments, and love the chance to meet up with others who have the same hobby. It's not just guitar. And it's not even just music. That's any hobby. Again, the guitar is just a popular choice. That doesn't make it any better, but more importantly for my point is that it doesn't make it any worse.
Because of the wide range and the versatility, creativity is necessary for one to have one's own "sound".
"Sound" is hardly unique to the guitar, and I think that instruments like the oboe and the trombone are considerably harder to unlock creatively than the guitar--and both yield greater rewards than the guitar when played well--yet, again, we don't see oboe or trombone cultures. (The poor oboe seems limited almost entirely to the classical world, despite in my opinion being the most beautiful of all musical instruments. Of course, I am biased on that point.)
First of all, "sound" is such a broad term that I shouldn't have even used it. I'll give you that. Every instrument has it's own sound, but the guitar, being so popular, arguably has the most versatility, in effects pedals, different amp combinations, different tuning styles, and the ability to fit into almost every kind of music.
But if you're talking about me referring to Les Paul as legendary...
It's true that I did think of this because of your thread, but it wasn't specifically directed against you or him. A very important person in music has passed away, and I completely understand how that touches the multitudes.
That's cool. I just thought I should point out why I was responding to your post so it didn't seem so random.
Just so you know, I do play guitar, but I'm not just some music fanboy. Les Paul was just that awesome.
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As far as expressiveness goes, I don't know of any instrument more expressive than the violin. If you're playing a piano, you get every advantage that comes with the guitar, plus an extended range.
Yet we don't have clarinet cultures, or violin cultures, or even piano cultures. (There are the communities of those who play these instruments or greatly admire them, but no "cultures" per se.) The guitar enjoys a unique status among all musical instruments, and that's what confuses me.
Well, let's face it, you're not going to get laid for playing a mean woodwind *cough* or tickling the ivories. Cultures don't emerge from expressiveness, they emerge from imagery, attitude, popular appeal etc. You don't get that when you're standing by your lonesome, knocking out a Caprice by Paganini, stunning a piece of work as it may be.
Its as much the guitar's synthesis of musical and cultural elements, its ability to keep a solo to just a few seconds yet capture people's attentions and emotions (as compared to say a drum solo), and that extra bonus of being able to bend the strings to get those hard-to-find notes that gives the instrument its unique status, IMO.
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As far as expressiveness goes, I don't know of any instrument more expressive than the violin. If you're playing a piano, you get every advantage that comes with the guitar, plus an extended range.
Yet we don't have clarinet cultures, or violin cultures, or even piano cultures. (There are the communities of those who play these instruments or greatly admire them, but no "cultures" per se.) The guitar enjoys a unique status among all musical instruments, and that's what confuses me.
Well, let's face it, you're not going to get laid for playing a mean woodwind *cough* or tickling the ivories. Cultures don't emerge from expressiveness, they emerge from imagery, attitude, popular appeal etc. You don't get that when you're standing by your lonesome, knocking out a Caprice by Paganini, stunning a piece of work as it may be.
A piano leaves the woman most and wanting...
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Admittedly, men with guitars are (usually) hot, but wind instruments (flutes, ocarinas, etc) can work just as well. Piano too, depending on the song or how good the person is.
Frustration: My back hurts like fuck. Carrying a laptop to school in a backpack is not a good idea.
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*sigh*...I thought drummers were the sexiest.......This Is Spinal Tap did us no favors....
Ugh I turned on the TV and the Tallahassee Police Department was on there, still trying to defend their gross misjudgment that allowed Rachel Hoffman to be killed. Just watching these assholes on TV hanging out in their big comfy chairs chattin with buttfuckin Chris Hansen about how their hands are clean....
whew! vision went blurry for a second there. But that still angers me to know end.
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I don't have anything against the guitar, but, like I said, I just don't get all the reverence for it. I feel the same way about things like hemp and incense.
Hemp is the future! Or at least, it should be a considerable part of the future since it is potentially the most sustainable and reliable source of plant-based complete protein, fuel, and fiber. (I actually made a "Hemp for Victory" userbar the other day but haven't felt geeky enough to actually put it in my sig,)
It frustrates me that US industry has not even scratched the surface of all of the potential uses for hemp, and that we still rely on inferior sources for fuel, plant-based protein, and fiber -- i.e. corn, soy, and wood pulp. And for what? Because of the species of the plant, Cannabis sativa? It's ridiculous that people go to jail for possession and use of this species of plant in the first place and it's the same fear of a drug that prevents the large-scale farming of a plant that could potentially solve many of our resource woes.
Also, speaking of drug-war related madness, I agree with Shee that the assholes that run these sting operations should be held accountable for the deaths of the people who work for them. I hope they can't sleep at night. I swear, prison inmates convicted of violent crimes get more consideration than these poor kids.
On a lighter but still frustrating note, I don't know what's up with my stomach, but I've had acid reflux for the past 3 days. That hasn't happened since I finally figured out my food allergies and started the vegan thing again, so the only thing I can figure is that it is related to lack of sleep. If that's the case, then erf, because I'm going back to school very soon in addition to working full time, so I'll be sleeping about as much as I have been the last few days. (I've been in training.)
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today was less fun than last night. i was trying to sleep earlier and i seemed to have vomitted on my bed in my sleep. and i rolled in it.
ew.
fortunately im feeling much better. still feel like crap but getting there.
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Gamefaqs replied to my feedback today or yesterday.
I need to scan my DL to get my account back (cus I said I was under 12 [WHICH I'M NOT SO DONT CONFUSE =D] )
...Can't get the scanner to work! gah!
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boy I just had a good cry.
We lost Buck Sagebrush today, at the not so ripe age of almost 5 weeks. How a chick that old could get bullied by one that's 5 days old is beyond me. But one of the babies kept chasing Buck around and jump-attacking his eyes. Whenever I'd try to get buck out of there he would SCREAM bloody murder and run away. A little blood got drawn from the side of his head. Then I found he and Fitz on the edge of the box, which is strange because Buck doesn't jump much. When jumped down I saw he was limping. He got worse as the day went on and he just died in my lap. It was pretty horrific. I loved him so much. The other 4 chickens are all kind of in shock right now. It was a loud squeal at the end.
:(
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Shee, that's really, really sad to read. :( So sorry you lost him like that. I hate when animals have to go so young. I had a rat who was a runt of the litter, but she seemed healthy until at about six weeks she just stopped eating. I never figured out what was wrong with her, and she died within a week.
Hope the rest of your flock is alright. The pictures are adorable.
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Thanks. I'm struggling right now.
RIP Buck Sagebrush :1999 (on the right as a baby)
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/RIPBuck.jpg)
More of what he looked like now
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/Buck1.jpg)
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wow thats just so sad. i dont know what i would do if that happened to chrisie. i feel your pain though; we used to have a cat but she got into a fight with a stray and... well...
we're here for you, shee.
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Rest in peace, cute chicken, you shall be missed dearly.
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Sad stuff Shee--a life lost is a sad affair...
Current frustration: this nonsense (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009656893_apusgaragerape.html).
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Well, Dad's in the emergency room. He had surgery on his shoulder recently and I guess there were complications, because he's got this really high fever. He lives in the next city over so I don't know what's going on.
I hardly ever see or talk to him, either.. just afraid he might go the way Terry did so recently.
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Sorry to hear about your dad Zephira. It's crazy how fast parents can fall apart, isn't it? Hope he recovers okay.
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=( I'm sorry Zephira... I really am...
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theres a speed limit on the PMing...
...20 Pmph.
..and I havent even sent 20 this hour!
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@Zephira: Here's to hoping your dad recovers completely in the shortest possible period of time.
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Hope everything goes well, Zeph. I'm not sure how, but try to get as much info as you can. Hopefully that will help ease you at least a little bit. Maybe Mr. G will cheer you up some?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_qh3urEOK8&feature=fvst
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Things are pretty dark in the frustration thread lately. Condolences to Shee and sympathies to Zephira. I don't know what else to say.
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I can do nothing but leave my best wishes. Hope everything goes well.
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The undersea cable connects to the US, Korea was damaged, so the internet speed is freakishly slow right now.
It takes me sometimes about half a minute to open a page.
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Death should not be a frustration. Life is frustration (& the overcoming of). Death is the end of such (unless you believe in Hell, I guess).
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Mooks. Ugh, I hate mooks!
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Mooks. Ugh, I hate mooks!
But do you hate Putties? :c
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/FaFniR_Medley/putties2.jpg)
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I think I just got pwned, is what I think.
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Zephira, I hope your dad's doing well. Hope to hear a positive update soon.
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Currently agitated with the weather, as it is interfering with my Re-TO time, as well as after school nonsense, such as ANOTHER dentist appointment, that prevented me from posting today.
I'm getting into that busy stage again, and I wish to keep it as lax as possible. Yet fate seems to have other plans.
On another note, the best of everything, Zephira. May the willpower of hope and truth bellow through your father's veins.
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Fuck torrent leeches. Like I'm going to upload to an IP who isn't going to return the favor--just slows down my download to serve those irreverent bastards.
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Shee, I'm sorry about your chicky : (. I know how much it sucks to lose a friend you love!
And Z girl, I hope your dad recovers well.
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My frustration: Songs that get stuck in my head.
Bonus frustration: I only remember a few of the lyrics, and all the rest is "la la la."
Observe:
La la! La la. La la la la la, La!
La la. La la. La la la la la, La!
La la la la! La la la, la la la la!
La la la la la la la la la la la.
La la la la the music of the night.
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A shame, that's a fun song to memorize the lyrics of.
Though it is frustrating when the lyrics I memorize aren't the common lyrics and so I can't sing along with my favorite songs... which is probably a good thing for anyone around me when I try to sing.
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Stop... it's double-post time!
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fWNcjPyWXng/SLQKj1e7XEI/AAAAAAAAACg/G5SB0O18-Ro/s320/Hammer+Time.jpeg)
Wolfgang Puck. Not the chef per say, but at least one of his restaurants. It participated in Restaurant Week here so I tried it out. Despite the hefty discount, we still didn't escape with a reasonable bill. We figured as much going in, but the food and atmosphere were not worth it. I am quite willing to forgive a hefty bill if it has been earned, as it were. A truly good restaurant makes one believe that the ridiculous price is worth it. This restaurant did not.
It wasn't that the food was bad. But it was neither stunning enough, nor the atmosphere charming enough, to justify having spent that much money on a discounted experience. I can't imagine ever wanting to go back for the full price.
edited for spelling
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i hate it when that happens, too. one time we went to a newly opened resturaunt with my mother. the prices were... steep by my standards. the thing is the burger i got was cold all the way through. we havent gone there since, which is good.
right now im frustrated at this heat. i hate the heat. theres only so much you can take off to try and alleviate it.
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Thus why winter is better. As I like to say, one can always put on more clothing if one is cold, but there is only so much one can take off before one gets arrested.
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Plus, heat=bugs.
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Thus why winter is better. As I like to say, one can always put on more clothing if one is cold, but there is only so much one can take off before one gets arrested.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Locke-Laugh.gif)
I lol'd.
But it is true. Try living near the coasts of SC during the summer, you'll get your face melted off. That is, unless the skeeters get to you first.
Speaking of which: Hurricanes. Thank God I'm moving inland for college or I'd have to put up with more of these abominations. Blah.
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Man I haven't been here in like a month bc of trying to get my living situation under wraps. It's nice to see that the Frustration Thread hasn't gone away. It'll probably be here forever.
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my favorite season has to be the fall though. i live near a small lake with a bunch of trees around it, and the scene of the lake on a clear crisp day when the maples and such are vibrant reds and yellows and oranges and all kinds of things. the evergreens stand in stark contrast to the bright colors of fall and they all seem to contrast beautifully with the bright blue sky. and its all tied together by it reflecting on the lake.
i love autumn.
wait this is the frustration thread.
wow im stupid today.
what frustrates me is the school system. it hurts my brain. good thing im out of high school, but the college i was planning on going to declined my application. i guess ill spend another year here... probably get a job.
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First day of senior year. I have an hour and forty-five minutes of AP English class as last period.
This frustrates me.
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Thus why winter is better. As I like to say, one can always put on more clothing if one is cold, but there is only so much one can take off before one gets arrested.
I say that exact ...I don't know what you'd call it... proverb? phrase? saying? whatever... almost word for word whenever somebody asks which I prefer. Wow.
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Thus why winter is better. As I like to say, one can always put on more clothing if one is cold, but there is only so much one can take off before one gets arrested.
I say that exact ...I don't know what you'd call it... proverb? phrase? saying? whatever... almost word for word whenever somebody asks which I prefer. Wow.
As do I. It's a pretty common phrase, it seems.
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Last night was frustrating. The power was out, it was one of the hottest nights of the year, and I had an upset stomach. Triple yuck.
Unrelated frustration: I have to do some chinchilla-sitting while some friends are out of town. They extended their trip by a week longer than what we had agreed to, meaning that I'll have to fit chinchilla poopsmithery into my PAX schedule.
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Thus why winter is better. As I like to say, one can always put on more clothing if one is cold, but there is only so much one can take off before one gets arrested.
I say that exact ...I don't know what you'd call it... proverb? phrase? saying? whatever... almost word for word whenever somebody asks which I prefer. Wow.
As do I. It's a pretty common phrase, it seems.
Same.
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So my frustration is that what I thought was a unique Thoughtism is apparently a fairly common phrase.
Alas.
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ughhh....FUCK
I guess yesterday was my one day break from bullshit. Snickers, our family dog of over 15 years, has passed on. We shared the same birthday. We shared loooots of laughs. I will miss her dearly.
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/snicks.jpg)
R.I.P. Snickers!!!!!
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Awww, Shee :( :( Didn't think you'd have another post like this so soon. So sad Snickers is gone, but it sounds like you guys had a good time together. I hope things look up soon, with the TV gig and everything.
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Man Shee, you just don't seem to get a break >_<. *hughug* I'm sorry about your doggie. RIP Snickers.
I got back from Australia. The 20 hour trip back was just simply awful. For no particular reason... I just abhor traveling by plane... especially to foreign countries. I swear I'm not going overseas for at least 5 more years. That's how long it will take me to get over that terrible experience. I love traveling around new places and everything, but it's just getting there that really bothers me. I don't even know how I'm going to make myself go to Florida to visit my bf next time. I hate that enough as it is >_>. Yet another reason I want to break up.
I also did a bad thing as soon as I got home. I went to sleep and didn't tell my mom to wake me up in a few hours. So I woke up at 3 am. Part of the reason I went to sleep right away is because these days if I don't get a night's sleep one of my eyes gets incredibly bloodshot and it's very painful to remain awake.
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PRO TIP: Don't let your pressure cooker explode unless you want to lose your Friday night, let alone an eyeball or something. I'm actually surprised I haven't been able to find a single Youtube video of such an event, even when there are videos of ghosts and alien encounters up there. The pressure cooker that blows a plug must be the rarest of events indeed!
If anyone out there uses pressure cookers on a regular basis, please read the instruction manual and follow the actual care and cleaning instructions. I think the fact that I never cleaned the pressure regulator vent (that doohicky where the rocking knob sits on most models) with one of those furry pipe cleaner things allowed it to become blocked just enough that the darn thing had to blow open the secondary pressure plug to prevent the entire pot from becoming a shrapnel bomb.
What's amazing is that within the span of five seconds, 4 quarts of stew can get blown out of a little hole and end up splattered all over your walls and ceiling. I think I'll always regard Presto models (http://www.pressurecooker-outlet.com/presto8qtal.htm) with a slight bit of fear now.
But damn, what an awesome five seconds that was.
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oh wow what a novel concept. reading the manual! genius i tell you!
in all honesty i dont think that anyone has videos of a pressure cooker exploding because, as you said, its a messy experience and you can lose an eye or two. im sorry to hear that you lost your stew but it is kind of funny.
frustrated because i still feel ill. i hate being sick.
edit: OH WAIT. there was a show i like to watch. its called 'time warp'. oneof the things they showed was a pressure cooker asplodin. maybe look for that?
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I guess yestrday was my one day break from bullshit. Snickers, our family dog of over 15 years, has passed on. We shared the same birthday. We shared loooots of laughs. I will miss her dearly.
I'm sorry to hear that Shee. I also know what it's like to lose a close dog friend. Do you mind me asking what she passed from? 15 years is quite a good age for a dachshund. She must have had a good, long life.
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But damn, what an awesome five seconds that was.
As much as I really feel for you right now, facing steamy peril and having to spend Friday cleaning up after that, I have to admit it does sound kind of wicked. (Stewcano?) Hope you guys (you and the cooker) can get on good terms again.
The only time I've had something similar happen was when the toilet at my old apartment decided to randomly become a geyser. I forgot exactly what it was in the tank that broke, but it blew the lid clean off and shattered it. I kid you not, for some reason the water pressure to that thing was insane. After rushing into the bathroom I could only stand there and look dumbfounded at the column of water for a while, admiring its integrity.
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Fuck Wii homebrew. "Oh it's so easy to replace songs in Brawl!" They don't work. Then I decide "ok let's try some cheat codes", so I download Code Manager. Homebrew Channel's response? "Not a valid Wii application". Fuck this bullshit, there goes several hours of my time.
Pissed off at a few other things but eh.
Just... fuck. Things always have to be so fucking complex.
EDIT: Oh boy! This looks like a fun game! I wish I could play it, but my (new! Hardly used!) Wii remote's signal dies every few minutes and takes another round of minutes to sync again! Hurray! I love Nintendo!
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Well, I am rather annoyed at the fact that school is interfering with my Re-TO time.
However, that is life. I must accept that factor and move onward.
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fuck me.
Roomie woke up Saturday to find H.W. trampled in the brooder. Now we're doing to 3 chickies. FUUUUUUUUUCK!
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Jesus Shee, really sorry to hear about your losses lately. I think this happens to most who try to take care of a whole litter of baby animals at once. Reminds me of the time when I was seven and I tried to take care of an abandoned rabbit litter one summer; depressing times.
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fuck me.
Roomie woke up Saturday to find H.W. trampled in the brooder. Now we're doing to 3 chickies. FUUUUUUUUUCK!
*hug* : (. I have bad luck with cats. My favorite one got run over after just 8 months of me keeping him, and the cat that I gave to my mom when I was in Japan (and I rescued him from japan) got run over after just a 2 year life a couple months ago. I am hoping that the 3 chickies you have left will be alright.
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FUCK our political convention. Conor Clarke is filling in for Andrew Sullivan on his blog, and though I don't always agree with Clarke's posts, he at least tries hard to be intellectually sincere, which is more than the majority of opponents to the fucking health care reform efforts can say. New to the list of liars: John McCain!
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/08/john-mccain-on-death-panels.html#more
John McCain on Death Panels
by Conor Clarke
I guess I will beat the dead horse of death panels once more. On "The Week With George Stephanopoulos," John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, had this to say about the Sarah Palin death-panel rumors (via Steve Benen):
MCCAIN: Well, I think that what we are talking about here is do -- are we going to have groups that actually advise people as these decisions are made later in life and …
STEPHANOPOULOS: That's not in the bill.
MCCAIN: But -- it's been taken out, but the way that it was written made it a little bit ambiguous.
"Ambiguous." Thus do we witness McCain joining the prestigious Michael Steele school of literary criticism. You see, a health-care bill is really a lot like Hamlet or The Wasteland. Interpretations may vary. Where some scholars find an utterly innocuous and optional expansion of Medicare coverage, others might see a program akin to mandatory government euthanasia.
I have expressed my frustration with this tactic many times before, and I know it is getting tedious. But, to recap, the tactic is this: (1) Make a preposterous and false claim about a bill. (2) Have the claim disproved. (3) Avoid defending the original claim, but instead observe that the controversy reflects "a legitimate difference of interpretation" about what might happen in the future. Effective opposition in three easy steps!
And so we have a conundrum: Ignore the tactic, and let the falsehood persist, or engage with the tactic, and play into the false appearance of legitimate debate. I do not have a good solution. The best I can do is repeat, with endless tedium, that the bill is not ambiguous and the original claim is still false. I can further add that people who hide falsehoods behind the smokescreen of an equally false ambiguity are doing a fabulous job of destroying legitimate public discourse
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Z, if we never had ambiguity in the law, there'd be no reason to have a Supreme Court anymore.
Just for the record, I think John McCain, an actual Senator, knows more about what's in the health care bill than George Stephanopolous.
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You're an idiot. Go read the proposals and discussions. The "Death Panel" is a bald-faced lie perpetuated by Palin and the like, and you, like the idiots disrupting town halls, buy right into it.
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On another tangent...
School starts tomorrow for me at a UC university (I won't say which due to privacy concerns).
Due to budget shortfalls and fiscal mismanagement, the student tuition fee has been increased by 20%.
This puts the semester fee at a little over $4,000. That's without the books and materials.
These events have forced me to execute what is known as Open University.
Pros: I pay far less than the standard tuition and I still get to go to school this semester & use its facilities.
Cons: I can only enroll up to a maximum of 7 units, which hinders my degree progress plenty enough.
Here's hoping I land a big break in the future and be able to pay future semesters in full.
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You're an idiot. Go read the proposals and discussions. The "Death Panel" is a bald-faced lie perpetuated by Palin and the like, and you, like the idiots disrupting town halls, buy right into it.
I'm sorry Z, I must have missed the part where you read the House and Senate bills in their entirety, hired a lawyer to explain all of the legalese and BS that goes into any of these legislative bills, rather than viewing some bias-ridden condensed version from whatever left-wing blog you frequent.
I'm not convinced that the "death panels" are real, but I do know that in the last week or so the Senate did a 360 and dropped a major portion of the end of life counseling part of their version of the health care bill. I have no idea what exactly was dropped, because I don't feel like reading the damn thing and trying to translate it.
Maybe you're right, and all they dropped was a funding for X vaccine for elderly people. Or maybe Sarah Palin's right and the Congress wants to kill old people. Like I said, I don't know, and neither do you or George Stephanopoulos.
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Okay, as far as the whole healthcare plan is concerned, and the government in general, I'm tired of everyone complaining so much about things that you can't really change. We can't change the minds of the rich bastards who decide what's best for us, the general public. What we can change is ourselves. We can change our clothes, our moods, whatever. Too many people think on the "World scale" and not so much the "Personal scale." Why don't we, instead of spouting back something that someone else told us, come together as one and agree that there's nothing we can do to change any of it?
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You're an idiot. Go read the proposals and discussions. The "Death Panel" is a bald-faced lie perpetuated by Palin and the like, and you, like the idiots disrupting town halls, buy right into it.
Please behave yourself. Why are you always the one initiating the name calling? You are making a very bad impression considering your position here.
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I thought Truthordeal handled the confrontation well with the exception of suggesting that Sarah Palin could actually be right on this issue; I hope he wrote that just for kicks. The provision is about end of life counseling, isn't it? I think people are confusing Jack Kavorkian's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kavorkian) version of end of life counseling with that of expert legal and psychological assistance, which I really wouldn't mind having when the bell tolls.
Just for the record, I think John McCain, an actual Senator, knows more about what's in the health care bill than George Stephanopolous.
I have this huge fear that our lawmakers really have no clue what's in the giant bills they're passing these days. Something tells me McCain didn't stay up two months straight to read all x thousand pages of the Health Care Bill that's being tossed around right now. It's more likely that each lawmaker proposes a certain snippet of the bill, and that's all they really know about it and take interest in. Maybe they get a few interns to actually read important sections. That there are death panel rumors at all probably reflects the possibility that nobody's actually reading it.
But it's just my fear; I really hope all US representatives chew over each and every word of each and every bill before they vote, and that the language is actually drafted by the representatives and not, say, special interest groups that get rubber stamps in exchange for their expertise and connections.
Okay, as far as the whole healthcare plan is concerned, and the government in general, I'm tired of everyone complaining so much about things that you can't really change. We can't change the minds of the rich bastards who decide what's best for us, the general public. What we can change is ourselves. We can change our clothes, our moods, whatever. Too many people think on the "World scale" and not so much the "Personal scale." Why don't we, instead of spouting back something that someone else told us, come together as one and agree that there's nothing we can do to change any of it?
I think there's huge merit to looking inward and attitudinally adjusting, but there is also a breaking point somewhere between "oh, crap, the coffee maker broke today," and "oh, crap, the small company I work for can't offer me and my kids health insurance." Telling a single mom without health insurance to adjust her attitude is like telling a Nazi concentration camp victim to just look on the bright side of things.
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It's more likely that each lawmaker proposes a certain snippet of the bill, and that's all they really know about it and take interest in.
This is exactly how earmarks get put into large spending bills.
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Yeah, I think it's part of the psychology of any legislative process, especially if there's some kind of competition involved. Nobody wants to be the lawmaker who didn't have an obvious part in crafting an important bill. That's my theory at least.
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I hope to God that Sarah Palin was wrong, FW. That Congress would think to try to legislate Kevorkian counseling is diabolical. In all honesty, I think the issue was some important lawmaker doing something unethical(i.e., earmarks, special interest subsidies), but I also trust John McCain as someone who's inside the sessions over George S. who has to rely on memos and Robert Gibbs.
Anywho, to get this hijacked topic back on track, I got a TB skin test on Friday and I'm getting my results read tomorrow morning. Plus I can't find my new shoes that I bought for college.
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You can read your results right now. Is it huge and red? or very small and almost unnoticeable?
If it's huge, then it's positive. If it's small, it's negative.
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ugh wtf is this shit. a couple of days ago a series of strange purplish marks appeared on my left thigh. they dont hurt and theyre totally random, and theyre also on my right thigh but not as much as the elft. apparently theyre bruises, but i have no clue what they mean, how they got there, or what to do about them.
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You're an idiot. Go read the proposals and discussions. The "Death Panel" is a bald-faced lie perpetuated by Palin and the like, and you, like the idiots disrupting town halls, buy right into it.
Please behave yourself. Why are you always the one initiating the name calling? You are making a very bad impression considering your position here.
Give me a break. Truthordeal is the biggest purveyor of ignorance on these forums at this point, whether it's about sexism, religion, or any other number of topics about humanity, and he's also the most intellectually dishonest poster around. If he were worth better treatment, he'd get it. He doesn't actually argue anything (I guess you don't need to when your authoritative source is an irrational, mythological "God"); he just spouts the same bullshit positions and vapid claims. That's called being an idiot.
The Death Panel nonsense is political maneuvering to defeat the health care bill, which will cripple the Democratic agenda in a large part and stain this administration. McCain himself called for health care as part of his campaign, and yet now, he's joining the rest of the Republicans who think it's A-OK, just like hypocrite Glenn Beck and Newt Gingrich (Beck even called our healthcare system as "nightmare" in the past, and now considers it the best in the world? Come on). It's a political turf war, and the idiot redneck ignorant Republican base is feeding on the lies, as are several other mental lightweights.
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Z, there's nothing more ignorant or intellectually dishonest than an ad hominem.
Of course most of the health care debate in Congress is political maneuvering. Do you think I'm an idiot? Scratch that, I already know the answer. The same thing happens by the opposing party of the president, every time a new president is elected or a certain party reaches a majority or super majority in Congress.
Where were you the last eight years?
You can read your results right now. Is it huge and red? or very small and almost unnoticeable?
If it's huge, then it's positive. If it's small, it's negative.
Ah, thanks Lakon. I'm negative, which I figured. The college just wanted to make sure though.
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Before we delve any further over who's got the most basis in reality when it comes America's health care system, let's first lay down some common ground to stand on:
1. America's health care system is a mess.
2. Costs for everything (prescriptions, insurance, diagnoses, and so on) are out of control.
3. Drug companies are, in essence, ripping off their customers.
4. Insurance companies and doctors are potentially profiting from health care.
5. Health care is the ultimate incentive for keeping your job. (.e. No job = No health insurance)
6. Some people feel ready for universal (aka government-sponsored) health care.
If any of these points strike you as incorrect of flawed, by all means chime in. I care very much about this problem and would hate to be seen as ignorant on the subject of health care.
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I'll say one more thing about the universal healthcare system proposed. I have state-based insurance that I don't have to pay a cent for. It covers everything. Health, dental, eye, and even behavioral medicine and therapy. All of this doesn't cost me a cent, and honestly I could care less how much the state has to pay for it. If everybody had the option to do this, I think it would be just great. It's helped this struggling, myopic, and accident-prone college student a lot.
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1. America's health care system is a mess.[\quote]
Sure, but compared to other systems that have tried UHC, it could be much, much worse. To give an example, Japan.
2. Costs for everything (prescriptions, insurance, diagnoses, and so on) are out of control.
Hell yes. One proven, effective and prudent method of trying to control costs: tort reform.
3. Drug companies are, in essence, ripping off their customers.
Drug companies have to make a profit too, or else there will be no medicine easily available. Research and development, plus maintaining the stream of medicine to drug stores, especially as America "grays" and seniors live longer takes quite a toll on their profit margin.
Plus there are several hoops that the FDA requires any new drug to jump through to be able to be distributed. Bureaucratic red tape is a bitch. Many of these are necessary, but a lot of them are not.
4. Insurance companies and doctors are potentially profiting from health care.
This statement is true, but its...its obvious. People work at professions to profit. I'm not sure why this is a bad thing, so if you could clarify it...
5. Health care is the ultimate incentive for keeping your job. (.e. No job = No health insurance)
I'd say the paycheck you receive every two weeks is the ultimate incentive. Not to mention that as insurance costs go up, several private employers have stopped giving health insurance benefits.
6. Some people feel ready for universal (aka government-sponsored) health care.
Sure, some people feel ready. I'd have to say with the polling done on this matter, though, "some people" are not the majority. No, the majority doesn't necessarily represent the truth or the best option, but in a democracy, even under the Madisonian model, the majority rules.
I'll say one more thing about the universal healthcare system proposed. I have state-based insurance that I don't have to pay a cent for. It covers everything. Health, dental, eye, and even behavioral medicine and therapy. All of this doesn't cost me a cent, and honestly I could care less how much the state has to pay for it. If everybody had the option to do this, I think it would be just great. It's helped this struggling, myopic, and accident-prone college student a lot.
If this country could afford it, and it didn't end with the rationing of health care, I'd support that. I'm not inhumane; its not like I don't have sympathy towards the people that go without health care. But giving everyone health care for free is not sustainable, and I'd rather us have a majority of our indigent and elderly people who can't afford or don't qualify for health insurance taken care of through Medicaid and Medicare, than no one having health insurance except for the people who can dish out that kind of money each month.
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I just broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years. I wonder if I made the right decision. Something tells me I made the wrong one and in a couple years, I will really regret making it.
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I just broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years. I wonder if I made the right decision. Something tells me I made the wrong one and in a couple years, I will really regret making it.
Well ZaichikArky, I'm sorry to hear that. However, Roughly half of the population of the world are male, and I am no proponent of the "There's only one person for everyone" theory. So however long it will be until you find love again, you will.
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I just broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years. I wonder if I made the right decision. Something tells me I made the wrong one and in a couple years, I will really regret making it.
You made exactly the right decision. You've mentioned this relationship several times on the forums; it was clear that your emotions weren't in the right place. It's not necessarily that he's not a good guy, or that you're not a good guy, or that the two of you are incompatible. Rather, you weren't emotionally satisfied and, regardless of whether there are good reasons for it or not, that by itself is a powerful reason to end a relationship.
Okay, as far as the whole healthcare plan is concerned, and the government in general, I'm tired of everyone complaining so much about things that you can't really change. We can't change the minds of the rich bastards who decide what's best for us, the general public. What we can change is ourselves. We can change our clothes, our moods, whatever. Too many people think on the "World scale" and not so much the "Personal scale." Why don't we, instead of spouting back something that someone else told us, come together as one and agree that there's nothing we can do to change any of it?
"Can't make a difference; don't try."
Yeah, I've heard that philosophy before. Best of luck to you with it, but I won't be coming along. I've printed too many business cards to even think about giving up on changing the world. (They say: Josh Industries: Striving for world peace, or a piece of the world.)
I'm sorry Z, I must have missed the part where you read the House and Senate bills in their entirety, hired a lawyer to explain all of the legalese and BS that goes into any of these legislative bills, rather than viewing some bias-ridden condensed version from whatever left-wing blog you frequent.
I'm not convinced that the "death panels" are real, but I do know that in the last week or so the Senate did a 360 and dropped a major portion of the end of life counseling part of their version of the health care bill. I have no idea what exactly was dropped, because I don't feel like reading the damn thing and trying to translate it.
Maybe you're right, and all they dropped was a funding for X vaccine for elderly people. Or maybe Sarah Palin's right and the Congress wants to kill old people. Like I said, I don't know, and neither do you or George Stephanopoulos.
It is scary how excellent an example you are of the kind of person for whom propaganda was invented. If I had the time, I'd write a whole academic essay dissecting how perfectly you are saying articulating exactly what someone else wants you to believe, despite believing without hesitation that these thoughts come to you on your own. It's all there: the ridiculous emotional hook ("death panels"), the backhanded insinuation (the Senate changed its bill for some reason), the appeal to authority (none of us could possibly know what's up because we're not Senators), the false authority (you say you didn't read the bill, but speak as if your speculation were fact), and the ever-popular red herring (ZeaLitY's full of bias from all those left-wing blogs).
Critical thought is your friend. Say it with me...
That's my frustration for the moment. It's always the sheep who do the most harm in the end, because they allow themselves, through ignorance, to become the enablers of evil. We live in a time when our healthcare industry makes its profits by denying people the coverage for which they dearly pay. It is an industry that literally and directly profits by murdering its own customers. We don't think of it as murder because there are no guns or swords, but it is deliberate, it is knowledgeable, and it is flagrantly defiant. Ordinary Americans know this; they're not getting the care they need, or the coverage they deserve. They're on the phone arguing about claims. They're suffering. Yet the power of propaganda is such that even one of the most obvious truths in our lives today has become completely obscured in just a few months of intense lobbying by the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and their willing enablers on the right (and to a much lesser extent on the left). So here we are, and instead of talking about actual healthcare reform, we're talking about death panels and rationing and government bureaucrats.
What spectacular weaklings are those who abandon the power of thought, and yet what immense power they wield in their multitudes. What an excellent case against the merits of democracy. Death panels. Really. Death panels.
I no longer need to qualify this statement ever again: People will believe anything.
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Death panels. Really. Death panels.
Ive been seeing this word tossed around alot in this topic...
...someone mind giving me an explanation?
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Ive been seeing this word tossed around alot in this topic...
...someone mind giving me an explanation?
The legislation previously contained a provision for end-of-life counseling to patients who wanted it. These discussions help inform the patient as to what their options are and what they should prepare for in the final months of life.
Someone, at some point, decided that that meant there would be panels of government bureaucrats established in every hospice and hospital to decide when to pull the plug on grandma.
It's a shame on two levels: First of all, it completely precludes us from a national discussion on the costs of end-of-life healthcare, which are unbelievably high. Second of all, it scares the daylights out of old people and the infirm, who are made to think that the government is going to come kill them.
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Ive been seeing this word tossed around alot in this topic...
...someone mind giving me an explanation?
The legislation previously contained a provision for end-of-life counseling to patients who wanted it. These discussions help inform the patient as to what their options are and what they should prepare for in the final months of life.
Someone, at some point, decided that that meant there would be panels of government bureaucrats established in every hospice and hospital to decide when to pull the plug on grandma.
It's a shame on two levels: First of all, it completely precludes us from a national discussion on the costs of end-of-life healthcare, which are unbelievably high. Second of all, it scares the daylights out of old people and the infirm, who are made to think that the government is going to come kill them.
Is this the democrat side, or the "In general" viewpoint?
Not that I don't believe you, I just want to get an overall viewpoint...
...because that sounds pretty bad from what you say.
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You don't have to take my word for it. Go learn for yourself.
(http://hardwarelogic.com/articles/blogs/Website_Reviews_and_You/MoreYouKnow.jpg)
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I Did a quick google, and found that, yes, yours was an accurate descriptor...
...IMO its just somethign bad in general, and why its controversial is beyond me.
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Yes, J, what better way to make an argument than to call your opposition a sheep, then use the same scare tactics that the person you're criticizing did, i.e.:
an industry that literally and directly profits by murdering its own customers. We don't think of it as murder because there are no guns or swords, but it is deliberate, it is knowledgeable, and it is flagrantly defiant.
The only real critical thought you seem to possess is thoughts critical of everyone who disagrees with you.
Ordinary Americans know this; they're not getting the care they need, or the coverage they deserve.
I call bullshit on this notion, and to back this up I'll cite a poll from Gallup, the oldest and most respected scientific polling group in the United States, saying that the majority of Americans are satisfied with their health care plans.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/102934/majority-americans-satisfied-their-own-healthcare.aspx
Ordinary Americans seem to be just fine with it.
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I thought Gallup polls were notorious for being shite...but anyways, that says 57% are satisfied. While that may be the majority (what you for some reason refer to as "ordinary"?), that's still quite a few who are not. While I personally am fine with just under half of the people in the US dying of some horrible disease because their healthcare doesn't cover it or w/e other BS is going down, it's usually not the half that deserves it.
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Slightly higher than XBOX failure rate (54%)! I'm curious. Does that mean that 43% of Americans are not ordinary?
Also, try and factor in the next generation of Americans. Which group typically has more children: Wealthy, insured people, or lower-income families that may not be able to afford insurance (or maybe even contraceptives)?
Sort of like Idiocracy. The "higher class" if you have the gall to call it that, tends to procreate less. Give it twenty years. The percentage will not sustain itself. It will be significantly different, and I guarantee it will not be in favor of the lower-income families.
This dilemma is the real slippery slope. We're not going to become a communist nation just because of much needed health care reform. In fact, without any health care reform, we'll be worse off. These people who will be uninsured will still need to work, and those who will be insured will need them to work. People need to be healthy to work. If people can't work, businesses lose money, and society gets flushed down the toilet.
Hyperbolic? A bit. But something to consider, T Ordeal.
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I'm not against health care reform; I just think that there are better and more prudent ways to reform health care and drive down costs(tort reform) than what President Obama is currently suggesting.
If its an expansion of Medicare and Medicaid, then I'd be on board with that. Try to get a few more million under the Medicare blanket, but don't radically restructure the entire thing into some single-payer system.
To use your train of thought, which was a good one, if more poor people have children than rich people, then won't that only exacerbate the problem, especially if we attempt UHC?
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Yes, J, what better way to make an argument than to call your opposition a sheep, then use the same scare tactics that the person you're criticizing did, i.e.:
an industry that literally and directly profits by murdering its own customers. We don't think of it as murder because there are no guns or swords, but it is deliberate, it is knowledgeable, and it is flagrantly defiant.
I notice you completely ignored my criticism of the death panel claims you were making earlier, and instead have changed the terms of the argument to better suit you. First of all, that criticism stands: There is not nor was there ever a plan to create "death panels" as a part of healthcare reform--and you know you have no proof to the contrary, just the vague assurances of your right-wing friends.
Second of all, since you mentioned it, the for-profit health insurance industry really does contribute to the suffering and death of its own customers. That's why so many people refer to it as the "murder by spreadsheet" industry, referring to the calculated rejection of claims by customers deemed too expensive or unprofitable according to their sophisticated financial formulae. The key difference between your bogus and outlandish phantom death panel menace and the deplorable reality of profit-driven insurance companies unfettered by government oversight is one of, shall we say, actual substance. I'll be the first to admit that "murder by spreadsheet" is a rhetorical phrase, but it is, crucially, representative of the conditions in our healthcare industry: It accurately captures the basic flaw in our system.
I have a friend who pays a predatorily high insurance premium because she had back surgery a few years ago and is fully aware that she would never be able to sign up for other private insurance, because now she has a "preexisting condition." She got that advice from her mom, who happens to be a healthcare economist. I myself applied for private health insurance once, and when I disclosed the MRI scans I'd had on my leg and lower back, I was told I'd have to pay a premium that was almost half of my entire income--completely unaffordable. Incidentally, when you're uninsured and pay out of pocket, those scans cost upwards of $2000 bucks apiece. My dad, who makes ten times what I do, can't afford to buy health insurance for my mom, because of her skin cancer, back problems, and other health issues. My dad himself is only insured because he's old enough to qualify for Medicare--public insurance that works. Our own president's grandmother was on the phone arguing with the insurance companies in the final weeks of her life.
Everyone has stories like this, and the sad thing is that we've come to believe that this is the only way it can be--that this is the best healthcare system in the world. It is demonstrably not: There are countries out there today where people don't have to be filling out paperwork on the operating table. There are countries out there today where people who get sick or injured don't have to decide whether they can afford to get treated: they just go to the clinic or the hospital. There are countries out there today where nobody has to lose sleep over the expenses of insuring their children or spouse or themselves when they lose their job or change careers.
And then there is the flip side of it: There are all those Americans who lose these battles. The ones whose claims are rejected and no amount of arguing will change it. The ones who have such loathsome experiences trying to get healthcare that they just suck it up and avoid seeing the doctor until the day they end up in the emergency room dying of something that could have been prevented entirely or cheaply treated. There are the people who have cancer, or heart problems, or organ failure, people young and old alike, who are told that their policies don't cover the drugs and surgeries and therapies they need to survive. So they either raise money--mercy fundraisers; I'm going to one this Saturday night for a friend my age who is being tested for reproductive organ cancer--or they die. Murder by spreadsheet.
And the only thing standing in the way between a better world for all Americans is idiots like you who believe everything you're fed by the right-wing media, and raise such a fuss at the prospect of meaningful healthcare reform that you have to resort to dirty tricks like the town hall meeting disruptions (organization and logistics courtesy of the insurance industry) and inane talking points like "death panels" and "socialized medicine." You're a sheep, all right, and will continue to be so until you do some thinking for yourself.
Ordinary Americans know this; they're not getting the care they need, or the coverage they deserve.
I call bullshit on this notion, and to back this up I'll cite a poll from Gallup, the oldest and most respected scientific polling group in the United States, saying that the majority of Americans are satisfied with their health care plans.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/102934/majority-americans-satisfied-their-own-healthcare.aspx
Ordinary Americans seem to be just fine with it.
You haven't been following polling on this issue over the past year, or you'd know two things: First of all, depending on what question a poll asks, and how that question is worded, people's responses will vary wildly. Second of all, your blessed right-wing media have succeeded in owning the terms of the debate, causing people like you to believe stuff that has nothing to do with the reality of the legislation underway in Congress. So, when people like you get polled on the issue, you feed your ignorant claptrap back to them. We've seen the effects of that: Go look for yourself at the big-firm polls that have been put out: Public opinion has been consistently in favor of major or fundamental healthcare reform, and remains so even now, but support for a government insurance alternative has dropped considerably (from something like 70 percent to 50 percent) since it was targeted for vilification by your precious Fox News. However, as I said, those support rates vary based on what kind of question is asked, and how it is phrased. Look it up for your friggin' own self before "calling bullshit" as if you know the slightest bit of what you are talking about.
Furthermore, as I mentioned earlier, many Americans just don't realize how bad they have it. I remember when Schwarzenegger had heart surgery: After convalescing, he said something to the effect of "I didn't realize how miserable and tired I had felt until it all went away." People get used to the conditions of their lives. If fifty square miles of paperwork and regular battles royale with insurance providers is the way of life, many people aren't going to recognize just how badly they're being exploited, and, so, in saying that they're happy with their coverage, what they're really saying is that they've been able to get at least some of the healthcare they need. What they don't realize is that they're often not getting all that they need, and that they are going through all kinds of hassles and hoops to get whatever it is they do get.
Also, a great deal of healthcare insurance is employer-based in this country, and the best employer-based private health insurance for ordinary people outside the professional classes comes from the vocational sectors, especially heavy manufacturing--steel, fiber, airplanes, etc. That health insurance may be good today, but it is under assault from three fronts: First, it takes strong labor unions to win generous healthcare packages, and labor unions are losing power as production is shifting into the conservative South where unions are seen as villains. Second, the "Profits now!" financial mentality in Corporate America has led to millions of quality vocational jobs being outsourced. Do you know why? It's healthcare costs. That excellent health insurance costs those companies something like ten to thirty percent of their total costs. So they ship the jobs overseas to places where "health insurance" amounts to gauze and methyl alcohol. Third, these manufacturing companies are under stress at home not simply because of the rising healthcare costs due to our present unsustainable system, but also because American spending patterns are gravitating away from domestic goods; we're buying more foreign goods instead, and that drives down the revenues of America's industrial producers and distributors.
Lastly, regardless of what any poll says there are still tens of millions of uninsured people in this country and over a hundred million under-insured, as demonstrated by the financial drain on public healthcare resources by people whose private insurers aren't cutting it. They deserve uncomplicated access to healthcare. If you actually believe any of that feel-good Christian dogma you claim to, then you can't disagree. And if you truly are even one-hundredth as much of a patriot as you would have us believe, then you can't be seen taking a piss all over your fellow Americans on the grounds of "I got mine."
I'm not against health care reform; I just think that there are better and more prudent ways to reform health care and drive down costs(tort reform) than what President Obama is currently suggesting.
If its an expansion of Medicare and Medicaid, then I'd be on board with that. Try to get a few more million under the Medicare blanket, but don't radically restructure the entire thing into some single-payer system.
You are uninformed. A single-payer national healthcare system isn't even remotely likely to come out of this legislation. I would know, since I've been lobbying for one. But the real irony here is that your proposed solution, the one that you'd be "on board" with, is almost exactly identical to the concept of the so-called public-option.
The public option is a centrist solution. It was a compromise offered by the left in hopes of winning support from the right. The right answered, "Fuck you; we're doing this our way." And they've come very close to winning. But the public option doesn't erase the private health insurance industry. It doesn't even place all that many new controls on private insurers. All it really does is provide a voluntary government-run insurance alternative to those who don't want or can't get private health insurance. That's exactly what you just proposed.
I have to ask: Just what are your news sources? How can you present yourself as engaged with the healthcare debate but not know this stuff?
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Gurg...ahh............urk.........
I've managed to catch something. The flu, perhaps. And it makes me feel like this inside.
*screams very loudly if he could, but the soreness of his throat, the pains in his bones, and the pounding headache prevent it.*
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And the only thing standing in the way between a better world for all Americans is idiots like you who believe everything you're fed by the right-wing media,
I disagree. The only thing standing in the way between a better world for all Americans is idiots like you who believe everything you're fed by the left-wing media. And don't even try to deny it, J. I've been on HuffPo and the DailyKos several times in the past, just to see what the other side thought, and the same BS that came from their comment boxes comes out of your mouth every time you debate. The only noticable difference is that you hold some maturity and are careful not to use several of their key words.
And its not as if insurance companies are killing people. The way you say it, the CEO of Statefarm is twiddling his thumbs behind a big oaken desk, his only job deciding whether or not my great aunt Doris gets to live or not. You portray these insurance companies as the cartoonish villain, and sink yourself down to Sarah Palin's level. The only difference between your claim of "spreadsheet murder" and her claim of "death panels" is who is saying it. They're both unfair and devious characterizations which aren't true. Although, we still don't know what was kicked out of the Senate bill, exactly.
Access to health care would only become more complicated if the government took a bigger role in it. Just look at the treatment of Medicare patients over ones who have private insurance. You've made this argument several times to me.
Still, some expansions of Medicaid for indigent people is better than nothing, and some enhancements to undercovered people would do a great deal of good for the world.
My problem with the public option as promoted by President Obama is that one of two things will happen: 1) Not that many people will go for it, and we'd have invested that much money for nothing or very little results. 2) Too many people will go for it, and with prices that much lower than private insurance companies, the government won't be able to sustain it without raising taxes. If a few more bucks of my money go towards a noble goal like that, then I have no problem. But, 436 people should not be allowed to make that decision unless they have the majority consent of the 300 million people that the represent, which, for whatever reason, selfishness, apathy, or just plain old self-subsistence, they do not.
Now, I like an expansion of Medicaid, and possibly a public option. One or the other, but not both. We simply don't have that kind of money. If the bill gets rid of Medicaid and institutes an affordable public option, we'll still lose a little more money, but it won't be killing us. Who knows, we might even surplus? If the bill supports an expansion of Medicaid, then good. It's a little more money, but it's sustainable.
But it's all a moot point unless you manage to control costs. The insurance and drug companies aren't raising their prices just to kick more people off of their rolls. They have to make a profit. And putting a price ceiling on insurance isn't viable either, because that will kill private health insurance or make it even more unavailable to everyone, something none of us want, I hope.
Since no one's called me out on it, I think we agree that tort reform is a good way to drive down costs.
As for my news, I watch CNN for most of the headline stuff, and Fox for Bill O'Reilly(ZOMG1 I just admitted to watching a right-wing commentator's show. Surely the flames of Hell will rain down upon me now!)
EDIT: Oh, and AOL and Yahoo. AOL, ironically enough, often features articles from Andrew Sullivan.
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I think we can all agree that what stands between us and a better world is idiots. Like your own shadow, they're everywhere you go. Our duty is not to attempt to identify who else is an idiot but to make damn sure we aren't counted among them.
ToD, regarding Insurance Companies, I ask you, if that business model was applied to cars, would you be as defensive of it?
Consider, if you will, going to a car dealership and paying $20,000. You walk away without a car. Your Aunt Jemima comes along and also pays $20,000. They give her a car worth $30,000. A little odd, but it’s a lemon and so she comes back in a year. This time they want $50,000 for a car worth $10,000. In the mean time, you've been back and paid another $20,000 and walked away again without a car.
Insurance companies survive by not providing the services that they are paid to provide. That is one fucked up system.
Scrapping the current system and replacing it with a more traditional business structure would be an improvement. It would still screw over sick people, though, as they need more services and thus must pay for more services. In which case a grocery store model is called for. Certain foods are considered to be essential for the welfare of the populace and so the government intervenes so that it is cheap and affordable to any and all individuals who need it. Milk is what I am talking about.
Now medical care is just as essential for the welfare of the populace as milk, if not more so, yes? If the government can influence the price of milk, why not influence the price of medical care?
Because it would produce waste? Because it would drive current insurance companies out of business? Who cares?! Current insurance companies are a travesty as it is, and it is better to have millions of waste rather than people lacking basic necessities.
Death panels are a red herring. Let us assume for a moment that they would exist. It doesn't matter, because right now death panels do exist, and we're all part of it. Every time society says that we won’t provide health care to someone in need, whatever our reasons are, we are saying that they deserve to die. If under Obama's plan death panels do exist, at least we'll be decent enough to admit that we have it, rather than the current state in which everyone can calm their mind by pretending like they aren't personally responsible for every individual who dies for want of health care.
We should ensure that universal health care is as efficient, humane, and responsible as we possibly can, but in our drive to ensure those things, let us not forget to make health care universal. If there was a better option for us to take, then yes, let us take it, but our current position is intolerable. We cannot just stay here.
Side note: I highly recommend you start reading the BBC News' website. It is terribly interesting to get a non-American perspective on world events.
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I disagree. The only thing standing in the way between a better world for all Americans is idiots like you who believe everything you're fed by the left-wing media. And don't even try to deny it, J. I've been on HuffPo and the DailyKos several times in the past, just to see what the other side thought, and the same BS that came from their comment boxes comes out of your mouth every time you debate. The only noticable difference is that you hold some maturity and are careful not to use several of their key words.
It's true that I read Daily Kos often and Huffington Post every once in a while. Daily Kos is left-biased, unabashedly (Huffington Post is more like a circus), but I don't read it for the left-wing bias. I have my own, personal left-wing bias that serves me just fine. I read them for the information that I can't get out of the traditional media. Occasionally their analysis is helpful in formulating my own. However, unlike yourself I know how to think critically and I actually do it, and so my judgments are my own and they are usually sound (unless I have bad information). Also, in case you missed it, all those anecdotal examples of healthcare nightmares I gave were out of my personal life and acquaintanceships.
Comparing my references to left-wing sources to your own references to right-wing ones is fallacy on two levels: It implies that my doing so somehow makes it okay for you to do so (the “tu quoque” fallacy), and it implies an false equivalence between my methods and yours. I would pit the robustness of my judgment against yours any day; our opposing political differences are, in this context, irrelevant. I have to deal with plenty of left-wing idiots too. The difference between them and yourself is that at least they're usually on the just side of the issues, which makes their idiocy, if no more forgivable, at least somewhat more ignorable.
And its not as if insurance companies are killing people. The way you say it, the CEO of Statefarm is twiddling his thumbs behind a big oaken desk, his only job deciding whether or not my great aunt Doris gets to live or not. ... The only difference between your claim of "spreadsheet murder" and her claim of "death panels" is who is saying it.
That isn't a valid rebuttal. Your saying something doesn't make it so. You have to provide a reasoning for your claims. For my part, while I haven't posted a big bibliography of statistics, I've pointed to the easily verifiable fact that there never have been government “death panels” nor would there be under this legislation, and to the relatively-easily verifiable fact that insurance companies routinely deny coverage and claims (or only partially approve it), in order to maximize their profits. In making my case I have pointed only to the suffering of the sick, which was perhaps an error on my part, but I'll tell you now that, on the other side of the coin, you can also examine the rising profitability of the health insurance industry over the past twenty years even as health insurance and drug costs have begun to bankrupt our national budget, our state budgets, and corporate budgets. It's all written down in ink.
See...you're smart enough to perform variations and combinations on the talking points you already know, but you aren't actually thinking about this stuff. Let's consider your next thoughts:
Access to health care would only become more complicated if the government took a bigger role in it. Just look at the treatment of Medicare patients over ones who have private insurance. You've made this argument several times to me.
I've never made such an argument. In fact I've made the opposite argument: Access to healthcare would become immensely simpler under a national healthcare system. Why? Because the government bureaucracy administering public healthcare would be interested in moving patients through the system efficiently. Contrast that to the corporate bureaucracy, whose interest is in maximizing profits by manipulating insurance money disbursements. There wouldn't be any claims paperwork. You wouldn't have to spend time and energy arguing with insurance companies. You wouldn't get stuck with unanticipated out-of-pocket expenses when your claims are rejected. You wouldn't have to worry about not being able to afford to go to the doctor when you get sick.
We see this all the time in the comparison between civic systems and businesses: When a city is faced with a budget shortfall; they try to cut services in a way that will be least injurious to people. When a business is faced with a budget shortfall, they cut costs by tweaking their business model into something more profitable. You need to stop comparing government and business; they're not the same thing and they shouldn't be held to the same standards. If you could understand that, you would see why something like healthcare should never be privately-run (or, if it is privately run, should be subject to extensive regulation). Healthcare is all about helping people in one of the most basic senses. It's not about turning a profit, or at least it shouldn't be, because that kind of prioritization degrades healthcare service. You know, electric companies would be a lot more profitable if they didn't have to string wires out to the rural parts of the country. And if it had been up to private enterprise, those wires wouldn't have been strung in the first place, and certainly not well-maintained. And that would suck for all those people who live out there. But, hey! It'd be more profitable for the electric company, right?
Still, some expansions of Medicaid for indigent people is better than nothing, and some enhancements to undercovered people would do a great deal of good for the world.
I agree with you here (obviously), but I wanted to point out that here, for some reason that I can't figure out, you start referring to Medicaid, which is not the same as Medicare. I wonder if you knew that, and if you know what the basic difference is. Medicaid has been a very helpful program, but enormously expensive to state governments, because state governments just can't do what a national system like Medicare can do—they don't have the scale for it. Medicaid is a flawed premise; it's like forcing every state to build its own aerospace industry when it would be so much obviously better for there to be only a single national aerospace industry—which is the way it actually is. Like airplanes, healthcare is a hugely expensive sector that relies on economies of scale to become more effective. This same line of thinking is why I support globalization in principle, even though I fervently oppose the way it's actually unfolding.
My problem with the public option as promoted by President Obama is that one of two things will happen: 1) Not that many people will go for it, and we'd have invested that much money for nothing or very little results. 2) Too many people will go for it, and with prices that much lower than private insurance companies, the government won't be able to sustain it without raising taxes. If a few more bucks of my money go towards a noble goal like that, then I have no problem.
Your Concern No. 1 is why people are so strongly in favor of a so-called robust public option. When the centrists proposed not-for-profit co-operatives as an alternative to public insurance, liberals were quick to point out that we have already had the same basic thing in the past, and they were all taken over or pushed out by the for-profit segment from the 1980s onward. That's what happened to Blue Cross Blue Shield. It's not a point of contention that for-profit healthcare insurers will win the day in the free market, because what they do is sell junk insurance, and people keep buying it because they don't realize that it's junk until they need to use it. Well, nowadays they buy it because there are very few non-profit alternatives left. That's what created the chain of events which led to the healthcare crisis that has been building for the past fifteen years or so. Co-ops and other half-assed measures don't stand a chance against the for-profits. Only a well-empowered national public insurance alternative would be able to do it.
That brings me to your Concern No. 2: The public option might become very popular. That's less of a concern than you might think, but you are on to something. It's already a given that public insurance would pick up the poorest people, those who are least able to pay, and the sickest among us. In other words, the public option would, in the short-term, actually serve to enrich the profits of its private competitors—at the expense of taxpayers.
What would happen in the long run is one of two scenarios: If the public option is weak, then it will never be able to overcome these starting disadvantages, and it will become ineffective. On the other hand, if the public option is strong—meaning well-funded, empowered to negotiate with providers, and truly competitive legally—then the superior healthcare access it affords would cause it to become the provider of choice, and we'd end up with a de factor national single-payer system—a much more efficient, effective, accessible, and affordable system than the one we have to day. The insurance industry has been lobbying the government against the public option to the tune of millions of dollars a day for exactly that reason, because under that scenario they would lose out.
But ask yourself: If people want public health insurance, who gives a damn what the private insurers want? Let 'em rot. If the government can do it better, for more people, for less money, why shouldn't it?
But, 436 people should not be allowed to make that decision unless they have the majority consent of the 300 million people that the represent, which, for whatever reason, they do not.
You are wrong here, my friend, in three ways: First, there are 535 voting seats in Congress, not 436. Second, we elected them to be able to make decisions like that. If we don't like their decisions, we can un-elect them. Third, the vast majority of Americans support healthcare reform. There isn't a single credible poll that has said otherwise. In fact I don't know of any poll at all, credible or not, that has said otherwise. People know that things are screwed up.
The insurance and drug companies aren't raising their prices just to kick more people off of their rolls. They have to make a profit. And putting a price ceiling on insurance isn't viable either, because that will kill private health insurance or make it even more unavailable to everyone, something none of us want, I hope.
Those are arguments against for-profit health insurance. I should be making them, not you.
Since no one's called me out on it, I think we agree that tort reform is a good way to drive down costs.
Yes, I completely agree with you. However, I am loathe to spend time on it, because it's become a right-wing talking point that tort reform is the only healthcare reform we need, which is obscenely wrong. I consider it a distraction.
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Truthordeal, trying to clarify your question earlier about how doctors might be profiting off of health care.
Well, the next time I see a doctor pull into a hospital parking lot with a $50,000 Lexus, I'd like to know where he (or she) got the paycheck that paid off that car. I mean, the way some doctors are paid, they probably don't even use monthly plans to pay off their nice cars.
There's also the reality of how there are [perhaps] no incentives for doctors to return your calls or your e-mails. The U.S. government has a list of 7500 procedures (give or take) it will pay for. Phones, e-mails, even storing your records are computers, aren't amongst those procedures. I find it ironic that despite this, some people want more government control in their health care needs.
Who would you rather trust to cover the cost of your health insurance: yourself, or some pencil-pushing bureaucrat whom you'll probably never meet in real life? I say cut out the middle man and take some initiative. It's your health to manage, not theirs.
As for the whole "death panel" concept, there's no concrete evidence of its existence, so all speculation towards it should be counted for naught... or at least given some reliable, third-party evidence of their existence.
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I'm not against health care reform; I just think that there are better and more prudent ways to reform health care and drive down costs(tort reform) than what President Obama is currently suggesting.
Be specific. What don't you like about Obama's plan?
To use your train of thought, which was a good one, if more poor people have children than rich people, then won't that only exacerbate the problem, especially if we attempt UHC?
No it wouldn't. Because universal low-cost health care means more jobs filled and more money in peoples pockets. That is the only reason it would not make the problem worse. Currently, over 90% of the nation's wealth is held by less than 1% of our citizens. And that one percent has some damn fine insurance, I guarantee you that much. If you spread the wealth out more, and people had more money that wasn't tied up in debt, then even if the quality of health care went down, they could afford to pay extra for the stuff they'd need.
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ToD, regarding Insurance Companies, I ask you, if that business model was applied to cars, would you be as defensive of it?
Honestly, probably not. The reason for this is that car companies don't invest nearly as much in R&D and bureaucratic monstrosities as insurance companies do. The EPA is just now getting its hands on the auto industry in true form with mandating emissions standards. Metal and the materials that make a car are not scarce(no, I'm not including oil), and just about anyone can make a car, whereas not everyone can make medicine.
Ok, let me try to rephrase this so as to not denigrate the auto workers. It doesn't take an engineering genius to design a car that will sell well, but it does take years of R&D from genius minds to create a new pill or treatment to combat a disease. Medicine is a rapidly evolving enterprise and the auto industry is not, costs are naturally higher for the, and I use this term lightly, medical industry.
And then look at it at the manufacturing level. You don't need a college degree to build a car. Most mechanics and factory line workers probably have an Associate's Degree, if that. To be a pharmacist takes 6 years of college, with some programs mandating 8 years at least. The pay scale is thusly unbalanced.
True, it doesn't take as many pharmacists to fill a prescription as it does mechanics to fix a car, but given the degree of specialty involved in pharmaceuticals, the cost of having 5 or 6 fully licensed pharmacists working in one small pharmacy is probably equal to an entire factory line of auto workers, except for the case of Ford, GM and Chevy, because of union contracts, which is one reason they crashed so hard this time around.
It probably costs more to fill a pharmacy with medicine than it does a dealership with cars, too.
That's the drug industry though. The insurance part has to cover all of those costs, even no one gets sick. There's a lot of trapholes here.
Then there are hospitals, who have to employ physicians, specialists, pharmacists, interns and residents to take over as physicians, nurses, RN nurses, the drugs they provide, the equipment they need, staff workers to keep the place sanitary, storage for...fluids, and all of the niceties you see in a hospital, i.e., tv's in the rooms, a daycare in many cases, lecture halls, seminars for their staff, malpractice insurance, etc.
And insurance companies are called in to cover all of that too.
Not to mention that medicine's probably bought more often than a car is. Increased quantity demanded with a limited quantity supplied of specialized labor and materials causes an increase in prices. Even moreso with all of the investments into drugs and treatments that may or may not work.
I know insurance companies can be bastards, and it might seem unfair to have to pay a premium each month if you never get sick, but it is not all their fault that prices keep rising. Government mandates, the FDA, bastard lawyers and even natural market forces are driving costs up at a rate that is unnatural.
Now medical care is just as essential for the welfare of the populace as milk, if not more so, yes? If the government can influence the price of milk, why not influence the price of medical care?
First of all, a gallon of milk down here is about $4. That's not cheap in my book. It's good quality milk, I'll give you that, and I'll give the government kudos on that, but its still not nearly as affordable as what you're making it out to be. My family, which is fairly middle class, has had to buy it in half gallon increments after the prices shot up last year and never went down.
Secondly, the government does already influence the price of medical care. Government mandates about certain treatments that have to be covered(restless leg syndrome being the most frivolous I've heard) drive costs up for insurance companies; the FDA's rigid standards drive up the costs for drug companies; government mandated malpractice insurance for doctors drives up the costs of hospitals and individual doctors. Hell, the cost of malpractice insurance has soared because of lawyers and lawsuits. Costs all around in the medical industry have risen the way they have because of these.
Now, about the FDA, they can either bring quality or cost efficiency. Not both; its economically unsustainable. They can have their standards still, which raises costs, but if they try to force drug companies, insurance companies and hospitals to lower their costs then quality will suffer. If they try to do both, then the private health care industry will fail, and no one will have access to adequate health care.
Unless you tax people, but I'd like to see you try at this point.
If there was a better option for us to take, then yes, let us take it, but our current position is intolerable. We cannot just stay here.
Tort reform, damn it!
Side note: I highly recommend you start reading the BBC News' website. It is terribly interesting to get a non-American perspective on world events.
That might be interesting. I'll have to take a gander.
Well, the next time I see a doctor pull into a hospital parking lot with a $50,000 Lexus, I'd like to know where he (or she) got the paycheck that paid off that car. I mean, the way some doctors are paid, they probably don't even use monthly plans to pay off their nice cars.
That's a rather popular image of doctors, and it might very well be true in a lot of cases, but in general its probably an unfair characterization.
As for why doctors get enough money to afford a $50,000 Lexus, the main reasons are incentive and market forces. Would you go through 8 years of post-secondary school, rack up huge debts in the meantime and work in the conditions they do(they work up to 24-36 hour shifts, are on call for most of their free time, and only really get one true "day off" per week; plus the cutting open of people, the constant fluids that spray from various orifices they have to deal with) for the money you do now or will be making straight out of college? Probably not.
Then there is the specialization of their labor. Compare the number of doctors to, say, accountants, and you'll see why they get paid more. Or to use a more vivid example, Kobe Bryant gets paid umpteen million dollars a year for shooting hoops because of the special skills he has. The NBA uses people with superhuman abilities in basketball, rather than regular people. In short, you and I and most people can't do what Kobe does, nor can we practice medicine effectively, so they get paid more.
Also, in case you missed it, all those anecdotal examples of healthcare nightmares I gave were out of my personal life and acquaintanceships.
I know people who's health care's great. Superb even. Individual anecdotal arguments don't prove anything though, for two reasons: 1) They can't be verified, 2) Everyone's case is different. If a super-majority of people had good anecdotes regarding the health care system, as they seem to now, would you change your mind? Doubtful.
Same here, though. I want to make sure that we help the people with bad anecdotes without ass-screwing the people with good ones. That's unfair to them.
I've pointed to the easily verifiable fact that there never have been government “death panels” nor would there be under this legislation
I never said there were "death panels," but even then I can't "verify" that because I haven't read the portion of the bill that was cut out. Journalists like George S. can speculate on it, and reasonable people like you and me might have a pretty good idea, but only the author of that clause could say for sure what it entailed. Unless that was you or someone you know closely, you can't verify it.
Because the government bureaucracy administering public healthcare would be interested in moving patients through the system efficiently.
Replace the word "efficiently" with "quickly," and it'll be more accurate. If it means throwing pills at it other than some other, possibly better but lengthier and expensive treatment, guess which would win?
I agree with you here (obviously), but I wanted to point out that here, for some reason that I can't figure out, you start referring to Medicaid, which is not the same as Medicare.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Magus-PonderFront.gif)
Rookie mistake on my part.
Yes, I completely agree with you. However, I am loathe to spend time on it, because it's become a right-wing talking point that tort reform is the only healthcare reform we need, which is obscenely wrong. I consider it a distraction.
Possibly. However, it's a part, perhaps the primary part, because it'll reduce costs a great deal, and in turn reduce prices.
Has the current health bill mentioned dealing with tort reform, by the way? I haven't heard anything about it since the "death panel" controversy snuck up.
If you spread the wealth out more,
Mmmm....that's an argument for another day.
and people had more money that wasn't tied up in debt, then even if the quality of health care went down, they could afford to pay extra for the stuff they'd need.
That sounds more like personal responsibility though, although coupled with the first statement I guess it makes more sense.
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Just to clarify, the debt to which I was referring was purely health care costs. Not credit card debt or student loans or fraudulent spending or things like that.
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Dunno what's going on the posts above me, but it has nothing to do with why I'm so fucking pissed.
My foreign language class (which I'm forced to take to meet the requirements of my major, which I put off till my last four semesters--which I'm solely to blame for) was dropped due to a lack of teachers or some such nonsense. School starts Thursday, so I had to fumble through my schedule (which is full of classes I'm forced to take this semester) and find an alternate section for that class. There are no alternate sections that would work, so I looked through virtually every other language and was left with Japanese (and a virtually unchanged schedule) or swapping around my only other non-forced class and being fucked with classes I didn't intend on taking (like Japanese and Astronomy...). Only problem is that THERE ARE FUCKING THREE DAYS TILL SCHOOL STARTS: EVERYONE HAS SIGNED UP FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERY FUCKING SECTION IS CLOSED. So for two hours I look through every class, send a couple emails, and finally find a different foreign language that I somehow missed every other time...
And even though my schedule is a ton better than it had been previously (with the exception of Friday, which is now just a gay day) I'm so fucking frustrated and tired...and the classes haven't even started yet.
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Do you need a specific foreign language, or just one in general? I understand you might have had a preference for a language closer to English, say Spanish or German, but who knows? A language that is truly foreign like Japanese, Russian or Italian might be more interesting than one who is more similar.
But then again, I'm an FL and grammar nerd, so it's different for me.
By the way, if you're forced into astronomy due to the physics requirement, it's supposedly easier than general physics by far. Just my thought.
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Yeah, it was almost any foreign language--I wanted to take Arabic, since it sounded pretty interesting and apparently it made me sound more serious as a journalist, but now I'm taking French (which is fine, since I took it in high school and for a couple years in Canada). If I didn't need to rely so heavily on my grades I'd have been willing to try out some of the other languages, but I just don't have the leeway. But it wasn't the language choices that pissed me off, so much as the situation: around three days to get this all figured out, a virtually locked schedule, so many good class choices that wouldn't work, etc.
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Ah, yes I see. I'm in roughly the same boat, except with money rather than classes.
$30,000 repaid on a teacher's salary. Can you imagine? Oh well, at least I'll have good health insurance (http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Locke-Laugh.gif)
*ducks*
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Whoa there, I'm getting a bit mixed up here, ToD. As you talking about Health Care Insurance, or the Health Care Industry in general?
As far as I can tell, Insurance companies never pay for R&D (indeed, I'd suspect that would be an intolerable conflict of interest). Or perhaps you mean that R&D is very expensive and the costs have to be passed on to the consumers, who pay via insurance? If you mean that insurance companies pay for R&D directly, could you please provide a few examples?
And if you mean that insurance companies pay indirectly through customer support, that is just a red herring. My original point is that insurance companies make a profit (not just break even) by screwing over everyone they possibly can. Charge customers more for less coverage, don't make the payments they're obligated to make, etc. R&D costs would be included in the category of breaking even, not in making a profit. Indeed, given that health insurance companies try to avoid patients who need expensive medical breakthroughs, they really are trying to avoid that cost all together. Biomedical companies recoup their losses in R&D in increments from the consumers. The Insurance Companies try to use the patient as a human shield to protect themselves.
The costs of the Insurance Company aren't a factor for me, and I'd argue that they shouldn't be for you either. The costs do not justify downright villainous business practices.
Regarding milk, it is true, the prices have gone up. But the point still remains that the government attempts to ensure that it is cheap enough for everyone (particularly those with children, hence WIC) to have access to it.
If there was a better option for us to take, then yes, let us take it, but our current position is intolerable. We cannot just stay here.
Tort reform, damn it!
Sorry, that's not on the table. It might be good, but we have to work with what we have. As I said, where we are currently is intolerable. To use an analogy (because I love analogies), it is like we are in the desert, in desperate need of food. Someone comes along and offers us a hardboiled egg. Now we might want that egg to have been produced humanely, but that is an issue that can wait for another day, when we aren't starving.
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What major is this, mav? You could try crashing come classes maybe? I was successful most times I tried doing this.
I feel like an absolute moron. Instead of breaking up with my boyfriend, now we are considering me moving to Florida for at least a semester to try to salvage the relationship. I have to make the decision whether I want to do that or not (it won't affect my education considering my program went entirely online recently). Seeing him in panic mode is making me feel that perhaps he loves me more than I love him. My dad has never approved of him, but now after 5 years, the boyfriend is starting to be serious about getting an education, so dad's opinion might change (it's the only reason dad doesn't like him). I wonder what dad will say if I came to him with that idea. I hesitate to go against my parents, despite being pretty independent, I don't like to do anything they don't approve of... >_>.
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At least you seem to be able to separate the businessmen from the business model. Its as I said before, the CEO of Statefarm is not deciding that Auntie Gertrude has to die so he can afford new Versacci boots, as is the more common characterization. The business model they have forces them to make some deathly decisions, but it's hardly murder. Even if this is the case, the government shouldn't put its hand into the stew and make those changes by mandates.
One of the reasons that I like the idea of a public option(not the one currently suggested, mind you) is that it will force the insurance companies to revise their models through market forces, rather than a direct government intervention. Coupled with tort reform to reduce the costs, which are a huge factor no matter how you look at it, the public option and private insurance will be able to healthily compete. The idea is that if there's healthy competition between the two, costs will stay low, quality will rise, and there won't be any rationing.
Do that and eliminate Medicare as a by-product, and President Obama might actually cut the deficit in half as he promised to do.
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What major is this, mav? You could try crashing come classes maybe? I was successful most times I tried doing this.
I'm majoring in Broadcasting Journalism. The bulk of the problems are happening since I just transferred to this university, have two years to complete everything, and less leeway than I'd like. Eh, I'm probably overreacting to things, but regardless I did kinda force this on myself...
By the way, good luck with your situation Zaichik--I'm not one to give relationship advice, but it doesn't look like there are any easy options for ya...
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University advisors need to reply to fucking e-mails, especially if they're not going to be in their office, and especially in the few days before school starts.
It's like playing goddamn tag.
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Oh, I absolutely hate that. Especially when it comes to arranging college tours and asking advice from professors.
Being a Senior now, I must begin the quest for my future and take full on responsibility for it. I've contacted several colleges and universities, and they never reply back.
Annoying, isn't it?
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Not just here, but school seems to be on everyone's minds right now. Gotta admit I don't miss that hoop jumping....
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Well, at least it appears that after all of the hoop-jumping I've done this summer, I finally have enough money to attend college. Granted, I'm going to be the federal government's bitch for a few more years, but I've done pretty much all I can do at this point.
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Isn't school starting for most people soon? I can never keep track of that.
I got a letter from my Academy advisor recently. According to her, no MMDP classes I need are being offered next quarter, so she went ahead and registered me for three gen eds. I've got nothing but high school classes next quarter. Suck.
And more of a retarded frustration: I've got a presentation for Unreal tomorrow but I cna't remember where I keep my makeup bag D:
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My school-related frustration is something I think I already mentioned. That due to the bad financial problem, I got screwed with enrollment and can only take 2 classes this semester and because of that, I must now take another semester. I kind of want to move to Florida for next semester, but my parents are strongly opposed to that idea, so I'm not sure what I will do. I hope I can find a job soon! I need one. My mom is really bitchy because she wants me to find a job in my field, but what she refuses to understand is that it is impossible to find a paid job in my field without the masters degree that I'm working on. She is pissed off that I'm going to find some kind of average employment in the mean time (well that's the plan anyway). I am not looking to work in fast food. Other than that, my options are open, so i hope that being too educated won't be a problem. Maybe I should neglect to mention I'm in grad school... Some managers don't like to hire overly educated people to do remedial labor : (. I'm not snotty or anything, but I am a really bad worker because I have a very hard time obeying authority. I try to be good, but I still end up being disobedient and always get either fired or nearly fired for disobedience.
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Fucking frustration: it looks like the most recent Windows Vista Update caused my computer to stop loading Windows or effectively crash. I dunno if I interrupted it while updating or what, but it was a fucking pain in the ass. Thank goodness Safe Mode exists. Especially Safe Mode with Networking. What the fuck, Microsoft? What the fuck?
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^ Eep. I think there is something you can do to put windows back into the state it was in before the update. I had my updates turned off, but then I turned them on again. I think that I should turn them back off. My bf did tech support for many years and he always had something against windows updates. He always has them off and encourages others to do so as well.
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Right before I posted I did a quick System Restore, which apparently fixed everything (though I see the little Updates Icon trying to win me over)...but the idea to turn 'em off is smart: I might just do that.
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Oh man, I am sooo not wanting to upgrade to Vista. I love my XP. I loves it, and wantsss to keep it, preciousss. Why does Microsoft have to constantly "innovate"?
Speaking of which, Internet Explorer 8. Is anyone else able to type in these forum post windows in IE 8 without enormous scrolling problems? Microsoft did do an ingenious thing by letting you revert your browser to a Compatibility View setting, though.
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Oh man, I am sooo not wanting to upgrade to Vista. I love my XP. I loves it, and wantsss to keep it, preciousss. Why does Microsoft have to constantly "innovate"?
Speaking of which, Internet Explorer 8. Is anyone else able to type in these forum post windows in IE 8 without enormous scrolling problems? Microsoft did do an ingenious thing by letting you revert your browser to a Compatibility View setting, though.
I wouldn't know. I use a good browser.
(http://www.mrbass.org/freeware/firefox/firefox.jpg)
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Oh man, I am sooo not wanting to upgrade to Vista. I love my XP. I loves it, and wantsss to keep it, preciousss. Why does Microsoft have to constantly "innovate"?
Speaking of which, Internet Explorer 8. Is anyone else able to type in these forum post windows in IE 8 without enormous scrolling problems? Microsoft did do an ingenious thing by letting you revert your browser to a Compatibility View setting, though.
I use Vista, which despite the oh-so-fabled complaints about it, I'm fine with it. *shrug* just me I guess.
Oh yeah, I have IE as well, and it works fine for me.
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Comparing it to Firefox, IE does seem to scroll a wee bit differently, but it doesn't seem "enormous". Wait...maybe this is IE7? I dunno, I too use Firefox.
And generally I like Vista, but from time to time it just pisses me off. And somehow it updated itself anyway...though now the computer is working. WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!
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I use Opera! The sleekness, simplicity of the Speed Dial, and bookmark importing got me.
That and I had somehow fucked up my Firefox to the point where it would take 10 minutes to start the browser.
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I can hardly use IE with this place. Every time I do, I get issues with posts scrolling. So I use Firefox.
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Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck my fucking shit ass cock luck with bitching cuntlicker Dalton computers!! I can't even get into it. So obviously am I cursed.
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i use firefox and xp. im not fond of vista, and ie hates my guts. ive tried safari but it hates me more. and chrome and i are touch and go. but opera... opera is just my arch nemesis. im pretty sure its what caused doreen the desktop computer to die. im not letting it near clarissa, my trusty laptop!
today is a sad day, my friends.
jrum fell again.
this time, not even the power of superglue can put him back together.
the last time he fell, he broke into large pieces and was easily fixed. this time... he broke at the previous cracks, but then those large pieces shattered. i had to sweep him up, per fathers orders.
i still remember that happy, hollow thunk he made when i played him in time to music...
jrum... jrum... jrum... :(
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Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck my fucking shit ass cock luck with bitching cuntlicker Dalton computers!! I can't even get into it. So obviously am I cursed.
I don't know how necessary it was to drag Dalton into all of that...
Dalton's my boy!!! :franky
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My current frustration: ZB GIMME BACK MY DAMN AVATAR!!! =D :picardno
jk, really
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Yeah, I keep seeing Bucky's posts and thinking it's Serge.
My frustration: Last Friday we were told to print out our photography final projects at a kinko's. I figure I'll wait until Thursday afternoon so I can actually pay for it. So I go in, and they tell me it'll take seven days to print out. I wouldn't have even been able to get it printed on time if I had gone in when I finished the project.
Other money frustration: The PAX three-day tickets sold out.. the day before my check came in. No PAX for me.
I'd also like to take this moment say fuck you to the people who keep getting up at 1 AM to cook when they'd just eaten dinner hardly four hours ago. They know that there are other people in this house who are asleep (and sleep deprived) who need to wake up early, yet they think that just because they're on a nocturnal cycle, it's okay for them to get up in the middle of the night and make all the noise they want. Fuck you with a rat's ass.
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Dalton has earned his place as a curse word amongst Chrono fans, I say...anyways...the broadband worked but didn't work. For some reason they couldn't seem to figure out exactly it wouldn't connect to the internet on my lappy...possibly due to something I did when trying to connect my lappy to my other one...I found out that it works perfectly fine on my crappy lappy though, so that's...completely useless to me...
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My frustration is the dynamic incompatibility between songs in my music library. I swear, there must be 50 decibels between the average volume of my quietest songs versus that of my loudest. It's always a hassle to have to fiddle with the volume controls in the utility, and it's even worse when I get caught unawares and almost go deaf and/or blow out all the glass in my apartment. But what's really maddening are those songs that are too quiet to be properly heard without turning up the master volume at the speakers, which of course will immediately have to be turned down after the song is over. In my old, two-speaker setup, that was fine, because the volume control was very responsive and it was right within reach. On my newer setup, the volume control is overly sensitive, and it's not easily within reach.
That's a completely different frustration: Knobs that have shitty middle ranges. I notice this sometimes on things like shower temperature knobs, or speaker volume knobs. You gotta turn, turn, turn to get to that sweet spot, but then, for the fine tuning, it's bullshit. A fraction of a splinter of a twist, and you jump right through the sweet range onto the other side. Golly, I hate that.
That's why old radios had fine tuning knobs. Why don't we have those anymore? Dammit. Frustration number three: Technology whose functionality is increasingly out of the user's control because, despite more controls than ever, basic controls are falling by the wayside! The people behind this need to be drug out into the street and sternly spoken to.
Frustration number four: Realizing it's 1:30 in the morning and I needed to get something done today that I didn't.
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there, you people happy?
im frustrated because i planned on making some 'coconut shrimp' (grilled shrimp with little bits of coconut added in) for supper or lunch or something, but last night it turns out my sister had a coconut craving, so she ate the shredded coconut as a snack. there goes my mealplans...
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Goddamn it, ZB, stop using defaults. You have a cool SN. Join the cool kids & get a rav already. Here, I made you an avy to start you out...
(http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo81/V_Translanka/Avatars/ZombieBucky.png)
It's zombie Bucky with about-to-be-zombie whoever the fuck that is...Dazzler? idk...
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Goddamn it, ZB, stop using defaults. You have a cool SN. Join the cool kids & get a rav already. Here, I made you an avy to start you out...
whats a rav? is it that weird rotating avatar thing?
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Huh... I thought the name was referencing this Bucky:
(http://www.timandjeni.com/images/bucky-katt.jpg)
As for my frustration, littering.
Seriously, what goes through a person's mind when they litter?
"Alas, I have consumed all of the potable liquids from this glass container. Verily, I could properly dispose of it but such a course of action would be unbecoming of me. I best chuck it out the window, as I am sure the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, and the thingies of the fjords will greatly welcome the sharp pointy shards. Hmm… I suppose a dog might walk over it and become wounded, or a person, but that will allow them to enjoy the experience of our fine medical system."
"Egads, I have purchased this product and now find that it is trapped in a neigh impenetrable field of plastic! I shall rip it off, stomp upon it, and ward off the evil eye so that this villainy will not follow me home!"
I actually tried to litter once, to see what it was like. I just couldn't do it, I had to go back and pick up the paper wrapper from my straw and carry with me until I found a trashcan. But I do have OCD tendencies, so this just might be one of them.
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Goddamn it, ZB, stop using defaults. You have a cool SN. Join the cool kids & get a rav already. Here, I made you an avy to start you out...
whats a rav? is it that weird rotating avatar thing?
Yar...
I would've connected it to that Bucky, but I don't usually associate Get Fuzzy with zombies like I do Marvel characters now...
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Huh... I thought the name was referencing this Bucky:
(http://www.timandjeni.com/images/bucky-katt.jpg)
As for my frustration, littering.
Seriously, what goes through a person's mind when they litter?
"Alas, I have consumed all of the potable liquids from this glass container. Verily, I could properly dispose of it but such a course of action would be unbecoming of me. I best chuck it out the window, as I am sure the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, and the thingies of the fjords will greatly welcome the sharp pointy shards. Hmm… I suppose a dog might walk over it and become wounded, or a person, but that will allow them to enjoy the experience of our fine medical system."
"Egads, I have purchased this product and now find that it is trapped in a neigh impenetrable field of plastic! I shall rip it off, stomp upon it, and ward off the evil eye so that this villainy will not follow me home!"
I actually tried to litter once, to see what it was like. I just couldn't do it, I had to go back and pick up the paper wrapper from my straw and carry with me until I found a trashcan. But I do have OCD tendencies, so this just might be one of them.
I littered one time a few days ago. Not on purpose though.
I was in a parking lot walking to my car, when the wind blew a plastic wrapper out of my hands (I had many things in my hands at the time) and I was just too damn lazy to chase it.
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The economy! (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090828/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy)
:picardno
This is all terribly fascinating from the perspective of an economics student, in a really morbid way. Everything was theory until now; now the government is playing Keynesian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynesian) hardball the likes of which I never would have dreamed in a million years. And I fear that when it doesn't produce a stable recovery, it may be the death of Keynesianism. I feel that we're not going to see a double-dip recession as some economists are proposing; we're going to see a zigzag depression until we realize that our entire economic system is poorly structured vis a vis today's economic reality, and restructure appropriately.
Of all the Obama administration's Keynesian-like economic policies, the only ones that will contribute to a long-run economic recovery, IMO, are the green energy initiatives and the train transportation initiatives (I don't even know what the status of the latter is). These are infrastructural changes that will help produce an entirely new industry (in the case of green energy) to replace lost manufacturing; and in the case of train transportation, increase the efficiency of the job market by raising the average worker's job search radius.
What I'm totally appalled by most is the lack of telecommuting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommute) in the US economy. What does it account for, maybe 5% of all jobs here? If the Interstate Highway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_highway) increased economic efficiency in the US, imagine what the Information Superhighway could do for us.
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To me, if you're in the city, it's not really littering unless you decide to find the one spot of soil & shrubbery and dump your garbage there. Otherwise you're not going to be doing the earth/ecosystem/what-have-you any more harm than the millions of pounds/kilos/what-have-you of brick & concrete.
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To me, if you're in the city, it's not really littering unless you decide to find the one spot of soil & shrubbery and dump your garbage there. Otherwise you're not going to be doing the earth/ecosystem/what-have-you any more harm than the millions of pounds/kilos/what-have-you of brick & concrete.
It's still disgusting. Consider this: Would you rather live in a city that had filth lining the streets, or where you didn't have to watch your step to avoid potentially sticky, smell, and/or hazardous waste?
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i hate it when people drive by the lake and toss their stuff in. its rude and inconsiderate. how would they like it if a duck came into their house and throws random things everywhere?! but that wouldnt happen, not because the duck cant get in.
but because the duck has DECENCY.
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I guess I'm more of a country boy when I think about it. I'd rather not live in the city at all...unfortunately I live in the shit hole that is Tacoma, so regardless of people's litter it's still going to be an armpit.
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Yeah, I hate littering too.
Man, I almost got in a car wreck a few mins ago because some dumbass didn't fasten his cart to his truck properly and it fell off into the freeway. The lady in front of me managed to avoid it somehow, but it was stuck in front of me so I had to move it off into the left hand emergency lane. I was pretty lucky, though. I thought the guy behind me hit me, but he didn't. Dealing with insurance is a pain in the neck, especially if I'm ever in fault of an accident and it manages to wreck my car. I don't have that covered.
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Grah.......littering. Etc etc etc. We've only one Earth, respect it fools! It peeves me so.
Frustration: My flu has seemingly gotten a bit worse, after gradually getting better. Today, I coughed my throat raw, and made it bleed a bit (nothing major. It stopped after the coughing episode.) because I couldn't stop coughing mucus out. With that, a temperature of 100 claimed me, but I am keeping that under control. But, I can hardly speak because of my throat at the moment.
Blasted, confounded hindering sicknesses.
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yOU HAVE SWINE FLU. yOU FAIL AT LIFE.
Now go and LITTER your way to health!
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As little sense as that made, I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the last sentence.
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My long standing frustration?
I hate how this forum has become nothing but a platform for Zeality to spew his political statements.
It was okay at first, but now he has multiple topics on this.
For fuck sake guys, just because Square Enix banned us from making Chrono Trigger stuff doesn't mean we have to talk about non-related junk.
I'm actually glad I bailed when I did...
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"General Discussion"
I guess you were asleep when these topics existed with regularity in the years past. Gen Disc has always been this way.
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Forget it, I don't need to start an argument with you again.
I'm just going to go about my merry little way and gripe with my shithole college essays.
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What's wrong with talking about non-related junk? My problem with this forum is the lack of interest in talking about non-related junk! I'd rather talk about politics and entertainment, etc. than Chrono. I mean, Chrono is great and everything, but what more is there to discuss considering there hasn't really been anything new in a decade (well, I guess you can include the DS version)? The CE talk has kind of died down and that was... interesting, to put it lightly, but I really see nothing wrong with talking about political platforms. Maybe you just have a problem with all the fighting. I can get that.
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The Chrono Compendium should become the Compendium of All, and swallow up multiple franchises.
(http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5479/locutusofborg.png)
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LOL, love that one. I'm a huge Trekkie, and the Locutus episodes have to be my favorite out of any series <3.
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What do you mean there's no more Chrono discussion? There's fanfic contests coming up, a Dream Splash, a whole ton of stuff planned. Not to mention the Pocket Dimension Theory just got dismantled, so Analysis is going to be pretty busy finding a way to fill that. And of course, there's fanart, and Mysticalpha's comic. As long as there are still fans and fanworks, the Chrono discussion will never die. That's really the biggest reason I come here, most of the General Discussion topics just aren't as interesting as the Chrono polls, analysis, fanart/fiction critiques, news, etc,.
I guess my frustration would be people expecting there to be more unrelated discussion on a fan forum. This is a Chrono forum, of course there'll be more Chrono discussion than other stuff. It's like going to a MAC convention and trying to start a debate about Windows products.
Not that there's anything wrong with General Discussion, sometimes it's quite entertaining, it's just not supposed to be the main focus.
And that's where the best thing about forum comes in; if you aren't interested in the political threads, don't read them. Just mark them read, or collapse the Gen Disc forum completely and pass right over it.
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Nightmare your exaggerating. Sure Kajar Labs' disapperince has cased many of the Projects to die or vanish, General Discussion has gone Politiko, and maybe most topics of Chrono left are rehashing of the old but...
...No your kinda right :?
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What do you mean there's no more Chrono discussion? There's fanfic contests coming up, a Dream Splash, a whole ton of stuff planned. Not to mention the Pocket Dimension Theory just got dismantled, so Analysis is going to be pretty busy finding a way to fill that. And of course, there's fanart, and Mysticalpha's comic. As long as there are still fans and fanworks, the Chrono discussion will never die. That's really the biggest reason I come here, most of the General Discussion topics just aren't as interesting as the Chrono polls, analysis, fanart/fiction critiques, news, etc,.
I guess my frustration would be people expecting there to be more unrelated discussion on a fan forum. This is a Chrono forum, of course there'll be more Chrono discussion than other stuff. It's like going to a MAC convention and trying to start a debate about Windows products.
Not that there's anything wrong with General Discussion, sometimes it's quite entertaining, it's just not supposed to be the main focus.
And that's where the best thing about forum comes in; if you aren't interested in the political threads, don't read them. Just mark them read, or collapse the Gen Disc forum completely and pass right over it.
I kind of disagree with you. On forums, I enjoy talking more about off-topic things... That's just me, though. I find the non-Chrono topics much more interesting. Nothing wrong with preferring Chrono-discussion.
Nightmare your exaggerating. Sure Kajar Labs' disapperince has cased many of the Projects to die or vanish, General Discussion has gone Politiko, and maybe most topics of Chrono left are rehashing of the old but...
I remember Z saying something about bringing back the Kajar lab forums after the hype has died down. I wish that would happen, so General Discussion isn't cluttered by fan project topics.
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Kajar Laboratories is back, but it's limited to fan art and fan fiction.
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And booze!
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Z: what about a "Fan creations" catagory? As in, not just chrono hax, but more of any sort of interesting creation/concept that doesnt fit under fan fiction or art..
Also, tonight wasn't so great of a night :(
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Kajar Labs is the catch-all for things that aren't fan art or fan fiction.
Good thing I stayed up, since some fuckwad suddenly started pounding on the door trying to get in. Ditto for my neighbor. Called the cops and he was gone.
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wait why was he pounding on your door? was he looking for emily?
ugh i slept weirdly last night. i fucked up my shoulder and my back. and i woke up at 4 and i didnt get to sleep again. i hate it when that happens.
good news is it looks like itll be a nice day today! :D
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Kajar Labs is the catch-all for things that aren't fan art or fan fiction.
Good thing I stayed up, since some fuckwad suddenly started pounding on the door trying to get in. Ditto for my neighbor. Called the cops and he was gone.
Same thing happened here several months ago. There was actually a break in at one time, so now everyone watches out for each other here, or most of us do. It was never the same again after that, because this is a quiet little neighborhood here that hardly ever seeks trouble.
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Opera 10 Beta doesn't work for me, suddenly; freezes everytime I try to open a tab. Did a scan, got nothing, reinstalled, still the same... Opera 9
is unreliable and freezes constantly anyway. does the same thing. Firefox takes 5-10 minutes to start up and is generally pretty damn slow.
Fuck this, I was having a bad enough week. I can't get anything fucking done.
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Good thing I stayed up, since some fuckwad suddenly started pounding on the door trying to get in. Ditto for my neighbor. Called the cops and he was gone.
Do you live on campus? I doubt it was some lost douche bag, but who knows...
Current frustration: immense lack of sleep combined with a 45 minute commute.
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Opera 10 Beta doesn't work for me, suddenly; freezes everytime I try to open a tab. Did a scan, got nothing, reinstalled, still the same... Opera 9 is unreliable and freezes constantly anyway. does the same thing. Firefox takes 5-10 minutes to start up and is generally pretty damn slow.
Fuck this, I was having a bad enough week. I can't get anything fucking done.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Is it definitely plugged in?
(props if you get this reference)
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How do you work this thing?
How do you work this thing?
I've tried, and tried, and tried, and tried
But how do you work this thing?
Maybe you pull this pin.
Maybe you pull this pin.
I've tried, and tried, and tried, and tried
But how do you work this thing?
Maybe you plug it in.
Maybe you plug it in.
I've tried, and tried, and tried, and tried
But how do you work this thing?
(I know that wasn't the reference, but it did remind me of zefrank. http://www.zefrank.com/theshow/archives/2006/05/051106.html)
I'd say my current frustration is that I have to work after starting the day off with a great jazz show, but I don't feel bad about that at all! I'm so... jazzed!
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Opera 10 Beta doesn't work for me, suddenly; freezes everytime I try to open a tab. Did a scan, got nothing, reinstalled, still the same... Opera 9 is unreliable and freezes constantly anyway. does the same thing. Firefox takes 5-10 minutes to start up and is generally pretty damn slow.
Fuck this, I was having a bad enough week. I can't get anything fucking done.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Is it definitely plugged in?
(props if you get this reference)
IT CROWD
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Opera 10 Beta doesn't work for me, suddenly; freezes everytime I try to open a tab. Did a scan, got nothing, reinstalled, still the same... Opera 9 is unreliable and freezes constantly anyway. does the same thing. Firefox takes 5-10 minutes to start up and is generally pretty damn slow.
Fuck this, I was having a bad enough week. I can't get anything fucking done.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Is it definitely plugged in?
(props if you get this reference)
IT CROWD
FUCK YEAH!!! FAVORITE SHOW EVER!
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Opera 10 Beta doesn't work for me, suddenly; freezes everytime I try to open a tab. Did a scan, got nothing, reinstalled, still the same... Opera 9 is unreliable and freezes constantly anyway. does the same thing. Firefox takes 5-10 minutes to start up and is generally pretty damn slow.
Fuck this, I was having a bad enough week. I can't get anything fucking done.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Is it definitely plugged in?
(props if you get this reference)
IT CROWD
FUCK YEAH!!! FAVORITE SHOW EVER!
I
I got that
c:
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I was supposed to help my girlfriend move tomorrow. Earlier today, she got a call from her roommates telling her she had to be out today. Apparently their checkout appointment with the leasing office had been scheduled last weekend, and no one bothered to tell her, so we had to move her out on zero days notice. How inconsiderate can people be?
Now matter how little I expect of people, they still manage to disappoint me.
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Now matter how little I expect of people, they still manage to disappoint me.
How many times have your had to say that exact line?
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Im starting to watch all of Hirugashi (When they Cry), the first one.
I have already seen Kai, meaning that everything... *Should* make sense.
...but alot of it still makes none. Like how Rena and Mion obtained that syringe used in episode 4 anyways? Based on Kai.... they shouldn't have even had it, or even known about it.
If anyone knows a place which discusses this topic and the like, lemme know
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RD, I had a saying in my more pessimistic days that went along those lines. "You can't underestimate the average person."
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Bad Things that happened TODAY:
Couldn't seem to get up out of bed
Late to first class because it was at discovery park
Got a $30 ticket for leaving my car in the wrong parking spot over night
Almost out of gas
Bought wrong parking pass because of mis information
Temporary parking pass expired
Have chance of getting a 2nd ticket because of the previous 2
Haven't had time to go to the parking place to talk about getting the right permit (which might cost me the difference between the two different permits, which is about $60)
Still need to buy books
Had to circle parking lot for about 10 minutes (no joke) while on low gas, before I could find a spot to park
No time to eat lunch because of that parking lot incident
Next 2 classes are 10 minutes apart, meaning no food until about 3:00
Have less than $100 in cash (and less than $25 in my bank account)
Need a job
And probably more
Good Things today:
Someone opened the door for me on my way back in my dorm.
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Well, they do say good deeds light the way to a higher understanding, at least.
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Now matter how little I expect of people, they still manage to disappoint me.
How many times have your had to say that exact line?
Too many recently. And Thought, I agree entirely at this moment. Also, I know this is long overdue, but thank you for linking to that article on advocacy of population reduction. It was a good read.
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My clinical site time got changed today. Instead of having to be there at 6:45 AM, I now have to be there at 5:45 AM.
Waking up at 4:30 only has one perk, and that's watching Adult Swim with breakfast.
FML.
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I've never had to block anyone on facebook before, but I want to now, and can't figure out how to do it. Anyone know? There is this member of this community (they don't post) who has contacted(annoyed) several members from this community, including me. I finally decided to go ahead and block them from contacting me on AIM/MSN, but can't figure out how to do the same on facebook. And the final straw:
Me: Congratulations, Democratic Party of Japan for wrestling away power from the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan. Does anyone other than me find it funny that the Democratic Part of Japan is more liberal than the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan?
Them: Who the hell cares what the Japs did. I say if it does not affect your own country, to hell with it.
I take offense to that comment. >_>;. So yeah, if anyone knows how to remove friends from facebook, let me know. I am thinking of filtering my facebook friendslist anyway. There are a bunch of people on there who I can't even remember.
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If you go over the Settings button (should be to the right of your name & to the left of the Search field), hover over it & then go to Privacy Settings and there should be a Block List right there on the bottom.
Or we could see if this works...
http://www.facebook.com/privacy/?ref=mb
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^ Thanks!
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It's September. Fuck September.
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Man why does everyone hate September these days. Reminds me of that Greenday(I think) song "Wake Me Up when September ends". It's probably my favorite month, because I always like going back to school after the summer, the weather's generally the best all year, and it's my birthday : D.
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September is the kind of month that you want to stab repeatedly until it goes away. So yeah, Fuck September.
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Seems issue of September hatred can be broken down by gender, at least so far.
I love September for the cooler weather, and yeah, the beginning of the semester. Also, Porcupine Tree's new album comes out this month. Woo.
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And now, a limmerick about September:
Once a year, there's month called September
It's the month I don't wish to remember
If I had my way
and could skip through the days,
I'd already be in December.
Hey, this gives me an idea...
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Virgos unite~!! Row row, fight the haters~! I bet ZeaLitY just doesn't like the northern hemisphere's September or something. :lol:
I used to hate that my birthday was in September because in elementary school it was always too early for anyone to celebrate like we would with some of the other kids later on...V_V
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Virgo? I'm a Scorpio, and according to the zodiac, that would make us incompatible with each other. Also, if I were you (according to the zodiac), I'd stay away from any Pisces people.
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Uh...I said it because ZaichikArky said her b-day was in September...What you said's not really according to the zodiac as much as astrology. Plus, by 'unite' I meant more as a unity of similarities, not for compatibility's sake...>_>
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September just always feels strange. Summer's temperature lingers, but summer's joy is gone; it's nothing but a slow descent into frigid times in anticipation of a far-off spring.
January-March are somehow worse months for me, though. I prefer September-December over them. But I really only feel perfect from April to August.
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Yaaay virgos~ When's your birthday , V? Mine's the 12th. I'm really happy it isn't the 11th XD;.
Also, winter has always been my favorite season, so the start of the changing temperature is always a plus for me : ). My least favorite season is Spring. For some reason, Spring is usually when I'm most depressed.
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I hate a lot of stuff... too much for anyone to take in without their head exploding...
GRR.... Maybe its cos I'm 16 though.
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yeah im a capricorn i guess. dont really care about that kind of thing. the fall is one of my favorite seasons though. up here in connecticut its just so stunning. all the senses come together. the crisp breeze brushing your skin, the scent of leaves burning, the sound of the woodland critters gathering up things to stuff their faces with, the taste of pumpkin pie (damn that shits good), and of course the bright reds of the trees as they shed their leaves.
fall is awesome.
my frustration is that my job is doing horrible things to my back. i dont think ive ever felt this stiff and sore before. hopefully ill limber up in time.
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Yeah. On the one hand, I find astrology to be a load of bunk. On the other hand, I find it funny how people will read and take to heart what their horoscope for the day reads.
No hard feelings, V. Not the best choice of words from me to you.
Man, I'm already wishing that September was over with, and it's only the first. RRRRGH! :x
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The word "infarction." It may very well be one of the ugliest sounding word in all of the Indo-European language group.
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My birthday's the 13th. I think I've said it before, but they get even crazier with the blood type stuff that Japan & such do. Though perhaps it was partially made so that people would remember their blood type...lord knows I don't know mine...>_>
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The word "infarction." It may very well be one of the ugliest sounding word in all of the Indo-European language group.
My goodness--I feel the same way.
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My birthday's the 13th. I think I've said it before, but they get even crazier with the blood type stuff that Japan & such do. Though perhaps it was partially made so that people would remember their blood type...lord knows I don't know mine...>_>
Oh cool, yours is the day after mine : D. I'm not so into astrology, but I do read into my various signs a little. I wish I knew my blood type because that's something I've always been curious about. The only real way for me to know is to donate blood and I'm very scared of that. Maybe it's somewhere in my hospital records, but whenever I go, I forget to ask them...
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Current Frustration: Make up work. I despise it so. They show no mercy. But I need to get it all done, for the sake of grades. If only I hadn't gotten the flu in the first place.
Grah...
--------
I'm an O positive. Lucky me?
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Two more awesome things about September.
The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate
Dethklok - The Dethalbum II
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Two more awesome things about September.
The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate
Dethklok - The Dethalbum II
Fucking <3
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Current frustration: the fpdf library... This thing is about as bare as ncurses when it comes to built in functionality, and the first thing I have to make with it is a professional-looking report template with plenty of tables and formatted tidbits. I hope that if I learn to use this thing it will at least be something that I can make use of again and again (and again, and possibly a few more times after that).
I try not to let things like this get me down, but I'd definitely be kidding myself if I said I was happy to be learning this right now.
Edit: And yet, somehow, after I vent everything magically begins to make sense. I may get a good chunk of this done tonight.
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People are pissed at Obama for giving a back-to-school address?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20090903/pl_ynews/ynews_pl888_1
Okay, I understand the concerns over indoctrination, and that should always be watched out for in a Democratic society. But give the guy a chance, people. What the kids will take away from it is that they've got an African American in a powerful position in front of them. It could very well do wonders for the emotional and psychological state of young African American males, who are, on average, prone to horrid life outcomes on account of both their immediate social environment and the typical pop culture portrayal of the Black Man.
Perhaps to balance this, the administration should encourage teachers to have debates in class. But I'm not sure what there is to debate in the following?
I'm going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education; about the importance of staying in school; how we want to improve our education system and why it’s so important for the country.
I guess there could be some controversy in the "improving our educational system" part, but there shouldn't be any question about the rest.
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*shrug* The leader of a nation is the most difficult job in the world to have. There are always going to be some dumbasses who disagree with every word you utter or any action you take. I think Obama is doing very well with any criticism he has received.
Man, I feel like such a MORON when it comes to circut breakers. I couldn't get my oven to work for several days because the circuit breaker popped and while I tried to turn it back on, I couldn't figure out the position the switches were supposed to be in. So I had a repairman come in and this time, I had him propperly teach me the correct positions (and he even wrote in pen on the circuit breaker) of the switches. This was the second time this happened, the first time being 3 years ago and that time the repairman just switched them back correctly and left. Guuuuuh *stupid* ;_;. At least now I feel like I championed the circuit breaker XD;. It really is worse if the toilet breaks. I hope that never happens again.
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=)
It can be intimidating...goodness knows that's how I feel when I'm around programmers.
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My understanding of the story, FW, was that there was a part of the speech that had kids writing a letter to themselves about how they could help Obama.
Ah, here it is:
Department of Education deletes line about schoolkids helping Obama from speech prep materials (http://hotair.com/archives/2009/09/02/wh-deletes-line-about-schoolkids-helping-obama-from-speech-prep-materials/)
Now, I'd like all lefty's to please abstain from foaming at the mouth over what some of the Republicans are quoted as saying on the matter. The author uses the word "inartfully" when describing the first rendition of the memo, so apparently misreading the intention wasn't merely the paranoia of the right-wing.
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Speaking of Obama's back to school address, apparently some Texan parents are extremely against it. I was on the way to school so I didn't get a chance to hear the story, but my guess is they're afraid that he's trying to influence these children politically. I don't really understand the hubbub. I mean, these are kids being told to stay motivated, stay in school, and strive for their goals. What's the problem?
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The word "infarction." It may very well be one of the ugliest sounding word in all of the Indo-European language group.
I have to hear that word all the time, thanks to me being in the medical field.
Also, I'm frustrated with old, incontinent people. I had to give a breathing treatment to a man today that had pooped himself... it was sad, but at the same time, it was frustrating... and nauseating.
I'm also frustrated with medical charting. It's such a tedious process.
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My understanding of the story, FW, was that there was a part of the speech that had kids writing a letter to themselves about how they could help Obama.
I'm sort of glad they took that out due to the fact that the kids would probably just see it as busywork -- and it's too bad they replaced it with another busywork assignment. Kids look up to the people who get them out of work, hehehehe.
Lakon, thanks for your service. When I'm pooping myself and having trouble breathing 70 years from now, I sure hope there'll be a medical person around to help me out. Though, the job should probably be given to robots. Don't they have geriatric robot assistants in Japan now?
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Oh, you just know they'll end up going insane & killing all the old people. It's what I'd do.
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Wasn't there an SNL skit about robot attack insurance?
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At least we say "heart attack" in English, mostly. In other languages, such as Russian, they say "infart" to mean "heart attack". I always tried hard not to giggle when my grandma would get bitchy and say "You are going to give me an 'infart!'"
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I don't know how you manage in that situation. I'd laugh out loud. (I did laugh out loud!)
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People with humanity are horrified by certain things. The Allied army were horrified to find emaciated Jews in Nazi camps. Emissaries to China were horrified to find a practice such as footbinding. Upton Sinclair was horrified at the working conditions he found in meat plants and the lives of immigrants. Many were horrified at the conditions of the poor parts of London during the Victorian Age. And so on, and so on...
Well, now that I'm beginning to read and study feminism at large, I am absolutely horrified at how under the radar the oppression of women and the sad state of women's rights are. It just doesn't make sense to me. How is the oppression of half the human race so underrepresented and even underacknowledged? How can things so evil as rape, patriarchy, inequality, violence, and other egregious deeds manifest such little outrage or presence in this world?
I really fucking want to know. I didn't even fucking hear about women's rights in the last presidential election. Just, what in the fuck? How is this not impossibly bigger? I am horrified.
~
And something else. There's apparently some spiritual belief out there called the "Law of Attraction" that deems if you think of something and wish for it, and keep positive thoughts that thing will come to you.
That's "wishful thinking". And it's useless.
There is only one way to guarantee that you get what you desire. Go out and get it.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/4321074.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtbVdsYQ5FQ&fmt=18)
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Nothing wrong with adding a little spiritual aid to your driving ambition.
As for the sad state of feminism, its mostly a PR problem, accentuated by the fact that there is no clear coherent message or leader. The KKK suddenly found form and support when David Duke started handling PR. Obviously, that was bad, but it shows that a movement needs a leader that 1) the public can understand, 2) the public can relate to, 3) a message they can accept.
Before coming here, my main reaction to someone complaining about the "patriarchy" was rolling my eyes, and tuning them out. Same with most people, at least doubly so in the media. The current women's rights movement is portrayed as a bunch of gangly shrews and man haters. I mentioned a study earlier in the F-Sexism thread where only about 26% of women will identify themselves as feminists, because of the radical stigma attached. Your best bet to improve that status is when speaking about feminism, speak about feminism and do not use it as an opportunity to take potshots at religion or Republicans. Both parties can be your most valuable allies in the struggle if you don't piss them off by going off the handle.
BTW, since about 83% of Americans are Christians, and about 35% are conservatives, you're going to have to appeal to them in some degree if you want any measures passed in the near future. You can be right about everything until you're blue in the face, but unless you can convince an already paranoid populace that your ideals are right and your methods are the best, without threatening their existence, you will end up like Ralph Nader, who's been spinning his wheels since the 1960's.
PS. It wasn't the bra-burners of the 1960's that got things done; it was the mature women they grew into in the 1970's that managed to get the women's rights agenda on the table for the first time since the 1920's.
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I don't know if I can truly support feminism until they fight for the right to be drafted. There is no true equality because the sexes just aren't equal. Equal rights, I understand, but there limits on everyone because everyone has technical and physical limits. So I guess I just don't like when equality tries to state sameness. Not saying I don't agree with the points ZeaLitY made, but those are just the parts I don't like or something...*shrugs*
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I'm paid tomorrow and there are a few things I'd like to buy, namely:
*Doctor Who series 3
*Torchwood series 3
*iPod Nano
*Metroid Prime Trilogy
DW series 3 I'm not terribly excited to buy, so that can wait. Torchwood series 3 I've been delaying for a while...
Metroid Prime Trilogy I'm really unsure of - I own Prime 2 on the GC (although never finished it) and 3 for the Wii (hardly played it) and hardly played 1 for the GC either. That said it'd be neat to own 1 and be able to play 2 with Wii controls (plus it'd give me incentive to finish it).
I kinda really want a Nano, but that'd be all my money gone for a fortnight...
:?
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Support the Metroid series so that maybe they'll put out an Original Trilogy collection of some kind! Remake Return of Samus & Super Metroid already, dammit, Ninny! If they do, they could throw in Fusion (Zero Mission representing the 1st) too...
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I don't know if I can truly support feminism until they fight for the right to be drafted.
To balance currently existing patriarchy and the lack of self control it tries to inculcate within men, I would certainly support all armies being composed entirely of women. If women were running all aspects of the wars in the Congo, there wouldn't be half as much rape going on there. Maybe close to none at all, especially since it's the women who would have the guns, and therefore power of physical coercion, in that case.
I have to agree with Truthordeal that one of the main difficulties the feminist movement has is lack of coordination and clear leadership. There are some general goals, but so many factions that part of their energy and initiative is squandered on infighting. From what I understand, lesbians apparently had a huge problem with the mainstream Second Wave feminist movement, and Third Wave feminism is, well, Third Wave Feminism, hahaha. You've got the people who want to burn hijab vs. the people who want to secure a woman's right to wear traditional cultural clothing if they embrace it; the women who are absolutely for pornography vs. those who are absolutely against; those who want men involved in the feminist movement and those who want membership to be exclusive to women; etc, etc. And I think they all make valid observations.
But besides leadership and solidity, the most important tool feminism could possibly employ are pop cultural impressions. I might not have felt as comfortable exploring feminism had it not been for Chun Li and the movie Aliens.
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Should this conversation be moved back to the "fuck sexism" thread? I want to pick up here, but I feel that what everyone is saying here would serve that thread much better than the frustration thread, just to better coordinate the sentiment if nothing else.
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I was going to move some posts per your observation Uboa, but then ZeaLitY has some stuff not about sexism in his post too. Hrm. I'll let V deal with this one. 8)
No harm in continuing the discussion in the Sexism thread for the time being though, and maybe quoting the posts here if needed.
And something else. There's apparently some spiritual belief out there called the "Law of Attraction" that deems if you think of something and wish for it, and keep positive thoughts that thing will come to you.
That's "wishful thinking". And it's useless.
There is only one way to guarantee that you get what you desire. Go out and get it.
I was briefly fascinated with PEAR (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princeton_Engineering_Anomalies_Research_Lab), the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Lab. If what they claim is true about their findings being statistically significant, their experiments suggest a slight ability of even the untrained human mind to produce simple phenomenon alteration. Not necessarily a spiritual explanation to be sure, but more of a psycho...power...thing.
Anyway, the fact that they basically got laughed off the campus of Princeton University doesn't help foster the scientific analysis of things previously thought unscientific, which I'd like to see more of. I'd also like to get a hold of their data and confirm that their results are, indeed, quantifiable, objective and statistically significant.
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To balance currently existing patriarchy and the lack of self control it tries to inculcate within men, I would certainly support all armies being composed entirely of women. If women were running all aspects of the wars in the Congo, there wouldn't be half as much rape going on there. Maybe close to none at all, especially since it's the women who would have the guns, and therefore power of physical coercion, in that case.
Reversing sexual disparities and discrimination isn't a very good solution for sexual inequality. 'Reverse sexism' is still sexism.
Anyway, the fact that they basically got laughed off the campus of Princeton University doesn't help foster the scientific analysis of things previously thought unscientific, which I'd like to see more of. I'd also like to get a hold of their data and confirm that their results are, indeed, quantifiable, objective and statistically significant.
Superstitious 'psychic' fancies have no place in scientific analysis.
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Reversing sexual disparities and discrimination isn't a very good solution for sexual inequality. 'Reverse sexism' is still sexism.
Much agreed. However, other things held equal, I feel real-world outcomes might be more just than the current situation, where men are taught to be depraved and given power over life and death. If militaries are to be composed of men and women in equal numbers, then the society arming them needs to train them to care about human relationships equally, because this carries over to their treatment of civilians, and through that, the course of the war.
Superstitious 'psychic' fancies have no place in scientific analysis.
I see no reason not to subject "psychic fancies" to scientific analysis. Why not disprove that which is actually false, and further scrutinize that which has not been proven false via the most objective methodology available? Science belongs squarely in the field of the paranormal; the main concern should be whether preconceived notions are swaying the scientists studying a given phenomenon.
What I'm trying to say, is, sure, we might waste resources studying ESP if it's false. But on the offchance those PEAR people come back ten years from now and take over the world with mind lasers, the skeptics who didn't want to even study this stuff will be awfully sorry. :lol:
Alternatively, let's take the example of the "black cat crossing someone's path" superstition. If, over the course of years of objective analysis, a black cat crossing someone's path demonstrably produces bad life outcomes with statistical significance, humanity is better off for the study. If the black cat results are not statistically significant, then humanity is also better off for disproving a superstition that could have harmed productivity (via people going out of their way irrationally to avoid black cats).
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I should probably add that yes, believing in yourself and thinking positively are important to getting something, but this "Law of Attraction" movement goes beyond that. They believe that if you visualize your goals and the objects of your desires—and don't actually work for them—they'll fall into your lap, like the perfect relationship partner or your dream job. I'm all for someone believing they can do something and struggling with everything they've got, but to simply sit in your house or your apartment and wish for things to come to you, well, that's just not going to work.
I'm learning in my feminist readings that part of the reason there's no clear leadership is that 1) feminisms get their funding from large programs and donors like the UN, and so the middle class women and elites who do this are subject to the same undue influence and control that politicians who accept lobbyist money are (this is why some feminist movements are strangely silent on abortion); 2) the UN and other higher-ups have dropped the ball lately, as there hasn't been a world conference for women's rights since the one in Beijing in 1995; and 3) the feminist movement in the US apparently discounted or didn't properly recognize other spontaneous movements in other countries soon enough, especially third world countries, leading to the academic, semantic distinction of calling the overall struggle for women's rights "feminisms" as opposed to just "feminism". Still, I would expect the oppression of half the human race to generate more buzz just on its own. I hope to learn more about this; maybe feminism does need its own Dawkins and Hitchens.
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I hope to learn more about this; maybe feminism does need its own Dawkins and Hitchens.
Please no. No feminist Hitchens.
*thinks* Hypothetically, what would such a ... woman? be like? Scary.
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Much agreed. However, other things held equal, I feel real-world outcomes might be more just than the current situation, where men are taught to be depraved and given power over life and death. If militaries are to be composed of men and women in equal numbers, then the society arming them needs to train them to care about human relationships equally, because this carries over to their treatment of civilians, and through that, the course of the war.
Looking back, maybe I misunderstood. I'd thought you meant that you'd support forcefully making armies all-female, as opposed to going along with it if it somehow happened to be so. I'm not sure what you meant now.
I see no reason not to subject "psychic fancies" to scientific analysis.
I said 'fancies' specifically because these aren't scientific analyses. These people were trying to find statistical rarities to support fanciful ideas. They weren't observing and trying to explain statistical abnormalities using what they knew; they were trying to find evidence of superstitions.
Why not disprove that which is actually false, and further scrutinize that which has not been proven false via the most objective methodology available?
These kinds of ideas have consistently failed to consistently hold up in objective testing. If that's not enough, add that the only reason they're tested and considered at all is their legacy from more superstitious pasts. It's equally likely at this point that goblins exist, but, curiously, I've yet to hear of 'scientists' trying to prove their existence. That's because there's no historical precedent; that's the only reason you're susceptible to 'ESP'--it could just as easily have been goblins if things had been slightly different.
Science belongs squarely in the field of the paranormal; the main concern should be whether preconceived notions are swaying the scientists studying a given phenomenon.
To the contrary, the whole point of the paranormal is that it's outside of the truly explainable and describable, making it outside of the scope of science. If it could be covered by science like anything else, it wouldn't be paranormal, would it?
What I'm trying to say, is, sure, we might waste resources studying ESP if it's false.
Pretty small if.
But on the offchance those PEAR people come back ten years from now and take over the world with mind lasers, the skeptics who didn't want to even study this stuff will be awfully sorry. :lol:
Same for my goblins?
Alternatively, let's take the example of the "black cat crossing someone's path" superstition. If, over the course of years of objective analysis, a black cat crossing someone's path demonstrably produces bad life outcomes with statistical significance, humanity is better off for the study. If the black cat results are not statistically significant, then humanity is also better off for disproving a superstition that could have harmed productivity (via people going out of their way irrationally to avoid black cats).
Come off it. What's with this sudden nonsense from you? Black cats harbingers of doom? For real? Goblins too then, yes?
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Come off it. What's with this sudden nonsense from you? Black cats harbingers of doom? For real? Goblins too then, yes?
True, I went out on a limb with the black cat example, but we appear to have slightly different notions of what "nonsense" is. It may be a result of acculturation by the first statistics book I was exposed to in college -- it started out with an example of subjecting superstitious beliefs regarding sun spots, moon cycles, or something like that to statistical analysis and disproving it. I was struck by that example, and from that point on I've believed that it's better to rely on objective, quantifiable analysis -- especially statistics -- than preconceived notions of any kind.
I've probably also been acculturated this way due to my exposure to Carl Sagan:
Sagan nominated three areas within paranormal research that he considered to have sufficient experimental support, albeit dubious, to warrant serious study. These related to thoughts barely affecting random number generators (psychokinesis); projection of images from one person to another (telepathy); and young children sometimes reporting verifiable details of previous lives (reincarnation research). He was at pains to point out that he was not convinced by the validity of these contentions, merely that they might be true.[36]
What interests me about PEAR is precisely that they're trying to back up their argument with statistical significance. I do agree with you that the PEAR scientists are motivated to prove their claim, and their results may be polluted by that wish. That is why I expressed a personal desire to double check their data. It's fortunate that you and I are able to double-check these claims with tools readily available to us; we are not so fortunate in the case of the legendary quark, which we (I assume you do too) believe in due to our trust in the scientific authorities who claim their existence and have written extensively on the subject.
That's angle I'm approaching this from, anyway.
If you don't mind Z, drop the occasional note on what you're learning about feminism, because I'm sure it interests a lot of Compendiumites and viewers. I can't help but suggest that the lack of a Women's Rights conference so far this decade corresponds with George W. Bush's presidency. It should be a priority of the Obama administration to take leadership on this and push another one through, because there are obviously a ton of issues related to the subject that have cropped up or continued since 1995.
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Actually, on the matter of ESP-*runs to get his Psych textbook*
But in all fairness, there have been some reliable observations of UFOs and some scientifically sound evidence for telepathy(source). Readint the scientific literature on these two topics, one has little choice but to conclude that some of these experiences have some validity. Remember, open skepticism is the hallmark of science. If there is scientifically sound evidence for something-even if it is difficult to explain-and it can be replicated, then we have to accept it.
Haha, just got done reading/studying that chapter. Hooray for college!
And for Youth! But that's unrelated.
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Sounds like a pretty worrying book. =P (Oh, another post. Make that pretty damn worrying books.)
The usefulness of ideas like lunar orbit comes from their ability to explain past, present and future minimalistically; they illuminate the past, help understand the present and have predictive power. Investigation of 'paranormal' conjectures like ESP invariably doesn't explain at all, but just tries to prove the existence of some phenomena. They don't deserve scientific treatment because they're not scientific hypotheses, nor are they even close to coming from a scientific method. Orbital moon cycle explanations don't necessitate breaking logic or violating fundamental physical laws; 'the paranormal' does. It's fair enough to be open-minded, but there really are good reasons for the scientific community supporting theories like orbital cycles but not wild 'supernatural' conjectures.
(On top of that, even if moon cycles were somehow unreasonable hypotheses, that would say nothing of the validity of superstitious conjectures.)
Edit: I'd add that telepathy and the rest of the 'supernatural' are such fundamental breaches of physics as we know it that such phenomena would necessitate a reappraisal of physics and all of science from the fundamental level up. A couple of studies (which might not even be valid) showing a correlation is to be expected statistically, and isn't strong enough evidence for a claim as extraordinary as one that would uproot all understanding of the cosmos.
In all honesty, the mentioned parts of the textbooks sound like bullshit if you're both representing them correctly: A statistics book undermining astrophysics and a psychology textbook supporting telepathy? Lame.
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If you don't mind Z, drop the occasional note on what you're learning about feminism, because I'm sure it interests a lot of Compendiumites and viewers. I can't help but suggest that the lack of a Women's Rights conference so far this decade corresponds with George W. Bush's presidency. It should be a priority of the Obama administration to take leadership on this and push another one through, because there are obviously a ton of issues related to the subject that have cropped up or continued since 1995.
I will. A couple quotable factoids about the United States:
- The US has not ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. This puts the US in league with Somalia, Iran, Nauru, Palau, Sudan, Tonga, and the Vatican.
- Rwanda has proportionately more women in its legislature than the US.
I'm sure I'll have more. And yeah, though the Conference is a UN activity, George W. Bush's administration probably kneecapped planning for the fifth by not taking a more active role, just as the Bush administration bucked many other progressive UN resolutions. I've heard that planning for the fifth has centered around New York City as the site.
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New York? That's a little different, methinks. Of course, I'm not surprised either. Especially with all of the different kinds of things going on in the US today.
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Edit: I'd add that telepathy and the rest of the 'supernatural' are such fundamental breaches of physics as we know it that such phenomena would necessitate a reappraisal of physics and all of science from the fundamental level up.
Why do you consider this a bad thing? The Theory of Relativity forced a similar reappraisal in its time--in fact, I would say that such reappraisal is sometimes necessary for expanding the state of human knowledge. It's what experimental science is for.
(Side note: No, I don't believe in telepathy or any of the rest of it...but I do believe that conducting scientific experiments regarding such matters should--indeed, must--be allowed. Call it freedom of speech writ small.)
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Why do you consider this a bad thing? The Theory of Relativity forced a similar reappraisal in its time--in fact, I would say that such reappraisal is sometimes necessary for expanding the state of human knowledge. It's what experimental science is for.
Relativity explains and is a validly reached hypothesis. Besides that, the new ideas it lead to dealt with the extreme (e.g. extremely small, extremely fast); classical mechanics' explanations remained useful and explanatory (and still do), it was just that the scope was reduced. Classical mechanics was superseded by a better explanation. Telepathy and the like are neither better explanations nor can they generalise our existing observations and explanations.
Really, these examples you're giving me are distractions, because even if you were right that lunar orbits, relativity and telepathy were equally valid, that would say nothing of their absolute validity, but only of their relative validity.
Additionally, you're trying to find some inconsistency in my attribution of validity and yet none of you seems to have explained why my goblins shouldn't be acceptable. The only reason any of you gives any credence to ESP is because our culture has made it one of the superstitions of the day. That is, you're trying to be 'objective' and impartial but you're only considering these things because of custom and biases (and textbooks that put the 'spu' in 'spurious'). I'll even go one better and add explanation: My goblins are the cause of turbulence. Turbulence is so chaotic because it depends on the whims of my microscopic goblins. That's at least an equally valid crackpot idea as ESP, right?
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Turbulence is so chaotic because it depends on the whims of my microscopic goblins. That's at least an equally valid crackpot idea as ESP, right?
No, its not, because as my psych book pointed out, there has been some scientifically sound evidence of ESP and telepathy. Moreover, it has been replicated in controlled environments.
Goblins haven't been. When you do managed to get some evidence behind it and have it published, let us know.
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No, its not, because as my psych book pointed out, there has been some scientifically sound evidence of ESP and telepathy. Moreover, it has been replicated in controlled environments.
Woah! Stop the presses!
'It's scientific because my psych textbook said it was.' :roll:
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i say that we just run a whole lot of tests to prove if it is real or not. and when these tests reveal the truth -- the absolute truth -- then we can say if esp is real or not. until then, your bickering is useless.
this morning i woke up to find that chrisie had used me as a pillow. it was adorable, but i couldnt breath. and it didnt help that im suffering from some kind of allergy. my nose is running and i have a cough and its tough to breath in general.
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Relativity was a poorly chosen analogy on my part, really. The Theory of the Four Humours in
medieval medicine is probably better: it was widely accepted in its day, could be used to
explain a great number of phenomena...and happened to be dead wrong.
What you seem to be saying is, "Because I (and whatever science books I've read/scientific
authorities I've consulted) can't figure out a way to make telepathy fit into the laws of
physics as currently understood, it isn't possible for it to do so, therefore it's a waste
of time to conduct experiments regarding it." It's the second and third parts of that that
I see as wrong and pernicious. Limiting the scope of scientific enquiry based on what is
currently understood is (pardon me) stupid. If that were accepted practice, we would still
be living with the Four Humours and the Ptolemic version of the universe wherein the sun
circles the Earth, because people wouldn't be permitted to conduct experiments which
might contradict those theories.
Allowing people to experiment on whatever the devil they want (within reasonable limits, but
parapsychological experiments don't generally involve vivisection or other gratuitous torture)
means that a certain number of them will be wasting their time, certainly. The problem is that
deciding in advance of experimental results exactly which of them are doing so
taints science itself, because it means that eventually, someone who would have validly
expanded the sum of human knowledge will be refused the opportunity to do so. By all means,
design experiments to prove or disprove the existence of your goblins, if you sincerely
believe in them.
(Just to make things absolutely clear: I don't really give a flying fuck about parapsychological
research. It's just that you seem to be following a certain trend that really bothers me.)
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Woah! Stop the presses!
'It's scientific because my psych textbook said it was.' :roll:
And its unscientific because you say so? What authority do you have to make that judgment, may I ask?
The authors of my text book have their respective PhD's along with tenured occupations at San Jose University and certifications in several specialized aspects of their field. As with any other college-level textbook, its peer-edited by members of the American Psychiatric Association.
I'd say that their authority on the matter trumps yours.
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Egads! Repetitions of repetitions!
i say that we just run a whole lot of tests to prove if it is real or not. and when these tests reveal the truth -- the absolute truth -- then we can say if esp is real or not. until then, your bickering is useless.
this morning i woke up to find that chrisie had used me as a pillow. it was adorable, but i couldnt breath. and it didnt help that im suffering from some kind of allergy. my nose is running and i have a cough and its tough to breath in general.
These kinds of ideas have consistently failed to consistently hold up in objective testing. If that's not enough, add that the only reason they're tested and considered at all is their legacy from more superstitious pasts. It's equally likely at this point that goblins exist, but, curiously, I've yet to hear of 'scientists' trying to prove their existence. That's because there's no historical precedent; that's the only reason you're susceptible to 'ESP'--it could just as easily have been goblins if things had been slightly different.
Pretty small if.
Same for my goblins?
Come off it. What's with this sudden nonsense from you?
Limiting the scope of scientific enquiry based on what is currently understood is (pardon me) stupid.
I said 'fancies' specifically because these aren't scientific analyses. These people were trying to find statistical rarities to support fanciful ideas. They weren't observing and trying to explain statistical abnormalities using what they knew; they were trying to find evidence of superstitions.
(Side note: No, I don't believe in telepathy or any of the rest of it...but I do believe that conducting scientific experiments regarding such matters should--indeed, must--be allowed. Call it freedom of speech writ small.)
...I don't really give a flying fuck about parapsychological
research. It's just that you seem to be following a certain trend that really bothers me...
'Yeah, I agree it's dumb, but as soon as anyone actually, ya know, points that out, they're probably freedom-hating intolerant science freaks.'
And its unscientific because you say so? What authority do you have to make that judgment, may I ask?
I said 'fancies' specifically because these aren't scientific analyses. These people were trying to find statistical rarities to support fanciful ideas. They weren't observing and trying to explain statistical abnormalities using what they knew; they were trying to find evidence of superstitions.
The authors of my text book have their respective PhD's along with tenured occupations at San Jose University and certifications in several specialized aspects of their field. As with any other college-level textbook, its peer-edited by members of the American Psychiatric Association.
I'd say that their authority on the matter trumps yours.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_authority
‘But it’s not a fallacy bla bla bla…’
‘I’d say that the authority of the mainstream scientific community trumps…you get the idea.’
American Psychiatric Association
Waidda minute…
Psychiatric Association
Erm…?
Psychiatric
Better put the glasses on…
Psychiatric
Hm?
scientific analysis
Oh shi—
Superstitious 'psychic' fancies have no place in scientific analysis.
Snap.
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Y'know, MsBlack, proof by assertion (which is all you've offered in support of your premise so far) is a logical fallacy (and you've also managed a couple of ad hominems and probably some others that I'm missing). If you want to convince anyone of your point of view, you're going to have to do more than chant "It's wrong to experiment on what I consider batshit" and quote people out of context.
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So psychology is not a science? Fail.
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The book for my ethics class has four fucking religious and spiritual leaders on the cover, plus Abraham Lincoln, who's probably feeling mighty lonely. They include:
- Mother Teresa, who was an evil fraud
- Gandhi, who had his own quirks of racism and abuse
- Joseph Smith, who was an utter and total fraud
- Brigham Young, same story
My, what fine bastions of ethics. Frustrating.
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Sounds like a weird ethics text to say the least. I didn't expect Mother Teresa, Joseph Smith, and Brigam Young to be big-time academic philosophy headliners. At least Ghandi seems like a somewhat legitimate philosopher, even if he had his quirks. Most philosophers did/do. Descartes skinned cats alive, but most people don't hold that against him these days.
Can you link the book on Amazon?
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http://www.amazon.com/Moral-Leadership-Ethical-Decision-Making/dp/1884518370
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Makes more sense now seeing as it is a leadership ethics book by two people with connection to BYU/Utah. Still irksome, though. I wonder why your professor chose that book.
On a side note, the story of the beginnings of the Mormon religion is actually a pretty fascinating study in leadership. I believe that Frontline produced a show about it. I actually would recommend that particular show to anyone.
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Mother Theresa's work with AIDS hospices seems like a humanist thing to do, does it not? I'll give you that the Catholic Church's stance against contraception probably contributed victims to the institutions she helped run. If the textbook is worth its snuff, hopefully it will explore such conflicts of interest. What's on the cover is often there to entice, sometimes the very audience the book is trying to sway the most -- maybe that's partially why Jessica Valenti's Full Frontal Feminism has a nude woman on the cover.
EDIT: Oh, was it really written by people connected to Brigham Young University? Hahaha, well, I guess it's always possible they could have really liberal professors...? Maybe...?
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Oh, it's just the tip of the iceberg. Since I may bring up Mother Teresa in the ethics class, I went ahead and did some more research based on the two critical books issued after her death (and they contain a wealth of evidence). Someone at Amazon had a neat summary of the book "Mother Teresa: Final Verdict", and I used that + a few additions that I found to make a list I'll take if I get the opportunity.
* Mother Teresa often said that she picked people up from the streets of Calcutta, but she and her order of nuns did not do this. People requesting such service were told curtly to ring 102 (similar to 911).
* While the order owns several ambulances, these are used primarily to transport nuns to and from places of prayer.
* Mother Teresa said that her order fed 4000, 5000, 7000 or 9000 Caltuttans every day (the number varied). The two or three soup kitchens in Calcutta feed a maximum of only 300 people per day. The kitchens will provide food only to people with "food cards" that are distrubuted predominantly to the Catholic poor.
* While Mother Teresa's order has some presence in many countries throughout the world, the majority of these are for training monks or nuns, not for aiding the poor.
* Mother Teresa's shelters will usually only help children if the parents sign a form of renunciation which signs the rights to the children to her organization.
* Mother Teresa often insists that her natural family clinics prevent unwanted pregnancies, but this number is without any basis in truth.
* Mother Teresa insisted that suffering was beautiful as it evoked Christ's suffering, but when ill she visited exclusive, expensive hospitals.
* The hospice in Calcutta through which Mother Teresa gained such wide recognition is very small (80 beds) and provides little medical care. Needles are reused, all patients are forced to have their heads shaven, visitors are forbidden and painkillers are rarely if ever used. The nurses do not speak the language of the people and are not usually involved in the care of the patients. This duty is assumed by volunteers. People inside had to use a communal toilet and were not given proper bedding.
* Mother Teresa often accepted money from suspicious sources, the most notable of which is Charles Keating, America's most notorious thief, and Francois Duvalier from Haiti, whose fundraiser for the poor she spent in Europe for her own purposes.
* Her charity in India (Missionaries of Charity) the only charity in India without transparent financial records
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Wow. What interesting facts about Mother Teresa.
The one concept of her nature as a Catholic nun that really gets me is her choice of a name.
Mother: She was never married, let alone had any kids.
Teresa: Here real name was Agnesë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. She borrowed her new name from the patron saint of missionaries.
What do you make of this?
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"Mother" is a name given to a certain rank of nun, moron, much like "father" is for priests, who, similarly, don't have children and can't be married. "Sister" is given to ordinary nuns and "brother" is given to friars and monks.
Likewise, many(I'll refrain from using the word "most") nuns take the name of a patron saint. Mother Theresa took hers from the saint of missionaries because she was a missionary.
That's what I make of that.
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My frustration is definitely being sick with the dreaded SWINE FLU. It tarnished my last day of PAX, the Feast afterwards, and has got me completely laid up, which is bad because I need to do work this week. =/
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Don't forget to go to the doctor within 24 hours! He'll make you aaaalll better.
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(Replying to Lord J)
Suck. That's a nasty thing to get over PAX weekend. :( I think I had that coming back from LA over the summer. Have you entered the delirium phase where forms become indistinguishable and your speech is essentially reduced to incoherent half-thoughts? (Because that's actually kind of fun.)
(^That really did happen to me.)
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damn that sucks j. but you get to sleep and do nothing for a while!
my sister tore out one of the pages in my favorite book. she htought it was blank so she took it out to draw on.
the side that wasnt blank had the ending to the book on it.
on my to do list: 1. kill sister
2. buy sister's corpse a drawing book.
3. buy a new copy of that book.
4. put all books that i care for under digital lock and key.
5. set digital lock so that if my sister tries to get in it will incinerate her.
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please excuse the doublepost but this is just plain suck.
its two minutes before i should be getting up and getting my brother and sister up for school. i have already been up for three hours. why?
motherfucking NIGHTMARE.
see this chick i talk to regularly is like 'Hey Buckbutt you should totally check out this game Clock Tower. I think it's right up your alley.' so im like 'alright then so long as i get to kill shit'.
so i download the rom (because im a bad person) and put it into zsnes.
:shock: :shock: :shock:
at two in the morning im lying in bed, having been woken up by a nightmare involving a guy with giant scissors coming into my room and cutting me up to bits. i turn on the light and start reading a book (because i motherfucking love books), then as soon as i htink my mind is clear i turn off the light and what flashes into my head.
the thought of some starving old man coming into my room and eating my leg, of course.
and after that?
giant fleshy purple baby thing of doom eating my leg.
and then?
hiding in a box from some demonic lady but then getting shot.
and after all of this?
DEAD END
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I don't know why, but I guess I'm lucky in that I never get nightmares. Just somewhat disturbing dreams sometimes. Feel better, undead one! I was going to copy you and get a Flarion (actually I like that the best) but I figured that I wasn't cool enough for one of those, so I got a different one. Oh, and I fed yours a bunch of times too. I didn't know what to feed it, so I hope I fed it something you liked.
I worry that Lord J gave me whatever he has, so I've been trying hard to boost my immune system. I'm happy I finally found that nose medicine. I don't know what I'm going to do when it runs out! I wish they didn't pull it from the market. I'd known about the dangerous effects of it months and months before it was pulled >_>;
Uh anyway, I hope that I don't lose my sense of smell!
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As for the sad state of feminism, its mostly a PR problem...
To an extent, but a more fundamental problem seems to be complacentsy. Uboa mentioned in the Sexism thread that there was a woman who viewed intolerance to sexism as something that can be afforded. One might wonder where the sentiment of "give me liberty, or give me death" went: one might well say that one can never afford to give up one's humanity, or to willingly let others take it.
There is a problem in that there is a difference between "give me liberty or give me death" and "give me liberty or take away my means to eat tonight." It is easy to be high-minded when one's possible future death remains only a long-term possibility. It is far more difficult to defend the cause when the negative results are very immediate.
This expands beyond just the women in the trenches. If one happens to grow up in a fairly nice area, it is easy to conclude that racism and sexism doesn't still occur merely by the fact that one hasn't yet been exposed to it. I happened to grow up somewhere that was fairly homogenous. There were individuals of other ethnicities in the area, but there were also no overt indications that they were discriminated against. Perhaps they were, but the appearance was that they were not. I have subsequently moved to Texas where the racial divide is thick enough that one can develop seasonal allergies to it. If it's a low paying manual labor job, 90% of the workers aren't white (depending on the exact job, it may be primarily blacks or primarily Mexicans). If it is a well-paying service job, 90% of the workers are white (with Asians making up 8% of the remaining).
One might think, then, that if growing up away from inequality allows individuals to believe that it doesn't exist, growing up inside of it should do the opposite. Yet last I checked, Texas isn't on the top of the equal-rights movement. This is partially because when you live with something every day, for your entire life, it seems normal. There are parts of the world where death-by-wolf/leopard is common, where it is expected. People try to remain safe, sure, but the very concept that people needed not be preyed upon is utterly foreign to them.
As headway is made, headway becomes harder to make. What was once real and next door is now far away and easily ignored. And what is in our own home is just how things are.
Actually, on the matter of ESP-*runs to get his Psych textbook*
But in all fairness, there have been some reliable observations of UFOs and some scientifically sound evidence for telepathy(source). Readint the scientific literature on these two topics, one has little choice but to conclude that some of these experiences have some validity. Remember, open skepticism is the hallmark of science. If there is scientifically sound evidence for something-even if it is difficult to explain-and it can be replicated, then we have to accept it.
Haha, just got done reading/studying that chapter. Hooray for college!
And for Youth! But that's unrelated.
A distinction should be made in that there are indeed some "legitimate" occurrences of the "paranormal," but that often refers to the fact that the experiences weren't hoaxes, not that they were actually paranormal in nature. Project Blue Book is rather famous in this regard. A number of UFO reports that they investigated were hoaxes. The majority of the reports were misidentified natural occurrences. And then a small percentage of reports remained unresolved. Those cases are considered "legitimate" in that they were not hoaxes, but that doesn't necessitate that they were UFOs. It doesn't preclude that possibility either, but evidence "for" paranormal events largely remains in the "unknown" category. Things happen, the people relating them are telling the truth as they see it, but the actual occurrence remains uncertain because the people relating the events aren't all-knowing.
The usefulness of ideas like lunar orbit comes from their ability to explain past, present and future minimalistically; they illuminate the past, help understand the present and have predictive power. Investigation of 'paranormal' conjectures like ESP invariably doesn't explain at all, but just tries to prove the existence of some phenomena. They don't deserve scientific treatment because they're not scientific hypotheses...
To be fair, humans had to first prove the existence of DNA before we could prove that certain genes were could cause heart disease. A lot of "research" into the paranormal isn't scientific, but that doesn't preclude the possibility of scientific research into those fields. Various "paranormal" phenomenon could be tested scientifically. Let's design an experiment right now to test for telepathy.
Let us have two rooms separated by a reasonable barrier (sound proof, light proof, etc). Let us have two individuals who had not met each other previously. We introduce them, give them a certain amount of time together (30 minutes perhaps), and then separate them into these two rooms. Hypothesis: person A will be able to produce information relating to person B's thoughts without a mundane information exchange.
Person B is given a set of pre-established "thoughts" to focus on. Mostly likely these would be simple yet intellectually or emotionally engaging (possibly a few clips of war atrocities). Person A attempts to then record what Person B is experiencing.
Of course, we need controls. Person A might not actually go past the meeting stage. Same with Person B. The pre-established "thoughts" might be non-engaging (tax forms, perhaps). Neither the individuals nor the individuals recording the information is aware of which are the controls and which are not (double-blinded). Let us also have some individuals not meet the other person first and just go into a room directly. And let us have some rooms that are not next to each other but rather in other buildings.
Give the results to a statistician. If there is a notable difference between the controls and the variables, double check the procedures. If the difference remains, give to a colleague to confirm. If the differences remain, publish. Next step is to hook the two up to machines to see if there is unusual brainwave activity, or something to that effect. Once the phenomenon has been identified, it can be examined and we can attempt to explain it.
Sure, there is little to no evidence suggesting that telepathy exists. But scientists are supposed to approach topics in an unbiased manner, so that isn't a relevant factor.
Someone at Amazon had a neat summary of the book "Mother Teresa: Final Verdict"...
Sounds like an interesting book, and it has now been added to my reading list.
EDIT: Edited for spelling
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In retrospect, my psych book is rather stupidly vague and obscure on the matter. I have no idea what they refer to as "legitimate scientific evidence."
Still, I like the supernatural aspect of the natural world, so I'm willing to put a little faith into the evidence they mentioned.
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its two minutes before i should be getting up and getting my brother and sister up for school. i have already been up for three hours. why?
motherfucking NIGHTMARE.
What'd I do? :?
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Apparently you haunt the man's dreams....
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its two minutes before i should be getting up and getting my brother and sister up for school. i have already been up for three hours. why?
motherfucking NIGHTMARE.
What'd I do? :?
You are just like Darkrai the pokemon. You can't help giving people nightmares!
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(with Asians making up 8% of the remainer).
That would be 80% of the remainder! ; )
Before I continue, I’ll say that I was using a different notion of the paranormal than you (i.e., ‘outside science/logic/etc.’), which simply seems to be the potential undiscovered of nature. Indeed, I don’t even accept the premise of the paranormal/supernatural, so I’m fighting off my turf here and so you might yet be able to corner me, but let’s see how run with this.
To be fair, humans had to first prove the existence of DNA before we could prove that certain genes were could cause heart disease. A lot of "research" into the paranormal isn't scientific, but that doesn't preclude the possibility of scientific research into those fields. Various "paranormal" phenomenon could be tested scientifically. Let's design an experiment right now to test for telepathy.
First off, as our physics gets better, the bar for a paradigm shift climbs, meaning that time must be factored in and thus the comparison may be invalid simply because the bar was lower. Further, the explanations supplanted by ideas like DNA were often arbitrarily conjured to explain a single phenomenon a priori, and had no predictive power or reliability. However, let’s assume your analogy isn’t wrong because of that.
Sure, there is little to no evidence suggesting that telepathy exists. But scientists are supposed to approach topics in an unbiased manner, so that isn't a relevant factor.
Actually, that’s bad scientific practice. If one’s hypothesis has repeatedly been ‘proved wrong’ by the trend of significant data, one should reform the hypothesis, not keep repeating to get favourable results. In the case of the paranormal, these studies are often pathological science or refusal to accept that an idea just doesn’t fit.
Anyway…your study. Let’s say we have a correlation inexplicable by anything other than probability. We think this is a new fundamental phenomenon. Then we’d repeat to reduce the probability that the phenomenon is just an uncommon yet expectable outlier. In that case, we would either repeat several times and prove that we’ve found such a new fundamental phenomenon (which never happens with the paranormal) or we would find that we couldn’t repeat our result. The key thing is that all the analogies you-plural have made fail because lunar orbits and DNA and the rest were all borne out (because they weren’t bullshit somebody pulled out of their ass). That’s why it’s exasperating (and worrying and in a way insulting and disrespectful) that…five people now…seem to be implying that mechanics is a hypothesis equalled by the paranormal. It’s exasperating because it’s so obviously rubbish caused only by social influence as opposed to true curious enquiry. It’s worrying because people are even giving credence to the ridiculous. Further, I know that if I were to walk up to any of you on the street preaching about the four elements and how I can explain scientific observations with the idea, you'd realise my craziness and yet can't see you do just the same with the paranormal just because it has more social credence. It’s insulting because it equates brilliant, working ideas from centuries of human progress to unconsidered premises that only survive as parasites on the social consciousness. It’s similarly disrespectful and again insulting and disrespectful because the wishy-washy idea of tolerating all ideas is antithetical to knowledge and curiosity; it’s only by accepting that some ideas are valid and better and some invalid and awful that one can pursue curiosity and make any claim to knowledge. Mucking around entertaining idle conjectures just isn’t logically compatible with anything other than pitiful nihilism.
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nightmare975 you didnt do anything. but dammit scissorguy get the hell out of my head. i couldnt get my mind off of him at work today.
zaichik i fed your thing a bunch of times too. i think it likes suspicious green treats.
um.
we ran out of coffee.
so having been up for three hours and needing a good cup of joe i find that its all gone. where did it go?
my dad's girlfriend's tummy.
apparently she's a caffeine whore. i really hope she doesnt stay long. i need my coffee after work dammit! :(
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If you haven't played Valenth before, those test tubes gain onevel every time you feed them. At level 100 (I think), they evolve into one of three creatures, depending on what it was fed. There are Chaos, Order, and Neutral forms, and each treat gives a point towards one of those three. Whichever trait is strongest at level 100 decides what form your creature will have. If you want more people to feed them, then go into some of the mega feeding threads on the forums and either advertise, or feed every other creature you can find. There's a "recently fed by" section on your creature's page, so everyone will know you fed them, and feed yours in return. You also get points whenever you feed others to buy things like pillows, level-up potions, name changes, backgrounds, and plushies.
Also, you can only feed each creature once a day. If you fed it a bunch of times in the same day, it won't count for anything.
Anyway, a frustration.. I can't remember what I was going to do today, and I know I had something planned. Kinda odd having such a busy weekend then going back to nothing.
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J, you live in Washington, right? I read recently that there's 2000 suspected cases of it at Washington State University...is Washington State the start of an almighty H1N1 pandemic? Good luck fighting it off. Let's see how many Swine Flu veterans the Compendium can accumulate!
ZombieBucky, I know how that feels. The demon face that flashes briefly in The Exorcist has robbed me of countless hours of sleep over the years -- it had to have been the most perfectly conceived "uncanny valley" image in movie history IMO. I once spent an hour online trying to master my irrational paranoia of the face by researching how it was created (it's ten or so frames of a heavily made up actress in the midst of facial expression -- I think she was the actress who spoke Regan's possessed lines), but that just left me with even more images of the damn thing in the back of my mind. :lol: I believe irrational fears like these stem from some evolutionary response. Like, millions of years ago, our ancestors in Africa may have been eaten by creatures with, uh, painted demon faces and giant scissors...?
Speaking of getting freaked out, looks like funeral science is the new recession-proof industry (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090908/ap_on_re_us/us_meltdown_funeral_science).
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I'm currently frustrated by my brother. I actually genuinely hate the guy. Always acting stupid... Starting pointless arguments...
Also, I hate 2 guys who shall remain nameless because, well, they don't deserve to exist. They go on my facebook status and say racist things to my friends, and then have the nerve to say that I bullied them, which I didnt. Now, if I go and add a post on someone elses status, they say shut the fuck up. They need to be crushed into dust...
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How long does it take for symptoms to show up after you've caught a flu? There's somewhere between five and ten people in this household, depending on the day and time of day, and I wouldn't want to get any of them sick.
Okay, maybe a couple...
And don't you dare die on us. The Lord J can't be taken down by pigs :lol:
Luckily, I've never seen the Exorcist, Although the movie Sunshine really freaks me out, and I can't figure out why. It's not a scary movie in that things jump out at you or there's aliens or monster. What's creepy is that when you expect something bad to happen, or expect some big monster to jump out and eat someone's eyeballs, nothing happens. I think it might be more fear of an unknown, and of everything going wrong at once, and of responsibility, which is a big part of the last half of the movie. I almost want to watch it again, just for the music, but I know that one guy without skin is going to keep me up for nights to come.
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I watched the first Exorcist movie, and i actually nearly pissed myself laughing. But, we were just poking fun at everything at that time...
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Yeah, the rest of The Exorcist is freaking hilarious. The Exorcist II takes the cake if you're looking for a movie to make fun of though. It was always the demon face in part 1 that got me, and the image of Damien Karras' elderly mother just staring zombie-like if I recall correctly. Damien's whole dream sequence was just brilliant, and contained the most horrifying movie imagery ever recorded. It's the uncanny valley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley) effects that always get to me.
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That would be 80% of the remainder!
Curses! I've been making those kinds of mistakes a lot lately. I need to be better about checking my composition before posting. My sincerest apologies.
Now hopefully this post won’t be plagued by similar errors.
Actually, that’s bad scientific practice. If one’s hypothesis has repeatedly been ‘proved wrong’ by the trend of significant data, one should reform the hypothesis, not keep repeating to get favourable results.
Quite true, but please, do show me where there is extensive peer reviewed research on the topic of paranormal phenomenon. Usually (or always) a scientific experience on, say, ESP will produce negative results, yes? Alas, negative results are seldom publishable and so while there may be a lot of studies, they remain outside the realm of public accessibility. Additionally, just because something hasn't been proven yet does not preclude the possibility that future advancements might lead to confirmation. For quite some time String Theory didn't actually make any verifiable predictions; it was the physics equivalent of ghosts. Technology and our understanding have improved so that String Theory is starting to enter the realm of real science. Perhaps in another 20 or 30 years advancements in neuroscience will allow us to scientifically prove the existence of ghosts. Probably not, but I can see no logical reason to bar it from even being brought up in scientific circles.
An additional word seems to be in order for the PEAR group that Faust mentioned earlier. As far as I can tell, the best science has done to disprove their "research" is to call into question their methodology (and a few object to the significance of their "results). I haven't found a single example of anyone replicating the experiments, either exactly or with corrected methodology. The first step in peer review of any scientific study is a critique of the methodology. The second step is to actually run the experiments. If the methodology of the PEAR group was flawed, it should be corrected and the experiments re-run. It appears that this has never happened.
That’s why it’s exasperating (and worrying and in a way insulting and disrespectful) that…five people now…seem to be implying that mechanics is a hypothesis equalled by the paranormal. It’s exasperating because it’s so obviously rubbish caused only by social influence as opposed to true curious enquiry.
I suspect you misunderstand my intent. I am merely arguing for the possibility that something that is currently considered paranormal could be scientifically tested.
I also generally reject the notion that something is unbelievable simply because it is not believed. Conceptually, I find the claim that there is a teapot orbiting the sun between Earth and Mars to be no more unbelievable than the claim that there is a space station orbiting the Earth. Neither claim requires extraordinary proof, just actual proof. Likewise, I reject the claim that an idea somehow needs more proof to be proven true simply because it is in contradiction to commonly held ideas: all it needs is proof. Thorough proof, to be sure, and sound proof. But nothing particularly unusual or extraordinary.
Though, given how rare such proof is in paranormal circles, perhaps such mundane proof is perceived as being extraordinary?
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Quite true, but please, do show me where there is extensive peer reviewed research on the topic of paranormal phenomenon. Usually (or always) a scientific experience on, say, ESP will produce negative results, yes? Alas, negative results are seldom publishable and so while there may be a lot of studies, they remain outside the realm of public accessibility.
Fair enough. I think I overestimated the amount of formal studies into it. That said, anyone should be able to see on a personal level the inconsistency of any number of paranormal ideas. Invariably, something like telepathy is claimed that only ‘explains’ the facts a tiny minority of the time. If such theories were correct they would always apply and be consistent and repeatable. But they’re not.
Additionally, just because something hasn't been proven yet does not preclude the possibility that future advancements might lead to confirmation.
See, this is what I meant about ridiculousness. That’s technically true on some impractical epistemic level, but it completely misses the point that some claims are so inconsistent with reality as to be unworthy of consideration.
For quite some time String Theory didn't actually make any verifiable predictions; it was the physics equivalent of ghosts. Technology and our understanding have improved so that String Theory is starting to enter the realm of real science.
So far as I know, String Theory’s claims are still untested. Indeed, I don’t see that it deserves the title of ‘theory’; at this point, it still seems to be ‘hypothesis’. I would question how much you know and understand (and I know and understand) of String Theory though, as from what I gather, it’s popular to invoke it and get excited about it without understanding it.
Perhaps in another 20 or 30 years advancements in neuroscience will allow us to scientifically prove the existence of ghosts. Probably not, but I can see no logical reason to bar it from even being brought up in scientific circles.
It shouldn’t be illegal, but ridiculous claims shouldn’t distract from meaningful research. Of course people have the right to waste resources on bogus claims, but they shouldn’t.
An additional word seems to be in order for the PEAR group that Faust mentioned earlier. As far as I can tell, the best science has done to disprove their "research" is to call into question their methodology (and a few object to the significance of their "results). I haven't found a single example of anyone replicating the experiments, either exactly or with corrected methodology. The first step in peer review of any scientific study is a critique of the methodology. The second step is to actually run the experiments. If the methodology of the PEAR group was flawed, it should be corrected and the experiments re-run. It appears that this has never happened.
I wonder what your standards for ‘disproof’ are, considering a consistent failure of a hypothesis apparently isn’t enough. At the end of the day, if paranormal ideas were correct and consistent, they would be repeatable, but they’re not—because they’re not correct and consistent.
I suspect you misunderstand my intent. I am merely arguing for the possibility that something that is currently considered paranormal could be scientifically tested.
Perhaps. Though, I suspect that you misunderstand the implications of what you’re saying. The way you’re arguing—particularly the analogies you keep making—suggest that you consider baseless, biased ideas that blatantly don’t hold up, which make no sense and which have no explanatory depth to be on par with proper hypotheses that tick all the boxes. You keep making direct analogies between the two implying that they’re both equally worthy of formal consideration.
Conceptually, I find the claim that there is a teapot orbiting the sun between Earth and Mars to be no more unbelievable than the claim that there is a space station orbiting the Earth. Neither claim requires extraordinary proof, just actual proof. Likewise, I reject the claim that an idea somehow needs more proof to be proven true simply because it is in contradiction to commonly held ideas: all it needs is proof. Thorough proof, to be sure, and sound proof. But nothing particularly unusual or extraordinary.
Again, the implications are ridiculous. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, but claims can only be extraordinary with respect to a frame of reference. If our frame of reference is as strong as current physics, a paradigm shift as dramatic as accommodating the paranormal would certainly require extraordinary evidence. If you ask someone for the time, you’d probably accept their answer; are you telling me that if they told you they had proof of a telepathic Teapot instead, that'd be good enough for you? Or perhaps that you would require a formal study to be done to determine whether or not they were giving you the right time?
Though, given how rare such proof is in paranormal circles, perhaps such mundane proof is perceived as being extraordinary?
Relatively extraordinary but not absolutely extraordinary, perhaps?
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J, you live in Washington, right? I read recently that there's 2000 suspected cases of it at Washington State University...is Washington State the start of an almighty H1N1 pandemic? Good luck fighting it off. Let's see how many Swine Flu veterans the Compendium can accumulate!
Aye, I read about that last week, and that's why I immediately suspected swine flu when I began to feel ill.
I don't know if it'll be the start of a pandemic or not. The WSU flareup itself is calming down, but may take root in other areas. These transmissions are hard to track.
Still hella sick today, but my symptoms are different. Right now I have the Devil's own sore throat. =(
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Like I said, the swine flu has been proven to be no more serious than the normal flu, and probably much less serious than certain strains of flu. I don't feel like I'm affected by it, but I still feel kinda sick. Symptoms of the cold and the flu aren't really similar. Some people confuse the common cold for the flu. Sometimes, rarely, it is possible to have symptoms of a flu if you have a nasty cold. I have never had a high temperature or felt dizzy when I have the cold, but I occasionally feel nauseous. No matter what strain of the cold, it always starts out the same for me: a couple days of sore throat followed by nasal congestion for up to a week, followed by a few days of coughing. Right now, I just have a headache and sore throat D:. I hate being congested. One time I was congested for a month. I must have had some stupid sinus infection that took a long time to clear up. My sinuses are weak. I think it has to do with that wisdom tooth that lodged itself in my sinus cavity and had to be surgically removed when they discovered it >_>;
Uh anyway, the flu usually lasts for a week while sometimes a cold could last for longer! Maybe you should be hoping you have the flu : ).
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MsBlack, I suspect that you could classify my objects to paranormal research and the debunking there of into a larger category of my objections to the present manifestation of the scientific community.
I have already covered my great annoyance that the scientific community does not respect and does not publish negative results. It seems that you understand this objection, yes?
We are now entering into the second of my great annoyances with the scientific community: lack of independent confirmation of results. Peer-Review, as noted previously, consists of analyzing the methodology that a researcher used and in independently running the experiments to confirm the results. Please note, this is a two step process. On occasion independent verification of experiment results occurs, usually when two or more careers have been built around contradictory stances, but this information is likewise seldom published (confirming results is almost as looked down upon as negative results). The effective result is that, from the perspective of someone researching a particular field but not actively participating in it, there is often no distinction between independently confirmed results and unconfirmed research.
I am quite happy to entirely sidestep the question of if science should investigate paranormal topics. The fact of the matter is, a handful of individuals attempt to scientifically investigate them and the scientific community, on occasion, acknowledge that research by rejecting it. Science is engaged, so it should behave in an appropriate manner. Thus, if it is going to specifically reject something, it must do so in a scientifically rigorous manner. This means that if someone puts forwards a hypothesis and has data to support it (such as the PEAR group), science has obligated itself to evaluating the methodology (which has happened, to an extent) and independently test the hypothesis (which has no happened, at least not that I can determine, though see my earlier comments regarding the publication of negative results for a caveat).
The issue of paranormal research is a red herring in this regard. Scientists have been half-assed in rejecting it. Paranormal topics may be bunk, but so is the rigor with which it has been debunked.
I am quite happy to label Remote Viewing, Ghosts, Telepathy, Telekinesis, etc as bogus. But as soon as it is claimed that these things have been disproven, rigorous criteria must be applied. In doing so I find the "disproof" to be little better than the "proof." Paranormal researchers use sloppy methodology, the debunkers likewise do not follow proper protocol in addressing the issues. I must insist that even if paranormal concepts are crap, the analysis of and response to those concepts must be intellectually sound. From what I have researched into the matter, responses to paranormal concepts have a good start, but they have not followed through. Until the analysis has been completed, I must maintain that it should continue.
Thus concludes the real body of this post. Now allow me to respond directly to a few particular comments that you made. These responses don't particularly relate to my arguments, but may be of interest to the topic in general.
If such theories were correct they would always apply and be consistent and repeatable. But they’re not.
Ideally, yes, but science is seldom so neat. You will find that consistent and repeatable results are the odd duck out as far as scientific research goes, if one looks at experiments in aggregate (rather than in print, as it were).
Establishing tight controls for an experiment is incredibly difficult. I am not a scientist, so the majority of my perceptions in this regard are second hand and anecdotal, having come from friends and relations who are scientists. That being said, let us take mice as an example of how difficult research can be. It was recently noted (as in the past two years) that the most common form of food given to research mice contained relevant levels of phytoestrogens that can skew test results. Ignoring the effect that such a thing would have on a single set of experiments at a specific institution, consider the problem then of peer-reviewing those experiments. If another lab followed the protocol exactly, but their animal resource center used a different food that did not contain phytoestrogens (or didn't contain the same amount), the results could very well be different. Switch that around now; research was conducted without these unaccounted for phytoestrogens but the results were not reproduced by institutions that did have these phytoestrogens. Are the results bogus or are the phytoestrogens skewing the experiments?
But science is worse than that. If one of the technicians caring for the mice used a different soap that morning in the shower, the mice will behave differently. If someone came into the room at an unusual time, that can skew the results. If the air filters in the room need to be changed, that can skew results. If construction happens nearby, that can skew results. And so on, and so forth.
That is just on the living side of research. If one is harvesting and studying parts of the mouse, that just allows for more opportunities for confounding factors to be introduced. Chemicals might be mislabeled, microscopic cracks in testing equipment might cause unusual reactions, instruments might be in need of recalibration, etc.
A lot of a scientist’s time is spent running down all these possibilities, and others. Eventually, after a lot of due diligences, consistent and repeatable results are obtainable.
But paranormal research seldom has this due diligence, it seldom has controls, it seldom even has a significant testing population. That Person A appears to have psychic powers in their own home but not in a lab may well mean that they do not truly have psychic powers, but confounding factors need to be investigated before a definitive conclusion can be made. Likewise, a significant number of instances need to be tested, and the confounding factors investigated for each.
In turn, reviews of paranormal research often lack similar due diligence. Potential explanations for the phenomenon can be found in faulty methodology. The solution is not to stop there but to continue on and rerun the experiments as one might run real science experiments.
Without the due diligence of true science, it should be expected that paranormal research will be a mixed bag at best, regardless of its validity.
You say that paranormal "theories" are inconsistent, I say show me where they have been tested rigorously.
So far as I know, String Theory’s claims are still untested. Indeed, I don’t see that it deserves the title of ‘theory’; at this point, it still seems to be ‘hypothesis’. I would question how much you know and understand (and I know and understand) of String Theory though, as from what I gather, it’s popular to invoke it and get excited about it without understanding it.
Still untested, yes. I am sorry if I was unclear, but I meant that it is beginning to enter the realm of testability (hence "real science"). Particular particles (though from what I understand, the moniker "particle" may be misleading) that are predicted/necessitated by string theory could be produced and observed by the Large Hadron Collider, if they can ever get it working properly. Thus it hasn't been tested yet, but it might be tested in the near future.
Additionally, String Theory has really given way to M-Theory (which is mostly the same, with a few additions, and the two are usually used interchangeably by laypersons, such as myself. This is really a bad habit that should be broken, like a dog peeing on the carpet, so again I must apologize). M-Theory relates to the possibility of a multiverse and in turn makes particular predictions as to how our universe originated. There are two (that I am aware of) different potential origins to universes: one is that they are produced from pre-existing universes in a manner that admittedly I don't understand well (it seems to do with quantum fluctuations along the lines of virtual particles/antiparticles). However, if this particular aspect of the theory is correct, there would actually be trace elements of our "mother" universe in our own. The theory predicts that these would be very subtle traces, requiring particularly sensitive equipment to detect. As a bit of trivia, if you happen to watch Big Bang Theory, the character of Leonard made reference to this in the first episode. Energy traces of the Big Bang will be different if it was formed from a pre-existing universe or not.
And to be complete, the other potential theory for the origin of the universe is that it is the result of Branes colliding; the points of contact spawn randomly generated universes.
However, this touches on another potentially observable phenomenon that could confirm M-Theory, or parts there of (but this is much farther away from being a reality). Branes, the fundamental element of existence, would have two sides (unlike the older strings of String Theory which would only have one). This would imply that we actually have a sister universe, as it were, on the flip-side of our particular brane. Sharing the same brane, these two universes would also share a lot of other things such as matter and energy. Current imbalances in our own universe could thus be explained by the missing elements being on the other side of our brane. At least part of that hypothesis is testable; we can determine if there are missing elements in our universe (or, more exactly, not in our universe). Scientists have been wondering if dark matter/energy exists and, if so, where this stuff is. M-Theory predicts that not all of it will be found in our universe; if science can indeed confirm that it is missing, that would support M-Theory.
Allow me to here state my own lack of understanding in this regard. Branes (sometimes called P-Branes, but too many jokes are possible with that) seem to function on both a super-microscopic level and an extra dimensional level. Branes relate to gluons and all that fun stuff, but an entire set of muliverses are supposedly created when branes collide. It generally seems like there are two different things at work here, both given the same name, but as far as I can tell that is only appearances; they are really one thing. Which, as indicated, I don't understand and thus may be aversely influencing much or everything that I said above.
Again, the implications are ridiculous. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, but claims can only be extraordinary with respect to a frame of reference. If our frame of reference is as strong as current physics, a paradigm shift as dramatic as accommodating the paranormal would certainly require extraordinary evidence.
Not at all, our paradigm must conform to the available evidence. Perfectly ordinary proof is all that is needed to overthrow a paradigm. It must be verifiable and solid proof, but all proof should be that way regardless, so it would be hardly unusual in that regard. It is to evidence that we must cling, not to theories. If we find that we have put on a hat that is too small for our head, let us get a new hat, not cut off part of our head.
The paranormal will almost certainly not overthrow our current paradigms, but if legitimate proof of the paranormal does arise, it need only be the same quality of proof that built our paradigm and sustains it.
If you ask someone for the time, you’d probably accept their answer; are you telling me that if they told you they had proof of a telepathic Teapot instead, that'd be good enough for you? Or perhaps that you would require a formal study to be done to determine whether or not they were giving you the right time?
Oddly enough, I rarely ask people for time, choosing instead to look at my watch. Which relates to our discussion in that I try to personally investigate that which I believe.
To use your analogy, if the individual lacked a means of telling time, indeed I would disbelieve them. Likewise, if the individual had a little device in their pocket that told them the position of all teapots, and they told me that there was a teapot orbiting the sun between mars and earth, I would indeed most likely believe them (but, of course, only if I have reason to believe in the abilities of the device).
I am familiar enough with watches to trust their abilities to track time, if properly maintained and configured. If I were to believe a teapot-locating device, I would want to likewise be familiar enough with it to judge it capabilities of tracking teapots.
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Very interesting, Thought. You have a very sensible understanding of scientific verification via experimentation and the elimination of variables.
IMHO, paranormal activity falls under pseudoscience. For the sake of simplicity, I define it as “a scientific claim that cannot be tested under any circumstances other than the ones arranged by the defendant of the claim.” Such a science would include:
- Vague or exaggerated claims (e.g. Telekinesis)
- Relying more on confirmation rather than being objective (e.g. Global Warming)
- Lack of being open to testing by other experts (e.g. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s water crystal influence)
- Absence of progress (e.g. Telepathy)
- Personalization of issues (e.g. Second-hand smoke)
- Use of misleading language (e.g. Hoax petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide, or water)
One of the biggest tenets of scientific data is the ability to repeat results. <-- Analogy Alert!
What if I claimed I literally weighed a ton? I step on a metric scale and it read 1,000 KG. I sit on a chair, and it breaks under my colossal weight. Same thing happens when I lean on a table. There! I just proved that I weigh a ton! But wait a minute… In a different setting arranged by scientists, I only weigh around 75 to 80 KG, and tables and chairs can support my weight. What just happened?
Reply with your answer, and we’ll continue from there.
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I'm not entirely sure what you’re getting at, Genesis, but I'm game:
I might well note, in response to the scientists response to your claim, that you claim would be correct under the proper objective circumstances. Specifically, since weight is result of gravity effecting mass, change one of those variables and you'll change the weight. Or in other words, you would weigh literally a ton, if gravity was great enough.
But after having tested you and finding your claims to be incorrect, the proper course of action is to determine what is causing this divergence of results.
Let us take the cynic perspective and suppose that an investigation of the differences in test results indicated that you had rigged the results of your experiments (you messed with the impressive scale, weakened table legs, etc). Your specific claim would be disproven, but not the larger claim that you (or an individual like you) could weigh a ton. If your claim was ridiculous enough, we might be able to actually disprove the larger claim (such as if you said you literally weigh "purple" kg), but a different experiment would need to be devised to address that topic.
If we aren't being cynical and assume that your experiments were valid (that is, you did not mischievously change starting conditions by purposely weakening a table, or messing with a rather impressive scale), then of course another explanation must be found. A simple water displacement test would most likely follow, in order to determine your mass. The most likely outcome here is that it would be discovered that you have normal mass, for a human. Thus investigation would turn to gravitational differences. Perhaps the gravity in your test zone was different (though roughly 10x gravity would be rather easily noted and would have probably come up even before the confirmation test). If we allow the effects of rapid acceleration to play in as well, perhaps you were conducting your experiments on a rocket shooting off into space. If, however, a water displacement test indicated abnormal mass, we might instead start by investigating the verifying scientists' facilities. And so on, and so forth.
As a side note, I would argue that your definition of pseudoscience is incorrect and itself misleading, as it focuses on results rather than processes.
Masaru Emoto's experiments do indeed qualify as pseudoscience, but not for the reason you listed. Rather, I would argue that they count as pseudoscience because of his measures. The aesthetic nature of frozen water is highly subjective. Lacking an objective measure, any experiment he performs will inherently be pseudoscience. His controls are themselves worrisome, but until the measures are a far more pressing concern in my mind.
His experiments could be modified to approach real science. For one, instead of examining water to see if it is aesthetically pleasing, one could measure the specific crystal formations and compare those, provided one had pre-established basic category of crystalline shapes (which would itself require a pilot study). Or one might be able to measure the density of the crystals that form, or their refractive qualities, etc. Once a proper measure is put in place on that end, one would also need to put a proper measure in on the other end. That is, one would need to systematically identify what counts as "positive" and what counts as "negative." This would probably require a very large number of cohorts, each with their own control groups
After those are established satisfactorily, then one could begin addressing issues of controls on the experiments. Poor controls, however, to me does not indicate that something is pseudoscience. Just, poor science.
Global Warming, on the other hand, seems like it would fit the criteria of good science. Unfortunately, experiments on it cannot be run in a lab with fine controls. Rather, we must gather data and make predictions, using future occurrences as our experiments. Sort of like theories on how stars form: we can't replicate it in a lab, but we can theorize how the process happens and will continue to happen and look for those specific instances in the universe.
For GW, the research I am familiar with has collected data legitimately and from that data predictions are routinely made. I can't find a fault with the process itself. To take the perspective that GW is bunk, such "evidence" against it would come in the form of routinely failed predictions. What constitutes a failed prediction would probably necessarily be established beforehand. Predicting global temperature increases would need to be within a given range: given current predictive models it seems unreasonable to demand an exact estimation. But something along the lines of "current greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere will produce a global temperature increase of between .5 degrees C and .75 degrees C yearly. This temperature increase will itself increase by a factor of X for every Y megaton-increase of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere." Thus if one year worldwide GG levels decreased but the temperature increased, that would merit particular investigation. Or if one year GG levels significant increased but temperatures decreased. And so on.
Pseudoscience, as I would define it (and thus in turn how I would argue you should define it) is determined by unscientific processes. There may be unscientific aspects of good science (the personalization of second-hand smoke), but that doesn't make it pseudoscience. Good science is like a tool, it is up to us to determine how to use it. Pseudoscience is like a moose, I have no idea how to use it and we should probably back away very slowly so as to not startle it.
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THE CAPSLOCK KEY IS THE MOST USELESS KEY ON THE WHOLE BORED!!!! JUST USE SHIFT!!!
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Well put, Thought.
I guess it was a roundabout way of me saying that any scientific claim, when given results under specific circumstances and experimentation, should be able to replicate said results under different, and thereby more objective, circumstances. Don't you just love Double Blinds? It's the best thing ever to happen to science like syrup happened to pancakes and waffles.
I was being simplistic when I said that pseudoscience is a scientific claim that cannot be tested. I will now have to rely on an actual dictionary definition to find more impartial ground. Here's what I happened upon (credit to Wikipedia):
Pseudoscience: a methodology, belief, or practice that is claimed to be scientific, or that is made to appear to be scientific, but which does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, or otherwise lacks scientific status.
In other words, a scientific claim has to be falsifiable, or the ability to be proven false. Since that’s next to impossible for claims such as telepathy, telekinesis, and remote viewing, it is safe for me to say that such claims are pseudoscientific in nature.
Now for some role-playing to reinforce my newfound definition.
I make a claim that the earth is flat. My evidence to present:
- The earth I and everybody else walks on is constantly under our feet.
- The horizon and ocean appear flat, like a table. Any mountains or hills I see are simply bumps.
- My friends and family sailed beyond the ocean and I never saw or heard from them again. This would imply an existing “edge” to the surface they sailed on.
- Every picture of the earth I have seen may be round in shape, but it’s always a two-dimensional photograph, thereby erasing any discernment of it being a sphere.
I have given the evidence to be subjected to scientific testing. Mr. Thought, the floor is yours.
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In other words, a scientific claim has to be falsifiable, or the ability to be proven false.
To note, not all scientists agree with that. There is a notable degree of debate in what constitutes a scientific hypothesis. I know, science is the last place you'd expect philosophy to pop up, but it does. Since you used Wikipedia first: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_science
I happen to agree with you that falsifiability is a necessary component of good science, but I acknowledge that this isn't a universally held belief.
However, this happens to touch on an aspect of my objection to MsBlacks objection to statements that the paranormal may merit further research. It is scientific to say that a limited, falsifiable claim is, well, false ("I have an alien in my pocket!" is false if investigation of the contents of my pocket fails to produce an alien), but it is unscientific to say that aliens exist. If they do, we can provide proof, but if they don't, then it is near enough impossible to prove as to effectively be impossible (we could examine every square inch of the universe). Thus it is improper to say that science has disproven aliens. Subsequently, if new evidence arises, the issue might merit returning to ("okay, I didn't have an alien in my pocket yesterday, but by golly I have him in my lunch box today!")
- The earth I and everybody else walks on is constantly under our feet.
- The horizon and ocean appear flat, like a table. Any mountains or hills I see are simply bumps.
- My friends and family sailed beyond the ocean and I never saw or heard from them again. This would imply an existing “edge” to the surface they sailed on.
- Every picture of the earth I have seen may be round in shape, but it’s always a two-dimensional photograph, thereby erasing any discernment of it being a sphere.
Your assertion is incorrect. The horizon, particularly on an unbroken ocean vista, does not appear to be flat. Furthermore, since you brought up sailing, if you had ever watched a ship appear on the horizon (presumably one that hadn't sailed far enough away to fall off the edge of the earth) you will notice that the top of the sail appears first and, only after some time, will the hull of the ship appear above the horizon. If the earth was flat, they should appear at the same time. Likewise, if a ship is sailing away from you, the hull will sink below the horizon long before the sail. Now I suppose it could be falling off the earth, but that is rather slow fall and is in itself suspicious.
Given the inconsistencies of your observations with independent observations regarding the real world, I propose a test! A vessel with a small crew will sail beyond the horizon. As it would be ridiculous to risk the lives of good men and women for such an experiment, the craft will be equipped with a suitable number of inflatable dirigibles that can be deployed to airlift the humans out in the event of World’s End. Furthermore, in order to affect proper controls, I suggest we have two groups of such individuals, one of which will be placed in an internal environment designed to simulate sailing on the ocean. The two groups will be given a sedative to put them to sleep, at which point a crew of disinterested day laborers will move them onto their respective vessels, effectively blinding the testing population. We two, and all other scientists involved, will go willingly into an isolation chamber for a year. That should nicely double-blind the experiment. After all, the edge of the world may only be a manifestation of the placebo/experimenter effect.
And for a tertiary critique of your claim, I ask you to observe this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Waterman_Butterfly_Map_1996.jpg
There, now you've seen a picture of earth that is not round. As a word of advice, never try to visit Antarctica.
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All right, then. As long as you knew that I was simply role-playing. I know the earth is spherical in shape. The sad about it is that there's still a flat earth society to this day, even if it's through websites. They've even gone as far as to provide the physics and properties of a flat earth. :( *sigh*
But no more jokes or role-playing. Now I have a real scientific claim: interstellar travel. Only this time, I will provide evidence against it, enough to even call it a pseudoscience. Here's my evidence to present:
- Our current rocket technology is incapable of providing the speed needed to make interstellar travel realistic (close to 87% the speed of light). Engine design alone would affect the
- Reaching such speeds would be dangerous. Running into small particles (like the size of a grain of sand) would punch major holes in any spacecraft due to the high speed of impact.
- The Doppler effect of traveling at such speeds would blue shift ordinary visible light all the way to the wavelength of gamma and x-rays. Shielding gamma rays is next to impossible (they can even travel through many feet of solid metal). When they do strike matter (like space traveler's bodies), the results are devastating.
- The lack of gravity would likely be fatal within a couple years (determined from the effects of prolonged weightlessness among the astronauts of the Space Station).
- It would be impossible to carry enough food and water for such a trip. The idea of making a self-contained bio-habitat is appealing, but impractical, due to the large amount of space required.
Interstellar travel falls under a number of the different properties of pseudoscience that I labeled, including exaggerated claims (anti-matter and fusion engines) and absence of progress. And the best property about this claim is that it’s falsifiable.
I have given the evidence to be subjected to scientific testing. Mr. Thought, the floor is yours.
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I'm still not sure what you are getting at Genesis, though this is getting long enough and off-topic enough that I'll respond via PM (unless someone has a reason for this to continue here).
But until I have the time to write a reply, I have one word for you, just one word: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090909/sc_livescience/micelevitatedinlab;_ylt=AsKoa0FwiyNsKdm0U8.eEAOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNlYjU0bjRqBGFzc2V0A2xpdmVzY2llbmNlLzIwMDkwOTA5L21pY2VsZXZpdGF0ZWRpbmxhYgRjcG9zAzEwBHBvcwM3BHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfb (http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090909/sc_livescience/micelevitatedinlab;_ylt=AsKoa0FwiyNsKdm0U8.eEAOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNlYjU0bjRqBGFzc2V0A2xpdmVzY2llbmNlLzIwMDkwOTA5L21pY2VsZXZpdGF0ZWRpbmxhYgRjcG9zAzEwBHBvcwM3BHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfb)
... a URL counts as a word, doesn't it?
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No, I understand.
It's just one of those things you get emotionally invested in and start ranting on about without wondering where you're gonna go with it.
So, what was the topic before I chimed in? H1N1 virus or something?
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To be back on topic:
I'm getting frustrated that I have suddenly started using the word "totally" to a significant degree. Or maybe I'm just noticing it more now for whatever reason?
It betrays my Californian upbringing. Though, I generally am able to resist using the word "hella," at least.
That and I am frustrated that there is a disturbing lack of Snickers in Snickerdoodles.
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God "hella". You know, you're not quite accurate about that. "Hella" is supposed to distinctly be a Norcal thing where Socals get bitchy about its use XD;. The debate especially comes out in uni when Norcals and Socals for the first time group together in any significant way.
I try really hard not to use "hella" but it comes out sometimes! I always get teased about it, especially by people who are not from Norcal.
My frustration as of the last 2 months is just that 8.5 hours of sleep is not enough for me! I wish I'd feel rested without my 10 hours of sleep XD;. I'm such a sleepy person : (. I slept 10 or 11 hours the night before last because I was still exhausted from the con and the lack of sleep accompanying that, but tonight it was 8.5 hours and I'm going to be sleeeepy all day. The only good thing this means is that it is not difficult for me to fall asleep.
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That and I am frustrated that there is a disturbing lack of Snickers in Snickerdoodles.
The lack of doodles in Snickerdoodles is equally if not more frustrating!
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I'm slightly agitated at all the hubbub in school because of the Obama Education speech the other day. Many people, parents and children alike, are overreacting about something that is rather, well...redundant. In fact, the entire speech itself was redundant in my opinion, but what bothers me is the fact of how many people are acting like it is the end of the world because of it.
Aye, my school is fool of....fools?
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Overheard by me:
"George H.W. Bush did the same thing in the 90s with schoolkids, and no one cared about that."
"WELL HE WASN'T A NIGGER OR A SOCIALIST!!"
Heh. Said what a lot of Republicans only dare to think.
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Too many dipshits in this country.
Current frustration: my computer still loads erratically. I've tried doing System Restores (twice), I've tried reinstalling Windows (which failed at the last minute), I've tried using a free anti-virus program (which took care of and deleted a couple trojans on my other hard-drive), I've tried repairing Windows at startup (which didn't do much, I think), and I've tried installing the Vista updates. Tomorrow, I'll open the computer up again and take a look inside to see if there's some problem there.
PIECE OF CRAP PC.
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now im frustsrated cus my head is filled with SO many thoughts at once on the RPG storyline im writing...
...must... create... organization... on organizing.... my thoughts...
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Too many dipshits in this country.
Current frustration: my computer still loads erratically. I've tried doing System Restores (twice), I've tried reinstalling Windows (which failed at the last minute), I've tried using a free anti-virus program (which took care of and deleted a couple trojans on my other hard-drive), I've tried repairing Windows at startup (which didn't do much, I think), and I've tried installing the Vista updates. Tomorrow, I'll open the computer up again and take a look inside to see if there's some problem there.
PIECE OF CRAP PC.
Power supply. I'll bet money it's your power supply or Mobo. Check the connection between the two. Also, if your HD's are SATA, make sure the SATA power connectors are fully pressed in. They wiggle out and cause problems.
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Power supply. I'll bet money it's your power supply or Mobo. Check the connection between the two. Also, if your HD's are SATA, make sure the SATA power connectors are fully pressed in. They wiggle out and cause problems.
Thanks for the suggestions, man. My power supply has bugged out on me before, so I wouldn't be too surprised if that's the problem. And I'm sure the SATA connections aren't in as well as they should be...I'm leaning towards the power supply though--since it seems to work fine in Safe Mode (which is low power, I believe) and tends to have problems loading up from black screens...Anyway, I'll look at all this tomorrow afternoon.
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Still sick. You can bet it's getting frustrating. =/
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Oh boy do I have a frustration...
I am not going to talk about it here, but there are not enough :x :x :x to convey my frustration tonight. Oh boy...
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Overheard by me:
"George H.W. Bush did the same thing in the 90s with schoolkids, and no one cared about that."
"WELL HE WASN'T A NIGGER OR A SOCIALIST!!"
Heh. Said what a lot of Republicans only dare to think.
Yeah, Texas is amazing like that. When I was closer to where you are I overheard someone openly advocating the systematic murder of homosexuals, just in casual conversation. Actually, I think the guy was trying to impress some nearby girls by saying it. They didn't seem at all offended either.
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*shrug* My parents just think they should all be sent to prison. At least that's what they used to say. I'm not sure if now they think they should all be sent to prison(my mom likes Project Runway too much, and the men on there have been the biggest fruits I have ever seen in my life), but they still don't like them and think homosexuality is some kind of psychological illness. But they're from the USSR and still have some of that mindset dug in. At least they're not sharing their opinons with anyone except me.. even though I don't really appreciate it.
My frustration is that I was woken up at like 6:30 by some really loud motorcycle and my mom annoyed me after that because she has to use my room for her work since I have a guest, so I'm gunna have a headache all day : (. I wish I could go back to sleep...
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God "hella". You know, you're not quite accurate about that. "Hella" is supposed to distinctly be a Norcal thing where Socals get bitchy about its use XD;. The debate especially comes out in uni when Norcals and Socals for the first time group together in any significant way.
As someone from SoCal, I never use "hella" in the sense that Northstaters use it, and I do call people out on it. If you want to say it and not sound like a buffoon, we can talk about the odd (and fascinating) case of Henrietta Lacks.
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I am really hating on swine flu right now. Over the past 3 days at my school, there have been over 500 students sent home with flu-like symptoms. Although I am aware that it isnt nearly as dangerous as it has been made to look, I still have my worries, not for myself, but about my brother. he is asthmatic, and if he gets it, he could die... And my sister has it too... Only a matter of time before I am inflicted with the illness too...
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Feeling old. There's been a rash of people here in this past day or so talking about their school/college/university and/or how they were at school during 9/11 (I was at work during the latter, with a grad degree under my belt already). I know that video games (and anime, for that matter) are more of a young person's hobby, but I get tired of having my nose rubbed in it sometimes.
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(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/noname.jpg)
I lost control on a low spot heading uphill on an overpass during pouring rain; the truck did a 180 and slammed into the guardrail at about 60 mph. I was under the limit, but apparently not under enough.
No injury. Don't thank "God"; thank my state for being "socialist" enough to fund high-quality guardrails with taxpayer money. If some beneficent "God" was involved, he wouldn't have let the crash occur in the first place.
This is part of the reason a person should live life to the fullest, pursue their dreams, and strive to have no regrets. Death can come at any time for any person. So complete your desires; find new desires; do everything you can while you can. That's real living.
熱血 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqM-ef-NcF8&fmt=18) | 根性 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOdzPvFXnWs&fmt=18) | 青春 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJrnlFW4IMc&fmt=18)
Dream it. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYUM7h4SVsA&fmt=18)
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Wow.
"Uh, Mom, Dad. You know how your truck used to have a bed?"
(I'll let the others wash over you with wishes of sympathy and commiseration. I'm good for mine on IM, if you want.)
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Yeah, it happened too fast to fear death. My only fear and thought was, "my parents might be pissed about this." They've been reasonable, thankfully.
:picardno
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Whoa...I'm glad to see you made it out okay, Zeality. Driving was a chore this morning for me too--I think I saw a van that had nearly careened off the hill on the service road. Stupid highway with its terrible on-ramps and off-ramps, lane shortages, bustling traffic, and inane Denton drivers.
Anyway...
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Thank God for Texas, the great socialist state!
Ok, enough being a douche. Seriously man, that must've hurt. Glad to hear that it was just the truck and not our glorious leader that got damaged.
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Glad you're ok! That was a close call. I've had 2 friends die from cars. I don't want to see it ever happen again : (.
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holy shit man. you sure youre alright? not just physically but mentally. it would suck if your body was totally okay but you couldnt do anything with it because of mental issues.
when you think about it, would you rather have your parents pissed about the truck than be dead? i hear its not terribly enjoyable.
the truck looks like its been torn apart like youd tear cheese.
dammit i hate cold.
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My outlook on life hasn't changed at all. Can't slow down, either; homework...
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Holy shit indeed. 60 mph? I'm just glad to hear you walked away from that. Hope everything gets straightened out soon.
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:picardno
...I don't know what to do right now.
I just found 3 live rat kittens, pinkies, in a long unused drawer in my house. I'm assuming that mom is around somewhere. I really don't want to cull them, being a veteran rat caretaker.
What's more, they're really fat little kids, and I think I know where mom's getting all of the food. The drawer is above the cabinet where I keep a lot of rice and stuff. I haven't checked the integrity of the grains, but I'm guessing I'm going to find several chewed bags when I do.
For those who aren't familiar with rat kittens:
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1320/1355694726_1594b71a93.jpg?v=0)
That's about what these guys look like.
Edit: I just met mom. She looks like a kangaroo rat, probably technically a mouse, though. Her babies are so huge compared to her. I'd like to be able to transfer the family somewhere instead of taking her kids from her, but I have no idea how to do that. She'd likely freak out and eat her kids if I transfered all of them.
Any wildlife experts here?
Edit 2: For lack of better options, I'm probably going to have to trap and release the mother and cull the babies. Really not what I was hoping to do.
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I lost control on a low spot heading uphill on an overpass during pouring rain; the truck did a 180 and slammed into the guardrail at about 60 mph. I was under the limit, but apparently not under enough.
...
It's hard to say, 'I'm sorry to hear that,' with a straight face when I keep tittering at the rest of your post. 'It's so Z': using your car crash as an opportunity to blast religion and go SoY on our collective asses. Badass.
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uboa i dunno what cull means but what i suggest you do is keep the babies where they are and contact a veterinarian for assistance. or you could wait until mr eric comes back. from what ive read of his past posts hes a veterinarian. but hes been busy.
this discussion of mr eric brings me to my current frustration.
i have an obsession issue.
you see every time im on a site like this if the link isnt underlined i have to open it in a new tab. needless to say ive gone through a bunch of peoples profiles, topics, encyclopedia articles... you name it, ive clicked it.
but that causes two problems.
1. firefox seems to have a memory leak. so after a while of going through all these links it starts eating up so much memory that i have to end the process or it just dies on me. thus erasing all my hard work.
2. i need to clear the cache and all the history after a while. but then the links arent underlined. thats cool.
until i click the forum link.
then one of all the other links are underlined, so guess what i have to do?
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Thanks, Zombie. :) I'll look for him. I'm going to have to figure this out today one way or another.
Also, sounds like an odd Firefox bug. I'm not understanding the underlined/not underlined distinction... does that mean visited links? And, just how many tabs are you opening?
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the underlined links mean that ive visited them. and after a while of just poking around the forums i get upwards of 50 tabs open.
it does not do poor clarissa good.
... holy fuck was her name clarissa?
frustration: i cant remember if my laptop is named clarissa or clarice.
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I lost control on a low spot heading uphill on an overpass during pouring rain; the truck did a 180 and slammed into the guardrail at about 60 mph. I was under the limit, but apparently not under enough.
...
It's hard to say, 'I'm sorry to hear that,' with a straight face when I keep tittering at the rest of your post. 'It's so Z': using your car crash as an opportunity to blast religion and go SoY on our collective asses. Badass.
Hah! Gratifying for you to notice.
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Z wouldn't let something like death keep him from fulfilling his dreams!!!
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Still sick with the swine flu. That makes it almost a full week now since my first symptoms broke out. In particular, I've had this hellaciously sore throat for almost five days now, and the unstoppable cough for three.
This shit is getting old...
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I'm a (semi) new student at a college (transfer student, not a freshman) and so the whole "super loneliness" thing is kind of harsh. It's nothing new--I've moved over 30 times since I was born and most of those moves were cross-continental--but it does suck, ya know? Even us misanthropic introverts need friendship!
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Military family? Or are your parents adept at getting run out of town for bad singing? Not that I'd know anything about getting run out of town for bad singing. Because I sing well!
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I'm pretty sure my father could be run out of quite a few towns...or countries...for his singing. But nah, my parents work overseas. I grew up in two countries in Asia and Europe.
That, or they've been lying to me my entire life and are really outlaws on the run.
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And damn, that really sucks about the swine flu. -___- My condolences. Maybe some of those delicious orange-flavoured Vitamin C pills might help the sore throat a bit?
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1. firefox seems to have a memory leak. so after a while of going through all these links it starts eating up so much memory that i have to end the process or it just dies on me. thus erasing all my hard work.
Did this for me a lot, too. It also began to start up extremely slowly too (I'd be waiting 5+ minutes for Firefox to open), and even when it's running it often goes into "Not responding" when I load sites. It got to the point where I switched to Opera, and it's far more comfortable to me. I really love the sleek style and Speed Dial.
Current frustration: I have something I need to tell my parents so I can begin with it, but considering their last reaction ("it's just the internet influencing you", "I don't believe it", etc.)... It won't be easy and I risk losing support. It's not frustrating me too much (I'm not getting terribly depressed over it or anything, making sure to keep my chin up), but... bah.
AND J you need to get BETTER soon. :( I get ill rather frequently but I can't imagine how that must feel, ugh. Get well soon.
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Still sick with the swine flu. That makes it almost a full week now since my first symptoms broke out. In particular, I've had this hellaciously sore throat for almost five days now, and the unstoppable cough for three.
This shit is getting old...
Is it meant to last that long? Most of the cases where I am last about 3~5 days. It is some bad shit; 140 new swine flu cases in 1 day at my school...(mentioned it in an earlier post) Its only a matter of time before the swine flu inflicts me...
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WHOOOA, ZeaLitY's passion of youth was so great that his truck exploded when he went Super Saiyan!
...Oh wait, crap, that was an accident while going 60 and not 6 million gigawatts being released? Rain is much better appreciated while on foot, methinks. Z, did you literally have the wherewithal to climb out and snap a photograph right after it happened, or is that from an official "your ride is total'd" police report?
This incident reminds me that I should probably renew my commitment to safer modes of transportation than what the United States has currently. Imagine all the human capital that could have been eliminated if that spin had gone a little differently.
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Yeah, I took some pictures with my cell phone as soon as I had dialed the highway patrol. I heard from the body shop guy that wrecks are common in that area in rain, but I guess that doesn't help me now. I'm hoping the bill for the guardrail isn't going to be exorbitant (I can't even imagine families who actually sustain injuries and deaths getting billed for the guardrails, either; it seems kind of unconscionable).
Frustrating: 22-35% of women who visit an emergency room in the United States do so because of domestic violence.
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in feminism and women's rights:
http://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Atlas-Women-World-Completely/dp/0142002410
It summarizes studies, research, and sociological data to paint a very complete, though incredibly depressing look at the state of women in the world, all presented through very easy to understand graphs and color-coded maps. Did you know, for example, that women in Qatar can't get a driver's license without their husband's consent? There's so much good, hard information in this that I'd love to make the sexism and feminism articles on Wikipedia ironclad and featured with it, and get them on the main page for greater exposure. Hell, I'm barely even through the book at this point in the curriculum, and it's already been enlightening.
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Did you know, for example, that women in Qatar can't get a driver's license without their husband's consent?
In Saudi Arabia, women aren't allowed to own a driver's license even with their husband's consent. If I've learned anything from Seth MacFarlane, apparently they can't sing in public over there too.
Frustrating: 22-35% of women who visit an emergency room in the United States do so because of domestic violence.
Hmmm...be careful with statistics like these. Figures can't lie, but liars can figure, as one of my profs say. The fact that its a range of percentages rather than one concrete percentage kind of sticks out. It might be that the number is 22% in Washington but 35% in Texas or something like that, or it might be some tinkering with the statistics.
The numbers seem a little high, but women's rights is hardly my area of expertise, so I'll stay quiet.
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Hmmm...be careful with statistics like these. Figures can't lie, but liars can figure, as one of my profs say. The fact that its a range of percentages rather than one concrete percentage kind of sticks out. It might be that the number is 22% in Washington but 35% in Texas or something like that, or it might be some tinkering with the statistics.
In this situation, the truth is not a statistical error on its own, but fuzziness caused by a grim truth: domestic violence is notoriously under-reported. Many women can't be polled, and many, many more women don't report it out of personal dignity or shame. Coping mechanisms in cases of domestic violence include considering the issue smaller than it really is ("oh, he just shoved me, it wasn't anything serious") or outright psychological denial.
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No injury. Don't thank "God"; thank my state for being "socialist" enough to fund high-quality guardrails with taxpayer money. If some beneficent "God" was involved, he wouldn't have let the crash occur in the first place.
This is part of the reason a person should live life to the fullest, pursue their dreams, and strive to have no regrets. Death can come at any time for any person. So complete your desires; find new desires; do everything you can while you can. That's real living.
This sound like a line straight out of an Ayn Rands book. Gotta love ja Z.
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Man, I had everything set to help the mother mouse raise her kids in captivity until they were old enough to be released into the wild, but it looks like she already ate them, probably out of panic... I just captured her and couldn't find the babies anywhere.
Well, she gets to go on her way at least. So long lady. Good luck out there.
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hahaha when i read that i thought that you were referring to a mother in jail.
damn.
i fell asleep at my computer.
clarissa is burning hot.
owowowow my thighs hurt now.
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Somebody at work argued with me that vagabond was not a real word and that I must have made it up.
All I could think was "When was the last time you saw Lion King?"
of course, they didn't get the reference so we looked it up on the interweb and i came out victorious. FOR KNOWLEDGE!
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Somebody at work argued with me that vagabond was not a real word and that I must have made it up.
All I could think was "When was the last time you saw Lion King?"
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Lame. Vagabond is a great word.
Count me in as a supersap, but I really love those lyrics to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".
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In all fairness, the word vagabond is only used in Elton John's version, which isn't played throughout the movie, if I recall correctly.
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You're probably right. I haven't seen Lion King in over a decade. It might have been played at the end of the movie, though. They did the same thing with Celine Dion's "Beauty and the Beast" during the credits and then with the non-in-movie song of "A Whole New World" at the end of Aladdin.
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I'll admit I owned the soundtrack and knew all the words. In my defense, I was very young. :)
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Hey--no need for defense! That soundtrack is wonderful. And I love the song by Elton John.
I'm pretty sure I still know all the words to most Disney songs. XP
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I'm frustrated by the fact that Disney took the coolest myth ever (Atlantis) and made a movie, finally with NO songs, and made it suck terribly.
Now Pixar, that's a different story. Especially the Incredibles.
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I'm frustrated by the fact that Disney took the coolest myth ever (Atlantis) and made a movie, finally with NO songs, and made it suck terribly.
Now Pixar, that's a different story. Especially the Incredibles.
IIRC, Disney also ripped off some OVA for Atlantis.
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I really liked Atlantis >_>;.
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Somebody at work argued with me that vagabond was not a real word and that I must have made it up.
To be fair, the person may have well known someone like me (that is, a verbaphile) who has a habit of making words up.
Why use a thesaurus when one is creative?
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I'm frustrated by the fact that Disney took the coolest myth ever (Atlantis) and made a movie, finally with NO songs, and made it suck terribly.
Now Pixar, that's a different story. Especially the Incredibles.
IIRC, Disney also ripped off some OVA for Atlantis.
Can't forget the Kimba the White Lion thing, either...
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I saw Kimba the White Lion as a little kid when I was growing up in Asia. When Lion King came out I thought it was a sequel. 0_0
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Not a frustration but unsettling. I was browsing my fathers computer trying to find some pictures from last years Family reunion, and I found a porn cache. That's not at all odd...what surprised me was that it was all my porn from my laptop on his computer... :?
I am fine with the material and don't hide it, but it was a little disturbing...
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Yikes.
You shouldn't take that sitting down. You've got to do something about it.
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Shot down on the sub. Gotta start juggling now, especially because my agent isn't picking up the damn phone. Gotta make it happen...
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Sorry to hear about the ill luck, Shee. Do you have a reliable daytime job already, or are you throwing absolutely everything into acting? I just hope you aren't starving or something. Mostly for the sake of the chickens. :lol:
Critics apparently universally slammed Jay Leno's opening night.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_on_en_tv/us_aftermath_leno_premiere
WTF. Leno's show was amazing as usual, and he handled the Kanye West drama with serious panache all things considered.
What matters is that Leno's making people laugh again, and that does a huge service to society. I couldn't stand Conan, so I'm really in celebration mood since Leno's back with his regular gig.
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I'm frustrated that you don't like Conan!! 8)
The dayjob isn't "reliable" as in I have a different schedule each week, but I sure as shit didn't move here to be a tutor. I make income from it though, a lot if I teach a lot of classes in a week. Good news is, I just got off the phone with my agent and I have time to make it after my class if I haul some ass.
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Insomnia is frustrating. I haven't slept in almost 2 days and it's...ugh. And I take (prescription) sleep medication! Bleh.
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Eeee. I went through a couple of brief periods of insomnia lasting a week each. It is irritating, and it's hard to break that cycle. Does the medication help at all? (Is it worth the possible side effects?)
I can't remember how I broke out of the cycle when I had it. Typically, being forced on any rigorous schedule will make me want to sleep more (but often able to sleep less, as is the current situation). Also, as far as sleep aids go, the best non-prescription ones I've found are Sudafed night time, sublingual melatonin, and an herb called tulsi which is sold as a tea in many health food stores.
I need better stay-awake aids. It frustrates me that Monster drinks somehow manage only to put me to sleep when I'm tired.
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I would recommend a tea called Sleepy Time Tea. Not a very imaginative name, but it does make you drowsy. doesn't tasste that great though. At least, it didn't when I was seven :lol:
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Thanks for the suggestions! Maybe I should start drinking tea at night.
There aren't any side effects that I know of. Or at least, there aren't any that are particularly bothersome. I did some pretty heavy-duty research on the meds before I started taking them to see if there were any horrendous side effects. The meds worked pretty well the first few months I took them--I've been on them since last July. I just have a body that doesn't like to sleep, I guess? Before I went on any kind of sleep aid, I'd go for 3 or 4 days without sleep and then I'd crash for only a few hours. Not very healthy.
As far as stay-awake aids...I smoke to keep myself awake when I have to write papers and such, but I'm definitely not going to encourage anyone to start smoking or to continue smoking.
I've heard those 5-hour-energy-booster drinks (I can't remember their name) work wonders. Is Monster the only think you've tried?
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I would recommend a tea called Sleepy Time Tea. Not a very imaginative name, but it does make you drowsy. doesn't tasste that great though. At least, it didn't when I was seven :lol:
As long as it doesn't taste like that awful orange-flavoured medicine I took randomly as a kid then I'm all for it. :) Thanks!
I think the name is cute. :D
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The five hour energy booster drink is called Five Hour Energy. There's a Six Hour one, too. They're these small little bottles, and I've heard they also taste horrible.
If you like asian tea, you'd probably like Sleepy Time. I prefer english teas with milk and sugar, so I don't care for it as much.
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Ask ZachiKarky what the best cure for insomnia is. She'll tell you the same thing I will, because she took my advice lol.
Melatonin. Go grab a bottle of 3mg capsules of Melatonin, take one, and lay down. You will be asleep soon.
Melatonin is the natural chemical that your body produces to make you feel sleepy, and it's available as a supplement. I love it and swear by it.
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I had to write a memoir for my seminar class. It was an easy enough assignment, but it got a little depressing halfway through.
I basically told the story of when I started the Gifted and Talented Education(GATE) program in fourth grade, and how difficult it was on me because I never had to think or work much before. But I remember that the other kids, almost all of them, were getting everything that was taught and got everything done easily. They were much smarter and harder working than I was.
Yet, I grew up with most of them over the years, we all basically went to the same middle school and high school together. But I can't remember any of them graduating with me. We all started as Freshman together, but only a handful made it to our senior year. One of them became the Salutatorian, but the rest didn't graduate with me.
I just can't understand how these kids that whooped my butt as fourth graders couldn't make it when so many inferior minds, myself included, did. It sucks to see such potential ruined.
Damn it.
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Will do, Lakonthegreat!
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That is sad, Truthordeal. One can hope that maybe some of them transferred to other schools where they continued to flourish. If not...you're right, it is tragic when people don't live up to their potential.
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Truth, did they drop out then? It would be interesting to study their cases and see what went wrong. Home pressures, maybe? Drug addiction?
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Ask ZachiKarky what the best cure for insomnia is. She'll tell you the same thing I will, because she took my advice lol.
Melatonin. Go grab a bottle of 3mg capsules of Melatonin, take one, and lay down. You will be asleep soon.
Melatonin is the natural chemical that your body produces to make you feel sleepy, and it's available as a supplement. I love it and swear by it.
hell yeah man. that stuff is the best. coupled with a glass of milk... im in dreamland in just three seconds sometimes.
right now im frustrated because firefox is acting up again. because of this, it took it like ten minutes to start up, so now im a bit late in everything. oh well. good news is... i dont know if its legal and should be mentioned here lol
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Yeahhhhh...after tonight I need that melatonin ASAP. Day 2 of no sleep! :( /passes out in class
Speaking of classes... (this is just as funny as it is frustrating).
I'm taking a French course. It's an accelerated course that lets students finish up what would otherwise be two years of French in one year, to fulfill the foreign language requirement. The problem? We have to do in-class speaking assignments. You know, pair up with the person you sit by and ask a question. I sit next to this guy, so I'm stuck with him as a partner. So yesterday I asked him "Do you like chemistry class better or physics better?" The answer was simple, or it should have been.
His response:: "Ummm...I like chemistry because physics is too repetitive and boring."
The problem?
Half of it was in English. Only he was saying it in a French accent.
So it went like "Ummm [French] I like chemistry [/French] becuzz la physics est too re-pet-te-tay. Re-pe-te-tee. Et est tres bor-ee. Bor-ay. Bor-ay-on."
And I know this kid was serious. I was trying so hard not to laugh. Look kid, just because you can say "repetitive" and "boring" in a French accent DOES NOT MAKE IT FRENCH! He sounds like Harle! Except that she actually uses French words!
I mean I can do that too. I caan talk en zis terrrrible Frrrrrrench accsont all day, mon petit chou-chou.
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He was speaking English in a French accent for French class? Oh, stars, that's awesome!
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Yeah, that sounds classic. I would have had trouble keeping a straight face. That he was serious is amazing. We would try to get away with sticking "o" on the end of every word in my high school Spanish classes when we didn't want to really speak Spanish in class, but we were well aware that we were being lazy smart-asses.
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I KNOW. I could hardly believe it. And he was talking in such a pompous manner too. Like "look at my advanced French communication". I just hope there's an oral exam at some point. Hell...I hope I can watch him butcher said oral exam. That would make my entire year.
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And he was talking in such a pompous manner too.
Wait, isn't that just the standard French accent?
Sorry, I couldn't resist such an easy dig on the language. To be fair, I've been guilty of similar sins myself. Back when I was learning both German and Greek at the same time, I'd occasionally use a Greek word in my German class, or vice versa. Though if I was being tested and couldn't think of the real German word, taking the English version and trying to Germangle it was a fairly good way to guess (not so much for Greek).
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Wait, isn't that just the standard French accent?
Haha! Truth!
I speak two languages (not including French, because my French isn't that great) and I mix them up in speech often. Sometimes words in the other language will come out when I think I'm speaking in English. And I'll have no idea until the people I'm with will tell me that what I'm saying is definitely not English. XD
Were you learning modern Greek or ancient Greek?
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Screws. Specifically, the itty-bitty-teeny-weeny little screws used to secure computer cases
in place, and the ittier-bittier-teenier-weenier little screws used to secure hard drives,
etc. in place.
Being perilously close to overrunning the capacity of my old 200GB IDE hard drive, I bought an
inexpensive second-hand 250GB SATA drive to supplement it with. I knew I had all the necessary
cables, so it didn't particularly worry me that all I was getting was the drive itself in an
anti-static bag.
I'd forgotten about the screws.
Fast-forward to 7:00PM and me staring into the guts of a computer case. The DVD drive had
been secured in place with five screws, so I appropriated one from it, but that still
left me several screws short.
I have three desktop computers, so "Ah-ha!" thought I. "I'll just borrow a screw or two
from each of the others to fill out my total. I hardly ever use that middle-aged Pentium
anyway..."
And that was when the real fun began.
A word to the wise: do not attempt to open three mid-tower cases simultaneously when you're
working in an amount of desk space that barely has enough room for them. Especially do
not set the screws that normally hold the casing of the oldest comp in place on an unstable
surface and then lean on it. (I did eventually manage to retrieve all four of the little
bastards from the floor, but there was a point at which I thought I would never see two of
them again.) I got my screws, all right, but it took me two hours to perform what
should have been a simple operation.
Miraculously, the new hard drive survived all the fun and games and is being correctly
detected by the BIOS and by fdisk, and I'll be partitioning it in the morning. Oof.
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Were you learning modern Greek or ancient Greek?
Ancient Greek, so I can't really speak it as that wasn't a focus of the class. Course, I can't really speak German either and that was a modern language (I tend to be much better with the written portion of foreign languages).
One of the great things about learning a foreign language is that it makes learning yet other languages even easier. If I hadn't taken German and Greek first, I would be having a horrible time learning Latin.
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Bah, don't remind me. German is going to be my one problematic class this semester. Not because its hard; because I learned everything he's teaching us three years ago in high school German I. And my high school German teacher was far more demanding. One would think that this is an advantage, but its just so boring.
And I can't get bumped up to German 201 either, because the way the guy paces it makes it so that I'll be missing a couple of important things if I were to go up two levels. Foreign language is not something you can teach yourself either, unless you happen to be living in a place that speaks that language.
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Yeah...language learning can be really tedious. The grammar. Ugh, the grammar... -_- Just think of your German class as a GPA-booster.
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I'd love to learn Latin someday. Ah, when I get the time and resources...
Are you studying the classics, Thought? I would ask if you were a classics major, but I didn't want to sound patronizing in case you're getting a post-graduate degree, heh. I like your Janus avatar, by the way. : )
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The most frustrating thing in the world is when I forget something simple, like a musical idea, usually in mere minutes from when I first think of it. I'll try to get it back, and if I can't do it quickly, then, although it's right there on the edge of my memory, I know that it's probably gone for good. Grr!
So, guess what happened just now? :x
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First, my frustration of the day: The Dallas Cowboys. In the words of Weird Al in his song, Gonna Sue Ya: "Aw, do I even need a reason?"
Truth, actually, it is very possible to teach yourself a foreign language, particularly in the modern world. The Rosetta Stone software is particularly good for this, I have heard. I'm essentially teaching myself Latin as well, with the aid of the foremost text in the field, Wheelock's Latin (though as I mentioned, if I hadn't previously learned foreign languages in an instructor-based environment, I would be having trouble now).
Sajainta, it isn't just a Janus avatar, it is a very specific bust of Janus: those faces are of Herodotus and Thucydides, the fathers of History. I'm like a Classicist, only less useful. I'm a historian! I'm studying Latin in hopes of getting into a Ph.D. program in history for Fall 2010. Why Latin? Because apparently knowing German, Spanish, Anglo-Saxon, and Greek wasn't enough. And after Latin I'll probably move onto French, then Arabic, then Icelandic, then to variations on these languages (Middle English, Medieval Latin, etc). All spoken, of course, with a horrible American accent.
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Really sore throat. I've been coughing like crazy. :(
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Really sore throat. I've been coughing like crazy. :(
Space flu.
It's like swine flu, but in space.
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Three frustrations: First, I keep having dreams about playing World of Warcraft and I have no idea why, but now I really want my Shaman back. Second, the D key on my laptop is broken so I've had to copy paste the letter D whenever typing. Now, on a different computer with a working keyboard, I keep trying to copy paste my D.
Third, and most retarded: A friend of my step brother's came over here to stay the night after he had an argument with his dad. It was agreed that he would stay here two days before finding more permanent residence. Now he's planning to live here for eight to ten months. I like his cat, but him being here means, on a normal day, we'll have seven people to feed. I'm bad enough at finding food as it is, now he and that other girl are raiding the kitchen at one or two am every night. Goodbye sleep, goodbye food!
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Wow Zephira, that sucks about the friend. It was just agreed that he starts living with your family?? Weird..
My frustration:: my roommates annoy me. A lot. They are the anti-me. Really loud, really sociable (which is not a bad thing in and of itself, but when you have people in and out of the suite all the time...), really OMGZZZ YAY THAT IS LYK SO COOL, really--and I mean REALLY--screechy. Think stereotypical sorority girls. Stereotypical popular high school girls. Blond, rich, suburban, lots of clothes, takes-them-40-minutes-just-to-do-their-hair-in-the-morning types. They're all BFFs or whatever (there are 3 of them) and so it's just a little bit awkward. It doesn't help that they have this kind of snooty "why are you even here" attitude regarding me. Well excuse me for not having a place to live and for being thrown into your suite. It's not like I'd choose to live with you anyway. >_<
And the screeches. Dear god. The screeches. UGH.
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Jeez. A family of mouths. That explains why you're so thin. I think you should start leaving your garbage and dirty laundry on his bed until he gets the idea and moves out.
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Third, and most retarded: A friend of my step brother's came over here to stay the night after he had an argument with his dad. It was agreed that he would stay here two days before finding more permanent residence. Now he's planning to live here for eight to ten months. I like his cat, but him being here means, on a normal day, we'll have seven people to feed. I'm bad enough at finding food as it is, now he and that other girl are raiding the kitchen at one or two am every night. Goodbye sleep, goodbye food!
Wow, that #* %ing sucks 0_o. I can't imagine how it would be living with 7 people. Why do your parents take in refugees? >_>; I'm an only child and I had to deal with having to share a room basically for one school year of my life and I'm surprised I didn't have a nervous breakdown. But you at least get your own room, right? Something like this would never happen in my family (both parents don't like people and have no friends), but if my mom or dad decided to take in people, I'd be really pissed! You're skinny enough as it is, not fair to make it even harder for you to get food D:.
My frustration:: my roommates annoy me. A lot. They are the anti-me. Really loud, really sociable (which is not a bad thing in and of itself, but when you have people in and out of the suite all the time...), really OMGZZZ YAY THAT IS LYK SO COOL, really--and I mean REALLY--screechy. Think stereotypical sorority girls. Stereotypical popular high school girls. Blond, rich, suburban, lots of clothes, takes-them-40-minutes-just-to-do-their-hair-in-the-morning types. They're all BFFs or whatever (there are 3 of them) and so it's just a little bit awkward. It doesn't help that they have this kind of snooty "why are you even here" attitude regarding me. Well excuse me for not having a place to live and for being thrown into your suite. It's not like I'd choose to live with you anyway. >_<
Ah college. My freshman year, I had a roommate. She and I weren't really friends, but overall we got along because she was a sweet girl and would become a crying mess if anyone had a confrontation with her. My second year I was alone in my little closet of a single dorm (ideal living situation). My third year I decided to move off campus with this friend. I got my own room, but him and I really didn't get along and at some point I really, really hated him. So much for that friendship >_>;. I kind of regret that things couldn't be back to how it was before we moved in, but ah well.
So I've been living with my dad for something like 2 and a half years (one and a half years, I spent in Japan), and it's a very good situation for me. I love my mom, but I don't want to move back in with her for various reasons. Overall, I like living with my dad. He's hardly ever around and the most I have to put up with are his neat freak commands. He refuses to clean the apt and he's the biggest neat freak I have ever met so every week he comes up with chores for me to do. He used to be on my case all the time about how messy my room is, but eventually he gave up and just grimaces and complains if he has to come in my room. He also used to complain because I don't prepare dinner for him, but he's stopped that too considering all he eats while he's here is salad and that doesn't really take long to prepare. His biggest demand is that there are never dishes in the sink. Actually, living with him isn't really a frustration. Just sometimes his patronizing and complaining nature is frustrating. He's been my best room mate by far XD;. Of course, ideally, I'd be living alone, but I can't do that right now.
It seems like since my bf's visiting, dad has gotten more patronizing and offensive, and I think that has to do with him really not liking the bf and having to put up with him while he's around. I'm getting kind of tired of it, though. I don't like to fight with my dad, him and I have very similar personalities and end up not speaking to each other for a while until I give up (because he never thinks he's in the wrong).
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I just got bent over by the DMV. Buncha jabronees, that's what they are. Glad to have it done though.
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Guess I just feel like whining that I feel like shit right now.
Done.
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Get better, you marvelous little piece of Faf. This Compendium is just toast and bones without you!
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I've had more project like work this week than normal. It's annoying.
Grah...no...more...work. Must relax.
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Something shitty just happened, so I'm really upset and can't seem to stop crying. And I hate crying, for a tonne of reasons, and it doesn't help that it's making my head cold worse, heh.
Things just suck sometimes, ya know? :(
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Ah, I feel your pain. I am sorry for whatever reason you feel upset.
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may i ask why youre crying, sajainta? would a lemon square make everything better?
i had my first beer today.
it was pretty gross.
my frustration is that my dad says its good, but i think its gross. is beer a taste that you aquire when youre older? has my father killed all sense of beer within me because he gave me one when i was 19?
or do i just not like beer?
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Beer is disgusting. I do not see how many others like the flavor of it. The feeling, I understand (for those poor sons of a gun), but in any case, it's one of the last alcohols I'd ever drink, let alone if I had to to save my life.
Blech.
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They say beer is an acquired taste. I didn't like it at all for a long time, until a coworker and then Wil Wheaton started swearing by Guinness. I tried a Guinness for myself and I was instantly a fan. Since then, I've learned that I have a very narrow taste for beers--dark, heavy, not too bitter--but, within that zone, I love the stuff.
In other words, "beer" is not one single product; it's a whole area of beverages, and you may find that you have a hearty appetite for certain kinds of beer while completely disliking others. Or, you may find that you don't like any beer at all. That's okay too.
Either way, your tastes may change with time.
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yeah i hope i grow to like it. dad says that miller lite is actually one of his least favorites but he doesnt want me drinking the good stuff yet because im too young.
new frustration: my father makes no sense whatsoever.
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I prefer finer alcohols (though young, I've tasted many), such as wines and sake. Also, absinthe is alright.
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new frustration: my father makes no sense whatsoever.
*chomps cigar*
You mahst keeeel zem. Keel zem awl!
P.S. I charge $75 per session if anyone else wants advice.
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P.S. I charge $75 per session if anyone else wants advice.
Advice on murder? I think I can already figure out a few dozen good ways to murder someone.
...Uh, not that I'd ever use them, hehe! Note to self: Kill everybody so that they don't get suspicious
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LOST:
One whole roasted chicken, Safeway brand. Left in fridge for tonight's consumption while parents are out of state. Went missing around midday. If found, please return to Zephira Z, Seattle-Land. Reward: one drunken wizard.
Addendum:
It's a kidnapping spree! Also missing are the loaves of bread and cans of chili bought two days prior.
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Your family seems pretty...vicious?
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NIGHT OF THE HYENAS
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Oh no, half the family isn't even here. Mom and Nolan are in Oregon, and my little brother is at dad's for the weekend. It's just the step-brother, his girlfriend who moved up from California, and their friend.
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The fluffy, spotted hyenas!
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gah that sucks. my brother and sister and all their friends know that if there isnt peanut butter in the house after i get home from work there will be hell to pay, so thats a good thing i guess.
lord j: dont worry, my plans are already moving into fruition... they wont be able to stop me!
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Zephira, you should rig your food with alarms, or explosives (which can be disabled), or a drunken wizard.
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Go Daddy is my frustration of the moment. I'm developing a site for a client who already has a contract with them, so we're stuck. I've never had to navigate their site before. They must have the most user-unfriendly webhosting site that I've ever seen, by a factor of ten.
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Current frustration: my computer is still a piece of shit. Safe Mode is like a damned chastity belt. LET ME FUCK AROUND WITH THIS THING, DAMMIT.
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I only just now, at 22:30, found out today is Friday. Bills, work, TV, family, Compendium Card night, nothing seemed right today...now I know why
:picardno
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The good thing is that it sounds like you thought today was Saturday. Now you effectively get two Saturdays: the fake one, which is almost over anyway, and the real deal, which is 100 percent all ahead! 8)
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I only just now, at 22:30, found out today is Friday. Bills, work, TV, family, Compendium Card night, nothing seemed right today...now I know why
:picardno
That... that happened to me too. :(
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Yeuch. Beer. I've never liked it. I'm strictly a vodka and whiskey kind of girl. ;) Especially vodka. I love my vodka!
Zephira--what the hell?? That's so damn rude. Maybe you should buy your own fridge or something. I know they're probably super expensive though. -___- Bleh! Sorry about the crazy situation. : /
Frustration:: I was supposed to see my boyfriend this weekend. He lives about 4 hours away from where I go to school, so I was going to take a train to [insert city where he lives]. Unfortunately, I've been getting more and more sick this entire week--and progressively getting less and less sleep--and so I was too sick to visit him. :(
Added frustration--the place that I live in is INCREDIBLY STUPID because they only have one train that travels to [insert city] a day. And it's at 7 am. >_< And this is a major U.S. city we're talking about. And it's only 4 hours away! Guh.
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Careful Sajainta, I think we can narrow down your potential country of origin based on that. :lol: But it may be a misconception on my part; maybe they like Vodka in South Africa too, or maybe you had your first swig of it in the US.
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Careful Sajainta, I think we can narrow down your potential country of origin based on that. :lol: But it may be a misconception on my part; maybe they like Vodka in South Africa too, or maybe you had your first swig of it in the US.
Haha! Perhaps! I will say that I've never lived in Eurasia or Eastern Europe. :) My first swig of vodka was in the United Kingdom when I was 12.
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Zephira--what the hell?? That's so damn rude. Maybe you should buy your own fridge or something. I know they're probably super expensive though. -___- Bleh! Sorry about the crazy situation. : /
Frustration:: I was supposed to see my boyfriend this weekend. He lives about 4 hours away from where I go to school, so I was going to take a train to [insert city where he lives]. Unfortunately, I've been getting more and more sick this entire week--and progressively getting less and less sleep--and so I was too sick to visit him. :(
Added frustration--the place that I live in is INCREDIBLY STUPID because they only have one train that travels to [insert city] a day. And it's at 7 am. >_< And this is a major U.S. city we're talking about. And it's only 4 hours away! Guh.
I second that motion. Get yourself a mini fridge. They can be around 100 dollars or maybe even less for a used one... That's what I'd do.
And US public transit just really sucks in general D:. Especially outside metropolitan areas. That was the nice thing about Japan... a country where basically everything is connected by trains that run pretty frequently.
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And US public transit just really sucks in general D:. Especially outside metropolitan areas. That was the nice thing about Japan... a country where basically everything is connected by trains that run pretty frequently.
Hell yes. The place I lived in Europe had excellent transportation. My family and I lived there for 4 years and never owned a car.
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Naturally the "values voters" states are the ones most willing to subject their daughters to cervical cancer on grounds of sexual puritanism:
http://www.seattlepi.com/health/1500ap_us_med_hpv_vaccinations.html
Ugh. From my point of view, it's like these people don't even care about their own children. I know that's not true; they do care. But it's such a fucked up care that it seems totally alien to me. Your god is more important than your kid? Jeez...
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Classes start tomorrow! I've no MMdP classes, which totally sucks, so I'm just doing high school classes this quarter. I have to get up at 6 each morning, so there goes my stay-up-till-1AM-drawing-every-night sleep schedule.
Also, it's be-lethargic-and-in-pain week. Yay! :picardno
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FUCK going to sleep. I waste an hour every fucking day lying there, rolling around, finding a comfortable position, whatever, just waiting to fucking go to sleep. I don't even drink soda anymore, so it's not like caffeine is preventing me. I just waited 50 good minutes of my life that could have been spent working on things or hell, having fun. Wasted; gone. I wish I could just press a button and immediately go to sleep. More than that, I wish I didn't have to sleep.
I'd rather force being up 2 days at a time if it would ensure I could fall asleep in a timely manner. Anything but this.
Edit: Fuck it, I'll stay up and keep working, and deal with being tired after I wake up. Ugh.
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I had to skip two classes today because I was too ill to go. I can't stand missing classes. At least I warned the professors on Friday, and then sent them emails last night...
I woke up this morning (after actually getting over 4 hours of sleep--YES) with a head that seemed to weigh about 20 lbs. And then my nose started bleeding right after I sneezed. Gag.
I did have an interesting Chrono-related dream though. I'll have to type it up.
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FUCK going to sleep. I waste an hour every fucking day lying there, rolling around, finding a comfortable position, whatever, just waiting to fucking go to sleep. I don't even drink soda anymore, so it's not like caffeine is preventing me. I just waited 50 good minutes of my life that could have been spent working on things or hell, having fun. Wasted; gone. I wish I could just press a button and immediately go to sleep. More than that, I wish I didn't have to sleep.
I'd rather force being up 2 days at a time if it would ensure I could fall asleep in a timely manner. Anything but this.
Edit: Fuck it, I'll stay up and keep working, and deal with being tired after I wake up. Ugh.
Take sleep meds. Nyquil works for me, but I've been strongly recommended to use melatonin too.
I've been having this same problem recently D:. Before that, I would just wake up earlier than what I was used to. Actually, I've been tired every day for about 2 months now.
Sorry you don't feel well, Sajainta. I remember one day, sophomore year, I had food poisoning and spent the entire night puking. I don't remember if I went to class or not. I didn't go to at least one class that day. Sometimes, I would be too into going to class. The day my cat died, I went to class to be distracted from crying all day XD;.
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Step brother: "Hey, can I keep your Wii in my room downstairs?"
Mom: "No, that stays up here."
Step brother: "Hey, can I keep your Wii in my room downstairs?"
Mom: "No, that stays up here."
Step brother: "Hey, can I keep your Wii in my room downstairs?"
Mom: "No, that stays up here."
Mom (on the phone) : "Hey, have you seen my Wii? It's been missing for a while."
Me (on phone) : "I think they've been keeping it downstairs."
Rosie's dog crate is also missing, along with the cabinet that mom kept her stamps in and the limited edition Halo 3 xbox360 rechargable controller I got for Christmas. Apparently we all must make sacrifices, without our knowing or consent, for the comfort and pampering of those people downstairs.
EdIT: Apparently I'm at blame for this too. Step-dad's writing up a "lists of expectations" because he's tired of "all the kids fucking up". Looks like we quite one of our "family discussions" tonight (sit and listen while he rants angrily for hours on end). Gee, what a great way to start the quarter.
</emo>
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Sleep medications are not a good idea. Most of them are habit-forming and can cause real substance abuse problems later in life. Also, users will build up a tolerance to both those and the sleep aids that are not habit-forming, making them an ineffective long-term solution. My solution, Z, for what it is worth--because I too have sleep-onset insomnia--is to go to bed when I'm tired enough to know that I'll fall asleep quickly. When I'm operating on a rigid schedule, that means having many tired days, but this can be mitigated somewhat by going to sleep early on nights following tired days, and sleeping a little longer than usual on the weekends or off-days.
Some alternatives include doing heavy exercise in the course of the day, taking more steps to set apart your bed(room?) as a place purely for sleeping, partaking of sedative rather than stimulative activities when you realize you're ready to go to bed, and seeing your doctor for sound medical advice.
Edit: And to you, Sajainta, get well soon! Feel better.
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So a fire is on some backhills is threatening to burn down both my work and my University...yea thats not what I want right now.
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Sleep medications are not a good idea. Most of them are habit-forming and can cause real substance abuse problems later in life. Also, users will build up a tolerance to both those and the sleep aids that are not habit-forming, making them an ineffective long-term solution. My solution, Z, for what it is worth--because I too have sleep-onset insomnia--is to go to bed when I'm tired enough to know that I'll fall asleep quickly. When I'm operating on a rigid schedule, that means having many tired days, but this can be mitigated somewhat by going to sleep early on nights following tired days, and sleeping a little longer than usual on the weekends or off-days.
Some alternatives include doing heavy exercise in the course of the day, taking more steps to set apart your bed(room?) as a place purely for sleeping, partaking of sedative rather than stimulative activities when you realize you're ready to go to bed, and seeing your doctor for sound medical advice.
Edit: And to you, Sajainta, get well soon! Feel better.
They've never become habit forming for me, never had to take a higher dose, and I've been taking them since HS. The trick is not to use them every night and only when you have serious insomnia. Serious insomnia for me is staying awake for over an hour before sleep. I take sleep meds then.
Your trick works well too. The best way to fight insomnia is to stick to a very strict schedule of sleep EVERY day of the week (even weekends), but I am not interested in doing that, and I also have some other problems which cause insomnia. I could have it worse, I suppose.
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I'm sorry, I have to be an insensitive jerk for a moment.
Does anyone else find it friggenly awesome that Z's so full of Springtime of Youthfullness that he (and his body) doesn't even want to sleep? That's hardcore right there.
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My computer isn't working, and I have neither the time nor the money to deal with it right now. I'm essentially at the whim of it deciding to boot, and if it does, deciding not to lock up once the OS is running.
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Sajainta - Vodka and whiskey are delicious. Hopefully one day you'll grow to love beer, too 8).
L.A. traffic is kicking my ass today. Took me an hour to go ten miles (still had 21 more to go till work) and was mad late for work this morning. Thankfully it all got sorted out without too many firewroks and the morning classes were into it (always makes it worth it). But I have to go BACk about halfway to a different school. Boo boo hoo boo, I know, the shit just gets old.
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Making a left turn in LA traffic makes boys into men and girls into women.
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Left turns without left-turn signals in heavy traffic at the intersection of two six-lane roads in Los Angeles are pieces of cake, weakling. He was talking about the ruthless appeal of L.A.'s coffeehouses and boutiques.
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PDA. Especially when it includes giving each other raspberries and shrieking loudly every two seconds on the couch in the living room. It's a living room. Not a vomitrotious saptastic room. If you want to act like 13 year olds in a brand new relationship, then go do it in your bedroom and out of my eyesight.
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Sheeeeit, I live up in the valley, the closest thing to a coffeeshop or boutique would be a CVS. It just sucks getting stuck in traffic on a freeway or going from freeway to freeway or dealing with tons of lights and traffic on the sidestreets. And pedestrians...they stink when you're not one of them. Left turns are ok, but I've defenitely pulled some sketchy u-turns.
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My frustration is that why do guys have to hit on me just because I'm friendly and not bitchy enough to tell them to go away : (. I went to the gym and it was not a good workout because this Iranian guy hit on me for like half an hour. I might start telling people I'm lesbian... I mean, I am butch enough... I wonder if that will work. I guess I should have been all "I'm gunna go to *X* machine now", but the conversation was interesting.... GAH. :picardno
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Making a left turn in LA traffic makes boys into men and girls into women.
Whereas making left turns in San Francisco traffic makes boys into women and girls into men.
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Making a left turn in LA traffic makes boys into men and girls into women.
Whereas making left turns in San Francisco traffic makes boys into women and girls into men.
*Le Gasp!* (http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Locke-Shocked.gif)
Thought, was that a gay joke?
We're all very disappointed in you! lol.
PS: I missed the equinox. :(
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Sheeeeit, I live up in the valley, the closest thing to a coffeeshop or boutique would be a CVS. It just sucks getting stuck in traffic on a freeway or going from freeway to freeway or dealing with tons of lights and traffic on the sidestreets. And pedestrians...they stink when you're not one of them. Left turns are ok, but I've defenitely pulled some sketchy u-turns.
I generally don't take the freeways between the Valley and the Westside. The canyons are too much fun.
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The "illegal" in illegal immigrant refers to a person's residency status, not to the person themselves. People are not illegal. Can we stop boiling down their whole existence into a crime by calling them "illegals"? I'm talking to you, wingers...
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The "illegal" in illegal immigrant refers to a person's residency status, not to the person themselves. People are not illegal. Can we stop boiling down their whole existence into a crime by calling them "illegals"? I'm talking to you, wingers...
Who? Me? I didn't do it this time, I swear!
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Oh, no, not you. I was reading the news...
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I'm pretty sure that your mother is illegal.
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:cry:
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People are not illegal.
What about clones?
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They would probably vote Democratic.
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Daaaamn, every door-to-door canvasser's worst nightmare just played out.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090924/ap_on_re_us/us_census_worker_hanged
Poor guy. It's bad enough that America's houses are littered with traps nowadays -- canines that look like the Rancor (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7671610@N03/539443835/), people sitting on their porches with Civil-War Era muskets, and even Vietnam War-style pits of death* -- but now people brave enough to put in some footwork are being hunted down viciously.
*Rancor Dog, Civil War Bubba, and Vietnam War spiked-pitfall-on-front-doorstep are true stories from the area I worked in during the Obama Campaign. And that was objectively one of the safer areas to work.
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:shock: What in the hell? That is beyond uncalled-for. Also, there went some of my desire to ever work for a campaign of any kind, unless they have me canvassing strictly over the phone. I don't think anybody has figured out a way to telephonically commit murder, yet.
I'm currently frustrated by sleep schedules, specifically the "schedule" part. I would love to have the ability to spend a glorious 24 hours sleeping, and then be perfectly awake for three days. That sleep doesn't work like that is currently a great inconvenience to myself and many others I imagine. Scientists should get on this problem.
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I do not find this amusing. While I share in some anti-government sentiment, this is beyond the scope of human compassion. The poor man was just trying to do his job, make some money. He's not representative of the heartlessness of the upper echelons.
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Perhaps President Obama should invoke the Insurrection Act and put down these rebels before they can kill any more of our fellow citizens. I wouldn't mind a few columns of armor showing up in that forlorn backwater to debate the finer points of the constitutional role of government in kicking ass.
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Careful J, that might spark an all-out war. (http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20090924/NEWS/309249953) Obama needs to wait until DARPA's secret Terminators and aerial HK units are ready. Oh, wait -- the HK units are ready at least; we've been using them in Afghanistan all this time.
Uboa, I didn't mean to turn you off from campaign volunteerism in the future -- a ton of work is done over the phones, and I'm sure they'd be happy to have you. Still, face-to-face contact is the meat and potatoes of serious campaigning. It's just that people need to become familiar with the potential dangers out there.
If anyone does volunteer for a campaign, and the field organizer asks if you're willing to put in some footwork, you have a right to demand that the field organizer personally accompany you or pair you up with another volunteer if you feel the least bit uncomfortable. There's so much ra-ra-ra'ing in campaign work and not nearly enough safety training. A field organizer should check, for example, the density of sex offenders in a targeted neighborhood before sending in pretty high school teens used to living in gated communities. There should also be training on how to handle aggressive dogs. There are some tough areas out there, and they're not always easily predictable.
I think it all goes back to the lack of neighborliness in American society. Houses are becoming our fortifications nowadays, armed with vicious dogs ready to eat intruders, and they can't distinguish campaigners from street thugs. One of my greatest concerns are literal drug forts disguised as run-down houses. One drug fort was just busted by the police in a neighborhood adjacent to my former campaign jurisdiction; there were tons of automatic weapons stashed in there. Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to approach a house with security cameras in a run-down neighborhood.
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Perhaps President Obama should invoke the Insurrection Act and put down these rebels before they can kill any more of our fellow citizens. I wouldn't mind a few columns of armor showing up in that forlorn backwater to debate the finer points of the constitutional role of government in kicking ass.
That should give the next Republican president all the justification he or she needs to send stormtroopers into Berkeley and other various liberally prone academies. Those places have spawned more domestic terrorism than the backhills of Kaintuck, tyvm.
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I think it all goes back to the lack of neighborliness in American society. Houses are becoming our fortifications nowadays, armed with vicious dogs ready to eat intruders, and they can't distinguish campaigners from street thugs. One of my greatest concerns are literal drug forts disguised as run-down houses. One drug fort was just busted by the police in a neighborhood adjacent to my former campaign jurisdiction; there were tons of automatic weapons stashed in there. Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to approach a house with security cameras in a run-down neighborhood.
I'd think fancy upscale and well kept drug forts would be more of a problem. The appearance of respectability can save a lot of hassle.
Regarding the isolation of the American Populace, don't forget that this also has an environmental, as well as social, impact. Central living with a shared green space would allow for much denser population existence. If nothing else, that would leave more undeveloped space in our country (interestingly, I recently read the proposition that National Parks may be America's greatest invention). But on a more pragmatic level, denser population also means less driving and more effective mass transit -- it might even be possible for more people to get by without car at all!
Of course, I must stress the need for green space. If nothing else, it helps reduce crime levels (maybe; there is less crime in places with a lot of greenery, the why behind it is still being debated).
Though all such issues aside, my wife and I want to someday start our own commune where all our friends could come and live. Dormesq living is the life for us, partially because the American Dream is such a nightmare.
That should give the next Republican president all the justification he or she needs to send stormtroopers into Berkeley and other various liberally prone academies. Those places have spawned more domestic terrorism than the backhills of Kaintuck, tyvm.
I dunno. I've seen the domestic situation in such places and I, at least, was terrified ;)
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I couldn't disagree more, Thought. After driving across the country I saw a lot more "nothing" than population. And in my eyes having everyone living densely together screams high crime rate. The reason why there might be less crime now in area of greenery is because more often than not those end up being higher income areas where crime wouldn't be prevalent regardless if the ground is green or brown or black.
There will never be green space in a dense city. If someone wants green space, they gotta move out of town for it. There's plenty out there for everyone.
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First, “why” areas with green space have less crime is not definitively known, although there is a strong indication that this is in part due to stress relief. Which is more relaxing to you, sitting on a bench looking out across a park or sitting on a bench looking out across a parking lot?
Second, I would argue that higher density only screams higher crime rate to you because of the reason you attribute to green space: poor people tend to be forced into very cramped living spaces; this certainly happens more often than with the middle or upper classes. Rich people live in New York City, yes? Do the areas in which they live have higher crime rates than areas where the rich live spread out? Unfortunately, very few cities produce SimCity-like reports of crime vs income, so I don't know personally, but I’d expect only a minimal increase in crime rates and those resulting entirely from proximity to areas of high crime, not due to density itself.
Third, regarding the possibility of densely packed cities having green space, I have two words for you: Central Park. If that isn’t enough, then perhaps this word and two letters will be: Washington D.C. But to be more verbose, I’m not advocating for arcologies; rather, it is the suburbs that I believe are a detriment to… well, everything good and decent about human life (okay, I may be over-exaggerating).
And fourth, I fear the day when someone could drive across the United States and see more people than "nothing." We have around 3,794,066 sq miles of land and somewhere around 307,465,000 people. That means each individual could get roughly 1/10th of a square mile to themselves. Living space is often determined by square feet, so to put this in perspective, each person could have a lot of land that is nearly three million sq ft. In contrast, a thousand sq ft home is considered to be small but comfortable.
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I used to live in D.C. A lot more to that city than monuments and the Mall and cherry blossoms. Central Park is sweet but is only a small portion of the city. Other than that, most of what ya said rings fairly well with me. And don't forget that the suburbs began as an escape of the city.
It makes sense aobut lower income housing and density etc etc etc and I don't feel like higher income area are devoid of crime. If anything, the monetary value of some crimes in those area is far greater due to the amount of wealth in the area. But the frequency of crime is more of what I was getting at. More people equals more crime in my mind.
I'd rather wake up to a beach than a park 8)
In all seriousness though, there is something to be said for the busy ass intersections. I could sit out on my porch and watch traffic just as easily as I could watch waves break.
And I wouldn't worry about land juuuust yet. Last I checked there was less than half a million living in Wyoming. I don't know what in the hell I would do with that much land. Raise 10,000 chickens maybe?
But like I said, most of what you had is OK by me, I just hate the D.C. goo goo ga ga's......
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Actually, I was thinking about the various roundabouts in DC more than the Mall. While they're a horrible idea for directing traffic, I love that the land in the center becomes a park. To my understanding, those are scattered throughout the city fairly evenly, aren't they?
EDIT: As a side note, it is nearly impossible to find a good aerial photo of DC that doesn't focus primarily or exclusively on the Mall and yet isn't so far out as to make it impossible to ID green spaces.
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Yea I've seen a bunch in my random cursing and confusion 8)
The spaces in those roundabouts generally aren't very large, though.
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I'm not a huge fan of having to walk two miles both ways to get groceries. I know it's good exercise and all but ugh...it's a pain in the ass. :?
Also,
In a friend's status update on Facebook, someone commented and spelled "Führer" as "furor".
...
SERIOUSLY WHY.
:picardno
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We have a pothead in the house. Unfortunately, he's licensed. He smokes every single fucking day and the smell is so bad that I can't even breathe in the living room. Luckily, my poorly-ventilated bedroom, with shut window and blocked heater vent, is safe (hardly).
Weed has to be one of the most disgusting and retarded things ever discovered. And of course, he has to light up right when I'm trying to do homework.
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I was in a car accident a couple hours ago. Driving the hotel (yes I work in a hotel) shuttle van from the airport to the hotel, a tiny car pulled right through a stop sign without stopping on my right. I slammed on the brakes and tried to turn to miss her but I couldn't even slow it down.
Everybody was ok, my neck is just a little tight. What a day!
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Damn.
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ouch. you sure youre okay?
ugh god this is the worst. while dealing with a big box of heavy crap today at work, i pulled something in my back. so now it hurts a lot. good news is that mia gave me a back massage.
:oops:
i love her so much.
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It was like this. Except automotive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RARdl9qqJk
And yes, I'm fine (no missing limbs!), but the vehicles are not. I really shouldn't speak so soon, as the worst neck and back injuries are prone to showing up the next day. But if I can refrain from cracking my neck I'm sure I'll be ok.
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There will never be green space in a dense city. If someone wants green space, they gotta move out of town for it. There's plenty out there for everyone.
You gotta get yourself up to the Pacific Northwest sometime. I think it's only partly a physical space availability issue. There's also the issue of regional density and cultural values.
Discovery Park:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Discovery+Park,+Seattle,+WA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.564064,79.013672&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=14
Seward Park:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Seward+Park,+Seattle,+WA&sll=47.66441,-122.4212&sspn=0.026185,0.077162&ie=UTF8&ll=47.555851,-122.248263&spn=0.01312,0.038581&t=h&z=15
The Arboretum, along with Interlaken and Boren Parks:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Arboretum,&sll=47.634743,-122.292252&sspn=0.012377,0.038581&ie=UTF8&radius=0.9&rq=1&ev=zo&ll=47.634887,-122.296629&spn=0.012377,0.038581&t=h&z=15
All of these are in the city proper. These are some of the biggest spaces; there are hundreds of smaller ones, both public and private. Additionally, within the Seattle Metropolitan Area we have things like this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issaquah_Alps
Our official city nickname is The Emerald City!
We have a pothead in the house. Unfortunately, he's licensed. He smokes every single fucking day and the smell is so bad that I can't even breathe in the living room. Luckily, my poorly-ventilated bedroom, with shut window and blocked heater vent, is safe (hardly).
Weed has to be one of the most disgusting and retarded things ever discovered. And of course, he has to light up right when I'm trying to do homework.
Ugh, I am with you on that. What turns me off about marijuana is that it smells disgusting, takes away your self-control, and has this culture of hypocritical dedication and admiration surrounding it that borders on religious zeal. ("Hypocritical" because many of the people who use it can be very judgmental in other areas, but bristle at the slightest criticism of their addiction or hobby or whatever.) The worst part is the smell when someone else in the building decides to partake, and I've got my windows open to alleviate the warm weather. It's on the short list of things in this world that I'm willing to pass judgment on without having participated in firsthand. I'm proud to say that, other than alcohol, I've never used a recreational drug of any kind, except for secondhand smoke exposure at a few company parties. (And as for alcohol, I'm proud to say that I've never been drunk, although I once got pretty close by getting way more than I bargained for from a jello shot on an empty stomach at an Irish pub on Saint Patrick's Day.) The only good thing I can say about weed is that Carl Sagan used it.
I don't know what it is about me that inspires the thought, but many people tend to assume that I'm a fan of that stuff. I am definitely not. I used to be in favor of the present prohibition on light drugs, and have only recently shifted to a neutral stance--solely because of the socioeconomic problems caused by the illegality of this widely used substance. The drug war didn't work, so I am reluctantly forced to conclude that legal regulation is the best way ahead.
Anyhow, I am totally with you on this. It's hard to find people who share my viewpoint who do so for my reasons rather than out of religious prudery or conservative hypocrisy. ("Hypocrisy" because they light up as much as anyone else.)
I was in a car accident a couple hours ago. Driving the hotel (yes I work in a hotel) shuttle van from the airport to the hotel, a tiny car pulled right through a stop sign without stopping on my right. I slammed on the brakes and tried to turn to miss her but I couldn't even slow it down.
Everybody was ok, my neck is just a little tight. What a day!
Very lame. At least you all lived through it, but, because of that, I'm afraid the worst is yet to come, in the form of insurance actions, potential lawsuits, and your own job security. Very lame indeed.
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After searching VGMdb.net, I've determined that the Albums & Doujins page is missing...
40 entries.
Updating the Compendium just got harder, but the Chrono Series Music Archive will be significantly more complete because of this. Now, to get searching...
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My apartment complex officially changed owners and management yesterday. Our first notice that this was going to happen was also yesterday.
On the plus side, at least the old management company, which had a habit of this sort of behavior (not giving people sufficient notice of changes), won’t be able to do this to us again. On the minus side, this new company has an F rating with the BBB.
The drug war didn't work, so I am reluctantly forced to conclude that legal regulation is the best way ahead.
Question: since the "war" on sex-crimes has failed in a very similar way to the war on drugs, should sex-crimes likewise be made legal and regulated?
Now, that question contains at least two logical fallacies; however, the point is that just because we've consistently failed to properly control certain illegal behavior does not mean that the legal-status of that behavior is wrong. For me, at least, there needs to be a better reason to legalize illicit drugs other than "well, making them illegal didn't work out so well."
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For me, at least, there needs to be a better reason to legalize illicit drugs other than "well, making them illegal didn't work out so well."
Honestly, Thought, I agree with you. But by taking a neutral stance, I can let other people figure it all out. I won't try and stop anyone from articulating and advancing a position.
Edit:
Question: since the "war" on sex-crimes has failed in a very similar way to the war on drugs...
I don't agree with you on this, though. We've made considerable gains in bringing sex crimes out into the public eye and even reducing their incidence in some cases.
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After searching VGMdb.net, I've determined that the Albums & Doujins page is missing...
40 entries.
Updating the Compendium just got harder, but the Chrono Series Music Archive will be significantly more complete because of this. Now, to get searching...
Egad, Z. I do not envy you. I just read your post in the Compendium Discussion forum. I've had a hard enough time keeping personal projects going for months at a time, but all of my personal projects have also been finite in the sense that they are could effectively be completed. After five years and no end date in sight I'd definitely go through periods of crazy frustration.
My personal frustration: I'm currently frustrated at the fact that the fact that the people who were supposed to have installed a dryer vent in my house have not done so yet, because the dryer tube is currently just running into a hole in the floor that leads under the house. Guess what comes in from under the house. Mice! I just caught mouse number 3 today in the humane trap, and released her, but I had to clean out quite a bit of stuff she left behind in the trap. I've also had to clean up way too many mouse "remnants" from my kitchen. I've been careful, but I'm more than a little concerned about the possibility of contracting some kind of hantavirus from all of this, especially since the mice have been hanging around in the kitchen regularly. Not-so-fun fact: 30% of hantavirus cases on record have been fatal. I found out that lovely statistic today.
I'm bringing this before the "board" Monday and pretty much demanding that they install a vent immediately. I also don't think I'll be using the humane trap anymore. This has turned into too much of a "me or them" situation.
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The problem with doujin is that there are so many of them and they have such limited print runs that it's easy to overlook one...or a dozen...or a hundred, for that matter.
@Uboa: In my experience, the best mousetraps have fur and four legs and make a meowing sound. And they're even self-cleaning. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
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I'm an idiot and ate a tonne of M&Ms a few hours ago. So, naturally, I'm hyped up on sugar and can't sleep. And it's my own damn fault, heh. Ah well.
Zephira--that sucks. : / People are so inconsiderate. Ugh.
Mr Bekkler--WOW. I'm sorry. >_< I'm so glad you're okay!
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Damn. I got myself so worked up and passionate that I can't go to sleep, even though I need to be up in a few hours. It takes a lot not to simply stay up and keep working, but I know staying up all night is hardly ever worth it.
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I despise when a teacher prepares a test and the study material for said test, and then in the end, said test has different information upon it that said study material, thus one fails that very test.
And then becomes unprivileged due to family members who do not accept or tolerate grades such as, even if it is possible to bounce back and make an easy comeback from it.
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The term "such as". Ever since that South Carolina chick's horrible speech, I can't stand when people use it, mostly because it's so frequently used incorrectly.
No offense, TK, but others around here have done it too.
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None taken. I hate it as well. I've actually considered stopping the use of that phrase, and replacing it with something better.
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There; all those doujins have been added to the encyclopedia. Jeez...
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I despise when a teacher prepares a test and the study material for said test, and then in the end, said test has different information upon it that said study material, thus one fails that very test.
And then becomes unprivileged due to family members who do not accept or tolerate grades such as, even if it is possible to bounce back and make an easy comeback from it.
Don't take this too personally: A general frustration of mine is when an education system coaches students to memorize the form of an upcoming exam, rather than teaching them enough about the principles and highlights of the subject at hand so that the students could plausibly complete an examination regardless of its form.
The term "such as".
I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to avoid doing so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have English teachers, and, uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and, uh, the Iraq everywhere like, such as and I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., er, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children.
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I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to avoid doing so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have English teachers, and, uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and, uh, the Iraq everywhere like, such as and I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., er, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children.
I am frustrated that I know what this is referring to, and I wish I didn't. I can hear her talking in my head, get it out!
Seriously, if you're going to be a public speaker, don't try to sound smart. Actually plan what you're going to say, make sure you know what everything you're saying means, and drop the valley girl accent.
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that leads me to my next frustration.
valleygirl accent.
see my sister megan brought her friend amanda over today to play some games. except amanda isnt amanda, she's 'starr'. 'starr' seems to have brown hair that she bleached blonde (i could see the roots lol) with red streaks in her bangs. she was wearing one of those weird hot topic skirt things that look like they should be undergarments and a corset top, each with bright red trim to match her hair.
now i have no problem with this look.
none whatsoever.
my only qualm was that she had that valleygirl accent.
we're in connecticut.
not california.
you should talk like a connecticutian.
not a californian.
i also have a headache.
im gonna go nap.
bye.
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that leads me to my next frustration.
valleygirl accent.
see my sister megan brought her friend amanda over today to play some games. except amanda isnt amanda, she's 'starr'. 'starr' seems to have brown hair that she bleached blonde (i could see the roots lol) with red streaks in her bangs. she was wearing one of those weird hot topic skirt things that look like they should be undergarments and a corset top, each with bright red trim to match her hair.
now i have no problem with this look.
none whatsoever.
my only qualm was that she had that valleygirl accent.
we're in connecticut.
not california.
you should talk like a connecticutian.
not a californian.
i also have a headache.
im gonna go nap.
bye.
I see nothing wrong with that discription save the bleached hair, I love natural hair colour it's a thing about me...
Between my moveing it to a new place, trip to PAX, Registration and loans, and misc. other charges I forgot about money for my texts books, son of whore!
Plus my laptop is dead so I am trying to get my MAME Cabinet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAME) internet worthy temporarily.
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I dunno, the whole quarreling over accents sounds suspiciously similar to the "Speak American! It's the only language I understand!" debate on immigration. Maybe that's just me being paranoid though. Huh.
*eats pie*
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You'd better hope that pie is apple, son, 'cause if I open it up and find so much as a single escargot inside, you're going to Gitmo.
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now see i dont have a problem with accents either or other languages. i can understand if the girl moved from california and talked like that. i dont care if immigrants come to america and learn english here but speak their native tongue. i start getting upset when they start speaking their language more than english, especially in public places like schools.
as for accents, the thing is that 'starr' has lived in connecticut her entire life, as have her parents. they dont talk like that.
faked accents and accents totally out of place drive me insane.
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fake accents are annoying as shit. i remember when i was in middle school and my little sister was still in elementary, and we'd moved to a more rural part of the city we all live in. we'd been there maybe a year, and she tried to convince me, lying through her teeth, that she'd "picked up" a "suthun ack-see-ent. that lasted all of an hour.
the solution? call her out on it. just a simple "why do you do that?" can be very effective. most people don't think about the "why".
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I've learned since moving up here that North Carolinians talk weird compared to those of us in Southern SC.
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A friend begged me to watch this:
(http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/what%20the%20bleep%20do%20we%20know.jpg)
I'm several minutes in, and it seems mostly bullshit, spun by unromantic people who can't believe that this world; that humanity and the universe are beautiful unless it's part of some goddamn creation myth or idiotic spiritualist purpose. I think it's rather poor form for a person who is a default rational thinker to embrace spirituality out of some sense of "emptiness" or need for purpose. We create our own purpose. Making up bullshit to feel better about the world is called delusion. And religion is delusion, hidden in the illusion of authority from being centuries old. Yeah, well, "the earth is flat", the medieval humors system of medicine, and other misconceptions were all centuries old, too, and they were complete bullshit. Religion, you're next.
I hope this movie gets better, or it'll feel like a waste of two hours.
Science has told us that we're some sort of genetic mistake.
A FUCKING BADASS GENETIC MISTAKE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH
This reminds me of creationists talking about intelligent design while ignoring the fact that the majority of animals born have genetic defects, many of them life-threatening or debilitating. What, was God asleep at the wheel when it came down to make DNA robust? Did he add mentally-disabling gene mutations and physical frailties to humanity in order to spice things up?
Fuck this woman. I'm a badass "mistake"; I'm a sentient. And I don't need to explain my existence with fantasy to live a meaningful life.
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Admittedly, I've also watched that conversation piece. My advice: Don't hold your breath. I can't even recall the point it tries to get across, but I remember it being vaguely similar to "The Secret".
Also, the notion that natural selection makes mistakes is amusing, in a dismal way.
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My friend is expecting a response on it, so I'd better go ahead and keep track of my responses.
@00:08:00
Science has told us that we're some sort of genetic mistake.
A mistake implies fault, or something that failed to meet a certain standard; this is loaded framing. Humans evolved naturally, yes, but essentially this is neither a good thing or a mistake.
This separateness is the cause of everything wrong with the world.
This is flawed reasoning. The world suffered murder, rape, usury, war, and other horrible conditions for most of human history, and these all predated the Enlightenment and modern science, accused as the progenitor of this spiritual "separatism". Atrocities, some unique to religion, occurred during periods of theocracy in many countries and periods of human history, such as Europe under the Papacy. This is scapegoating science for humanity's frailties.
@00:08:31
(Paraphrased) We need a new spirituality, because the old mythologies, as well as the old scientific way of doing things, are dead.
Humanism has you beat by decades, buddy, and it's not a spirituality. Also, why are you talking about quantum physics while sitting inside what appears to be a religious library?
@00:08:42
We have to go beyond our senses to create a new paradigm.
We shouldn't be "creating" anything. We are rational thinkers and scientists. We study the world.
We know nothing about reality. All of what we know about reality out there is filtered through our sense organs.
Yes, and sense organs are designed to help an organism perceive reality in order to survive.
(http://www.appletreeblog.com/wp-content/2008/12/captain-obvious.jpg)
@00:11:00
(A doctor appears to talk about eyes. The computer in his office has Siddharta Buddha as a screensaver.)
In other words, your credibility as an educator of science just went down a few notches.
@00:14:45
(Paraphrased) Sight works by processing tons of information, which the brain accepts as real and allows the organism to act upon. But what constitutes reality?
So far, this has just been a vague endorsement of solipsism, with a hint of "do you know what you're seeing? Science can't explain that, so, SPIRITUALITY!!! :D"
Also,
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/idiot.jpg)
@00:17:15
(Paraphrased) Classical physics suggest determinism and no free will. Quantum physics open up the possibility of some degree of free will.
I can agree with this, although I'm not surprised that the speaker here is the most credible looking person interviewed yet.
@00:17:55
(Paraphrased) Subatomic physics are an utter fantasy of mad scientists trying to explain micro-phenomena. We need a new discipline of quantum physics to really understand.
This person is terrible at the scientific method and recognizing that the scientific corpus changes in response to new evidence. He's not doing a good service to science by painting it this way. It's almost able to hear him say without saying, "we need quantum theory because it allows for my spiritualist ideas!!"
@00:21:10
(Paraphrased) Because of quantum mechanics, all things are connected.
I'm afraid all things were "connected" before quantum mechanics, since earth is not a closed system. The interviewee didn't offer any real applications for this interconnectivity he's selling, but I'm almost willing to bet it's used to some spiritualist end down the road. He didn't link the innterconnectivity to any hard quantum mechanics concepts or phenomena, but someone before talked about entanglement, so perhaps we'll get a little dishonest science going that way.
@:00:25:11
(Paraphrased) The vacuum in a hydrogen atom has so much energy that creating the Big Bang is no problem.
No idea where he's going with this, and I'm not prepared to fact-check his science right now. It sounded like they were about to go into dark matter, but then this guy popped in with his hydrogen bomb.
Okay, the woman afterwards confirms that what they're talking about is dark matter, except they aren't calling it by that name. This movie came out in 2004, and I thought dark matter and dark energy had been established by then...?
@00:26:23
(Paraphrased) The more scientists study physics, the most abstract it gets. The universe is connected by a unified field of pure, abstract consciousness.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived to pseudoscience and spirituality. "Pure abstract consciousness"? What does that even mean?
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/jackburton.jpg)
He just stole a little piece of string theory, too. Cute!
@00:27:15
Objects never actually touch each other.
Someone fact-check this.
@00:31:12
(Paraphrased) A brain experiment demonstrated that physical stimulus instantly was recognized by the brain, but direct stimulation of the brain produced stimulus with a small delay. That, coupled with T-symmetry, means quantum mechanics can influence the past or travel back in time.
There are studies showing that when people begin to move their hand, their brains are already aware of it even if they are'nt consciously aware of what they're tryiing to do.
The former point is obviously psueodoscience, but he asserts that the scientist who conducted that brain experiment believed it was time travel, so a fact-check would be nice to get the real story. The latter point is ridiculously weak support for this pseudoscientific idea, discounting the role of the subconscious and involuntary movements. I have done things before I was aware of them in fast, heated games of racquetball. This happens all the time, even when you try to avoid stumbling over a roadblock that you were only peripherally aware of.
@00:32:33
Quantum physics says we're all just waves of information. Is that how it is? I hope so!
I'm starting to see their angle. If everything exists on the quantum level, then it's all "abstract" and controllable from consciousness. Wishful thinking, just like religion and spirituality.
@00:33:00
(Double slit experiment)
Here comes the fish hook.
@00:39:11
(Paraphrased) Scientists disagree on quantum phenomena because they're observing it from different angles of perception, leading to different results.
I know where this is going. It's similar to "scientists disagree on global warming" and other canards built around the idea that scientists are normally supposed to agree on everything and have all the answers. But they don't in this case, which means this Zsa Zsa Gabor-like spiritualist lady does have all the answers! (Not to mention what she said is kind of a lie...)
@00:40:10
(Paraphrased) There's no way we'll ever describe in mathematical terms the act of observing and "collapsing the waveform".
I can't speak with authority on quantum mechanics, but this sounds like defeatist gap-thinking.
@00:45:07
(Paraphrased) (Discussion of entanglement) Since everything was entangled at the Big Bang, everything is still entangled and connected.
Oh-hoh. That's going a little far, pun allowed.
@00:55:00
(Paraphrasing the last few minutes) Because intention produced noise in random number generators, voila, thought can control the cirucmstances of your life.
Wishful thinking. They're about to start talking about that Japanese guy who claimed intentions produced variations in ice crystals. Total bullshit. This hurts to watch.
@00:58:40
(Armin Shimmerman appears as part of the scene to reinforce the water thought thing)
A new nadir for DS9: one of its former actors supporting pseudoscience. Quark, you son of a bitch.
~
I can't go on. This is so depressing, because it's tailored to people desperate for spirituality or religion. It's a new kind of religion wrapped in pseudoscience in order to make it seem less bullshit than the old religions, which are too riddled with antiquities and contradictions.
Fuck this. The truth is my master. Truth is beauty, and beauty truth. That is all ye know on this earth, and all ye need to know.
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Objects never actually touch each other.
If they're referring to mundane objects like pencils, tables, and the like, this is correct. I'm not so sure about, say, quarks, or particles in an atomic nucleus.
I'd like to fact check that brain experiment, but I need more specifics on it to use the google. (Names of scientists involved, or something.)
Edit WRT particles touching: Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia's article on neutron stars:
A neutron star is a type of remnant that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star during a Type II, Type Ib or Type Ic supernova event. Such stars are composed almost entirely of neutrons, which are subatomic particles without electrical charge and roughly the same mass as protons. Neutron stars are very hot and are supported against further collapse because of the Pauli exclusion principle. This principle states that no two neutrons (or any other fermionic particle) can occupy the same place and quantum state simultaneously.
According to this, particles can "occupy the same space" so long as they do have the same quantum state. But, everything I've perused so far has neglected to mention particles "touching", or even define what it would mean for particles to "touch". I'm guessing occupying the same space is essentially touching, but I'm not sure.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1216451/Being-happy-stops-losing-weight.html
That kind of attitude pisses me off. The few fat people out there who haven't been beaten down by society need to be made to feel bad about themselves? For their own good?
I don't think so.
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Wow, that is totally messed up.
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The Daily Mail's a right-wing rag not fit for toilet paper.
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Interestingly enough, I've found that fat-bashing (and fat acceptance) are almost totally indifferent to conventional ideological divides. There's a lot to be learned from studying subjects where the points of contention are so transparent to the political spectrum.
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A friend begged me to watch this...
Yeah. That's bullshit riding the name of QM to try and gain credibility. I wouldn't even bother finishing it.
Objects never actually touch each other.
Bear in mind that objects are abstracts for collections of matter, and matter is abstract for energy, so in a physical context we have to define 'touching' with regard to energies (urgh, crap like this film make me uncomfortable even using that word). The only physically meaningful definition for 'touching' between energies is 'interaction' between them in some way. Obviously energies interact; obviously things touch. Touching as we usually mean doesn't exist per se.
(Paraphrased) There's no way we'll ever describe in mathematical terms the act of observing and "collapsing the waveform".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_function_collapse
Interestingly enough, I've found that fat-bashing (and fat acceptance) are almost totally indifferent to conventional ideological divides. There's a lot to be learned from studying subjects where the points of contention are so transparent to the political spectrum.
Yes. I didn't mean that the article was bigoted because it was from a right-wing source. I meant that one shouldn't be caught dead reading the Mail.
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J gets caught alive reading it as its a daily amusement for him to look down upon the right-wing.
Or maybe its to outrage himself. I dunno why he'd do that, but he seems like the kind of person that would logify it.
*Writes down new word: Logify-To make logical sense out of something*
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I was reading that particular article because another news site linked to it. I don't read things for the purpose of upsetting myself. Indeed, once I realized that I had learned everything there was to learn about the political thinking of the right, I stopped reading their sites (like Fox News and Drudge). 'Twas a good riddance.
There's plenty to be in a tiff over without actively seeking out more.
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*Writes down new word: Logify-To make logical sense out of something*
Meh, that sounds more like you are turning something into a log. 'G' is a problematic consonant as it can easily take a hard or soft sound with no well known rules for determining which. 'Logicify' would be more obvious and useful, but it sounds horrible. Perhaps 'sensify' instead?
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While there are plenty of exceptions, a single G in the middle of a word will usually take a soft G sound, whereas a double G in the middle of a word will almost always take a hard G.
The biggest exception comes in the form of prefix-root words or compound words that can be easily identified as such, such as "forget," "unglued," and "overgrown."
Other exceptions, such as "regular" and "ugly" have more obscure etymological roots, but, at the very least, are less intimidating due to their status as a small minority.
The obvious alternative, I suppose, would be to do away with soft G and convert those letters into J. "Ingest" would thus become "injest," not to be mistaken with "in jest."
I'm afraid I can't muster much sympathy. As a master of the language, I appreciate its irregularity and strangeness far too much to settle for bulk simplification measures. If you try and implement them, we'll have to duel. And, unlike the movies, I get to pick the location, the weapon, and the number of seconds by which I get to go first.
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If you're really interested in "What the #$*! Do We Know!?" and all that it gets wrong with quantum physics, then you've got to check this link out:
http://www.intuitor.com/moviephysics/bleep.html (http://www.intuitor.com/moviephysics/bleep.html)
I got a laugh out of watching the movie. If anyone else did, I totally agree.
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Ah, Josh, in this case though, the G isn't in the middle of a word, it is at the end of a root to which a suffix has been attached, much along the lines you noted (but with a suffix instead of a prefix). Course, usually we'll add another G so that people don't start mispronouncing the vowels, but then, "logic" already ignores that "rule."
Technically, I suppose 'logiify' would work, so that logi- becomes the base to which -ify is added. But then, English generally contracts double-i's down to something else (sometimes a single i, sometimes an e, and sometimes a y), so that would be an odd duck out still.
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Logyfy then. Logyfitry shall be the name of the science it goes with. the science of logyfying stuff.
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Are you sure that wouldn't be logimetrics, logology, or logiography?
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Or how about logicificate?
Come on. It's just a word. Let it go.
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i posted this in the springtime of youth, but ill post it here too.
my dog got hit by a car today.
shes currently at the vet. theyre doing what they can to make her comfortable, and theyll call if shell be able to make it through comfortably. dad said that if shes suffering he told them to just put her down. if she doesnt make it...
ill keepy ou guys posted.
i feel like i got hit by a car instead.
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i posted this in the springtime of youth, but ill post it here too.
my dog got hit by a car today.
shes currently at the vet. theyre doing what they can to make her comfortable, and theyll call if shell be able to make it through comfortably. dad said that if shes suffering he told them to just put her down. if she doesnt make it...
ill keepy ou guys posted.
i feel like i got hit by a car instead.
This can be one of the most difficult things to deal with in life. Remember that animals are capable of love and memory, more than many of us give them credit for. So no matter what happens, your dog in all probability knows she was loved.
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My eldest dog died today. She was old...well over fifteen. Perhaps over seventeen! And I was at school while it happened. I noticed something up this morning, and I did not wish to go to school...but I had to. And, alas, she went into congestive heart failure, built up too much fluid within her lungs, and needed to be...
Put down.
My anger at myself is unrelenting, however, I must know that there was nothing I really could have done. My anger is for not being there.
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Zombie and TK, my deepest sympathies. Dogs are so wonderfully complex and affecting, and it's hard to bear the worst happening to such creatures. Like Z said, they do know that they're loved, and they have a strong rapport with their family. So, even when it is impossible to be with them the good in your connection is not lost to them.
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im terribly sorry to hear about your dog, tk. and now... i know how it feels.
chrisie was going to live, but she was going to live a miserable life compared to what she could have had. one of her legs had shattered and she wouldnt be able to walk again. we all went down to the vet and they put her to sleep. i know that i cried. my sister cried too. my brother had to leave the room he was so upset.
i think that this was the best way... i certainly would rather be dead than live my life totally crippled. and she was just a little one too... barely a year old. but we always made sure that she knew she was loved. every day when i came home from work i was greeted with a flying mass of lassy-dog and ten thousand licks. shed play around when we were happy, and shed curl up with me when i was sad. and most nights i found her sitting patiently at the end of my bed or hiding somewhere in my fort.
i wish i could have had more time with her... maybe if i didnt trade walking chores for cleaning the kitchen this wouldnt have happened. but what can i do right now? as the lsogan on the site that greeted me today said, 'it is literally impossible to go back in time.' what has happened, happened. i should grieve, then move on and keep her in my heart.
for now its too soon to get another canine companion. we would all feel like she was being replaced. chrisie wasnt like the fish we had before, where when they died you can just scoop them out and flush 'em and get some new ones. chrisie was a part of our lives, and she will be dearly missed.
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I'm so sorry, Bucky. Poor Chrisie, rest peacefully.
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I'm sorry TK and Zombie. :( I am positive that you were both wonderful companions to them and that your dogs knew that they were dearly loved.
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we had her cremated. they put her in a nice jar and dad told me to keep it, because i was her favorite. the jar was very pretty and had her name on it. they had glued her tags to the front under her name. i cant decide if i want to let her ashes fly free into the wind or keep her right next to me.
i think shell stay right here.
and this is one jar that i wont let break.
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Sometimes, if I don't get enough sleep, hours later my sleep will be a completion of the last cycle instead of the beginning of a new one.
So I just finished Monday's sleep cycle by getting 3 and a half hours of REM sleep, and now I'm rather awake. Damn.
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The pink in my hair is fading, and my natural roots are growing in, so my hair looks crazy-strange.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/bittersunday/Regular%20pictures/0930092347.jpg)
IT'S MAKING MY FACE LOOK STRANGE TOO. :x
Also, it's rude to play tonsil-hockey in the living room when other people are in the dorm. Go to your bedroom, dammit.
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YOUR LEFT CHEEK IS CONTRACTING! SEEK HELP! :shock:
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Careful in your diagnosis, doctor. Perhaps it is her right cheek that is growing!
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I dreamed Yuji Horii came over to some apartment (I guess it was mine) and offered to help translate Chrono materials. He was a real jerk, though, demanding I bring up the stuff to be translated faster and faster and impatiently chainsmoking in the meantime. He ultimately translated the word "Kurono" for me, then left and stole a puppy I was taking care of. The puppy ran away from him and jumped in an RV, then drove it into a nearby lake, where he was rescued by a migrant worker.
It seems plot holes are unavoidable where Horii's concerned...
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University bureaucracies.
It is easier to reason with strict 7-day creationists than these people.
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University bureaucracies.It is easier to reason with strict 7-day creationists than these people.
Must be an individual thing--individual universities, that is. I have never had anything but a helpful experience with the UW's bureaucracy. I did love to make fun of them, however, for the fact that Schmitz Hall, the former bureaucratic nerve center of the University, is shaped, literally, like an upside-down step pyramid.
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It is easier to reason with strict 7-day creationists than these people.
Wouldn't the strict ones be 6-day creationists?
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Oddly enough, no.
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Sorry to all who recently lost pets. That sucks. Remember the good times you shared with them, may they rest well.
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My computer lies to me. It says I have an hour and a half left of batter life. LIES. It's out after 20 minutes.
And insomnia sucks.
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I think I did something to my back. I've got this stupid paint right under my right shoulder blade. Could be from using the laptop too much, my textbooks, or sleeping on couches at school, but it really hurts to move. Times like this I wish I had robotic arms.
Also, it's morning. I need to eat but I want to. Food is never really very appetizing in the morning and it's never as filling.
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Fuck Schala. Fucking weak character who's inexplicably popular.
No, wait, it's not inexplicably. She's the Japanese archetype of a dainty pure princess dominated by the circumstances surrounding her.
HAHAHAHAHHAAH
FUCK
THAT
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I was never sure why she was so popular either. Frog FTW.
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Yeah, the DS version just made it worse.
"I'm so emo that I'm going to let myself fuse with Lavos and destroy all of space-time."
Her wrists cut themselves.
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I suppose, if nothing else, that Chrono Cross gave a purpose for it all and gave her some character development.
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I do agree, Schala never was impressive to me. Infact I never thought of her any more then I thought of King Guardia XXI. Robo all the way!
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Schala's got the hair, and she's got the name. Popularity was guaranteed.
I was going to suggest that Schala was poorly written, but stopped myself mid-type. Sometimes it's a character's flaws that make them stand out the most. It's Schala's personal tragedy and human failures that give her story oomph; I'm not sure there's a single Schala fan who actually looks up to her, or wants to be like her.
Now that I think of it, Kato probably designed Schala as a thematic foil to Crono & co. Also, with the turn in popular opinion regarding Magus' mission (I think the majority view is that he was out for pure revenge and didn't care to save Schala in the least during most of CT), Schala amplifies the pure horror of Magus' mission. Her weakness probably sickens him to the point that Magus' mind dehumanizes her, allowing him to use her as a simple stepping stone to further his goal.
The ending of Chrono Trigger suggests, and the CT:DS bonus ending solidifies, the fact that Magus had a change in heart somewhere along the way; probably when he reflected on Death Peak after Crono's friends save him, and he still had a total lack of motivation to rescue Schala in the same way until it was too late.
Masato Kato might be one of the great literary geniuses of our time.
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There's still the shot of Magus flying through some snowy mountains during the Epoch ending of CT. If he had no motivation to search for her, then what was he doing?
Frustration: this computer still has no sound, so I can't finish Chrono Cross, and I'm too lazy to go to dad's house to get the disc.
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There's still the shot of Magus flying through some snowy mountains during the Epoch ending of CT. If he had no motivation to search for her, then what was he doing?
That's the original, before CT:DS proof that Magus had a change in heart. His change in heart probably occurred during this scene. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--_9zytZ5ls) I've reached the conclusion that before that moment, Magus was a one-track-minded, cold-hearted, SOB who cared only about defeating Lavos. And that's part of why we're all fascinated by him, after all.
It's possible Magus could have had the change in heart even if he wasn't in-party for that scene, but I wonder if Magus' extra reaction suggests that Magus' presence at Crono's resurrection is canonical.
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I think the change of heart you're talking about begins in this scene, Faust. Note the look of consideration before he's sent off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeKkuyjILls#t=08m02s
(I couldn't find a version without commentary. At least this guy's commentary is humorous.)
Edit: It doesn't work?!
I'll try to figure out what is going on...
2nd edit: Apparently it works sometimes. So, if it doesn't work try clicking again!
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(I couldn't find a version without commentary. At least this guy's commentary is humorous.)
...
I now have to watch all of those videos. Dammit Uboa! :)
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I hate his pronunciations. Craw no, Skaw la, Meh gas.
*Shakes fist and stares at the sun*
BAILEEEEEEEEEEEEY!
Edit: Masamunay, I-la and Marley also? Man.
I know people disagree a lot about pronunciations, but this guy pronounces everything but Robo and Frog the way I don't. It's fine if it's you in your house by yourself saying the names wrong.
But you don't make videos where you say them over and over and over.
(For the record, I know there's a thread about this, but whatever. It annoys me NOW.
Crow no. Shah lah. Mah gus. Ay (Rhymes with Hey) la, Marl (Like Albemarle), Masamoon. <-My preferred pronunciation. Not like you care, but anything else bugs me. Fucking nostalgia is distracting and unproductive. :lol:
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(I couldn't find a version without commentary. At least this guy's commentary is humorous.)
...
I now have to watch all of those videos. Dammit Uboa! :)
Yeah, they're pretty good! I like the movie clips he inserts periodically.
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He does it just to piss you off Bekkler. :P
But wait, isn't Meh-gas the proper way to pronounce it? Or would May-gas be the right way?
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May-g(Schwa)s, I believe.
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I hate his pronunciations. Craw no, Skaw la, Meh gas.
*Shakes fist and stares at the sun*
BAILEEEEEEEEEEEEY!
Yeaaaah that was annoying me too.
Personally, I've always said May-gis (hard "g").
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The one Uboa posted, at 6:25, is HILARIOUS.
"Yeah, get em, Lavos! Get him! Get him! He turned ...Glenn into a frooog."
You have to hear it. Text version is not funny.
Mage-iss is ok, at least it makes sense with the way it's spelled. But not Meg Ass. There is no E in the name, Bailey! Keep the E out! Also there is no I in Ayla! She is not a pirate, she is a cave person. They are equal levels of cool but have separate stereotypical quips!
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She is not a pirate, she is a cave person.
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLA!
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)
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I guess my pronunciation would be MaI'g(schwa)s in IPA. Only reason I know that is linguistics.
Hell, this is the frustration thread, why not say it: IPA is effing difficult to type on a computer, and barely anyone understands it anyway.
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Hahaha
I meant more like AyAy captain!
But Arrrrrrrrla is much more comical. :lol:
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At last the definitive answer to the question of how to pronounce "Magus".
http://www.answers.com/topic/magi
(Click the megaphone!)
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Mah-Yee-Gus is what it sounds like
But the syllables have no space between them.
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I'm annoyed that I'm banished to areas outside of my dorm once my roommate goes to bed because my suitemates are constantly in the living room screeching with their boyfriends or watching TV. >_<
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There needs to be a good Magus-themed rage picture, just for these^ sorts of occasions.
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(http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs40/f/2009/010/f/2/Chrono_Trigger_sketch_cards_2_by_cpwilsoniii.jpg)
Angry enough for ya? Although that does look more old than angry... "URGH I'M OLD AND INCONTINENT AND HAVEN'T KILLED LAVOS YET. I HATE EVERYTHING."
Frustration: it's 6 AM. Morning classes suck, and so do the people downstairs for romping around the kitchen at all hours of the night/morning.
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I've spent all day working on Chrono Trigger DS content. I'm down to wrapping up the Lost Sanctum & Arena of the Ages entries, then finishing Characters and lastly Chronology. And then comes poring over that entire massive forum for analysis and trying to figure out where the hell "Dream's Epilogue" fits in the canon.
I was about to go to sleep, but I remembered my novel idea. It's a particular one out of three, and it's been sitting un-actualized in my brain since 2005. It's still tenable. I'd still love to write it. But I haven't put anything down because of these damn niggling projects.
Second wind. I'm going to finish that god-forsaken worthless interminable Lost Sanctum entry and keep fucking going.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pR8aZRX854Y/SoROvHdlRMI/AAAAAAAAAIY/4ZvxtatEgS8/S660/grimmjow16a8mi.jpg)
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Second wind costs a standard action, you might have to wait for your next turn or use an action point.
I like the lost sanctum. The quests are fairly challenging and entertaining. My biggest problem with it is the maps. They look like shit. Seriously, CE and Prophet's Guile had much better mapping. Those forests actually looked like forests, whereas the Lost Sanctum just gives us a maze of trees that aren't naturally clumped. Way to go.
This isn't so much of a frustration as it is a really depressing sadness. My grandpa used to be a painter. Before mom and dad divorced we had this huge oil painting he did in an ornate frame hanging in our dining room. It was a canyon with dark, dark mountains and a very vibrant sunset. This is where I got my love for saturated colours and my passion for art, this is my Zeal. I just found out that it got damaged in a move, I don't even know where it is anymore. It's been years since I've seen it, and I don't remember exactly what it looked like, just that it had very vibrant reds and oranges and blacks. It was the most beautiful painting I've ever seen. I'm going to do some sleuthing and see if I can't at least find its remains.
RIP, Zeal.
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Ugh, that's terrible. Are there any existing pictures of it?
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Not that I know of. The frame was so beautiful too, it was this very ornate dark wood... I'm just aghast that anyone could treat a painting so poorly.
I don't care if it is damaged, if I find it it's going on my bedroom wall.
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Well don't count out the possibility of restoring it, if you do find it. Professional restoration can be ridiculously expensive, but you might be able to haunt antiquer forums, historical societies, or universities with strong history/archeology programs to find out ways to do it on the cheap.
Actually, it might have historical value in its own right and if your lucky you could find someone willing to pay for it to be restored just to see it in its original glory.
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That's really awful. I hope you find it. Do you know how far back the move was?
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Not a clue. I only just heard of the damage today, but it's been missing from that wall for quite a while. I might just have to find someone to restore it, but I don't even know what the damage is.
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Seriously, CE and Prophet's Guile had much better mapping. Those forests actually looked like forests, whereas the Lost Sanctum just gives us a maze of trees that aren't naturally clumped. Way to go.
Well, CE was very embarrassing map-wise early on, before getting better mappers.
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My grandpa used to be a painter. Before mom and dad divorced we had this huge oil painting he did in an ornate frame hanging in our dining room. It was a canyon with dark, dark mountains and a very vibrant sunset. This is where I got my love for saturated colours and my passion for art, this is my Zeal. I just found out that it got damaged in a move, I don't even know where it is anymore. It's been years since I've seen it, and I don't remember exactly what it looked like, just that it had very vibrant reds and oranges and blacks. It was the most beautiful painting I've ever seen. I'm going to do some sleuthing and see if I can't at least find its remains.
RIP, Zeal.
Ah, that's sad. I can relate: In my dad's office hangs a picture of a waterfall in a forest that I've always loved since I was but a wee Josh. It has this splash of color in the middle...I think it's a piece of blue that's just there; there's no reason for it. But it does something for the composition as a whole. It really is a beautiful painting.
It belongs, however, to my dad's second wife--not to Dad himself. When I was going through my childhood phase of "Can I have this when you die?" I asked for the painting, and he told me that it is on permanent loan to him, and thus I have no claim to it.
(Kids really do have some of the darnedest phases, don't they?)
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In the middle of installing a new receiver with all this old ass equipment we got...
damn near broke everything we own... :lol:
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Grrr...my right mouse button won't click. This of course means that I can't open links in new tabs, nor can I save images off the internet anymore. And I know its not the mouse, because I can right click in Skype and in the URL box.
Anyone ever had this problem before?
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Most PC keyboards have a button that looks like a cursor clicking on a menu, should be somewhere to the right of your spacebar. This button opens right click menus.
You can also open tabs by middle clicking/clicking your scroll wheel.
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I haven't had a good meal in 3 days. Hooray for 12 hour shifts!
(http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/uploads/borat.jpg)
Not!
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I tried getting an image from one of the Crono Comix to test it out on IE and it worked, so apparently it was FireFox that was causing the problem. I disabled and uninstalled some of my add-ons, mainly Veoh, Yahoo and iMacros and that seems to have solved the problem.
Thanks Zephira, for the advice though. I always wondered what that little button was for.
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One of my roommates (or one of their friends or one of their tool boyfriends) ate some of my cereal. :x What the HELL. They all have a cornucopia of food--why the fuck do they need to touch mine?? I'm the only one in the room who can't cook so I live off of cereal and soup and the like. And it's not as if I have a lot of money for food anyway. My stuff takes up about one hundredth of the entire kitchen--the fridge and cupboards are overflowing with their shit. UGH.
I bet it's one of the Tool Boxes (my name for their boyfriends). :x
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Truthordeal, if you have a scroll wheel, if you click that while over a link, it opens the link in a new tab. At least in Firefox and IE8, anyway.
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RD: Whoa...so it does!
Sajainta: Eat their food!
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MY PEANUT BUTTER IS GONE.
somoeone is going to DIE today.
someone will die--
ooh! pretzels and yogurt!
nevermind! :D
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Sajainta: Eat their food!
Heh, I should. I really should.
They watched Sex in the City all day. Literally all day. And then they watched the movie. I am so glad I am me and not them.
~~~~~
The internet in my dorm is horrendous. That frustrates me. >_< Also, the idiot kid in my French class asks stupid questions ALL THE TIME. This was the last question he asked::
"Why do we say "Um" ?"
WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH FRENCH??
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$%*! :x
I have to do a presentation today in my philosophy class today.
I had to condense a 22-page journal essay of a Ph.D. on a subject (confidential) into a 2-page summary for each class member to hand out to, and I don't know if my presentation partner has done bupkis!
I hope to get graded on my effort and not just the content of the presentation.
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Effort over content? I thought that, as a right-leaning libertarian, you were in favor of results-oriented education rather than feel-good education. Am I mixing you up with somebody else?
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You misunderstand me, Lord J.
I said "not just the content" when referring to the addition of effort in the grading process. I was implying that both should be given equal account when it comes to grading.
e.g. It's one thing that I try my hardest and get a "C", but not trying my hardest and getting a "C"?
Update: As it turns out, my presenation isn't until this Friday.
*Slams his forehead on the desk* :x
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Ugh. Self-pwn today. I spent half the day writing a reply to someone in the Armchair Economists' thread, a reply that he would not even be likely to read, much less critically analyze. He and the rest of you probably won't get the chance to not read it, though, because I'm still only a quarter of the way done with it, and I don't have the time to spare on something like this! I've still got to find myself a job! There is no justification for me spending half of a waking weekday writing a pointless, novel-length argument to post on the Internet for the benefit of some intellectually enfeebled mook who won't even appreciate it, just so that I can say to myself that I was thorough and responsive. Ugh! I really screwed up my time management today. That's frustrating.
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If you don't mind my asking J, how long's the job search been going? It seems that would be a great example of what's wrong with the economy; a solid example always hits to the gut, and sometimes works more efficiently than targeting the mind.
Yeah, I hate how my forum participation and getting physical stuff done in real life are inversely proportional. But when you remember that the Internet really isn't virtual anymore, but actually ingrained solidly into people's real lives, it takes the sting out of it. Sort of. Maybe the government should give out subsidies based on the quality of Internet posts...?
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There is no justification for me spending half of a waking weekday writing a pointless, novel-length argument to post on the Internet for the benefit of some intellectually enfeebled mook who won't even appreciate it, just so that I can say to myself that I was thorough and responsive.
You're welcome. :lol:
Well, J, I'd like to say I feel your pain, but as you know, that would create a conflict of interest for me.
Perhaps if you actually made an explanation of why I am wrong and you are right without the stopping every 30 words to tell me why I/Conservatives/Republicans/Christians/What Have You are stupid/mooks/evil/What Have You, you might actually stand a chance of convincing me that I'm wrong or getting me to "see the light."
However, you do nothing like this. Instead, you post essay-length pieces that are at best 20% explanations and 80% insults. If I had any desire to analyze a piece of writing as thoroughly as you seem to want me to, I would do my English homework.
Also, screw your intellectualism. That shit's really starting to piss me off. The topic on hand of the Armchair Economists' thread at the time was "Is the economy getting better," "What caused it," and political cycles. It was not Lord J Esq.'s Treatise on Why Truthordeal is a Mook and Why All Conservatives Suck.
Finally, as a point on practicality, if your explanations are too grandiose that I can't appreciate them, then you're not going to be able to convince the teeming masses that Lord J. has all the answers.
Now, Good Day, Sir.
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You're pathetic. Compared to my posts, Lord J's are dispassionate essays that strive to assign blame to the correct parties and explain the issues in clear, scientific terms. But it looks like if someone criticizes Ronald Reagan or something, you take that personally.
You're a typical example of the idiocracy in this country. Lord J goes to great lengths to provide facts, research, and thoughtful arguments. You go to short lengths to post a few sentences worth of ripostes without facts, research, or thought, because that's what you heard from the media and right-wing talking points, or your minister or whatever. You don't actually think.
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If you don't mind my asking J, how long's the job search been going?
Given that I lost my previous job three weeks ago (or is it four now?), and that I just mentioned that I still don't have one to replace it, you can imagine that the search does not go well.
It seems that would be a great example of what's wrong with the economy; a solid example always hits to the gut, and sometimes works more efficiently than targeting the mind.
I suppose one could make the argument that my current negative income problem is partly the result of misguided American economic priorities. Really, though, my individual situation has nothing to do with the bad economy.
But when you remember that the Internet really isn't virtual anymore, but actually ingrained solidly into people's real lives, it takes the sting out of it. Sort of.
No, it doesn't. It really doesn't. I have put much more deserving people than Truthordeal on hold in order to attend to other matters. Do you have any idea how big my e-mail correspondence backlog is? It would make a war-grizzled veteran throw up! And I still haven't responded to Uboa's post in the "A Reminder" thread. It's the greatest post anyone has put up on the Compendium in months, and nobody replied to it! Not even me.
Maybe if some good were to result out of it, I could rationalize the time I've spent preparing today's ill-fated post for the Armchair Economists thread, but any such good would be incidental and I know it. I've just got to grow up and stop allowing myself to engage with that kind of person. It's totally not worth it, and I should know better by this point in my life.
Maybe the government should give out subsidies based on the quality of Internet posts...?
Hah. I wish. I'd be in the upper middle class.
Well, J, I'd like to say I feel your pain, but as you know, that would create a conflict of interest for me.
Perhaps if you actually made an explanation of why I am wrong and you are right without the stopping every 30 words to tell me why I/Conservatives/Republicans/Christians/What Have You are stupid/mooks/evil/What Have You, you might actually stand a chance of convincing me that I'm wrong or getting me to "see the light."
However, you do nothing like this. Instead, you post essay-length pieces that are at best 20% explanations and 80% insults. If I had any desire to analyze a piece of writing as thoroughly as you seem to want me to, I would do my English homework.
Also, screw your intellectualism. That shit's really starting to piss me off. The topic on hand of the Armchair Economists' thread at the time was "Is the economy getting better," "What caused it," and political cycles. It was not Lord J Esq.'s Treatise on Why Truthordeal is a Mook and Why All Conservatives Suck.
Finally, as a point on practicality, if your explanations are too grandiose that I can't appreciate them, then you're not going to be able to convince the teeming masses that Lord J. has all the answers.
Now, Good Day, Sir.
Ah. This came in just as I was about to reply to Faust. I take great pleasure in whatever dissatisfaction you may have experienced as a result of being called out for your intellectually worthless blather. People like you cheapen conversation wherever they go, and never even realize the folly of it. They have contributed to the decline of our nation. But my contempt for that kind of ignorance doesn't belong in the Frustration thread. It belongs in the Hate thread, a sterling condemnation indeed.
As for the 20% explanations and 80% insults...whatever the actual ratio may be--and it's not nearly as imbalanced as you give me credit for--the fact remains that you never have the means to actually respond to whatever part of my arguments is substantive. All you can do is repeat your damned talking points. You always want to be a part of the discussion, and you always refuse to do the work necessary to earn your place. Maybe you'll figure it out someday that Fox News and talk radio are not representative of intellectual conversation and that, in intellectual conversation, you can't just bloviate your way to a better understanding.
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I see what you post and what Lord J Esq. posts as containing the same thing, Z's is shorter though.
EX:
The guy is a ignorant dumbass.
vs.
Well its incredible that, given all the information presented to him, he still proves to be less skill the a normal mule.
See same thing. Words have value just like anything else the more in inthe circulation the cheaper they become. Its the reason Noble prizes in the sciences and likes have a three page limit.
As for the insults themselves, pishposh just ignore them. The argument will still hold and if not then what does it matter? Feelings, Hah!
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J, it's not the source of the job loss that interests me personally as much as the fact that this economy expects talented blokes to be circus acrobats, jumping through a nigh impossible obstacle course of flaming hoops. When I finished undergrad last year, I had my head high thinking I'd land a decent job for sure if I just searched hard enough, but after two straight months of nothing, I realized something was seriously wrong. Only connections seem to net results; but hopefully that doesn't ring true outside the Midwest. I'll make that my current frustration.
But I'm just distracting you. Hop to it, chop chop!
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You're pathetic. Compared to my posts, Lord J's are dispassionate essays that strive to assign blame to the correct parties and explain the issues in clear, scientific terms. But it looks like if someone criticizes Ronald Reagan or something, you take that personally.
You're a typical example of the idiocracy in this country. Lord J goes to great lengths to provide facts, research, and thoughtful arguments. You go to short lengths to post a few sentences worth of ripostes without facts, research, or thought, because that's what you heard from the media and right-wing talking points, or your minister or whatever. You don't actually think.
Eh, you had me for a moment there, Z, but unfortunately kicked right into old habits.
Fact of the matter is, I originally tried to bring in links and evidence to support my claims, but after a while I realized that neither you nor J really read them or gave them any weight, or just wrote them off as right-wing propaganda, xenophobic, etc., so I just stopped putting in the wasted effort. Its honestly not worth it to argue the way you do, simply because you have an ill-grounding contempt for anything remotely right-wing.
By the way, did I mention that I'm a Libertarian and that the furthest right I go is Bill O'Reilly? Probably did, but it got lost in all of your bullshit.
But, I do love how your only real comeback is that I'm concise and non-insulting. The worst that's happened is that I've made 2 or 3 factual errors in goodwill good faith in the past. Oh well. Get over it.
But my contempt for that kind of ignorance doesn't belong in the Frustration thread. It belongs in the Hate thread, a sterling condemnation indeed.
OH NOEZ! Lord J Esq is going to put me in the Hate thread! The rest of my academic life is ruined! I shall wallow and rot forever!!!
Maybe you'll figure it out someday that Fox News and talk radio are not...
*sigh* No point in repeating myself.
...representative of intellectual conversation and that, in intellectual conversation, you can't just bloviate your way to a better understanding.
Eh, screw intellectualism. I've heard that word used way too much by arrogant, self-serving pricks who use the word to bash any sort of meaningful opposition and condemn them for "ignorance." For God sakes, nobody ever call me an intellectual, even if I do wind up a flaming liberal by the time I exit college.
However, as one human speaking to another, with no pretense of ideology, religion or intellectualism, I do say that I wish you luck on your job search. As such, I'll quit arguing with you for a while and stop wasting your time.
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Truthordeal, "intellectualism" can be the preserve of anyone. The only catch is that you have to play by the rules. You just don't get that. But I suppose at this point we're all just caught up in what might be called a kerfuffle. Oh well. Better here than in a dedicated thread.
*body-slams next poster*
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Truthordeal, "intellectualism" can be the preserve of anyone. The only catch is that you have to play by the rules. You just don't get that. But I suppose at this point we're all just caught up in what might be called a kerfuffle. Oh well. Better here than in a dedicated thread.
*body-slams next poster*
Frick, man, I wasn't posting, I was just passing through. You didn't have to crash into me like that.
But that's not my frustration... my frustration is that no one has yet tried to translate the cool Latin I wrote in the other thread!
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There is like ZERO Norstein Bekkler fanart. Every time I make a new avatar I have to scour the web to find anything remotely suitable, then edit the HELL out of it. I don't use rav anyway, but if I did there'd be no point.
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There is like ZERO Norstein Bekkler fanart. Every time I make a new avatar I have to scour the web to find anything remotely suitable, then edit the HELL out of it. I don't use rav anyway, but if I did there'd be no point.
You should ask one of the resident artists here to draw some for ya.
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You should ask one of the resident artists here to draw some for ya.
Na, since I consider myself an artist, asking someone else to do it just seems lazy. Besides, I don't want people to do it for me, I want them to do it for the love of Norstein! Which, apparently, doesn't exist.
If there's one thing humans have displayed throughout history, it's that there is no love for the unexplained. Another frustration I guess.
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Besides, I don't want people to do it for me, I want them to do it for the love of Norstein! Which, apparently, doesn't exist.
Ah. I completely understand. That really does suck.
My favourite avatar of yours that I've seen was the one you drew of Norstein.
Frustration:: After about 2 or 3 months without cereal and ice cream I caved and bought a huge tub of ice cream and some milk and cereal. The problem? I'm lactose intolerant. I scarfed down a tonne of ice cream and cereal today and now I'm sick. I have no one to blame but myself, and I am frustrated with my own stupidity, especially considering I KNEW this was going to happen. >_<
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It's not all bad, you got some IceCream and Cereal out of it.
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It's not all bad, you got some IceCream and Cereal out of it.
Definite truth. Rocky road ice cream is delicious. And you really can't beat Honey Nut Cheerios.
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Frustration: It's ten, and I've got a long classday tomorrow so I've gotta sleep, but I want to keep working on these DS sprites. It's just so addicting, so hard to stop once I get going. I've already passed the "Just one more sheet, then I'll sleep" line at least five times.
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So annoying, I greatly dislike those "watch this movie then write 4 pages on what message it was sending" assignments. I was able to get little over a single page. I didn't care for the movie plus none of it really stuck w/ me, so I just wrote about it being an ineffective piece.
You'd think an ocser winning documentary (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071604/) would be easy to write about, I'd much rather work on my physic paper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_conversion_efficiency).
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The problem? I'm lactose intolerant.
My frustration is that I have a crappy mutant power. Wolverine has his mutant regeneration, Cyclops gets to shoot lasers from his eyes, even Forge has a cool power. Me? I get to produce lactase (note, not to be confused with lactate) in adulthood. 'Cause there are a lot of milk-based super villains.
Yup, being lactose tolerant is a mutation (one that appears to be around 7,000 years old, if I am remembering correctly).
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I looked like a fool a bit ago. I was walking to the library from my French class and this man comes up behind me and shouts "BOO!". I have really bad hypervigilance, so I completely freaked out and gave a small scream. People stared at me and I looked like an idiot. I don't know why the guy decided it would be fun to randomly scare someone, but he looked and sounded like he was mentally challenged. He laughed and said "HI!" really loudly. I said hi back and then walked away quickly. I went into a restroom and started to cry because I was so freaked out. I know that could sound like a really extreme reaction, but I'm so jumpy and anxious and anything that catches me by surprise makes my nerves shot to hell.
And now I'm really on edge. Fuck that.
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The biggest frustration in my life at the moment is... The vast majority of people at my school. I don't even seem to exist to many people in my classes. And the unnecessary piss taking and the shit I'm forced to endure... No fucking wonder that I have grown to hate nearly everything... And that I seem so distant and shy... That isnt shyness by the way. Thats because I can't stand any of the shit they say/do.
Fucking bunch of retards. They all need to learn to stop piss taking and other bullying.
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Bah, let 'em choke on your dust...
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Seriously, if they don't stop with the piss taking, I will lose it and make them choke on my fist...
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Seriously, if they don't stop with the piss taking, I will lose it and make them choke on my fist...
Heh, that made me laugh. Not the circumstances themselves, of course, but what you said was clever.
Fuck bullies. I don't blame you for being pissed off and hating everything. Bullies are pathetic and weak, but knowing that doesn't make it any easier if you're the target. As someone who was really badly bullied to another, I don't really have any advice. Secondary school doesn't last forever, so at least there's that.
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Well, I'm past compulsory education, but I still get it... maybe it's because the 6th form college is part of the school I went to. Yup, 5 years of it makes you a wreck... It'll end eventually... the shitting nightmare i'm currently in...
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Frustration:: After about 2 or 3 months without cereal and ice cream I caved and bought a huge tub of ice cream and some milk and cereal. The problem? I'm lactose intolerant. I scarfed down a tonne of ice cream and cereal today and now I'm sick. I have no one to blame but myself, and I am frustrated with my own stupidity, especially considering I KNEW this was going to happen. >_<
have you tried milk and ice cream substitutes? my boss is vegan but loves her cereal so she gets soy milk. when shes craving ice cream she finds tofettes delicious, if not expensive.
my current frustration is my sister.
today she had a doctors appointment, so i drove her to school as usual and had to pick her up later. when theyre done, she doesnt want to go home and i still have two hours to work, so i take her to the store and hide her in the break room.
she gets out.
and causes me hell.
she knocked over boxes, she did some crazy stuff that im ashamed of, and then abducted the loudspeaker mic and announced that mia and i had a date tonight.
suffice to say that i no longer have a date with mia tonight.
sometimes i wish i could set her on fire. (my sister, not mia)
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have you tried milk and ice cream substitutes? my boss is vegan but loves her cereal so she gets soy milk. when shes craving ice cream she finds tofettes delicious, if not expensive.
I've tried soy milk. I thought it was disgusting, unfortunately. : /
And what the hell is wrong with your sister? How old is she--6?
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give or take nine years.
though sometimes i wonder...
my dad has already talked to her about it. my manager decided that the stuff she messed up (cereal and candy mostly) will be paid for through my salary.
mia says that she never wants to see my sister again.
im happy with that.
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Siblings are the worst sometimes.
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give or take nine years.
though sometimes i wonder...
my dad has already talked to her about it. my manager decided that the stuff she messed up (cereal and candy mostly) will be paid for through my salary.
mia says that she never wants to see my sister again.
im happy with that.
So she's 15, or -3? XD
That's really crazy. What on earth would possess her to be that rude and infantile?
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So she's 15, or -3? XD
Damn, time traveling siblings are the worst.
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Damn, time traveling siblings are the worst.
THAT'S WHAT SCHALA SAID!
Sorry, I couldn't resist. 8)
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I've noticed that soy milk can vary greatly from brand to brand. Also, you probably know this, but in case you didn't, "vanilla" is not the default flavor of soy milk. There is also unflavored soy milk (sometimes called "plain"). My favorite brand is Silk chocolate soy milk. It's not so good for cereal, but with red sauce pasta or tart or sour dishes, it's tops!
There is also rice milk, almond milk, hazelnut milk, and even some other kinds of milk, such as sunflower. Over time you should try all of these, in multiple brands, to see if one of them can give you the pleasures of cow milk without the pains of lactose intolerance.
Also, I've seen some cow milk out there that markets itself as having special enzymes that aid digestion. You might try that. Darigold is a good brand and offers that kind of milk, if they sell it in your region. (It might be limited to the Pacific Northwest.)
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I've noticed that soy milk can vary greatly from brand to brand. Also, you probably know this, but in case you didn't, "vanilla" is not the default flavor of soy milk. There is also unflavored soy milk (sometimes called "plain"). My favorite brand is Silk chocolate soy milk. It's not so good for cereal, but with red sauce pasta or tart or sour dishes, it's tops!
There is also rice milk, almond milk, hazelnut milk, and even some other kinds of milk, such as sunflower. Over time you should try all of these, in multiple brands, to see if one of them can give you the pleasures of cow milk without the pains of lactose intolerance.
Also, I've seen some cow milk out there that markets itself as having special enzymes that aid digestion. You might try that. Darigold is a good brand and offers that kind of milk, if they sell it in your region. (It might be limited to the Pacific Northwest.)
Thanks so much for the recommendations! I'll definitely look up Darigold and see if they sell it where I live. I've only heard good things about Silk chocolate soy milk. Even my lactose tolerant friends drink it, and they love it.
The main problem is that soy milk is so pricey and (in my area at least) they don't seem to sell smaller amounts of it. I'll keep trying though.
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The fuck is with my sleep schedule? I'm up for 12 hours, and I'm ready to sleep 9. Then I'm good for another 12 hours, then tired again.
This is not the springtime of youth. I'm losing time with that kind of schedule. What happened to me?
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Maybe you overworked yourself, and you're body's trying to make up for lost time. Could be something with the diet, too.
Either way, I envy your schedule. I've been averaging 4~6 hours of sleep for 17 hours awake, and 6~7 hours between meals, since this quarter started.
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Sorry to hear about both those sleeping situations. : / I hope you each get what you need soon.
I haven't been eating well at all. My first meal today was a big bowl of oatmeal and I ate it at 10:30 pm. I've pretty much run out of food at this point. Blah..
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For starters...
"There is no such thing as soy milk because there is no soy titty." - Lewis Black
As for sleeping, or lack thereof...you want to win the battle of the bed, you can't accomplish what you need to in bed. But sometimes ya just need the extra zzz's. If it's not enough and it's not really in your control...do the most you can with that time? Sorry if that's shitty/lame advice...I've gone insane over goofy sleep schedules before and it's not fun.
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Editors who add spelling and grammatical errors and who, in general, make the work less clear.
Me: Can you read this to ensure that it makes sense?
Them: Sure! (a little while passes) Here you go.
Me: Tha-what the...?
Them: I improved it!
Me: Murdering it is not an improvement!
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This is not the springtime of youth. I'm losing time with that kind of schedule. What happened to me?
I've had this sort of thing happen; all-nighters build up in your system over time, and your body starts doing things you don't want it to. I think a regular sleep schedule, regardless of what time you sleep and wake up, is crucial to keeping a routine flowing.
The most insidious thing about losing sleep is what it can do to one's mood. A good night's sleep can sometimes make the difference between living in a world of imagined dread and feeling the heights of one's achievements, given the same exact series of events in a day.
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I've felt like that before. When you get annoyed at things pretty quickly anyway, imagine what happens if you deprive yourself of sleep...
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$%*! :x
Today was my presenation and, naturally, I forgot the copies to hand out to my class, so my presentation partner is forced to make copies herself.
And naturally, I botched a bit of the presentation with awkward pauses, and I overstated the conclusion of the presentation, which left nobody with any questions about it at all.
I even caught a couple of students in the back chatting on their cell phones and texting, which is ironic because the presentation I gave focused on the application of the Golden Rule.
*Slams his head on the desk* What a day.
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The trick is to use your secret police to remind your classmates just how much they want to listen to your presentation. And, when it's over, these fellow students will applaud vigorously to show their respect for your conclusions. Just remember that the first person to stop applauding is a traitor and should be arrested.
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Frustration:
There giving to him because he was better then Bush? He is, but that's a bull crap reason.
The misuse of "there", "their", and "they're". Sorry to pick on you Kebber, but I've been seeing this everywhere recently, especially in essays I've had to correct during tutoring.
"There" is a location, as in "over there", "in there", "put the pie there".
"They're" is the contraction of "they are", as in "They're giving to him", "they're not right in the head", "they're going to the mall".
"Their" is the possessive form of "they", as in "they will eat their cake", "their fanart isn't as awesome as our fanart", "I want to play in their pool".
Put them all together, and you get "They're going to play with their dog over there."
It's not that hard, people. I shouldn't be seeing these mistakes in anyone over the age of thirteen, yet unfortunately I've had forty and fifty year old students coming in with this exact problem.
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Danke schön Zephira!
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I hate that too, and I'm sixteen. My grammar and stuff has always been top notch though...
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The "there / their / they're" thing annoys me, but for some reason the "you're / your" thing annoys me even more. "Your stupid." My stupid what? My stupid hamster? My stupid pants? My stupid Ferrari?
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Yeah, that's really annoying too... I've never really thought about them as annoyances until now...
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Augh, Saijanta, you've found my Achilles heel! I think that might just belong in the Hate thread. If you're going to try to insult someone by saying "your stupid", you're the fucking stupid one. (And if anyone here actually does that, I'm sorry. We're all old enough that we should know the difference by now.)
There's also "its" and "it's". It is, versus the possessive of it.
I've also seen "taught" and "taut" mixed up, when the person didn't even know what "taut" meant. If you're unsure about a word, look it up. You have internet, so tons of dictionaries are available. If you're unsure about when to use contractions, then don't use them at all. "It is", "you are", "do not", "we are" and all the rest take hardly a second more to type.
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This is just for you Zephira::
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/bittersunday/9.gif)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/bittersunday/6-2.gif)
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I'm not going to add to this line of discussion, simply because I would end up going on one of my Famous RantsTM. There is a relatively small group of simple, glaringly obvious grammatical mistakes which people--oodles and oodles and reams of people--commit again and again and again. I don't usually channel V_Translanka, but it makes me so friggin' stabby...
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Sajainta you are awesome, I giggled so hard at those. Truly, these are lessons that everyone should learn. I'm thinking of making a "This is how you write English" thread, but it would probably devolve into "people are retards and need to pay more attention in school" after the first couple sentences.
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GOD DAMNIT!!! You don't kill Hawkeye! It's just something you don't do, Nina? Sure. Huges? sad, but had to happen. But not Hawkeye. She was the shit and now...GOD DAMNIT!! You better fix this Arakawa!!!!
(http://fc09.deviantart.com/fs39/f/2008/330/2/b/Riza_H_by_R0YALBL00D.jpg)(http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs6/i/2005/051/0/8/Hawkeye_is_SEXY_by_shiremono.jpg)
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Hmmm, the chapter was spoiled for me by your post.
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Aye...I don't read whatever it is you're talking about, but you shouldn't spoil stuff like that.
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GOD DAMNIT!!! You don't kill Hawkeye! It's just something you don't do, Nina? Sure. Huges? sad, but had to happen. But not Hawkeye.
NO! It CANNOT BE! They damn World Government killed the great Hawkeye Mihawk?!
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/mihawkwanted.jpg)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/hawkeye.jpg)
We'll always miss you!
Yes, I do know who you're talking about. Just thought I'd try to vaguen it up and confuse people.(Note to self: New word: vaguen. To make vague.)
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Okay if you've read the chapter you know that I was exaggerating. They can, and often do, pull a soap opera and bring someone back but still!!!! What the hell!!!
Another thing that is even more annoying, but in a completely different manner. Being in to two different girls, nothing solid yet mind you but the option is still there, only to discover later that they know each other and are both great friends! I know "Female A" has a thing for me as well but "B" is still unknown at this time.
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GOD DAMNIT!!!
Good thing I read the chapter before this...
I doubt she's dead, it's just a means of Father manipulating Mustang into opening the Gate. Mustang won't give it a second thought, he'll get Hawkeye back/healed, and the Gate will open.
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My one English professor is super into pop culture. Which is all well and good and fine, but when I have to study random shit about fucking VINCENT VALENTINE and ANGEL from Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a midterm on Romanticism, then I'm pissed the fuck off.
And I'm pissed the fuck off.
It's like taking a Shakespeare course and watching 10 Things I Hate About You.
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Wait, you're studying Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII as an assignment?
I'll trade you classes if you like working with Hessian matrices and partial derivatives more than what you're doing now.
Or you could ask your prof to change the topic of study to Magus...
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Wait, you're studying Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII as an assignment?
Not as an assignment, but we had a presentation on "The Byronic Hero" and the professor threw good ol' Vincent in there (along with about 10 clips from Advent Children).
I'll trade you classes if you like working with Hessian matrices and partial derivatives more than what you're doing now.
Having just looked up "Hessian matrix" on Wikipedia...I think I'll stick to studying Vincent Valentine.
Although I did have to read about Edward Cullen as well...
On second though, I'll take the Hessian matrices. You may have Edward Cullen!
Or you could ask your prof to change the topic of study to Magus...
Oh, I wish... I would love that.
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My one English professor is super into pop culture. Which is all well and good and fine, but when I have to study random shit about fucking VINCENT VALENTINE and ANGEL from Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a midterm on Romanticism, then I'm pissed the fuck off.
And I'm pissed the fuck off.
It's like taking a Shakespeare course and watching 10 Things I Hate About You.
Is that a hit on Angel? What the hell is wrong with you!?!
I'll trade you classes if you like working with Hessian matrices and partial derivatives more than what you're doing now.
I just had a course dedicated to 1st and 2nd Partials actually.
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Is that a hit on Angel? What the hell is wrong with you!?!
Wasn't so much an Angel-bash as it was an "I-wish-we'd-talk-about-actual-literature" rant.
If it makes you feel any better, he was lumped in with Edward Cullen and some random guy from Beverly Hills 90210.
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That leads into another frustration: English teachers don't use video games as material in class! Games have stories just as enthralling - if not moreso - than books! Starcraft, Warcraft, Halo, and many other franchises have novels released about them to continue their story. If games could inspire that, then surely they could inspire students in the classroom!
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Yeah, I actually submitted Sephiroth fanfics to satisfy writing assignments in high school; got me through seventh, eighth, and ninth grade English class. I was pissed when Square Enix revealed Zack's last name and it wasn't the one I made up for him. Drat!
Kebrel, I found a shortcut for solving the determinant of square matrices with three rows and three columns, by just doing three diagonals and three cross diagonals almost like you would with a two-by-two matrix, but I haven't found any way to make four-by-four matrices easier to work with. Have you or anyone found anything that makes these easier, during your own math escapades? The teacher I have for mathematical methods is thankfully sparing us from four-by-fours or higher, but if I ever have to actually touch one, I think I'll take Edward Cullen instead.
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It frustrates me that we don't have a loyal opposition in this country. Ideally, a nation would debate between legitimate differences in the perception of, and solution to, the issues facing it. But all of the right and half of the left are not interested in that.
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That leads into another frustration: English teachers don't use video games as material in class! Games have stories just as enthralling - if not moreso - than books! Starcraft, Warcraft, Halo, and many other franchises have novels released about them to continue their story. If games could inspire that, then surely they could inspire students in the classroom!
Warcraft? Heaven forbid. There's good reason they don't use it.
And Lord J, yeah, that'd be nice here, too. Ironically, Canadian politics being what they are, for the longest time Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition was the Quebec seperatist party. Heh.
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I need a hug, guys... really really REALLY bad... :cry:
My boss proved how much of an ass he fully can be, and instead of giving me more hours (which I seriously need right now so I and my family won't become homeless, etc.), what does the fat bastard do? REDUCED MY FUCKING HOURS EVEN WORSE... to 10 hours a week! >_<
(and just a reminder of how truly shitty that is, that's technically getting paid $14 a day)
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I'm sorry Kara, that really sucks! :( What a jackass!
I hate physical contact, but I'm fine with internet hugs. /HUGS FOR KARA
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Getting shot down when asking a lass out is a sucky fact of life, but then being ignored afterward is just agonizing.
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Kara- that sucks. I guess do what you can to try and find other work with your free time, sounds like nothing is changing at your work...
KebreI - oi...it happens...and usually it's for the better.
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If you actually want to know what frustrates me and pisses me off, check my SoY.
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I am frustrated that I had to spend $150 on transcripts from a single institution. It isn't even a notable institution! It was a Jr. College.
The same number of transcripts from two different real universities cost $40 and $60, respectively.
Now to be fair I was ordering 30 transcripts from each of these three institutions, so that isn't going to be cheap no matter how you cut it. But $150?!
That one class I took there in high school was totally not worth that hassel of getting transcripts from that place.
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Holy crap Thought, you'd think they'd give you a "buy in bulk" deal or something.
Beware of colleges and universities trying to contact you for "updates on your situation." My undergrad college did this a few months back and when I called to update them, I found out it was a gimmick and that they'd lured me into a conversation with a salesman for buying a $200 yearbook. It's amazing just how easily people can take advantage of you with a bait-and-switch; you're not psychologically prepared to refuse things you might not really want to do, and meanwhile the salesperson is bombarding the hoodwinked former student with things like: "Most people are doing it."
There's some psychological thing that makes people so easy to take advantage of, or be pushed into things they don't really want. All it takes is an authoritative voice sometimes, and we're reduced to these shocked zombies unconfident and unable to think quick enough to escape the situation in any other way than the authority suggests. It all goes back to the Milgram experiment. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment)
And that's what pisses me off at the moment I guess.
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Yeah, my school tried to do that, but after I found out the pricetag for the "updated yearbook" I declined.
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Overheard.
Bimbo Roommate # 1:: "I think I'm going to do [a psychology paper, I guess] on anorexia."
Bimbo Roommate # 2:: "Oh, that'll be easy. You can just do research on the different types of people who have anorexia, like models or girls who want attention, or any of those emo high schoolers."
. . .
When will people realize that eating disorders are complicated mental disorders that are NOT about garnering attention (WOW!) or being "emo" (SHOCKER!) or even about looking sexy and desirable (OMG RLY WUT?!) ?
The level of ignorance in this world is astounding.
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Just watched an episode of Dexter. It was my first episode and came highly recommended...
...and I was disappointed. Thus, I am frustrated.
At least Heroes is better this season.
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When will people realize that eating disorders are complicated mental disorders that are NOT about garnering attention (WOW!) or being "emo" (SHOCKER!) or even about looking sexy and desirable (OMG RLY WUT?!) ?
They were being insensitive and ignorant, but isn't anorexia at least sometimes about being sexy and desirable? This is based solely upon my 'observations' and tidbits I've heard from people who sound more authoritative, so correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't a significant number of anorexia cases due to a desire to meet an unrealistic 'ideal' of sexual attractiveness and desirability. Also, aren't some cases motivated by a desire to 'fit in' that people try to fulfil by becoming anorexic because they obsess over their body image with respect to their peers'? (In that case, it's more indirect because the anorexic body is a means towards an end which makes attractiveness only an implicit or incidental target.)
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You're not giving sufficient emphasis to the distinction between the motivations which lead to the disorder, and the disordered thinking itself. Regardless of where something like anorexia nervosa comes from, the bit that makes it a mental disorder is that it produces irrational behavior. It's that distinction which most people fail to appreciate. Nearly all of us are exposed to insatiable peer pressure, unrealistic social norms, and mooks, but some people get it worse than others, or can't cope as well, or have a genetic predisposition, and develop a disorder. The disorder itself, as with any medical or psychological condition, has, as Sajainta hinted at, little or no connection to the impetuses which caused it.
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I showed up a bit late to my own PT (Physical Training) session because I nearly fell asleep earlier. Fortunately nobody bothered attending.
I don't like leading group PT sessions anyway.
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What I meant was that in as much as anorexia nervosa is 'about' its initial causes, it seems to be about body image and social standing for many people. I wouldn't know how many people remain anorexic for those reasons (as opposed to
an anorexic state becoming its own justification), but I understand that for many (even if 'only' a significant minority), body image and social standing are the initial motivations and are prevalent enough parts of the issue that anorexia can't be said to be divorced from them. (Or, more specifically, to 'not be about' them.)
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Boo - never watched Heroes, but I didn't get into Dexter either. I think I need to give it another shot, though.
As for me...I'm listening to Toto right now. This should explain enough.
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Bit of a stupid frustration, but there is this one mailbox right next to my bus stop that is always open, whether it is empty or not. I think it's a problem with the clasp. I shut it everyday, but as soon as I cross the street it springs open again, so today I took off my hair tie and used that to hold it shut. I think it stayed shut this time, but water might still get in. I'm just afraid someone's going to steal their mail, or their mail will get wet, or someone will think I'm trying to steal their mail whenever I shut it.
Stupid mailbox.
And, as a note to people in my school library: I am an English tutor. I teach you punctuation, grammar, and essay structure. I do not teach you to translate from Hebrew, German or Spanish to English, and I do not teach you to speak English if you do not already have functional use of the language.
Also I'm hungry.
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May I recommend delicious ham?
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At least Heroes is better this season.
YES!!!
The carnies are awesome.
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When people I don't know try to friend me on Facebook. I don't care if we have friends in common and whatnot--if I don't know you then I don't know you. I know you're trying to increase your number of friends so it looks like you have a bigger e-penis, but I'm not going to be your pawn for that. Sorry.
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THe fuck was that dream I just had? Fucking standing in my old backyard in total darkness waiting for alligators to sneak up and one to get in the house because that's what fate ordained. Meanwhile my neighbor's backyard on my left is hostoing htis extreme late night NPR game show for no reason at all, probably beause I read about someone listening to "Say's You" and they're talking over theire so smug about the fact that they know the alligators are coming.
Bastards. If I go back to sleep and dream that again, someone's going toget it. Someone will go Kamina on those bastard.s
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When people I don't know try to friend me on Facebook. I don't care if we have friends in common and whatnot--if I don't know you then I don't know you. I know you're trying to increase your number of friends so it looks like you have a bigger e-penis, but I'm not going to be your pawn for that. Sorry.
Yes. But you forgot to put the word "friend" in quotes. (I jest :lol: ) Facebook's friend suggestion thing is my gripe. It's really annoying because it tells me to talk to people I went to elementary school, middle school, and high school with. There is a reason I don't contact those people. It was the art of disappearing. And damn it, I don't want to know who that girl I dated for a month in 8th grade is married to.
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I think that those, "random adders" as I call them, on Facebook are actually idiotic tbh. They ALL just want another reason to brag about something. Also, I really hate those people on Facebook that you delete for offending you, or in this case, offending you AND your friends, and they then try to re-add you. You accept the request, thinking that they may have learned the error of their ways, only to have them start the whole thing all over again. Thats another frustration of mine... I don't need to be bullied on the internet by the same idiots that do it at my school!!!!!
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I think that those, "random adders" as I call them, on Facebook are actually idiotic tbh. They ALL just want another reason to brag about something. Also, I really hate those people on Facebook that you delete for offending you, or in this case, offending you AND your friends, and they then try to re-add you. You accept the request, thinking that they may have learned the error of their ways, only to have them start the whole thing all over again. Thats another frustration of mine... I don't need to be bullied on the internet by the same idiots that do it at my school!!!!!
Yeah, if I delete somebody, it's for good. I rarely ever delete people, though.
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Facebook's friend suggestion thing is my gripe. It's really annoying because it tells me to talk to people I went to elementary school, middle school, and high school with.
That's why I filled in as little information as possible. The only publicly viewable and useful pieces of ID are my name, and a profile image which, if you personally knew me, would be a dead giveaway as to who I am.
And even after I add someone as a friend, they only additional tidbit they would get is an email address. Anyone who needs it already has my cell phone number, street address, etc.
People either know me, or they don't. I'm not volunteering information just because there's a space for it in my profile. :)
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Yes. But you forgot to put the word "friend" in quotes. (I jest :lol: ) Facebook's friend suggestion thing is my gripe. It's really annoying because it tells me to talk to people I went to elementary school, middle school, and high school with. There is a reason I don't contact those people. It was the art of disappearing. And damn it, I don't want to know who that girl I dated for a month in 8th grade is married to.
I concur. I'm sick of Facebook presenting me with people I dislike and saying we should be friends. Um, no. I'm not going to befriend people who threw rocks at me when I was 11 or who were absolutely shitty ex-best friends.
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I have 23 friends on Facebook. It works great for me!
Just decline superficial invitations, and don't let it bug you.
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The anti-choice people had a large anti-abortion display set up on Red Square at the University of Washington today, including real live babies as well as photographs of aborted fetuses. Presumably the display has been there all week. This is a bold frontal assault for them, right in the thick of a liberal citadel at the very beginning of the school year. If this had happened somewhere else, I might have felt compelled to engage, but as a matter of principle I make special dispensation for the UW (and presumably for other universities). Because of the UW's sterling integrity and positive atmosphere, we can afford to have any conversation. This is a very good thing, since, if we as a society can't have debates in our universities, where can we? Still, it's frustrating that this is a conversation that American continues to want to have.
Anyhow, my enormous trust in the UW was immediately reaffirmed when, near the anti-abortion carnival, I spotted a two-sided "Free Speech Board" that had been set up, where students, faculty, and others had written thousands of messages in support of women's rights.
Unrelated: I am frustrated when people say "there is no word" to describe what they are feeling. How pompous and ignorant. I've been railing against that for ten years. Your experiences, no matter how profound they are to you, are not so special that they cannot be put to a word. Maybe it'll need to be a capitalized word, but, either way, words make our species what it is. Deny that, and you deny your own potential.
Also unrelated: I get frustrated by overused political catchphrases. If I had a dollar for every time that somebody got "thrown under the bus," not only would I be stupidly rich, but America would have to be a land of wild roving misanthropic buses where very few people remain alive.
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i am frustrated at my own resiliance.
this morning i woke up puking my brains out. i blame those goddamn teenagers. i guess its the flu. but because im such a stubborn buck i went to work any way and trained the new meat.
of course mia sent me home.
but i came back under a clever disguise!!
she sent me home again.
im just so out of it. ive been sleeping all day and periodically emptying my stomach of dry toast and kool aid. i dont think work was a good idea.
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i am frustrated at my own resiliance.
this morning i woke up puking my brains out. i blame those goddamn teenagers. i guess its the flu. but because im such a stubborn buck i went to work any way and trained the new meat.
of course mia sent me home.
but i came back under a clever disguise!!
she sent me home again.
im just so out of it. ive been sleeping all day and periodically emptying my stomach of dry toast and kool aid. i dont think work was a good idea.
Yikes. Feel better Zombie!
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Feel better! But don't try going to work again in the future when you're sick. It's a serious public health danger.
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Since folks have been talking about Facebook, that brings up a frustration for me =
I have a bunch of folks on my friendlist that aren't exactly friends (most of them are either friends of my parents who thought it nice to add me, or people who know me via some of the games on FB).
Like Mr. Bekkler, I rarely ever delete people (recently had to do it, though, to some guy my parents know who's been bombarding me with massively extreme right-wing conspiracy shit, and mind you I'm a conservative and think that guy's beliefs are totally wacko). It's hard to get rid of someone without consulting them first on it, but I'm nervous to say anything. My mom does that (get folks' consent to remove them), ever since this one girl freaked out when my mom deleted her - because she thought that it was because she'd said something that offended my mom or whatever. *sigh*
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Current frustration: People who add one-line smartass replies to forum threads without, as far as I can tell, actually, y'know, reading them and trying to understand the context first. (Understandable if the thread has 100+ posts, but not for a thread with a grand total of two.)
My solution for Facebook is much the same as tripehound's: provide as little information as possible, and arbitrarily deny friend requests from anyone whose name I don't immediately recognize. (Actually, I ought to see if I can figure out how to close my account--it was established for a specific reason which is now over and done with. If only wrestling with their interface wasn't such a bloody chore...)
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yeah it was a one day flu. i still felt crappy yesterday but i stayed home too. slept all day.
but today made up for it!
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Frustration: News headlines which contain a quote, where the newsworthiness of the story depends upon the validity of the quote, and the quote cannot be assumed valid.
Example: That damn balloon boy thing has been all over the news this week, especially since the whole escapade is now under suspicion for being a hoax. Just now, while reading the news, I came across a headline which said US balloon boy case "was a hoax." Having already read the story yesterday, I know that they're quoting the local law enforcement officials who are investigating the incident, and who have said they plan to file charges.
They may well be right, and the whole thing may well have been a hoax. But the family hasn't admitted to it, and no court has yet determined it. Therefore the possibility remains that the whole thing was not a hoax, in which case that BBC headline is wrong at best and libelous at worst.
Well-known is my disdain for headline writers, who are easily the weakest link in the journalistic process. How I loathe the depths of unprofessionalism to which their pragmatism will bring them!
If any of you ever get into journalism, just please remember this one simple rule: Don't editorialize, insinuate, or slant your work. Just report the relevant facts.
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I wasted $1.50 on two Snickers bars that were apparently some kind of "SPECIAL EDITION YAY". Extra caffeine and such, or some bullshit. I was in need of some chocolate, so I bought two bars from a vending machine without thinking twice about the fancy-schmancy silver wrapping. I put one bar in my mouth only to find that it tasted like rotten Fig Newtons...or what I would expect rotten Fig Newtons to taste like. I forced myself to eat the entire thing, became ill, promptly threw the other one away, and now there's this godawful aftertaste of rotten Fig Newtons in my mouth. GODDAMN YOU SNICKERS. And fuck me for ignoring the wrappings and just thinking it was some special Halloween marketing... -__-
Snickers:: 1.
Sajainta:: 0.
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Sajainta, that's why I just drink beer. However, a bad beer can be pretty bad too. But not as bad as a rotten fig newton, certainly.
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Sometimes, the sides in a conflict are woefully mismatched. Sometimes, in such conflicts, it's the weaker side who is in the wrong. But the West has a massive collective blind spot to such things. Witness: Israel vs. Palestine.
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Oh, do we have a thread on the Israel/Palestine conflict already, or shall we start one? That could be an interesting discussion for sure.
EDIT: Yup, it's here:
http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,2505.0.html
What a blast from the past; GrayLensman even posted back then.
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After continuing (to procrastinate on) my homework, I realized that I really wanted a Butterfinger bar. Yes, a Butterfinger would get rid of this ghastly rotten Fig Newton aftertaste. I went down to the vending machine with my change only to discover that it didn't accept pennies. Why wouldn't it accept pennies?!?! I was 5 cents short and it wouldn't accept any of my pennies!
But instead of becoming too angry, I became innovative. There is a soda vending machine right next to the snacks one and I figured "Well hey--I'll put a dollar in there, press the "return coins" button and get 4 quarters! And then I can get TWO Butterfingers! How is this not the perfect plan?". I did so. Nothing happened. In my absolute stupidity, I thought "Well, everything in the machine costs more than a dollar...maybe if I put another dollar in, I can get all my money back."
And, you guessed it. Nothing happened. I pushed the button. I slammed on the button. I kicked the side of the vending machine out of frustration. I cursed the Heavens. And then I returned upstairs.
Some lucky bastard is going to get a free soda. Well...one of my SoY goals was to "practice random acts of kindness". This was certainly random (AND UNINTENTIONAL!) all right. That lucky bastard...
Vending Machine:: 2.
Sajainta:: 0.
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Ouch.
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Sajainta, I LOVE your Chibi Magus hates you avatar. I suppose a frustration would be I haven't found it yet myself :lol:
On the subject of getting gyped of money... last Thursday, I stopped by the school's espresso stand for a drink. I rather dislike coffee, but most espresso shops serve hot chocolate as well. It was one of my tutoring days, so I figured the sugar and warmth would do me good. The menu sported "white chocolate" under the "HOT" menu for three bucks. A bit expensive, but hey, I love chocolate! So I order the drink and walk over to the couch lounge to wait the hour till my next class and chat with the automotive students, who always break there at that time. Turns out it wasn't hot white chocolate, but white chocolate flavoured coffee. It was disgusting, so I gave it to one of the automotive girls. She liked it, and I'm glad I made someone happy, but I'll never got those three dollars back, nor will I know the joys of hot white chocolate on a cold Thursday morn.
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It frustrates me how passenger airplanes seem to be designed to minimize the realization in the passenger that they are flying. There are largely unnecessary snacks, uncomfortable seats, small windows that are placed too low to easily see out of, magazines are in the seat in front of you, etc etc etc. People are flying and everything seems to be designed to prevent them from marveling at that fact.
The anti-choice people...
I find the phrase "anti-choice" to be a rather frustrating one. For one, it's rude. Second, while there is a degree of accuracy in the statement, it is a "weasel word;" even if we assume that being anti-choice is an inherent part of the stance, it is not the primary component.
Though, there is a degree of a truth-in-advertising appeal to it...
I put one bar in my mouth only to find that it tasted like rotten Fig Newtons...or what I would expect rotten Fig Newtons to taste like.
Wrong thread, I know, but I love that you expanded on that thought. Partially because I get annoyed when people describe the taste of one thing by comparing it to something that they have never tasted. The most common example of this is, of course, “this tastes like shit.”
I also get annoyed when people ask me if I want to do something when they really mean to ask if I would be willing to do something for them. Example:
“Would you like to pass me the salt?”
“Nope.”
“…”
“Would you like me to pass you the salt?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, well why didn’t you say so?”
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I also get annoyed when people ask me if I want to do something when they really mean to ask if I would be willing to do something for them. Example:
“Would you like to pass me the salt?”
“Nope.”
“…”
“Would you like me to pass you the salt?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, well why didn’t you say so?”
That's great. I wholly concur.
In a similar vein, but for a different reason, I don't like when people say "REALLY?" after you break big news to them. I saw "Miracle on 34th St." when I was young, and something that really stuck with me was the main character grabbing a woman and almost yelling "Do ya MEAN IT?" in a tone that was so weird and old-fashioned to me, all suspension of disbelief would drop right there. All I could think was "did people really talk like that?" After that, it bothered me when people said "really?" instead of "oh." or "I didn't expect that." or something appropriate that didn't suggest the bearer of news was lying. For a good while I spent my time thinking of plausible outrageous things like "did you hear killer bees got loose in this state after getting through airport security?" (the example obviously would not work in post-9-11 America) just to hear someone say "really?" so I could immediately follow with a quick and simple "nope".
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The anti-choice people...
I find the phrase "anti-choice" to be a rather frustrating one. For one, it's rude. Second, while there is a degree of accuracy in the statement, it is a "weasel word;" even if we assume that being anti-choice is an inherent part of the stance, it is not the primary component.
Though, there is a degree of a truth-in-advertising appeal to it...
"Pro-life" is at least equally weaselly. Legal Abortion Abolitionists is the lease weaselly name I can think of at the moment, but it doesn't really roll off the tongue.
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oh god my sister came home from school today with a container of lime scented bubbles.
quick, to fort antibubble! may it rise again!
this isnt just my main frustration. its my frustration with teens now.
when i was in high school (about a year or two ago now) we had functions. we were tempted to go to these functions with the promise of food, a chance to miss class, or just random things to play with. especially food. now at these functions they also give out information on the cause or idea theyre advertising. mental illness, possible careers, colleges, how to have safe sex. my sister came home today with three things, other than her bag.
1. a container of bubbles.
2. a bag full of gathered paraphernalia.
3. a bumper sticker.
now mind you, the sticker was appropriate for the cause and it also got peoples attention. but when i asked what all she saw there, she said that none of it stuck out.
thats the problem.
this information needs to sink in, dammit!
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Was this a presentation on the importance of building lime-scented domed cities out of recycled bumper stickers?
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Someone's Facebook status::
"[Name] is feeling really really naseaus. I hate feeling this way."
I hate you spelling that way. English is your first language. I understand "nauseous" isn't the easiest word to spell ever, but for fuck's sake there's spellcheck for a reason!
:picardno
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The imagination can be a beautiful thing. Truly, it can. I know I've fallen in love with many mind-children of men, and many stories. But sometimes this gift just squanders itself, losing itself in its environs.
And sometimes, I wonder... I wonder too much.
I wonder, if Nolan and Peter and Sabrina and Larry were to leave, and it be just my mother and brother and dogs and self living here, would I still hear the arguments? Would the shouting still sound in the kitchen, the smell of smoke and alcohol still waft down the hall? Would I ever lay my head upon this bed of mine of seven years for a new night of peace, or would it that pillow only give a troubled sleep?
I wonder, if were it just us, would we be happy; or, rather, would we seek new ways to tear ourselves apart? Can a family be a family without daily drawing mental scars? Can a mother be a mother without daily fighting for her perch upon the home's throne?
I wonder if the shouting will ever end, if me and mine will ever find our happy ending. The boy barks and howls, attempting to wrest control of the household, attempting to impress his girlfriend. The old man puts up with it for nothing other than the licensed pot and the alcohol. He's lost control of his house, no longer an alpha male. Mom's threatening to leave again, Nolan's "putting his foot down" on the wrong issues, and Peter gloats at the rift he's caused. He's content to smoke and mooch.
Are all families like this?
Are all men?
Am I going to end up like this, too?
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No.
Something that some people go through is recognizing positive elitism. A lot of people are afraid to make the mentally arrogant thought that they are better than others in some ways, let alone better in a general sense. What kind of metric establishes people as better than others? It's usually a blend of qualities, perhaps exemplified in some great fictional character, like Captain Picard. It is easy to compare him to a derelict on earth and objectively say that he is a better human being (in a humanistic sense of intelligence, empathy, curiosity...all the good human qualities).
Allow yourself to be better than those people. Accept that superiority comes from being more considerate, thoughtful, and lucid than they are. Don't let it de-humanize them, but let it allow you to transcend them. You define your destiny and existence; they do not. We are all humans, but we all have different levels of humanity and illuminated qualities. Let yourself disconnect from them. Let them touch you no more in terms of how you evaluate yourself.
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^^^
Indeed. NEVER be afriad to be the best. Whether it's at home or elsewhere, there's nothing at all wrong with being the best. I think it's clear here that superiority does necessarily mean arrogance.
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I don't have a problem with that, per say. Though I guess it does at times manifest as arrogance, I think it is more, shall we say, knowing my place. You can blame this on all my ancient readings. The Greeks wouldn't have seen anything wrong with someone vaunting their lineage and achievements, so long as they were not setting themselves too high. There's a good reason that in Greek the same word often means both courage and arrogance: they are not polar opposites, but arrogance is simply 'too much', ie. having overstepped who someone is. Knowing who you are, and your place, is one of the cardinal pieces of widsom in the Greek worldview (immortalized on the door at Delphoi with the words gnothi sauton and, also, meden agan.) As such, I do have a streak that many might see as arrogant, though I do not see it as so - I do not have any trouble submitting the authority of someone that I percieve of as having greater knowledge in an area, etc. I think I very much like to see myself in my proper place. In many situations this is, indeed, head and shoulders above most (at least in so far as intellectual pursuits are concerned... though 'most' does not include my brilliant peers, of which there are many.) Of course, this does then have a certain responsibility to attempt to draw all others up to my level, or at least inspire them with my enthusiasm for whatever I may know. I have no fear for being somehow 'usurped' or shown up, and I would that all would know the things I do.
But you are right, ZeaLitY, many are afraid of expressing such a view, in part, I suppose, do to a democratic concept of equality. What you are speaking of hearkens more to the aristocratic mindset of the kalloi kagathoi, which I does, in a way, seem rather attractive to me. This might just be a rebellion against what I perceive as an over-emphasis on the daily and vulgar in many things (by vulgar I mean commonplace, rather than morally reprehensible.) The desire to be normal and that the hoi polloi are somehow the standard of what is good is strange to me. As, indeed, I have less a liking of that son of a vegetable seller, Euripides, and more regard for that warrior-poet whom the long-haired Medes feared, Aeschylus. And as much as it has some theological difficulties to my mind, even the concept of a Superman, I must admit, is not entirely without some appeal to me.
And so it is true, ZeaLitY, and you do say it well. We are all human, and human worth in the moral sense (if you believe in such things), is equal. But it must be admitted that we are not all equal in terms of benefit to the whole, or importance to society at large. As much as people wish to say, for example, that great things cannot be done without the working class, etc., and as much as that is true, one overseer, one planner or designer, one thinker, is more individually important than one worker. This does not mean that that individual's freedom or life or any such aspect is of lesser value, but the individual value to society is not so great.
Of course, I am speaking of a somewhat aristocratic mind here. But unlike in days past where nobility was born, nowadays - moreso if not yet entirely - nobility is something that one can achieve by the implementation of one's gifts and talents. In some ways, more like the old heroic ethos: the king was not the man who sat idly on the throne. Why were the heroes of the old wars regarded so highly? As Glaukos says (or perhaps it is Sarpedon, I forget... it is one of the Lykian commanders at any rate), it is because they stand foremost in the ranks that they are given the honour of the choicest meats and wines, and regarded as gods in their homeland. Kings for what they are... a good concept.
Again, we cannot devalue someone's human worth, but I think we can gauge, by varying scales, one's position relative to others. On the scale of, say, musical aptitude, I have no doubt that I would rank very badly next to most of you, and I will readily admit my inferiority there. Likewise if we were to guage physical strength. But in the matter of academics, in sheer range of learning and studies, I rank amongst the highest. This is not arrogance, this is simply what is, and admitting that is simply having no false modesty. If I want to be truly pious according to my beliefs (though ZeaLitY and others might disagree on this account), I can attribute the cause to God via fate. But it remains that I am the person who I am, both the good and bad elements. A whole knowledge and understanding of one's self, therefore, of who one is, neither setting one's self too high or too low, is ever the best policy.
Again, gnothi sauton kai meden agan!
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Since others have addressed the one side, I want to address the other: You need to move out, Zephira. You really do. You need to start living on your own, for yourself. It's time for that.
Set out on your own, and you will know what kind of a person you are going to be, because the problems that are your own will come with you, and the problems that are not your own will vanish.
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There's a bunch of cats outside right now... and they won't shut up.
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Last night I had the lovely experience of discovering that my credit card number had been stolen.
My wife and I were looking over our charges and noticed a random one that neither of us could identify. Looking over the last few months, we discovered several other charges for a similar amount to the same company. None of them were large charges (though they were starting to add up), but it was to a company that neither of us had ever had any dealings with. Ever.
This isn't the worst crime ever, which is why this is here instead of in the hate thread, but it is still rather annoying.
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Zephira--you have the ability to choose who you will become, the people around you will only influence that potential person if you let them.
I'm so sorry you're stuck in such a terrible situation. It sounds toxic, and I agree with J--you should make plans to get out of there. It doesn't sound like a home anymore.
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Am I going to end up like this, too?
I am hesitant to make the point I am about to make for fear that this really is not the best occasion, but I feel that it is pertinent because it is something that I've had to deal with on many occasions since moving out of my parents' home. It is my understanding that for those who share both genes and a living space with less-than-ideal relatives, there does exist a propensity to develop malignant behavior patterns which mirror those of said relatives in certain, often difficult situations. This is not to say that developing these behavior patterns is inevitable, and believe me that is the last thing I want to imply here, because that is absolutely not true. Rather, my point is that it is often the case that these behavioral tendencies catch us off guard in times when our lives are hectic, and if too much is in disarray we may not catch ourselves contributing more to that disarray until it is too late. Needless to say, it's good to develop the habit of being on the lookout for things like this.
Also: In my own experience, when I've hit a wall in some personal situation, or when I've come to the realization that I just cannot handle a situation in the way most people would see fit to handle it, I've started to realize that, quite often, one of my less-than-ideal relatives had a ridiculously hard time dealing with a similar situation. Perhaps such a situation ended up driving said relative crazy, causing that relative to do something, or many things, that hurt him/her or other people, possibly me. Perhaps such a situation was the beginning of many of said relative's problems, and in that light perhaps it is what caused me hold a consistently low opinion of "said relative". (Heh, is it becoming obvious that I have "said relative" issues?) It's never been pleasant to recall such incidents and misgivings, but its been in part by making such a connection with unpleasant familial memories that I've been able to come to a better understanding of how to live with my own idiosyncrasies, and how to live in a way which will keep me from hurting myself or other people in the future. One of the hardest tasks I've had to undertake, and that most people have to undertake in life is that of gleaning, not just valuable, but essential, necessary insight from these negative familial experiences.
Honestly? No, I do not think that you will end up repeating the mistakes which you see going on around you. You understand too well the frustration of living with them to allow yourself to fall into their traps. At least, that is the way I see it. I agree with J that it would be best for you to get out of there if at all possible, if for nothing else than to relieve yourself of the frustrations of living in that situation. I hope that is a possibility, or at least that there is some kind of "third place" you are able to go to get away when you need to. Before any of that, though, I hope that there's some possibility, any possibility, that things will settle down on their own for the time being...
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Someone called me a slut today. I was walking slower than usual and this guy walks past me and says "Get out of the way, slut!'" I was so taken aback that I couldn't do anything except stare at him as he walked away. I guess "slut" is just his automatic word for people who piss him off, or women who piss him off, or whatever. "Slut" is an incredibly offensive word regardless, but the word itself upsets me on such a personal level that people I know refrain from using it (along with "whore") in my presence. I was 5 minutes late to my next class because I went into the nearest restroom to cry. What a jerk...
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What a fucktard. It is but a taste of the misogyny that quietly permeates "mainstream" American society. If you can stomach the notion, "guy talk" is absolutely riddled with that kind of terminology applied to women. It's bold indeed that he should use it in a truly public situation; it suggests that this is becoming acceptable. And that shouldn't be accepted.
You may do well to check out your university's sexual harassment policy if this happened on campus, and see what options are available to you if this happens again.
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Uboa makes an excellent point about picking up the habits of those who are in frequent close proximity to you--especially when you're younger and more formative, and super-especially if those people are family members.
My mom and I had an extremely bad relationship for most of my childhood. In fact every dynamic in that house was bad or at least troubled, except for the relationship between me and my dad. When I went to college, so much of that simply evaporated. I had beaten the beast.
But not quite.
My mother is an extremely passive-aggressive person--dysfunctionally so, in fact. As an adult I have noticed my own, smaller tendency toward passive-aggressiveness. I was exposed to it long enough, and I was impressionable enough, that it became a part of my personality. I am always on guard to avoid being passive-aggressive in my behavior to others; usually I succeed because I detest the trait so deeply. But it's the kind of success that requires eternal vigilance. There will probably never be a point where the propensity toward passive-aggressiveness just fades out of my personality. It's a part of who I am, and I have to live with that.
The more time you spend with people who bring out the worst in you (or the best, for that matter, or anything in between), the more those behaviors and frames of mind are reinforced. This, above all else, is why you should get out and live on your own with all deliberate speed.
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Someone called me a slut today. I was walking slower than usual and this guy walks past me and says "Get out of the way, slut!'" I was so taken aback that I couldn't do anything except stare at him as he walked away. I guess "slut" is just his automatic word for people who piss him off, or women who piss him off, or whatever. "Slut" is an incredibly offensive word regardless, but the word itself upsets me on such a personal level that people I know refrain from using it (along with "whore") in my presence. I was 5 minutes late to my next class because I went into the nearest restroom to cry. What a jerk...
Grrrr....(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Dalton-Angry.gif)
I effing hate that word! It is so overused that the actual denotation has lost all meaning! Dogdamned stupid voleh!
Do people not understand what they're saying anymore?! Can they not see that "slut," even used in the proper context is probably the most devastating thing you can call a woman, let alone a random stranger on the street?
This is completely ridiculous, and I hope the next person that jerkass does this to kicks him right in the balls!!!
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This is completely ridiculous, and I hope the next person that jerkass does this to kicks him right in the balls!!!
Truthordeal, perhaps your sympathies are in the right place in this one, but I have to admit that it frustrates me when brash males propose to counter brash male sexism with brash male solutions. It's all so blissfully oblivious that I could scream.
Calling for someone to be kicked in the balls comes from the same place that calling someone a slut does. If you abhor the one, don't show it by invoking the other, because you totally undermine yourself when you do that. Worse, you do not aid the long-term goals of sexual equality. By suggesting that a male be brought down to size by being kicked in the male genitalia, you are explicitly reaffirming the idea that much of a male's worth comes from his status as a male, and, by affirming that, you are reinforcing all sexism.
Do people not understand what they're saying anymore?! Can they not see that "slut," even used in the proper context is probably the most devastating thing you can call a woman, let alone a random stranger on the street?
I find your comment disturbing, as it clearly affirms your Christian-taught tendency toward the denigration of females by placing their sexuality at the heart of their worth as individuals. The actual most devastating thing you can call a person is whatever happens to be the opposite of what they most want to be--or, more fundamentally, whatever happens to be the opposite of whatever qualities they use to assert their worth as human beings. To some people, "slut" may be the worst possible slur. But to others, no it won't.
Calling someone a "slut" is always potentially offensive, because it implies worthlessness, poor judgment, and flawed character. It is also personally offensive in Sajainta's case because she's been the victim of extraordinary sexual abuses. But is "slut" the single worst thing that a person could say of each and every one of the Earth's nearly 3.5 billion females? No, it isn't.
You have to be careful when you speak on behalf of groups of people, Truthordeal, because there is a high price to pay if you're wrong. In this case, you have objectified all females, making you an ordinary, run-of-the-mill sexist in this instance. Despite all my disagreements with you, I know you're better than that, so please try to put some more thought into what you say.
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It's interesting to observe how some Third Wave feminists are trying to "reclaim" that word, among others. A high-theory Third Wave feminist woman who experiences what Sajainta just did might respond by saying: "Yes, I'm a sexual being. So what, you mean you aren't?"
In the end, I think it does little good from a male perspective, because men who apply the word are still applying it with the understanding that the word is derogatory. The practice of "Reclamation" builds a communcational disconnect between two disparate subcultures, when the goal should be to eliminate the lack of respect one subculture has for another. It's like catching a bullet and making a bracelet out of it, but not removing the shooter's wish to injure. The offender will just make up new words with which to hurt others.
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Yeah, slut is offensive, but it wouldn't be the most offensive thing for me as the word has no meaning applied to my life. I've never been sexually active, so calling me a slut would be like calling me a glutton or murderer or psychopath. None of them are very desirable and they might make strangers question my reputation, but they have no truth in them.
For me, the most offensive insult would probably be a no talent, shitty artist. And yes, I have received that one, plenty of times.
For an insult to be truly painful, it has to be personal. You say I'm a slut, I say you're an ass and laugh and walk away.
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My mindset is sexist in a way that I put females above males in a social heiarchy.
But I won't lie, I do make sexist statements often around and to my friends. Never to be an asshole, and they know that, and they just make a sarcastic comment back.
Criticize my ways all you wish, but you'll be taking more insult out of it than anyone of my friends, either boy or girl, has.
But assholes like the one Sajainta encountered, well, he was an asshole, and his statement was inherently both cruel and sexist, and intended to harm. I wouldn't consider myself anything like that.
Slut is definitley extremely offensive, from the standpoint of my social group. Its worse than saying bitch, or atleast in the context we use it, because people here call eachother that alot (aimed at both male and female, usually only when someone's getting F***ed up in starcraft, though)
However the two can be used interchangably and just as wrongly in Sajainta's case.
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Broke my jaw, which means no solid foods until after Thanksgiving, and pain killers make it so I can't drive. Very frustrating. Apologies for any incoherence in my posts for the next few weeks; blame said pain killers.
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But RD, the important question here is...does stuffing count as "solid food"? Get well soon, man!
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Broke my jaw, which means no solid foods until after Thanksgiving, and pain killers make it so I can't drive. Very frustrating. Apologies for any incoherence in my posts for the next few weeks; blame said pain killers.
That's awful, I'm sorry.
I've had my jaw dislocated a number of times and ended up having to get jaw surgery, where they pretty much broke my jaw and re-set it. I was in the same position you are now with the non-solid foods and the pain killers. So I understand your pain.
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Dang, RD, that sounds painful. What happened?
I wish you a speedy recovery!
Current frustration: Photoshop cannot open more than 199 files at once. Crono's Gate has 235 "frames".
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Broke my jaw, which means no solid foods until after Thanksgiving, and pain killers make it so I can't drive. Very frustrating. Apologies for any incoherence in my posts for the next few weeks; blame said pain killers.
My condolances, my great compendiumite!
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Broke my jaw, which means no solid foods until after Thanksgiving, and pain killers make it so I can't drive. Very frustrating. Apologies for any incoherence in my posts for the next few weeks; blame said pain killers.
Whoa, sorry to hear that. Recover soon.
Frustration: uhhh edited it out, fuck it
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Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that, RD.
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But RD, the important question here is...does stuffing count as "solid food"? Get well soon, man!
It is my hope that by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, I'll be in good enough shape for at least that. Stuffing is my favorite part of the meal!
Thank you everyone for your kind words. Know this: though my jaw is broken, by beard remains at full strength. Therefore, recovery is inevitable!
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Broke my jaw, which means no solid foods until after Thanksgiving, and pain killers make it so I can't drive. Very frustrating. Apologies for any incoherence in my posts for the next few weeks; blame said pain killers.
im really sorry to hear you broke your jaw, but i have to ask how you did it, if you dont mind telling us.
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My neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers are SO sore. I wish I had access to some kind of masseuse.
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Health insurance in the United States. There's been a quote about judging things against the Grand Canyon going around here lately. I have a similar view, except with the moon landing. We put men on the moon. Go to the Wikipedia page for the Saturn V rocket and read a sentence. It doesn't matter which one, any of them. Now, in the light of that fucking marvel, and the fact that we used it to take human beings, and put them on a body distinct from our planet, and then we brought them back safely, ask yourself why we still have a 3rd world health care system.
Whenever anyone tries to bog you down with any difficulty about having a proper, single payer health care system in this country, remind them that we put men on the moon. Their objections are therefore invalid.
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It doesn't matter which one, any of them. Now, in the light of that fucking marvel, and the fact that we used it to take human beings, and put them on a body distinct from our planet, and then we brought them back safely, ask yourself why we still have a 3rd world health care system.
Statements like these show that you have absolutely no perspective when it comes to global affairs, much less on health care. I could go on, but I have no interest in igniting this debate in the Frustration thread again. Move it to the health care thread should your frustration continue, plz, kthnx.
As for me, my frustration is morons who insist that I stop using the word "gay" in the pejorative sense(i.e., Square-Enix is gay for what they did to Crimson Echoes).
Despite the fact that I frequently have to explain that I am not against homosexuality, but am just using a modern colloquialism for the word "bad," I still have people beeping me on Skype about using the word "gay" in my status(specifically, "My DS is acting gay").
Now, given the recent elevation of the "homosexual debate," if I may use that jargon, maybe I should stop. But I'm not going to change my entire manner of speech overnight to suit some j-hole I met once on Skype and got their contact from it.
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It doesn't matter which one, any of them. Now, in the light of that fucking marvel, and the fact that we used it to take human beings, and put them on a body distinct from our planet, and then we brought them back safely, ask yourself why we still have a 3rd world health care system.
Statements like these show that you have absolutely no perspective when it comes to global affairs, much less on health care.
As for me, my frustration is morons who insist that I stop using the word "gay" in the pejorative sense.
On October 26, trial was held in Department 180 of the Joshalonian Superior Court, in and for the County of Lord Esquires. In a moment, the results of that trial.
tick-tock ... tick-tock ... tick-tock :franky tick-tock ... tick-tock ... tick-tock
Under the Law of Universal Obscenities, it is universally obscene for an intellectual hoodlum to accuse a vastly more intelligent member of the same community of being incapable of mature participation in a conversation between adults. This law is in place not only to protect the reputations of the upstanding, but to keep the universe from exploding due to ironic forces.
Furthermore, it is a violation of the Civil Humanity Code of Greater Joshalonia for any person to defend an act of bigotry or bigoted language on the grounds of personal convenience.
Violation of the Law of Universal Obscenities is a Class Two Felony punishable by not less than twelve months imprisonment and a $1,250 fine. Violation of the Civil Humanity Code of Greater Joshalonia is also Class Two Felony. Due to his belligerence, and to the fact that two completely unrelated felonies were committed in such close proximity to one another, the defendant received the Maximum Sentence in both cases, and the sentences were assigned to be consecutive.
TRUTHORDEAL -- Now Serving His Sentence (http://philosophicalfoundry.dreamhosters.com/media/Dragnet_Fanfare.WAV)
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I CLAIM DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY! *runs away*
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Statements like these show that you have absolutely no perspective when it comes to global affairs, much less on health care. I could go on, but I have no interest in igniting this debate in the Frustration thread again. Move it to the health care thread should your frustration continue, plz, kthnx.
No, please go on. I want you to explain to me why a country that put men on the moon is incapable of having a modern health care system. We have fantastic hospitals and brilliant doctors; please explain to me why we can't increase the access our citizens have to these resources while simultaneously reducing the percentage of our GDP spent on health care. The Europeans have found a way to manage, and they haven't even put a man on the moon. And while you're at it, explain to me how the health care policy of the United States is a global issue. There's some interesting ground there, I'd love to hear some insight on the topic.
As for me, my frustration is morons who insist that I stop using the word "gay" in the pejorative sense(i.e., Square-Enix is gay for what they did to Crimson Echoes).
Despite the fact that I frequently have to explain that I am not against homosexuality, but am just using a modern colloquialism for the word "bad," I still have people beeping me on Skype about using the word "gay" in my status(specifically, "My DS is acting gay").
Now, given the recent elevation of the "homosexual debate," if I may use that jargon, maybe I should stop. But I'm not going to change my entire manner of speech overnight to suit some j-hole I met once on Skype and got their contact from it.
There seems to be a misunderstanding here. If there is one of us with a lack of perspective, it's you. You seem to labor under the delusion that it is a fault in others when they point out that you are a self entitled little bigot. This is not the case. The fact that you are a self entitled little bigot is a fault, and it lies entirely within you. The people who point this fault out to you are not morons. They are your friends, and better friends than you deserve, because they have the sincerity to let you know when you are in the wrong.
When you use "gay" as pejorative, you are explicitly linking homosexuals with whatever acts you find fault with. You are asserting, for example, that shutting down fan projects is the specific act of homosexuals and the malfunction is a specific act of homosexuals. This is bigotry, plain and simple, and it is bigots like you who are responsible for creating a social (and as a result of that, legal) atmosphere that is hostile to homosexuals.
So, to tie this back into the topic of our misunderstandings, why the fuck do you think that a self entitled little bigot like yourself deserves to live in a country that put men on the moon?
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Statements like these show that you have absolutely no perspective when it comes to global affairs, much less on health care. I could go on, but I have no interest in igniting this debate in the Frustration thread again. Move it to the health care thread should your frustration continue, plz, kthnx.
No, please go on. I want you to explain to me why a country that put men on the moon is incapable of having a modern health care system. We have fantastic hospitals and brilliant doctors; please explain to me why we can't increase the access our citizens have to these resources while simultaneously reducing the percentage of our GDP spent on health care. The Europeans have found a way to manage, and they haven't even put a man on the moon. And while you're at it, explain to me how the health care policy of the United States is a global issue. There's some interesting ground there, I'd love to hear some insight on the topic.
As for me, my frustration is morons who insist that I stop using the word "gay" in the pejorative sense(i.e., Square-Enix is gay for what they did to Crimson Echoes).
Despite the fact that I frequently have to explain that I am not against homosexuality, but am just using a modern colloquialism for the word "bad," I still have people beeping me on Skype about using the word "gay" in my status(specifically, "My DS is acting gay").
Now, given the recent elevation of the "homosexual debate," if I may use that jargon, maybe I should stop. But I'm not going to change my entire manner of speech overnight to suit some j-hole I met once on Skype and got their contact from it.
There seems to be a misunderstanding here. If there is one of us with a lack of perspective, it's you. You seem to labor under the delusion that it is a fault in others when they point out that you are a self entitled little bigot. This is not the case. The fact that you are a self entitled little bigot is a fault, and it lies entirely within you. The people who point this fault out to you are not morons. They are your friends, and better friends than you deserve, because they have the sincerity to let you know when you are in the wrong.
When you use "gay" as pejorative, you are explicitly linking homosexuals with whatever acts you find fault with. You are asserting, for example, that shutting down fan projects is the specific act of homosexuals and the malfunction is a specific act of homosexuals. This is bigotry, plain and simple, and it is bigots like you who are responsible for creating a social (and as a result of that, legal) atmosphere that is hostile to homosexuals.
So, to tie this back into the topic of our misunderstandings, why the fuck do you think that a self entitled little bigot like yourself deserves to live in a country that put men on the moon?
(http://msp91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/tdiamond8/hands_clapping.gif)
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Oh, dear me. You are right, RD. I am a completely bad person because I engage in one act of "bigotry." Very well, then I suppose I should go cast myself in the river and die. The world would be one bigot less, then, wouldn't it?
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Of course I'm joking; I'm not so stupid as to leave the world in the hands of you humorless bastards.
If you don't like my manner of speaking, and if you don't like my way of thinking, then that's your prerogative. I don't like that you don't like me, but I suppose it cannot be helped. Scold me all you want, call me names and use ad hominem if it makes you feel better. But DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE tell me what I can and cannot say!
Now, as for how I deserve to live in America...I don't. I don't deserve it anymore than my Czech friend deserves to be excluded from living in it. Same as you, J, FW or any other American Compendiumite or any American in general, there is nothing that makes me different from anyone who wasn't born here.
The difference is, while you weep and scream and tear through the world, I'll laugh and play and occasionally allow myself a slip of the tongue. I reel in my language if someone takes particular offense to it, but not once have I ever tried to make anyone feel bad over how they spoke, and I was hoping that you people, the self-proclaimed paramount of tolerance, would show the same consideration. For all I care, you can take your self-appointed self-righteous attitude and shove it up your ass. I have no use for it.
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On the matter of health care, I took offense to your labeling of American health care as a "third world" system. Have you been to a third world country, RD? I haven't, but I belong to a church that has made several mission trips to them in the past. These are places where ritual healings that would make Christian Scientists blush are the norm and where they have about as much medical expertise as a plague doctor of Medieval times.
We have the same problem, you and I, and the same goal in mind. We have different methods to reach that goal, but I don't hate you for that. What I dislike is your blatant distortion of the problem. I figured you either did this out of ignorance, or you did it willfully. I chose the former because I figured it was a general misunderstanding.
Either way, to make a statement like that, you DO lack perspective.
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I'm frustrated that this argument is the most entertaining topic that's active right now.
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Oh, dear me. You are right, RD. I am a completely bad person because I engage in one act of "bigotry." Very well, then I suppose I should go cast myself in the river and die. The world would be one bigot less, then, wouldn't it?
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Of course I'm joking; I'm not so stupid as to leave the world in the hands of you humorless bastards.
I'm not sure why you think I'm humorless. It's true that I don't find casual bigotry entertaining, but if you can only get chuckles by debasing "the other", then I think that leaves you with the more stunted sense of humor. I find it odd that you put the word bigotry in scare quotes. How would you describe demonizing a group of people for things that have nothing to do with them? Because that's what you're doing, whether you want to admit it or not.
I've never said you should cast yourself in a river, or in any way kill yourself. I'd much rather you be a better person than a corpse.
If you don't like my manner of speaking, and if you don't like my way of thinking, then that's your prerogative. I don't like that you don't like me, but I suppose it cannot be helped. Scold me all you want, call me names and use ad hominem if it makes you feel better. But DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE tell me what I can and cannot say!
I never once asserted that you being a bigot was the reason that your casual degradation of homosexuals was improper, nor do I think that I have called you a bigot unfairly. And I certainly did not tell you what you can or cannot say. You have every right to let the world know your opinion on any topic you want. This does not mean, however, that people are bound to not judge you based on your words and deeds. I have called you a bigot because you engage in bigotry. Shall I call you illiterate, or did you simply chose not to read my post?
Now, as for how I deserve to live in America...I don't. I don't deserve it anymore than my Czech friend deserves to be excluded from living in it. Same as you, J, FW or any other American Compendiumite or any American in general, there is nothing that makes me different from anyone who wasn't born here.
The difference is, while you weep and scream and tear through the world, I'll laugh and play and occasionally allow myself a slip of the tongue. I reel in my language if someone takes particular offense to it, but not once have I ever tried to make anyone feel bad over how they spoke, and I was hoping that you people, the self-proclaimed paramount of tolerance, would show the same consideration. For all I care, you can take your self-appointed self-righteous attitude and shove it up your ass. I have no use for it.
You are entirely able to speak your mind here. Your speech is tolerated. It is not censored, it is not removed, but it is certainly not endorsed. While I have never described myself as a paramount of tolerance, tolerance is exactly what I am showing your speech. I have never disallowed you to say anything, here or elsewhere.
It's odd that you use this to get on your moral high horse. You've never tried to make anyone feel bad over how they speak. Well good for you. You just happily contribute to making people feel bad about the category of people they are attracted to. I'm not sure why you think that makes you superior. There is clearly some part of you that recognizes that this casual bigotry is not a good thing, or else you wouldn't reel it in when called on it. What I am forced to conclude is that you knowingly use your speech to make people feel bad about things that they cannot control, and then you get offended when you are made to feel bad about your entirely voluntary actions. I fail to see the equivalence here.
Your attitude is extremely childish. You have this odd notion that anyone who actually cares about making this world a better place is a complete stiff, someone without humor or joy. This is not the case. I'm filled with joy and awe at the beauty and splendor the world has to offer, and that is why it enrages me when such joy is unjustly denied to my fellow human beings. Neither your selfishness nor your carelessness are virtues and I strongly doubt that you've got the chops to make an ethical defense of your hedonism. Prove me wrong here; I'd love to hear it.
On the matter of health care, I took offense to your labeling of American health care as a "third world" system. Have you been to a third world country, RD? I haven't, but I belong to a church that has made several mission trips to them in the past. These are places where ritual healings that would make Christian Scientists blush are the norm and where they have about as much medical expertise as a plague doctor of Medieval times.
To my knowledge, the United States is the only 1st world country that does not provide health care for its citizens. This is what I mean when I say that the US has a 3rd world health care system. If I have erred in this description, this is where the error lies.
We have the same problem, you and I, and the same goal in mind. We have different methods to reach that goal, but I don't hate you for that. What I dislike is your blatant distortion of the problem. I figured you either did this out of ignorance, or you did it willfully. I chose the former because I figured it was a general misunderstanding.
Do we have the same goals? I'm not convinced. On topics relevant to this post, I want an end to homophobia, and a modern health care system in the wealthiest nation in the world. You clearly don't want an end to homophobia, and you have not indicated whether or not you want a modern health care system in the US. I want this world to be better than it is. I'm not sure that you do:
The difference is, while you weep and scream and tear through the world, I'll laugh and play and occasionally allow myself a slip of the tongue.
This is the statement of a carefree hedonist. This is not an indication that you have any true desire to make the world a better place. I see a problem, and if it is beyond my power to fix it, then the least I do is try to draw attention to it. You don't seem concerned at all with fixing problems. Indeed, when presented with a problem (for example, homophobia) you become defensive, and perform all sorts of contortions to somehow assert that the problem doesn't exist, and those pointing it out are the ones with some larger problem.
Either way, to make a statement like that, you DO lack perspective.
We put a man on the moon. Don't tell me we can't do here on Earth what those who have never left this rock have been doing for 60 years.
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...ask yourself why we still have a 3rd world health care system.
I feel the biggest difference between health care and the moon landing is that the moon landing was not the product of a free market, but rather a concerted, one-track minded, centralized effort. Markets just can't provide certain things efficiently. Imagine if we treated national defense like we do the national health care system: who would subscribe to the Compendium Justice Militia vs. the GameFAQs Bad Boys Militia vs. the...Riot Grrls Militia, for protection from...anti...game...forces?
The national defense analogy may be more appropriate here than the moon landing analogy in terms of economics, at least. There was simply no market for travel to the moon (and the market for space travel is probably still dismally tiny, I suspect). On the other hand I could very easily see a market model for national defense: pay a premium to your choice militia, who pools the risk of attack on all its buyers.
As for the language issue, I imagine Truthordeal is tackling his frustration from a libertarian perspective. I had a libertarian prof who adamantly refused to wear his seatbelt on the sheer principle of personal freedom, so lacking a deeper familiarity with the worldview, I'll approach this through the anecdote of my prof's resistance against seatbelts and how he felt they constrained his freedom.
Truth, would you say most libertarians agree with the principle: "I have a right to swing my fist, but that right stops at your nose." ? The prof's decision not to wear a seatbelt and your decision to employ the word "gay" to describe things that you feel negative about are different in this regard -- though I have to assume my prof didn't have any family or close friends; and that people can be scraped off the road for free, for sheer sake of argument.
If my prof doesn't wear a seatbelt and he gets smushed under his car in a rollover accident, the injury of his decision applies only to him. His risk, his injury. Everything's internalized to himself.
When you attach the word "gay" to negative concepts, on the other hand, an externality is created -- it may be very small in the grand scheme of things, to be sure, but it still contributes to a larger environment full of negative attitudes toward homosexuals. The action is yours, but the possible harm from that action is externalized to people who are not you.
To give some additional perspective on my position here (which actually helps you, Truth, because I seem to be on a theoretical fringe when it comes to porn), these are the grounds on which I feel it's also possible to attack the porn industry as it currently operates. Everyone involved in producing the material I've highlighted recently in the Sexism thread is doing so of their own volition, but their choices shape the sexuality of children and even adults who watch it. If women and men who do not inwardly enjoy x,y, and z in the bedroom are expected to conform to those behaviors on pain of losing their relationships, then those women and men have been damaged by the seemingly harmless free actions of others. I'd be willing to bet that Andrea Dworkin reasoned on similar grounds when she labeled pornography a women's civil rights issue.
Not that I recommend censorship or official government action to solve these issues; I'd rather see them tackled through civil society, which is essentially what's happening here as RD suggested.
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I feel the biggest difference between health care and the moon landing is that the moon landing was not the product of a free market, but rather a concerted, one-track minded, centralized effort. Markets just can't provide certain things efficiently.
I agree. I think that health care, on a national level, is one of the things that a market is less effective at providing, and I believe the present state of health care systems throughout the first world is evidence of this claim.
I will reserve comment on the language issue until Truthordeal responds. It don't want to respond to my vision of what his response might entail.
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Frustration: My nutrition class. It is a mean thing that tells us bad stuff about ourselves. According to this software, I need 2313 kCalories a day. I got an average of 1311 this weekend.
Also the above argument is entertaining. I'm guilty of letting the word gay slip into a negative adjective, and I try not to. Thing is, I saw a gay guy use it that same way during class once. I asked him about it and got "Everyone else is doing it" as a response.
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Thing is, I saw a gay guy use it that same way during class once. I asked him about it and got "Everyone else is doing it" as a response.
Excellent, excellent, excellent observation. I'm really not sure how to respond when it comes to these things, other than to suggest that one gay guy's action could have a negative effect on the lives of other gay guys, just the same. Just because the offending person belongs to the class of people at risk of injury doesn't make it right. Women were pretty much voluntarily squeezing their organs into corsets for centuries, and mothers in the Mideast advocate female genital mutilation for their daughters, because it's just, like, going with the flow of things. Men haven't been free either: Aztec priests were once perfectly willing to slice their...oh, never mind. Why do I always come up with these grotesque examples?
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But DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE tell me what I can and cannot say!
Hate speech laws go beyond political correctness and protect against things that do injure people and spread hatred. The idea of "words can't hurt me" sounds nice, but the reality is that words can hurt people the most. Just like saying "that test raped me" might hurt a girl in earshot who's been raped, saying "that test was so gay" may remind a gay person that they're outcasts in society.
And when you can't even enjoy the benefits heterosexual couples do or be accepted like them, you really notice when this speech is uttered or other discrimination occurs. And it hurts. This is why I limit my own speech, despite, like you, having been in an environment where calling things gay was normal and even hilarious. People do hear it. And it does, even subconsciously, reinforce the alienation of gay people, especially in usage in the presence of people who are fully aware of its root and use it anyway.
Have you been to a third world country, RD?
Free trade and the economic policies of the first world are part of the reason the third world has failing health care. The Philippines is a good example. In the past, the Filipino government provided health care for everyone, including poor people, and hospitals were well funded. That all changed with new economic agreements and trade arrangements. "Structural adjustment" includes austerity provisions, which slashed the health care budget.
Today, entire graduating classes of nurses leave the Philippines to find work elsewhere (along with droves of migrant workers to the Middle East and Europe, who account for a significant share of the country's foreign revenue). Hospitals are failing and closing due to being understaffed. The health care program can't retain any labor. Poor people can't even get access. Working for the government to provide essential services means accepting a life of relative poverty. Things like this are just pure exploitation. Cut welfare programs, privatize, and exploit. To back up my accounts, it's easy enough to search for "philippines" "structural adjustment" on Google. Philippine nurses are now well-known for their training.
But fuck, we needed Nikes and everything else! And so the next time we put down a third world country's government services, it will be prudent to remember the first world's contribution to their erosion. Most Americans probably wouldn't care anyhow, because they're third world and have brown skin. Besides, free trade is supposed to benefit everyone, right? Right?
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Originally I had no intention of replying on the sole basis that I didn't think it was worth the time, but I suppose y'all deserve at least this much:
RD is wrong. Me and him do have the same goals(at least in those two subjects). I'm not homophobic, and I wait for the day when a homosexual couple can walk down the street holding hands the way hetero couples do today. Me using "gay" in the pejorative sense might seem to contradict this, but it's a far cry from being a "bigot."
You may not understand this, but due to our history, being called a bigot in the south is tantamount to excommunicating someone from the church in the Medieval days. Even if you're guilty of no wrong(which I think I am), its a label that's almost impossible to overcome. That's probably at the core of my reaction, but I don't apologize for it. You throw the word around like, to use a favorite expression of mine, the husband at a Jewish wedding(I'm speaking of the chair dance, for those of you who don't get the reference).
Your use of the word bigot entails that you do not have the sense of humor that I do. I don't use the word "gay" as a railing against homosexuals. Hell, I barely use the word to refer to homosexuals anymore. This does not make me as bad a person as the word bigot implies. Anyone who says different is a jackass.
Speaking of the word "jackass," has it not occurred to you how often innocuous words transform they way the word "gay" has? "Gay" and "queer," just 80 years ago meant two totally different things. The same with the words "douchebag(a female hygiene product which now means a disagreeable person)" "jackass(formerly meant a donkey)" and "jigaboo(which were thorny weeds in the ground, and now contain a negative racial connotation)."
You might call someone a "douchebag," which I do, frequently, but that doesn't make you sexist, despite the negative image it has for women. Or if you do, then you do lack a sense of humor, in which case, this debate has been a waste.
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@ Zeality, I choose to think of it this way: gay wasn't rooted in homophobia; it meant happy. People used it to describe homosexuals, and it got that connotation. Now people use it to mean "bad" or "broken." It's how words evolve, and I think it's hilarious.
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@ Zeality, I choose to think of it this way: gay wasn't rooted in homophobia; it meant happy. People used it to describe homosexuals, and it got that connotation. Now people use it to mean "bad" or "broken." It's how words evolve, and I think it's hilarious.
Yes, it meant "happy". But the homosexual community adopted the word as a synonym for homosexual because they thought the longer term carried a stigma and was used to insult. So they decided to try the word "gay". It worked for a little while, til bigots decided "gay" was much easier to say than its synonym which had four whole other syllables, so "gay" is now used to insult.
Similarly, atheists thought the word atheist carried a bad connotation, and tried to adopt the word "bright". What religion are you? Oh you're a bright! My apologies. But it never caught on. Interesting though, because if it had caught on, do you think religious people would have started to use it as an insult? I think they would. (No I'm not talking about everyone on the face of the Earth with a tinge of a belief that there may be a god, I'm talking about the Pat Robertson minions specifically. THAT kind of religious.)
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It might be of some value to examine the history of each of the words Truth offered:
"Gay": Once meant "happy," and is now the dominant term for describing homosexual men.
"Queer": Once meant "strange," and now refers to homosexuals of either gender.
"Douchebag": I suppose this would refer to the receptacle of a douche, most likely applicable to the vaginal douche (although there are also anal douches). Now refers to assholes, i.e., people who suck, i.e., individuals we don't care for.
"Jackass": Once the name for an animal, now used to refer to people who suck, i.e., individuals we don't care for.
It could be just be a pet theory of mine, but I believe that when we use these words in common parlance, we're not just using them in the context of their current meaning, but in the context of their history of meanings.
Let's take a look at what this means for each word. Only "gay" is something positive -- it once meant "happy", people with smiles on their faces. It seems natural that homosexual men would want to identify with something positive.
Excluding "queer" for a second, just look at the rest: we're calling people "douchebags" with the inherent attitude that the vagina is unclean; we're calling people "jackasses" with the inherent attitude that donkeys are unclean. To be fair, we also call people "dicks" with the inherent attitude that the penis is somehow unclean. We also call people "assholes" after all. And...yeah.
I'm totally guessing wildly, and maybe I'm wrong, but the usage of each word might have transitioned from its old meaning to its new meaning, with the understanding that the old meaning still applies. This process might happen gradually, such that old old meanings are forgotten completely.
In the case of turning "gay" into a negative, we're transitioning into something that was once positive ("happy") into something that is now becoming negative. If we've forgotten as a society that the word "gay" once meant "happy," we certainly haven't forgotten that "gay" means "male homosexual." It's still linking the new meaning to the old, there's no way around it on a subconscious level. At least according to my pet theory, which is, arguably, an armchair hypothesis.
Now, "queer" -- here's something interesting. The advent of "Queer Theory" embraced by homosexuals indicates that the homosexual community is trying to adopt the word and transform its meaning from something negative into something positive. Betty Dodson is trying to do the same with the word "cunt." Other Third Wave feminists are trying to do the same with the word "slut."
I guess I'm kind of breaking down without reaching a conclusion, but I wanted to toss it out there. But I'll say this: if the theory has any merit, then whereas turning "queer"; "cunt"; and "slut"; to positive uses is taking homosexuals; the vagina; and sexually active women into positive territory, turning the word "gay" to a negative use is taking male homosexuals into negative territory.
That's if I have any inkling what I'm talking about. Since I just consumed a beer while writing this, one can never be sure.
EDIT: Ninja'd by Mr. Bekkler, but these posts go along quite well.
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Well, with atheists, at least religion will one day be eradicated from the earth as humanity grows wiser. Gays can't claim dominion like that; they have to live in a world with heterosexuals, and presently, that means living in a world of adversity.
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Well, with atheists, at least religion will one day be eradicated from the earth as humanity grows wiser. Gays can't claim dominion like that; they have to live in a world with heterosexuals, and presently, that means living in a world of adversity.
That's not necessarily true; with more sexual liberation in the future, a majority of the population may turn towards bisexualism, with birth pods as the main source of procreation.
I suppose I should cite FW for the birth pod idea.
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goddammit.
im frustrated because i have developed the flu.
again.
ugh.
im going to just curl up and sleep for the rest of forever, if thats okay with everyone.
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with birth pods as the main source of procreation.
(http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/969/chronobeer.png)
Zombie, careful of that H1N1 that's going around.
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yeah ill be careful. part of the band at the school has developed it and given that a lot of my baking expertise leads me to fundraisers and such for the band, i should be careful.
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No! Spread it! So it can mutate and I can finally kill some REAL zombies! (No offense, I'm just part of the local Volunteer Zombie Defense League, and action is scarce) ;-)
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NO! Bekkler, wait!
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Mihawk018.jpg)
It's dangerous to go alone. Take this!
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I'm making a schedule for next semester and I am frustrated that pretty much ALL of the courses I need to take are scheduled for either 10:30 or 11:30. Can we give Saj a break, please? Please?
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RD is wrong. Me and him do have the same goals(at least in those two subjects). I'm not homophobic, and I wait for the day when a homosexual couple can walk down the street holding hands the way hetero couples do today. Me using "gay" in the pejorative sense might seem to contradict this, but it's a far cry from being a "bigot."
You are more than waiting, Truthordeal. You are pushing that fine day farther and farther back. If you sat back and did nothing, which seems to be your preferred way of doing things, you'd actually be doing more for the cause of homosexual equality than you are presently. Your actions are in direct contradiction to the motives you claim. If you cared at all about homosexuals being able to live freely, you would not be actively contributing to the environment that prevents them from doing so, nor would you make such vigorous attempts at defending your actions.
You may not understand this, but due to our history, being called a bigot in the south is tantamount to excommunicating someone from the church in the Medieval days. Even if you're guilty of no wrong(which I think I am), its a label that's almost impossible to overcome. That's probably at the core of my reaction, but I don't apologize for it. You throw the word around like, to use a favorite expression of mine, the husband at a Jewish wedding(I'm speaking of the chair dance, for those of you who don't get the reference).
We seem to have another misunderstanding here. You have somehow come to believe that you are a victim in all of this. That cannot be further from the truth. The reason I call you a bigot is that you actively denigrate a segment of humanity simply for existing, thus contributing to the already unforgivable social atmosphere they live in, and when called on it, call the people calling you on it morons and strive vigorously to defend your actions.
Here you are in his paragraph, trying to make it seem that I'm picking on you unfairly. Let's be clear on this: I am not picking on you unfairly. I am describing your actions to you. I am holding up a mirror, and if you don't like what you see, that doesn't make me a bully or you a victim. It means there may be some shred of you that knows that people should be better than you are now. I recommend that you cease trying to drown out that voice, and begin embracing it. Ironic, that in this paragraph you pretend to be an innocent victim, and then try to throw in some ethnic "humor". This does not help your cause. I have not been throwing around the word bigot, I have been using it to mean exactly what it means. Furthermore, comparing Jewish traditions (the "chair dance" isn't just done at weddings) to casually branding people as bigots hardly helps your argument. You really do like picking on oppressed groups, don't you? Pathetic.
Your use of the word bigot entails that you do not have the sense of humor that I do. I don't use the word "gay" as a railing against homosexuals. Hell, I barely use the word to refer to homosexuals anymore. This does not make me as bad a person as the word bigot implies. Anyone who says different is a jackass.
You are correct. I don't find picking on the little guy funny. I don't find casually comparing groups of already oppressed people to all that I find fault with in the world funny. And I certainly don't find sniveling little bigots, who try to play the victim when presented in stark terms with the realities of their bigotry rather than using it as an opportunity to grow funny.
You are actively making the world a worse place while pretending to care about the people whom you harm, and while pretending that being called out on your actions makes you a victim. You're a bigot, and what's more, you're a hypocrite and a coward.
You have not once in this discussion took any action that disputes anything I've said about you. You rant and rave, but you refuse to give any indication that I have been unfair or incorrect. You seem to want me to ignore and justify your bigotry. Not happening. I'm a fair man though. If you want me to stop calling you a bigot, stop being a bigot, and I'll stop calling you one. Fair?
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Very well, I'll explain it this way: You are unfair in your use of the word "bigot," much like your use of the phrase "third world system" when referring to American medicine. These words you so casually throw around are inflammatory to such a degree that you seem to lack perspective on the context of them.
Now, when I use the word "gay" in the pejorative context(i.e., Square-Enix is gay) I don't use it to defame homosexuals; I use it as a term to express discontent with something, much like people do with the words "douchebag," and "dick." I find it to be an innocuous expression; you do not. That is where we are, and even if I call you humorless and you call me bigoted until we're blue in the face, I doubt we'll change each others minds.
I don't think my use of the word "gay" detracts or contributes to anything other than the colloquialization of the English language. Interestingly enough though, I did say, in my first post on the matter, that if the climate of homophobia escalated, I would probably stop.
To wit,
Now, given the recent elevation of the "homosexual debate," if I may use that jargon, maybe I should stop. But I'm not going to change my entire manner of speech overnight to suit some j-hole I met once on Skype and got their contact from it.
Your escalation of the entire matter(calling me a bigot and questioning that I deserve to live here) was unfair. When J expressed his discontent, he did it in a humored way; you acted like a dick.
That is all.
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You are unfair in your use of the word "bigot".... These words you so casually throw around are inflammatory to such a degree that you seem to lack perspective on the context of them.
Now, when I use the word "gay" in the pejorative context...I find it to be an innocuous expression...
Could you be any more oblivious? Are you for real, Truthordeal?
No matter. We'll soon be making it a violation of forum rules to use that kind of language here.
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No matter. We'll soon be making it a violation of forum rules to use that kind of language here.
Really? That's interesting. What, specifically, is going to be a violation? I see a lot of people using the word "retarded" to describe things, which could be offensive (I do slip up on this, occasionally). A LOT of people use the word "rape" inaccurately, which personally offends me a great deal. Where is the line going to be drawn?
(Not trying to attack anyone or start an argument, I'm genuinely curious.)
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Well, with atheists, at least religion will one day be eradicated from the earth as humanity grows wiser.
Evolutionarily unlikely. Would you say that the more intelligent an individual is, the more likely they will be an atheist? The more intelligent an individual is, the more likely they are to be successful, but, alas, the more successful an individual is the more likely they are to have fewer children. Meanwhile, assuming the inverse is true (that theists aren't as smart, and therefore wouldn't be as successful), then theists would have more children, effectively stopping humanity from growing "wiser" to the point where religion could be eradicated.
Conversely, the more children a woman has, the more likely subsequent children will be homosexual. Assuming these trends continue, it is quite likely that in the future homosexuals will easily outnumber atheists. It is quite possible that homosexuality will become more socially acceptable than atheism.
No matter. We'll soon be making it a violation of forum rules to use that kind of language here.
To parrot Sajainta, "interesting" indeed. One can only regulate the words used, not the intent behind them. As long as the impetus behind it remains, new words will be found. Sort of like how some people say "arse" instead of "ass." All banning particular phrases accomplishes is forcing those sentiment to go underground until new terminology can be found. Words, and in particular the sentiments behind them, are far more powerful than rules. While the words are indeed undesirable, this seems to just treat a symptom while the disease rages on, consuming the human race. The fish rots from the head as they say, so my thinking is why not cut off the head.
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As a matter of fact, that "we'll soon be changing the rules" is not an official Compendium position; just blustering on my part--although it's blustering I mean to make good on.
Truthordeal has made it clear that he does not perceive his bigotry as such, but as an innocuous expression of convenience. And for the record he didn't actually use that slur here; he merely referred to his use of it elsewhere. So, even if we changed the rules retroactively (which we wouldn't), he wouldn't have anything to worry about.
What's important here is not his feelings but the fact that gays are a persecuted minority and suffer undue hardship as a result of the way they are regarded and treated by others. We have no good reason to protect hate speech on the grounds of freedom of speech. This is a video game community; if we can't make our points without committing bigotry then we haven't got anything worth saying.
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Hmm....
You know, there is something I have found amusing during my time here, and especially in arguments such as deal with 'progressive' matters. That is, that the vast majority of you with the basic assumption of a sort of lingering conservativism in the land and that there is a theocratic aura still extant. You are forgetting something important: not everything is America, and not all are Americans.
This has always confused me, and it's caused several differences in opinion over the years. That I come from a far more liberal country than you do is forgotten and, because of that, I think a bias has been set on many of my comments. The basic assumptions and presuppositions I have, the mood of my fellow citizens, is not like that which you see around you. Many of those things you talk about as requiring change, as being socially problematic, are neither so prounounced and, at times, not even extant. Religious manifestation, for example, something I have been taken to task on several times. The presuppositions I have seen within those discussions have been that I come from a culture that is American, in which an overarching Christian majority still pervades the social structure. As such, I am looked down on as someone speaking for a social elite or something like this... a matter which, even were it true in the United States, can hardly assumed the same in Canada. As much as our countries are similar, there is ever so much setting us apart.
Even in this more conservative heartland of the prairies, I think we are already far more along the road that you more liberal minded would wish your own country to be.
And that's my frustration. I have at times been treated as speaking for the status quo, or some sort of religious theocracy, or the powerful majority, or similar things. Now while that might be true were I an American, I am not, and in this country (and this is yet more pronounced if I travel east or west) my occassionally more conservative viewpoints are in fact the minority, and if I do speak against certain things it is not upholding the norm, but challenging it. I have a perspective that many of you simply don't have.
Even something so simple as this, the supposed right-leaning tendencies of the media. It confuses the hell out of me. I've lived my whole life in a culture in which the national media is predominently left-leaning. Politically, too... we might have elected a Conservative government, but typically speaking, our Conservatives are about as far right as your Democrats are... our Liberal party is yet further left, and the NDP yet a step further out yet. When I speak of left-leaning, it's REALLY left. And this highlights my bias. To me the centre is far more left than it is even to Liberal Americans. But when I talk about left leaning and right leaning, you take that assuming the American standard... but be mindful, it is not. To me a central viewpoint is like your Democrats, or maybe even a trifle right leaning still; to me Republicans are exremely right wing, to the extent that we do not often have in Canada, at least not on a national scale. So whenever an American is minded to argue with me, recall this bias.
Because it does get a bit frustrating for me that by Americans my bias is not being taken into account relative to that of many of you. You speak to me as you would a countryman, but I am not. My view is neccessarially tilted already to the left of yours - that is, if you through your maturation as people have come to see things from a more left-leaning side (as I know several of you have), keep in mind that I was born into a culture that as an initial point holds itself further left than yours.
So that's my frustration today.
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Well, with atheists, at least religion will one day be eradicated from the earth as humanity grows wiser.
Evolutionarily unlikely. Would you say that the more intelligent an individual is, the more likely they will be an atheist?
[/quote]
I believe it has already been proven true, that the more intelligent you are, the greater the likelyhood of being an atheist.
I have no idea on the validity of this site but it seems to have studies and the like to possibly prove it.
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-thinkingchristians.htm
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I believe it has already been proven true, that the more intelligent you are, the greater the likelyhood of being an atheist.
Hmm...
Do you honestly believe that the belief in the existence of God is irrational? Of course there are scientists who are strong proponents of atheism. However, in the past, and even today, many scientists believe that God exists and is responsible for what we see in nature. This is a small sampling of scientists who contributed to the development of modern science while believing in God. Although many people believe in a "God of the Gaps", these late scientists, and living ones, believe because of the evidence.
Nicholas Copernicus, Sir Francis Bacon, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, Rene Descartes, Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, Gregor Mendel, William Thomson Kelvin, Max Planck...
This is by no means a complete list.
As for that link, the numbers seem to indicate that religious involvement is not so much a question of intelligence, but a question of where people fall financially. While it is true that those who have advanced degrees tend to be more atheistic than those who don't, does this correlate with intelligence or just being financially independent?
Case in point? People in the U.S. rate religion as being very important, although it has one of the highest IQ's. However, they also have the highest GDP per capita, which seems to be a more significant factor influencing IQ than religious involvement. In general, one could speculate that those who have a content lifestyle would be less likely to consider their need for God. Why does the United States buck that trend, even though it was founded with a secular form of government?
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Conversely, the more children a woman has, the more likely subsequent children will be homosexual. Assuming these trends continue, it is quite likely that in the future homosexuals will easily outnumber atheists. It is quite possible that homosexuality will become more socially acceptable than atheism.
Atheists are presently the least trusted minority in America. So your hypothetical is already somewhat indicative of present reality.
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Hm, no, ZeaLitY on this manner has an extreme bias that should be watched for. Sorry, ZeaLitY, but it is true. You are not speaking very rationally when you approach the aspect of religion. And, let me add to this, that you are not particularly versed in the subject. I know you think you are, but your statements are about it tend to be about the level of a schoolchild attempting to grasp advanced physics. I find it amusing that one could easily take someone to task for being a mere dillitante in the sciences, and by the misunderstanding what they mean, but when it comes to religion, everyone thinks they can have a valid, intelligent, and meaningful opinion. It's simply not the case. It is a genuine field of study, as complex as any other, and to think it can be dismissed on the grounds of an intuitive opinion, or that one branch of the sciences (ie. empiricism, which is a branch, and a branch only, because religion does technically fall under the aegis of science or, shall we say rather, philosophy) can disprove the other in this fashion, is absurd and egocentric. There is nothing validated in statements made from mere personal rage and ignorance, and that is all you've tended to typically say on the matter.
My second frustration of the day. That ZeaLitY is allowed to ramble at a novice level about how much he hates religion, and indeed at how great science is also at a novice level, and thinks he can utterly shut down those who actually are dually versed by in applied scientific and humanities alike. As far as I know, I am the only one here that has formal training in both. So I'm taking the stand against ZeaLitY.
I've been watching that development from afar, ZeaLitY, and I must say now, this heavyhanded authoritarian approach almost had me quit the forums in disgust a while back - that is why I stopped posting for several months, in fact. I was utterly disgusted by what happened to what was supposed to be an intellectual forum. I am actively participating in scholarly works, and while you had wanted some sort of high minded debate for this place, your own fervor has been destroying it. It's often seeming to me that the Compendium is becoming less a forum for open discussion and more ZeaLitY's smiting the wicked who disagree. And frankly, man, and this must be said, if one speaks of fields of learning, of intellectualism, I, or Thought perhaps (sorry for bringing you into this, but you're the only other I know of as trained as I am), are far more actually knowledeable, and have been more exposed to varying fields of thought. I have gone through a liberal school-system, so I bear those marks as well - not, I must add, something I count for a negative. But the frank fact is, your rants are nothing more than that: you have nothing to support them that would hold academic weight, you have no actual training, not in the sciences, not in religion. Therefore it'd be rather good if you'd stop lambasting these others when you do not stand head and shoulders above them, save perhaps in the fury of your voice. That you can shout louder than Truthordeal doesn't make you more right.
But I am drawing academic elitist rank on you. I know this is your Compendium, but in the name of intellectual interaction, stop it. And I mean that seriously. I've had enough of your anti-religious rants. If you really want to have something to add to that matter, do so intelligently, and don't sound like the anti-religious version of a fire and brimstone preacher. And don't just quote this and that that agrees with you. Anyone can twist the facts.
And frankly, ZeaLitY, a bit of historic studies would do you good. Understand that this debate between religious and atheists is not something that just recently arose. It has existed for thousands of years, and I'll have you know that there were those of the ancient Greeks who would have thought exactly as you did. It's tempting to think that due to our supposed scientific advancements we have no more need of gods, but hey, that exact thought existed in antiquity already, when Rome was still a village on the Tiber. Even then the philosophers had decided that these gods they believed in were ridiculous.
How is that for fury? It has been gnawing at my liver for far too long, and this is but the broken levy.
If my comments are considered too shameful, too shocking or daring, well, fine, I'll leave the Compendium, and go to where open dialogue is actually welcomed, in the University. Because I'm just too tired of seeing this. We should NOT be anti- anything. We should talk about it. Discuss it. Not villify, not bring prejudice and bigotry into the matter, for any group. I am certainly open to people questioning the validity of my belief... heck, I know they're irrational at heart, they have to be. This is not problematic. But what is problematic is this beat-down, this heavy authority against disagreement. Should we all not feel free to speak our minds with an appetite for disagreement, rather than a fear of snarls? Open minds, people, open minds. And this goes especially for those people and things we disagree with. Hatred, ZeaLitY, has no place in academics, no place in intellectualism.
Atheists are presently the least trusted minority in America. So your hypothetical is already somewhat indicative of present reality.
See my previous frustration. 'In America'. Note that I am speaking as not an American, and we Canadians are not so theocratic as you are. As such, take my comments as from a country in which atheism is not mistrusted, indeed has a balance or even advantage.
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Oh, and Truthordeal, actually, so far as I know, the US actually doesn't have a very high average IQ... actually, a pretty low one. IQ doesn't really mean much, of course, but since you brought it up, I thought I'd mention it. Actually, I think on most charts, whether it be standard of living, etc. America tends to rank pretty low. But you are correct, there have been many highly intelligent that are religious. The problem is that those who think that atheists are smarter are drawing a flawed connection. The two simply do not match, no matter how much they want it to. It is, I suppose, a form of self-validation, but it just doesn't work.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Dalton-Angry.gif)
Why does everyone keep confusing me for GenesisOne?
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Because you make similar arguments.
And I reconsidered that thought, anyway. Those guys might actually be right, there might be a correlation between religious belief and IQ.
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Atheists are presently the least trusted minority in America. So your hypothetical is already somewhat indicative of present reality.
See my previous frustration. 'In America'. Note that I am speaking as not an American, and we Canadians are not so theocratic as you are. As such, take my comments as from a country in which atheism is not mistrusted, indeed has a balance or even advantage.
I'm not sure why you were singling out this comment. It was made in the context of a conversation about the social status of homosexuals and atheists within the United States. I am aware that this is an international forum, and that what is true in America isn't necessarily true in other nations. I prefaced my statement to indicate the scope of its assertion. I'm not sure what you would have had me do differently.
If you'd like to talk about Canadian social issues, that'd be fine. I have no real knowledge of the topic though, so expect more questions than assertions from me.
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I believe it has already been proven true, that the more intelligent you are, the greater the likelyhood of being an atheist.
I have no idea on the validity of this site but it seems to have studies and the like to possibly prove it.
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-thinkingchristians.htm
Alas, such studies are highly suspect. Those studies listed in the website you linked to focus on college students, but better studies would track life-long religious beliefs. They sould also divide the results by subject matter (how do the beliefs of theater majors compare to the beliefs of mathematicians, for example). Double-blind studies would be good, too. That particular website also seems to confuse liberal and atheism. A extremely liberal religious individual is more than an extremely timid and conservative atheist. Studies showing that liberal individuals are considered more intelligent than conservative individuals, within the same classification of religion, tell us nothing about atheism.
Now this isn't to say that theists are more intelligent than atheists, nor is this to say that atheists are not more intelligent than theists. Rather, just that the science has yet to be done.
Given that conservatives are less likely to challenge the beliefs that they grew up with, and that academics tend to judge intelligence based on one's willingness and ability to challenge preconceived notions, I would actually expect that right now that most "intelligent people" would be atheists. Though, if atheism becomes the norm, I would expect the reverse to be true as well. Terribly few individuals, theist or atheist, have actually put in the work necessary to make an informed, reasonable decision. I see no sign that such a trend will change.
And that's my frustration. I have at times been treated as speaking for the status quo, or some sort of religious theocracy, or the powerful majority, or similar things. Now while that might be true were I an American, I am not, and in this country (and this is yet more pronounced if I travel east or west) my occassionally more conservative viewpoints are in fact the minority, and if I do speak against certain things it is not upholding the norm, but challenging it. I have a perspective that many of you simply don't have.
Such is the curse of the internet forum. Here, you aren't Canadian, you aren't even a person. You're a voice in someone's head as they read your words. To an extent, you are them, and if they are American, you are an American. That is a two way street, but given that we Americans have a tendency to bluster about, it’s a bit more noticeable with us.
It isn't fair, certainly, and it is good to struggle against this. But... it is the internet. Your among the very "hoi"est of the "polloi." and let me apologize for misusing a Greek phrase like that, but I think it conveys the meaning I'm getting at.
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But Daniel, wasn't ZeaLitY actually in training for Mormon priesthood for awhile? His theological knowledge certainly outstrips my own at least; sometimes deep familiarity with a subject can breed a powerful negative reaction. As an analogy, I've never had a crisis of faith because what passes as my faith is comparatively lukewarm for being self-taught and concocted from a wide array of elements; by contrast, both ZealitY and Lord J seemed to have been extremely familiar with the ins and outs of specific religious traditions and practices, and they apparently experienced powerful revulsion. I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case with a number of members here of atheist persuasion. It doesn't mean everyone with theological training is going to end up on that side of the equation, but after seeing so many people of our generation turn out ultra-liberal after being raised ultra-conservative, I can't help but feel something culturally important may be happening here. It seems religious institutions are turning out atheists with some efficiency; traditional religion is devouring itself voraciously (...in American society).
ZeaLitY's attitude toward religion may be much like my attitude toward pornography. I couldn't quite identify with what ZeaLitY was feeling until I approached it through my own experience with something I consider absolutely evil and horrid; the fervor with which ZeaLitY has railed against religion made a whole lot more sense once I started reflecting on my huge attack on porn a couple weeks back. ZeaLitY has probably witnessed people being damaged by religious zeal, just as I've had to remove misogynistic smut from the computers of politicians and heard stories about guys who literally couldn't "get it up" with their girlfriends because they weren't dating porn stars, or else overhearing complaints from female college students about sex acts they were asked to perform by men they were dating.
Given the level of fervor with which ZeaLitY has addressed religion, the true test of his character as leader of the Compendium is whether he starts banning people who disagree with him on this subject. So far he has passed this test because that hasn't happened, and I think the religious debates we've had here have at times progressed with a modicum of civility as long as we each checked ourselves and remembered to remain civil. These forums are still a bastion of free speech in all but the most extreme cases; only bots and people who post outright pornography are summarily banned, unless they leaked Crimson Echoes or something. As far as the majority attitude towards religion goes, I think the Compendium community is about on par judging from other videogame-oriented communities. Although it would be interesting to see if there's any videogame forum out there where the majority of participants identify as religious.
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Yes, I nearly went on a Mormon mission. I was (and am) ordained as a Priest, which isn't quite on the level of priests in other churches, but is definitely above the status of deacon in a Catholic church, I think. I suppose if I had obtained the Melchezidek (sp) priesthood I'd be more qualified to speak, eh?
Nicholas Copernicus, Sir Francis Bacon, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, Rene Descartes, Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, Gregor Mendel, William Thomson Kelvin, Max Planck...
Historical figures believed in God because 1) scientific rationality and skepticism was not at a level requisite to challenge the notion in European society yet, and 2) everybody did it as the cultural norm, and if you doubted God, you invited instant death. If born in today's society, these figures would have assuredly all been atheists.
And, let me add to this, that you are not particularly versed in the subject. I know you think you are, but your statements are about it tend to be about the level of a schoolchild attempting to grasp advanced physics.
Religion and theology are not subjects worth being particularly versed in.
Imagine that I create an entire fictional world called Zealandia. I give it a set of scriptures from my own personal beliefs; I intertwine thousands of myths; I effectively created a legendarium to rival the length and depth of the Rings series. Unfortunately, in this case, my writing is very, obviously bad. I then parade my work around as divine word, and anyone who dares criticize me will be met with, "but you aren't particularly versed in my mythology of Zealandia; how can you criticize it?" Do you think anyone will care enough to read my Tolkien-length legendarium of fantasy and myth just to criticize it, when it's obvious that it's 1) not divine and 2) not a good work of literature? There's no need to learn the intricacies of a fictional work to understand that it's fictional. A person could pick up Lord of the Rings and understand that it's fictional immediately, without ever bothering to learn who Aragorn is. And a person should be able to see that religion is fiction without bothering to memorize Jesus's patriarchal heritage or all the psalms.
What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.
I've had enough of your anti-religious rants.
Ah, it's like the Lord J treatment, vintage 2004. It is an enduring, thankful tradition on this forum that it's populated mainly by secularists and atheists. And now, it's becoming populated with social justice activists on top of that. And who is a massive purveyor of social evils in the modern world? Religion. And the condition and atmosphere of this forum are ones of free discussion, to include respecting people. Lord J and the others don't call people idiots personally on this forum for being religious. But they do not ever hesitate to highlight the evils and injustices promulgated by religious people. It seems you are offended by complicity, rather than personal insult. Nothing can be done about that. The forum will not be censored so that the religious can claim their sanctimonious higher ground and sacred cows. Just recently, the US delegation to the UN voiced support for the resolution to limit criticism of religion in order to offend fewer Muslim sensitivities. Contrarily, criticism of religion should be prized and encouraged, as religion claims dominion over all life and claims moral authority. That's going to come to an end. Despicable religious acts, such as the excommunication of a Brazilian rape victim, or the justification of war, or its countless other atrocities shouldn't be sugar-coated to sound less despicable. Religion has no shield of sanctimony here.
And frankly, ZeaLitY, a bit of historic studies would do you good. Understand that this debate between religious and atheists is not something that just recently arose. It has existed for thousands of years, and I'll have you know that there were those of the ancient Greeks who would have thought exactly as you did. It's tempting to think that due to our supposed scientific advancements we have no more need of gods, but hey, that exact thought existed in antiquity already, when Rome was still a village on the Tiber. Even then the philosophers had decided that these gods they believed in were ridiculous.
That was still in a very undeveloped environment, and one in which a surprise Visigoth attack or a token Fall of Constantinople could reset civilization a few centuries. Now, we have modern, irrevocable ground. And the demographic information is showing that fruition is taking place. Atheism is on the rise faster than ever before.
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That was still in a very undeveloped environment, and one in which a surprise Visigoth attack or a token Fall of Constantinople could reset civilization a few centuries. Now, we have modern, irrevocable ground. And the demographic information is showing that fruition is taking place. Atheism is on the rise faster than ever before.
Oh, instant death for those figures? Really, do you really believe that? It is not the case. Heck, I bet you still believe that old story that Galileo was made to recant about the sun on religious grounds too, eh? Of course it was because he was refuting another scientist (Aristotle... how dare he question Aristotle!), but of course, showing that for the true scientific battle that it was isn't so fashionable as making it the great ol' oppression of science by religion, eh? But no, forget the truth of the matter, it doesn't really matter, eh? It's a lot more helpful just to repreat the old mantra - religion's bad - and hold it accountable. It must be held accountable! For what it did and even for what it didn't do... it'd have done it anyway! And even if not, hey, it's something it deserves, I think... oh, dear, where is this train taking us now? ZeaLitY, do you not see? You are buying into this great myth! It is not fact, it is itself fiction, a skewed perception of history, and you are believing it as readily as ever you believed your Mormon teachings in days past. There have been others like this, the, oh, Marxist perception of history, that all's been the war of classes (mostly out of favour now), let's see... the feminist one (second wave feminist, also out of favour) that history has been an attempt to control women, which is an offshoot of Marxist concepts of economic control (you might actually still be holding to this one without realising that the time when it was considered a viable theory is in fact come and gone amongst reputable scholars... sort of taking the gleanings of the field decades thereafter. Feminism is actually more in third wave form, which is, I think, a bit more realistic and quite a bit more interesting.) The point is, these various paradigms for viewing history come and go. They all have their virtues, but no one is overarchingly correct. You're just buying into the atheistic one which is in vogue, but which will also have a similar fate. Each has some truth, but none of them really explain history correctly. This is something you must come to realize about paradigms.
And, oddly, these paradigms serve the same function that myths did in ages path. Do you realise, ZeaLitY, in doing what you are doing you are writing the myths of our age? Seems we can't get that desire for mythmaking out of our hearts... but this is what it is. Taking a certain view of the world and constructing the view of the past to fit. Setting up the villains and the heroes, rearranging the pieces. It's actually all quite fascinating. Unfortunately, though, you do not seem to be aware that you are doing it, and thus are not a mythmaker, but a merely a participant in the process.
Anyway, if such outdated view of history is what you hold, then you are sorely undereducated in it. No, ZeaLitY, for one thing, I was speaking of an earlier era, pre-Rome, and the foundations that were laid then endured even to this very day. Not to mention this idea of a 'dark age' is an absurd view that has been heartily dismissed these days. We did not lose our learning, and civilization was not reset... indeed, you are several decades - at the least! - behind in where scholarship is on such issues. That, in fact, is one of your problems: you have not kept up with modern developments, and most of your assertions are based on theoretical frameworks and conceptions of history that are woefully behind the times.
A philosopher from anquity could just have well said the same thing and, indeed, he would have had just as much reason to say so. Your view of history is terribly flawed: it is little wonder that your assertions about the present have so many holes. It is downright laughable that you should say that scientific rationality was not at the point yet where such things could be questioned: it was so even in antiquity. Hell, man, you need to look at some Lucretius! You have a terrible sense of Presentism, or if you were a prejudice to previous ages. The very fact that you think all times before this to have been steeped in some sort of dark age of ignorance and mysticism (save perhaps the glorious Greeks) is terribly outdated. Actually, you often have the sound of a 19th century Neoclassicist in that. The point is, you simply cannot make these assertions you do: they are based only on a flawed understanding of history, no matter what you would like to think.
As for the rest, again, you have thourough misunderstanding of many things. For one thing, your dismissing of religion as a field because it does not fall into your category of what is worth studying is rather dismaying. Indeed, you are dismissing what you do not know out of ignorance, not out of knowledge. Nor was I speaking of the training that ministers receive, because many of these are themselves unversed in the more subtle aspects of religious studies. I was speaking more of theology. And that is a field that can be discussed and dissected without even believing in a God, because it does entail the study of human nature - it tells us something about ourselves as well. But you have wholesale ignored this because it does not fit your criteria.
Not to mention, if you are implying that the Bible is not a good work of literature, on that ground alone you are sorely mistaken. Reject any truth or reason to it at all, it is undeniably good at points. The wisdom literature of Ecclesiastes, the Cosmology of Genesis... even if you put no more stock into these than you do the Ennuma Elish and Hesiod, it can still be good. As, indeed, Hesiod IS good. Ever read, I wonder, the Titanomachy segment? No, I doubt it... else you might have a touch of an appreciation what a religious mindset can write, when possessed of an artistic spirit.
And, oh, well, your list of - again I'll use your term - incuriousness continues! Fiction, you call Lord of the Rings? Yes, maybe, but what is fiction? Is there not truth contained even in a work of so-called fiction? Does not Hamlet, never having lived, tell us more about ourselves than those around us? Does not the fall of Agamemnon in Aeschylus' work teach to us ever so much, or as is said, that the muses tell truth in amidst lies? ZeaLitY, you do not understand literature, or the humanistic endeavour! All you see is fact and fiction, but haven't even cared to discern what those terms are! Oddly, you make the selfsame mistake that my fundamentalist friends have made (hmm... and you do have a fundamentalist upbringing, do you not? It seems to have travelled with you...): that you take only that which is there present to be truth. Either one says 'what this book says is true' or 'only what happened is true'... it amounts to the same fallacy. Truth does not only lie in the event, but in the interpretation of the event, and this is something you have yet to learn. Until you do, much of the world remains closed to you, and you are not in a springtime but a cold and hoar winter of black and white.
Nor are your view on science any better, a field which, again, I will maintain you have very little training or knowledge of. You use it as your gambit, your supposedly unshakeable trump. 'At least I have science.' Well, you don't. You have what you think is science, you have a layman's attraction to it that hardly manifests anything of true curiosity (to use your terminology) or understanding.
Let us, for example, take that ridicilous quote you are so fond of putting forward, that that which can be proposed without proof can be dismissed without such. This is foolish. This is because what you think to be science is not science in the general sense, but a very specific form of it, Empircism. Now this is good and fine - it has its place - but it is not the end all and be all to what science is. However, you do not, rather refuse to, accept this as being the case because it undermines your position. You have taken it as a godhead, to borrow religeous terminology, and defend it with all the fervour of a fervent believer. You are making apriori assumptions about things...
Yet again, you do not know yourself enough to see this be the case.
Yes, you think you are some great crusader for enlightenment, but you do not even know what enlightenment entails. Your eyes are clouded with anger, and all you see is bloody Ares through them... you know, it's of this sort of nature you express, either from the religious or atheists, that has foremost caused the very oppression and war you abhor... you, ZeaLitY, are in fact taking on yourself the nature and raiment which most allows those injustices to be perpetrated. And you have the audacity to style yourself some sort of crusader.
The irony in this statement you made is almost amusing...
'The forum will not be censored so that the religious can claim their sanctimonious higher ground and sacred cows.'
But you would see it censored, or at least invoke great wrath, so that the Empiricists can claim their sanctimonious higher ground and sacred cows? Because that's what you're doing, and doing with each breath you take here. You are defending what you hold sacred with a sense of self-righteousness. You only praise that which agrees with you, and damn those who disagree? Open-minded? ZeaLitY, these days, you are amongst the most closed-minded people I know. You wish to see nothing if it doesn't fall in your world view, and the only beauty is that which agrees with you.
ZeaLitY, from the likes of you, from those with this selfsame temper, HAVE begun the holy wars, from those who speak with hateful passion against their compeers of another creed.
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ZealitY, the problem isn't your beliefs, it's that you push your agenda using much the
same methods (sometimes including subtle bullying tactics) that are often used by theists
to push their agenda. Browbeating people isn't right no matter why you do it,
and it's a large part of the reason why I avoid the General Discussion forum here a
lot of the time. It sometimes creates a toxic atmosphere that, quite frankly, makes
me cringe.
You may very well fall into the category of "people who see argumentation as a
normal mode of discussion" and as such be unable to perceive just what is harmful
about what you're doing, but I'm afraid it does hurt people. I think the only reason
that it hasn't gutted the Compendium, as I've seen similar patterns of behaviour
by regular posters do in other places, is that, on average, women seem to be more
bothered by it than men (which leads me to wonder if the gender balance here is a
cause or an effect...) I know it makes me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome, even
though I am not a theist.
And, y'know, while the effect of symbolism and ritual on the human mind isn't exactly
perfectly understood, there's no doubt that they do have an effect. For some
people, that effect is the real attraction of religion, and it has absolutely nothing
to do with theism. And there are harmless theists out there, too. Like my parents.
People who keep to themselves and don't attempt to dictate the actions or beliefs
of others, not even their own children.
Religion isn't innately harmful. Even believing in things that aren't true isn't
innately harmful--most people do it every day (there are studies out there that show
that people who are mildly depressed actually evaluate themselves and the
world around them more realistically than normal, happy, well-adjusted people, but
that doesn't mean that depression is something desirable!) What's harmful is using
any belief--true, false, or unprovable as either at the present time--as an
excuse to hurt others, which is what you're doing. Just like the people you're
railing against.
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What Alfador said.
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Religion and theology are not subjects worth being particularly versed in.
neither is the fictitious Chrono series, but hey, we all do it anyways.
Thats my 2 cents.
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There's certainly something to be said for the way in which an ideology is communicated. I've felt deflected by the kind of atheism we see in Letter to a Christian Nation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_to_a_christian_nation) for the same reasons I've felt deflected from conservative religion. There's a sense of dogma about it, rather than dialogue and freedom to draw one's own conclusions. There is some risk that the manifestation of atheism embodied in Sam Harris could potentially go the way Daniel Krispin attributes to Second Wave Feminism and Marxism, possibly for precisely that reason. I definitely have the impression that Third Wave Feminism is partly a reaction against dogmatism women sensed within Second Wave Feminism, to go back to that specific example Krispin used.
Now, this doesn't mean Second Wave Feminism, Marxism, or the other examples Krispin mentioned don't have timeless value, and that some of that value was lost in the rush to move away from these things -- it means Second Wave Feminists and Marxists weren't careful with their delivery and dropped the ball. I attribute this danger to the use of buzzwords and phrases, and oversimplification of arguments. One look at Freethoughtpedia (http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Main_Page) is probably enough to innoculate a mildly religious person from ever even considering atheism, and environments like that are probably atheism's own worst enemy (contrary to the banana (http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Banana:_The_Atheist%27s_Nightmare), which was pretty funny, I have to admit).
To go back to the example of Second Wave Feminism, I agree that it's antiquated in some respects, especially when it comes to cross-cultural feminist dialogue: but they totally nailed it when it came to the porn industry, and were in fact prophetic in their realization that it could only get worse from what they were seeing during the 1970s and 1980s. But because they were so unmoving in their tenets and unwilling to compromise in any respect, people like Andrea Dworkin lost their audience to a more hip, watered down, and capitalism-friendly worldview where suddenly a woman was "empowered" by gagging on a man's member at the direction of another man at the helm of a camera, and self-proclaimed feminists started glorifying supposed rape fantasies in their stretch to justify extreme pornography (read Wendy McElroy (http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/mcelroy_17_4.html); that part was just shocking, and would probably make Dworkin turn in her grave). But this happened because Dworkin dropped the ball by tossing around terms like "patriarchal exploitation" and talking about historical struggles to subjugate women, and various things that sounded unforgiving of men -- and because she lost her audience, society paid for it.
IMHO this is precisely what atheists need to worry about at this point, if they feel they need to worry about anything. A movement is never entirely safe, even though it may currently have great momentum. A movement with momentum needs to view itself critically, examine how it can keep that momentum, and cut the fat if it aims to have maximum appeal. Yes, that means compromise at times, but more importantly, it means getting in touch with the people you're trying to reach out to on a personal, psychological level, and showing them why your movement matters to them.
Now, I don't claim to be making any kind of rational, reasoned argument or observation here: it is precisely from the gut. But the gut is where people feel on a day-to-day basis, just because we're people, and that's why arguments straight from the gut have at least some merit. Barack Obama is President of the United States today at least partly because his campaign realized precisely this. Although the Obama Campaign used its fair share of simple "Yes We Can!" chants, each field organizer was also trained to tell his or her personal journey, and how he or she arrived at supporting Barack Obama. We trained our volunteers to do the same. It's getting in touch with people, finding out how they relate to things, and turning that to your advantage that allows a movement to grow and continue.
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Religion isn't innately harmful.
It's forcing oneself to maintain an irrational position and worldview. This makes it innately harmful and debilitating to cognition and leading a meaningful life. Forced belief of a lie is not healthy, especially when it's forced belief of lies such as "women are inferior to men", "the world is going to end and cannot be saved", "cast out the unbelievers to hell", and so on.
As for Krispin's massive convoluted post, I'm honored you would spend so much time to pivot and dance the apologist tango, no doubt sighing and heaving heavy boughs of an empty intellectualism resigned to a convenient belief in God and the afterlife. I was meanwhile spending my time in a feminism class studying the plight of migrant workers and diplomatic wives, and arming myself for future efforts of social justice. And last night, I was busy composing a paper highlighting the abortion struggle in Ireland. The Emerald Isle's abortion policy is a result of lobbying of the Catholic Church—the same institution responsible for the Inquisition, cloistering of knowledge and technology, opportunistic wars, sexual guilt policies, female repression, Nazi appeasement, laughable indulgences, sexual abuse cover-up, and just about every other crime against humanity that can be committed over the span of a thousand years. It is the Catholic Church that would restrict abortion from rape victims. It is the Catholic Church that would restrict abortion from an incestuous pregnancy sure to produce a retarded or genetically-deficient child. It is the Catholic Church that would restrict abortion from a 13 year old girl who will develop fistula and other maladies while have an agonizing, days-long birth. It is the Catholic Church that invades a woman's right to decide her life and would punish an accident or contraceptive failure with early parenthood. It is the Catholic Church that lacks fundamental empathy and humanity. And the reason?
God.
And because of God, 5000 women a year flee to London to have abortions. Even that wasn't legal until after Attorney General v. X in 1992. Divorce wasn't legal until 1990. Contraceptives weren't really legal until the mid-80s. Many women are strong-armed into not having abortions altogether, as defying the holy church would incur wrath and ostracizing from their community. God, God, God. What a God of compassion. This is religion. It is a prehistoric myth with outdated moral codes and urges that are contrary to humanity and sentience. Every other flavor of religion besides Catholicism has its own brutal follies just like the church's stance on abortion.
But I have not declared war on the religious. I've declared war on superstition, fallacy, and ignorance, and religion is the greatest nerve center of ignorance on earth. Don't bellyache because you're in the way of stopping a superstitious plague that would do something as vile as banning abortion for rape victims, subjecting male children to ritual mutilation, excluding women from its ranks, and every other damn crime religion is guilty of. If you cannot grasp the inhumanity of religion and the suffering it inflicts upon people, it's regrettable. But don't stand in the way of and complain about social progress and reason. Unlike you, I haven't resigned this world to be blown up by seventh seals or whatever interpretation of the end times or Rapture you believe in. I believe humanity can become illuminated on its own merit, through reason, education, technology, and so on. If it's your belief the world is doomed to explode, feel free to wait in a bunker while the courageous struggle to improve the world—fought at almost every step by religious institutions, of course.
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As for Krispin's massive convoluted post, I'm honored you would spend so much time to pivot and dance the apologist tango, no doubt sighing and heaving heavy boughs of an empty intellectualism resigned to a convenient belief in God and the afterlife.
Oddly, the gist of my post was that, between the two of us, mine is the actual intellectualism, and it is yours set on empty bluster. Actually, ZeaLitY, you're not an intellectual at all - that was in fact my point. You might not like it, or you might be envious, but between the two of us, that's who I am, not you. I'm pulling the elitist card here: I've got the education, I've got the background. You don't. Just the other day you maintained the good of professing one's own person and not being falsely humble, so I'm doing that. I know who I am in this case, and I know what I am able to profess.
But certainly, you did not read the post, or else you did not understand it, or else you do not understand your own words. It was in no way or manner apologist. I was not defending a stance, I was attacking yours. Did I once maintain my own beliefs? No. In fact, it had nothing to do with my own theism whatsoever - and the fact that other atheists have even now supported me in saying that you become too vehement - adds credence to that. And it is a further blemish against you that you have, in your blind appraisal of others, been unable to see or say anymore than what is manifestly false: that I was somehow acting from the side of my dogma. Since it is perfectly clear in my writing that I was neither dogmatic nor apologetic, and since you have so strongly claimed it, I call utter inanity on your argumentation. On all of it.
That is, I call into utter question all your assertions and views on the grounds that you are incapable of drawing a fair or measured judgement, and set yourself only to bigotry and prejudice. Unfit, ZeaLitY, to even stand trial. No one can believe you or put any trust in what you say if you have that level of innate prejudice. You have just now accused me of something I have not even done, merely because I am associated with that creed. You - you ZeaLitY - have just now acted in the way that makes you brother to the racist and the sexist: you have disparaged what I said not because of what I said, but only because I am otherwise Christian. You want to be a social crusader? You can't even take the first step and treat people fairly. How in the world do you expect to do some good out there when you've not even got a hold on yourself and your hatred here? Until you temper that, you will always do more harm than good to the world. You're arming yourself as a knight with a sword and lance, all very potent, but being so untrained in aught but the might of your sword, and having no good judgement, you're more likely to injure the innocents than the wicked.
But the fact remains, though I have been overly vehement, overly rhetorical, and all other true accusations you can set against me... other atheists have in more level fashion expressed their displeasure. You might say 'they're just not daring to say what must be said' but that's an 'it's not me it's the world' mentality, which is in fact delusional. So watch your peers, watch what they say. I have, in opposition to you, taken a very strong and perhaps too vehement stand - I figured it was needed. But its purpose was served, and it brought some of the more level heads out of the woodwork to say their peace in better terms. If you cannot listen to me (and since I have directly attacked you, I would not fault if you ignore this), then listen to them.
Nor, indeed, was it convoluted, but progressed from addressing your mistaken view of history (which you have not countered), to maintaining that you simply do not know what you are talking about, which asks the question: why should we even listen to you? On what grounds do we have it that you are right.
Yeah, yeah, you have stories and you have certain figures and statistics. I've heard the same proposed for the other side, and heck, every bad case of history has had the statistics and those sorts of stories on their side. You've gotta do better than such things as that. Honestly, I've heard better arguments from the people that would have me believe the world was created in seven days.
I dare you ZeaLitY, prove it to me. If it's that proveable, do so. I am not unmalleable. And even if you can't convince me, you can make a good case. But the fact is, you don't have the intellectual weight. Nietzsche, he puts forward a good case... heck, he is outright vicious. But he's not clubbing his opponents like a caveman with his club as you do. He takes his knife, strikes where he wishes, and he twists. Even his opposers must agree he makes a good point, and makes his point well. You do not.
Now if you'll pardon me, I've got some erotic elegy I've been meaning to write in Latin. I've had enough of you trying to tell me what and who I am. I know myself and who I am; you, unfortunately, do not. Perhaps a visit to Delphi to read the lintelpost would do you good.
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Erotic elegy...? Is that anything like the Zombie Sex Party being advertised at my college right now? (I kid, I kid...though I am "morbidly" curious as to what an erotic elegy might entail).
Daniel, bear in mind that ZeaLitY has stated elsewhere that he is going through a process of personal growth and transforming the negativity he's previously drawn energy from into something more effective. (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,7769.msg178834.html#msg178834) It would behoove you to read that and understand that ZeaLitY's position isn't necessarily as monolithic as it might seem at first, or as it once might have been; you don't really need the over-bombastic element in your recent posts where an appeal to the sentiment ZeaLitY himself expressed in that earlier post would have sufficed. You might not have been around to see it back in September but I thought it was rather poignant and worth bringing up now.
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The basic assumptions and presuppositions I have, the mood of my fellow citizens, is not like that which you see around you. Many of those things you talk about as requiring change, as being socially problematic, are neither so prounounced and, at times, not even extant. Religious manifestation, for example, something I have been taken to task on several times. …
And that's my frustration. I have at times been treated as speaking for the status quo, or some sort of religious theocracy, or the powerful majority, or similar things. Now while that might be true were I an American, I am not, and in this country (and this is yet more pronounced if I travel east or west) my occassionally more conservative viewpoints are in fact the minority, and if I do speak against certain things it is not upholding the norm, but challenging it.
Daniel, you have been judged on the merits of your ideas. The popularity of those ideas is irrelevant. Your nationality is unimportant.
That is, that the vast majority of you ... are forgetting something important...
I think a bias has been set on many of my comments.
I am looked down on as someone speaking for a social elite...
...my occassionally more conservative viewpoints are in fact the minority.... I have a perspective that many of you simply don't have.
These kinds of remarks did not catch my attention at first, but stood out brightly to me once you posted your separate assault on ZeaLitY. You feel unappreciated, misunderstood, unloved. Congratulations, buddy. You just joined a club with seven billion people in it.
Your nationality has nothing to do with your reception here. You are judged by your ideas. Majorities and minorities are unimportant in the court of ideas. We all have been in the majority some times and in the minority other times. You are not unique in that regard. You are in good company.
Hm, no, ZeaLitY on this manner has an extreme bias that should be watched for. Sorry, ZeaLitY, but it is true. You are not speaking very rationally when you approach the aspect of religion. And, let me add to this, that you are not particularly versed in the subject. I know you think you are, but your statements are about it tend to be about the level of a schoolchild attempting to grasp advanced physics. I find it amusing that one could easily take someone to task for being a mere dillitante in the sciences, and by the misunderstanding what they mean, but when it comes to religion, everyone thinks they can have a valid, intelligent, and meaningful opinion. It's simply not the case. It is a genuine field of study, as complex as any other, and to think it can be dismissed on the grounds of an intuitive opinion, or that one branch of the sciences (ie. empiricism, which is a branch, and a branch only, because religion does technically fall under the aegis of science or, shall we say rather, philosophy) can disprove the other in this fashion, is absurd and egocentric. There is nothing validated in statements made from mere personal rage and ignorance, and that is all you've tended to typically say on the matter.
Your assault on ZeaLitY caught me completely by surprise. I still don't know what exactly he said that set you off. I briefly considered the possibility that you had incorrectly assumed my comment that the Compendium would be cracking down on bigotry to have come from ZeaLitY...but I think you're smarter than that. So, I can only conclude that you were telling the truth, and that this noxious bag of gas has been building up in you for quite some time. Good to let it all out, then. This is the right thread for it.
I tried to cut down the above paragraph of yours, but really the entire thing is germane to what I have to say. I'll say it in your own words. As we're reviewing them, I want you to think about all those times you've thrown a fit and abandoned an argument on the grounds that your opponents have nothing to offer but ad hominem:
You are not speaking very rationally when you approach the aspect of religion. And, let me add to this, that you are not particularly versed in the subject. I know you think you are, but your statements are about it tend to be about the level of a schoolchild attempting to grasp advanced physics.
ZeaLitY is allowed to ramble at a novice level about how much he hates religion, and indeed at how great science is also at a novice level, and thinks he can utterly shut down those who actually are dually versed by in applied scientific and humanities alike. As far as I know, I am the only one here that has formal training in both.
And frankly, man, and this must be said, if one speaks of fields of learning, of intellectualism, I, or Thought perhaps ... are far more actually knowledeable, and have been more exposed to varying fields of thought.
But the frank fact is, your rants are nothing more than that: you have nothing to support them that would hold academic weight, you have no actual training, not in the sciences, not in religion.
But I am drawing academic elitist rank on you. I know this is your Compendium, but in the name of intellectual interaction, stop it. And I mean that seriously. I've had enough of your anti-religious rants.
And frankly, ZeaLitY, a bit of historic studies would do you good.
If my comments are considered too shameful, too shocking or daring, well, fine, I'll leave the Compendium, and go to where open dialogue is actually welcomed, in the University. Because I'm just too tired of seeing this.
These remarks tell me two things about why you're really ranting and raving today.
For one thing, it's quite apparent that you have a very high opinion of yourself—trust me, I know the type—and that you feel personal resentment toward ZeaLitY and others for offering philosophical resistance to your worldview. I say “and others” because you've made almost the exact same rant against me in the past. There's nothing novel about your latest impassioned diatribe. These dramatics are simply your modus operandi...homologous in purpose to the rhetoric I myself use in debate alongside more substantive arguments. There's no real merit to your claim that you're as intellectual as you say, or that ZeaLitY is as ignorant as you say. Or, hell, maybe you do actually believe all that fluffy sunshine you're blowing up your ass; I don't know. It doesn't matter. I see through you, mister. Whether you're deliberate or delusional, I know intellectuals, and you're not one of them. All these years I had tried to fit you into that mold because you're filled with academics and you even have some scholarship about you. But you always made such a rotten intellectual...incurious, dishonest, obliviously egotistical. You let real intellectuals speak for you; that's why we're always hearing about Aeschylus or Seneca, and not Daniel Krispin. On any subject where I've been even moderately well-versed, you've never been a match for me. The same has held true whenever you have gone up against ZeaLitY. Eventually I figured it out: You're not an intellectual. What you are instead, I haven't figured out yet. It depends on whether you're self-loathing or self-doubting. If it's the former, then you're a destroyer. If it's the latter, then you're a warrior. Either way, you're an aggressor—in the same general class as ZeaLitY. You've even spoken of your love of war and domination before. I feel stupid for not having put it together until this year. What makes you comparatively rare is your eccentric choice of weapons: history and the esoteric. It must come from your upbringing. Intellectuals can be very powerful, and you have modeled yourself upon them. I should very much like to see, in the interest of my personal knowledge, what the true nature is of all these intellectual exchanges at University to which you frequently refer. If I'm ever up there, I shall have to sit in on one of these conversations.
The other thing that I can tell from your above remarks...is something which only I would have noticed. You don't actually mean much of what you've said. If you were straightforwardly dissatisfied with the quality of conversation at the Compendium, you would have simply left without comment, or perhaps left with a couple of private messages to express your complaints to key individuals. I know enough about psychology to understand that when somebody makes a public threat like the one you made, it's not about straightforward dissatisfaction. Assuming you hadn't gone temporarily insane when you made that post, then either you wanted attention (which I think is unlikely in your case), or you were unable or unwilling to express your emotions directly and got caught up in the game of double-meanings. I think that's what happened. You actually like it here at the Compendium. You want to stay here. But you don't like the criticism. You don't like being in the minority. You don't like your most important convictions being dismissed out of hand. Which raises the question: With all of that, why do you want to stay here? That's not a rhetorical question. You ought to answer it for yourself, honestly, and then act accordingly. I for one think the Compendium is better off with your participation, because you are an intriguing character and we could always use more of those. But if you are worsening the quality of your life or the pursuit of your ambitions by remaining here, then it's time for you to go.
I'm going to run through your post again, now, and respond to the substance.
ZeaLitY is allowed to ramble at a novice level about how much he hates religion, and indeed at how great science is also at a novice level, and thinks he can utterly shut down those who actually are dually versed by in applied scientific and humanities alike. As far as I know, I am the only one here that has formal training in both.
Many of us have formal training in both the arts and the sciences. By using that word, “both,” you are raising the bar as high as you can in order to make yourself look good. It is unfortunate that your self-aggrandizement comes at the expense of intellectualism's accessibility to the masses. Intellectualism has a bad name in large part because of people like you who portray it as this exclusive club that only geniuses can join. You know what else is unfortunate, Daniel? You set the bar higher than you yourself can reach. With the exception of your most specific areas of expertise, one or another of us could outclass you in every subject there is. Not only would you make other people feel bad about themselves; you yourself would fail to profit by it.
It is true that ZeaLitY's “ramblings” are not always earth-shattering. I think his quality varies widely. At his worst, he is a loud-mouthed blowhard who makes his point poorly and alienates friend and foe alike in the process. But, at his best, ZeaLitY has become a knowledgeable and persuasive advocate of human excellence and progress, and his firepower is battleship-class. His intelligence is growing with time. His ability to craft arguments is growing. His mastery of ideas is growing. You deny this, and invoke your own intelligence as evidence. Friend, I'm not buying it.
I've been watching that development from afar, ZeaLitY, and I must say now, this heavyhanded authoritarian approach almost had me quit the forums in disgust a while back - that is why I stopped posting for several months, in fact. I was utterly disgusted by what happened to what was supposed to be an intellectual forum.
You quit the forums way back when because of me, not ZeaLitY, and the reason you quit is that you couldn't beat me and couldn't stand defeat.
Or did you quit again more recently? That would look even worse for you, because in the past few months the Compendium has had some of the best and most intelligent conversation since it started in 2003. Do you know what I've noticed here lately? I can start a thread now, an intellectual thread, and it'll catch fire without my help. That's never been possible here before. I've always had to be present. Now I am a redundant quantity, and I can't tell you how gratifying that is. Would this be the atmosphere which so disgusted you? That would speak volumes about your character, and none of it flattering.
It's often seeming to me that the Compendium is becoming less a forum for open discussion and more ZeaLitY's smiting the wicked who disagree.
There is definitely a lot of smiting, I'll give you that. The culture which has taken root here is not a conservative one and not a religious one. It is a probing, thoughtful, forward-looking, humanistic one. Right-wing religious types would have a hard time flourishing here...although Thought seems to have done okay for himself...because his right-wing conservatism can work with the atmosphere we've got.
And frankly, man, and this must be said, if one speaks of fields of learning, of intellectualism, I, or Thought perhaps (sorry for bringing you into this, but you're the only other I know of as trained as I am), are far more actually knowledeable, and have been more exposed to varying fields of thought.
Heh. Thought is good. He's very cunning, and he's one of the smartest here. But none of that is actually relevant. The reason you've put him on such a high pedestal is that you are ravenous for the cover he provides. You do the same thing with your Greek friends from antiquity, or the great philosophers. You are so quick to use other people to support yourself. I know that all throughout history this kind of alliance-making was crucial to tribal politics, and perhaps you've taken your lead from history. But with you it seems like more than just a strategy. It's almost as if you haven't got the fortitude to stand on your own merits...as if you have no real power without others through whom to assert yourself.
You have invoked Thought on so many occasions. I understand that you would be genuinely glad that there is another right-wing Christian around the Compendium. That is very easy to understand, indeed! Yours has been a lonely faction here. The other right-wing conservatives at the Compendium are mostly idiots. But the ridiculousness with which you lift up Thought to the exclusion of the rest of us is just...well...pitiful. Thought is one of but many intellects here. You are blind.
But the frank fact is, your rants are nothing more than that: you have nothing to support them that would hold academic weight, you have no actual training, not in the sciences, not in religion.
If I were ZeaLitY, I would take that as a challenge. Don't get me wrong: At face value, your accusation is plainly ridiculous, if I may use that word again so soon. But there is something meaningful behind it: There is always room for improvement. ZeaLitY would profit well from bolstering his training, his exposure, and his experience. He continues to do so. His feminism class, for example, has been a great boon for him, and I have been delighted to see his knowledge on this subject expand.
I am drawing academic elitist rank on you.
I can't resist. I've held out for five pages, but I just can't pass up such a juicy opportunity. You're so superior to the rest of us, eh? Heh. Prove it.
Thought outranks you. FaustWolf outranks you. Ramsus outranks you. Radical_Dreamer outranks you. MsBlack outranks you—and he's only sixteen years old! Uboa outranks you. Zephira outranks you. A great many of the people here outrank you. I outrank you. ZeaLitY outranks you. You're not all that high up the totem pole. You're a Grecophile, Daniel. You know what happened to all those people who rose above their station.
Of all the people I named, no one other than myself would actually have the gall to make the kind of statements that you make. Even ZeaLitY doesn't (yet?) have the temerity to even try it. Me...I have no such compunctions. I know exactly what ground I am capable of defending, and, where it's relevant, I sometimes do point out that I'm the superior intellect in the room. There's no point in false modesty, after all, and I enjoy having earned the distinction. But for every one honest bloke like me, there are ten thousand pretenders...people who make claims they can't defend. People who put themselves up into the stratosphere as a matter of too much ego, or not enough. People who suffer from testosterone overloads, or emotional dependency. Daniel...it doesn't look good for you. I think that, rather than draw rank, you should try joining our conversations and participating maturely.
I've done some growing up myself in that regard over the past few years. This very post which I now write would have been effortlessly easy for me not to write. I knew that your rants fell flat; I knew that no one needed to say anything. ZeaLitY's own respones to you covered it just fine. There was no need whatsoever for me to butt in. In the end I decided to do it anyway, as a courtesy to you, because despite your best efforts I find you hard not to like, and I would like to think that if you are open-minded enough to give some consideration to what I have to say, then perhaps your presence here is worth keeping.
If it's a matter of ideology, then be on your way. This Compendium will never be a bastion for conservatism or for Christianity. But I don't think it's ideology. I think it's your own ego. We all have to come to terms with our own ego before we can truly grow up; many people never pull it off. You're still in the thick of it. But, it costs me nothing more than an hour or two of pleasurable typing to give you yet another opportunity to lift yourself up. It's the least I can do.
And frankly, ZeaLitY, a bit of historic studies would do you good. Understand that this debate between religious and atheists is not something that just recently arose. It has existed for thousands of years...
On ZeaLitY's behalf, thank you! I'll bet he never would have guessed!
How is that for fury? It has been gnawing at my liver for far too long, and this is but the broken levy.
=)
Good.
This is the thread for it.
We should NOT be anti- anything. We should talk about it. Discuss it. Not villify, not bring prejudice and bigotry into the matter, for any group.
Daniel...
It is you who created this distraction. The Compendium's discussions have been ongoing on many subjects for months now. You were always welcome to join in. You still are. The only requirement is that, if you want to play ball, you have to live with the score. Now, if what you want is for everyone to bow down to you, to your ideas, to your philosophy, and to your way of life, then we can't help you. But if just you want to play some ball...that is something we'd be happy to oblige.
I am certainly open to people questioning the validity of my belief...
No, you're not. Of all the things I know about you, some I know with great confidence and others with little more than suspicion and hunches. But this...this I am absolutely certain about. At this point in your life, you are utterly incapable of being open to “people questioning the validity of your belief” unless it comes through very specific channels determined strictly by you. Even then, it would necessarily be limited in scope and gradual in magnitude.
You are not open-minded. There is a very important difference between closed-minded people and open-minded people who have made a choice about something...but that difference can sometimes be subtle to spot. Not so with you. You have had every opportunity over the years to demonstrate your open-mindedness. Not once have you done so. You are extremely insecure.
Hatred, ZeaLitY, has no place in academics, no place in intellectualism.
Like you, ZeaLitY is not truly an intellectual. He's dogmatic, dynamic...he's not interested in cultivating ideas. He's interested in mining wisdom and developing it into siege engines against evil. The hatred he possesses is directed at the great injustices in our world, as he perceives them. Given the growing merit of his perspective, I think his emotions are warranted. I don't think there's anything wrong with assaulting religion. There are very few legitimate defenses of religion, and all of them are partial. Trust me when I say that I have looked! Do you think I enjoy being universally opposed to anything? I only do that when I have to. It would be so easy for me, or Z, to make concessions in the name of finding common ground. There would be so much more peace, so much more goodwill. But it's not worth it. Religion is rotten to the core. The few good things it can accomplish, can also be accomplished without it. Meanwhile, the evil things it can accomplish continually threaten to overrun the Earth. All those rapes and lynchings and stonings are not storybook fairytales. They're real lives, being destroyed...every day.
Peace and mutual respect is worth a lot, but it isn't worth that. Religion is an enemy of humankind and must be defeated completely. You can join in our conversations knowing and accepting that that is my position, and ZeaLitY's, and perhaps that of a few others here. Thought and FaustWolf are two people who are willing to participate even knowing where we stand on this. They are gracious to do so. Or you can take your ball and go home. It's your choice. But don't flatter yourself into thinking that ZeaLitY's passionate hatred of religion, or any of his other numerous passions, somehow fetters or disrupts the flow of intellectual discourse here. Perhaps it does sometimes cause a disruption, when ZeaLitY is off-form and causes trouble, but usually his points are clear and substantive. A lot of the fireworks are just his personal style. You can look past them. Unless you want to be an ass; then you can provoke dramatics by attempting character assassination rather than intellectual debate.
The reason people put up with ZeaLitY is not simply that he is usually right. It's that he inspires others and he does so intensely. He even inspires me sometimes. What is it about him that causes such anger in you?
Now, in the time it has taken me to write this, I see that both ZeaLitY and you have written yet further replies. I'm not going to address those just now. Instead...I shall post this forthwith!
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Why is it that only people from the U.S. are called Americans. There's a whole lot more America than just us. What if everyone from North and South America could be called Americans? In the sense that people from Spain and England and France can be called Europeans.
Would that be more united? :lol:
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Maybe for simplicity in reference?
I mean, those of Spain are called Spanish, from Canada are Canadians, from Japan are Japanese, and so on. But then, those from the United States are called...? I don't think it's possible.
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"Yankees," of course. ^_^
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Thought outranks you. FaustWolf outranks you. Ramsus outranks you. Radical_Dreamer outranks you. MsBlack outranks you—and he's only sixteen years old! Uboa outranks you. Zephira outranks you. A great many of the people here outrank you. I outrank you. ZeaLitY outranks you. You're not all that high up the totem pole. You're a Grecophile, Daniel. You know what happened to all those people who rose above their station.
I am a very self centered person and posts like this make me want to create a "LOVE KEBREL" thread. Ya know, for the attention whore in me.
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Erotic elegy...? Is that anything like the Zombie Sex Party being advertised at my college right now? (I kid, I kid...though I am "morbidly" curious as to what an erotic elegy might entail).
Daniel, bear in mind that ZeaLitY has stated elsewhere that he is going through a process of personal growth and transforming the negativity he's previously drawn energy from into something more effective. (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,7769.msg178834.html#msg178834) It would behoove you to read that and understand that ZeaLitY's position isn't necessarily as monolithic as it might seem at first, or as it once might have been; you don't really need the over-bombastic element in your recent posts where an appeal to the sentiment ZeaLitY himself expressed in that earlier post would have sufficed. You might not have been around to see it back in September but I thought it was rather poignant and worth bringing up now.
Hm. Well, as I admited, I might have been taking an extreme stance... I am not good for having a level head at the start of an argument. Several others posting after me said the gist of what I wished in a more tempered and more accurate fashion.
Oh, and J, I wrote up a reply, but... well, honestly, it's not needful to post it. Contrary to your assertions, I'm not particularly insecure. Argument, to me, is typically to better understand myself, rather than to convince my opponents. As such, having thoroughly considered your statements, there does not seem to me a great need of posting them. Though you must know that I DID read them, and disagreed with the most. I will say that your tendency towards attempting to discern the opponents character and basing your argument on that is extremely flawed, and in part that's a great source of your errors. You expend ever so much energy attempting to create this massive monster, mostly wrong, that your final argument is against something imaginary.
Furthermore, just for clarity, I am neither a conservative (by your American standards), nor do my arguments bringing up the ancient serve any other purpose than proper citation for ideas that are not mine. After all, wouldn't want to take credit for ideas that aren't mine... nor should I speak merely on my own merit. Never seen a paper that does not cite others, and does not have an extensive bibliography. That's the academic standard, which I'm drawing off of. Not sure what you're seeing in this, but I'm just following standard intellectual procedure and honesty. Take what you will, there's no great motive here aside from that. My appeal to my own greatness (heh, that MUST be a logical fallacy, if not, we should add it to the list), was more of an attempt to brownbeat ZeaLitY in return; however, I think it a valid statement to say that I have more formal training in post-secondary than the vast majority here, unless there are a great number that have nine years of it. However, it is true this does not always translate into being able to make a good argument... and I never maintained that.
You must understand, especially due to the fact that RD has been able to on multiple occassions show me errors in my logic, it is not that I hold any antipathy towards my ideas being disputed, but rather the criticisms you give me, which I have typically found incoherent and irrational. It is your methods, not your ideas, that I find difficult. Please note this. Many of the things you wrote about me are, quite ironically, the selfsame things I would criticise you of. That you set these on me means that either we are all too similar, or else that you are, in constructing your myth of 'me', place upon this figure things you dislike in yourself and attempt to defeat it. The latter is appealing, but far-fetched, since many of the things you said about me might be true in small amounts, if not to the extent you said. However, I am ever directly honest, never a dissembler, and my emotions are straight plain. When I said I considered quitting the forums, I nearly did so. However, and this must be added to assure not all that you said was summarally dismissed: I have indeed out of hotheadedness done so before, and you are correct in saying that the Compendium has been rather more intellectual of late.
That's basically a condensation of my thoughts. Expounding on it further would have served nothing than to enflame the dispute.
PS
You have rarely judged me on the merits of my ideas; you have typically pre-judged me based on my faith and whatever other concept of me you have built.
Oh, and to whoever asked, nah, I don't think there will be any zombies. I'm actually not too good at erotic stuff, though I have some pretty good exemplars from Catullus and some Archilochus fragments. They are both excellent poets. I'd suggest to any that they read them, if they can... all short poetry anyway.
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ZeaLitY @4378: You know, I wrote a long and nuanced reply to this. Then I re-read your post
and decided it wasn't worth the trouble, because you're incapable of being rational on this
subject or engaging with my points, so I'm just going to say the following:
Hurting people never represents social progress. Ever. It can, very rarely, be justified
in the name of preventing a person from doing himself or others serious and immediate
damage, as in slapping a toddler's hand away from a hot stove, but that isn't the case
here. Establishing a false "you're either with me or against me" dichotomy doesn't represent
social progress either. But the truth is, you aren't interested in social progress. You
aren't interested in helping people. You're interested in riding your personal hobby-horse.
This makes you part of the problem. You are what you're preaching against--a
person who is using his irrational view of the world to hurt others. And you're doing it
deliberately, not from ignorance, which makes you worse than your opposition.
And now, I am going to bow out of this conversation, because you've succeeded in thoroughly
disgusting me. Congradulations--you've just demonstrated that you're a bully and a bigot.
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Although it would be interesting to see if there's any videogame forum out there where the majority of participants identify as religious.
Given that there is a demand for religious video games, which produced things like Spiritual Warfare (a Zelda clone), I suspect there are forums out there just like that. But it is incredibly unlikely that any are like the compendium, as the compendium itself is quite rare as far as online forums go.
Yes, I nearly went on a Mormon mission. I was (and am) ordained as a Priest, which isn't quite on the level of priests in other churches, but is definitely above the status of deacon in a Catholic church, I think. I suppose if I had obtained the Melchezidek (sp) priesthood I'd be more qualified to speak, eh?
Or perhaps if you had a degree of some sort in world/comparative religions. They still give those out at secular universities. It is hardly difficult to find priests who aren't even passingly familiar with the religious concepts relevant to their own faith, let alone religion in general. It would be akin to asking the average American to discuss the finer points about Canadian history.
Though I didn't know you were ordained as a priest; that is utterly delicious (http://www.shortpacked.com/d/20090910.html).
Historical figures believed in God because 1) scientific rationality and skepticism was not at a level requisite to challenge the notion in European society yet, and 2) everybody did it as the cultural norm, and if you doubted God, you invited instant death. If born in today's society, these figures would have assuredly all been atheists.
Perhaps, but such is not so certain. "Scientific rationality and skepticism" were always at a level to allow intelligent people to reject religion. What has changed? Was it that evolution explaining how life developed? Unlikely, as evolution alone doesn’t explain the origin of life itself or the cosmos. Thus, if an individual would have been unwilling to reject religion because they couldn’t explain life, then they would have been unwilling to reject religion because they couldn’t explain the universe. Was it Newtonian physics, perhaps? Given that Newton saw it as a defense of God, that likewise seems unlikely.
It is curious that you are making this point as it is a very religious one; it is the God of the Gaps argument! If, in the present world, you can reject religion even without having the universe perfectly explained, then in the past world one could have rejected religion even without having the universe explained.
What has changed isn't in what is intellectually acceptable, but in what is fashionable. Just as you noted that in the past, the cultural norm was to be religious, in academic institutions (particularly the sciences), the cultural norm currently is to be non-religious. If the cultural norms were significant when Mendal was alive, then the cultural norms are significant now.
What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.
Not at all, as such a concept is self defeating. For example, I assert god exists without proof. You then assert that my assertion is bunk and justify your own assertion that because I provided no proof, you need provide no proof. I can then turn your own reasoning back upon you by asserting that your assertion is bunk because you provided no proof, and that I am excused from further justification through proof for the reasons you stated.
That which can be dismissed without proof can be asserted without proof.
It is unfortunately, but the responsibility of the intellectual is always to give proof. If you want to be lazy, that is fine, but reasoning requires hard work and due diligence.
Not to mention this idea of a 'dark age' is an absurd view that has been heartily dismissed these days. We did not lose our learning, and civilization was not reset... indeed, you are several decades - at the least! - behind in where scholarship is on such issues.
Thank you Daniel, you saved me the trouble of making that point myself.
...
Ah, well now that you've chimed in to defend Z, the circle truly is complete. It's nice that we do this every few months or so; traditions are so relaxing.
There's no real merit to your claim that you're as intellectual as you say, or that ZeaLitY is as ignorant as you say.
Unfortunately he is right, at least in one regard: Z has traditionally shown a stunning ignorance (or perhaps just misunderstanding, as those can often be easily confused) of the Middle Ages. The Medieval Period was an amazing time of social development and, yes, even enlightenment. Z claims that the Catholic cloistered knowledge; what he fails to understand is that it did not cloister but preserve. Celtic monasticism placed a high value on secular learning; the influence of that on the rest of Christiandom led monasteries to actively seek out, collect, preserve, and copy secular works. These works then formed the fuel that the spark of the Renaissance was able to feed off of in order to develop modern thought. Civilization did indeed stumble, but it was not because of religion; rather, the Roman Empire itself, through poor political and economical management, was degrading. As secular government found itself unable to support civilization, Christianity stepped in. If it was not for a violation of the concept of the separation of church and state in the Middle Ages, we would have no state today.
In this regard, I don't care if anyone believes that the teachings of religion are true or useful: the fact is, modern world owes its very life to medieval society. Take that out and civilization would have truly had a reset.
Please understand, this is not a defense of religion, but of Medieval History.
And frankly, man, and this must be said, if one speaks of fields of learning, of intellectualism, I, or Thought perhaps (sorry for bringing you into this, but you're the only other I know of as trained as I am), are far more actually knowledeable, and have been more exposed to varying fields of thought.
Heh. Thought is good. He's very cunning, and he's one of the smartest here.
Hey now, there's no need to fight over me, there is plenty to go around... you were fighting over me, right? That would be ever so nice.
You weren't? Nuts.
As a side note, thanks for explaining why you commented on Daniel's post. I was just getting curious as to why you felt the need to defend him -- since if what you were saying were true, he would need no defense -- when you answered my question without me asking it! Though… given your assessment that Daniel is only willing to have himself questioned on ground that he has defined, and given that you did not present your arguments in such a manner, isn’t that a bit self-defeating? It would seem that your actions and judgment are, to a degree, in opposition to each other.
... I understand that you would be genuinely glad that there is another right-wing Christian around the Compendium...
Given that I support evolution, I probably don’t qualify as a right-wing Christian anymore. Certainly, given the right circles, I’d be excommunicated for that alone, no mind my liberal-leaning stances on other topics.
Like you, ZeaLitY is not truly an intellectual. He's dogmatic, dynamic...he's not interested in cultivating ideas.
I am sorry as this statement is very likely to offend, but in truth, ZeaLitY is amazingly like George W. Bush in his behavior.
Before I get lynched, allow me to explain. Z behaves in a very direct, "dominance"-like way. If he sees a problem, he's going to run to solve it and he'll plow through anything and everything in his way. G.W. Bush did the same (focusing on a single goal and pursuing it without concern for the obstacles in the way, or other factors). A side effect of such a trait, however, is that often people either love you or hate you, there is a very small middle ground. Lucky for Z, he also behaves in a very "influential" sort of way; that is, when he sees a problem, he'll also try to gather people to help address the problem. But, barge first, recruit second seems to be the behavior he displays most often in the General Discussion area. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but one that can very easily put people off.
Such behaviors, however, are most diametrically opposed to people like Daniel and myself. We behave in a very steady, conscientious manner. When I see a problem, my first inclination isn't to charge it, it is to find out more, to gather information, and then approach the problem. Though, I tend to get easily distracted along the way, helping other people, other topics, etc. The problem is, people who behave in a dominant manner tend to step on the toes of steady people, and people who are focused on influencing others step on the toes of people who are conscientious.
Since I'm analyzing people in this way, you, Josh, seem to also behave in a dominant manner, but where Zeality is good at influence, you seem to be better at being conscientious. If Zeality succeeds, his success will be one earned largely by numbers, while if you succeed, your victory will be more of a one-man revolution.
If I haven't mentioned it before, the DISC behavioral assessment system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment) is very interesting. Sort of like Myers-Briggs, but more useful.
Religion is rotten to the core. The few good things it can accomplish, can also be accomplished without it. Meanwhile, the evil things it can accomplish continually threaten to overrun the Earth. All those rapes and lynchings and stonings are not storybook fairytales. They're real lives, being destroyed...every day.
To note, all those evil things religion can accomplish, can be accomplished without it, and they still continually threaten to overrun the earth.
Might I suggest something to you and Zeality? Religion is a red herring.
If religion has no validity or truth, then its origin is a purely human origin, its faults are purely human faults. It is a symptom, not the disease. Of course, an arm riddled with Gangrene might just be a symptom of a larger problem; that doesn't mean you still don't need to cut it off. Perhaps, if your claims regarding are religion are true, religion does need to be eradicated. However, it is not because it is religion, but because it is riddled with human corruption. A doctor doesn't amputate an arm because he hates the arm, but because he hates the disease. The arm is just a step in the goal of curing the patient.
Perhaps it is just me confusing rhetoric and bluster for intent, but Zeality in particular appears to view the eradication of religion as an ends, not a means. If such is a true assessment, then such a perspective cripples his dreams of a better humanity. Get rid of religion, and the exact same problems will still exist.
To Z's credit, he is taking a wider view (as his current academics show) to address the other problems of humanity, but he still seems to confuse those problems with the problem of religion. Like Data working to save the life of his daughter, Lal; you can correct one failure, but others will pop up just as fast unless you can address the overall issue.
And hopefully comparing Z to Data will make up, at least a little, for me also comparing him to G.W. Bush. If not... well, I await the judgment of the Joshalonian Superior Court.
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Daniel, you once again squander an opportunity to rise above your ignorance. It's a running theme with you.
I am not good for having a level head at the start of an argument. Several others posting after me said the gist of what I wished in a more tempered and more accurate fashion.
If by "several others" you mean one other, alfadorredux. This is another example of you bolstering your ranks without making any grand stand of your own, by appealing to others. If you would consider alfadorredux's type of remarks to be "tempered," then I don't see how you would fail to classify ZeaLitY's as just the same. Both are written with the same emotion of personal conviction. You don't think very clearly about these kinds of things, Daniel, do you? You just see everything as either supporting you or opposing you. The falseness of some of these dichotomies is part of how I know you're so insecure.
Oh, and J, I wrote up a reply, but... well, honestly, it's not needful to post it.
You posted a reply anyway, Daniel. I wonder if this other reply of yours ever actually existed. Perhaps you found it more convenient to simply refer to this phantom rejoinder, and then claim that you rejected it out of prudence, so as to set yourself up as being too "tempered" to participate in such childishness. Sure...
Now, with you, there is at least the possibility that you wrote something longer and then deleted it, as I've caught you doing that at least once before. So I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here. But let me also give you some advice: It does not behoove you to go around trumpeting your supposed prudence to others in this fashion. That kind of prudence needs no acclaim. It is enough for you yourself to know that you did the "prudent" thing. By trying to get plaudits from the rest of us, by referring to the deleted reply, you have undermined any such credibility may have sought to demonstrate. And that's straightforward, 101-level stuff...the kind of stuff which demonstrates your anti-intellectual character whenever you ignore or deny it simply because it came from an antagonist.
I don't think he did so intentionally, but alfadorredux made both of you look foolish by using the same tactics so close together: Both of you said that you had written a longer response, deleted it, and went on to post childish tripe instead. With allies like those...
Contrary to your assertions, I'm not particularly insecure.
I thought about taking my original post to you to a private message, so that I could be more forthcoming than I have been able to be on a public board like this. I'm well aware that you're not one of those who would be likely to admit his own insecurities to a public audience. You may not even be willing to admit them to yourself, for all I know. I certainly don't want to mix valid criticisms with petty bullying. Your insecurity is relevant because it corrupts your ability to participate in mature conversation. You're always getting in your own way, and making a nuisance for the rest of us. That's why I don't hold you in the same esteem as many of the other people here, even though you could be smarter than most of them if you could only get over yourself. But I have no wish to make it personal, and I decided against trying to be your personal psychologist. Hence, my earlier post went here rather into a private message. When your emotional problems and intellectual shortcomings are relevant to the discussion, I will continue to point them out, but I won't make it any more personal than that. If you want to deny my "assertions," go right ahead. But when you undermine yourself, you will be called out on it.
Argument, to me, is typically to better understand myself, rather than to convince my opponents.
I think that is a lie. I'm not sure if I have ever accused you of an outright lie before, but needless to say it is uncommon of me. Perhaps you lie more often and I simply don't catch you in it. In this case, sheer dumb luck has worked against you: I myself have posted many arguments here over the years to better understand myself and others, rather than to flatly persuade my opponents. You are claiming the same thing of yourself now, and I can't easily tell you how false that claim rings. It's as if you were a bunco artist whose schtick is to fool people into thinking that you're a police officer so that you can swindle them out of money by writing fake tickets. Works great...until you try to put one over on an actual police officer. If you had made such a claim to anyone else, perhaps they would have bought it, because nobody else has tried to do what I have done. That includes yourself, mister. Most of your arguments here are purposed to demonstrate your merit, not to expand or refine it. To the extent you indulge yourself in your occasional tantrums against me, those arguments are pure juvenile delinquency...totally unbecoming of somebody who would lay claim to the intellectual life.
As such, having thoroughly considered your statements, there does not seem to me a great need of posting them. Though you must know that I DID read them, and disagreed with the most.
If you want my thanks, you can have them. But if you had not read my comments, you would have been on Truthordeal's level. It goes without saying that one should actually read another's comments before making a reply. That is below the minimum expectations of intellectually honest discourse. That you would even mention it is unflattering. You are not one who should ever flirt with the lowly status of a mook. For all your considerable flaws--and this is what I tried to say yesterday--you're not some penny ante operator. You have the potential of an elite. I just wish to high heaven you would actually use that potential one of these days.
I will say that your tendency towards attempting to discern the opponents character and basing your argument on that is extremely flawed, and in part that's a great source of your errors. You expend ever so much energy attempting to create this massive monster, mostly wrong, that your final argument is against something imaginary.
I don't buy it. You can ask everyone here who has been the recipient of my scrutiny or analysis what they think of my accuracy rate. I'm not perfect, of course--far from it--and I was not as good in years past as I am now, since my experience has grown and my perspective has broadened with time. Perhaps I've gotten a few specifics wrong about you over the years, but I know your personality type very well. By curious coincidence you share the first name of a roommate I once had, and who I got to know very well. You even look reminiscent of him: gaunt, scraggly, proud, unhappy. If you want to discuss this further, then PM me, since, like I said, I don't want to make this too personal. But you know, in the privacy of your own thoughts, much of what I would tell you from afar.
Furthermore, just for clarity, I am neither a conservative (by your American standards), nor do my arguments bringing up the ancient serve any other purpose than proper citation for ideas that are not mine.
This sentence is wrong on two counts. First of all, if you were to lay out your actual positions on the issues, you would satisfy my definition of conservative. I know this because you actually have laid out your positions, piecemeal, over time. Unless you are undergoing a rapid leftward sprint in your political ideology, you're a conservative. Why is that word so insulting to you?
Second of all, your appeals to other authorities go well beyond allusion and citation. Mentioning your liver; that's an allusion. That's good stuff. We both know that your liver is not actually the vessel of your frustration, but it's a great allusion. However, look at this other bit which you also wrote to ZeaLitY:
The wisdom literature of Ecclesiastes, the Cosmology of Genesis... even if you put no more stock into these than you do the Ennuma Elish and Hesiod, it can still be good. As, indeed, Hesiod IS good. Ever read, I wonder, the Titanomachy segment? No, I doubt it... else you might have a touch of an appreciation what a religious mindset can write, when possessed of an artistic spirit.
That's not an allusion. That's not a citation either. That's you trying to puff yourself up and look distinguished. That's another way in which you and I differ. Except for ancient Greece, I am at least as well-exposed as you are, if not considerably more so. But you don't see me appealing to my lifetime of sources. I fashion my arguments myself. If Sagan or Democritus or Machiavelli or even Jean-Luc Picard helped shaped my thinking, you'd only know it if you had studied them yourself, because I rarely make the attribution. You, on the other hand, are ever so quick to wrap yourself in the stoles of the many authorities you have encountered over the years. But it's always a bad fit with you, because you don't stand on your own. You hide behind the stole rather than live up to it...every time, Daniel.
After all, wouldn't want to take credit for ideas that aren't mine... nor should I speak merely on my own merit. Never seen a paper that does not cite others, and does not have an extensive bibliography.
That is a logical fallacy, the red herring. You don't write bibliographies in these arguments of yours, and I'm not talking about bibliographies in any case. Again you reveal the fakery of your intellectual costume. If you were the wise mate you claim to be, you would explain these countless invocations of yours. You would lay it all out. You don't do that. What you do is assert your authority without ever proving it, by invoking names with more integrity than your own.
I am the Great Daniel Krispin! I am of Herodotus and Kant! Defy me, and learn their wrath!!
"Bibliography" indeed...
My appeal to my own greatness (heh, that MUST be a logical fallacy, if not, we should add it to the list), was more of an attempt to brownbeat ZeaLitY in return...
I think you're telling it straight here. That would be the first instance. How many sentences into your reply are we?
I think it a valid statement to say that I have more formal training in post-secondary than the vast majority here, unless there are a great number that have nine years of it.
If you've actually been in college for nine straight years, then, yes, it would seem likely that you have the best formal academic credentials here...which would make it all the more surprising that you flop around so badly in these arguments.
I've had less college education than you, but I think I've gotten more from it. Nor have I neglected my education outside of college. If you've got a wall full of degrees and certificates, then I offer you my envy, Daniel. But I've met enough people with extensive college education to know that the degree or even the attendance itself is an unreliable indicator of a person's excellence of character and strength of mind. Most of the frauds go through business or law school, but I've also met frauds who went through the humanities. I live in Seattle, remember: a city full of hipsters, literateurs, poets, musicians. I've met 'em all. When it comes to a lucid mind, most of them are as much of a letdown as the white trash of Alabama. Imagine that.
You must understand, especially due to the fact that RD has been able to on multiple occassions show me errors in my logic, it is not that I hold any antipathy towards my ideas being disputed, but rather the criticisms you give me, which I have typically found incoherent and irrational.
Radical_Dreamer isn't confrontational like I am. He lets people defeat themselves. He traps them with uncomplicated questions that force them to expose their ignorance or bigotry. Radical_Dreamer's strategy is very effective, but also very limited in scope. To expose some people, one has to chase them. It isn't enough to give them the tools with which to discredit themselves, because they won't build the gallows on their own. His style and mine are very different. My reach is much broader than his, but it also earns me some ire and unpopularity, much as you yourself are now demonstrating. RD doesn't make waves; I do. That's the difference between him and I.
I've shown you errors in your logic, too--far more than RD has. But you deny them because you are unable to accept them from me. RD is benign, non-confrontational, huggable and kissable. You don't find him threatening because he has never accused you of being a fraud. He has provided you, on occasion, with a neutral environment for you to demonstrate this yourself...although I must say that your fraudulence isn't nearly as glaring when you are involved in a friendly interaction. Only under wilting criticism do you reveal your logical weaknesses in ugly totality. This presents a problem: If you are not challenged, you will not learn much. Oh, you'll grant a few concessions here and there, and perhaps eventually you'll get to trust the RDs of the world enough that you might give some actual consideration to their more serious criticisms...but you'll never really have to confront your intellectual deficiencies. On the other hand, if you are challenged, you will seize up and resist everything. This is a serious problem for you, because it has hampered the expansion of your mind.
You would call me incoherent and irrational? What do those words even mean to you, that you could possibly ascribe them to me? Perhaps sometimes when my posts are written in haste and with minimal editing afterwards, they are not as clear as they could be. That might conceivably lend itself to the extreme of incoherence, but I would hope I've never stumbled that badly. If I have, it's been a rare bird. And irrationality? That's just plain ridiculous. Your definition of "irrational" must be "a challenge to Daniel Krispin." No one who isn't insane or mentally impaired can be truly irrational, but, as far as the reverse goes--rationality--I don't think there's a single more rational person at the Compendium. Maybe MsBlack. Surely not you.
It is your methods, not your ideas, that I find difficult. Please note this.
I'm well-aware that you don't like my tactics, probably because they get results and force you to confront the problems in your life that you can otherwise persuade yourself not to see.
Many of the things you wrote about me are, quite ironically, the selfsame things I would criticise you of. That you set these on me means that either we are all too similar, or else that you are, in constructing your myth of 'me', place upon this figure things you dislike in yourself and attempt to defeat it. The latter is appealing, but far-fetched, since many of the things you said about me might be true in small amounts, if not to the extent you said.
We are alike in many ways, and quite different in many ways--including a few in which we are diametric opposites. We are alike in that we are both observant, intelligent, visionary, philosophical, creative, driven, strong-willed, and so else. This is another reason that I tried for so many years to fit you into the mold of an intellectual: Not only did you claim the title for yourself, but your similarities with me made it seem likely. But on the whole we're not really so similar, because our differences are striking. Your comment is quite revealing. You have committed projection many times in the past, often taking the very same criticisms I direct at you and reflecting them back at me. Occasionally you have given this a twist by anticipating my criticisms and sending them at me before I even get the chance to make them. Defense mechanisms are taught pretty early on in the psychology curriculum, and I have always taken note when you use them. You have occasionally made valid criticisms, but usually they are defensive in nature, not logical, and thus seldom accurate.
I too used to have confidence problems, and emotional maturity issues. For one reason or another, I resolved most of that in my childhood or adolescence. By this point in time I am almost totally comfortable in my skin, except for my terrible difficulty with completing my most ambitious projects. I could only guess where that comes from; perhaps a fear of success. I don't really know. Other than that, however, I am completely at peace with myself. It can sometimes be hard to tell if a person is at peace with themselves, but it's usually very easy to tell if they're not. You're one of those tortured souls...very unhappy, and either restless or self-loathing. I know you will dismiss this as "imaginary" just as you have always done, but your acknowledgment isn't important. It is only important to point out the sheer differentness between us in this quality, because when you accuse me of the failings of which you yourself are guilty, not only does it frustrate me as someone who is trying to win an argument and improve someone's life, but it saddens and embarrasses me to see you so deeply in the grip of denial.
The story of life is such a grueling one; most people get a bum rap from the start because their brains never open up to the light, or they are born into a world which has no opportunities to offer them. Even the ones who have opportunities and can begin to figure it all out, must still confront their emotions. Who can take it? People wash out, wimp out, burn out, bow out, flunk out, flip out, sell out, space out, drop out, die out. There aren't many who can say that they triumphed. Some religions have put it off into the afterlife--happiness, that is. Others have made it the unattainable pinnacle of human existence, theoretically attainable but in practice closed to everyone. Take your pick, Daniel, because today you're just one of the masses in the fire. I can see that. So can you. So can anyone who has the brass and the brains to look for it.
When you set up that dilemma, suggesting that either we are much alike or that your failings are actually my own and I am the one who is projecting, you unwittingly corroborated everything I have said. Let me repeat your words once again:
That you set these on me means that either we are all too similar...
...many of the things you said about me might be true in small amounts...
Do you see what you've done here? You have either reflected my criticisms back at me at the cost of acknowledging their validity, or you have been unable to sustain a perfect denial in the light of my criticism. Possibly both! No, Daniel, I am not projecting. You are, and you need to come to terms with that, because you're a waste of a human being until you do. "Small amounts" does not even begin to expose the flaws in your character. I stand by all of my criticisms in their full intensity. I don't go around tossing slander for fun, you know. If I say something, I have a reason. You frustrate me so much because you could so easily be one of our merry band. But you won't let yourself. You can't get over yourself. You don't know how to live with yourself. The fact that you have a severe Lutheran background is not a coincidence. Your father's impact on you explains a lot of your intellectual prevarication and mendacity. Having been raised into an intellectual world, that is what you have come to know...but you don't know it. You are kept from knowing what it is to really be an intellectual...and the person holding you back is you yourself, Daniel Krispin.
However, I am ever directly honest, never a dissembler, and my emotions are straight plain. When I said I considered quitting the forums, I nearly did so. However, and this must be added to assure not all that you said was summarally dismissed: I have indeed out of hotheadedness done so before, and you are correct in saying that the Compendium has been rather more intellectual of late.
I don't feel the antipathy for you that I did in years past. If you want to stay here at the Compendium and contribute, that would be great. But by squandering yet another opportunity to rise above your ignorance, the degree of my desire is blunted. Why don't you make a decision for yourself, and we'll live with the consequences?
Thought, as for you, I see that you've made a reply to me. I haven't got time for it now, but I hope to come back to it later.
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Lord J, as you have seen a recurring pattern from me, I too have seen a recurring pattern from you.
The first being that you take small blurbs of sentences written by anybody trying to defend their position and turn it into an impressionistic rant that rivals the length of your average essay (3-5 pages, given MLA format). The mindset which you equip yourself with while going into such debates is as follows:
“Okay, I don’t agree with them, and in order to validate that, I’m going to find everything that’s wrong with their statements and expose their flaws and logical fallacies, because that’s the same as refuting an argument made by my obviously ill-informed opponent(s).”
Yeah, and I’m Mary, Queen of Scots. Just because I (or anybody else here, for that matter) don’t answer your essays with equal length as you right away, it doesn’t mean that we’re not “defeated.” A debate may be a battle of wits, but you treat them like we’re dueling egos, and when we fail to respond in such a manner as you, you raise your mental Claymore triumphant and start assigning shortcomings. I got news for you: credibility isn’t measured by one’s word count.
The second being that you take any studies or papers from experts on the subject that we present to you and disregard them with the same mindset from above, because to you, even with their advanced degrees and years of experience, their reputations mean squat to you.
Why do you think such people are called experts in the first place? Was it because they made educated guesses and theories that came true out of sheer dumb luck? Was it because they went along with the scientific norm, inserting their own bits of sophistic originality to make it look like original research? Not in a million years. They earned their reputations because they studied the facts, researched the experiments, collected the information from the results, and found it along with their peers to be, time after time, consistent with the observational data. How else do you earn the name expert in a chosen field? Not by throwing random theories to the wind.
More to come…
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im frustrated that this argument hasnt been moved to its own thread yet.
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“Okay, I don’t agree with them, and in order to validate that, I’m going to find everything that’s wrong with their statements and expose their flaws and logical fallacies, because that’s the same as refuting an argument made by my obviously ill-informed opponent(s).”
Do you actually have an objection to this? Yes-or-no question. I want to make sure that I haven't misunderstood you, since if the answer is "yes" then I'll know that your future credibility in all subjects is exactly zero.
Follow-up question: How does one "refute" an argument if not by pointing out its flaws?
Just because I (or anybody else here, for that matter) don’t answer your essays with equal length as you right away, it doesn’t mean that we’re not “defeated.” A debate may be a battle of wits, but you treat them like we’re dueling egos, and when we fail to respond in such a manner as you, you raise your mental Claymore triumphant and start assigning shortcomings. I got news for you: credibility isn’t measured by one’s word count.
Who was talking about length? Hey, sometimes it takes me a while to say what I want to say. I've never said that I'm credible because I write the longest posts. I'm credible because my posts are always long enough to be thorough.
The second being that you take any studies or papers from experts on the subject that we present to you and disregard them with the same mindset from above, because to you, even with their advanced degrees and years of experience, their reputations mean squat to you.
Ah, I get it now. You're still sour grapes about the global warming thing. Remind us, GenesisOne: To which "studies or papers from experts" were you referring? Because the only references I remember you providing were that laughable anti-global-warming site, and that petition of global warming skeptics in the scientific community.
You pointed us to a video that was obviously a propaganda piece, and I invited everyone to go look at it for themselves...and you're still bent out of shape about it. Mook. You were defeated on the facts. Live with it.
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Come on, why must there be all this fightin' n' feudin'? If there is one thing we can all agree on, it's Crono: he has punk-rocker hair.
Now, let's all join hands!
Kum bay ya, Masato Kato, kum bay ya;
Kum bay ya, Masato Kato, kum bay ya;
Kum bay ya, Masato Kato, kum bay ya,
O Masato Kato, kum bay ya.
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Yeah, we're in serious need of some Obama-style diplomacy here. That involves beer and lawn chairs. And given the proximity to Halloween, possibly braaaains.
Anyway, it's obvious why Krispin had some explosive posts back there: it was literally his Day of Lavos. If Lavos were to type up a series of Internet posts, it would probably look like the last couple pages of the Frustration Thread. Now, the planet can hopefully rest for 14,000 years before it happens again.
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This is going up so that J can see it, but heck, Faust, you're right! It was my day of wrath! I've been going rather mad, lately. Did you see my picture...? Perhaps Dionysus has indeed overtaken my soul... if I could, I'd whip J with my Thyrsus. That'd show him! Ah, but never fear, J, this will be shown, so that you can indeed see that it was not idle wind from which the last was written. If you wish to reply, do so. But when it's time is done, I think this post should be deleted... for the sake of our eyes, and the livelihood of the thread! Cheers all! (Nb. my comments now, after having finished writing, are rather more cheery than those made within the post. I think I've been worn with argument, worn to mad merriness.)
(Edit: Just struck me... private message! Totally forgot. So that there isn't just a void here, I left the preamble, but the substance is gone. Thieving time saw fit to leave my post here but a short while!)
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Such behaviors, however, are most diametrically opposed to people like Daniel and myself. We behave in a very steady, conscientious manner.
Eh... yeah. Thanks, Thought, but I think the, eh, preceding might disagree with my half of that. I wouldn't have actually posted it if not for J's wishing it, but I do have my tendencies to be unsteady.
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Unfortunately he is right, at least in one regard: Z has traditionally shown a stunning ignorance (or perhaps just misunderstanding, as those can often be easily confused) of the Middle Ages. The Medieval Period was an amazing time of social development and, yes, even enlightenment. Z claims that the Catholic cloistered knowledge; what he fails to understand is that it did not cloister but preserve. Celtic monasticism placed a high value on secular learning; the influence of that on the rest of Christiandom led monasteries to actively seek out, collect, preserve, and copy secular works. These works then formed the fuel that the spark of the Renaissance was able to feed off of in order to develop modern thought. Civilization did indeed stumble, but it was not because of religion; rather, the Roman Empire itself, through poor political and economical management, was degrading. As secular government found itself unable to support civilization, Christianity stepped in. If it was not for a violation of the concept of the separation of church and state in the Middle Ages, we would have no state today.
I'm just going to chime in that though history is not my academic major, I passed the AP European History exam had probably had one of the highest grades in the class, if not for Ramsus probably getting higher. This stance of Christian revisionism was debated in another thread. It's hard to see how the church helped by opposing public literacy and the Gutenberg bible, allowing the Byzantine empire (whose civilization was far ahead of that of Europe) to crumble to the Turks, claiming dominion over every secular affair in Europe with that certain Papal Bull and angering venal feudalist leaders, undertaking brutal inquisitions and violations of human rights, encouraging that the Black Death was a spiritual punishment, and generally bullying the existing states by demanding spiritual kowtowing and ingratiating the clergy into European civilization—something the true Enlightenment and the rise of modern Europe struggled to undo, as the clergy's stranglehold on land, knowledge, and power represented a threat to true progress.
the influence of that on the rest of Christiandom led monasteries to actively seek out, collect, preserve, and copy secular works. These works then formed the fuel that the spark of the Renaissance was able to feed off of in order to develop modern thought
Ah, but the preservation of secular works is not a Christian phenomenon. The ancient worlds had their own scholars and systems, whether the Library of Alexandria, the social status among Roman villas of maintaining libraries, or the Chinese court system. Besides, if Greek-based western civilization had never fallen in Rome, would we have needed a revival a thousand years later to pick up where we left off? But this point is also hampered by the clergy's claim on knowledge. Serfs and most people couldn't read or write in the Medieval ages, and so priests could make up whatever spiritual assertions and interpretations they desired when dealing with lower classes. The church's literacy was another vehicle of power. It is no wonder that the Protestant Reformation followed the invention of the Gutenberg printing press.
the Roman Empire itself, through poor political and economical management
And a final point on this. All classical empires suffered from problems of logistics, including communication and control over i indigenous peoples. The fall of the Roman empire sacrificed a contiguous, practically secular (until Christianity came into vogue) "nation" for a collection of warring ethnic groups and fiefs that evolved into modern Europe. Only now are we approaching a holistic Europe again through the European Union, something needed for widespread, humanistic progress. So there was a definite trade-off, especially if one gives credence to the idea that some of Europe's bloodiest wars (including the two World Wars) could have been avoided if its various countries were still under a single Roman (or other) government.
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Damn.
I just found out Max Hardcore, arguably the most misogynistic of porn producers, is Catholic. By some accounts, a practicing Catholic (IMDB, while hardly necessarily reputable, asserts he "still goes to church occasionally" (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362065/bio)).
I was trying to cite Max Hardcore as evidence that the porn industry is an example of secular corruption to provide some circumstantial evidence in support of Thought's "human error in religion" argument, which I also still happen to agree with. However, this specific example has given me pause. Did Max Hardcore's exposure to the idea that women couldn't preach, and perhaps the whole "rib" thing, contribute to his misogynistic attitudes?
Now, to be fair, the fact that I'm slightly religious and abhor people like Max Hardcore; and that there are liberals and possibly atheists out there who defended Hardcore's products, might indicate at least a complex interplay among religion, culture, philosophy and morals, but perhaps it should be noted, and the religiosity of porn producers further studied. There is no question in my mind that the porn industry is one of the most horrifically misogynistic institutions in existence today; if religion in fact pervades it secretly (contrary to my belief going into this), this should alarm the religious, as well as any anti-religion liberals who defend the porn industry tooth and nail.
However, I should retreat a bit and acknowledge that I still have ulterior motives in this post. My ire toward porn is such that I'm perfectly willing to use the example of Max Hardcore's religiosity to promote my aim of awakening liberals to the horrors of this industry, which have been given short shrift ever since Andrea Dworkin dropped the ball and it was picked up by the Third Wave, as it were. Take it where you will, and for what you will.
But if anyone feels this example appeals to the concept that there is a link between misogyny and conservative religion, my message would be thus: fucking gut this industry. Annihilate it. Criticise it. If Ron Jeremy is also a practicing Catholic, then by God, let these examples show you that this industry has no reasonable defense, or at least no more defense than religion itself should receive in your worldview.
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And a final point on this. All classical empires suffered from problems of logistics, including communication and control over i indigenous peoples. The fall of the Roman empire sacrificed a contiguous, practically secular (until Christianity came into vogue) "nation" for a collection of warring ethnic groups and fiefs that evolved into modern Europe. Only now are we approaching a holistic Europe again through the European Union, something needed for widespread, humanistic progress. So there was a definite trade-off, especially if one gives credence to the idea that some of Europe's bloodiest wars (including the two World Wars) could have been avoided if its various countries were still under a single Roman (or other) government.
No, ZeaLitY, this is why I called you Neoclassical. This is absolutely not true. The Roman empire was not 'practically secular' by a longshot. And that's not revisionism. Pick up any history book written by peer-reviewed authors in the field, and you will see that it is not so. There was a deep trend of religosity within the Roman empire. If you think there wasn't, if you don't trust the commentors in the field, go pick up a book by the ancient authors themselves. Dear me, what did I just read today? 'Nor is there any person to whom Zeus might not give many evils.' This sort of thinking permeated their culture. It is impossible to remove: the evidences is right there, in writing.
Ironic that J accused me of being a Grecophile (or, as it should be technically, a Philhellene), when I've never been anything of the sort, but instead you, primarally, expressing viewpoints in line with Neoclassical thought. Must I add, also, that your concept here is not unlike Hitlers... after all, the Third Reich was meant to be just that... a unification under a third empire.
Nor, must I add, is what Thought saying 'revisionism.' This is the stardard viewpoint in the secular field. No agenda, no religious bias. If you cannot accept this, and must call this revisionism, well, fine, but you are taking a fringe stance that has no evidence supporting it. What you call 'revisionism' is in fact the main thread of historical study, and has been for the past few decades. What is odd is that you somehow think Thought has been indocrinated by a sort of Christian domninated ideology, when as far as I know, he went to a secular school, and was likely (if he's had anything like the training I've had) been taught by secular teachers. Your wish to see an agenda is a wish to see a view of history validated that itself is in fact revisionist at its core. The fact is, the learning did continue through, as Thought has said. This is simply the way it does, and any reputable, secular, scholar will agree. Heavens, they were still reading Catullus of all things in 800AD!
As I said before, you are creating a myth. Not unlike that, I must add, which was done at the turn of the 19th century with the Neoclassical types. In a way, though you style yourself looking to the future, you are in fact living with and supporting vastly outdated theories of history, rather like if you were coming to physicists and demanding that they not mess with Newton's laws, and that their revisionist theories of 'relativity' has created a host of problems. Get yourself up to speed with the times and more current scholarship. It doesn't matter if you've had an AP class... that's really basic and introductory, and really, half of what they teach in that is almost certainly wrong, taught by teachers with no formal training in the field and from books which are cursory overviews at best. If you really want to consider this entirely, you must understand what standard scholarship has accepted. Just like you cannot throw out ideas for a zero point device without understanding standard physics. You might think the idea sounds good and sound and cool, but if you're still working with 19th century physics, you're bound to run into trouble.
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I think Daniel is jealous that you're cutting in on his turf, Z. Don't you know...only he is allowed to be the intellectual around here. All the rest of us had second-rate educations or none at all. We can't possibly know what we're talking about. Our teachers were all bogus. We never read any of the important books. We're all so stupid it's amazing we know how to type. Do yourself a favor, Z, and listen to Daniel Krispin, for he is so much higher and loftier than us, as he has demonstrated time and again on these sanctified forums.
Oh, wait, no...the only thing he's demonstrated time and again on these forums is that he's a deluded fraud. My mistake. Fire at will.
Edit: Sorry, Thought. I haven't forgotten about you, but my PM to Daniel took much of the evening. I'll get back to ya! Or, if I don't, you'll know where else to catch me.
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J, I sent you a reply because I wanted to prove that I read it. But I'm immediately deleting whatever you write in return. I've no time for what you have to say at this point. And I don't care if you think that stupidity or anti-intellectualism or what else. Don't even bother sending it to me. Heck, I don't care if you read what I wrote or not. Fine, I'm a deluded fraud. Odd that the scholarly community regards me, eh? But they're deluded too, right?
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J, I sent you a reply because I wanted to prove that I read it. But I'm immediately deleting whatever you write in return. I've no time for what you have to say at this point. And I don't care if you think that stupidity or anti-intellectualism or what else. Don't even bother sending it to me. Heck, I don't care if you read what I wrote or not. Fine, I'm a deluded fraud. Odd that the scholarly community regards me, eh? But they're deluded too, right?
You silly rabbit. You wrote that post at 8:50:03. I sent you a PM reply at 8:30:30. I have a copy in my own inbox which attests to that. If you want to try grandstanding, maybe be a little less transparent about it next time.
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And? I only looked online and saw this at 9:50. As such, I deleted it as soon as I saw it. And see, moreover, that I have started a thread in the 'goodbye' area. This is, in fact, my penultimate post on the forums, J. I do not want to be tempted to return to only have the same things opined to me about my supposed nature again and again. There are other, more fruitful, places for me to be.
Farewell.
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Well, now that that's over, my frustration which has been brewing all day is the stuck pixel on my monitor. I've never had to deal with a stuck pixel before! =(
I've heard that UDPixel might have a chance of fixing it. Does anyone know if that program is any good? Does anyone know of a better way to deal with a stuck pixel? It really is a nice shade of green...but I'd much prefer it got back to behaving itself.
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I have a dead pixel too, one of the first things I saw when I started this laptop up for the first time. It's somewhat noticable (red, in fact, matching the ones on my DS!), but I can deal with it. I can understand it being annoying though... If UDPixel is free, go for it.
I won't get into the flood of problems my laptop has besides that, but anyone familiar with emachines will know...
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Allow me to apologize in advance; you are bringing up topics that I love dearly, Z. Being given the opportunity to talk about the Medieval Period is like being given an early Christmas present. I will try to restrain my enthusiasm, but... *gleeful squeal*
... allowing the Byzantine empire (whose civilization was far ahead of that of Europe) to crumble to the Turks...
Allowing? Interesting proposal... yes, I believe that could be a very interesting argument. Certainly, the west could have done more to help, but keep in mind that it was not unified by anything that could lead them against the Turks other than religion. The Byzantine Emperors and Patriarchs were seldom on good terms with the Papacy. While this did have very heavy religious overtones and sources (thus, one could say, being the fault of religion), it was also a battle between capitols. Rome looked down on the upstart Constantinople, and Constantinople looked down on the decrepit Rome. There were two cities in the Empire that gave out monthly grain allotments to the citizenry: Rome and Constantinople. The latter supplied it by means of the royal coffers, the former used to do that until the western empire began to decline, and then it was the church that took over. People didn’t look kindly at the Emperor for letting them starve.
Then there was the interference of Emperor Justinian and his general, Belisarius. In attempting to "restore the Roman empire," they ruined much of the remaining infrastructure in the west. The last dregs of ruin around Rome itself were not fully restored until under Mussolini, over a thousand years later. While the west could have aided the Eastern Byzantine, the east did very little to encourage goodwill. Indeed, even after the west did send aid, prejudice prevented it from being effective. The western generals were seen as country bumpkins, and the eastern leaders were seen as fancy-pants good for nothings who couldn't be trusted to try to keep the western soldiers alive (a belief not without cause).
Of course, while the west could have offered support, the question is how effective would that support have been. Gone were the standing armies of the Roman empire, wasted away in internal political struggles between this or that would-be Emperor. The east was capable of raising new armies, since they had the funds, but the west? That depended on the good will of local lords (who might listen to the Papacy when they had to, but don't mistake a common religion for a common allegiance). The military system of the west wasn't conducive to long-range campaigns. Rulers could call up an army as a form of taxation. Well-to-do's paid the rulers in a number of months of military service a year. After that time was up, the soldiers were free to return to their own lands. In a time when war could only be fought for a small portion of the year, and when your army couldn’t be trusted to remain until the fighting was done (just until their yearly obligation was fulfilled), the ability to project power from the west to the east was very small. Individual rulers, knights, and soldiers had to want to travel to the east of their own accord, not just because the Eastern Emperor asked them to.
It wasn't until the First Crusade (which is an anachronistic name, as the word itself comes from the third one) that this really began to happen. And keep in mind, the first Crusade was successful. Of course, just as the Muslims expanded into Europe in the wake of a power gap, so too did the First Crusade come at a time of weakness of the rulers. Religiously speaking, it was an armed pilgrimage. Those going were only supposed to visit the holy sites in the regions; the weapons were in case someone tried to stop them. Political ambition, however, took advantage of the religious fervor so that Crusading states were established, instead of left in the hands of the current rulers or given back to the Eastern Empire. Even when the west helped, it wasn't really the help the Emperor in Constantinople wanted.
So yes, the west could have helped the east more, but they had little cause to do so, and they had their own agenda. That is hardly any different than modern political affairs, to my understanding.
As a side note, while the Crusades were hardly a sparkling point in the history of religion, they too were a necessary step in the development of modern society. As the crusaders went to the east and returned, they told tales of the civilization they saw there. They brought back spices, books on medicine, law, philosophy, etc. There is a reason the renaissance hit Italy first and it had very little to do with it once being Rome; it was because Italy was the point of contact between the east and the west that the Crusades established.
... claiming dominion over every secular affair in Europe with that certain Papal Bull…
Well to be fair, the Catholic Church was largely already doing that. It started with secular governments being unable to take care of things, and so the Church stepped up. Grain, building repair, public works, etc. When secular courts faltered, people turned to the ecclesiastical courts for help. Classical Romans started the tradition of having the Church crown Emperors, but even that wasn’t the origin of the idea that temporal power was subject to spiritual authority. Given that Roman Emperors were deified, worldly power already had a religious tint.
... encouraging that the Black Death was a spiritual punishment...
True, but keep in mind that this had been going on long before the Middle Ages. The Greeks believed this (the Iliad centers around it!), as did the very religious Romans. It is a fancy that the Classical period was even mildly free of religion; the Romans involved it in everything.
... ingratiating the clergy into European civilization ...
Given that the clergy were usually the most well educated people of the day, the political leaders wanted them and they needed them. The Church tended to be only too happy to oblige the secular authorities.
Ah, but the preservation of secular works is not a Christian phenomenon.
Very true, but all the secular people in the west who would have preserved secular works were dying and or moving to the east. The Germans didn't know enough yet to save the books themselves, and so the task fell to the Church. One would really have needed the Roman Empire to have not fallen in the west for the Monasteries to have been unnecessary. But before I move onto that very interesting topic, there is one other note:
Serfs and most people couldn't read or write in the Medieval ages, and so priests could make up whatever spiritual assertions and interpretations they desired when dealing with lower classes.
Most people couldn’t read or write in ANY age; the middle ages were hardly unique in that regard. Of course, often even the local priest couldn’t read or write. And yes, when the populace can’t read (and when things aren’t written down), that invites exploitation. This is why written laws freely available to a literate public is always a turning point in history, be it the Magna Carta or the 12 Tables of Rome (which likewise prevented the secular aristocrats from altering the laws to suit their needs).
Besides, if Greek-based western civilization had never fallen in Rome, would we have needed a revival a thousand years later to pick up where we left off?
“How the world might be different if the Roman Empire in the west never collapsed” is a terribly interesting question. Unfortunately, entire books can easily be written about much simple counterfactual histories (and they have been), so anything I say here must inherently be extremely abridged. Of course, counterfactual histories are also incredibly difficult to write, requiring an intense understanding of historical processes that even few historians possess. In 20 or 30 years I might be able to write a good analysis, but for now hopefully this will be vaguely passable.
The first step is to identify what would have happened differently for the Western Roman Empire to have not collapsed. The Middle Ages are usually said to have started in the 5th century with either the fall of Rome-the-city and the murder of Romulus Augustus, but we actually would have to go further back. Even if those two events didn’t happen, the Roman Empire in the west was basically gone and events would have progressed largely unchanged. The problem is, even as early as 9 C.E. (and possibly even earlier), the western empire was heading in that direction. Preserving the armies, I propose, would be a good first step in saving western Rome, which means that there would have needed to be a lot less in-fighting. As that was a fault of character in the Roman leaders, I can’t see a way that could have been avoided, but let us say that it was. If the military remained strong in the west and the east, rather than being wasted away in wars with each other, Persia, and the Germans, then both halves of the Empire would have been far more stable.
This would have resulted in many events turning out differently. Islam wouldn’t have had a power vacuum to expand into, so the Turks would have never really had a chance to become a threat to the East. The Germans would have been contained to the far-side of the Danube, though stopping all raiding would have been out of the question (one would have needed an “iron curtain,” as it were, to have truly stopped it). But they would have been drastically reduced.
Right there the modern world would have been vastly different. Mathematics would probably take one of the biggest hits. Not because the Middle Ages were fantastic with numbers, or that the Romans were morons with them. Nope, it is something far more fundamental than that: Roman numerals suck. Sure, it isn’t that bad to write 37 in “Latin”: XXXVII. But what about 299,792,458 (the speed of light in meters per second)? Without the advances made by the Turkish empires resulting from the explosion of Islam out of the Arabian Peninsula, it is unlikely the Romans would have adopted their numerals (at least, not for a very long time).
Without Arabic Numerals, all science would suffer. It is thus quite possible that we wouldn’t have landed on the moon yet. Economics would be a nasty step behind in development as well.
Government would also be incredibly different. Even before Augustus, control of Rome was gained by controlling the military. As such, Emperors were often killed by their own guards, simply because the military was swayed by someone else. The feudal system that developed in northern Europe during the Middle Ages was actually a barrier against this. Military power became dispersed, residing in local lords on whom greater lords could call upon. However, the soldiers were loyal not to the “ruler” of their nation, but the rulers of their immediate homes. This isn’t to say that military coups never happened, but the passing of leadership began to depend on a lot more than who could bribe the Imperial Guard.
True, such a dispersion of military authority happened elsewhere in the world, but not in Rome. If Rome hadn’t fallen, our government would likely still be determined by the military (course, our government wouldn’t be the American, Canadian, Australian, etc government either). One of the great advancements of the modern western world is how peaceful our transitions of power are. We cannot thank the Romans for that one.
We’d probably also not have representative forms of government. It is an anachronism to say that either the Greeks or the Romans practiced democracy or even what we’d call republicanism. During the Roman Republic the aristocrats did control the government, but they were such a small group of individuals that “oligarchy” may be a more proper name for it. It would be horribly hasty and improper of me to attribute modern representative governments entirely to the Germans, but their “Things” (governing bodies of all free-men) were an important influence. Look at the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium): democracy did not flourish there, though in them the Roman Empire (with heavy Greek influence!) lasted for several more centuries. Universal suffrage is one of the many byproducts of the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Middle Ages.
Our court systems would also be different. Trial by Jury is a German institution (well, one that grew out of Germanic institutions), not a Roman one. It finds its origin, again, in the Germanic Thing, where disputes were often brought to be judged before the people gathered there. A good deal of quackery was involved (the “ordeal” also being a Germanic invention), but it was also so in the Roman legal system (where a flock of birds could change a verdict). Trial by Jury is just one part of the modern legal system, though. In total, we do owe a great deal to the Romans, particularly doe to the Justinian Code… though if the Empire had been stable, Justinian likely would not have risen to power, the Justinian Code wouldn’t have been created, and the legal system would still be a mess.
Now one might simply suppose that the Germans could have continued to benefit Western society outside the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, that would have been unlikely. Just as I claim that the Modern World needed the Middle Ages, I would also claim that it needed the Roman Empire. Civilization benefited from the mixing of Roman and German culture. If the western empire wouldn’t have fallen, the Germans would have never moved into the area and become Romanized. They would have continued to develop on their side of the Danube, but the infusion of the civilizing influences of the Romans would have been greatly hampered. Germanic governments would have remained unstable for longer (as expansion into the Roman Empire was the result of forced migration; it operated to an extent in the same manner as the “Wild West” in the United States). However, it is difficult to suppose the course from there. A significant contributing factor to the Romanization of the Germans was Christian Missionaries. Sure, they brought a religion you aren’t fond of, Z, but they also brought Latin ideas. The Law Codes of Aethelbert of Kent, for example, are directly a by-product of the influences of Luidhard (his Christian wife’s chaplain) and St. Augustine (of Canterbury, not Hippo). It takes the form of Latin law codes, but England at that time had no Latin legal tradition from which to draw. Of course, the laws themselves also have a very Anglo-Saxon tint to them, but the point being, the laws came with the cross, as it were. Without a declining Roman Emperor, who knows if there would have been such missionaries. Rome would have had less influence, as the other Patriarch would have still been around to combat it, and thus it would have had less power to send out missionaries, and in turn there would have been fewer missionaries bringing Latin culture with them.
There is a good chance that, without the fall of the western Roman empire, we wouldn’t have the movable type printing press, either. Even if we take religion out of the picture, the problem comes in who created it. Gutenberg is a curiously Germanic name! His life would have been nothing like the one that produced the printing press (assuming he would have been born at all). In time, surely someone else would have produced the invention, maybe, but the Romans were not known as inventors; they excelled at adopting technology and ideas from other people, and in organizing things, but a Roman inventor of movable type is quite unlikely.
We also wouldn’t have Nicholas Copernicus, Sir Francis Bacon, Johannes Kepler, Rene Descartes, Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, Gregor Mendel, William Thomson Kelvin, or Max Planck! Well, a few of them might have been around, if we were lucky, but they wouldn’t have lived the lives they did or produced the works they did, because they all have Germanic heritage. Certainly over the centuries Germans would have moved into Roman lands through basic migration, but they would have been persecuted. The Romans were hardly free of prejudice, and Germans tended to be thought of as dumb, incompetent, unrefined, and child-like. Even if these men tried to give the same call of reason that they did in our history, it is far more likely they would have been ignored under a continuing Roman Empire.
It would be incorrect to suppose that if it weren’t for the Middle Ages, religion would not have had as significant hold on society as it did. The Christian religion started in the Classical period, but even if we remove that, the Romans themselves were intensely religious. They too rejected certain concepts or actions because they might offend the gods, but religion was even more ingrained in their lives. For an act as simple as a child walking they had at least three gods they’d pray to and give sacrifices (a god of rising, a god of standing, and a god of bone development). If you wanted to conduct a business deal, you’d pray to the gods and look for omens. Sneezing could change the price of grain, or make the deal fall through all together! While the Christian Church might have claimed that the plague was punishment from God, so too would the non-Christian Romans have done the same (except they’d probably consult the Sibylline Books and end up sacrificing a Gaulic couple and a Greek couple to appease the gods).
Christianity actually could be said to have reduced the infiltration of Religion in everyday life (at first, at least). Worshipping one God instead of a multitude (including unknown gods, since the Romans were very careful about that) at least saves effort, and though the Saints eventually came to replace many of the minor gods that were discarded at first, it was generally less obtrusive. It was still a part of daily life, but one could at least plow a field or harvest crops without worrying about offending the gods. Mundane actions became the province of humanity again… and other superstitions quickly took it back.
This is getting to be rather long, so allow me to offer one last point. If you want to see the glory of what history might have looked like if the Roman Empire hadn’t fallen in the west, then look to the East. The Eastern Empire failed to produce great enlightenment like the Middle Ages did (even though in doing so, we stop counting it as the Middle Ages); even with the setbacks caused by the fall of the west, if the Greek-Influenced Roman Empire was so great as is sometimes portrayed, one would have expected far better.
EDIT: On a totally different topic, another Roman god was Terminus. Termina would have been the female form, and could have been considered a goddess (and probably was, in prehistory). Terminus was the god of boundary stones (the word also meant boundary stone, as noted in the encyclopedia). It is curious, then, that the Frozen Flame (a "god stone," as it were") was tought by Kid to be in the hands of the Viper Clan, who ruled Termina in CC.
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I will follow all of that ^^^ up with a petty frustration.
I lost my nose ring (as in, for a nose piercing). While I was sleeping, apparently. I fell asleep with it in my nose, I woke up and it was gone. Yeah...I have no idea how that happened. This is the second time I've "lost" a nose ring in my sleep. It's also the third favourite nose ring that I've lost in a row. :x How the hell is this happening?? I hope it's not because I'm madly tossing and turning in my sleep because it's not exactly an easy thing to randomly lose.
Thank goodness I have a tonne of extra studs. Maybe I'll just have to take out the piercing at night? Seriously, what the hell??
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Just hope you're not inhaling those.
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Just hope you're not inhaling those.
Damn, you beat me to it.
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I'm not trying to spray some homophobic propaganda but one of my friends from highschool, a really big, masculine guy has been on my facebook friends list for awhile now, and he came out of the closet awhile ago. Now I couldn't give two dicks if he's gay or not, but he goes out of his way to update his status every five minutes with how much people "oppress the gay community" and whines about how he can't find a boyfriend. Keep in mind this man is like 6'4'' and over 300 pounds easily.
Unless you live in Tennessee or Afghanistan, local culture doesn't tend to oppress homosexuality. In fact, one could say it embraces it or even favors it, with the popular trend now being for all men to shed their manliness in exchange for skinny jeans and swooped hair.
I urge my fellow men to join me and sport your five o'clock shadows and ass scratching. We're here, we're straight, get used to it!
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but mia doesnt like it when i have facial hair and neither do i.
and my butt always smells funny.
and skinny jeans help cut sperm count (i think).
and swooped hair is hot. but i prefer mine long and done in a ponytail.
agh. flying pigs are letting up, but i now have a horrendous pain in my neck. owowowowow :(
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I am greatly dislike being alone on holidays or festivities. It makes me all depressed.
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I actually dressed up as The Crow:
(http://www.chronocompendium.com/ramsus/crow.jpg)
But the one person I'd hoped would get a chance to see it didn't, and won't be back until after the weekend's over.
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Whyyyyyyyyy are they fucking re-roofing the apartment complex now?
Are they fucking stupid? Why in the middle of a goddamn Fall semester on Halloween? Why not in fucking summer?
Their fucking noise and constant hammering and goddamned generator or whatever right outside my fucking window making noise, and the talking next to my goddamn window which has been paper-thin in terms of soundproofing forever, godfjhklsghg
Stooooooooooop iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit
You fucking bastards, go away; fucking roof the goddamn building when there's no one here and stop throwing hazardous fucking debris off the side of the goddamn building you worthless fucks
Come ooooooooon, it's like fate is conspiring to prevent me from having any decent sleep in the last 48 hours
FfffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
(http://rakgadjet.fullmecha.com/grrr/kittan1_1005.jpg)
i'll make yo uregret htis
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Unless you live in Tennessee or Afghanistan, local culture doesn't tend to oppress homosexuality. In fact, one could say it embraces it or even favors it, with the popular trend now being for all men to shed their manliness in exchange for skinny jeans and swooped hair.
I urge my fellow men to join me and sport your five o'clock shadows and ass scratching. We're here, we're straight, get used to it!
I'll try to make this short and concise without patronizing you. If I fail at the latter, then you have my apologies.
I understand your thought process here; it's one shaped by popular culture, especially the "Sitcom Ideology" of today. It's tempting when in the majority to overlook the problems of the minority, and to think that society over all has escaped the prejudices of yesterday. It's a pattern I've fallen into many times, and I've found that, with a little perspective, there's more antipathy out there than I cared to acknowledge.
I mentioned the "Sitcom Ideology" briefly, and a proper example of that would be the TV show Will and Grace. It often glorified the life of a homosexual(a flaming one at that) as the cocktail party, and flamboyant one that many Americans see today. It didn't, however, show any of the demeaning treatment that homosexuals often receive(aside from when the titular character went into a Red State, which, in the mind of the show's very liberal producer, automatically meant that ignorance and bigotry abounded).
As I have been in the past, I'm hesitant to use the word "oppression" in this context, but if there's anything that the Prop 8 snafu showed, it's that the struggle for homosexuals to gain equal rights is still a bitterly fought battle.
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That's very lucid of you to say, Truthordeal, and I'll have to admit you're probably right. I was speaking off of a generalization, I apologize.
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Did Truthordeal just...?
Did I just see...?
I think I need a drink.
*sips herbal tea*
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Did Truthordeal just...?
Did I just see...?
I think I need a drink.
*sips herbal tea*
I totally knew this was going to happen.
Good job, T.O., you broke Josh.
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Crap, that means my warranty's voided.
*surprise Korean nuclear attack atomizes Seattle*
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Truth, excellent job identifying and analyzing this "Sitcom Ideology." That post was deconstruction at its finest. Sitcoms are something I really haven't seen too much of outside of Frasier and its playful mockery of the wealthy, so now I'm really interested in what other series(es?) have to say about various other social issues.
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Truthordeal is just going as a liberal for Halloween, and is role playing now.
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Couples who do nothing but watch TV and movies together. Do they seriously have nothing to say to each other?? One of my screecher roommates is one half of such a couple. They're either tickling each other and shrieking or sitting in silence watching the TV. And her boyfriend is over here literally all.the.fucking.time and so from the past two months I've seen them constantly together I've grasped that this is pretty much the extent of their relationship.
It just annoys me. Don't you want to actually talk to the person you're with? Don't you want to find out more about them--about their family and opinions and fears and hopes? Or even just shoot the shit with them and laugh together? You can't really learn much about a person through sitting next to them watching a damn screen.
I think it's lame. And I'm also jealous. They spend all this time together while I haven't seen D in almost a month. I really miss him. :( Unlike Screecher and her Tool Box boyfriend, D and I actually have conversations that consist of more than "What do you want to watch?".
Frustration:: boring couples and long-distance relationships.
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whyyyyyyyyyyy the fkkk do people believe the bullshit that politicians send via mail and play by tv...
why isnt lying in those illegal!!! its "free speech"...grr...
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whyyyyyyyyyyy the fkkk do people believe the bullshit that politicians send via mail and play by tv...
why isnt lying in those illegal!!! its "free speech"...grr...
If politicians were unable to lie, they'd all be out of a job.
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Not to defend such a couple, but rather myself, there is a certain value in the shared experience of television watching. Some of the best discussions my wife and I have had occurred after a TV show was over and we were discussing it (we still fondly remember our debates over how psychic paper, from Doctor Who, works).
Additionally, when we were first married, having dated long distance, we spent a notable amount of time sharing favored tv shows or movies with each other, the sort that we grew up with. There is something terribly nice about sharing a favorite this or that with a loved one, even if during the sharing there is little communication.
Of course, like most things, it does prove to have ill effects when done in excess.
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Not to defend such a couple, but rather myself, there is a certain value in the shared experience of television watching. Some of the best discussions my wife and I have had occurred after a TV show was over and we were discussing it (we still fondly remember our debates over how psychic paper, from Doctor Who, works).
Additionally, when we were first married, having dated long distance, we spent a notable amount of time sharing favored tv shows or movies with each other, the sort that we grew up with. There is something terribly nice about sharing a favorite this or that with a loved one, even if during the sharing there is little communication.
Of course, like most things, it does prove to have ill effects when done in excess.
That's completely understandable, and totally different from what kind of a couple they are. It's one thing to talk after a show and enjoy it together--it's quite another to just sit there in silence night after night and never have any kind of conversation.
I've done the same thing with D, regarding favourite movies. Especially movies we each loved during childhood. It's so much fun.
One of my favourite things to do is watch terrible movies and make fun of them with D and with other friends. :-D
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I do that with Dragon Wars. Worst movie ever, besides Killer Clowns from Outer Space.
Me and a few of my good friends crack jokes about it all the time.
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I do that with Dragon Wars. Worst movie ever, besides Killer Clowns from Outer Space.
Me and a few of my good friends crack jokes about it all the time.
You have to admit Killer Klowns had one kick-ass theme song!
Listen to the second one, the first one skips. (http://www.playlist.com/searchbeta/tracks#killer%20klowns%20from%20outer%20space)
And I'd say the worst movie ever is Plan 9 From Outer Space. But I love it!
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Beer Drinkers In Space. Worst ever.
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I do that with Dragon Wars. Worst movie ever, besides Killer Clowns from Outer Space.
Me and a few of my good friends crack jokes about it all the time.
You have to admit Killer Klowns had one kick-ass theme song!
Listen to the second one, the first one skips. (http://www.playlist.com/searchbeta/tracks#killer%20klowns%20from%20outer%20space)
And I'd say the worst movie ever is Plan 9 From Outer Space. But I love it!
That it did, that it did. *laughs*
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My internet needs to stop being so unstable. I'm trying to
waste time do my French homework, dammit!
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Recent events have pushed me very decidedly to the right on an important issue; namely, marijuana.
I'm sick and tired of seeing the people who use it turn themselves into sniveling cretins and imbeciles. I have no desire to see marijuana legalized in my lifetime. None whatsoever.
No proof that it can hurt you? Are these people freaking stupid? Just because it can be used as medicine in a few cases does not make it safe for everyone else.
And it's not entirely their fault, either. They see Cheech and Chong having mad-cap adventures while smoking peyote and think that doing a bit of pot is a freaking rite of passage. I assure you, neither man was high while on the set. But either way, its treated like some damn milestone to adulthood.
I suppose most of this can be said of alcohol too, except that a majority of people can handle alcohol without killing themselves or ruining their or other people's lives.
Fuck marijuana, and the people that use it. I hope they all go choke on a shared kine bud.
EDIT: Reading it back, I suppose most of this is a very reactionary response. Perhaps in a few days or hours when I cool down things'll be a bit more sensible, but until then...
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For the record, I get less shit-faced on marijuana than on alcohol.
Personally, I find people on weed to be more relaxed, then again, the people I hang out with are responsible enough to take it in small bits to not fuck up their school/work schedules.
It's your opinion, I'm just saying my piece.
On topic: I hate how Heroes sucks major balls, yet FINALLY decides to mention Chrono Trigger. Wow, if you had done that a couple of seasons ago maybe I would have kept watching. (Probably not, considering Arthur Peterli was the worst idea in super villainy "Oh I took your powers and made it mine! Did I forget to mention I'm invincible?")
What a crappy show. I hope Chrono Trigger gets recognition though.
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Nightmare, I've heard that logic several times before, most recently from a Katt Williams show. I can't speak for it's validity, because I've never smoked pot, nor do I want to. But I'm not going to be a Holy High Crusader and tell you what to do, especially since you seem to have a good grasp on reality.
However, yours might be the exception to the rule. I've seen far too many lives destroyed by cannabis to consider it a "safe drug" or "recreational drug" anymore.
I do respect the maturity with which you replied to me, though, even after I pretty much told you to die. Hehe. :lol: Sorry.
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Recent events have pushed me very decidedly to the right on an important issue; namely, marijuana.
I'm sick and tired of seeing the people who use it turn themselves into sniveling cretins and imbeciles. I have no desire to see marijuana legalized in my lifetime. None whatsoever.
No proof that it can hurt you? Are these people freaking stupid? Just because it can be used as medicine in a few cases does not make it safe for everyone else.
And it's not entirely their fault, either. They see Cheech and Chong having mad-cap adventures while smoking peyote and think that doing a bit of pot is a freaking rite of passage. I assure you, neither man was high while on the set. But either way, its treated like some damn milestone to adulthood.
I suppose most of this can be said of alcohol too, except that a majority of people can handle alcohol without killing themselves or ruining their or other people's lives.
Fuck marijuana, and the people that use it. I hope they all go choke on a shared kine bud.
EDIT: Reading it back, I suppose most of this is a very reactionary response. Perhaps in a few days or hours when I cool down things'll be a bit more sensible, but until then...
After living with pot heads and meeting several more in school this past quarter, I have to completely agree with you. Perhaps marijuana should be legalized through a doctor's prescription, but certainly not completely! I don't want MORE people like those who live downstairs running around!
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http://www.hulu.com/watch/15123/dragnet-the-big-high#x-0,vepisode,1,0
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http://www.hulu.com/watch/15123/dragnet-the-big-high#x-0,vepisode,1,0
Hah. If you're playing that angle, go for the Dragnet episode featuring the blue-face boy. http://www.hulu.com/watch/501/dragnet-the-lsd-story
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No proof that it can hurt you? Are these people freaking stupid? Just because it can be used as medicine in a few cases does not make it safe for everyone else.
Does the fact that it's not safe mean it shouldn't be as legal as say, alcohol?
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I've smoked before. Still do from time to time. Had a few dumb shit goofups as a result. Learned and moved on. I've seen alcohol totally derail people, can't say the same for pot, but maybe it's just more subtle. I can't totally defend or praise it. Like a lot of other things, it has its ups and downs. There are a lot of fools who smoke a ton, do dumb things and give that negative connotation. Not that I haven't had a case of the "fuck it's" come on before, but I know what needs to be done and I take care of my responsibilities. When that distinction isn't made then the problems happen.
For those of you living with smokers right now and hate it, you've got every damn reason to be pissed. With nothing but smoking going on and no contribution to the home I'd be pissed too.
And I can't stop eating sunflower seeds, so tasty but so salty!
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Yeah, I smoke and I'll admit it. I like it, but do not do it around people who don't like it, also I never do it before school, work, or homework. I can not play music while using (but I can play while drinking, which I find odd).
I fully support the use of medical marijuana. The only real side effects that are bad come from the fact that it is smoked. These are the same problems that come from anything that is smoked. However, it can be cooked into food, and there's a cannabis spray that is basically THC extract. Also, there is a device called a vaporizer that doesn't produce any smoke but extracts the cannabinoids anyway.
It's nothing to hate, and actually does help terminally ill patients. If you don't like it, and it's going on around you, tell whoever's doing it to cut that shit out. It's rude, just like smoking cigarettes around people who hate cigarette smoke. If they refuse to stop, it's not the marijuana that's being a jerk. It's the person.
Personal freedoms should not be taken away just because some people are assholes. Especially if it's medically helpful.
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It certainly seems to be raining shit on me right now.
1. Wrecked my truck. Totaled. Fuck.
2. Mom and dad are thinking about splitting up. Admittedly, I've known it was coming and I'm 22 so it's really none of my business.
3. Mom just entered Lakeside treatment facility today to find out why she's so depressed.
FUUUUUUUUUUU :evil:
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Nobody is posting on the Re-TO. It has me worried.
And frustrated at myself for being so disappearance-prone.
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Re-TO?
Somehow I don't think you mean the maps. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-O_map)
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*laughs* No. I mean the Re-Temporal Odyssey, my grand RPG project that should be more active than it seems. I have a bad habit of getting unfortunate events that hinder me from logging on and posting, so people stop until they realize it is still active.
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This goddamned fever, out of fucking nowhere! It's probably the flu, because I'm aching, coughing, basically running water constantly out of my eyes and nose, and generally feeling drowsy. The fever's 101 F now.
WHY BEFORE MY FEMINISM CLASS
I'm going to take something, then go make an appearance (since it's the only way to contact the professor to let her know I won't be there; no reply from phone). They'll see me, bloodshot and staggering, my face red with coughs and sniffling. And I'll wave as I leave in a salutory encouragement.
Man, if there wasn't a risk others could get infected, I would totally go to the class...
And yeah, if it's swine flu, I'm totally going to co-opt it to make a defiant speech about destroying disease and pioneering new health for humanity.
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Fuck this. None of my friends are fucking available or answering their phones here to give me a short ride to a clinic, since I want to make sure the 102 F fever isn't bad It's gone down from 103.5). The first two fucking taxi companies I call? One' goes to some guys' house who's had to deal with misplaced calls for a dead company for 5 fucking years, and the next is disconnected.
I got this phonebook goddamn last week.
I guess I'll try the fucking airport shuttle.
This is my goddamn luck. If I do anything out of the ordinary, it's plagued with massive failures of efficiency and service from mooks.
Edit: At last, a friend of a friend. Jesus, compared to Europe, if you don't have a car in America you are totally fucked unless you live in a downtown metropolitan area.
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That is most unfortunate. Get well soon, Zeality. Man, harshness in the luck department.
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Speaking of which, I am frustrated that there is no Fresno Area Rapid Transit system. That is an opportunity for hilarity that is just too good to pass up.
Anywho, hope you feel better, Z.
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Fuck this. None of my friends are fucking available or answering their phones here to give me a short ride to a clinic, since I want to make sure the 102 F fever isn't bad It's gone down from 103.5). The first two fucking taxi companies I call? One' goes to some guys' house who's had to deal with misplaced calls for a dead company for 5 fucking years, and the next is disconnected.
I got this phonebook goddamn last week.
I guess I'll try the fucking airport shuttle.
This is my goddamn luck. If I do anything out of the ordinary, it's plagued with massive failures of efficiency and service from mooks.
Edit: At last, a friend of a friend. Jesus, compared to Europe, if you don't have a car in America you are totally fucked unless you live in a downtown metropolitan area.
1800 taxi cab
They connect you to a local service. Get well soon.
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Good luck with that (probably) H1N1, Z. FIGHT THE POWAH! FIGHT THE FLU!
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AWWW $H!7......
Well this isn't awful or anything, but the fight scene in CTA V is not going as expected. The sprites are extremely hard to create an intense atmosphere and I fear I may have to shorten the fight scene dramatically....
ARGH!!!
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Get well soon, Z! Give that flu a slap in the face for all of us!
And maybe this will cheer you up: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=big&illust_id=6972250 (http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=big&illust_id=6972250)
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Good luck with that (probably) H1N1, Z. FIGHT THE POWAH! FIGHT THE FLU!
Lol Z is going to make his own strain... Time Flu... Oh snap.
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That reminds me of two frustrations: One is the lack of European style rail systems in North America. The other is not being able to drive. I stopped taking my prescription pain medicine because I wasn't allowed to drive on it. I take driving very seriously (I think we're far too lenient on people who drive intoxicated) so that means nothing but ibuprofin for me.
I being unable to drive. The car is an extension of my legs. Being unable to drive feels like being unable to walk.
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I had a flashback in my Art History class today (link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashback_(psychological_phenomenon)) if you don't know what that means). I have them all the time, but I'm usually able to get out of class in time, but today I didn't make it. I ended up collapsing right next to the door, shaking and crying. My professor stopped the class and after I had regained at least some of my senses I was able to move into the hallway. My professor got another professor and they urged me to go to the counseling centre. I did not want to--I just wanted to be left alone--but I didn't want to be rude. The therapist I saw there wasn't very sensitive and started asking invasive questions, despite the fact that I was sitting there crying and I could hardly speak. Thanks, therapist. I ended up missing the remaining half of the class because I was still too triggered to do anything except be alone and wait until I was able to function.
My professor knew about my lovely little disorder since the first day of classes--I make it a point to tell all of my professors that I have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and so they know that sometimes I might have to leave the room or might not be able to come to class if we're going to be discussing something that will trigger me. But that does not keep me from feeling very embarrassed and very ashamed that he saw me have a flashback. Not only did he see me have one, but my entire class did so as well. I'm so upset.
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I'm really sorry that happened, especially with the therapist doing what he/she did. I'm often very unpleasantly surprised at who can pass for a therapist these days, both from my own experiences and from stories I've heard from others on the subject.
On a lighter note, my brain has apparently ceased to function if my previous posts are any indication. I've managed to flip my perception of latitude, think it is Nov. 4th two days in a row, and forget how the US election system works all on record.
I think I'll crawl back into my cave and code now...
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On a lighter note, my brain has apparently ceased to function if my previous posts are any indication. I've managed to flip my perception of latitude, think it is Nov. 4th two days in a row, and forget how the US election system works all on record.
I think I'll crawl back into my cave and code now...
That should be good for your awareness of how the outside world functions.
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Yeah.
Well, it is H1N1. The fever's gone now, though, and the prescription was Tamiflu + copious candy and junk food to supply calories. Not a bad prescription.
I don't have the sore throat J suffered when he got swine flu, but I have had a real bastard of a headache for 2 days straight.
Edit: So, gays lost in Maine. Fuck the Catholic Church.
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Feel better, Zealoft!
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Aye, indeed. Feel much better. Kick that H1N1 to the curb.
Today, during a small class talent competition, I gathered a group of buddies and we decided to sing Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up in front of the whole class. Oh, indeed. We were to Rick Roll the entire class.
Well, due to their cowardice at the last moment, I ended up singing the entire song by myself. And I did a downright good job of it as well. I can sing rather well, in tenor.
But where is a man without his friends by his side? My, have I never seen such yellow-bellies fear such humiliation. In this case, he who ran away, gave a look of awe as I received a free test grade.
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mr z, h1n1 sucks. trust me. but i know that you can persevere. youre mr z! the springtime of youth! it may feel horrible now, but i hear that once you get it once you cant get it again. like chicken pox.
its cold in my house.
why dont we put on the heat?
oh yeah its expensive.
then im frustrated at the oil companies for making it expensive to make me warm.
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But where is a man without his friends by his side? My, have I never seen such yellow-bellies fear such humiliation. In this case, he who ran away, gave a look of awe as I received a free test grade.
Hah, yeah, good show.
mr z, h1n1 sucks. trust me. but i know that you can persevere. youre mr z! the springtime of youth! it may feel horrible now, but i hear that once you get it once you cant get it again. like chicken pox.
Absolutely. Hasn't slowed me down at all!
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So, gays lost in Maine. Fuck the Catholic Church.
I just read up on this from various sites. I was mostly disappointed with the poll result, until I read this:
“God has given us this victory,” Emrich continued, “and it is very important for us to recognize that he is the one who put the energy into this campaign. So let’s not be so arrogant to forget this. It’s very appropriate to pause for a moment of prayer.”
Then I was kinda pissed. (apologies if I'm being too offensive)
In other news, my music player has apparently been lost to the Darkness Beyond Time. :(
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So, gays lost in Maine. Fuck the Catholic Church.
I just read up on this from various sites. I was mostly disappointed with the poll result, until I read this:
“God has given us this victory,” Emrich continued, “and it is very important for us to recognize that he is the one who put the energy into this campaign. So let’s not be so arrogant to forget this. It’s very appropriate to pause for a moment of prayer.”
Then I was kinda pissed. (apologies if I'm being too offensive)
I don't think that pointing out anger over that statement qualifies as offensive at all. It is a pity that many people can't fathom the inherent cruelty in statements like that... :(
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So, gays lost in Maine. Fuck the Catholic Church.
I just read up on this from various sites. I was mostly disappointed with the poll result, until I read this:
“God has given us this victory,” Emrich continued, “and it is very important for us to recognize that he is the one who put the energy into this campaign. So let’s not be so arrogant to forget this. It’s very appropriate to pause for a moment of prayer.”
Then I was kinda pissed. (apologies if I'm being too offensive)
In other news, my music player has apparently been lost to the Darkness Beyond Time. :(
*groan* Thses Catholic bastards need to be burned on their own fucking crosses.
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Depressing...I thought for sure Maine would be the one to lead the crusade(yes, I did use that word on purpose).
But at least they did it right this time. They let the people decide and not the courts. Can't say I'm happy with the result, but this is a huge step up from how California handled it.
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It was a ballot measure in California the ended gay marriage. I'm glad you're happy at the victories, both in Maine and in California, of your fellow bigots over their brothers and sisters.
This was by no means done right. Direct democracy does not automatically validate the justice of a law. These laws are equally unjust and tyrannical as they would have been had they been issued by the decree of an absolute monarch, as they still violate the rights of the people.
Laws of this kind being passed, via any means, is disgraceful. In fact, I would go so far as to say that their passage via direct democracy is even more disgraceful, as the passage can no longer be blamed solely on a few powerful bigots, but rather, the bulk of the voting population is guilty of such shameful bigotry.
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It doesn't go anywhere near redeeming Catholicism as a whole, but at least Conan O'Brien (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:American_Roman_Catholics&from=O) did his societal duty and poked fun at the Maine decision tonight. It'll happen yet; if Conan isn't excommunicated for his liberalism, it represents a bending within the Church in America. There is a great swell and schism taking shape inside the Church; every liberal Catholic feels it, and yearns for its ultimate fruition. Not that this is meant to defend the church in any way; I'm matter-of-factly stating something I believe to be happening. Makes you wonder what exactly Ted Kennedy expressed in his letter to the Pope.
But of greater concern to the Catholic Church should be that parishioners say things like "and it is very important for us to recognize that (God) is the one who put the energy into this campaign...It’s very appropriate to pause for a moment of prayer.”
A little nudge, a little snapping inside, is all it takes for a person who says things like that to become an atheist. I've seen it happen time and time again; perhaps the atheists among us can take heart in that at least.
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The California Supreme Court decision was also predicated on legislation passed shortly before. The entire "the judiciary took away the rights of the people" argument is a fabrication by those who hope their audience won't fact-check the policy. I'm trying to find the original Andrew Sullivan post. Sullivan's an intelligent conservative and gay "Catholic"; he favors limited government, and thus opposed Bush. I'm just waiting for him to finally drop Catholicism, since he hasn't had anything positive to say about it in years. He reported before the last election that a few Catholic parishes denied communion to those who would vote for Obama.
While the most popular quotes ("democracy is an angry mob" and "democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding on lunch") attributed to the founding fathers about democracy are unsourced, probable fabrications, I do think the founding fathers wrote about the perils of democracy. I'll need to research it. Anyway, a democracy is only as strong as people. And that includes a lot of ignorance. The concept of a republic tries to balance this out by having the elected officials represent the best among the people. Unfortunately, politics is a savage popularity contest, and so even this is a failing.
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I prefer legislation more than anything on the matter of social issues, however I have a special disdain for judicial activism. If that makes me a bigot in RD's universe, then, well, that can't be helped. It doesn't make much difference anyway, because the use of the word bigot has lost all meaning.
I realize that I may as well attempt to swallow steel than defend my point in this, but I would be remiss if I didn't even try.
You cannot force social change on an unwilling populace. Brown v. Board of Education, for all of the things it did right, did practically nothing until Eisenhower forced the Little Rock schools to accept black students by use of the national guard. A lot of people like to credit the changes in the 1960's to the work of the Warren Court, but Earl Warren didn't contribute much after the Brown decision. It was legislation under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and even the Nixon administration(it was Tricky Dick that coined the phrase "affirmative action"), that pushed for that equality.
Moreover, I support the legislature over the judiciary because there are more of them, giving a failsafe against the wrong kind of change. Direct democracy has its flaws as well, but I'd rather there be people who are affected by the change making the decision than 9 justices making that decision for the millions of others.
Zeality pointed out that there was some legislative precedent on the in re Marriages decision(the decision that overturned the ban on gay marriage). I have no interest in diving into a legal brief at the moment and using my infinitesimal knowledge of Constitutional law to decipher it, so I'll await the source from Andrew Sullivan.
In all honesty, I can't wait for the day when this is moot. Eventually people will make the right decisions, but until then I trust our legislatures over our judiciary to dispense social justice.
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I prefer legislation more than anything on the matter of social issues, however I have a special disdain for judicial activism. If that makes me a bigot in RD's universe, then, well, that can't be helped. It doesn't make much difference anyway, because the use of the word bigot has lost all meaning.
You're a bit of a mystery to me, Truthordeal. In your posts that respond to mine, it seems like you either only skimmed, or didn't comprehend what I posted. For example, in this post, you posit the absurd notion that I think views on which branch of the federal government should deal with social issues. This is particularly absurd given that I have explicitly made clear why I consider you a bigot, and it has nothing to do with the balance of powers.
You're asserting that the word bigot has lost all meaning. This seems a continuation of your prior, ridiculous line of reasoning, which was that I didn't have the knowledge to discuss various topics because I used words which you found to have emotional weight to express what those words mean. The word still has the same meaning, and it still applies the same to the people it applied to before.
Here's the mystery though. Despite all of the communicative and logical misfires that go on, clearly something is getting through. Look at this:
In all honesty, I can't wait for the day when this is moot. Eventually people will make the right decisions, but until then I trust our legislatures over our judiciary to dispense social justice.
There's a part of you that wants a better world for gays. Better than the world you, through your derogatory use of the term gay, continue to put forward. Beneath that, there's something in you that realizes that there's something better than that; for you and for gays. I think that is part of why I made my last post. There's some hope that it's getting through to something.
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Why is it that every gay person I met prefer the term gay, to homosexual. Yet gay, is still considered derogatory? Same for black people being called black, not African-American.
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Why is it that every gay person I met prefer the term gay, to homosexual. Yet gay, is still considered derogatory? Same for black people being called black, not African-American.
I think RD was referring to using the word "gay" as a synonym for something that is annoying or stupid or pathetic--not the word being used to describe someone who is homosexual.
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To me, the debate of SSM goes beyond the politics and the elections. It goes to the level of biological basis, wherein a lot of LGBT claim is the origin of their sexual orientation.
We all tend to take our heterosexuality for granted as if it just happens. But it seems to develop slowly and steadily and to consolidate over about two decades - through clearly defined and documented stages. Psychologists are in broad agreement about the general stages of heterosexual development and unanimous about one thing: heterosexual orientation is not genetically determined. They will say it is overwhelmingly learned; the result of response to the environment. Most will also say genetics has a part to play, but only a very minor one. Homosexuals in contrast frequently show a breakdown in several of the developmental stages leading to heterosexuality, particularly attachment to and gender identification with the same sex parent and positive connection with same sex peers, leading to needs for same sex affection and affirmation that become eroticized. Once the pattern of sexual gratification of these needs starts, a habit begins, becomes ingrained, and often addictive. Rates of male sexual abuse are higher in homosexuals and lesbians than in heterosexuals. If heterosexuality is learned, then homosexuality is too.
--Excerpt from "Are heterosexuals born that way?" as found on the following link.
http://www.mygenes.co.nz/download.htm (http://www.mygenes.co.nz/download.htm)
Very interesting read. Hope you get as much out of it as I did.
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Maine, at least, isn't as bad as in California. This was just a veto by the people; the legislature can go right back and implement gay marriage again. In the meantime, hopefully the homosexual community will focus on awakening the conscience of the common individual. People opposing same-sex marriage are seldom what you might call “informed”; in the words of Carmine Falcone, "you always fear what you don't understand." If we work on getting people to understand, that will decrease fear and allow change to go forward. We need us some good ol' fashioned sit-ins, I tells ya.
*groan* Thses Catholic bastards need to be burned on their own fucking crosses.
Ooo, can you wear a tall white pointy hat while you do that? That would be lovely, thanks.
We all tend to take our heterosexuality for granted as if it just happens.
Red Herring!
Let us imagine, for a moment, that homosexuality is a purely conscious choice. So what? How does that choice justify discriminating against them? Goths choose to be Goth, yes? Should they be prevented from marrying other Goths?
And on the opposite, let us imagine that homosexuality is purely genetic. So what? How does a natural state preclude the possibility of external limitations? People who wear glasses didn't choose to have bad eye-sight, but we still require that they get corrective lenses if they want a driver's licenses. Of course, we generally have no problem with those shifty left-handed peoples... So perhaps genetics must be weighed against potential risk to society. If I drive without my glasses, there is a good chance my poor vision will hurt someone, and therefore society has the right to demand that I conform to a norm that I simply don’t have the genes for. But does homosexuality hurt the rest of society in such a way that a similar demand can be made upon them?
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Why is it that every gay person I met prefer the term gay, to homosexual. Yet gay, is still considered derogatory? Same for black people being called black, not African-American.
I think RD was referring to using the word "gay" as a synonym for something that is annoying or stupid or pathetic--not the word being used to describe someone who is homosexual.
This is correct.
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To me, the debate of SSM goes beyond the politics and the elections. It goes to the level of biological basis, wherein a lot of LGBT claim is the origin of their sexual orientation.
We all tend to take our heterosexuality for granted as if it just happens. But it seems to develop slowly and steadily and to consolidate over about two decades - through clearly defined and documented stages. Psychologists are in broad agreement about the general stages of heterosexual development and unanimous about one thing: heterosexual orientation is not genetically determined. They will say it is overwhelmingly learned; the result of response to the environment. Most will also say genetics has a part to play, but only a very minor one. Homosexuals in contrast frequently show a breakdown in several of the developmental stages leading to heterosexuality, particularly attachment to and gender identification with the same sex parent and positive connection with same sex peers, leading to needs for same sex affection and affirmation that become eroticized. Once the pattern of sexual gratification of these needs starts, a habit begins, becomes ingrained, and often addictive. Rates of male sexual abuse are higher in homosexuals and lesbians than in heterosexuals. If heterosexuality is learned, then homosexuality is too.
--Excerpt from "Are heterosexuals born that way?" as found on the following link.
http://www.mygenes.co.nz/download.htm (http://www.mygenes.co.nz/download.htm)
Very interesting read. Hope you get as much out of it as I did.
Essentially, what you are conveying by posting a link to the book My Genes Made Me Do It is that homosexuals can (and probably should) train themselves to adopt the preferred orientation, so that they will then be able to be afforded the rights of heterosexuals. (Because then they'll be heterosexuals!) Baloney. Alright, so what if "environmental factors" play a huge role in the development of homosexual tendencies? So what if not everybody is "born that way"? Does this make it fair that some people should have to go against their arduous lifelong human development and alter their tastes in romantic partners? Genetically based or not, that kind of preference -- be it homosexual or heterosexual, or more generally for tall or short partners, cute or serious partners, assertive or passive partners -- is almost impossible to change, not to mention hellish to deny.
Would it be fair for a heterosexual man who was raised in part by an abusive aunt, who just happened to be tall and assertive/dominant, to have to marry a tall and dominating woman because, say, his family wants him to marry into money? Especially if he's already in love with a short, meek, and fun-loving partner? I give this example, because the romantic ideal of the man within it has likely been influenced by environmental factors. If it isn't fair that heterosexuals should have to choose a more "ideal" partner in the eyes of their family over one which circumstance has made more attractive to them, then how is it fair that homosexuals should have to undergo the same ordeal in order to have a more ideal partner in the eyes of the law?
Rates of male sexual abuse are higher in homosexuals and lesbians than in heterosexuals.
Rates of male sexual abuse are higher among lesbians??? Edit: Oh, I see, you are referring to developmental factors here, not domestic abuse within the lesbian population.
In that case, I wonder how anybody could think it fair that a woman, who has been altered so dramatically by abuse at the hands of men, should have to do something which she sees as a threat to her well-being, i.e. enter into a relationship with another man? If she wants to get married, that is...
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Ha, I love the Goth example, that's a good one.
Although Genesis' post has some undertones I would question (the focus of the post being on gays, Genesis' post makes it seem like homosexuals are sex addicts -- but if the post contained a symmetrical discussion he might also make the point that heterosexuals are equally addicted to sex), that's a fantastic point of discussion, and one I actually haven't heard before. That all sexual behavior could be a strictly socially conditioned thing is kind of scary from an anti-porn feminist's viewpoint for reasons I've explained elsewhere. By the same token, perhaps we could eliminate pregnancy altogether by successfully eroticizing things that don't get people pregnant. And then rely on birth pods for the continuation of our species.
But Genesis, what do you make of brain studies (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1815538,00.html) that show a correlation between brain structure and same/opposite sex preference? I suppose it's possible our brain structure could be influenced by what we're exposed to in life, but it still seems to me there is a non-negligible innate element at work. I would normally bring up the argument about dolphins, bonobos, giraffes, geese, and other animals engaging in homosexual behavior but I would have to concede that animals also being social, perhaps it's possible that their sexuality is a function of their own internal animal culture.
In any case, if heterosexuality and homosexuality come from the same source, then there should be no argument for discrimination; or at least there should be equal discrimination against heterosexuals and homosexuals (for example, outlawing straight marriage). I admire that Genesis is tackling this from the position that homosexuality and heterosexuality are identically sourced.
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Not to, um, derail this or anything, but I can think of a couple personal frustrations that warrant a vent. With today's Amazon shipment I have four interesting looking and untouched books in my possession, but I've been unable to read due to lack of free time for the past month or so. And, the rest of this week is pretty much booked solid by project work. I also just missed a free cooking class at the lodge near my house where they were going to teach the attendees how make tamales. Considering the tamale factor, this counts as at least a double frustration, if not a triple.
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I'm frustrated that I have to tell people not to perjure themselves. This really should be common sense.
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To Thought: What I meant was all these bigots in the church who feel they need to oppress gays and (want to) burn them at the stake should have a taste of their own medicine. I was going for a poetic justice angle, but I guess I sounded too angry for the message to be clear. My bad.
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Yeah, skylark, um, about burning gays at the stake...
How you view the bigots in the church today are equivalent to how society viewed black people in the early 20th century; a gross caricature that has no place in a debate.
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Yeah, skylark, um, about burning gays at the stake...
How you view the bigots in the church today are equivalent to how society viewed black people in the early 20th century; a gross caricature that has no place in a debate.
Now now, we've all had our reactions to various upsetting news stories and personal events that could hardly be considered academic. Most of us are clear headed enough to not advocate burning people at the stake, but in fits of passion you can hardly be expected to be clear headed.
EDIT: I've seen this in V's ravatar, can someone tell me what it is from?
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/6304cbe50fac6275a3761e7d6f053ef5dbe.jpg)
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that would be white ninja. he is a ninja. in white.
my hands hurt.
is that a valid frustration?
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Yeah, skylark, um, about burning gays at the stake...
How you view the bigots in the church today are equivalent to how society viewed black people in the early 20th century; a gross caricature that has no place in a debate.
How wrong you are. Skylark already apologized for excessive zeal, even though he had no cause to apologize for anything. Your post is pure aggravation, plain and simple.
There is all the world between contempt for evildoers and contempt for the innocent. That is such a fundamental property of judgment that I don't know how to put it in simpler terms for you. Tolerance of intolerance is an abdication of self-determination.
On a personal note, I find your equivalency between blacks and homophobes to be absolutely disgusting.
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Wait, wait...I think there's been some confusion...
Yeah, skylark, um, about burning gays at the stake...
From Genesis' language it seems that there's been a mix up here. Was he implying that Skylark thought that gays were to be burned at the stake...or...what? There's a lot of ambiguity afoot here.
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I wasn't talking about burning gays. :shock:
I was talking about the bigots who don't want gays to marry. I don't know where you guys got mixed up.
This is why I usually keep my mouth shut during these things... :picardno
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Wow. 300 pages of frustration. That's either good that it's being vented here, or sad that there is that much frustration here.
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The last one hundred came post CnD. And to think this site's been around for several years now. More frustrations more frequently, or just more awareness of said topic and more new members posting? That's for you to decide :-)
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I think it would be a combination of today's world and the members noticing that a topic like this exists and are using it to their advantage.
Current new frustration:
Though it is rather old, actually. My grandmother is such a pessimist! Gosh! Just got out of a rant from her complaining how getting into retirement is nothing special, and how it only means you about to die anyway...because of something on television! A commercial, none-the-less!
My gosh, seriously. I've tried so hard to get her to be positive, and yet she refuses to try or do anything. It's nerve racking. I cannot go through a day peacefully because she does something like this every day.
Would anybody mind if I took her, strapped her to a chair and forced her to watch positive childrens' shows or something?
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The last one hundred came post CnD. And to think this site's been around for several years now. More frustrations more frequently, or just more awareness of said topic and more new members posting? That's for you to decide :-)
I do wonder if the amount of posting in the more "casual" forums has increased tremendously since the C&D, since Kajar Labs is no longer open.
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Kajar's still open, just not for technical discussion of the games. It's amazing to take a look at all that's left (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/board,19.0.html) and realize just how much fan aspiration is still with us!
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Ah! Apologies, Faust. I have the unfortunate habit of associating Kajar solely with the amazing modding efforts of the Compendium, probably because of the memorable Kajar Labs screens at the beginning of Prophet's Guile.
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I'm frustrated that when I open an interesting Yahoo! article to read, I find another meaningless evolution vs. religion argument. Sigh. . .
Anyway, the article is pretty neat. It talks about the discovery of many new species being found in the Congo River, and how the turbulent water itself may have caused the separation and growth of new species. Check it out if you want.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Evolution-in-the-Deepest-River-in-the-World.html
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I watched a show on that not too long ago, Kotokami. It was, indeed, very interesting.
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Fuck this "no abortion funding" business. On the eve of passing health care reform, Republicans have to interject a potshot at women's rights.
Fucking despicable.
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I just watched the vote on that amendment. Democratic sexist Bart Stupak of Michigan proposed an amendment specifically prohibiting federal funding of abortion care in healthcare reform. Naturally the Republicans were behind it all the way, but the galling part is that 64 Democrats also voted in favor of it. Sixty-four! And, with them, the amendment passed.
Sick.
You can see which way your Representative voted here (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll884.xml).
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Oh, knock it off. At least this way the Republicans can't use this as an excuse to not pass it. Of course, from what I can tell from what's been said so far, I'd probably support this amendment. In any event, this was a crucial step to getting the damn thing passed.
EDIT: Oh lookee here, it got passed. I wonder what turned the one Republican and conservative Democrats that despised it into voting for it?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_care_overhaul
"Potshot at women's rights," whatever. More women benefit from this than the damn abortion thing anyway.
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I find it sad in this case, but Truthordeal does have a point: compromise is always part of lawmaking, and the amount of compromise needed is directly proportional to the spread of opinion within the legislature. This is why legislation alone cannot win the social battles of our era. Changes in legislation are a lagging indicator of changes in the wider culture.
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Yes, it was a true act of bipartisanship and two-party compromise.
One Republican voted for the bill.
Ugh. I'm in agreement with FW; I simply just want to highlight that 1) Republicans are the ones not playing the bipartisan game (the party of No, as it were), and 2) the Democratic party is full of southerner dumbfucks, Dixiecrats, and Blue Dogs who aren't true progressives.
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Yes, it was a true act of bipartisanship and two-party compromise.
One Republican voted for the bill.
Ugh. I'm in agreement with FW; I simply just want to highlight that 1) Republicans are the ones not playing the bipartisan game (the party of No, as it were), and 2) the Democratic party is full of southerner dumbfucks, Dixiecrats, and Blue Dogs who aren't true progressives.
So then, the abortion thing was unnecessary to get it passed? In that case, fuck you twice to everyone who voted for amendment: Once for being a misogynist and twice for the Democrat that proposed it for being a coward and the Republicans who voted against the health care bill it for baiting the amendment. Each and every person who voted for that amendment should be thrown out on their assess. Life saving procedures being bared from coverage? Fuck that.
Everyone who voted for the amendment should be stripped of their socialist health care, be denied coverage from any private insurance health care system (including through spouses) and be denied access to all medical care, even if they have the money for it. Not a fucking aspirin from the store. Let them die in the streets, and string up their carcasses to serve as a reminder that you can't take a stand against health care for the very people who pay for yours.
I'm frustrated that we live in a country that is filled with so many backwards anti-environment, anti-human, anti-life, sadistic misogynists that such an amendment could even be proposed. It's inexcusable and unforgivable.
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Well, with all the committees and subcommittees and reviews and riders and a do-next-to-nothing congress, I'm surprised that anything actually beneficial to our American society gets through.
As for socialist health care, I'm in favor of private health care over national health care.
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Well, with all the committees and subcommittees and reviews and riders and a do-next-to-nothing congress, I'm surprised that anything actually beneficial to our American society gets through.
As for socialist health care, I'm in favor of private health care over national health care.
You have been getting more and more like Truthordeal in your posts. Now I think you are beginning to exceed him in cockamamie ignorance. Usually I can tell when someone doesn't know what they're talking about. But when it's an issue like healthcare reform, which I've spent hundreds of hours following this year, it just stands out all the more glaringly when somebody comes along and proclaims, while drooling from the mouth, such ridiculous bunk as that.
There may or may not be any good arguments in favor of private healthcare over public healthcare, but you wouldn't know, would you?
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My frustration is that it seems to be taking so much effort, with seemingly half the country kicking and screaming like toddlers, to give some level of health care to those who don't have it. My god. These idiots fight so hard for the unborn and its "right to life", but then as soon as the damn creature sees the light, they back the fuck off and say "you are on your own!".
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Around 4 years ago, the city I live in started renovation on a major road that was the primary route for individuals attempting to reach four different hospitals. First, the tore up the middle two lanes and spent about 2 years fixing that. Then, they tore up one side and took about a year fixing that. Then they tore up the other side, spent a year fixing that. Given that everything is fixed and renovated at this point one would think that they'd be done and open the road up again. Alas, one would think wrong. They have begun re-renovation on the middle two lanes again. Why? Because in their piece-meal approach, they forgot that all the lanes actually need to be level with each other. Those middle lanes are at least a full foot, maybe two, higher than the other lanes.
At least living in Texas will make me feel more appreciative of competent government elsewhere; because compared to Texas, almost any government is competent.
As for socialist health care, I'm in favor of private health care over national health care.
Why? Private healthcare is a unique business in that the service you pay for is one that either you never receive, or if you receive, it will be as craptacular as the company can possibly manage. Imagine if you went to a restaurant, paid for a meal, but 95% of the time you never got it. On the 5% that you did, the waiters were rude, the food itself was barely palatable, and they blacklisted you afterwards. How does a business model like that garner any support?
Health care is essentially a natural monopoly (to use the phrase loosely), and all natural monopolies belong in the hands of the government, not private industry.
If private insurance companies had at least helped keep costs down, then there might be an argument for keeping them, but they have failed miserably at that. There is no use to them.
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Well, I appreciate your forthrightness, Lord J, but I'd rather not have universal health care. The cons far outweigh the pros. Like the idiom "hit the ground running", it may sound like a good idea in theory, but not in practice. Take your pick. I'm not as ignorant as you like to picture me as through my posts.
(Courtesy of BalancedPolitics.org (http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm#no))
1. There isn't a single government agency or division that runs efficiently.
At least try and name one government office that runs efficiently. The Department of Transportation? Social Security Administration? Department of Education? There isn't a single government office that squeezes efficiency out of every dollar the way the private sector can.
How about the U.S. income tax system? When originally implemented, it collected 1 percent from the highest income citizens. Look at it today. A few years back to government published a "Tax Simplification Guide," and the guide itself was over 1,000 pages long! This is what happens when politicians intervene with something that should be simple.
Think about the Department of Motor Vehicles. This isn't rocket science—they have to keep track of licenses and basic database information for state residents. However, the costs to support the department are enormous, and when was the last time you went to the DMV and didn't have to stand in line? If it can't handle things this simple, how can we expect the government to handle all the complex nuances of the medical system? If any private business failed year after year to achieve its objectives and satisfy its customers, it would either go out of business or be passed up by competitors.
2. "Free" health care isn't really free since we must pay for it with taxes.
There's an entitlement mentality in this country that believes the government should give us a number of benefits such as "free" health care, but the government must pay for this somehow. What good would it do to wipe out a few hundred dollars of monthly health insurance premiums if our taxes go up by that much or more? If we have to cut AIDS research or education spending, is it worth it?
3. Government-controlled health care would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility.
At first glance, it would appear universal health care would increase flexibility. After all, if our government paid for everything under one plan, you could in theory go to any doctor. However, some controls are going to have to be put in to keep costs from exploding.
Example--> Would "elective" surgeries such as breast implants, wart removal, hair restoration, and Lasik eye surgery be covered? One may say, “That's easy. Make patients pay for elective surgery.”
Although some procedures are obviously not needed, who decides what is elective and what is required? What about a breast reduction for back problems? What about a hysterectomy for fibroid problems? What about a nose job to fix a septum problem caused in an accident? Whenever you have government control of something, you have one item added to the equation that will most definitely screw things up—politics. Suddenly, every medical procedure and situation is going to come down to a political battle. The compromises that result will put in controls that limit patient options. The universal system in Canada forces patients to wait over 6 months for a routine pap smear. Canada residents will often go to the U.S. or offer additional money to get their health care needs taken care of.
4. Profit motives, competition, and individual ingenuity have always led to greater cost control and effectiveness.
Government workers have fewer incentives to do well. They have a set hourly schedule, cost-of-living raises, and few promotion opportunities. Compare this to private sector workers who can receive large raises, earn promotions, and work overtime. Government workers have iron-clad job security; private sector workers must always worry about keeping their jobs, and private businesses must always worry about cutting costs enough to survive.
5. Patients aren't likely to curb their drug costs and doctor visits if health care is free.
Co-pays and deductibles were put in place because there are medical problems that are more minor annoyances than anything else. Sure, it would be nice if we had the medical staff and resources to treat every ache and pain experienced by an American, but we don't.
Example--> What if a patient is having trouble sleeping? What if a patient has a minor cold, flu, or headache? There are scores of problems that we wouldn't go to a doctor to solve if we had to pay for it; however, if everything is free, why not go? The result is that doctors must spend more time on non-critical care, and the patients that really need immediate help must wait. In fact, for a number of problems, it's better if no medical care is given whatsoever. The body's immune system is designed to fight off infections and other illnesses. It becomes stronger when it can fight things off on its own. Treating the symptoms can prolong the underlying problem, in addition to the societal side effects such as the growing antibiotic resistance of certain infections.
I’ve said it before in previous posts and I’ll say it again: The most effective health care for anybody is (and really, it’s no secret) not to get sick in the first place.
6. Just because Americans are uninsured doesn't mean they can't receive health care.
Non-profit organizations and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance.
While uninsured Americans are a problem in regards to total system cost, it doesn't mean health care isn't available. This issue shouldn't be as emotional since there are plenty of government and private medical practices designed to help the uninsured. It is illegal to refuse emergency treatment, even if the patient is an illegal immigrant. Furthermore, non-profit organizations and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance.
7. Government-mandated procedures will likely reduce doctor flexibility and lead to poor patient care.
When our government controls things, politics always seep into the decision-making. Steps will have to be taken to keep costs under control. Rules will be put in place as to when doctors can perform certain expensive tests or when drugs can be given. Insurance companies are already tying the hands of doctors somewhat. Government influence will only make things worse, leading to decreased doctor flexibility and poor patient care.
Over in the U.K., where they do have universal health care, doctors go on strike because they are not getting paid bonuses or overtime for the exorbitant amounts of patient care that they have to deal with, and that’s just one side effect of implementing such health care reform.
8. Healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc.
Universal health care means the costs will be spread to all Americans, regardless of your health or your need for medical care, which is fundamentally unfair. Your health is greatly determined by your lifestyle. Those who exercise, eat right, don't smoke, don't drink, etc. have far fewer health problems than the smoking couch potatoes.
Some healthy people don't even feel the need for health insurance since they never go to the doctor. Why should we punish those that live a healthy lifestyle and reward the ones who don't? It’s a pretty backwards concept having to have healthy patients give their tax dollars to some John Doe who doesn’t give a crap about how he lives his life and who’s paying for his gastric bypass or liposuction.
9. A long, painful transition will have to take place involving lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation.
A universal health care plan means the entire health insurance industry would be unnecessary.
All companies in that area would have to go out of business, meaning all people employed in the industry would be out of work. A number of hospital record clerks that dealt with insurance would also be out of work. A number of these unemployed would be able to get jobs in the new government bureaucracy, but it would still be a long, painful transition. We'd also have to once again go through a whole new round of patient record creation and database construction, which would cost huge amounts of both time and money.
Who would’ve guessed that unemployment would be the cost of reform?
10. Loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession.
Government jobs currently have statute-mandated salaries and civil service tests required for getting hired. There isn't a lot of flexibility built in to reward the best performing workers. Imagine how this would limit the options of medical professionals. Doctors who attract scores of patients and do the best work would likely be paid the same as those that perform poorly and drive patients away. The private practice options and flexibility of specialties is one of things that attracts students to the profession. If you take that away, you may discourage would-be students from putting themselves through the torture of medical school and residency.
This is by no means a complete list, but it’s a far cry from what you called cockamamie ignorance, Lord J.
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Hmmm...looking at the site you cited(pun? Nah) there certainly appears to be more cons than pros. It's a decent website, from what I can tell of it, so it might be worth a look into. However, the quality of an argument often outweighs the quantity of it.
For instance, if I were to argue that bananas are better than apples, my reasoning would look something like this:
1) Bananas taste better.
2) Bananas are yellow.
3) Bananas contain all of the nutrients of apples, plus potassium, which apples lack.
4) Bananas are sweeter.
The first two arguments are pretty much useless, because people's tastes change and the fact that bananas are yellow makes no difference to most people. The fourth argument is more or less a restatement of the first argument, but it can appear on its own with its own justification as well. The third argument is the only decent one, because it uses factual information and applies it to a persons interest(health, in this case).
I could do a much deeper analysis of this site, but I have a research paper to do, so that'll have to wait.
I will answer the first point of your argument, however, with NASA. It started in the fifties and got a man on the moon by 1969, with less money than was spent on the past two stimulus bills. Of course, comparing this to health care might prove to be a false analogy, as the economics of medicine seems to be far more complicated than rocket science. :lol:
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1. There isn't a single government agency or division that runs efficiently.
Perhaps, but allow me to turn this issue upon private industry. Is there a single private health insurance company, in the world, that is efficient in regards to providing patient care? There are companies that have shown that they are very efficient in reducing costs to themselves, but medical costs and patient care in general are significantly lagging. Indeed, there is evidence that private health insurance companies are partially responsible for the rising cost of patient care through their own attempt to shore up their own obscene profits. Remember 2008, when the economy was crashing? Yeah, health insurance companies were doing just fine, thank you very much. And by “just fine,” I mean “Enron-would-blush fine.”
However, the costs to support the department are enormous, and when was the last time you went to the DMV and didn't have to stand in line?
False assumption. Wait time does not necessarily say anything about efficiency: a single efficient worker can still be very easily overworked, acquiring a backlog. You may be mistaking underfunding for inefficiency. You may not here be mistaken, but this is not a valid criterion without supplemental arguments.
2. "Free" health care isn't really free since we must pay for it with taxes.
So? Would paying for health care through taxes be inherently worse than an employer taking money out of your paycheck to buy the health care?
3. Government-controlled health care would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility.
Perhaps. However, you are oversimplifying things. Currently, there are health insurance plans that will allow you to see Cardiologist A but not Cardiologist B. Under a government plan, both would be available to you. That is increased flexibility.
Private insurance companies do not cover elective surgeries in the present day, therefore your example applies to them as well as government based insurance. You would need to show that the government would allow for fewer elective surgeries than present coverage.
Decisions will most likely be made in both instances by bureaucrats rather than doctors.
Suddenly, every medical procedure and situation is going to come down to a political battle.
Currently, every medical procedure and situation is an economic battle; would political battles be much different?
4. Profit motives, competition, and individual ingenuity have always led to greater cost control and effectiveness.
The evidence does not conform to your statement. Please list a single private health insurance company that has routinely implemented cost-controls and effectiveness protocols that did not aversely influence patient care.
Government workers have fewer incentives to do well.
They also have fewer reasons to screw the customer over. They aren’t rewarded for cutting costs, which are most easily done by cutting patient care.
5. Patients aren't likely to curb their drug costs and doctor visits if health care is free.
The co-pay is ineffective for this as it is. However, if people are more likely to go to a doctor for every ache and pain, then perhaps we'll start catching illness early, when treatment is very affordable. Preventative care is good.
Example--> What if a patient is having trouble sleeping?
Could be sleep apnea, a fully treatable disorder. As sleep deprivation can lead to impaired judgment and voting Democrat (or Republican, depending on your party), which can in turn hurt others, this is something that it is better to be safe than sorry. I’d rather the government waste money that have unsafe drivers on the road or half-asleep voters in the booths.
...however, if everything is free, why not go?
Everything won’t be free, however. No matter what the government does, it will still cost time (and resources to get there). Those expenses have always outweighed the co-pays for many people.
The result is that doctors must spend more time on non-critical care, and the patients that really need immediate help must wait.
If only there were rooms where people with emergencies could go. Of course, if there were these "Where-people-with-serious-and-urgent-problems-go-for-quick-treatment Rooms," we'd want to be sure that they weren't crowded by people with colds, headaches, etc. The easiest way to do that would be to give these common folk health insurance so they could go see a regular doctor.
The most effective health care for anybody is (and really, it’s no secret) not to get sick in the first place.
Preventative care, which requires a social change, would be good, but neither private health insurance companies nor the government based proposals address it. That makes this a red herring.
6. Just because Americans are uninsured doesn't mean they can't receive health care.
Just because uninsured Americans receive health care, that doesn't mean that they care is adequate or timely. Usually when people take advantage of the non-insurance options, it costs much more to treat.
Non-profit organizations and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance.
And so your objection is that government health insurance is unnecessary because the uninsured can benefit from what is effectively government health insurance in the first place?
7. Government-mandated procedures will likely reduce doctor flexibility and lead to poor patient care.
Reduce doctor flexibility from an otherworldly ideal, yes. But for this argument to work, you would need to show that government-mandated procedures would reduce doctor flexibility and reduce patient care more than those mandates already in place by health insurance companies.
8. Healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc.
That is already how the system is. Health insurance companies make money off the health individuals and cut loose the sick ones as soon as they can. The government picks up the rest, with tax dollars.
To note, being obese, if it is a health risk, is usually a symptom of other problems: it is rarely a problem itself. Think of it like hives. If you have hives that doesn't mean you are more likely to be allergic to something, but if you are allergic to something, you are more likely to have hives. Obesity is usually a symptom, not a cause.
Universal health care means the costs will be spread to all Americans, regardless of your health or your need for medical care, which is fundamentally unfair.
Ah, curse public education, roadways, sanitation, water and power lines, police, firefighters, and military service. Curse those fundamentally unfair institutions, I say!
Your health is greatly determined by your lifestyle. Those who exercise, eat right, don't smoke, don't drink, etc. have far fewer health problems than the smoking couch potatoes.
Your health is also greatly determined by your genetic makeup. It is estimated that 50-80% of a person's weight is directly influenced by their genes. Blacks and Hispanics are more prone to diabetes than whites. Cancers are also significantly influenced by your DNA, as is addiction. Nurture certainly plays an important role, but nature is no small thing either.
Chances are, you are carrying genes in you right now that predispose you to serious illness later in life. You can thank President Bush and GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) that these can't be used against you to deny you health insurance coverage, employment, etc.
It’s a pretty backwards concept having to have healthy patients give their tax dollars to some John Doe who doesn’t give a crap about how he lives his life and who’s paying for his gastric bypass or liposuction.
Well you're just being an ass now. Considering the hell that that bariatric surgery entails, no one even thinks about having gastric bypass without giving more of a crap about their health than most healthy individuals.
Sure, let’s damn them because their bodies are leptin resistant. Let’s damn them because they have efficient metabolisms that are evolutionary advantageous to almost any environment but the modern western one. Let’s damn them because their mothers ate too much ice cream while pregnant with them.
You are just being bigoted here, plain and simple. There is a perception that overweight individuals are lazy, that if they just wanted to they could be healthy. It is true that there are some people who are thin because they work out, and others are fat because they are lazy, but it is also true that there are some humans who are tetrachromatic (they can see four wavelengths of color, rather than the standard three). Point being, this is incredibly rare. This isn't to say that individuals can't affect their health, but that overweight individuals tend to do more about their health than "normal" individuals. Unfortunately, the anti-fat bigotry that permeates society actually prevents overweight individuals from seeking preemptive medical help due to social stigmas. It is not much of an exaggeration to say that it is easier for an individual to grow up homosexual than it is to grow up fat.
9. A long, painful transition will have to take place involving lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation.
A universal health care plan means the entire health insurance industry would be unnecessary.
It already is unnecessary. Society just likes to pretend it isn't.
As for the painful transition; curiously, treatment for diseases is often painful. But if good and proper, that doesn’t mean you should avoid it.
10. Loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession.
Perhaps, but the best doctors are never the ones that enter for the money. If we lowered the costs of medical school (something that is, admittedly, not part of the current debate, but an element of the larger social need for across the board health reforms), so that doctors didn't graduate with horrendous debt that necessitated unethically-large salaries, we might also be able to recruit more doctors from underprivileged classes.
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Hard drive crashed. That means all of tunes will have to be reorganized (more of a pain than anything) and a few other things will be lost. This includes my headshots, which are kind of vital, so I need to find the CD which they were on, which I haven't needed in ages. Also, ALL of my work (which was really just a newfound hobby) from The Program That Must Not Be Named is gone. All of it. I just now realized how much I had. And this hardrive was less than a year old!!!! Baaaaaahhhhh rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble
Good news is I had 4 days left on my warranty so I gets a new one in the mail.
Hopefully I won't be posting about the mail come next week...
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8. Healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc.
This study refutes that notion:
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050029
People who are obese rack up medical costs, sure. But they die earlier than healthy people do. Healthy people live long enough to develop cancer and other diseases of long life, which rack up equivalent medical costs. Ultimately, unhealthy people who die earlier and healthy people who die later cost about the same.
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Well, I appreciate your forthrightness, Lord J, but I'd rather not have universal health care. The cons far outweigh the pros. Like the idiom "hit the ground running", it may sound like a good idea in theory, but not in practice. Take your pick. I'm not as ignorant as you like to picture me as through my posts.
My first objection is that you have resorted to copying the words of other people to make your point. Very few of the words in your remaining post are actually your own. That shows intellectual irresponsibility. You can certainly use other people's words, but only if you're able to analyze and express them with your own understanding. Copying does not demonstrate your grasp of the issues. It demonstrates, on the contrary, your consent to being defined by the statements of others. Is that what you are? A minion?
1. There isn't a single government agency or division that runs efficiently.
At least try and name one government office that runs efficiently. The Department of Transportation? Social Security Administration? Department of Education? There isn't a single government office that squeezes efficiency out of every dollar the way the private sector can.
How about the U.S. income tax system? When originally implemented, it collected 1 percent from the highest income citizens. Look at it today. A few years back to government published a "Tax Simplification Guide," and the guide itself was over 1,000 pages long! This is what happens when politicians intervene with something that should be simple.
Think about the Department of Motor Vehicles. This isn't rocket science—they have to keep track of licenses and basic database information for state residents. However, the costs to support the department are enormous, and when was the last time you went to the DMV and didn't have to stand in line? If it can't handle things this simple, how can we expect the government to handle all the complex nuances of the medical system? If any private business failed year after year to achieve its objectives and satisfy its customers, it would either go out of business or be passed up by competitors.
There's some room to quibble over what "efficiency" means, but the only way you can defensibly claim that the government doesn't run efficiently is if you define "efficiency" to mean "makes a direct profit," which isn't applicable in the government's case. For what they are tasked to do, the NIH, the NPS, the OSHA, the FHA, the FSA (Federal Student Aid), the USPS, the FSIS, the NWS, and the NOAA are all examples of government offices that run efficiently by my standards--which is particularly remarkable because many of them are severely underfunded at present. I picked these particular offices, by the way, because I have personally interacted with them in one way or another and have benefited firsthand from the work they do. Are you really prepared to argue against any of these organizations? Do you even know what the acronyms stand for? And what about local government? Are you going to argue against that too?
This is what happens when students are not taught civics, and are instead indoctrinated to believe that the government is a big corporation and ought to be run like one. Bull. Shit.
I'll agree with you--or, ahem: I'll agree with the website you copied from--that the tax code needs to be streamlined. I agree with that statement completely. But by "streamlined" I don't mean "We need to repeal the Sixteenth Amendment," and I detect a false equivalency coming from you by which tax code simplification is a stand-in for lower taxation overall. Not only is that a false equivalency, but it is wrong on its face: Some complexity in the tax code is necessary; you would know this if you've ever had to complete your own tax returns. It's easy to see how many of the questions are important for revenue collection purposes, even if not relevant to you personally. There are many useful provisions in the tax code that nevertheless contribute to the code's overall length.
Lastly, the DMV is not a federal office. We don't even have a DMV in Washington State. (It's the DOL.) To the extent there are long lines, it's because these agencies don't have the budget necessary to hire more people. That's not their fault; it's not a measure of their ability to perform the organizational tasks that any organization must. It's simply a reality of the budgeting process. They don't collect operating revenues directly from citizens. They have to make do with the funding they are given. In any case, the lines may be long sometimes, but the agency works. If you want shorter lines, you'll have to pay for it, or give up something else.
I'm not going to respond to the rest of your post in such detail, as I simply don't have the time to compose my own thoughts in response to your thoughtless pasting of somebody else's arguments...so forgive me if the rest seems rushed.
2. "Free" health care isn't really free since we must pay for it with taxes.
There's an entitlement mentality in this country that believes the government should give us a number of benefits such as "free" health care, but the government must pay for this somehow. What good would it do to wipe out a few hundred dollars of monthly health insurance premiums if our taxes go up by that much or more? If we have to cut AIDS research or education spending, is it worth it?
Here's a definition of efficiency that may not have occurred to a "libertarian" such as yourself: Efficiency is when an organization offers a good service at a reasonable price. Private healthcare providers in America today accomplish neither. Insurance policies are becoming junkier by the year, and more expensive by the year. This isn't merely a case of corporate greed, although there is plenty of that. We we are seeing is the failure of an economic model in miniature. Private healthcare in a modern society just doesn't work. The drugs and technologies and doctors required to preserve and promote the health of an increasingly long-lived population are not cheap. Healthcare costs money. Skimming a profit off the top just makes the costs even worse. It's not a profitable sector. I was reading up on this earlier in the year, and the closest I found to a private model that even remotely works is that in the nation of Switzerland--and even there the basic healthcare plan is not allowed to be for-profit.
Public healthcare offers three advantages that private healthcare will not: First, there will be greater economies of scale. Second, there will be no profit skimmed off the top. Third, there will be superior organization. The first two of those advantages are not controversial. The third is, since right-wingers have buttered their bread for decades by claiming that government doesn't work and never solves anything. In reality, the current private health insurance companies in America do not compare favorably at all to the public insurers. I don't know if you've been paying attention--probably not--but private healthcare in this country isn't exactly working out.
Before we move on, let me reiterate this: I don't think you understand civics very well at all. Your idea that public services and infrastructure are all some big gigantic cheat because it's not "free" since we all pay taxes is despairingly ignorant. Your (forgive me) moronic grasp of government is about in line with what I would expect from a rigid adherent of the intellectually rotted conservative movement. I'm not sure whether to be sad or disgusted. Sad, I think.
3. Government-controlled health care would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility.
At first glance, it would appear universal health care would increase flexibility. After all, if our government paid for everything under one plan, you could in theory go to any doctor. However, some controls are going to have to be put in to keep costs from exploding.
Example--> Would "elective" surgeries such as breast implants, wart removal, hair restoration, and Lasik eye surgery be covered? One may say, “That's easy. Make patients pay for elective surgery.”
Although some procedures are obviously not needed, who decides what is elective and what is required? What about a breast reduction for back problems? What about a hysterectomy for fibroid problems? What about a nose job to fix a septum problem caused in an accident? Whenever you have government control of something, you have one item added to the equation that will most definitely screw things up—politics. Suddenly, every medical procedure and situation is going to come down to a political battle. The compromises that result will put in controls that limit patient options. The universal system in Canada forces patients to wait over 6 months for a routine pap smear. Canada residents will often go to the U.S. or offer additional money to get their health care needs taken care of.
Heh. I imagine I must know one part of what it is like to be a police officer. Police officers see the same crimes over and over. Every perpetrator thinks they're going to be the one to get away with it. Every perp thinks they know best. There are a lot of ignorant people out there. When it comes to politics, there are all sorts of folks who have no idea what they're talking about. They just get their opinions from somebody else and couldn't give two shits about fact or reason. And then, sometimes, they come up against somebody like me...who knows the issues. And they think this time will be no different: They'll spout their opinion and that will be the end of it. It never even occurs to them that they might be called out for total bunk, because in their minds they are totally rational and justified, and their beliefs correspond with the truth.
Well, there's not much I can do to disabuse you of your thinking on Item No. 3, is there? I'd know it by now if you were the kind of person open-minded enough to be able to make concessions in argument. You're not. So I suppose it wouldn't mean much to you if I were to point out that the above excerpt is not only misleading, but just about as pure fake as you can get. It's not a distortion of the truth; it's just plain fake altogether. They might as well have added "with unicorns."
The question of who decides what is supplementary and what is elective, above and beyond basic healthcare, is not new and not controversial. Those rules are fairly well-codified today, and would be even better-codified under healthcare reform. Even in private health insurance rules there is a distinction between such things as "I want bigger breasts for cosmetic reasons" and "I want smaller breasts because I have chronic back pain." Everything in Item No. 3--except for the bit about Canadian pap smears, which is wrong and which I welcome you to check--is based around the fallacious premise that it would be a bad thing for the government to set out rules categorizing various healthcare procedures. Perhaps it would be a bad thing, if Congress were making each and every one of those decisions. They won't be. So far, the only thing they've politicized to any high degree is abortion care. The vast majority of these rules and guidelines have been and will always be written by qualified professionals. Even in private insurance that's how it works, with the caveat that in the for-profit model there is a strong incentive to skew coverage toward a more profitable end.
4. Profit motives, competition, and individual ingenuity have always led to greater cost control and effectiveness.
Government workers have fewer incentives to do well. They have a set hourly schedule, cost-of-living raises, and few promotion opportunities. Compare this to private sector workers who can receive large raises, earn promotions, and work overtime. Government workers have iron-clad job security; private sector workers must always worry about keeping their jobs, and private businesses must always worry about cutting costs enough to survive.
Yeah. Wrong. The funding limitations imposed on public organizations are a strong motivator for cost control and effectiveness. I've seen public organizations do wonderful things with offensively small amounts of money because some conservative dumbfucks in representative government slashed their budget. I've seen it many times.
You, GenesisOne, are an offense to the people who work in government. You have besmirched their diligence, their dedication, their ingenuity, and their hardships, and you have impugned their judgment. You have no grasp of what their work entails, be it research science at a university, paving hot asphalt onto a freeway, or serving in combat in Iraq. You have no appreciation and no respect for what they do, because these people do fine work and are fine people, and yet you paste an argument against public healthcare which turns on the inferiority of public workers.
I've seen public workers and private ones. It takes all kinds to make a society, but you know what? The people I have personally known who are in government work have, on the whole, been more committed to doing their jobs well, more hardworking and innovative within the constraints imposed upon them, more interested in the cause they serve, more personally respectable and knowledge in their area of expertise, more dutiful about their obligations within our civil society, more honorable and intelligent, and simply all-out more exceptional than those in the private sector.
You talk about ambivalence. They're not in it for the huge profits, because in government work there are none, unless you're a football coach at a university or a neurologist at the medical center. That breeds ambivalence, you say. But you're wrong: They're in it usually because they care about the work. You talk about wastefulness. They have tenure. They have union representation. They have important skills that can't easily be replaced. That breeds wastefulness, you say. But you're wrong: They don't sit around on their thumbs and twiddle. Even the tenured and well-entrenched contribute positively. And most of them are no more secure in their jobs than private workers. They can be laid off. They can be fired. Oh, maybe a few professors can't and a few celebrities wouldn't, but the rest are as vulnerable as anyone else. You talk about laziness. You say government workers have set hours, aren't allowed to work overtime, and have no incentive to devote themselves to their work. But you're wrong. Wrong again. Wrong on every point, and you either don't know or don't care about how wrong you really are. Instead you smugly say, "Here is an inferior class of people, who will waste money because they don't have an incentive to make money!"
You disgust me.
5. Patients aren't likely to curb their drug costs and doctor visits if health care is free.
Co-pays and deductibles were put in place because there are medical problems that are more minor annoyances than anything else. Sure, it would be nice if we had the medical staff and resources to treat every ache and pain experienced by an American, but we don't.
Example--> What if a patient is having trouble sleeping? What if a patient has a minor cold, flu, or headache? There are scores of problems that we wouldn't go to a doctor to solve if we had to pay for it; however, if everything is free, why not go? The result is that doctors must spend more time on non-critical care, and the patients that really need immediate help must wait. In fact, for a number of problems, it's better if no medical care is given whatsoever. The body's immune system is designed to fight off infections and other illnesses. It becomes stronger when it can fight things off on its own. Treating the symptoms can prolong the underlying problem, in addition to the societal side effects such as the growing antibiotic resistance of certain infections.
I’ve said it before in previous posts and I’ll say it again: The most effective health care for anybody is (and really, it’s no secret) not to get sick in the first place.
High-premium private insurance plans are the real money drains, especially since they divert resources away from other segments of the healthcare sector.
Liberals have bitterly joked for years that the conservative healthcare plan is: "Don't get sick." And yet now you come along and actually say it seriously. What an idiot.
6. Just because Americans are uninsured doesn't mean they can't receive health care.
Non-profit organizations and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance.
While uninsured Americans are a problem in regards to total system cost, it doesn't mean health care isn't available. This issue shouldn't be as emotional since there are plenty of government and private medical practices designed to help the uninsured. It is illegal to refuse emergency treatment, even if the patient is an illegal immigrant. Furthermore, non-profit organizations and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance.
"Shouldn't be emotional," eh? Even though this model of healthcare results in the deaths of thousands of people annually (and the misery of millions more) because basic services could not cover the care they needed, and private insurance was unattainable? Yeah, no emotions there.
I know you don't care about the quality of human life, but here's something you should care about: The "emergency room" form of healthcare is catastrophically expensive, to all taxpayers. I won't even go into all the details of why, from the opportunity costs of not being healthy to the expensiveness of treating a health problem that has blown up to full size, but it's a doozy of an issue and you're welcome to look it up yourself.
7. Government-mandated procedures will likely reduce doctor flexibility and lead to poor patient care.
When our government controls things, politics always seep into the decision-making. Steps will have to be taken to keep costs under control. Rules will be put in place as to when doctors can perform certain expensive tests or when drugs can be given. Insurance companies are already tying the hands of doctors somewhat. Government influence will only make things worse, leading to decreased doctor flexibility and poor patient care.
Over in the U.K., where they do have universal health care, doctors go on strike because they are not getting paid bonuses or overtime for the exorbitant amounts of patient care that they have to deal with, and that’s just one side effect of implementing such health care reform.
Why don't you try asking citizens who have lived in both countries which system they prefer? Go ahead...
Oh, I know that's not much of an argument. After all, they might all just be a bunch of brainwashed socialists, right? Well, here's a firmer argument: In the UK, when you get sick, you go to the doctor. You don't have a mountain of paperwork to fill out. You don't have to argue with anybody over insurance coverage. You just go in and get seen. If you need any medication or therapy, you'll be given a prescription or a referral. If it's very serious, you will be admitted to the hospital.
In this country, if you have no insurance, you have to lay down a fat wad of cash before you get seen at all. If you do have insurance, you have to fill out the forms, and, too often, argue with the insurance companies when your claims are denied. You have to base your treatment decisions not only on your doctor's advice, but on your ability to pay. Even our president's own mother was on the phone yelling at her insurance company in the final stages of terminal cancer, in the last weeks of her life. How about that?
You talk about the rationing of providers and treatments. We already have rationing in this country: It's called "How much you got?" If you can't pay, you're screwed. Most people will never see the best doctors, the best clinics, the best operating rooms. They'll never have the best drugs or machines. They'll get by with what they are able to pay for. Oftentimes, it's not enough, and their live in misery and die early. That's the legacy of our for-profit health insurance system. A government healthcare plan would have to be pretty darn rotten to do worse than that.
8. Healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc.
Universal health care means the costs will be spread to all Americans, regardless of your health or your need for medical care, which is fundamentally unfair. Your health is greatly determined by your lifestyle. Those who exercise, eat right, don't smoke, don't drink, etc. have far fewer health problems than the smoking couch potatoes.
Some healthy people don't even feel the need for health insurance since they never go to the doctor. Why should we punish those that live a healthy lifestyle and reward the ones who don't? It’s a pretty backwards concept having to have healthy patients give their tax dollars to some John Doe who doesn’t give a crap about how he lives his life and who’s paying for his gastric bypass or liposuction.
It's the civics, stupid. What an ungrateful, greedy, spiteful mook you are.
I don't own a car, did you know that? That means I pay taxes for roads that I don't use. Hell, forget Seattle. I've never even been to some states, and yet I hear they have all kinds of federally funding highways and bridges and tunnels. That's wasting my money! I demand a refund! I don't want to pay for some idiot in Dallas to be able to drive to work! That's socialism! Blah blah blah blah! Steve Forbes makes me hot! Blah blah blah blah! Who is John Galt? Blah blah blah blah!
9. A long, painful transition will have to take place involving lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation.
A universal health care plan means the entire health insurance industry would be unnecessary.
All companies in that area would have to go out of business, meaning all people employed in the industry would be out of work. A number of hospital record clerks that dealt with insurance would also be out of work. A number of these unemployed would be able to get jobs in the new government bureaucracy, but it would still be a long, painful transition. We'd also have to once again go through a whole new round of patient record creation and database construction, which would cost huge amounts of both time and money.
Who would’ve guessed that unemployment would be the cost of reform?
I'd like nothing more than for the entire healthcare industry to be put out of business. Not nationalized: Put out of business. They cost Americans so much money, and take away so much from our health because of their own personal greed and irresponsibility. They have perfected legal murder in this country. Every one of those companies should be a crime scene.
As for the individuals who work there: It would cheaper for this nation to send every last one of them to college for free, so that they might train for another profession, than it would be to continue in the current system. Your argument is bogus.
10. Loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession.
Government jobs currently have statute-mandated salaries and civil service tests required for getting hired. There isn't a lot of flexibility built in to reward the best performing workers. Imagine how this would limit the options of medical professionals. Doctors who attract scores of patients and do the best work would likely be paid the same as those that perform poorly and drive patients away. The private practice options and flexibility of specialties is one of things that attracts students to the profession. If you take that away, you may discourage would-be students from putting themselves through the torture of medical school and residency.
Even doctors can be greedy, especially since that profession is seen in our society as one of the most prestigious and lucrative. Some doctors practice in this country rather than another because they can make much bigger fortunes here. This isn't a good thing. This is a part of the problem. Doctors, especially specialists, simply make too much money. It's draining talent away from general practice in America, and from all medical practice in other nations.
Doctors in this country, particularly specialists in the most lucrative areas, are not paid what they are worth. They have distorted the market. Some of them may give up the practice if they are told they can't gouge their patients quite as much. That's true. And in a time when the need for doctors in increasing, that's going to be a real problem that we will have to face. But face it we must, because the alternative is the current system, where the price of healthcare means many people simply don't get healthcare at all. That's far more disastrous.
The rest of your point is simply a rehash of No. 4.
This is by no means a complete list, but it’s a far cry from what you called cockamamie ignorance, Lord J.
Right...
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It appears that Thought and J saved me the trouble. And an interesting study from Zeality too. Genesis, I'm still not keen on the idea of universal health care. In fact, the libertarian in me hates it more than anything. However, Lord J and Thought have cornered me on this issue, and addressed a few concerns of mine.
If there were a way to keep prices down(which was the job of the insurance companies) without this, I'd be all for it. Unfortunately, the Republicans have dropped the ball, and haven't come up with anything to oppose the bill that's working its way through Congress.
I need to ask though; the bill that passed this weekend, was it the same that Max Baucus came up with a few weeks ago, or has something been added or removed or altered(besides the abortion amendment)?
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I need to ask though; the bill that passed this weekend, was it the same that Max Baucus came up with a few weeks ago, or has something been added or removed or altered(besides the abortion amendment)?
No, those are two completely different pieces of legislation. You can read about the one that passed over the weekend here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.03962:
The true Senate counterpart to HR 3962 doesn't exist yet. It will soon. Currently it is being put together by the Democratic leadership in the Senate. It will be comprised in part by the Baucus legislation (i.e., the Senate Finance Committee), in part by the Senate HELP Committee legislation, and may also contain other elements as introduced under Rule XIV.
Edit: Obviously you don't know what "Rule XIV" is. Here's what it means:
http://lugar.senate.gov/services/pdf_crs/Senate_Rule_XIV_Procedures_for_Placing_Measures_Directly_on_the_Senate_Calendar.pdf
What it boils down to is that Leadership can bypass its committee system.
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Someone I know is having a birthday party and I haven't been invited. This wouldn't bug me if I hadn't felt that we were fairly close friends last semester, and we hadn't spent hours and hours simply talking. I practically lived at their house for all of last semester.
Fuck it. Just, fuck it. I tried. I really did. I suck at maintaining friendships. I'm too shy, too self-conscious, too solitary, too distrustful, etc. etc. etc. I don't know if the death of this friendship is my doing or theirs, but I really did try to rekindle it this semester. And I failed miserably, apparently.
Things like this just reinforce my deeply-held beliefs that I am unwanted, a nuisance, and a burden.
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Things like this just reinforce my deeply-held beliefs that I am unwanted, a nuisance, and a burden.
Certainly not. It's their fault, they've made the mistake of not inviting you.
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Don't worry Sajainta, we'll take you. Their loss, suckers!
All the cool kids are at the Compendium. 8)
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Except for that ZeaLitY fellow. He's just weird.
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And that Truthordeal guy. He's a jackass.
...
Wait...
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Thanks guys. You're so sweet. Seriously, you made my day much better. Thank you. :mrgreen:
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I'm too shy, too self-conscious, too solitary, too distrustful, etc. etc. etc. I don't know if the death of this friendship is my doing or theirs, but I really did try to rekindle it this semester. And I failed miserably, apparently.
Most people are not worth the time and most people who call each other friends are far from it. 'Friend' is an overused term that has lost its meaning, just like 'love' and 'sorry'. This person was only ever 'someone you knew', never a friend; just someone passing by, so I wouldn't get hung up on it. There was nothing to rekindle, so claiming to fail at something that never was in the first place, just isn't possible. Having a 'friend' these days is just another way of showing a notch in the "i-am-so-popular-look-at-all-the-friends-i-have" belt.
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We should all throw a party for Saj, 'cause she's awesome. The occasion?
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r158/_my_wonderland/unbirthday.jpg)
:D
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Inactive Photobucket account party! YEAH!!
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)
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Inactive Photobucket account party! YEAH!!
Gonna party like its a weeknight and I have work in the morning, yo!
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Don't you just love Photobucket?
Better yet, don't you just love Flickr?
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This person was only ever 'someone you knew', never a friend; just someone passing by, so I wouldn't get hung up on it. There was nothing to rekindle, so claiming to fail at something that never was in the first place, just isn't possible.
I wouldn't say that...at least, not in this case. This was a person (well actually, two people) who I had spent a LOT of time with, and had opened up quite a bit to and vice versa. Someone whom I trusted and who told me things he had never told anyone else. I don't make friends easily and I don't trust easily so these were definitely not people that I simply "knew" or who were "just passing by". That's why I'm "hung up" about it--because I had shared so much of myself with this person and thought I could trust them. And it takes a lot to gain my trust. A LOT.
Having a 'friend' these days is just another way of showing a notch in the "i-am-so-popular-look-at-all-the-friends-i-have" belt.
I agree on a wider level, but I don't feel that applies to me as (previously stated) I don't have many friends and I don't open up easily. I have a very, very small circle of friends, and my definition of "friend" is very narrow. These two people were literally two out of four friends that I have at this university, and one has graduated now, so... That's why I'm upset.
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Gah, what happened? Somebody set me up the bomb!
*sigh* :? It was a photo of the Chesire cat saying "Happy Unbirthday!" for those of you wondering. . . .
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Gah, what happened? Somebody set me up the bomb!
*sigh* :? It was a photo of the Chesire cat saying "Happy Unbirthday!" for those of you wondering. . . .
Someone set you up the inactive account!
I was going to ask what the picture was of, so thanks for saving me the trouble! XD
(It'd be ironic if today was my birthday, but...it isn't so...irony fail! :D)
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Careful, those irons hurt.
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Careful, those irons hurt.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/bittersunday/jeremyirons-time.jpg)
That's just cruel. :cry:
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FUCK HOMEOPATHY
HOMEOPATHY IS PSEUDOSCIENCE. ADHERENTS OF HOMEOPATHY ARE IGNORANT BASTARDS.
THIS IS OBJECTIVELY TRUE.
Fucking spiritualist idiots, so fucking frustrating...
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I'm not sure whether you're becoming an eccentric revolutionary or the TimeCube guy... :kz
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Two of my friends keep defending homeopathy. It's sad.
Homeopathy is such easy a target, too. Experimental testing has blown it to pieces, and its premise is stupid to begin with. Yeah, sure; dilute the active component of medicine until there's nothing left, then administer water. That's the placebo effect, not medicine or science. It's sad that some people are so desperate for magical meaning in their lives that they accept nirvanist or spiritualist ideas whole hog, and feel a need to defend ridiculous quackery like homeopathy just because fraudulent people like Deepak Chopra intertwine it with bullshit.
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Fuuuuck me, now the same two are defending the idea that a person's genetics are the result of some karma from reincarnation.
Hear that? Beautiful, vapid, shallow people were apparently saints in past lives, while ugly people were total assholes! It all makes fucking sense!
Why, why why why why why why why why why why why can some people not accept reality, science, genetics, etc. etc. etc.? Yes, to accept science and reality is to accept that the world is not fair. And that's the first step before we try to make it fair. The horrible state of this world should be proof enough that spiritualist karma is an idiotic falsehood.
Really, though; for someone to say that ugly people deserve it from karma...
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some of the nicest people ive met arent exactly my standard of pretty. then again the people i find jaw droppingly beautiful are the ones who are total jackasses.
im frustrated that my boss at walmart is giving me heat about enjoying the company of both men and women. i think i prefer women, but dammit some men are just so NICE. i wouldnt mind doing things with them. it really bothers me when this happens.
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I'm frustrated because people in the "Stuff you love" thread are talking about steak and it's making me hungry when I don't have any food. ><
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Fuuuuck me, now the same two are defending the idea that a person's genetics are the result of some karma from reincarnation.
Hear that? Beautiful, vapid, shallow people were apparently saints in past lives, while ugly people were total assholes! It all makes fucking sense!
Why, why why why why why why why why why why why can some people not accept reality, science, genetics, etc. etc. etc.? Yes, to accept science and reality is to accept that the world is not fair. And that's the first step before we try to make it fair. The horrible state of this world should be proof enough that spiritualist karma is an idiotic falsehood.
Really, though; for someone to say that ugly people deserve it from karma...
:shock:
Wow. What a touchy subject.
Though I am an advocate of the separation of church and state, I nevertheless feel the need for internal, spiritual guidance and comfort as I face the day's struggles.
As for the horrible state of the world as being "proof enough" for the idiocy of spiritualism, do realize that a lot of the evil that is in this world is mostly self-inflicted (drugs, alcohol, shooting up, etc.), inflicted on others (rape, murder, assault, kidnapping, etc.) and naturally occurring (earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, and other natural disasters).
It's erroneous to assign evil to that which isn't inherently evil. Can a needle shoot up someone by itself? Can a gun shoot someone by itself? Does a storm have a conscience?
What you fail to realize is that all bad things in this world are required for life to exist. In fact, a lot of the
"evils" out there provide us with more pleasure than pain. We need conflict (both internal and external) in our lives in order to grow and mature. Without it, we would never be who we are today.
If you don't believe me (and I can't say I blame you), name one instance in your life where you matured from an experience that wasn't without internal and/or external conflict.
These are just my thoughts about it. These are by no means an absolute about how I perceive humanity. What says you, Z?
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We need conflict (both internal and external) in our lives in order to grow and mature. Without it, we would never be who we are today.
Complete tangent. I agree with you on this specific thing--tough things in our life can cause major growth. Although I do feel the need to add that there are some things that that nothing good can come from. Sure, they may shape us, but they only shape us for the worse.
Just my two cents on a very minor thing you said.
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I nevertheless feel the need for internal, spiritual guidance and comfort as I face the day's struggles.
Yet, if you recognize that atheists can be ethical people with meaningful lives, this statement equates to, "I'm so weak that I need a spiritual crutch to get me through the day." I get by fine on my desires and goals. I have an appreciation of beauty. I have purpose and meaning in life. And I do all of it without believing in fantasy.
As for the horrible state of the world as being "proof enough" for the idiocy of spiritualism, do realize that a lot of the evil that is in this world is mostly self-inflicted (drugs, alcohol, shooting up, etc.), inflicted on others (rape, murder, assault, kidnapping, etc.) and naturally occurring (earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, and other natural disasters).
It's erroneous to assign evil to that which isn't inherently evil. Can a needle shoot up someone by itself? Can a gun shoot someone by itself? Does a storm have a conscience?
What you fail to realize is that all bad things in this world are required for life to exist. In fact, a lot of the
"evils" out there provide us with more pleasure than pain. We need conflict (both internal and external) in our lives in order to grow and mature. Without it, we would never be who we are today.
My original point is that karma doesn't exist. Evil people can commit evil and get away with it. Robber barons of yesteryear lived until their death in posh mansions pursuing their own ideals of happiness. Murderers and rapists escape conviction. Conversely, good people can be saints and still suffer and be punished, and have their positive actions negated. There is no divine justice or karma that provides restitution for either.
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Thank you, Z.
Frankly, I find the concept of karma to be disgusting and insulting..
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I'm frustrated because my Driving instructor won't let me go the speed limit.
He's having me go 20M.P.H. in a 35M.P.H. area.
As a result there are people behind me that are driving too close to me.
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Yet, if you recognize that atheists can be ethical people with meaningful lives, this statement equates to, "I'm so weak that I need a spiritual crutch to get me through the day." I get by fine on my desires and goals. I have an appreciation of beauty. I have purpose and meaning in life. And I do all of it without believing in fantasy.
Except that you do have spiritual aid in your Springtime of Youth. It may not have anything to do with God or religion in general, but its spiritual all the same, and I doubt you would consider that a crutch.
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Frankly, I find the concept of karma to be disgusting and insulting.
All forms of karma or just the western, bastardization of the concept?
Many believe in karma as one's attachment to the world. It isn't "good" or "bad," but a bond. Killing someone doesn't give you "bad karma," it could even be said to not give you karma at all, but rather is a result of the karma you already have (that is, you are too attached to the world, and so murder is something that is acceptable to you). Anything that increases your connection to the world could be said to be "bad" while anything that reduces that connection could be said to be "good," but these concepts would be fairly different from the ethics westerners tend to think of. Murder is bad, but so is marriage (of any sort).
Which isn't to attempt to defend karma itself, just to note that karma is different than what we tend to mean by the word.
And I do all of it without believing in fantasy.
Perhaps, but unlikely. Everyone believes in fantasy, even if that fantasy isn't "religion." That you think that you are fantasy-free is, in all likelihood, a fantasy in itself.
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Yet, if you recognize that atheists can be ethical people with meaningful lives, this statement equates to, "I'm so weak that I need a spiritual crutch to get me through the day." I get by fine on my desires and goals. I have an appreciation of beauty. I have purpose and meaning in life. And I do all of it without believing in fantasy.
That's a very blunt way of putting it.
I appreciate beauty in this world, I have desires and goals, and I have purpose and meaning in my life. I'm also running the same race you are and jumping over the same hurdles as you are, so why are you tripping me up and calling something I find inspiration in a crutch?
I can easily flip it around on your statement, which can equate to, "I'm so grounded in reality and happy with the way my life's going that I'm too good for providence and outside assistance."
And I do all of it without believing in fantasy.
Um, wasn’t it the fictional work called Naruto that you picked up the “Springtime of Youth” concept from? :lee:
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Um, wasn’t it the fictional work called Naruto that you picked up the “Springtime of Youth” concept from? :lee:
From what I understand, "Springtime of Youth" (青春) is a concept in Japan much older than Naruto. Don't know much about it though.
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My frustration is the bigotry and prejudice that’s taking place at my school.
Certainly in my own year, but also in others, there’s this typical ‘adolescent boy’ culture that dominates (the school’s all-boys for my year and all the earlier years than mine).
Girls are sluts (some teachers too, apparently) or ugly and therefore near-worthless pieces of meat whose meagre worth is exactly and only their sexual worth (if they’re ‘fit’—if not, they can just die). It’s cool to make racist jokes because ‘It’s just a joke and we [kids of different races] have an understanding’. It’s cool to pick on people for their height. It’s cool to express bigotry towards people based on their size. It’s cool to act like drunken louts, vandalising and being rowdy. It’s cool to actually get drunk at the weekends and act like one’s not only not even sapient but to act lower than any fucking ‘animal’ possibly could. It’s cool to make fun of people with Down’s syndrome and use it as an insult along with ‘retarded’. It’s cool to disrupt lessons intentionally…just ‘cause, y’know? Chinks all look the same. Blonds are dumb. Gingers are subhuman. Being a bender or a faggot or a homo is the worst possible thing anyone could ever experience. It’s still funny to make fun of Indian accents. Heck, it’s funny in general to make jokes about immigrants and people who aren’t white. But remember that the BNP are bigots—they’re different from us. We’re good people. We don’t deny the Holocaust. Although we do say that Jews are dirty or imply their inferiority. And maybe we did make that ‘Jews in an ashtray’ joke. And, I suppose, that ‘Jews in an oven’ joke. And maybe some gas chamber jokes. Rape’s a joke and girls are ‘asking for it’ if they wear short skirts…
That mentality is mainstream in my year. But it’s nothing surprising and nothing original. What’s most disturbing is that not only does this take place just between the boys, but that it’s thinly veiled and done in front of teachers, who do nothing. Some teachers are apparently so spineless that they’ve learned to tune it out; apparently they don’t hear when kids are shouting this shit in class, calling each other ‘gay’, or ‘retarded’ or laughing when a brown person comes up in a video. All this at ‘one of the best state schools in the country’, whose alumni ‘will be tomorrow’s leaders’.
The Rugby captain and other popular kids walk all over my registration group teacher, so I went to the person next up in the pecking order about this—the person in charge of our year. He told me to note it down over the course of two weeks. Of course, a lot of this requires one to be there to understand, so I only took down the most obvious things (such as one kid seeing a kid in another year and jeering, ‘Ha ha! You’re black!’). I reported back to him and apparently he spoke to the people I told him about. I didn’t hear any talk about it though amongst ‘my peers’, and the same people continue doing it. The school claims to ‘take racism very seriously’, and that ‘If any member of the school is racist they will be expelled immediately.’ And yet, these kids have outright said to each other that they know they have nothing to fear from this because it’s a complete fucking lie. Just like how ‘all racial incidents that come to the school’s attention have to be reported to the borough’.
So I’m continuing with reporting. In all honesty, the person I’ve been reporting to hasn’t done much so far, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up having to submit a report to council myself if nobody else takes it seriously enough; the school’s seeming ever more full of shit on this. If this weren’t in school but were at work or anywhere in the general public, these trash would be taken the fuck out for racism, sexism, sexual harassment, general harassment and anti-Semitism. Maybe also for bigotry towards the mentally impaired. Definitely not for sizeism or rape apologism or any of the ‘subtle’ discrimination, since people of this kind are exactly the ones that stop society from outlawing this shit. The people on the receiving end have been conditioned to accept it or, in the more ‘subtle’ cases, not even recognize it. If this escalates, I’ll probably be ‘found out’ and targeted and I wouldn’t be surprised if I were assaulted or cornered or threatened.
Bleagh.
That’s my frustration!
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And I do all of it without believing in fantasy.
Um, wasn’t it the fictional work called Naruto that you picked up the “Springtime of Youth” concept from? :lee:
It's different where recognized fictional works are involved. People who take inspiration from Christ actually believe in the tenets of Christianity as if they exist, including heaven, hell, the devil, etc. and for some, miracles, visions, and so on. This is nonexistent. If they recognized it as a fictional work and went on to say that the character of Job did have some serious determination, or that the written Jesus was an inspirational non-violence kind of guy, it'd be legitimate. But they actually believe in superstitious gods and demons, and that makes it delusion and, derisively, fantasy.
The springtime of youth is logic. The more I do, and the more possibilities I explore, the more I'll grow and the less I'll regret. There's no believing that divine Christian forces fuel me, or some inner chi is the root of my power, or that I need to balance my masculine yang and feminine yi to unlock my true powers and live a proper life. That I don't believe in an afterlife is effectively even more motivation to be in the springtime of youth, since I'd better achieve my dreams in this life. Humanism is also grounded in reality. I have a tremendous sense of purpose and meaning thinking of humanity's manifest destiny of illumination, but this is all extant; science exists, as does humanity's potential to explore space and pursue higher truths. There's no faith element to it, aside from choosing to desire that humanity has this potential (lacking a crystal ball). There's a strong argument for that (our current civilization, despite its flaws), which is also rooted in reality. This is why I can claim to lack spirituality, which some people often confuse with passion for life.
So I’m continuing with reporting.
Damn; it's like UT in real life.
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Ugh, MsBlack, when I read that I realized how "lucky" I am to be further and further removed from the culture prevalent in youth education (I would have said "high school/undergrad" but I'm not sure either term would be reflective of the educational system you're experiencing right now). You'll hopefully find that attitudes are at least more diverse in college, and objectively better in grad school since the focus is just on earning material wealth more than social considerations from my experience (although we could make critiques of that as well).
Glad to hear you're taking direct action on the matter; left alone, a culture like this could spiral into Lord of the Flies proportions. It's good that you've identified Anti-Semitism and are taking a stand against it; that "Jews in the Oven" joke has been uttered in the midwestern United States, so this is still a worldwide concern, and you can take heart that you feel the need to combat something that immense. Are you able to report things anonymously, or is there a significant amount of risk involved for you? I'm really not sure how that works in your neck of the woods. If there's some kind of anonymous reporting system or structure in place, that would be enthusing, and perhaps something we should copy in the US if we don't have it already.
Do keep us updated on your efforts. During my campaign experiences I've found that direct intervention into things like racial tension are less effective than I would have wanted, but there were still a few bittersweet scenes of reconciliation that made the effort worth it.
As for my own frustration, it's actually something I've been quite enthused with: my ability to pull an all-nighter for only the third or fourth time in my life. Damn, SoY is something, isn't it? I've been running into walls and stuff all day though: I just hope other people don't step into cars and trucks before getting some sleep after doing this.
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im still frustrated at my manager at walmart. hes giving me a lot of crap about my preferences. one of the comments he made when i told him that i was good with small children was that he didnt trust me with them because apparently gays like to fuck little kids.
whut.
he only found out about it because it was part of a survey that was supposed to be private. tomorrow im going to bring this up to the main guy... whoever that is.
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Teacher freaking pulled the due date back a bit on a paper I needed to write. I have it written, went to turn it in today, and...what do you know. It's not due until NEXT week now. So I'll be lugging this around for the next week until Friday.
All that hard work, and she won't even let me turn it in. Gosh.
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(I would have said "high school/undergrad" but I'm not sure either term would be reflective of the educational system you're experiencing right now).
High school.
Are you able to report things anonymously, or is there a significant amount of risk involved for you? I'm really not sure how that works in your neck of the woods. If there's some kind of anonymous reporting system or structure in place, that would be enthusing, and perhaps something we should copy in the US if we don't have it already.
I can speak to various members of staff in private. The thing is that in order to report specific cases, I need to be there. And if I'm there, the others present might work it out after enough cases. Aside from which, some of the others have already labelled me a 'grass' for other things, so I'd probably be a prime suspect if they tried to figure out who's doing it. But I've considered it and I'm prepared to continue reporting even if I am identified. Or at least, I say I am now. We'll see how much steel I actually have. If I do keep going, something will have to give eventually, because I intend to keep going up the pecking order until something substantive is done. But we'll see; hopefully the person I'm reporting this to at the moment is simply building up the evidence and warnings and will eventually make a bigger impact if I keep reporting.
im still frustrated at my manager at walmart. hes giving me a lot of crap about my preferences. one of the comments he made when i told him that i was good with small children was that he didnt trust me with them because apparently gays like to fuck little kids.
whut.
he only found out about it because it was part of a survey that was supposed to be private. tomorrow im going to bring this up to the main guy... whoever that is.
I don't know whether you could get him pulled up by the law for homophobia, but if it was a private internal survey, hopefully you can get him busted by Walmart for violating company policy or something. If not, maybe report him for general inappropriate remarks or something?
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Some teachers are apparently so spineless that they’ve learned to tune it out; apparently they don’t hear when kids are shouting this shit in class, calling each other ‘gay’, or ‘retarded’ or laughing when a brown person comes up in a video.
I'm not sure how it is across the pond, but here at least teachers have no authority; lack of authority also means lack of power. Youths are more astute than we old'uns give them credit for. Students recognize that a teacher is not an authority figure and they purposely point this out in their behavior. Students engaging in bigoted behavior in front of a teacher not only insults the target of the behavior but the teacher as well. It's a challenge; they are essentially asking "what are you going to do about it?"
Indeed, what can a teacher do? Physical punishment is out of the question in most modern societies. Detention is a joke (speaking from experience) and is about as much of a punishment as the room being two degrees too cold. Expulsion? Pfft, few students take schooling serious enough for that to be a punishment. Indeed, among a group of likeminded individuals, being punished in these manners is a bit of a prestige; you actually ruffled the feathers of the adults.
To quote Monty Python, "supreme executive power comes from a mandate from the masses, not some farcical aquatic ceremony." Schools are self-contained societies and the power, unfortunately, rests with the students. They are the most numerous, therefore they set the social norms.
It is certainly regrettable that teachers are unable to do anything, but they also have no real power with these sorts of individuals. What are they to do? Society has stripped them of the power of enforcing a top-down reform.
You'll hopefully find that attitudes are at least more diverse in college, and objectively better in grad school since the focus is just on earning material wealth more than social considerations from my experience (although we could make critiques of that as well).
I would recommend reading "My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student." It is an incredibly fascinating work, and though it is slightly depressing. Bowling for Soup got it right when they said that High School never ends; it just becomes more subtle.
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I agree, Thought. In my opinion, teachers have the most difficult and (at the same time) most underappreciated job in the world. If society were a pyramid constituting the hierarchy of life-time occupations, teachers should be at the apex, not near the base.
The responsibility of passing on the knowledge of your generation to the next should be a privilige reserved for the most responsible, most disciplined, and most assertive individuals out there, not just for any John Doe or Jane Doe who just graduated with a BA and just got their teaching certificate.
You rarely see a venerable teacher nowadays because such teachers are the few and far between who had the patience and courage to stick to their job and not let the harassment and disrespect for their pursuit from the students get to them.
The number one reason that teachers quit when in they're in their 30s and 40s? Because they're burnt out. But that's just my way of seeing the current educational environment. What says you?
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As someone who's been keeping up with the educational profession for a while now, I'd have to say that I like the ideas of charter schools to remedy this ailment. A few Compendiumites have mentioned in the past that a lot of the hardship that comes from being a teacher is due to answering to not just his superiors, but the entire Department of Education. Charter schools alleviate this problem.
Furthermore, its not the teacher's job to discipline students; it's the parents. The DoE has held up to one half of this standard by restricting corporeal punishment, but completely ignored the other half by not holding the parents responsible for discipline. I take this to what is probably an extreme position, that if a child skips classes, the parents should be fined. Make it their responsibility, and they will make sure that their child gets to class.
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And in so doing teach teens that others are responsible for their actions. It's a bad lesson that will have unintended consequences, both in the immediate application, and in the long term from ingraining that troublesome message. Come on, Truthordeal; you're a libertarian. Shouldn't you be for individual responsibility?
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As Thought mentioned RD, there's no reasonable way for schools to make students be responsible. Teacher's can't do it, even if some type of corporeal punishment was reinstated; they simply don't have enough one on one time with the students. Moreover, as I mentioned before, it's not their responsibility, nor should it be. They don't get paid enough for it.
It's the parent's responsibility. They made the investment, they have to see it through. 18's the legal age of adulthood, and that's when the parents have the authority, and that includes their public education. I'm optimistic enough to think that most parents out there continue to make that investment throughout their child's school years, but there are a lot that aren't. It is a busy job raising kids and handling a full time job, I know, and I understand that, I saw it secondhand through my parents. That's an explanation for the borderline apathy, but it's not an excuse. They made a deal with society when they had their child that they were going to bring up a respectful member of society, and an essential part of that is a general secondary education.
Perhaps my stance is fairly reactionary on my part, but with time I'll fine-tune it into something a bit more reasonable and efficient. Until then, parents have the ultimate authority over their kids, and some of them need to be coaxed into using it when the time comes. A swift kick to the pocket book is the best way I know how.
But I'll be fair here, and point out that sometimes its the school or the district's fault that a child is failing. I'll figure out the best way to deal with that with time.
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You can't force a person to be passionate. It's one of the few areas in the human condition where force is inherently unusable. My take is that we probably need a tiered education system. Maybe I'll make a thread about that. In any case, the "public / private" thing is a red herring. Oh, and Thought is mistaken about one thing: Schools are not democracies. Children as a body are incapable of exercising democratic authority. They're a mob, not democrats.
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As Thought mentioned RD, there's no reasonable way for schools to make students be responsible.
Nope, I didn't say that. I just said that currently teachers have no way of doing so. This is a difference between there currently being no way, and there being no reasonable way. I would argue that there is a reasonable way, just not the current way.
Which leads me into what Josh said:
Oh, and Thought is mistaken about one thing: Schools are not democracies. Children as a body are incapable of exercising democratic authority. They're a mob, not democrats.
You will note that I did not say that schools are democracies. Merely that the children are the most numerous and in the current system therefore have the most power to set social norms.
There are, of course, other ways besides physical punishment, detention, and expulsion to punish someone. There is social embarrassment. This isn't to say that teachers should be pantsing students in front of the class, but there are more insidious means. If someone acts up in class, send them to another classroom. Misbehavior is reinforced by the social structure that the students have created. Therefore, disrupting that social structure will also disrupt the behavior.
The problem is what to do when things are so bad that even that will not work. In general, school authority needs to be established at a young age, so that one doesn't have high school students refusing to obey.
There are similarities between education and training a dog. In training a dog, there are three basic forms of punishment. A well trained dog will react immediately to a simple but stern "no." When verbal punishment doesn't work (as it does not currently work in schools, since a level of trust has not been developed between the teacher and the student), social punishments are a good alternative. Remove the dog from the rest of society (a classic "time out"). This is where schools currently need to focus; students have set up a society that reinforces bad behavior, so the teachers (and other school officials) need to work on setting up a society that dissuades it.
Now you might say: "But thought, you said there were three forms of punishment." Well right you are (or would be, if you said that). The first is verbal, which relies on the bond between you and the other. The second is social, which relies on the bond between the individual and the pack. The third is physical. If nothing else works, a swift switch is then the only recourse for restoring order. It is crude, it is far more ineffective than the other forms of punishment, but when there is chaos all about, one must start somewhere.
A well trained dog will never need to be physically punished, and indeed, rarely punished at all. Punishment often (but not always) is necessary to correct training defects. A trainer usually needs to resort to punishments because they have not properly trained in the first place.
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I thought your home computer was broken. =P
First the whole "oven-baked steak" thing, and now this. Tsk tsk! You're getting a Christmas card with only one side on it this year.
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I have an anecdote and a suggestion to add to the current conversation.
One very profound memory I have of elementary school, the fifth or sixth grade I believe, is of the time that one girl spoke out passionately against the bullying of a boy in our class. For reasons which I cannot exactly discern the boy had become an almost constant target of jokes and put-downs. It just seems like it was an unfortunate case of bad luck for him, but in the mob world of elementary schoolchildren it was apparent that his luck would not get better without intervention. I still am amazed by how that intervention came about. We were sitting in music class after a lunch in which the poor kid had been picked on particularly badly, and one girl raised her hand and told our teacher that she would like to say something. The teacher gave her permission, and she immediately stood up with such gusto and, in no uncertain terms, vehemently condemned the bullying and the bullies and stood up for the boy, reminding everybody that he did not deserve the unfortunate treatment which was being doled out so continuously and that he was a good person. I think in that moment the entire class was shocked into serious personal reflection, and after that class those who had bullied the boy shook his hand and apologized. Sadly, he was still the target of some jokes, but it was not nearly so bad as it was before the girl stood up for him.
Sometimes, even these situations which resemble mob rule, it just takes one action to shock everybody into reflection and serious consideration of their actions. Granted, the actions of one girl were enough to move a class of fifteen to consideration. I do not know what it will take to move, say, a middle school or high school class to consideration. I wish that I did. I realize that I was lucky in that my high school class was, on the whole, pretty civil and considerate.
With regard to a tiered school system, I think that the best way to "tier" a school system is to offer various levels of all subjects at every school. That way, students are able to choose to take more involved courses in the subjects they feel most passionate about. In that kind of system, you also have more intermingling of very passionate students and not-so-passionate students, which is a good way to perhaps inspire the not-so-passionate students to adopt a more enthusiastic outlook about subjects they did not previously consider to be important, or in many cases within their grasp. I get the impression that not-so-passionate students probably do not have the resources at home that more passionate students often have, and instead of permanently placing them in a lower "tier" it would be better to place them in a situation where they have have opportunity and incentive to improve from their peers.
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I have an anecdote and a suggestion to add to the current conversation.
One very profound memory I have of elementary school, the fifth or sixth grade I believe, is of the time that one girl spoke out passionately against the bullying of a boy in our class. For reasons which I cannot exactly discern the boy had become an almost constant target of jokes and put-downs. It just seems like it was an unfortunate case of bad luck for him, but in the mob world of elementary schoolchildren it was apparent that his luck would not get better without intervention. I still am amazed by how that intervention came about. We were sitting in music class after a lunch in which the poor kid had been picked on particularly badly, and one girl raised her hand and told our teacher that she would like to say something. The teacher gave her permission, and she immediately stood up with such gusto and, in no uncertain terms, vehemently condemned the bullying and the bullies and stood up for the boy, reminding everybody that he did not deserve the unfortunate treatment which was being doled out so continuously and that he was a good person. I think in that moment the entire class was shocked into serious personal reflection, and after that class those who had bullied the boy shook his hand and apologized. Sadly, he was still the target of some jokes, but it was not nearly so bad as it was before the girl stood up for him.
Sometimes, even these situations which resemble mob rule, it just takes one action to shock everybody into reflection and serious consideration of their actions. Granted, the actions of one girl were enough to move a class of fifteen to consideration. I do not know what it will take to move, say, a middle school or high school class to consideration. I wish that I did. I realize that I was lucky in that my high school class was, on the whole, pretty civil and considerate.
With regard to a tiered school system, I think that the best way to "tier" a school system is to offer various levels of all subjects at every school. That way, students are able to choose to take more involved courses in the subjects they feel most passionate about. In that kind of system, you also have more intermingling of very passionate students and not-so-passionate students, which is a good way to perhaps inspire the not-so-passionate students to adopt a more enthusiastic outlook about subjects they did not previously consider to be important, or in many cases within their grasp. I get the impression that not-so-passionate students probably do not have the resources at home that more passionate students often have, and instead of permanently placing them in a lower "tier" it would be better to place them in a situation where they have have opportunity and incentive to improve from their peers.
*sigh*
Where the hell were people like that girl when I was in elementary school?
Only one person in my entire life stood up for me and that was in high school, when it was already far too late.
The constant bullying and bullshit are probably a big reason of why I have such a low opinion about humanity in general. :(
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Uboa, I think that's the reason my Mom always told me to remain on the best terms possible with humans of the female variety. I hope someone told her "You go girl!" after she stood up for that poor kid.
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I think our teacher was the only one to say anything immediately afterwards. She was probably about as amazed as the rest of us, but she was able to find more appropriate words for the situation than any of us were at our young age.
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Wow. Major kudos to that girl. Not many people are that compassionate, or that brave.
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the world needs more people like that girl. do you know if shes still the same now as she was in elementary school?
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I thought your home computer was broken. =P
It got better.
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Grah....I've let my grades slip. But I have a wonderful excuse why now, you know? :kamina
Got to bring those up.
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Uboa, that was a very touching story of bravery of that girl standing up to someone who was getting picked on. So touching, in fact, that I have a similar story which took place while I was in high school.
It was lunch and I was talking with my friends. Suddenly, screams erupt from the amphitheater and a swarm of students start to gather around something. My curiosity piqued, I excused myself from the conversation and raced over there. I worked my way through the crowded masses of onlookers to see a Hispanic student getting beat up on by some overweight black kid. The black kid had torn the Hispanic kid's shirt off and he was covered in mud and what I believe to this day to be blood (it had rained the previous couple of days, so it was literally UFC meets mud wrestling).
Staring at this crude improvisation of a gladiator match as it turned into the high school version of the Kitty Genovese incident, my instinct to help the victim overtook my senses. I raced into the fray and started punching at the black kid and shoving him back with all I had (he was twice my size, but the adrenaline rush made up for the difference). It was like this for 10 seconds until some LD's showed up and hauled the degenerate away. All the while, he was swearing to the high heavens at that Hispanic kid like there was no tomorrow. He would be expelled for sure.
It never occurred to me afterward to see to the welfare and state of mind of the Hispanic kid. I just walked away, knowing in my heart that I had saved him from a trip to the hospital. It was that very incident that inspired to take up martial arts. Strangely enough, I wasn't brought to the front office for questioning, let alone whatever I would've received from assaulting the black kid like that.
I didn't consider myself a hero or the man of the hour when I did what I did. I saw somebody's life in danger and I did what I could to protect him. Simple as that. We never saw each other again (the black kid or the Hispanic kid), but I have reassurance that he is grateful that somebody stepped in to do something. And to think, it was just like any other day I went to high school. You never know...
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Ethiterian is already a word. I hate it when people start using my words before I even come up with them.
It is a conspiracy of the future against the past, I tells ya!
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Golly, stars, how I've been there. Thankfully the frustration is usually mixed with pleasure.
I dreamed that ZeaLitY got killed in Europe somewhere due to his high-speed (i.e., "passionately intense") driving recklessnesses, leaving the Compendium without a driving force. There's really no "second-in-command" around here. It's All ZeaLity, All the Time.
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After listening to reggae all week in Jamaica (woe is me, right?), I'm frustrated that I have a sudden interest in all things reggae-related. Yeah, mon!
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That more properly belongs in the "Holy Shit, That's Awesome!" thread.
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But I don't WANT it. The chords... they seep into the neurons and bury themselves deep... The haunting melodies... The steel drums...
Make it stop.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsjbEWKK8AU
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsjbEWKK8AU
That is the biggest bathtub I've ever seen.
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Oooof, sorry to double-post, but I am officially frustrated.
One of the drying machines is broken. When did I figure this out? Only after I had my clothes in there for an hour. -___- I went back to get them and put them away, and they were still soaking wet. Awesome.
So I put them in a new drying machine (that actually works), so now I have to wait for them to finish (and then put them away) before I can go to bed. Curses.
Also, it has yet to snow here. Bah!
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every dog that i get seems to think that my pillow forts are bathrooms.
this is very frustrating.
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Frustration: I am out of Midol. I currently hate the world and everything that moves.
I believe my history teacher is certifiably insane. The first day of class she told us we would never have to take more notes than we did on that day, which was about two pages worth of writing (counting doodles). Since then, we've had in-class essays almost daily and I've filled half my notebook with bulleted notes. Stack that with all the writing in math and nutrition, and having to clean the entire house myself because the people downstairs are lazy moochers, and I'll have carpal tunnel in no time. (Also, if you tell your class, "Many people in this class have failing grades. I hate being surrounded by failure!" halfway through the quarter, you fail as a teacher.)
EDIT: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091116/pl_afp/japanusdiplomacyasiaobama (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091116/pl_afp/japanusdiplomacyasiaobama) Now normally I don't pay much attention to politics, but this is just silly. Obama bowed to Japan's Emperor. So what? It's what everyone does in Japan. It's custom, just like taking your shoes off when entering a home here, or burping after a meal in other countries. It's polite. It doesn't mean we're inferior or they're superior, or vice versa, just "Hey, I like you, lets be friends". Quit over thinking these things!
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Yes. I'm assuming that every President since Ulysses S. Grant (if he made it over there; perhaps starting a couple Presidents after him) has mutually bowed to Japanese dignitaries and heads of state.
The party of tea bagging continues its insanity.
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All the nice labret (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labret) studs / hoops out there seem to be 14g, when mine is 16g. I don't know why mine was pierced with a 16g needle, because everyone else I've met with a labret was pierced with a 14g needle. Wut. And I'm definitely not going to gauge my labret (because that just sounds horrendously painful). Grrrrrrrrr. :x
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Frustration: Cheap crochet hooks, and my inability to rest. I couldn't find my smallest crochet hook so I'm working with this blue aluminum size E hook to make a plushie. I bought this one as a backup for my smaller silver one, so I haven't used it yet, though I've had it for a while. I'm trying to make a ball for the head, but it feels like I'm going to snap this hook in half with every stitch. That, and I'm supposed to be resting, so it feels like I'm jabbing said hook into my shoulder with every stitch. Sitting absolutely still and doing nothing is too boring though.
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I now present to you 7,000 Irish people staring into the sun because they hope to see the Virgin Mary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGJC1pM54EQ
Faith is a neurological disorder.
There is no better metaphor for the religious than what is happening out in that field. Willful ignorance leading to blindness. How poetically apt.
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FUCK the judicial system in this country.
FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT.
"Justice" ? Don't make me laugh.
What a fucking farce.
Edit:: For those of you who know what I'm talking about--I want to just give up. I really do. I am on the verge of saying "Fuck it." This has been nothing but a battle since day one, and I've been losing it the entire time. I don't know what to do. Ugh. I don't know if I can live with myself if I give up, but at the same time this is completely destroying me. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I hate saying "It isn't fair", but this isn't fair. This isn't fucking fair.
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FUCK the judicial system in this country.
FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT.
"Justice" ? Don't make me laugh.
What a fucking farce.
Edit:: For those of you who know what I'm talking about--I want to just give up. I really do. I am on the verge of saying "Fuck it." This has been nothing but a battle since day one, and I've been losing it the entire time. I don't know what to do. Ugh. I don't know if I can live with myself if I give up, but at the same time this is completely destroying me. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I hate saying "It isn't fair", but this isn't fair. This isn't fucking fair.
Zoë: [looking around the Valley] Don't think it's a good spot, Sir. They still has the advantage over us.
Mal: Everyone always does. That's what makes us special.
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This is the second day in a row when, while trying to get out a bit early, some rude moron in a truck has done something rude and stupid to obstruct the flow of traffic. Selfish fuckers. Don't people understand that when you disrupt the flow of traffic, it causes problems that can take hours to get righted?
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I have torpedoes on my domed chariot for that very reason. Let the fuzz gripe; torpedoes are the way to do it! :franky
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I wonder if cars shouldn't be armed with torpedoes after all. I get frightened when everyone piles up on one another going 70 miles per hour or more; one deer jumping out in front of the lead car at an inopportune moment and you could have dozens of people smushed to bits on an Interstate highway. If the lead car had torpedoes, however...eh, I guess I just want robots to drive or something. Until that happens, driving can be scary business as the roads get more and more clogged.
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I am frustrated when people post links without any explanation as to what the link is. This is especially troublesome when the URL gives no indication either.
I've noticed myself picking up on this bad habit more often lately, and will be stamping it out mercilessly forthwith!
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More of an emo than a frustration, but I am very lonely, and VERY bad at this whole flirting thing.
Also my camera is out of batteries so I can't post pictures of my new purple, and I did something to my back so I can't knit for a while.
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More of an emo than a frustration, but I am very lonely, and VERY bad at this whole flirting thing.
/hugs for Zeh
Flirting is confusing and overrated. I think a lot of people are bad at flirting.
I'm feelin' the loneliness too, a lot. We can be lonely together. :)
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Apparently I'm very good at flirting (eye contact and confidence). It's the part right after that where I'm suddenly clueless. As demonstrated recently. (so much for confidence!)
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This calls for some campfire songs:
"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do. Two can be just as bad as one; it's the loneliest number since the number one."
... what? Don't you sing old Beatles' songs around the campfire?
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Those are the ONLY songs I sing around a campfire. Except that "One" is not a beatles song. Now that I think about it, it really should have been. The lyrics sound like something Paul would have written.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_(Harry_Nilsson_song)
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I listened to "I Am A Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel about 7 times today. In a row.
If that doesn't make me emo, then I don't know what does!
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Of course, Bekkler, didn't you know that Beatles is my codename for... um... Harry Nilsson? Yeah, that's the ticket.
<.<
>.>
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Just remember, them Beatles is MINE!! I gots em in a tattoo an evra thang!
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Yeah...well...I named my cat after a Beatles album.
Okay, that tattoo wins. -_-
My cat rocks though.
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the dog is trained not to piddle on the pillows.
instead he goes on my bed.
fml.
also the shoes i have to wear for the new work clothes the grocery store is making us wear are pain. i think i might have blisters. i just want to saw them off and never feel pain in my feet again.
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Yeah...well...I named my cat after a Beatles album.
Okay, that tattoo wins. -_-
My cat rocks though.
Sorry I pwned your cat :lol:
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Sorry I pwned your cat :lol:
Pretty sure my cat pwns you by sheer vintage value, though. Unless you got your tattoo when you were 10. You might be hardcore...but I don't think you're that hardcore.
also the shoes i have to wear for the new work clothes the grocery store is making us wear are pain. i think i might have blisters. i just want to saw them off and never feel pain in my feet again.
You'll develop callouses eventually and then they won't hurt anymore. I learned that the hard way.
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Caffeine is an addictive drug. I went back on it two weeks ago while writing a paper late one night, and I've been ingesting a lot daily since then. I hate scaling off, because one restaurant visit with a lot of soda blows the slow descent. I could simply just stop, but that'd lead to a nice, massive, 24-hour headache of withdrawal.
Damnit. Addiction shouldn't play into consumption.
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Tonight is my "friend's" party. The one I wasn't invited to. It's really giving me a lot of heartache. Sigh...
I will be hanging out here all night, heh.
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More of an emo than a frustration, but I am very lonely, and VERY bad at this whole flirting thing.
Also my camera is out of batteries so I can't post pictures of my new purple, and I did something to my back so I can't knit for a while.
Ah, Lonelyville...population: 1. It's not much of a town, is it? The restaurants are always too empty. The downtown shopfronts are mostly for lease. Old friends have moved away. Things are dusty, run-down. Sad. Everything's sad there, like an airplane with a broken wing or a carved pumpkin thrown in the trash, still smiling up at you. Lonelyville is a town that used to have a lot of love, until life took it in another direction. I've spent a fair portion of the past entire year there myself--more quietly, of course. Talking about being lonely is one of those things that usually end up being self-defeating, although I must say I am impressed by the sincerity with which you just came right out with it, unpretentiously and as a matter of fact.
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Not a coincidence that Lonleyville and Suck City are nearby. It'll pass. Everyone gets a case of the emo jazz from time to time, that's what The Get Up Kids and Wynton Marsalis' Midnight Blues are for.
Currently bracing for T-Giving away from the family...we'll see how I feela bout it when it hits me.
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Speaking of emo...
http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/38392 (http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/38392)
Don't you just love Soviet Russia?
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Volume imbalances. And web audio that plays without the user's manual approval.
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Tim McGraw. He used to be awesome until somewhere along the line, he just got very very emo. He must be really unhappy being married to Faith Hill.
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It still hasn't snowed here. And I live in an area that is prone to snow. :x
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It costs at least $200 US to buy a copy of Nobilis. I am fascinated by game design and just want to spend a weekend reading the thing; that isn't worth $200.
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Something's up with my agent. Not exactly sure what, but it doesn't look good.
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Frustration: Math projects. I've been able to add forever, but it really sucks when I have to break it down and explain how to add, and why it's done that way. I'm supposed to give a presentation about adding and subtracting in binary. I can do all the arithmetic, I'm just having a hard time slowing down and putting it to words.
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The built in bias English has when dealing with mental disorders, and the culture that bias reflects. A person has the flu; a person is bipolar. Stigmatizing a health issue is foolish and cruel, particularly when one can do nothing to influence whether or not they poses it.
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The built in bias English has when dealing with mental disorders, and the culture that bias reflects. A person has the flu; a person is bipolar. Stigmatizing a health issue is foolish and cruel, particularly when one can do nothing to influence whether or not they poses it.
Those are just the grammatically correct way to announce the condition of a person.
Would you rather it went "a person have the flu" or "He are bipolar"?
Nothing to get frustrated over, though I will say something about people accusing Leprosy of being contagious.
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From your reply, I'm not sure you understood RD's comment. He was saying that sicknesses like the flu are assigned to people with the possessive verb "to have," while sicknesses like bipolar disorder are assigned with the identifying verb "to be."
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Well, bipolar can be treated nowadays. That's a relief.
As for the flu, it's mostly a matter of how you cover your coughs and sneezes and washing your hands after using the bathroom and use hand sanitizer conservatively.
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http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/a7hnv/wow_it_turns_out_the_guy_who_was_paralyzed_but/
The guy who was paralyzed for 23 years but couldn't communicate? Yeah, apparently this is pseudoscience called facilitated communication.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitated_communication
Thank goodness the for-profit media rushed out this miraculous story without fact-checking the events and pseudoscience behind FC. They went to the bank, and the public at large was misinformed.
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Well, bipolar can be treated nowadays. That's a relief.
As for the flu, it's mostly a matter of how you cover your coughs and sneezes and washing your hands after using the bathroom and use hand sanitizer conservatively.
You are still missing my point entirely, even after Josh was kind enough to explain it to you explicitly.
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http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/a7hnv/wow_it_turns_out_the_guy_who_was_paralyzed_but/
The guy who was paralyzed for 23 years but couldn't communicate?
Looking up this story, I found some scary things. Because of how it involves PVS, I learned of how (mostly Conseratives) people doubt the Terri Schiavo autopsy.
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My frustration is when people say one thing and then immediately undermine it with a disclaimer or a major exception. The classic example is those "I'm not a racist, but..." remarks, but the one that set me off just now is "I consider myself pretty liberal, but I'm no tree hugger." Using conservative phrasing to oversimplify and vilify one of the major areas of liberal concern (environmentalism and conservation) is not exactly a good way to establish liberal bona fides. I bet you a steak dinner that this person is nominally liberal but has never actually given much thought to it.
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My frustration is when people say one thing and then immediately undermine it with a disclaimer or a major exception. The classic example is those "I'm not a racist, but..." remarks, but the one that set me off just now is "I consider myself pretty liberal, but I'm no tree hugger." Using conservative phrasing to oversimplify and vilify one of the major areas of liberal concern (environmentalism and conservation) is not exactly a good way to establish liberal bona fides. I bet you a steak dinner that this person is nominally liberal but has never actually given much thought to it.
Come now, I doubt you'd be this critical to someone's bona fides if someone like me were to say "I'm a Christian, but I'm not a Bible thumper." Proselytizing is just as important to the majority of Christian attitudes as environmentalism is to liberals, but it is possible to be a Christian or liberal and have a certain disdain with a particular practice or belief of it.
The built in bias English has when dealing with mental disorders, and the culture that bias reflects. A person has the flu; a person is bipolar. Stigmatizing a health issue is foolish and cruel, particularly when one can do nothing to influence whether or not they poses it.
RD, you're referring to two different things in this case. Bi-polar as you used it is an adjective, and flu is a noun. You don't use the possessive with an adjective, nor do you use "to be" with a noun(very rarely, anyways). It's not uncommon to hear someone say "He has bi-polar disorder," over "He is bi-polar." The inverse is also true. A person can be feverish, or they can have a fever.
But at this point I'm probably just trying to be difficult. I see what you're getting at here, and yeah, the scale seems to be unfavorably tipped towards mental disorders. Perhaps it has to do with the nature of the disease, and that mental disorders change the person's actual being. I doubt we would disagree that bi-polar disorder affects one's personality and individual being more than the flu does.
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My frustration is when people say one thing and then immediately undermine it with a disclaimer or a major exception. The classic example is those "I'm not a racist, but..." remarks, but the one that set me off just now is "I consider myself pretty liberal, but I'm no tree hugger." Using conservative phrasing to oversimplify and vilify one of the major areas of liberal concern (environmentalism and conservation) is not exactly a good way to establish liberal bona fides. I bet you a steak dinner that this person is nominally liberal but has never actually given much thought to it.
I'm frustrated with anyone who isn't at least nominally an environmentalist. I'm not expecting a lot of people here, merely basic self preservation. The state of the environment affects everyone's standard of living. How can anyone who cares about anything not care about the environment?
RD, you're referring to two different things in this case. Bi-polar as you used it is an adjective, and flu is a noun. You don't use the possessive with an adjective, nor do you use "to be" with a noun(very rarely, anyways). It's not uncommon to hear someone say "He has bi-polar disorder," over "He is bi-polar." The inverse is also true. A person can be feverish, or they can have a fever.
But at this point I'm probably just trying to be difficult. I see what you're getting at here, and yeah, the scale seems to be unfavorably tipped towards mental disorders. Perhaps it has to do with the nature of the disease, and that mental disorders change the person's actual being. I doubt we would disagree that bi-polar disorder affects one's personality and individual being more than the flu does.
You seem to have a slightly better handle one what I'm actually getting at than GenesisOne, so...kudos, I guess. A disease is a disease. The fact that the English language makes a distinction in how individuals with mental diseases are described versus how individuals with physical diseases are described, and the fashion in which it does so, stigmatizes people with mental disorders by defining them in terms of their disease. I don't know how to make it any clearer.
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The built in bias English has when dealing with mental disorders, and the culture that bias reflects. A person has the flu; a person is bipolar. Stigmatizing a health issue is foolish and cruel, particularly when one can do nothing to influence whether or not they poses it.
While I agree with you, those aren't the best examples. The flu is caused by foreign organisms in one's own body, while many (but not all) mental disorders are caused by one's own brain not functioning within generally accepted norms. "Cancer and mental disorders" might be a better comparison. People have cancer, even though cancer is their body. People are not themselves cancer.
Curiously, diabetes can go either way. A person has diabetes and they are diabetic.
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Depends on the disorder.
I have obsessive-compulsive disorder.
I have social anxiety disorder.
I have post-traumatic stress disorder.
I have depression.
I am in recovery from anorexia nervosa (that is, I used to have anorexia nervosa).
All very serious disorders (although I have a relatively mild form of OCD), but I have them. I'm not OCD (I can't stand it when people say "I'm OCD"). I'm not post-traumatic. I can't even say "I'm depressed" because that insinuates that I am going through a state of depression, when I actually have depression as a disorder. People can be depressed without having depression. I could say "I used to be anorexic", but that's actually inaccurate because the technical term for it is anorexia nervosa, which you can "have", but you can't "be".
I understand what you're getting at RD. It's something I've never noticed before, and I appreciate you bringing it up. The stigmatization of metal disorders is something that pisses me off...a lot (to put it very lightly), but the term "to be" only works with certain disorders, not all of them.
I wonder if there's any kind of correlation between disorders that use "to be" vs. "to have."
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My frustration is rhetoric that subtly insults our intelligence, when it comes from people who shouldn't be subtly insulting our intelligence--i.e., allies. I just saw an ad by a gun control interest group with the tagline "We can't afford another Fort Hood."
Either you way you slice it, it would be almost impossible for that statement to be valid. Either we can afford another one, or we couldn't afford this one in the first place. "We can't afford" in general is a phrase that I generally loathe to hear in political rhetoric, unless we're talking in context of the debt or our various deficits. Nobody in their right mind actually thinks that the military would collapse or the country would disband if there were another military base shooting. This idea that America is always on the precipice of destruction and that one jerk with a gun could bring us all down is just insulting.
Now, there is an exception here...one that's fading into the past by this point. After the political fallout of September 11, and the program of civil rights abuses committed by the previous administration and largely endorsed by the public, I genuinely did fear that if there were another major terrorist attack in this country, Americans themselves would willingly (!) sacrifice their democratic power in favor of a dictatorship. Subsequent actions by the conservative movement in America from 2007 onward have verified that that portion of society already doesn't care about democracy so much as having their own people in power. That made the risk of another terror attack on Bush's watch doubly frightening. However, if similar strains of sentiment exist on the rest of the political spectrum, then the same risk exists no matter who is in power.
If the United States goes fascist, all of those "We're Rome!" people will have a lot more leg to stand on. Thankfully, I think the visceral shock and insecurity following September 11 has largely faded from the public's heart, which greatly lessens the risk that America could genuinely be destroyed by just two successful attacks.
Unthankfully, I think that a major terror attack on Obama's watch might produce an actual, bona fide rebellion. At the very least there would be riots and National Guard deployments. That would not likely threaten the stability of the nation--on the contrary, I think it would help the rest of Americans to "clean out the trash" in their minds, as it were, in finally admitting that the far right is not even remotely interested in the wellbeing of the country as a whole--but it would create a serious domestic morass in an era of fundamental economic turmoil in the capitalist system, which would suck more than we would readily imagine.
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Duke University
My cat has thrown up better looking and easier to navigate webpages than they have.
Course, my cat knows PEARL, but...
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Duke University
My cat has thrown up better looking and easier to navigate webpages than they have.
Course, my cat knows PEARL, but...
Your cat throws up webpages? That's totally marketable.
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My cat can throw up hot links and JavaScript.
Maybe that can be a contribution. Or better yet, an improvement.
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Waitwait, is there a difference between PEARL and PERL? I'm way too behind on this..
More of an observation than a frustration, but I've been browsing forums for other games. I was quite surprised and confused at how other fandoms aren't as obsessive-compulsive as we are in collecting and collating everything regarding the relevant game. They had a sprite archive of all the animations, but no frame-by-frame sprite sheets. It'd be pretty simple to break those down, but it's just.. not complete. What if someone wanted to make a sprite comic? They couldn't, if they only had animations.
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Ah, tell me about it! How I would have enjoyed a website with Compendium-level dedication to games like Final Fantasy VI, or the Secret of Mana. I can't tell you how many times I went looking for such resources, only to discover they probably don't exist.
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It's for Golden Sun, actually. They do have quite a lot of data and a few dedicated members, but they just aren't that active - or at least, nowhere near as active as the Compendium. Perhaps you spoiled me. I wish to extend our level of zeal and dedication to other fandoms, but it almost feels like cheating on the Chrono series and on Magus. Still... you think they'd be more excited and crowded, considering they have a third game coming. We had quite a surge in activity when CTDS came out. It's almost like the Compendium is the only refuge in a sea nothing, or like one of those fabled lost enlightened cities.
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It's almost like the Compendium is the only refuge in a sea nothing, or like one of those fabled lost enlightened cities.
Neo-Zeal, baby!
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I heard there once was a site resembling the early Compendium in that it strove to document the history, chronology, and mysteries of the FFVI universe. It was called the Figaro Scholars, and the site was down by the time I tried to access it. No idea if it was the genuine article.
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I'm pissed when I miss the bus by literally under ten seconds. Oh well, I threw the dice and I lost.
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That happens way too often. What's even worse is when you see it coming and run for it, and you make it before the last person to get on has payed, but they shut their doors and leave without you anyway. I think the metro system needs to be slapped over the head a few times.
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No, it's not their fault...or at least it wasn't this time. The driver almost certainly didn't see me. In Seattle, the bus drivers are usually more than generous with stragglers.
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I hate it when the bus arrives up to half an hour late for me, yet I still have to pay full fare. I pay $20 a week for bus fare, when I could really be saving up.
They say it's for gas money, but the depot should be responsible for its self-induced expenses, which includes fuel costs.
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FUCK HOMEOPATHY
HOMEOPATHY IS PSEUDOSCIENCE. ADHERENTS OF HOMEOPATHY ARE IGNORANT BASTARDS.
THIS IS OBJECTIVELY TRUE.
Fucking spiritualist idiots, so fucking frustrating...
Zeality, Homepathy is alternative medicine that WORKS, i have tried it out on my own skin and also make some for mylsef,is nature based therefore much weaker then chemical cures we have today, but people have right to choose for them selves i guess.
Why, why why why why why why why why why why why can some people not accept reality, science, genetics, etc. etc. etc.? Yes, to accept science and reality is to accept that the world is not fair. And that's the first step before we try to make it fair. The horrible state of this world should be proof enough that spiritualist karma is an idiotic falsehood.
There IS falsehood among all spiritual communities in every religion that takes details far too seriously. But you cannot insult spiritual people, because there are people who are true, people who accepted reality long ago, and now they are far beyond ''reality''.
Isn't you who cant accept things the way they are?
Why, why why why why why why why why why why why can some people not accept reality,
WORLD WILL NEVER BE FAIR, right now is not fair u sleep in nice bed while people like you sleep somewhere in the world on bare floor and die because of lack of food while you eat more then you need. It will never be fair because of people who don't care - and there will be always people who do not care, and until it frustrate you - means you didn't accept reality.
What you call reality is what we can messure, touch etc. in one word MATTER. Matter is just about 8% of what exist in the universe (scientist say that) And matter=energy (like scientist say) is just all bunch of vibrations that vibrate on different frequency (that makes it different materials and colors for our perception) - (check stephen hawking - superstring theory)
To make it simple - we are like radio receiver - our senses in material=what u call real world are tuned to one radio station=reality. String theory predicts 11 parallel dimensions in world we know (do we know it??) since from 11 dimensions we can messure and touch 3 dimension of space +1 dimension of time.
The Rest most people can only imagine or some people who say they see ghosts, or believe in afterlife or other things -maybe their radio receiver can capture something from other dimensions -those that exist in same time and space - and can be something we can call 6th sense?
Maybe we say - oh they imagine it - or they just need to believe something cos they don't accept plain cruel reality, but you simply cannot insult them because we cant messure that or touch that - we all have dreams - you cannot take snapshot - so people who have dreams should be considered liars and insulted by those who don't have dreams or those who cannot imagine?
Is scientifically proved brain use same zones and amount of energy to see things (receive impulse form the eye) or imagine things - it scientifically doesn't make any difference to our brain.
Respect of fellow human beings is fundamental, no matter what they believe until is peaceful and unifying. Thats the only way world can be better one day. For me science approve my spirituality, and i look always for ways incommon because all people are different by nature.
Your point of view is ment to divide, not to unify. That is not springtime of youth, that's stupidtime of youth.
Really, though; for someone to say that ugly people deserve it from karma...
First of all we need to think about what is beauty. For most is what you find on cover of the fashion magazine. Most of these models have empty looks - so seeing their face is like seeing nice car -but it ends there - we cannot say -what a beautiful person - we can say - oh nice shaped body or face - but if it doesn't contain something more (soul, personality) - it vanishes in few years and the person who was once on cover of magazine is just ugly. Thats not real beauty. If you think beauty is given by genetics - you are material person.
For others is harmony of body and soul - even unusual beauty. To appear beautiful - perfect body and face is not enough i assure you because what all people notice is also the ''spark'' of soul - something you believe not to have. Even average person can appear ugly or beautiful - depending on his inner state of mind - and that is something not depending by genetics. This is true timeless beauty.
Frankly, I find the concept of karma to be disgusting and insulting..
Sajainta - Can we proof there is karma? No we cannot. Can we proof karma doesn't exist? No, we cannot - but since it disgust you - keep it to your self - because other people have the right to believe what they want, and you lack respect to them by saying this.
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Zeality, Homepathy is alternative medicine that WORKS, i have tried it out on my own skin and also make some for mylsef,is nature based therefore much weaker then chemical cures we have today, but people have right to choose for them selves i guess.
Actually, both natural and synthetic compounds can have equally powerful effects on the human body. Just because something is natural doesn't necessarily mean it is good for us. It doesn't matter how it was made, what matters is what it does to you.
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Exactly. Radioactive uranium isotopes are perfectly natural, but I don't think anyone would ever accuse them of being good for you. Same goes for snake venom and poison ivy, among many, many others.
However, homeopathy falls into the category of practices that I would consider mostly harmless so long as they are used in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for, conventional medical treatment. After all, the placebo effect is well-documented, so the practice may help some people even if it achieves absolutely nothing on a physical level.
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Here some expert's content about homeopathy:
Homeopathy follows the Nature's law of cure
Thus, while modern medicine aims at attacking the virus directly, homeopathy stimulates the vitality and boosts the defense mechanisms to combat and eliminate the virus. In this way, homeopathy follows the nature's law of cure.
Modern Medicines for the viral infection
Modern medicine has little to offer for any viral infection except for vaccination which in fact had been borrowed from the homeopathic principle of isopathy itself where the individual's immunity was exposed to diluted fragments of the microbe or the attenuated microbe itself so as to evoke an immunological reaction against that very same microbe when attacked by the latter naturally. Other medicines try to prevent the replication of the viruses but are only partly successful and helpless against the frequently mutating strains of the virions.
Homeopathy for the viral infection
Homeopathy on the other hand has an answer for any condition and any infection because "It doesn't treat the disease in the person but the person in disease," the entire approach being holistic and wholistic if I may say so. Individualization is the most important feature of homeopathy and we as homeopaths draw a conceptual image of the patient and study the psychosomatospiritual dynamics of every case taking the patient's past, present and probable future into consideration. With our theory of miasms that talks about the attributes and manifestations of a particular category of people and similarly by taking into account the person's constitutional type, temperament, and susceptibility, we can predict a lot about the prognosis of the disease in that particular individual.
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Radioactive uranium isotopes are perfectly natural, but I don't think anyone would ever accuse them of being good for you. Same goes for snake venom and poison ivy, among many, many others.
Alfadorredux, that's kind of obvious - snake venoms are used for making synthetic cures too, and even ''real'' medicine can be dangerous if you dont use it appropiately... I never said homepathy can cure cancer, but neither modern medicine have some real cure for it. Still modern medicine has many gaps - especially in treatment of viruses, where instead homeopathy seem to have better and long term effect.
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Fichi_Zulla, you're the one who claimed "it's better because it's natural" and "it WORKS", not I. If you meant to attach qualifiers to those statements, you should have done so from the start, not moved the goalposts after they were established.
Why do you have such an axe to grind about this? You have no posting history before today, so clearly this, for some reason, is important to you.
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My posting history does mean something? You mean like who the hell are you to be saying this ??? This shows how poor of judgement you are as a person, having prejudice because i never said anything before.
Dear, i just dont like to post to forums because english is not language i like to use in conversations. I limit myself to read only the forums, but this time things touched me personally, and i cant let anyone to insult things i believe in. Otherwise i have no time to waste arguing about unimportant things you people try to solve each day arguing in frustration thread.
I am one of the 2 friends Zeality is been complaining about - because I am spiritual and believe in homeopathy, karma too perhaps.
I did not say homeopathy is better, i claimed that it WORKS, thats all.
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Your posting history does not affect your credibility--I never meant to suggest that it did, and I'm sorry if I phrased myself so poorly that you took it that way. I was merely curious as to why it was this topic, rather than the hundreds of others that have appeared on this board since late April, that made you break your silence, and you've now answered that to my satisfaction.
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I actually read some forums here since september 2008, i just made membership later in april. I'm glad you are satisfied.
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Why, Thanksgiving (in the US anyway) is the PERFECT day to instigate what's likely to become a huge argument between and among friends!! :lol: Welcome to the Compendium Fichi, looks like this could get interesting.
I haven't studied homeopathy in depth at all, but from my inadequate understanding it would seem that it works on the placebo effect principle? Now, there's something, if I'm understanding that right. The only thing I'd fault the scientific community with is not taking more interest in researching and quantifying the mechanisms behind the placebo effect, since it seems to be an intersection between belief and practical results in the instances in which it actually works. But if the success rates of homeopathic and other alternative medicines are statistically below the success rates of traditional medicine, those who oppose homeopathy have a solid point from a humanist perspective.
I'm really awestruck by just how mainstream homeopathy has become, especially given that I've never even researched it at all before the posts here. Did you guys know that Zicam is categorized as a homeopathic medicine? (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31388177/ns/health-cold_and_flu/) I mean, that's practically a household name in the US as far as I know. I'm pretty sure it was widely advertised before the Food and Drug Administration canned it, at least it was where I live.
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Sajainta - Can we proof there is karma? No we cannot. Can we proof karma doesn't exist? No, we cannot - but since it disgust you - keep it to your self - because other people have the right to believe what they want, and you lack respect to them by saying this.
Maybe you should follow your own words and show some respect. Maybe there are reasons Saj finds the concept of karma to be bunk, reasons she's talked about that you haven't read yet.
Maybe YOU can't disprove or prove karma, and maybe YOU believe or don't believe in it. But there's no reason to be a dick about it.
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Mr Bekkler, are you Sajainta? NO? So only dick i see around here is you.
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Mr Bekkler, are you Sajainta? NO? So only dick i see around here is you.
Welcome tot he party indeed. I can see we'll get along juuuuust fine.
(http://www.magazine.ucla.edu/depts/quicktakes/evolutionary-disgust.jpg)
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Hey, now, Mr Bekkler was only trying to say that you are not showing respect for Sajainta's belief when you are clearly seeking respect for your own. Fichi, how can you expect to gain that respect if you begin by rebuking another's belief?
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How fitting, this person ONLY posts in the frustration thread. I sense a theme.
Edit: Also, thanks, Kodokami. You hit the nail on the head.
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Frustrated? Yes, yes I am.
My Economics teacher specifically said there would be no homework over THANKSGIVING BREAK. All out homework is done online via Aplia (for those who haven't heard of it, it's basically just a homework database with online questions and textbooks).
It's a vacation. There will be people out of town. People who won't have internet access.
Today (day after thanksgiving) I saw a status update of my classmate. "aplia due today at 9 in the morning, what the f***!?!?!? Dx this is bullshit, i was gonna do the two assignments today (thinking they were gonna be due at 11PM AS USUAL) and now two 0's and two wasted EC experiments."
So, as he said, assignments are usually due at 11:45 at night. Not only do we get homework over the break, but it's due at 9 AM? Who DOESN'T sleep in when the can? Not only that, but though I read this on Black Friday, he had posted this on THANKSGIVING.
Also, yes, it is possible to have done it the day before or something, but she did say she wasn't going to give us any, so there wouldn't be any reason to check.
What the hell. Not only did she LIE, but she gave us an assignment on freaking Thanksgiving.
I did not need this in that class. I'm doing crappy enough as it is.
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a word of wisdom to all involved in store workage:
do not work retail on black friday.
i was at walmart today at 6 and i had to wrestle past the crowds to get to the door. i was running all over the place, checking things out and helping people. my feet hurt and my head hurts and i really want to sleep. tomorrow i get to do it again though.
i dont care if ill be broke for the rest of my life, i do not want to work retail on black friday again.
ever.
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a word of wisdom to all involved in store workage:
do not work retail on black friday.
i was at walmart today at 6 and i had to wrestle past the crowds to get to the door. i was running all over the place, checking things out and helping people. my feet hurt and my head hurts and i really want to sleep. tomorrow i get to do it again though.
i dont care if ill be broke for the rest of my life, i do not want to work retail on black friday again.
ever.
EXACTLY why I quit Safeway. I still wake up in my sleep trying to bag groceries sometimes...
Frustration: I have two arms. I wish I had four so I could knit and play video games/clean at the same time. (gee, wouldn't it be great if this were the only frustration anyone ever had to deal with?)
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What the hell. Not only did she LIE, but she gave us an assignment on freaking Thanksgiving.
I did not need this in that class. I'm doing crappy enough as it is.
Well she will get her jugement when after *The End Times*. She has it coming to her for trying to ruin Thanksgiving for so many people.
It's not like it won't KILL anybody to not have homework on Thanksgiving.
There is a time and place for everything.
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I hate when I get someone else's mail in my mailbox.
I'm on meds, and the idea of someone else getting my meds annoys me. Seriously the people at the post office and the people driving the mailcar should not make these kind of mistakes.
And this happens to me at least a couple times a year.
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"Food security." That term came out late in the Bush administration. Now it's everywhere. It's a euphemism for hunger, and we live in an age where honest language is severely curtailed in our political discourse. It's always about appearances, never about substance. Disgusting.
Hunger is on the rise in this country. The proportion of this rise which is due to people mis-prioritizing their expenditures, and the proportion due to genuine poverty, is open to debate, but, either way, at least one of two very disturbing possibilities must be true: 1) More of the population is losing its self sufficiency. 2) More of the population is losing its fiscal prudence. Either possibility illustrates the difficulty that our nation will have in the coming decades in retaining its sharpness of character. Additionally, this rise in hunger occurs against the backdrop of enormous wealth redistribution from the wider economy to the very rich, primarily in the form of legal plunder.
The primary weakness in our economic system now is that in America it is becoming more and more difficult to run a successful small business, while the large businesses which replace them are becoming less likely to spread their wealth out to the communities in which they operate, instead sending that wealth to the modern-day plutocracy, whose grip around the nation's fiscal policy has strengthened considerably since the 1970s. The economic resource distribution charts are staggering. We are in a position where, literally, a few thousand people, and the tens of thousands who aspire to join them, collectively dominate the vast majority of the wealth in this country. Per capita measurements of well-doing are becoming less representative of the economic realities for ordinary Americans, because these people at the top skew the curve so astonishingly. In short, the nation is not nearly as rich as the stock market, the gross domestic product, or the average annual income. Even the median annual income is becoming less insightful, as the downward pressures on the middle class are disproportionately affecting the lower bands.
I suspect the problem is easily correctable from a policy standpoint. The US economic system as a whole is extraordinarily powerful and resilient, still by far the greatest in the world. If wealth capture could be put to a stop--and this could happen with a complex but straightforward series of regulations, legal constraints, and oversight on "big business"--then upward economic mobility would reassert itself for the lower half of the population. Practically speaking, however, the problem may be unsolvable without the precipitation of a major crisis, for two reasons: The government seems literally incapable of asserting its power over the robber barons, and the American public doesn't want to be told that they need to spend less money on disposable luxury items and more money on public infrastructure and social services.
It's times like these that I can't stand the glacial pace of change. I wish I had a time machine.
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J, for further research on that hunger issue, watch King Corn. Our food industry is completely retarded. I wouldn't recommend Supersize Me at all though, except for the one part where the guy say he won't go vegan because meat is too good. It's a bit of a gross movie, so just skip all the images and go straight for the conclusions from their research.
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What pisses me off is that after a week of taking care of my friends pets, the smallest, most annoying dog in my circle of friends, has left me a weeks worth a of crap to clean up, in my friends bedroom. :evil: I mean what the hell?! The dog is about as big as chicken yet it has the capasety to crap like no tomarrow! Why doesn't he just cook up the dog and it for a single serving meal already? Oi! And after that I had to ride home through the freezing cold, while still hungry from not eating yet. WTF man...
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Loneliness.
I had a wonderful break, but I had to come back to this lonely room of silence and alienation. I'm not even sure at this point what is self-alienation and what is the fault of shitty friends. I wish I wasn't so shy. I wish I wasn't so self-conscious. I wish I didn't have such a shitty track record, so that I assume everyone I meet secretly harbours a desire to harm me.
Upon further reflection, I'm not frustrated with loneliness. I'm frustrated with myself.
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Well, at least you'll have time to study -- you can impress the sheeeit out of people in class with your smarts as long as you work up the courage to raise your hand (with the right answers). You can sometimes attract great friends that way, and doubly so in an environment where most people are actually out to learn something; at least that's been my experience.
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You can sometimes attract great friends that way, and doubly so in an environment where most people are actually out to learn something...
So... not in college? Ha, I jest... or do I?
Which actually segues nicely into my frustration: academia. Undergraduate course work seldom has much to do with the field and graduate work is seldom about making useful contributions.
College should be about producing better human beings. Instead we treat it more like trade school. Go there for a few years, maybe get a degree in Women's Studies, and then go and get a job. Maybe, if you are lucky, you'll have some practical skills to apply to this job, but in all likelihood not and you can safely forget everything you learned.
Things are a little better at the graduate level, but there you are expected to become the clone of your mentor. You are still expected to conduct research and to add to the human pool of knowledge and understanding, but only in tried and true ways. They don't truck with mavericks (not even in the Bret, Bart, Beau, & Brent varieties); this causes stagnation and it prevents needed changes from coming about. It’s all about maintaining the status quo. But the status? It’s not quo.
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"Hey Larry, where did you put the cheese knife?"
"Oh, it's back in the drawer."
"...It's still dirty."
"So?"
What the FUCK. Who the hell puts a dirty knife back in its container? That thing was disgusting, all crusted with old, dried up cheese, with gooey THINGS lining the holes... Apparently, as long as we only use it for cutting cheese, it's alright to never clean the damned thing. These knives are expensive too, if it gets ruined there's no way we can replace them. Man, how I wish I could just put a fingerprint-activated lock on the whole kitchen...
(also if you know anyone like this please kick them in the face immediately)
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Deepak Chopra is a stupid fucking idiot:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/the-perils-of-skepticism_b_373788.html
No skeptic, to my knowledge, ever made a major scientific discovery or advanced the welfare of others.
You dumb, worthless, lying sack of shit. Chopra is a FRAUD, in all capitals. He sells "alternative medicine" via quantum mysticism and eastern spirituality mixed into a marketable bag. He gets platforms on Oprah and the Huffington Post, and claims this sacrosanct shock at what he perceives to be intolerance when someone calls him out on his bullshit.
Fuck him. If alternative medicine worked, it would be called MEDICINE. And if spirituality, religion, and supernatural faith had any shred of reality, they wouldn't need to hide in miracles.
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ANTS IN THE KITCHEN. ANTS IN MY FOOD. ANTS IN MY POTTY TIME.
ANGER ANGER ANGER!
ANTS LIVE EVERYWHERE.
C'MON AND CRUSH THEM THERE ANTENNAE!
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Kill one ant more will come... just use sweet food as lure then take them outside and burn them with magnifying glass...
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And wasps and hornets, too. Can't forget those little bastards.
What purpose do they serve, anyway? They're constantly pissed off and sting anybody they see. They're pre-emptively aggressive... like 16-year-old girls.
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The one thing we do know is that the LORD GOD made them all. It's in the Sacred Verses.
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All creatures great and small serve a purpose. Without wasps, what would all those pesticide companies that specialize in anti-wasp spray do? Feed the hungry? I don't think so!
Sunrise, sunset.
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Wasps are natural pesticides. They eat other bugs that destroy plants. In fact, some plants have chemical scents that attract different species of wasps depending on what bug is assailing them. Current frustration is that I can't remember where I learned this, thus can't prove it.
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I get frustrated by people who don't know what they're talking about when it comes to things like general chemistry. Just a moment ago I read a scare line written by someone with an environmentalist agenda. Supposedly, they were letting us into a dirty little secret: Methanol is bad. Why is it bad? Because methanol is a petroleum product.
That was their logic. Now, if you know even the most rudimentary chemistry, you know why that's so much bunk. Methanol is one of the simplest hydrocarbons there is, and the single simplest member of the alcohol family. It can be produced from petroleum, yes. It also comes from many other sources. It's pretty harmless stuff, so far as EEEEEEEEVIL CHEMICALS go...
This kind of rubbish talk undermines environmentalism. Next up we're gonna be hearing that table salt has chlorine in it...
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A double frustration: I have been totally overloaded with work lately, but my pay has not been commensurate with my time spent.
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I may have complained about this before, but in case I haven't: Central Serous Retinopathy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_serous_retinopathy). Cause being near-sighted just isn't unique enough for my eyes.
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WTF. It's Thursday? Thursday night? Where did my week go? I only have one day left. This is bad juju, people. Somebody's toying with me. I wanna speak to Dalton. I wanna speak to Gato. Shit will go down, I avow this!
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Oh crap, it is Thursday! Not to mention December 3.
WHERE DID NOVEMBER GO!?
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November up and left you in the dust, Faust!
Frustration: My brain hates me. There is this place in Seattle that I need to bus to and I KNEW the name of the station a few hours ago, but my mind just completely blanked and I have no clue what it's called now. I think it has something to do with the letter P. Dammit P, why must you torment me so!?
Also, today was my last day of tutoring. While I'll enjoy not having to "teach me to English" anymore, I'll miss the money, and I won't get paid to watch Photoshop I final presentations next week. The next quarter doesn't start till next year, but I have yet to register, so I don't have my work schedule yet, either. Oh well. I shall register NEXT WEEK.
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I hate how much anime costs. A half season boxset for Fullmetal Alchemist costs the same as a full season boxset.
I don't think it's fair for a half season boxset to cost as much as a full season when you get less content in a half season boxset.
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Crono666, there are a few "all you can watch" anime sites that require only a high speed Internet connection and a small monthly fee ($5-$10). Only thing is, I'm not sure that they're actually, you know, legal.
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My understanding is that larger anime sites, i.e., Crunchyroll, where you can view for free are actually in conjunction with the production companies and they allow them to host the episodes in exchange for revenue(which they mostly get through advertising). The online video world is becoming more like the world of television in that respect, and sites like Dailymotion and Youtube actually help people without connections in "the biz" worm their way up. For instance, Fred has merchandise, and someone actually bought the rights to make a movie(I know, I'm as horrified as you are).
I think the problem that Crono666 is having has to do with simply wanting to watch the series on your television, where the screen is larger, decent quality and auto-formatted to fit your screen without warping the footage.
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I'm the type of person who likes to actually own things like anime, and comics. I like the feeling of having the real product. I like to know that I can pick it up and hold it in my hands.
You don't get that feeling when you watch(and or read)something online.
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Actually, there are a few sites out there where you can watch streaming anime for free.
You know it's a keeper when it doesn't have:
a) Registration or fees of any kind
b) Voting Loops (Damn them to the DBT)
c) Nudey banners (Curse the nudey banners)
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One of my labret studs fell down the drain. ARGH. This was the one with the extra long post too, so now I'm wearing a smaller one that is pinching my lip. >_< Fuuuuuuuuuck.
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Ouch.
Maybe this is why we avoid lip piercings altogether.
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Ok, so I'm looking through an old music CD drawer, and what do I find? The original Lion King soundtrack! I get so excited, open it up . . . and the case is empty. :shock:
I was so upset and began searching all the other CD cases, wondering if it had been misplaced, but to no avail. And I really wanted to hear Scar's "Be Prepared" song again. :cry:
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Ok, so I'm looking through an old music CD drawer, and what do I find? The original Lion King soundtrack! I get so excited, open it up . . . and the case is empty. :shock:
I was so upset and began searching all the other CD cases, wondering if it had been misplaced, but to no avail. And I really wanted to hear Scar's "Be Prepared" song again. :cry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0AiN8vrn9Y
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Some drunk old man tried to hit me with his truck while I was crossing the parking lot at my band's show last night. It turned into him threatening me and yelling expletives, and me asking why he would try to do something illegal like kill someone with a truck, and the doorman telling him to get out of there before he called the cops, and me saying that even his girl could see what an asshole he was being. while he was calling me pussy motherfucker etc. his girlfriend/wife/whatever got out of his car and ran away.
clearly I was the one out of line. because i walked quickly through a parking lot.
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Holy shit. What a psychotic jackass (to put it lightly)! I hope he didn't go on to kill or attempt to kill anyone else that night. I'm glad you're okay.
Ugh, driving while drunk. It's one of the most stupid things a human being can do.
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i think i have a migraine.
i dont know though.
i just have this really bad headache. it makes me want to curl up and never see light again. hopefully the medicine i took will make it go away or at least somewhat tolerable. but whatever it is, its really fucking frustrating. its card night tonight!
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Bleeeeeeh insomnia. Grrrr! :?
I can't sleep, so I might as well stay up and do some homework.
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i think i have a migraine.
i dont know though.
i just have this really bad headache. it makes me want to curl up and never see light again. hopefully the medicine i took will make it go away or at least somewhat tolerable. but whatever it is, its really fucking frustrating. its card night tonight!
I've found that the best cure for migraines is Imitrex, video games, and music. Really, it's the only way I got through junior high school.
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i slept it off, but i think ill keep that in mind. thank you, zephira.
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Frustration: I need to shower, but it's too cold! It was 19F when I walked to school and not even snowing. What's the point in cold weather if it isn't going to snow?
Also, "email me your essay so I can edit it to turn in with our final" does not mean "send me your powerpoint notes that I can't make any sense of, and I'll spend the whole night studying your part to rewrite this and cover your slack".
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I am frustrated by the contempt with which people discard and spurn outdated technology. Phone books, typewriters, cathode-ray televisions...these once-indispensable innovations are now often looked upon with disgust. That is dishonorable.
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Who ever looks disgusted at a CRT monitor or television is a dumb ass. They can still reach higher resolutions and have a cleaner picture then any Plasma or LCD monitor ever will.
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The song "Sk8er boi" by Avril Lavigne. It's a catchy tune, but everything else about that song creeps me out.
And yes, I have no taste in music.
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If it's any consolation, I still use phone books to find local businesses.
Also, my family television is still a 36" cathode-ray TV.
Still, I'm more partial to a computer keyboard for word-processing than typewriters.
On the bright side, we still use the toaster, which has been around for nearly a century.
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Frustration: I need to shower, but it's too cold! It was 19F when I walked to school and not even snowing. What's the point in cold weather if it isn't going to snow?
I'm guessing you don't drive much, since you were in the Seattle area last winter.
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http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/kings_and_queens_of_the_ther.php
Atheism 3.0 is, as I said, nothing new. It's been around as long as atheism has, and there's a much better and far more descriptive term for it: "Atheism But." As in, "I'm an atheist, but I think religion is a wonderful institution (usually for someone else, just not me.)" It's atheism for people who don't like atheism, or who want to neuter atheism so it doesn't challenge a pious status quo, or have this condescending idea that the rest of society is dumber than they are, and needs the palliative of unreasoning faith. The New Atheists, as much as we detest the title, at least offer an honest, open integrity about their ideas; these guys seem to be more interested in hiding the significance of the nonexistence of gods so they can hide behind a façade of superficial religiosity, and appeal to a waffly, wishy-washy middle ground.
What the Atheist Buts are trying to do is occupy a middle ground, compromising with religion to find an illusory magic mean. They're all but indistinguishable from another group, the God Buts. These are people who don't use the word atheism at all, but instead preach a nebulous version of religion that has no relationship to any established religion — instead, they want you to accept the virtues of simply believing in…something. Anything. If you told them you worshipped the transcendant god personified by the earthly presence of Mickey Mouse, they wouldn't question you in the slightest. Deny god, though, and suddenly you're treated as shrill, militant, and strident.
To hell with both.
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Super Happy Frustrated Offensive Time!
Perhaps my biggest frustration is extremely fat people who come to school and do nothing but eat. This very large guy squeezed himself into our midst with a tub of macaroni large enough to feed a family of five and proceeded to chow down. He fell asleep halfway through, but was still going through the motions of eating while snoring loud enough that we had to shout over him to be heard. He woke up ten minutes later and polished off the macaroni as if nothing had happened.
You're obese. You're killing yourself with food. It is unnatural and unhealthy, unless you are storing fat for hibernation or famine, which is certainly not the case in this country.
It's just disgusting. Even if you're actually sick and don't have the chemical in your brain that tells you to stop eating, you should still be able to exercise logic and stop eating, or only set out enough food to fill your nutritional needs.
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i like the sound of typewriters... i wish that they werent so heavy though.
as to eating, it bothers me when people eat too much (like this man you described, ms zeph) or not enough. there was a girl in my class senior year. she transfered from hartford or something. she was rail thin, i swear. like, no meat to her at all. she was apparently very sick, so she never did anything in gym but watch us. (kind of creepy now that i remember it) we had to get weighed and measured for like a survey or something. she was apparently 94 pounds.
dear god.
in this country, we shouldnt prepare our bodies for hibernation or famine. most people can afford food, and there are plenty of places to go for warmth. in this country, we shouldnt starve ourselves for any reason. the premise of beauty in thinness is... sickening. this girl was almost skeleton-like. i know that there was probably something very wrong with her (she didnt eat because she thought something bad would happen or something similar; she ate but her body didnt process it right), but in general.
thin does not equal beauty.
now to my frustration:
SNOW.
one of my uncles lives in massachusetts. he was going to travel down here tomorrow (he knows that hes my favorite extended family member), but there is apparently going to be a big storm there. like, huge storm. like, snow up to your knees huge storm (probably not but its pretty big). he called and said he probably wont make it for tomorrows dinner.
which sucks.
i really like him. he brings great cookies and i want his recipe.
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Frustrated at my fear of making any progress. I'm going to go through life as the wrong person because I'm too much of a wimp to confront my mother.
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Even if you're actually sick and don't have the chemical in your brain that tells you to stop eating, you should still be able to exercise logic and stop eating, or only set out enough food to fill your nutritional needs.
To be brief, while that might work for some people, for others it is akin to telling someone who is bipolar to use logic to restrain their manic behaviors and to think themselves out of their depression.
Also, regarding the feast/famine model, recent research is increasingly indicating that such a theory is just an outdated model. Predation, not famine, seems to be what kept human weight down for a good portion of our history.
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Frustrated at my fear of making any progress.
Maybe you can take some comfort in knowing that you aren't alone in this at all, at least as far as I'm able to interpret what you've written here. At times a lack of momentum is something many of us secretly fear; if it's nibbling at your mind to a great degree, there are only two courses of action -- either confront the obstacle head-on or find a creative way of accomplishing what you feel you need to otherwise. Unhappiness is an option I think is okay to take off the table; the Springtime of Youth simply doesn't allow it. There must be some way. That's my belief anyway.
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Why are you afraid of making progress?
Probably for the same reason that I'm sort of afraid of making progress.
I'm so used to my way of life that I fear plenty of projects of mine being completed, like the CT Screenplay I'm working on and other screenplays that I've yet to even begin typing up.
Once you've obtained your goals, it sort of becomes a brave new world that you've never explored before, and now you gotta work hard at re-adjusting yourself to the new environment of your life.
I don't know if that hit the nail on the head (or at least nicked the edge of the head). What says you?
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I waited 2.5 years to do something I should have done in a few months, once. While those years are part of my development, I guess I can't really make any kind of judgment on readiness or anything. It's frustrating to deal with massive fears at an early stage. But at some point, maturity is reached, and fear is safely, always the wrong course of action.
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Pfft, no one's gotten enthusiastic in the vector thread. Lightweights.
(http://bleach.neoseeker.com/w/i/bleach/thumb/2/27/GrimmjowAdjuchas.jpg/225px-GrimmjowAdjuchas.jpg)
"If you want to give up, then you're free to go die in a ditch somewhere. I'm moving on."
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Pfft, no one's gotten enthusiastic in the vector thread. Lightweights.
YOU ASKED FOR IT YOU SoY. WHAT KIND OF COMPENDIUMITES DO YOU TAKE US FOR (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,8287.msg185370.html#msg185370)
Did I steal two images from you and Kodokami there, or was I infected by your SoY? You decide.
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Pfft, no one's gotten enthusiastic in the vector thread. Lightweights.
"If you want to give up, then you're free to go die in a ditch somewhere. I'm moving on."
I think that, between you and me, we may have intimidated and preempted the gallery. Perhaps I posted too soon, which is why I will wait a while for the education thread.
~~~
Super Happy Frustrated Offensive Time!
Perhaps my biggest frustration is extremely fat people who come to school and do nothing but eat. This very large guy squeezed himself into our midst with a tub of macaroni large enough to feed a family of five and proceeded to chow down. He fell asleep halfway through, but was still going through the motions of eating while snoring loud enough that we had to shout over him to be heard. He woke up ten minutes later and polished off the macaroni as if nothing had happened.
You're obese. You're killing yourself with food. It is unnatural and unhealthy, unless you are storing fat for hibernation or famine, which is certainly not the case in this country.
It's just disgusting. Even if you're actually sick and don't have the chemical in your brain that tells you to stop eating, you should still be able to exercise logic and stop eating, or only set out enough food to fill your nutritional needs.
First of all, in the frustration thread I think most comments are fair game. If you can't vent here, then where? So I acknowledge that you were frustrated by this guy. But let me try to give you my perspective, as the Compendium's resident Fat Acceptance expert. I can imagine there were probably half a dozen people wondering how I might reply to your post. I venture this:
Humor me, for a moment, in the bottom line: Let's say that neither being fat nor eating heartily is actually disgusting, unnatural, unhealthy, or self-destructive. Pretend that, for a moment. Instead, let's focus on this person in particular. What was doing that frustrated you?
First, he seemed to intrude in your group's personal space. Second, he ate more food than you think was appropriate. Third, he fell asleep in the middle of his meal. Fourth, he interrupted your conversation with his noisy snoring. Fifth, he was fat. Let's take these frustrations in turn...
1. He intruded on your group's space. Is this something which a non-fat person can also do? Yes it is, which means that it isn't a property of being fat, but of being inconsiderate of others. Now, from your description it sounds like it was a very small space, so perhaps his girth led to a problem that wouldn't have arisen had he been thinner. But that is a function of the actual space available, and, again, of his own inconsiderateness. Were there other places he could have sat? If so, then next time something like this happens you can simply ask the person to move to another table. If not, it's hardly their fault for taking an available seat. Without being bigoted, the next time a fat person intrudes on your space, when there is an abundance of space available, do what you can to increase that person's awareness of their own inconsiderateness without making them feel bad specifically for being fat. Tell them that you're having a private conversation and that you'd appreciate if they'd move on. Or invite them to join you; maybe they're an interesting person! Intruding on personal space in those instances is not a property of being fat, and fatness should not be punished for crimes of which it is not guilty.
2. He ate more food than you thought was appropriate. What is it, specifically, that makes a portion size inappropriate? It's not as if he was eating someone else's food. Macaroni isn't one of those things the cafeteria is likely to run out of, and we're not exactly suffering from food shortages in this country. Maybe he was very hungry. Maybe he enjoys food. Is the appropriateness of a portion size dependent upon the measure of a person's size? Do you think fat people should be on diets until they get thin? Since you said that you think being fat is unhealthy, I would imagine you would answer "yes." If so, then: Is it so urgent to you that fat people diet, that you would feel entitled to pressure, shame, or coerce them into dieting? People do things all the time that we disapprove of. That's life. No one will find themselves in agreement with everyone all the time. In a free society, we reserve the right to control the actions of others only for those wrongdoings heinous enough to warrant this infringement of liberty. Was his presence at your lunch table an unacceptable, injurious disruption of your way of life? Probably not. Was he such a danger to himself that you felt compelled to judge the appropriateness of his portion sizes in the first place? Or were you just letting your personal disapproval transform into prejudice?
3. He fell asleep in the course of his meal. This fits right in with the stereotype that fat people are undisciplined slobs. I doubt that his actually falling asleep is what made you upset. People fall asleep in public all the time. So long as they're not driving vehicles or operating machinery at the time, that's okay. Instead, I think you interpreted these cues--a fat person falling asleep while eating--as an affirmation of that stereotype I mentioned. Now, maybe this person actually is an undisciplined slob. But maybe he's not. Maybe he has a medical problem--which may or may not be a product of his obesity. Or maybe he just didn't get enough sleep the previous night. Did you ask him? Probably not. But let's say he fell asleep because he's fat--which I gather is what you assumed at the time. There are a number of reasons by which that could happen. What is it about this possibility that frustrates you? Do you think that fat people who have lower energy levels or issues with fatigue have diminished their quality of life so badly that you cannot help but be disgusted with them? If so, why do you think that? What makes you so sure that their quality of life is so diminished? There are people who enjoy food so much that they're willing to trade thinness and even energy in exchange for a life of gustatory indulgence. For that matter, there are people who just like being fat. Maybe these are not choices you would make, because you have different set of motivations in life, but are they so abhorrent that no one can ever justifiably make them? Is eating to the point of obesity, or for the purpose of obesity, truly so ghastly? You called it "unnatural." We live in a society where the unnatural is the rule. There's no such thing as salami in nature. There's no such thing as video games. There's no such thing as school. We invented all of these things; none of them is "natural." Naturality is not a good criterion for measuring whether something is inappropriate, but people often use it anyway as an expression of disgust. What is about about fatness or overeating that disgusts you?
4. He interrupted your conversation with his snoring. It's true that being fat makes you more likely to snore. Also, his loud snoring may tie in with the fact that he fell asleep in the first place. Nevertheless, snoring is not something that only fat people do. It is a medical condition--a relatively benign one in most cases. It's a part of the spectrum of human behavior. Even if his snoring is the result of his obesity, does it make him such a bad person? If he was interrupting you with his snoring, you could simply have woken him up and told him that he was snoring too loudly. Why didn't you? It's not as if he was doing it on purpose. Being frustrated by someone else's snoring is self-defeating.
5. He is fat. I think that's what set you up to be frustrated in the first place. Prejudice against fat people is very widespread in our culture. We are conditioned to be repulsed by the sight of a fat person, and to immediately proceed to judgmentalism and even harassment. Next time you see a fat person and you feel this way, stop yourself and ask yourself where it comes from. Ask yourself if it's warranted.
Now...you can stop humoring me, and get back to your view that overeating while being fat is disgusting, unnatural, unhealthy, and self-destructive. From the context of that perspective, it's clear that you think excess fat on a person is a terrible thing, as is overeating while in a state of excess fatness. It's also fairly evident that you rationalize your view on the assertion that this is unhealthy and destructive to the individual. You use the same kind of language and imagery that I might use of a sexist. It's clear to me that, to you, an indulgent obese person is an enemy to you--not a sympathetic figure but a despicable one. Why is that? Tell me, if you're up to it, the grounds on which you assert that obesity is healthy, that overeating while obese is "killing yourself," and that fatness at worst is despicable rather than pitiable.
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There must be some way. That's my belief anyway.
Too often the way does not appear unless some other changes happen first. Altering the scenery somehow, taking other risks and understanding the rewards or consequences, or exploring new philosophies are good places to start, but what is more important is to not stop exploring new mental terrain. It often takes a significant change in perspective before an opening to attack these problems head-on will appear. Also, even if you cannot confront that one particular problem now, you can always confront others which may make the one problem seem that much more daunting.
I hope for the best for you, FaF. I know how devastating a relationship with an overbearing parent can be. :(
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to faf, if your mother doesnt accept you for who you feel you are, then what kind of parent is she? explain your feelings and such in a kind, non-screaming manner (until she screams at you. if she does, let her have it). make it clear to her that this is what you want, and in most countries you are considered an adult. overcome your fear and let nothing hold back who you are.
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And now for something completely different.
I get frustrated that the meaning of a word may or may not agree with the word’s (or word-component’s) etymological roots.
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As I currently don't have the state of mind to defend my position, please refer to the Holiday Lectures on Science from 2004 http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/obesity/index.html (http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/obesity/index.html), and the movies King Corn and Supersize Me. There are probably others whose titles I can't remember.
Fat can be a good thing, and is something I certainly wish I had more of, but I can't fathom how someone could eat themselves to the point that they have to have their legs amputated because of diabetes.
And on the topic of food, this is the first year I can remember being afraid that I won't survive the winter. I've complained enough about the actions of the people living here before, but now they've been allowed to take over the shopping list and menu. There is absolutely nothing on there that is beneficial to me, there are many things I've been told to avoid, and I got in trouble for trying to make additions. They will kill me if this keeps up for much longer.
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Aw, fat mice! So cute.
But more seriously:
... I can't fathom how someone could eat themselves to the point that they have to have their legs amputated because of diabetes.
There is a good reason why you can't fathom it; such behavior, at least in some cases, is outside the normal functioning of the human brain. Allow me to elucidate what, exactly, I mean.
Adipose tissue produces a hormone called leptin. Leptin controls food intake (both immediate food intake, as in a single meal, and long term calorie consumption). The more leptin you have (generally because the more fat you have), the less you should eat. Except, just like with diabetes, one can be leptin insensitive. Someone who weighs 300 lb might get the chemical signals that they are, effectively, weighing 100 lb or less. Essentially, their bodies are demanding food like a starving person.
However, the effects of leptin insensitivity do not stop there. Individuals who are leptin insensitive also seem to perceive food at a fundamentally different level than other people. Your brain activity will be different between viewing broccoli and viewing ice-cream (ice-cream gets your brain going far better than broccoli... at least for most people). Your reaction will also change depending on if you have just eaten or not. So imagine that you are really hungry and you see a really tasty dish. The feeling of desire that you get in that moment, some leptin insensitive individuals feel all the time, for all foods, regardless of if they just ate.
These are interactions within the brain that the individual has no control over. Can one resist them? Part of the time, sure, but again, this is like telling someone who is bipolar to control it. They might be able to reign themselves in occasionally, but not always. They wouldn't call medicine medicine if it wasn't needed.
Keep in mind, the above is just two potential interactions of a single hormone that can cause or be caused by obesity (like diabetes, leptin insensitivity seems to be the result of both environmental and genetic causes). Science has just been scratching the surface of weight regulation; there are far more potential causes of obesity than just leptin insensitivity. There are far more potential causes of obesity than just what has been identified by science.
Are some people fat just because they are lazy or willfully overindulge? Sure. Some people are thin despite being lazy and willfully overindulging. But not everyone is this way.
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Leptin is one of the main points of those HHMI lectures. Thing is, in 2004, they were developing medication for that insensitivity. The power of chemicals in the brain over willpower was another point addressed. That is why these people should seek help, or have someone around to monitor their nutritional needs for them. There is a huge difference between thinking you're starving, and starving for real. I tend to have little patience for people who say they're starving, but have enough body fat to sustain them for a month.
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One doesn't have to be overweight to have diabetes, either. If I let myself satisfy my real desires, I could down 2 liters of soda a day and still want more while retaining a normal body weight. If I didn't regulate myself, I'd almost assuredly have Type 2 in the future.
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Came down with a cold, and now I can't sleep. Damn...I'm kind of concerned about Friday, because I may have to drive into the heart of Dallas. The black, frenetic heart of Dallas. I honestly had a few nightmares about trying to drive into Dallas when I was only six years old, so now it's like some kind of prophetic doom. I fucking hate ridiculous, congested transit systems like this. Bring me Europe's subway stations, please.
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To be fair, you probably don't want Dallas attempting to implement a subway system either. They can't get normal roads right, even without the heavy traffic. But can you imagine them trying to actually plan an entire traffic system that would be underground?! M.C. Escher would be confused by what they'd put together.
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Yeah. It just ain't right. I'm hoping the person I've decided to carpool with was telling the truth about his experience.
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Fat can be a good thing, and is something I certainly wish I had more of, but I can't fathom how someone could eat themselves to the point that they have to have their legs amputated because of diabetes.
In the context of your wider aversion to obesity in general, invoking an argument like this is fallacious. What you're trying to say, I gather, is that losing limbs is a bad thing and fat people are foolish for risking it. The assumption of losing limbs being a bad thing is pretty uncontroversial, since limbs are crucial for most people's practical lives, preferred lifestyle, and material ambitions. But the assumption that fat people are foolish for risking the loss of their limbs is faulty in the following ways:
First of all, most fat people never lose their legs, or even one leg. I couldn't easily find a reliable statistic as to how many diabetic amputees there are in the country, but the number is orders of magnitude below the number of fat people in America. Thus, the risk that you have implied is exceedingly low. The vast majority of fat people have both of their legs, and the vast majority of those will always have them.
Second of all, limb loss due to diabetes is not directly the result of being fat. Indeed, there are plenty of diabetics who aren't fat at all. Limb loss is the direct result of either poor diabetes management or severe medical complications resulting from diabetes. Being fat may elevate someone into a position of risk--and I say "may" because the evidence in support of the claim that obesity itself directly causes diabetes is surprisingly low--but whether that risk ever produces an actuality is much more dependent on people's dietary and exercise habits than on their waistlines.
Third of all, as I mentioned, obesity--or, more precisely, adipose tissue itself--is not actually known definitively to be a cause of diabetes. You will find this to be true of almost every disease for which obesity is blamed. The correlations are irrefutable, but actual causation is still a question mark. "Obesity is bad" has become a modern religion: People believe it with all their hearts, but they've got no ground to stand on. Thought and I had a disagreement about this recently. His position was that we should infer causation because there is also no evidence to explicitly discount the possibility that fat itself causes these diseases, and the circumstantial evidence all points in favor of it. My position was that this may have some practical value inasmuch as being thinner (on the fear of health problems) would bring down one's health risks, but I went on to say that inexplicable solutions--even when they work--are not helpful from medical, intellectual, and in this case cultural standpoints. We are operating out of ignorance here. We've made body fat the villain, but I think body fat has been framed. The reason I think this is because we have gone to such incredible lengths to prove our suspicions that fatness causes all of these diseases, and have still yielded very little proof that this is actually the case. We've dug ourselves deeper and deeper into this mindset that obesity is the root of all evil. If we were right, we should have more to show for it by now. That we don't suggests to me that the mindset is wrong or at best incomplete. This is not semantics: If fatness itself is not so bad after all, then something else causes the diseases which correlate with fatness. That's a very important possibility for a species that loves to eat and stands little to lose from the shape and encumbrances of fat. (In other words, most people's practical lives, preferred lifestyle, and material ambitions are independent of how fat they are. For instance, as a writer I could weigh almost anything and still be able to pursue my ambition. When obesity is not inherently unhealthy, only people whose lives, tastes, or ambitions require exceptional athleticism cannot afford to be obese. Such people are a small minority.)
Fourth of all, it is a mistake to assume that people who get fat are doing so to be self-destructive. When you wrote that you "can't fathom how someone could eat themselves to the point that they have to have their legs amputated," you made an insinuation of deliberate intent. Effectively, you accused fat people of saying to themselves "I'm going to get so fat that I lose my legs. Nom nom nom!" That's not how people think. Well, admittedly, some folks do use obesity as an expression of self-destructiveness. However, I would zealously point out that this is true only because of the social stigma on being fat and the popular misconception that being fat will kill you, rather than because of any inherent property of fatness. In general, most people get fat simply because they like to eat and have food to spare. How much would you weigh if your family members weren't starving you? How much would I weigh if I could afford to buy whatever I wanted, all the time? How much would ZeaLitY weigh if he weren't hellbent on rocking the casbah with his muscles and stamina? A few people even get fat because they explicitly like being fat--and it is a testament to the power of human preference that such people would exist at all in a culture that treats fat people so horribly. Put it all into perspective, and you can see that folks usually have all kinds of reasons for getting fat, and only a few of these reasons are self-destructive. The premise that any act in the furtherance of obesity is self-destructive is but a credo of the religion of fat-bashing. It isn't true. On the contrary, it is quite easy to explain such acts without concluding that the person in question is trying to destroy themselves.
Fifth of all, and lastly, you are mistaken to insinuate that there is no value in acting outside the interests of one's long-term health. Your assumption--not mine, but yours--is that being fat is unhealthy. Going on that assumption, we get the insinuation I just described: People should not do anything to make themselves unhealthy or less long-lived. That's not a premise that I support. For that matter, it's not a premise that many people support. Health and even life take a second seat to the pursuit of one's ambitions. Right now, Sir Richard Branson is building a spaceship that might kill everybody onboard when it launches. But folks are still lining up, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in pocket, for tickets on the first flights. Why? They could greatly improve their odds of long life by staying firmly on the ground. And what about health? A friend of mine plays college basketball. He's stupendously fit, but the things he does to his body in the course of training and play are also incredibly hard on the skeleton and joints. Athletes face tremendous health problems later in life related to mobility. That's also true of anyone who does a lot of heavy lifting or high-impact exercise, from construction workers to soldiers. Do the risks of future health problems make it foolish for these people to be doing what they're doing? Perhaps you would argue that getting fat is not exactly equivalent to skiing or building a tower or defending the nation or seeing the curve of the Earth with your own eyes. Perhaps you would argue that these things merit the risk. Well, it's true that getting fat is certainly a lot easier than any of these other things. But would it be less valuable or less meaningful to the point that risks are not justified? That's a matter of personal preference. I would say again, that's a matter of personal preference. Maybe in your case, given your preferences, you would never pursue such a course yourself. Maybe you would consider people who do pursue that course to be foolish. That's your prerogative, but where would it come from, and how justified would you be in holding it? Is obesity a destroyer, like religion? Is it a menace, like addiction? Is it a danger, like pollution? I just don't see a good argument for inherently holding obesity in contempt.
I suppose it would be helpful to distinguish between people who explicitly don't want to be fat, and everyone else. For those who don't want to be fat, it would obviously be a source of stress and a mark of failure for them to be fat. Perhaps it would make sense to hold these people in a different regard than we hold those who don't mind being fat or who enjoy it. We could immediately write the second group of people off as irrelevant to our discussion. Then we could contemplate with greater clarity the question of fat people who don't want to be fat.
What should we make of them? I'll tell you what I make of them: I sympathize with them. I know how hard it can be to have an ambition firmly in sight but to face such difficulty in achieving it. That's not foolishness or laziness or pettiness. It's just a part of life. Not all things come easily. Weight loss is one of them. The human body doesn't like to lose weight. We evolved to gain weight and hold onto it. We evolved to love food--especially fat and sugar. We even evolved to appreciate fatness in the human form. That's something that our culture presently lives in denial of, but it's no coincidence that male fat tends to exaggerate the male figure while female fat tends to exaggerate the female figure.
That is why these people should seek help, or have someone around to monitor their nutritional needs for them. There is a huge difference between thinking you're starving, and starving for real. I tend to have little patience for people who say they're starving, but have enough body fat to sustain them for a month.
You're confusing hunger, starvation, and caloric needs. People get hungry regardless of how thin or fat they are. Going without food for a month (or subsisting on a tiny diet) would be as difficult for a fat person as it would for you. In fact it would be harder for the fat person, because for them the diet would be more extreme: The human body needs a certain amount of calories to maintain its weight, and this need goes up as the human body itself grows in size. If you can maintain weight on 1000 calories a day, and a fat person can maintain weight on 3000 a day, a 600-calorie diet would be much more extreme for them than for you. Additionally, fat people usually have enlarged stomachs that require more food to reach a state of fullness.
However, even though it's not an entirely fair comparison, it's worth contemplating anyway just to appreciate the hardship of enduring hunger. When somebody's hungry, that's a bad thing. You know how tough hunger is. Now, as a part of weight loss, some hunger may be unavoidable, but to get to the point where you feel justified in having no patience for someone who is hungry on the grounds that they are fat, you would first have to pass the judgment that they need to lose weight. That's a judgment you would likely be out of bounds to make. People should each as much as they want to eat in accordance with their personal goals.
And on the topic of food, this is the first year I can remember being afraid that I won't survive the winter. I've complained enough about the actions of the people living here before, but now they've been allowed to take over the shopping list and menu. There is absolutely nothing on there that is beneficial to me, there are many things I've been told to avoid, and I got in trouble for trying to make additions. They will kill me if this keeps up for much longer.
=(
I think I can understand, though, why you might be feeling some extra enmity toward fat people right now. You're thin and apparently you're hungry much of the time. It'd be easy to look at a fat person and see comfort and ease, and to hold that against them. I guarantee you, however, Zephira, that, in this culture, a fat person's life is never one of purely comfort and ease. Fat people have to put up with all kinds of discrimination. Life can be very hard when you're a member of an oppressed class. Don't feel too resentful.
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The Senate continues its healthcare debate today:
...they'll also have to pass a resolution waiving the rule against considering a rule on the same day it was reported out by the Rules Committee.
That's hilarious. It's also frightening. Nations decay as governments evolve from suppleness to rigidity. Our government operates with great deference to precedent, and has achieved great success by it, but there is something to be said for adaptability. That apotheotic union between human judgment and institutional memory remains the ultimate grail of political sustainability.
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Third of all, as I mentioned, obesity--or, more precisely, adipose tissue itself--is not actually known definitively to be a cause of diabetes. You will find this to be true of almost every disease for which obesity is blamed.
"Overweight" and "Obese" people also tend to live longer than their "Skinny" counterparts. Also known as the "Obesity Paradox". I'm sure you know but I didn't see it mentioned.
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"Overweight" and "Obese" people also tend to live longer than their "Skinny" counterparts. Also known as the "Obesity Paradox". I'm sure you know but I didn't see it mentioned.
That also depends on the diet. If they're obese, but eating healthy and keeping up with their nutritional needs, they'll live longer than a skinny person with a poor diet. A healthy fat person will also have better survival rates in most diseases than an underweight person. If some 300 pound person got pneumonia and was unable to eat for however long, they'd still be able to get energy and protein from their stored fat, and live. They'd lose a lot of weight in the process, but it would be easily regained. However, if that happened to me, I'd be dead. Underweight people have no stored fat to borrow energy from, so their vital organs and immune system would shut down. If they do survive, it'd be much harder for them to recover.
Perhaps it's not the fat itself that's doing the damage, rather the stuff people eat that make them that fat, and the lack of exercise. The main American diet currently consists of fatty and nutrient-poor foods. It's the foods that make people sick, and increased weight gain generally comes with those foods, so people blame the fat instead of the lifestyle. If they're fat and don't want to be, but can't help it because of the food available, then sure, they should be sympathized with and assisted. But I still feel fair in judging that if they're too obese to walk or fit into an elevator, they should cut back at least a little.
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Sounds like propaganda from the elevator industry. =P
In all seriousness, I'm grateful to you for your tentative open-mindedness. I'm still wary, though, that you are making room in your tent of acceptance for moderately fat people by specifically excluding very fat people. What you're doing is essentially preserving your central anti-fat sentiment at the expense of cutting off some of the people to whom you would apply that sentiment. That's great for the people who are no longer in your crosshairs of disgust, but it's no help at all for the ones who don't pass muster. In fact, those people become even more isolated and vulnerable. This is actually a big problem in all areas of prejudice, including fat-bashing.
Super-obesity is not something that most people choose for themselves. There are a few who feel neutral about it and a few who enjoy it, but most are uncomfortable with that degree of fatness. (I should note that this ratio is skewed somewhat because our society gives fat people such a hard time, rather than accepting them. For an obese person, harassment and abuse are far more of a battle than physical limitations due to being fat.) These people, who are very fat and wish they weren't, probably would do well to "cut back at least a little," as you say. But that's still their choice to make...and you might ask yourself whether and how your intervention might help them to make it. Criticizing them unconstructively is not going to do any good. Do you honestly think that a fat person has never been told before "Hey, go on a diet!"? Fat people endure obscene criticism. They usually stay fat. What does that tell you? It tells me that the criticism doesn't work. But what's worse is that this criticism often becomes a vehicle of self-satisfaction for the critic, and an instrument of torture for the victim. That's no good at all.
Additionally, the hallmark of prejudice is when one pre-judges a person, drawing conclusions they have not directly supported, on the basis of other factors. When you meet a very fat person, you don't really know why they're fat, what their personal attitude is on being fat, and what they're doing, if anything, to rectify being fat. You would do good for yourself to put these pre-judgments out of your mind entirely, and focus more constructive thoughts.
I'm not trying to get you to say that fat people are wonderful and superior and magnificent. So, don't draw that conclusion from any of this. But I would hope that you give some deeper thought to the matter of your attitude against fat people.
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Flat-out cannot sleep this week.
Edit: Also, fuck R.E.M. I'm fine and happy listening to 80s radio when suddenly, this...this drawled, mediocre shit comes out of my headphones. Ugh.
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So I'm in the comic book store, and as I'm paying the cashier, the guy starts spoiling the story for me. Now I want to tell him to stop, cause I want to find out the story for myself of course.
The thing is that the guy has a lazy eye, and I'm afraid that if I say something that he'll take it the wrong way.
Luckily he didn't spoil the whole comic for me, but it still is one of those things that I find frustrating.
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It's disgusting just how badly people will misuse the word "skepticism." No, global warming deniers, you are not skeptics. You are as faith-oriented as ever, fanatic to the last. I wasn't born yesterday; I see what you're trying to pull here. This scam is only slightly less conspicuously invalid than Intelligent Design "science."
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Frustration: Well, Bill O'Reilly apparently proves once again that he has a major stick shoved up his ass as he lays schoolyard republican right-wing bat-shit smack-talk on Dick Wolf for a portrayl on Law and Order SVU.
But come on Bill, you gotta cut Mr. Wolf a little slack. He totally called you for what you were on that episode for starters. :P
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I doubt many people here or on the left in general even pay attention to O'Reilly. If they did, they wouldn't be so quick to dump him in with Hannity and Beck. But as long as they can juxtapose his name with the more aggressive right wing lunatics, they can discredit him. And they have plenty of motivation too, since he was probably the only conservative on television with a sizable audience, until Glenn Beck showed up, that is. Being one who's watched O'Reilly for a few years now, I can safely say that he has pretty progressive views on immigration; he just gets quoted out of context constantly because he dislikes the "open border" idea.
But I'm siding with Dick Wolf on this one. I doubt he's in the "far left," and O'Reilly really did overreact to the line. Plenty of people say worse, and from what it sounds like, the character who said the line is a fairly accurate representation of those people. He definitely mistook the context and jumped the gun. Not much else to say for that.
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I'd like to thank Urban Dictionary for once again setting the record straight on who Bill O'Reilly really is:
Completely ignorant white male who thinks he knows everything. Almost comical diction when is he cutting liberal commentators off and sweet-talking the conservatives. Also, he likes to make every controversial issue black and white, when in fact issues labeled "controversial" imply that it has already been determined that there is no black-and-white answer. This man does not have a clue about the world.
Personally, I like this definition better:
Pompous news anchor with a staggering ego. Claims to be neutral, unbiased, and "looking out" for the everyday American, but commits more logical fallacies per broadcast than any other. Also spends more time plugging merchandise, books, and website memberships on air than any other. Has been caught in multiple lies, fabrications, and exaggerations, and is prone to patronizing his guests as well as all of his viewers (whether or not they realize it). A joke of a journalist rivaled only by Geraldo Rivera, the "debate" content of his show is really a series of cat fights resulting in mic-cutting and arrogance. Clearly a conservative, lies about it, and although he claims to be independent, cannot bring himself to fathom why the ACLU opposes religious displays in government buildings.
How he manages to keep his own news segment after all these years is unfathomable even to me.
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My body is frustrating me. I haven't been sleeping well and then I pulled an all-nighter on...Tuesday night (I had to stop and think about that one because all of my days have started running together) and so I crashed yesterday afternoon after my one final. I slept from 1 pm to 6:30 am. I got up, showered, got dressed, sat down at my computer to study for my next final, and felt incredibly sick. I was wondering the hell why, and then I realized that I hadn't eaten in almost two days. So I just ate a small bowl of cereal (because that's about how much food I have left -___- ) and I still feel sick. Ugh. I have no energy or concentration to study, and my next final is in less than 5 hours. I'll probably have to pull another all-nighter tonight as well because my last final is at 9 am and it's my hardest final. Blah. Finals week + little sleep + mysterious and sudden illness + generally feeling crappy = not good.
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You can always rely on the old college stand-by for a quick food fix: Ramen.
Also, if you can think of any ways to get free food, do so. Don't ever deprive yourself of food in the face of long study periods. It's this very pressure that makes for a sub par performance on finals.
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Ended up with a god-forsaken cough. Every time I get a sinus infection, after it I get a god-forsaken cough from the phlegm and other crap that mucus makes.
:picardno
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Arrrgh and now I have a fever and a massive headache. Fuuuuuuuuuck.
At least I didn't sleep through a final like two of my friends did. : /
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At least I didn't sleep through a final like two of my friends did. : /
Now that's gotta stink. :x
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Get well soon, Sajainta! With any luck, the Mail Gods will decide to gift you with a scarf to keep you warm during your illness. If they do, be sure to post pictures of such a miracle. It'll be irrefutable proof that the Mail Gods exist!
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I'm frustrated at myself. I probably have the most inhuman sleeping hours that a person can probably have.
On a normal day I wake up at about 3 in the afternoon, and go to bed at 9 in the morning(kids don't be like me). Now here's the kicker. On some days I take driving lessons(I'm trying to get my driver's licence). I usually have my driving lessons at ether 10 or 11 in the morning. On those days I go to bed at 3 in the morning. After I get home from my driving lessons I take a nap. I usually wake up from my nap at about anywhere from 4-6 in the afternoon-evening. Now I make things worse by taking another nap.
Tuesday, I had my driving lessons. After I finished my lesson, I went home, and took a nap. I ended up taking a second nap later in the day. When I woke up from my second nap, I couldn't open my eyes, I realized that I was even more tired that I had thought.
At somepoint I looked at the clock and saw that it was about 4:30 in the morning, it was now Wednesday. I then played video games. at about 10AM I then put one of my Fullmetal Alchemist Dvds in my Dvd player and watched six episodes, after that at some point it was 3 in the afternoon, and I was finally tired and went to sleep. I woke up at 9:30PM, I then took a nap at 11PM.
At about 12:20AM I woke up and realized that my noise was bleeding. After dealing with all that I want to sleep around 9AM. I woke up today around 3:30ish in the afternoon.
I'm now afraid to even try too take a nap. I feel like I'm slowly going insane. I feel like a fucking zombie.
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Interesting sleep patterns...
I used to not sleep at all. Insomnia. Was as annoying as people claim it can be.
Maybe you should try to re-wire your biological clock so that you have a fairly "normal" sleep schedule or something. Other than that, I agree with you. That is one odd schedule.
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Hmm...
I'm not a health expert or a doctor, but based on what you experienced, I think you may have Circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Mind you, it's only a prognosis and doesn't necessarily mean that you have it.
However, if it should turn out that you do have it, I suggest the following:
- Avoid taking naps or stimulants that keep you awake.
- Go to bed only when you need to sleep, not when you want to sleep.
- Try using sleeping agents like melatonin. You're aiming for at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Try looking into Chronotherapy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronotherapy). No, it doesn't mean go play CT or CC until you pass out.
Anyways, I hope these help. You shouldn't have to go through such sleep cycles like that. It's unhealthy.
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This January I was supposed to meet my Czech pen-pal face-to-face for the first time...but that isn't going to happen now, because her asshat boy friend still considers me a threat to their relationship.
Now, me and him have exchanged words in the past, and I could go into a complete list of gripes about him and how he handles his relationship, but that's private matters and I'm trying really hard to not say anything too personal.
You know, me and her have fun on the Internet; we play Uno, we tell stories from our past, we help each other with social problems, etc. We're as good friends as one meets offline. There's absolutely no romantic or sexual implications between the two of us and that's fine with me. After hearing about guys like Zephira and J meeting up in real life and having a blast, I was psyched to finally get the chance to hang out in person with her. If her boy friend wanted to come to, then I would've bit my lip, minded my manners, and who knows, we might have had an even better time because of it.
But that won't happen, and I hate it. I mean, how does one even get to that point in a person's relationship that close friends of the opposite gender can't be trusted? I've never hit on her, I've never stalked her on Facebook, and I've never even made a funny look at her, the last part mostly due to the fact that I'VE NEVER FREAKING MET HER IN PERSON!
This is bullshit.
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Wow Truthordeal, that sucks. Sorry to hear about that. It's really annoying when people are that insecure and jealous in their relationships. I know people who go so far as forbidding their significant others from having close friends of the opposite sex. And a lot of the people I know are iffy and suspicious when their significant others still talk to their exes. -___- Jealousy comes from fear, not love. If you can't trust your boyfriend or girlfriend (or spouse, even), then why are you dating them??? I can understand being cautious around exes who still have feelings for your loved one, but as far as not trusting the person you're with... Ugh. It's one of my pet peeves. I see it happening ALL the time. So that's a legit frustration of mine.
Get well soon, Sajainta! With any luck, the Mail Gods will decide to gift you with a scarf to keep you warm during your illness. If they do, be sure to post pictures of such a miracle. It'll be irrefutable proof that the Mail Gods exist!
What a coincidence that would be, seeing as I've been praying to the Mail Gods fervently for ages asking for a scarf! :P
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This pisses me off, ToD. What's the situation now? Isn't she upset that her boyfriend has prevented this? It could be that she leaves open the possibility of something more in the future as well, and so she has no choice but to do as her boyfriend wishes or she'll be committing to something.
I hate possibilities that get cut off, especially when it's something interesting like an international meeting. The power is going to be fought on this.
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Headache has returned. I have a fever too. >< Bleh... And an all-nighter is unavoidable at this point.
I'll keep chuggin' on. Only one more final to go.
Oh and Zeph (when you read this), D informed me that there was a certain package labeled for::
Ms. Sajainta
Slytherin House
Hogwarts
from
Zephira
P.O. Box 666
Fiendlord's Castle
Guardia
:franky
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Ah, a heartwarming story of gift giving across the Internet! I hear Zephira's scarves increase your Magic rating by 5 points if you equip it during a test.
Good luck with the final Final, we're rooting for you!
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This is wonderful! The Compendium is bringing people together this year like never before.
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Heh, gives me an idea, though I can't really participate in it...(spent all of my money already, and I didn't have much to begin with...)
The Compendium should have a Secret Santa thing going on.
Current frustration: I can't eat for four hours before my wisdom teeth get removed. And I'm hungry...
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Done with finals. Incredibly tired. I almost threw up during my last final because I felt so sick. Not fun. But at least I am done.
I need to clean my dorm and then pack. I'm not going to leave for another 8 or 9 hours or so. :( I became incredibly, incredibly lonely around 4 am / 5 am this morning. All-nighters are really lonely and depressing. I started missing D like crazy. I know I complain a lot about the distance, but if you've ever been in a long-distance relationship you know how hard it is and how much it sucks to be away from your significant other. Blah.
Only one more year and then I'll be done with school and no more long distance! It's something to look forward to. It's only two more semesters.
I've lost my train of thought and now I'm rambling. Eh, blame the stress / illness / lack of sleep.
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Congratulations, Saj, and I hope you feel better soon.
The Compendium should have a Secret Santa thing going on.
I prefer Hidden Hanukkah Harry, myself.
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Our landlord passed away today. He was old and in poor health.
I feel sad, scared, and frustrated. Will we have to leave our house? The rent we had was cheap, what will happen to us?
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I already ranted about this in another thread, but... ugh.
I HATE this (http://www.standforchristmas.com/pages/home). Don't like the fact that not everyone is Christian? Why don't you ignore other customs and pester stores because Jesus isn't recognized as the ONLY reason for the season?
Ignorant people like this exist in all cultures, including my Jewish and Agnostic ones. And holy crap, the world would really be a better place without this kind of bullshit.
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Current frustration: I can't eat for four hours before my wisdom teeth get removed. And I'm hungry...
Only four hours? What sort of anesthesia are they giving you?
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Don't worry TK, the laughing gas they give you for wisdom teeth removal will more than make up for any frustration you might experience.
And if they're not giving you laughing gas, you've been cheated! Cheated, I say!
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worried my flight to the east coast will be cancelled tomorrow morning. i only have 2 weeks of leave and i dont want to spend anymore time in texas than I have to.... le sad :(
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Cannon Travel, yo.
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Home for Christmas.
A relative wakes up, goes into the kitchen, and starts spontaneously denying global warming.
Lest anyone forget, he's a "real" American. A SNOWSTORM. in the NORTHEAST. In DECEMBER. The evidence against global warming is undeniable.
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That sounds like an.....well, um....interesting post-awakening conversation.
Current Frustration: Remnants of the cough from last week are still here. Nothing much, but it's simply refusing to give way.
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yeah its not like we dont get snowstorms regularly or anything. >_>
im frustrated because my uncles flight from boston has been cancelled.
ugh.
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Texan drivers seem to consistently fail to understand the concept of not driving on the wrong side of the road. Apparently a wave of oncoming traffic/metal-doom is a bit too subtle of a hint regarding their error.
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People here tend to like to speed up and be complete jackasses when you're trying to pull over into the next lane if they are behind you while you are trying to pull over. Several months ago, I almost wrecked from a Ford 4x4 that thought just because my car is smaller that I shouldn't be allowed into the lane he was in. And he was....like.......200 feet away. So as I'm halfway over the line to get into the next lane, he floors it and nearly rear-ends me.
Drivers in Alabama are assholes.
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Last night I missed a step and fell down the stairs, and, upon landing, hurt my big toe. I've already examined it, and it doesn't seem to be broken, so I'm assuming I either stubbed it real bad or sprained it. As such, I'm treating it as the worst-case scenario and RICEing it up for a few days. Not the most grievous injury, but it does make it rather hard to walk.
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At least it was only your big toe and not your noggin. Stairs are such a huge hazard...we just need teleporters already.
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I once actually dropped a log for a fire on my big toe. Luckily, I was wearing shoes at the time. Still...
It hurt like hell, the area became swollen, and eventually the toenail peeled right off.
It eventually grew back, but the memory is still vivid.
Ouch!! :x
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At least it was only your big toe and not your noggin. Stairs are such a huge hazard...we just need teleporters already.
I think Portal conclusively proved that teleportation would be a violation of the law of conservation of mass and energy. Unless, I speculate, all acts of teleportation were counterbalanced by an equal and opposite teleportation at the same time. But for that to apply to our stair problem, we'd need to wait to use the teleporter to go one way along the stairs until somebody else, at the other end, came along to go the other way.
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Or we can just do away with stairs and use fire poles to get down and grappling hooks to get up.
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At least it was only your big toe and not your noggin. Stairs are such a huge hazard...we just need teleporters already.
I think Portal conclusively proved that teleportation would be a violation of the law of conservation of mass and energy. Unless, I speculate, all acts of teleportation were counterbalanced by an equal and opposite teleportation at the same time. But for that to apply to our stair problem, we'd need to wait to use the teleporter to go one way along the stairs until somebody else, at the other end, came along to go the other way.
That... and this little paradox.
(http://apina.nwpshost.com/full/6671.png)
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dammit you guys!
late night reading of this topic lead to me having a portal related dream!
frustration: a significant lack of aperture guns (or whatever they're called).
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I once broke the nail off my big toe completely. As a result, it never grew back right and is constantly ingrown, no matter how many times I fix it.
Yeah, the lack of portal guns is rather annoying, but the lack of cake is more annoying.
I'm frustrated that every appliance in our house is breaking from being old and overused or being destroyed by our damn puppy. We have more duct tape in use then anything else.
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Less than two months ago I was in a car wreck with my grandma in a new car. The car was totaled. We got a new one. No one was hurt (except my Nintendo DS).
Less than a week ago we were in ANOTHER FREAKING ACCIDENT. Some freaking moron was parked on the tollroad--PARKED ON THE HIGHWAY. So they guy in front of us swerved out of our lane, and we swerved when we saw why HE swerved, but didn't quite manage to get all the way out of the way, so we hit the freaking pickup's rear right bumper with our driver side bumper, spun into the lane on the right, ANOTHER DAMN PICKUP hit us on the passenger side bumper, and we finally came to a stop.
Needless to say that another brand new car was totaled.
And now my grandma's in the hospital with a fractured vertebra. I don't like the woman (for reasons I can't discern...), but I wouldn't wish that on anyone except the obese idiot who caused the accident--who may, actually, have gotten the same, as I noticed she was carried out of her 'car' (FREAKING PICKUP) on a stretcher.
So yeah. We will basically have no Christmas. This year is getting off to a sucky end. The best we can hope for is a) three months or more of rehab and recovery for grandma, or b) a surgery and possible even-worse side effects.
So yeah, I'm $%*!ing frustrated.
Had to get that out. I can rant better here than I can elsewhere.
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Or we can just do away with stairs and use fire poles to get down and grappling hooks to get up.
This is a great idea. it would pretty much force people to get in shape. You can be fat and go up stairs, but grappling up a wall? Ha!
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Who the FUCK drives around revving their motorcycle at almost 2 am on Christmas Eve?? Some idiot has been doing that for the past hour. Guess what? You're not cool.
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I'd go so far as to venture that the two quantities are inversely proportional.
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Who the FUCK drives around revving their motorcycle at almost 2 am on Christmas Eve?? Some idiot has been doing that for the past hour. Guess what? You're not cool.
My neighbour thinks it's cool to rev up his motorcycle for 20 minutes as noisily as possible at 6 in the morning.
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I have a neighbor like that. In fact, they live in the house right across from ours...well, almost. Annoying as crap.
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They stopped after about an hour and a half. I almost called the local police department to get them to shut up. Luckily, I didn't have to.
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That sucks. Yesterday, people were having an obnoxious party up the street. I actually thought somebody went into my garage and was playing my Bass, for some reason. The mind makes weird shit up when you're half-asleep.
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So two nights ago my sister ended up hitting a parked car, tearing her bumper to shreds and leaving a scratch on that guy's car. The people came out of their house, called some friends to assess the damage, then proceeded to their insurer and everyone was cordial about it. Within the last hour, my sister-in-law's car was hit by someone who proceeded to drive off. Since it's Christmas we'll have to sit and wait on hold for a while till a representative can speak with us.
If you're gonna hit a person's car, have the decency to tell them. And on the chance that you believe people should be more pleasant on Christmas, but you still decide to drive off, you're a real prick. I wish we could just find the guy and his car and tear him a new one. WHERE'S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE WHEN YOU NEED ONE? Oh, there are no such things as Christmas miracles? That sucks.
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So I'm almost done updating the site, and then I discover that there's a 16-page backlog of COMIX submissions.
Good for surrealism, yeah. But fuck, I'll never have this damn thing finished! My night is gone!
(http://chronofan.com/Black/Stories/COMIX/ct12.png)
I was on a roll that day.
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good news and bad news. bad news is im sick and feel like crap. good news is i didnt have to go in today.
oh, and worse news.
were going up to new hampshire to visit my insane aunt. she missed us, but i certainly didnt miss her. this particular aunt, aunt renee, is the kind of lady who keeps a million cats in the house, yet still expects us to dress up for her.
im going to miss you nice blue polo...
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I always introduce the girl I am into to someone else, and it is starting to piss me off. Two them have even gotten married, why must I be so damn good at match making. :(
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I always introduce the girl I am into to someone else, and it is starting to piss me off. Two them have even gotten married, why must I be so damn good at match making. :(
Sounds like your friends are jerks lol.
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I can't blame them because its always friends of a friend. My friends are all well aware of the bro code.
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Finally have my wisdom teeth out. Hurts like hell.
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I can't blame them because its always friends of a friend. My friends are all well aware of the bro code.
Are you aware that they actually turned "the Bro Code" into a book, and therefore, a living document?
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Phew! It's been a full four days. My dad and sister are back on their way down to California, and I'm ready to go to sleep now.
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Why are the celebrities I like always end up being so messed up?
Years ago, it was OJ before the trials.
Now it's Charlie Sheen. You were doing decent enough, man! Why'd you have to screw up now?!
*cries in a corner*
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Two celebrities in fifteen years...I'm not sure that qualifies as "always." Unless you've only ever liked those two.
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The internet connection here at my parent's house is just horrid. Grrr.
Also, I've been randomly ill for the past two days. Constant nausea, bad headache and general exhaustion. Not fun. I really hope this doesn't completely muck up the rest of my winter break--I go back to school on the 5th. I definitely don't want to spend my last few days here feeling awful!
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I find nosebleeds to be very frustration. I've had about four nosebleeds in the last two days. I was going to go to the mall later today, but now I don't know if I should go. Last thing I want is to get a nosebleed in public.
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Yikes! That's understandable. Sorry to hear about that. My boyfriend gets nosebleeds quite often because he has a Vitamin K deficiency--maybe you have that?
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On that note, I've been getting watery eyes most every time I've gone out in the cold these past two months. Really watery...tears streaming down my cheeks in a matter of minutes, or even seconds. I've never experienced anything remotely like this before. I have no clue what's causing it.
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On that note, I've been getting watery eyes most every time I've gone out in the cold these past two months. Really watery...tears streaming down my cheeks in a matter of minutes, or even seconds. I've never experienced anything remotely like this before. I have no clue what's causing it.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/eyes_water.html
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The fear of death.
I find it such a trivial, irrational fear often assumed ironically by those who have nothing to live for. Why fear what you cannot avoid? In all reality, I find the concept of death comforting, even as an atheist. Something about slipping into nothingness after living a life as fully as I can makes it a reward, instead of a penalty.
Bottom line: I'd rather live for today and forge my dreams than imprison myself with such nonsense nightmares.
EDIT:Fix'd
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Lord J: It's not always about syllables, it's about how it rolls off the tongue!!
Arakial: I'd imagine most fear of death comes from going before you're ready, so to say. I fear death at times, not cringing in my corner fear but a fear nontheless...it comes from not being ready instead of having nothing to live for. Of course, I know nothing about the people you speak of, so...
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I agree with Shee. I'm not afraid of death because I have nothing to live for. Quite the contrary. I don't want to die because I don't want to leave those I love behind, and because I have so much more I want to do with my life. The concept is also daunting. I know it is a natural part of life, but I will admit that I am a bit frightened to think about going from being living--which is all I've ever known--to being dead. And death is physically painful, more often than not. I've been on the brink of death more times than I would like to remember, and it was very painful and terrifying.
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I myself do not fear death. I would also agree that it would be because you have things to leave behind is why one would fear it. Those that have nothing to live for seem more likely to just accept it and let it come when it does. But that's not why I don't fear it. I don't fear it because I know with my heart, mind, body and soul that I won't die, for a very, very long time. And that, my friends, is called true faith. Plus, what is death, but another part in the cycle of life. No one truly knows where we go, or even if we go anywhere. Thus, what happens after I die is not for me to worry about.
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As far as death for me is concerned, I'm not afraid of death.
I'm afraid of dying (more specifically, slow and painfully).
If I'm going to die in the future, I would want the process to be swift as possible.
This is why I support active, consensual euthanasia for the terminally ill, vegetative, and extremely elderly.
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I find it such a trivial, irrational fear assumed ironically by those who have nothing to live for.
Pah! This statement implies sufficiency, but not necessity. Come on, people! Since when did I say that only those with nothing to live for are afraid of death?
EDIT: But to satiate those who feel it is too ambiguous. This will work, yes?
I find it such a trivial, irrational fear often assumed ironically by those who have nothing to live for.
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I probably won't be able to see a good friend before I leave to go back to school on the 5th. That really sucks. :( Curses to my school for having a weird schedule.
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I'm kind of frustrated that I didn't save my money up and spend it all on a decent Mac back about this time last year. Now that I've been through a year or so of figuring out how audio is handled in Windows and Linux, I've come to really appreciate what Apple's done with CoreAudio.
Also, it's pretty much impossible to order certain parts here without them disappearing in the mail. Namely motherboards. As a result, I'm using one I bought out of necessity from some little shop here, and it's given me more grief this last year or so than anything else. Replacing it is one of the first things I plan on doing when I get back stateside at the end of this year.
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Also, it's pretty much impossible to order certain parts here without them disappearing in the mail.
That's a huge problem in the Philippines too. My family would always strongly encourage people to never send anything (especially money or checks or anything expensive) through the mail and instead wait a few years until we were back in the US, but a lot of them would ignore us and send things that, of course, would be forever lost. It was a huge frustration.
Sorry about the motherboard. :/ I hope the wait before you fly to the US won't be too irritating.
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Also, it's pretty much impossible to order certain parts here without them disappearing in the mail.
That's a huge problem in the Philippines too. My family would always strongly encourage people to never send anything (especially money or checks or anything expensive) through the mail and instead wait a few years until we were back in the US, but a lot of them would ignore us and send things that, of course, would be forever lost. It was a huge frustration.
Sorry about the motherboard. :/ I hope the wait before you fly to the US won't be too irritating.
Three different motherboards, actually, and some other parts. I'm kind of stupid, so I keep trying when something doesn't work.
I'm just glad all of the personal stuff I've had shipped to me has gotten to me just fine.
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I diligently worked most of the day to clear a time slot for a gathering today that I thought was at 8pm. It was actually at 5p, so I worked through the very thing I was working for. I have no one to blame but myself.
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I'm frustrated at myself for becoming addicted to the PC game, Spore. :( There I was making creatures, at 2 in the morning, when I realized I had become addicted. . . Why didn't I foresee this?
Fortunately, LegacyCrono's post about Love SQ brightened my mood a little.
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I'm frustrated at myself for becoming addicted to the PC game, Spore. There I was dreaming up creatures, at 2 in the morning, when I realized that I still have no sound and the game would be nothing without it.
But man, Spore is awesome, and that's just on the lowest graphics. I can't wait until I get a computer that can run it at all the highest settings.
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I have artist's block, which is plenty frustrating.
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Allergies. I was chinchilla-sitting for some friends, and in the current bag of timothy hay there is something that has really given me some miserable allergic bouts over the past two weeks.
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On the upside, I think it's awesome that you can claim to be in the same room with a chinchilla. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinchilla) We don't...get a whole lot of those where I live. :lol:
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Three chinchillas, in fact. A veritable nuclear family unit! (The third one is the unintentional progeny of the two more elder "females.") They're very cute. But oh how they poop...
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Fuck, I just saved all of my new avys as jpegs...V_V
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Ah jpegs, the bane of images. As far as I can tell, that is a format that should be done away with.
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Ah jpegs, the bane of images. As far as I can tell, that is a format that should be done away with.
Not a fan of lossy compression schemes?
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Personally, I'm just more upset that it's the default "Save As..." in MSPaint. There's got to be a way to change that, right? *grumble b. rumble*
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Not a fan of lossy compression schemes?
Nope. But to be fair, the only time I tend to edit graphics is when I am working on sprites. When one is working with a 32x16 pixel box, it is necessary that every dot of color remains the same.
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Personally, I'm just more upset that it's the default "Save As..." in MSPaint. There's got to be a way to change that, right? *grumble b. rumble*
Yeah, switch up to Paint.Net. 'Tis free, and much more versatile and cooler looking.
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Not a fan of lossy compression schemes?
Nope. But to be fair, the only time I tend to edit graphics is when I am working on sprites. When one is working with a 32x16 pixel box, it is necessary that every dot of color remains the same.
That sounds like a case of blaming the hammer for not being the screwdriver. JPEG is a great format for busy low- to mid-quality images of any size or quantity. The distortions are significant enough that I usually use other formats when creating images--BMP or one of the proprietary lossless formats for exact editing, and PNG for most everything else--but most of my acquired image library consists of JPEGs, and it serves pretty well.
We're still not to the point where every image can be a lossless file. Most people haven't access to enough bandwidth.
To whomever mentioned Paint.Net: That's a fairly good free editing program. I use it myself, more than occasionally. It supplants most of the functionality of Paint, but there have still been occasions when I've found myself going back to the basics. It's amazing how bloatware-free and effective the original MS applications are. Notepad. Paint. Good stuff! I still use Notepad almost every day as a format eraser.
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More of a case of blaming a sword for not being a scalpel.
Though on the topic of notepad... hmm... that very well may require a post to the Love thread.
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'Tis free, and much more versatile and cooler looking.
Wait a—
~
My frustration is the slow adoption of wireless technology and the hypocritical and hindering approach to technology in our society.
Imagine each house having a central wireless energy transmitter connected up to the grid, eliminating the need for power outlets and power cables. Imagine wireless global internet provision. Imagine no longer having wires all over the place for bloody monitors and mice and keyboards and speakers and televisions to transfer data between each other. That'd halve my blood pressure and List of Grievances right off the bat. The basic underlying technology's been around for over a hundred years. This could start happening now if people really willed it, but alas!
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I just got back from a dentist's appointment and half of my mouth is numb. To make matters worse, my mother is cooking one of my favourite dishes (chicken adobo) and the smell is intoxicating. But I can't eat until I get the feeling back in my mouth, because I certainly don't want to accidentally chew half my cheek off. -____-
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I stopped using notepad in place of the Scratch Pad gadget for my Google Desktop sidebar thingy...Though I've been collapsing the sidebar recently because I put too many news feeds in the Web Clips gadget and I get too distracted by it (it's all pr0n)...>_>
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Self-absorbed, ignorant, banal, selfish, narcissistic people. All of those things are irritating, but when all of those traits are found within a single person it is infuriating. I don't understand how they can live in a world of ignorance and self-obsession.
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Imagine each house having a central wireless energy transmitter connected up to the grid, eliminating the need for power outlets and power cables. Imagine wireless global internet provision. Imagine no longer having wires all over the place for bloody monitors and mice and keyboards and speakers and televisions to transfer data between each other. That'd halve my blood pressure and List of Grievances right off the bat. The basic underlying technology's been around for over a hundred years. This could start happening now if people really willed it, but alas!
What sort of range is there on wireless energy for powering devices? I'm aware of induction pads, but those require contact (to my knowledge).
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What sort of range is there on wireless energy for powering devices? I'm aware of induction pads, but those require contact (to my knowledge).
It really depends on the technology, but it is well explained here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_energy_transfer
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I'm frustrated at myself for becoming addicted to the PC game, Spore. There I was dreaming up creatures, at 2 in the morning, when I realized that I still have no sound and the game would be nothing without it.
But man, Spore is awesome, and that's just on the lowest graphics. I can't wait until I get a computer that can run it at all the highest settings.
I'm pretty much at that point to. Well the one being I need to get a new computer not being currently addicted to Spore. For which I was for several months. :lol:
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What sort of range is there on wireless energy for powering devices?
The practical range is quite small due to the low efficiency and that the technology is in its infancy. Admittedly my knowledge of it all is relatively small and there are practical reasons slowing the technology's progress, but I reckon that the obstacles that currently stand in the way would've been surmounted or that significant immediate headway could be made if industry and society in general were more forward-thinking. (Edit: It looks like (i.e., according to Wikipedia) microwave power transmission might be the way of the future: 95% efficiency, apparently no health issues, tens of kilowatts.)
Ah! Two more frustrations. First is that my desire to go into town is much higher in snow, but that that same snow largely cuts off the transport options that would allow me to do so. The second, which also serves as a disproof of God, is that the freshness of bread is inversely correlated with how well it takes spreads.
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I read last year about at least two different companies that are on the verge of offering a wireless power distribution system for home use. I tried to pull up the articles, to no avail. If those announcements were not wishful thinking on the part of PR flacks, we'll be hearing more about both technologies this year.
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Excellent! Although we all know those goons in the copper industry will ensure several more decades of dilly-dallying about before our computers and televisions and Nintendus are 'wireless-ready'.
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Drove across town after work for an open mic and the place was closed. No announcement. This holds things off for another week. Rabble rabble rabble rabble...had a lot of brand new material and was going to record it. Wouldn't have been so rough if it wasn't for the distance/traffic thing.
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You're in L.A., right? That is a drive! People who haven't been may not be able to appreciate that this ain't no Anytown (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Los+Angeles,+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.564064,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Los+Angeles,+California&ll=33.886377,-117.866821&spn=1.032846,3.515625&t=h&z=9) we're talking about. Was your cross-town drive north-south or east-west?
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Oh wow. I had the opportunity to visit LA for the first time this past June, and good lord, I thought the traffic was going to kill me. I can drive in Atlanta, GA. I can drive in Orlando, FL. I can even drive in Dallas (these are all pretty stressful places during rush hour). However, I have no desire to actually drive through LA again.
I'm pretty unflappable when it comes to traffic, but Los Angeles... no. Just no. San Juan Capistrano is about as far north from San Diego as I'll venture, and I'd rather go way, waaaay around LA at that. So I have a lot of respect for anyone who can brave LA traffic.
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I have a soft spot for Los Angeles freeways. I was born in L.A. and took a fast liking to the freeways. My mom would drive me around on them when I was little. I loved the bridges, the lanes, the stripes, the flow, the curves, the orderly ballet of vehicular Russian roulette. We moved out of town when I was three, but whenever we drove back into L.A. we of course would take freeways all the way down, across town, coming from the 15 and usually ending up in Santa Monica via the 10. (In Los Angeles, we don't use the word "Interstate"; we just call them by their numbers.) I loved it.
There's an interchange which is my absolute favorite. It is a marvel of civil engineering and turns out to have its own Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Los_Angeles_Interchange). If you're heading west on the 10 from the San Bernardino stretch to the Santa Monica stretch, you have to get onto the 5 briefly. The ramps for it are incredible. You're in this cozy, hilly little place west of the 710, then you swoop out into the open, flanking the 5, and suddenly you're way above the ground and crossing the Los Angeles River. The westbound trip is the best, from an aesthetic point of view, but to do it the most justice I think I would describe it in terms of going the other direction, eastbound: Going that way is like crossing into the Fangorn Forest. The satellite images don't do it justice; you have to drive it.
For me, the bane of driving in Los Angeles is not the freeways, because, even though the people there are homicidal misanthropes, it's something I've had plenty of time to get accustomed to. No...the bane for me is merging. Whether on surface streets or on the freeway, I hate changing lanes--especially when I've got to do it in dense, fast-moving traffic in a short distance. Driving in L.A. is about one million times nicer when I can just pick a lane and stay there.
Here in Seattle, we have one major freeway, one major bypass loop, two connector highways between them, and a handful of minor freeways that run for short distances. More than anything else, that's why Seattle feels so small to me.
I hear the real fun driving is in the Northeast...
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All right, LAers, which bridge is this? It's...
Oh, found it. In fact, someone has a great page for all the filming locations of To Live and Die in LA: http://www.seeing-stars.com/locations/ToLiveAndDie1.shtml
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Sweet shots! I am a bit north of San Pedro. And J, I might need some of that softness for my sanity on these freeways. Due to a love interest not exactly working out I call Santa Monica the root of all evil, but then I realized it really IS the root of all evil because if I'm over there at any point after 2pm it's gonna take me over an hour to get back home. The area is ok I s'pose. The 10 and the 405 hate me, the 170 is uuuuugly but I'm on it a lot, the 101 is rough too. I do enjoy the 110, shitty as it is. I'll be stuck in traffic moping away with longing eyes at the ol' Staples Center...wishing to be at a hoops game...or pretty much anywhere other than traffic.
I haven't spent much time on the 710, but I'll vouch that the 210 has some scenic spots to it. And I defenitely agree on getting to a lane and just staying there. And instead of taking the 405 millions of hours north sometimes I like to just plod through Sepulveda, which has its moments....south of the 101 at least. Traffic sucks.
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I find it odd that you moved from LA to Seattle, and complain about the merging back in LA. Do you not drive up here?
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Merging can be tough here too, but I'm rarely in a position where I need to do serious merging in a short distance. And the drivers here won't shoot you for merging in front of them.
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Ahh. Nothing like watching an episode of Law & Order SVU to remind you what kind of fucking filth humanity can be. Do the creaters actually think these shows might somehow stop all the freaks out there? No. It's just fucking exploitation. Nobody cares about awareness, they just want cheap 'entertainment'.
Pisses me off so much.
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L&O:SVU is one of the most unrealistic shows I've ever had the misfortune of viewing. Policemen and detectives and even people who perform fucking rape kits don't act like that in the real world. Or if they do, I've never met or heard of one.
Although I've never heard anything about SVU or someone working on the show stating that it somehow prevents sexual violence.
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Watch The Wire!!!!!! Get through the first 3 episodes and you'll never watch Law and Order again!!!!!!
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Merging can be tough here too, but I'm rarely in a position where I need to do serious merging in a short distance. And the drivers here won't shoot you for merging in front of them.
520 West to I-5 South, City Center Exit.
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http://www.overclock.net/windows/569458-microsoft-attack-linux-retail-level-probably.html
This is one of the many reasons why I dislike Microsoft.
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http://womensrights.change.org/blog/view/buddhist_monks_freak_out_over_female_ordination
Real Buddhism (not western cherrypicking new age spiritualism) is rigid, dogmatic, and sexist! Who knew? For centuries, Buddhists have kept women out of the clergy and reinforced sexism via the social order, and now, an ordained female monk is causing a big fucking noise. Fucking anti-spiral self-hating jackass Buddhists. Abrahamic clergy always claim some kind of authority and prestige, but even more insidious is this idea in the West that Buddhist monks and practitioners are enlightened, special thinkers and gentle, non-violent paragons and saints of humanity, and it's all because they gave up on getting the things they want in life and decided to sit around meditating and starving. What a giant waste of potential and life.
Fuck all religion, superstition, and supernatural faith. Die the motherfucking death.
Edit: The comment at that article is fucking glorious:
What? Patriarchy in a Buddhist culture? But but...I thought Buddhist countries were havens of peace, tolerance, equality, veganism, and all the things good and pure. What next? Will we learn that Buddhist cultures have been historically just as socially harsh as European ones? That they too have waged bloody wars in the name of ideologies? I guess I can't rely on the self-help industry to teach me about human history, religion and culture anymore :( Now where do I turn? Can I ever do yoga again? Will I ever be able to consume processed Buddhism again without my modern western sensitivities remembering this offense?
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I've almost run out of food. I have one frozen pot pie left and then I'm out. >< I usually accompany my roommate (who has a car) to the grocery store, but apparently she's fallen off the face of the earth. I got back to school early Wednesday morning and I haven't seen her at all.
Also, my suitemates keep leaving the door to the balcony in the main room open and then LEAVING the entire dorm with it open. What the hell?! Why do you need to crack the door open when it's 13 degrees outside? So now the entire suite is freezing. I can't even go to the fridge to get a drink of water without shivering. Ugh. I like being cold a lot more than being hot, but I don't want the door open when it's 13 degrees outside. I'd also never leave the fucking dorm with it open. Idiots. :x
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Ah, yes. The famous college student food budget. What kinds of food do you eat on the cheap? Heh. And how does that compare to what you would eat if money were no object?
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Ah, yes. The famous college student food budget. What kinds of food do you eat on the cheap? Heh. And how does that compare to what you would eat if money were no object?
Well, I can't cook. :oops: I usually eat cereal, microwavable dishes, a lot of rice that I make in my rice cooker (I eat my rice plain, usually), peanut butter and honey sandwiches, English muffins, fruit, and lots of soup. None of those things are all that expensive.
If money were no object I would buy a car so that I wouldn't have to walk to the grocery store (which is a mile away)! :P But in all seriousness, I don't think my eating habits would change all that drastically if I had more money.
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Z, whenever people here engage in a coffee-table conversation over religion and try to put it in a positive light, you always manage to bring up some random article that puts religion in a bad light in order to put things back on track, because hey! We can't allow a divine foot in the proverbial door of lifetime beliefs (i.e. personal providence).
You say that religion has been and still is ruining the society you live in, and you spend what seems to be every day of your life pondering on ways to rid the world of it. You assert that religion is childish yet you suggest instead that we resort to atheism as we are all atheists during our childhood years.
It's sort of like you're saying, "I can't tolerate religion because religion is intolerant. And no type of intolerance should be tolerated."
I won't get much more into it now, but I'll be happy to discuss more in, say, a new thread?
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try to put it in a positive light
What reason is there to glorify ignorance? Humor or satire, maybe, but that's not positive in the way you're imagining.
manage to bring up some random article
I wasn't lying. Sexism in Buddhism and religion at large isn't "random". Can you grasp the randomness of a Buddhist "spiritual director" being rebuked for ordaining two women? That's not chance—it's indicative of deeply misogynist practitioners of Buddhism and sexist attitudes and traditions.
Here's another "random" article that came out today about religion oppressing women: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/opinion/10kristof.html
That's two in a single day! Coincidence? Or maybe religion actually oppresses women, including Buddhism?
You say that religion has been and still is ruining the society you live in, and you spend what seems to be every day of your life pondering on ways to rid the world of it. You assert that religion is childish yet you suggest instead that we resort to atheism as we are all atheists during our childhood years.
It's sort of like you're saying, "I can't tolerate religion because religion is intolerant. And no type of intolerance should be tolerated."
There are many differences that should be tolerated and celebrated. There are differences of language, taste in art, cuisine, skin and eye color, and many other things under the sun. But religion is a form of ignorance, and ignorance cannot be tolerated in civilization. Schools correct children who cannot do math. Who will correct adults who cannot grasp reality or acknowledge the deleterious effects of irrational belief?
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Current frustration: School break
We get three weeks off at my school. That's a whole week longer than any other school in the district. The problem is that the brake is STILL going on and it's taking forever to end. What sucks more is that all the friends I would hang out with are back in school and the others I only ever see during school or at school functions. I'm basically stuck in a rut, waiting to get back out. Boy, do I hate waiting. It pisses me off to have to wait.
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Y'know, Zeality, I've been wondering lately how you would react to encountering a major religious denomination that does not visibly practice discrimination (including being quite happy to marry same-sex couples and ordain lesbians) and which doesn't preach--to anyone, including members--except during church services and other functions clearly set aside for the purpose. Would that be enough to convince you that discrimination and rudeness are not necessary components of religion? If not, what would it take? (Claiming that there is no possible way to disprove your position is at least as fundamentally irrational as believing in a deity or deities.)
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It's sort of like you're saying, "I can't tolerate religion because religion is intolerant. And no type of intolerance should be tolerated."
That is sage advice. But your wording creates the potential for confusion. Intolerance against the innocent and intolerance against the intolerant are not the same thing. Worth mentioning.
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Y'know, Zeality, I've been wondering lately how you would react to encountering a major religious denomination that does not visibly practice discrimination (including being quite happy to marry same-sex couples and ordain lesbians) and which doesn't preach--to anyone, including members--except during church services and other functions clearly set aside for the purpose. Would that be enough to convince you that discrimination and rudeness are not necessary components of religion? If not, what would it take? (Claiming that there is no possible way to disprove your position is at least as fundamentally irrational as believing in a deity or deities.)
The religion would still facilitate belief of the nonexistent in its adherents, undermining their reason, compartmentalizing their intelligence, and making them high-functioning delusionaries.
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So your complaint is that their delusions don't match up with your own? Talk about bigotry.
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Completely unrelated frustration: Motrin lasts nowhere near long enough, and all other pain pills leave you loopy. Medication sucks.
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Talk about bigotry.
Whether it's fair to call ZeaLitY "bigoted" may depend on how closely "bigotry" is related to "discrimination." Z holds powerful beliefs about religion, and while these obviously come out during discussion and arguments such as this one, he hasn't let his attitudes affect recognition of hard work in his administration of the Compendium, and nor has it affected his support for Barack Obama to any degree I can observe. I find this rather impressive, myself.
However, now that I think of it, I'm not sure just how closely related the concepts of "bigotry" and "discrimination" are. What a fascinating topic of discussion this could be!
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So your complaint is that their delusions don't match up with your own? Talk about bigotry.
That last sentence was clearly what you wanted to say all along. If you actually gave some of Z's more comprehensive posts against religion a chance or looked into the matter with an open mind, you'd understand his position. As it is, your sensibilities have been offended, which is unfortunate, but doesn't make Z wrong here or a bigot.
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ZeaLitY a bigot, eh? Interesting charge. What's your argument in support of it, alfadorredux? I'll listen!
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from dictionary.com
big⋅ot⋅ry /ˈbɪgətri/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [big-uh-tree]
–noun, plural -ries.
1. stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.
2. the actions, beliefs, prejudices, etc., of a bigot.
Synonyms:
1. narrow-mindedness, bias, discrimination.
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dis⋅crim⋅i⋅na⋅tion /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [di-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn]
–noun
1. an act or instance of discriminating.
2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.
3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination.
4. Archaic. something that serves to differentiate.
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It doesn't seem to help Z's case. But the definition of "bigot" seems sort of broad - to the point where a huge volume of people could be considered bigots outright because of their actions. Even if not, their personal thoughts could also lump them into the "bigot" category.
In the case of Z, it seems as though Alfadorredux wishes to place the blackmark of "bigot" onto Zeality to undermine anything Z has to say.
"Oh, of course he would say that about Christianity, he's a bigot." <----- That sort of attitude.
Nothing more than an attempt at a weak smear campaign. Oh but wait, its okay to call Z a bigot because he curses various religious institutions with demeaning labels as well, right???
No. There is a difference between the statements: "Buddhism is bad because it discriminates against women by failing to allow them equal access to certain levels of "clergy-like" status" and "Zeality is a bigot so what he says has lesser value."
Maybe if Z started all of his posts with "Well, religion is cool and all but...." , some people might not have such trouble with him.
I dislike Alfadorredux's post because he merely hides his own bigotry against Zeality's stance by attacking Z directly.
The label itself is basically meaningless because many many people will take and unshakable stance against something that someone else supports with equal fervor. Puff, puff, pass the bigotry around, everyone gets some. What an absolute joke.
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ZeaLitY is rigidly intolerant of theist points of view, and never ignores any opportunity to attack them, even when they are harmless. To my mind, that meets the definition of bigotry. You're free to disagree.
My problems with his behaviour have nothing to do with the specific target of his actions, actually--I'd be just as happy not to have to defend the religious, because some of them are guilty of the sexist and other nasty actions that he accuses them of. But ZeaLitY really, really rubs me the wrong way because he effectively sets himself up as the thought police. Who the fuck is he to decide what other people should think or believe? That's exactly what the people he's complaining about are doing. He's preaching a religion just as much as they are--it's just that his happens to be antitheism and "rationality". And I consider preaching to be wrong no matter who is doing it, or what their topic is. It's an attempt to force people to accept your way of thinking, instead of letting them make their own decisions. Thing is, unless they do make their own decision, whatever you force into them will never be more than a thin veneer over what they truly believe. Preaching is a recipe for creating resentment and backlash.
And there's another little problem with what he's preaching: some of mankind's greatest achievements are founded on the irrational. Art and literature are not rational--in fact, I would describe them as the active pursuit of delusion. A perfectly rational, perfectly well-adjusted human shouldn't need escapist entertainment...say, what is this board supposedly devoted to, again?
(Side note: I hatehatehatehateHateHATEHATE debates--my first instinct when someone comes at me trying to prove a point is to cower in a corner like an abused child trying to escape an inevitable blow--and so I have no debating skills. ZeaLitY, and other people who make statements that I think are seriously, dangerously wrong, occasionally cause the bottled-up mixture of terror and resentment involved to reach a critical pressure, at which point I explode...as I did this morning. I always regret it afterwards, because it's as much an emotional as a rational reaction and between that and my lack of debating skills, I can't defend my position effectively and end up looking like an idiot (which I hopefully am not) as well as a basket case (which I arguably am). Sorry. You'd think I'd know enough to keep my mouth shut.)
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Alfadorredux, this is the internet. There is absolutely no way Z, tordeal, J, Genesis, or anyone else can force you to believe anything. You can choose not to read anything related to debate, religion, or atheism. The only one who can force you to believe anything is yourself. If it bothers you, why bother taking the time to read it?
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@Zephira: I usually try to avoid reading certain people's posts to the General board, but it doesn't always work, for a couple of reasons.
One is that it really frustrates me that I have to oh-so-carefully avoid even getting near a whiff of opposition, and so I make sporadic attempts to desensitize myself. They tend to be counterproductive.
The other is due to the fact that I sometimes use the Recent Posts function to figure out what's been going on here during my absence, and that means I see posts from every part of the forums. I don't always have the willpower to skip past the ones that I know are potentially dangerous...which is my own fault. My judgement isn't always everything it could or should be.
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ZeaLitY is rigidly intolerant of theist points of view, and never ignores any opportunity to attack them, even when they are harmless. To my mind, that meets the definition of bigotry. You're free to disagree.
As per the definition I gave above, Z would be considered a bigot. I, however, do not find that label to be of any value - it does support or cripple any point he makes.
...people who make statements that I think are seriously, dangerously wrong, occasionally cause the bottled-up mixture of terror and resentment involved to reach a critical pressure, at which point I explode...
Sound familiar?
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ZeaLitY is rigidly intolerant of theist points of view, and never ignores any opportunity to attack them, even when they are harmless.
I don't attack "Jesus said, help the poor." But I do attack the behavior of the Salvation Army, which helps the poor so that it can use its clout to influence policymaking decisions of cities to support its beliefs. Same goes for the Catholic charity in DC, which also threatened to close its homeless shelters this season as DC mulled over giving homosexuals the right to marry. DC approved the right, called the Catholics' bluff, and the Catholics backed down. This is evil, evil behavior. It needs to be exposed and publicly damned.
My problems with his behaviour have nothing to do with the specific target of his actions, actually--I'd be just as happy not to have to defend the religious, because some of them are guilty of the sexist and other nasty actions that he accuses them of.
Most, not some. The Catholic flock who give donations to Papal coffers are enablers for the Pope to execute his drastic, anti-human policies and spread his ignorance. Mere adherents of a religion are also usually walking promulgators of that religion, even if in subtle ways. And beyond this, religious people who predicate their behavior on an irrational worldview (such as people who live based on gender roles prescribed by holy texts) are hindering themselves and the rest of the humanity in their behavior.
But ZeaLitY really, really rubs me the wrong way because he effectively sets himself up as the thought police. Who the fuck is he to decide what other people should think or believe?
Humanity's very civilization and modern existence is founded on an attachment to reality. Humanity didn't invent airplanes and molecular science by reading the Bible. Humanity did so only after thousands of years of the scientific method in action—observing; hypothesizing; learning from mistakes and results—not by asking "God" or listening to seers and revelators. Reason is how an average human learns to fix a computer error; how a child learns to avoid touching a hot stove; how a scientist learns how to cure a disease.
Religion (or rather, faith) is diametrically opposed to reason. It is based on preconceived, fictional conclusions about the universe and phenomena. It suspends the process of learning and asks its adherents to accept prefabricated results. These tenets of belief were not handed down by divine authority; they were dreamed and written by humans, just as L. Ron Hubbard created Scientology, the Greeks created their pantheon, and early humans created the Abrahamic religions. These are works of fiction, taken to be reality. This is ignorance.
So to answer your question, I can be the thought police because this is a matter of reason, and faith is unreasonable. And I exercise that capacity because faith is also detrimental to humanity.
That's exactly what the people he's complaining about are doing. He's preaching a religion just as much as they are--it's just that his happens to be antitheism and "rationality". And I consider preaching to be wrong no matter who is doing it, or what their topic is. It's an attempt to force people to accept your way of thinking, instead of letting them make their own decisions. Thing is, unless they do make their own decision, whatever you force into them will never be more than a thin veneer over what they truly believe. Preaching is a recipe for creating resentment and backlash.
The "atheist fundamentalist" label doesn't hold water. The "new atheists" are named so simply because they're actually defending reason and science, rather than hiding in the corner.
As for your second point, there is a justifiable need to "preach" reason. Because of religious belief, today, several newborn boys and girls have just been ritually mutilated. Several people have been discriminated against because of different beliefs. Several of those have been attacked because of different beliefs. Even more have had to spend a day in a world in which their rights are denied because of differing beliefs, or an absence of them. Today, women have been raped and sequestered in homes because religious belief grants this privilege to men. Other women have endured time in gender roles supported by religion. And the entire lot have wasted another day living a less meaningful life because of their irrational belief.
Religion's sins are innumerable—rape, violence, murder, discrimination, oppression, mutilation, ridicule, and tyranny—and every day, they make life on earth a living hell for some, and an illucid blunder for most others. Many religious people believe this world is fated to end in an apocalypse, and that humanity is inherently corrupted, and cannot avoid this self-destruction. I lack this irrational belief, and I'm committed to an earth and a humanity that is sustainable, even such that it can explore the wonders of the stars and the wonders of the mind. Religion is fighting that. For the sake of humanity, religion must be fought; faith must be battled with reason.
And there's another little problem with what he's preaching: some of mankind's greatest achievements are founded on the irrational. Art and literature are not rational--in fact, I would describe them as the active pursuit of delusion. A perfectly rational, perfectly well-adjusted human shouldn't need escapist entertainment...say, what is this board supposedly devoted to, again?
Artists and writers don't actually believe that the fictional worlds they've created actually exist, or that they're actually the omniscient Gods of those worlds. That's the difference. I don't defend reason as if I'm advocating some kind of Vulcan lifestyle. It is completely reasonable for a writer to imagine fantastic stories and create art based on his or her experiences, thus celebrating the human condition. It is completely unreasonable to actually believe in fairy tales like religion.
To return to your original charge of bigotry, I am intolerant of ignorance. So are businesspeople, engineers, artists, electricians, graphic designers, and even more so than many, schoolteachers and professors. To function in this world, we must be intolerant of ignorance; we demand logical behavior from our peers and ourselves to navigate the puzzles of life. Atheists and rationalists are merely being intolerant of an ignorance that's been institutionalized and romanticized for thousands of years. Of course some people are going to be offended. But they are believing in fairy tales, and their behavior is actively damaging and hindering humanity. Again, we don't call a teacher who corrects a child's math problem a "bigot of ignorance." I'm doing the same as that teacher. You are treating the religious as if their beliefs are worthy of respect, but their beliefs are naked emperors, demanding baseless, unwarranted respect. Let their assertions about the universe be treated just as all the others—with observation, testing, and reason.
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faith must be battled with reason.
These two things have battled on since the beginning of mankind. Who do you think sought them out in the first place? There were many reasons why religion was created. And a few why rationality was searched for. A reason for religion was for war and power, which were some of the things that came from rationality. For example, conquest of enemy territory. Rationality was found so that one could live a free life. And some religions have come to the same conlusion. Though these two things are complete opposites, they end up the same way.
So go ahead Zeality, fight for reason! But that will not end faith in others!
I myself have not taken a side for I seek both, thus I believe my life we'll head down a road majorly different from yours. But honestly, keep fighting. The world needs people to see reason. And there are people out there just like you who are doing the same for faith. And please, don't take anything out of context. Think of it as a whole. It works better that way, or at least that's what I've come to understand.
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So go ahead Zeality, fight for reason! But that will not end faith in others!
You forget.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/3881382.jpg)
I'm in the springtime of my youth!
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I still don't understand a lot about this world. In other words, I don't get what the punch line is supposed to be.
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You can't apply reason to the Springtime of Youth!
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So go ahead Zeality, fight for reason! But that will not end faith in others!
You forget.
image of Kamina
I'm in the springtime of my youth!
GO BEYOND THE IMPOSSIBLE AND KICK REASON TO THE CURB!
Throw out logic and do the impossible, thats the way team Gurren operates.
Something doesn't quite add up right.
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My frustration: Hierarchy Homogenization.
These days, everything is a corporation, with its CXOs and phalanx of vice presidents. Even the government has been condemned, with a straight face and total sincerity, for not being run more like a corporation. Corporations aren't, or ought not to be, the final form of our country's countless organizations.
What about all the other hierarchies we used to respect? What about coaches (of sports teams), editors (of newspapers), principals (of schools), captains (of ships), directors (of films), and so forth? Nowadays those hierarchies are strictly confined to their historic boundaries, while the “business side” of their operations has been supplanted with corporate hierarchical arrangements in order to satisfy the legalities of doing business such as we have set for ourselves in America. Meanwhile, most if not all new ventures in the country are not given any colorful structure all their own; they're structured with that bland corporate style and nothing else. Ugh! By itself a corporate hierarchy is well and good, but as the be-all and end-all for organization in America I find it sorely disappointing. I think that by perceiving everything in corporate terms we are missing out in many cases on better ways of doing things. Look at the etymology of some of those other words to get just a taste of what we're missing.
My enterprise will deliberately eschew any semblance of corporate hierarchy, beyond the minimum legally necessary to operate as a corporation. There might be a CEO on paper, but the real power will be arranged along an axis of Pooh-Bahs, Gurus, Goalies, and Spalpeens.
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Speaking of corporations, Monsanto. They're the jerks who pretty much own all the food in the US. Only after going through a nutrition class did I learn that Futurama made Monsanto own the moon in the year 3000. The way things are going, Monsanto WILL own the moon before long. If you care for your health and don't mind the expense, try sticking to local farmer's markets for real food (Pike Place being the best market of all.
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Today was really crappy, and it didn't help that I've pulled / strained a muscle in my neck. I can't turn my head to the left at all. It's very annoying and very painful.
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Hopefully your neck is feeling better, Saj.
As for my own frustration, there is this one doctor that I work with who is an utter ass. No, I am being too nice. Let me put it this way. I work with a lot of doctors who are conducting research. This particular one is probably the most likely to make medical breakthroughs at the expense of patient lives. He's smart, but not uncommonly so. Certainly not anywhere near as smart as he thinks. The problem is, however, that he also thinks his intelligence excuses his assholery. At best, he's the Dan Quayle of medical researchers, thinks he's the FDR, and acts like the Joe Bidden on a bad day.
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Potatoe!
(Sorry...)
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About that bad, yes.
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"Cotton-Eye Joe" is running through my head.
I think that is grounds for homicide.
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Hopefully your neck is feeling better, Saj.
It is completely better (I think, anyway). Thank you!
I'm writing a poem in French for D for our 3 year anniversary (coming up in a week!!), and oof...talk about frustrating! I'm not as good at French as I would like to be. It's difficult enough for me to write a poem in English, let alone a second language.
D doesn't know any French, by the way. He thinks the language is very pretty and likes it when I talk to him in French. So I think this will be a nice gesture. Whether or not he wants me to translate the poem after I read it to him is his choice. :)
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http://scienceblogs.com/drugmonkey/2010/01/is_one_with_a_substance_use_di.php?utm_source=readerspicks&utm_medium=link
Earlier in this thread, I expressed frustration at the fact that people with mental diseases are described in terms of the disease, rather than in being sick with it. Well, a study was done (with substance addiction) that showed a connection between such wordings and peoples view of the people with these diseases.
I wish my initial frustration had been an overreaction. At the moment, I'm frustrated that my position has been vindicated.
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One of those insufferable Tea Party people just got elected to Ted Kennedy's old seat in the Senate. Sigh. Massachusetts, of all places! Our elected Democrats failed us last year, and now it looks like, amazingly, we're not willing to come out and vote for them this year. Who would have thought?!
Thus ends the mighty, vaunted, invincible 60-seat Democratic filibuster-proof Senate majority. Hah!
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dammit massachusetts! youre the homeland!
at least you werent in ma over the election. my family kept calling and telling us how much the ads sucked.
coakly: scott brown is bad!
brown: i drive a truck!
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coakly: scott brown is bad!
brown: i drive a truck!
This is why America deserves to be annexed by the Joshalonian Empire. =/
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Ah, my frustration is complicated.
You see, I am a pacifist by nature (when it comes to people). I do not like fighting. I think yelling, shouting, and screaming your way in a conversation does not solve any problems. There are easier ways to talk, you see, and the trick is to remain calm. So WW3 is about to break out in my family, and suddenly I've become the peacemaker. Or rather, I'm the one that everyone is talking to and wanting to find a solution, but no one will actually listen to me. They're all trying to convince me that they are fighting for the Just and True Cause, and the other side is clearly wrong. What I can't seem to get across to all the parties involved is that they're all steaming mad, and no one is right (in fact, my very honest opinion of the matter is that everyone involved have lost their minds).
You know how they say that twins get along better than anyone else in the world? Well, if you believe that, I'd like to introduce you to my mother and her twin sister, who've both taught me everything about twins I never wanted to know. You see, my theory is this: Twins either love each other like no one else on Earth, or they hate each other with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns. Their latest spat has nearly split the family in two.
So for three days, while I'm trying to finish my book so I can get it to the prospective agent in time, I'm fielding phone call after phone call of crying, depressed and angry family. They all say they want my advice, but they don't really want to hear it (unless I'm validating their side of the story... which I'm not taking sides in this mess). My mother is angry that I'm not automatically taking her side. My aunt is angry that I'm not taking her side. I want to scream "CAN'T YOU BOTH SEE HOW CRAZY YOU'RE ACTING?!" But that would be a bad idea, probably.
Why in blazes are they even calling me, asking for my advice (because they say I'm so "levelheaded" and "calm") when they're clearly not interested in listening? I mean, they suggest they want to talk to me because I'm calm-natured and would be able to tell if they're acting out of anger. So when I suggest they might indeed be acting in anger, and they should put a few days between the event in question and their response (so they can calm down), they get frustrated.
I don't mind talking to (or mediating for) people who'll listen, but this is like beating my head against a brick wall.
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I see a pattern here. I think what you have to do when they make these kinds of calls is make it clear that you're not going to play war with them. You can tell them that you're willing to listen, but that you're not going to take sides and have no intention of validating their childish behavior. I don't expect that will help them to achieve a healthier state of mind, but it could, and in the meantime it will certainly establish some limits as to how much harassment you're willing to put up with from them.
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You see, I am a pacifist by nature (when it comes to people). I do not like fighting.
As am I. Even so, I take up Shotokan Karate. We are taught that we learn to fight so that we can learn not to fight. Being a pacifist doesn't mean that you shouldn't stick up for yourself.
On a side note... huzzah! Sun Stoner Status!
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Sun Stoner! Enjoy your moment!
(http://goreanmarket.com/store/images/categories/SunStone%20Medallion1.jpg)
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So, republican's have overrun the senate again.
Well that's it. The country is once again gonna be in the grip of psycho-christian right-wing nutjobs.
Might as well just go ahead and wait for the end of days because it's sure as hell coming now.
Republicans... well, they're self-explanatory. And Demoncrats are too damn busy sitting on their asses or playing the blame game to do something about. Both sides are fucked up.
And people wonder why I've lost faith in people. :picardno
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Dear Javascript,
If your actions are going to fall short of my expectations, the least you could do is send me an error message explaining why. Was it something I did? I thought that we were friends.
Sincerely,
The Uboa
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Dear Javascript,
If your actions are going to fall short of my expectations, the least you could do is send me an error message explaining why. Was it something I did? I thought that we were friends.
Sincerely,
The Uboa
http://getfirebug.com/
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Gotten.
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So, republican's have overrun the senate again.
In the words of Inigo Montoya: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Perhaps I missed something, but the Republicans are still in the minority in the Senate, yes?
And perhaps I missed something else, but the Democrats never actually had the filibuster-proof senate that people thought they had, on account of Joe Lieberman becoming more Republican every day, as well as other actual Democrats who were more moderate than others.
The problem isn’t in this minor shift of power but rather in how that shift is perceived. The more people run around and talk like it’s the end of the world, the more power those people are giving to the Republicans.
Democrats were already being idiotic about Health Care Insurance Reform. The more threatening this shift in power seems to them, the more idiotic they'll be.
EDIT: Also, my own frustration, in poetry form. I call it "Yargblablablaaaahhhh."
Oh computer, my old computer,
Why do you hate me?
You were infected with a virus
That I downloaded.
It was in a science PDF
from the endo site.
I didn't mean to hurt you, honest.
I tried to fix it.
I failed and reformatted you.
Now you do not work.
Oh computer, my old computer,
Why do you hate me?
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Sorry to hear about your computer, Thought.
On the other hand, I'm surprised you didn't some sort of filtering software that caught that.
It was like a rogue wave, wasn't it?
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Thanks, Genesis.
I had protection software going, and it did catch it, just not in time. This was combined with an older problem, however, in that I haven't been able to boot in safemode since the last time I reformatted my computer. If I had been able to, I am fairly sure I could have rooted out the virus (my wife had the same virus, we think, and we got rid of it on her computer but had to do it in safemode). I'd spent a good bit of time trying to get safemode to work, failed at that, and so I went with a reformat. I can now boot to safemode, but not normal mode.
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If it's any consolation, I lost my computer and all its files at least seven times in the past five years.
All that hard work down the drain... seven times.
Not learning my lesson of backing up my files in case something like that happened again... six times.
You're not alone. :cry:
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The mere inception of the filibuster is enough to frustrate me to no end....
Ah, ever just been in a real foul mood for "no reason?" I'm hittin day 1.5 of it. Usually there's something else bugging me and it's not for "no reason" but OI! I've just been Sir Grumps-alot. It'll pass.
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someone needs a hug.
mia and i are really going at it these last few days. it makes me not want to go to work at times. hopefully things will work out, and hopefully sooner rather than later.
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Totally muffed an open mic earlier tonight. Unacceptable performance. I'd like to say, "never again" but that's not wise. Gotta get past it and get better. Next shows will be better no doubt.
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My left ear is acting weird, feels partially deaf. I had an infection in it a few years back but I think it's just clogged up. Tried cleaning it out and no good... Maybe I should see a doctor.
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I attended the first atheist/agnostic club meeting last night. There didn't seem to be too many humanists at all in the mix; I was the only person among 25 who even dropped the term while we talked about personal stories and meaning in life. I did have a nice time refuting the idea that people touch "the light" when near death (it's a surge of brain chemicals) and attacking Deepak Chopra, fraudster extraordinaire. I even had a chance to turn the Carl Sagan "we are dust in the wind" thing on its head and praise the wonder of conscious and sentience.
There were some good social activists who desire a more intelligent world in attendance. But the situation was frustrating. They were all disheveled-looking and pursuing career paths that would grant them very limited power, and I got the feeling that their social causes were more a cause to socialize than a common thread of purpose. One's going to join the Peace Corps, and yet another wants to live in some native village and learn crafts. They're full of good opinions about the state of the world and politics, and yet...
Who'll take them seriously? They look unkempt and derelict. Many of them don't seem that interested or passionate about their causes, and most don't have a clear plan of action for what they intend to do. It's depressing. It comforts me somewhat, as my career, despite the lack of passion or interest I have in it, will provide me with the appearance, authority, and power to actually effect changes upon the world, even if fortune renders them small. I can't imagine how helpless I'd truly feel if I were a social activist and humanist without any kind of power or plan.
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I did have a nice time refuting the idea that people touch "the light" when near death (it's a surge of brain chemicals)...
Well that's some poor reasoning. Eat a lime; a surge of brain chemicals will tell you that it is sour. That an experience correlates with mental activity is only to be expected.
Curiously, the brain chemicals actually add a hint of truth to the individual's statement; from their perspective, they truly did "touch the light" when near death. The problem, of course, is between experience and reality. This is the force behind the old philosophical question of how we know what we experience truly exists. Am I a real person, for example, or just some aberrant portion of your own mind imagining this post?
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Am I a real person, for example, or just some aberrant portion of your own mind imagining this post?
You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato.
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I did have a nice time refuting the idea that people touch "the light" when near death (it's a surge of brain chemicals)
Discarding all the fruitcake divinity stuff around 'the light,' it is an interesting space to think about, that little pocket before you lose consciousness or die, whichever. I'm reminded of a few items, among them my almost - lit. about a foot - being hit by a car, crossing the street. I did spend a good day or so, questioning 'who, what just really happened??' I think there are different degrees and types of trauma that you can experience in these cases, whether it's a JOLT like being hit by a car, or something revisionist - when you look back on a childhood memory and suddenly realize a horrible truth or context for things.
What really comes to me is the experience of seizures. The space in between the realization and convulsion. The psychic aura you experience right before them is as close to 'the light' as I can imagine. And they take you to the verge of death at times as well, literally, LoL. But the warning signs are so out there. Early on when I was 5-6, it would be simple, visual distortions. Things moving. Vague sounds. Up to my early teens, I would always see the same thing: 3-D shapes and a gently moving, colourful poster that used to be at the library as a kid. There would be a spinning sensation as if looking deep into a starry night sky, and then I'd black out.
Nothing quite so interesting these days. The visual aspect is gone, replaced by a sharp ringing in the ear and a hot flash. But I'll never forget that recurring, dizzy, colourful slow-mo image from when I was a kid / teen.
So the *idea* of seeing 'the light' near death doesn't seem so absurd to me, personally. The very *sense* of reaching a peak, just before giving in, and seeing, sensing *something* be it light or whatever. It's a curious mental space.
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This morning I finished my latest viewing of the Cosmos documentary series, and caught a headline in the New York Times: Andrew Lange, Scholar of the Cosmos, Dies at 52 (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/science/space/28lange.html?hpw)
Ah, drat. Drat, drat. When these types of people take their own lives, it's always even more disappointing than usual. It seems like so much more of a waste. Like any human, I play favorites, and intelligent humans are my favorite.
When I was younger, I figured that most folks who committed suicide would do so at a relatively young age, but, as I later learned, this is not necessarily the case. Many people survive and even thrive decades, only to lapse into despair after all that, or to let their guard down and succumb to despair that was always there. I have an ex-friend who I strongly suspect will give in to suicide someday. Friends and family members have tried to do it. And the dean of my College of Engineering, who personally taught my freshmate interest group class, the auspiciously named Dean Denise D. Denton, would go on to the California university system and reach the rank of chancellor only to "successfully" take her own life less than a decade later. So senseless.
I support people's right to take their own life, but it is so senseless. You don't get another one. How sad, then, that even intelligent people like Drs. Lang and Denton, who presumably understand this, would be so consumed by despair to commit themselves willingly to oblivion while still in the thick of life.
It isn't necessarily the wonders of the cosmos that drive a gifted scientist or engineer to destroy themselves, but it surely can contribute. The cosmos seems neither concerned for us nor against us, but only indifferent. It is an intimidating subject of conversation. Be it the shape of the universe or the peril of our own species, there is so much to learn within the treasure chests of knowledge that would shake many kinds of person. The broader perspectives which knowledge can bring, is as dangerous to the untempered mind as a chain fission reaction is to the unshielded body. Why do so many people willingly, as adults, throw their minds into the pit of a religion? Why do so many more simply refuse to ponder anything more remote than the latest text message or their next meal? It is because when we evolved the power to think abstractly, we got more than we bargained for.
An endless universe, expanding forever into a filmy haze of subatomic particles. Dr. Lange helped to prove that this is the future ahead of us. No civilizations, and not even the inviting familiarity of hydrogen atoms to light suns. To a futurist like me, that's not simply dismaying. It's downright frightening. As surely as we are mortal, so too is all of existence doomed to die. As with our own lives, the only comforting part of this foretelling is the incredible time scale involved.
I don't judge anyone who contemplates suicide, nor anyone who actually goes through with it. I call it a waste. I call it a disappointment. But I cannot refute their motives. The mind is a personal place. I myself had a suicidal thought once, lasting for a few hours late one night during the spring break of the end of my senior high school year. I can still remember what it was like, just vaguely, to suddenly want nothing and feel all walls closing in. It was terrible, an emotion so vile that I could neither repulse it nor reconcile it, brought on by my acknowledgment that my childhood dream of ruling the universe and living forever was not going to happen. So, possessed as ever I have been of my dispassionate second self, I figured simply to wait it out. I played endless games of solitaire on the computer. Bill Gates and those silly electronic leaping cards helped me through a tough spot.
So far it is the only time I have ever seriously felt suicidal. Hopefully there will never be another moment like it again in my life. But who really knows what the future holds, when it comes to things like that? I'm better composed than most people. And I seem to have a healthier outlook on life than most people do. That gives me some hope for self.
Ah, but what a loss it is when others don't make it...especially when those others where on the upper end of the spectrum of our human character.
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Absolutely every metal surface, door handle, and water fountain in this school has shocked me today. I'm almost afraid to open doors here because of the impromptu "elctro-shock therapy".
The person who had this computer last class turned it off before he left (derp), and when I went to turn it on again, lo and behold, I get shocked again! This time it made a huge, bright spark. It was kinda pretty, but very bright (and painful). Stupid doors!
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holy shit.
j.d. salinger is dead.
and i love 'the catcher in the rye'. :(
in other news, mia and i are still fighting. im really hoping things will work themselves out, but im starting to doubt it. maybe i should look into other girls/guys.
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I don't, don't, don't like being hit on by guys. Especially if they know that I'm taken. It creeps me the fuck out.
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Son of a bitch, country music!
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Son of a bitch, country music!
This.
And Green Day.
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Son of a bitch, country music!
I find some of it quite good, and some of it sounds like a hick plucking strings. :?
In fact this is one of my favorite songs. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HECZbIMg9u8)
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ZeaLitY said something in this thread that I agree with.
The world is going to end. :shock:
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ZeaLitY said something in this thread that I agree with.
The world is going to end. :shock:
And then what? Is that it? Is that what humanity gets to look forward to?
The picture we have painted here is not optimistic. If, as the current evidence suggests, we live in a cosmological constant dominated universe, the boundaries of empirical knowledge will continue to decrease with time. The universe will become noticeably less observable on a time-scale which is fathomable. Moreover, in such a universe, the days—either literal or metaphorical—are numbered for every civilization. More generally, perhaps surprisingly, we find that eternal sentient material life is implausible in any universe. - Krauss, L. M. and G. D. Starkman. 2000. Life, The Universe, and Nothing: Life and Death in an Ever-Expanding Universe. Astrophys. J. 531: 22-30.
It is clear that the universe had a beginning, but it also has no end. Moreover, the nature of its laws of thermodynamics and dark energy guarantee that the universe will eventually destroy all life, knowledge, and consciousness as it suffers permanent heat death. This is the ultimate "hope" that humanity has for its future. IMHO, it's kind of bleak and pessimistic to just... well, accept it.
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If I'd realized at the time that my last post could be misread as a serious remark rather than a joke, I would have...added at least one more smiley, I guess. :picardno
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In that case, it's not as easy as interpreting it as to HOW you said it. It's WHAT you said.
I can't imagine how "The world is going to end" can be a joke.
How does one even joke about such things? :(
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Cultural divide? Or just the usual "tone of voice doesn't carry over teh Interwebz"? Where I come from, "[Some trivial unlikely thing happened, and so] the world is going to end," is a common joke formulation.
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Maybe it is cultural divide. Who knows?
Unless it's a video clip of you saying it, I wouldn't be able to tell if you were joking or not.
Tone of Voice simply doesn't carry over teh Internets.
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It's the general lack of audio.
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Insurance. Or more specifically, acquiring insurance.
What a nightmare and a half.
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I fell down the stairs again. Luckily, this time I managed to land on my feet, so all of my limbs and digits remained intact and unsprained.
But now, a rather frustrating tale: Earlier today, when I was at Gamestop, I had the opportunity to buy Sands of Destruction. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it, so I left for FYE, rather disappointed. I could not find it there, either, so I instead bought the newest Fire Emblem game. After perusing through the mall, I went back to Gamestop and found Sands of Destruction hidden behind two other games...and because I had bought the aforementioned Fire Emblem(plus a book at Books-a-Million), I was short five dollars.
So, while not as frustrating as insurance finding, through nothing but my own sheer stupidity, I missed out. Gah.
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Raw diets.
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I look forward to the eradication of the need for sleep.
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Maybe an alternative solution would be a greater capacity to control our subconscious so that we could still be active even during REM sleep...Sleep itself seems too necessary (& sometimes darn fun) to do away with completely...
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Never again will I leave the house without at least eight Motrin in my purse. I'm fine for the first six hours of school, then what I had with me wears off, and then two flaming beavers gnaw on my spine for the remaining four hours.
At least I learned that the Adobe Community Help Search feature is actually useful now.
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Sorry to hear about that, Zephira.
@Z: Unless we can build a working Enertron (after reverse-engineering one), sleep will have to make due.
And even if it did work... well...
"But you're still hungry..."
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The song "Let It Be" by the Beatles is frustrating.
Yeah, give up and feel warm and fuzzy in your mediocrity. What a fantastic message.
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Z, that song was written as a reaction against the psychedelic and progressive music dominant in the previous two years which made extensive use of studio trickery and complexity.
It's got nothing to do with what you're accusing it of being.
Geez, I can always leave it to you to find the negative in everything.
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Inside of every silver lining is a dark cloud, and at the end of every rainbow there is a leprechaun getting mugged.
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Z, that song was written as a reaction against the psychedelic and progressive music dominant in the previous two years which made extensive use of studio trickery and complexity.
McCartney said he had the idea of "Let It Be" after a dream he had about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles (the "White Album"). McCartney explained that his mother—who died of cancer when McCartney was fourteen—was the inspiration for the "Mother Mary" lyric.[2][3] McCartney later said, "It was great to visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So that got me writing 'Let It Be'."[4][5] He also said in a later interview about the dream that his mother had told him, "It will be all right, just let it be."[6]
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/OCR/misseditslugger.jpg)
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Christ. It looks like German language ability is valued highly (though not an essential requirement to a public accounting career) in central Europe. I have no intention of learning that language. French is also valued, so maybe I'll do a Third Way.
Fuck, though. All these little complications that arise because of an imperfect world.
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Don't blame Europe, blame the inept school system here. They barely teach English grammar these days. Second languages get even less attention. The only real meaningful practice you'll get is if your parents enroll you at an immersion school, or if you dedicate 3-4 years worth of undergraduate to it in addition to regular coursework.
I did 13 straight years of French from elementary to HS with solid marks. Tried first-year French in university and barely got a 59. I had a better grasp of Russian after 2.5 years than I ever did on French. Even if they'd just update the curriculum, textbooks etc. and recruit more native speakers to teach language classes for grades primary to twelve, it would make a huge difference.
Frustrations for me? Got to be the curriculum that I have to teach for this Russian history class. We're at the 1905-1917 period, and what does the prof have us reading about? Peasant superstitions about witchcraft. Domestic legislation relating to divorce, the rights of the Nobility etc. The diaries of female doctors. Never mind the fact that we've got major events like the 1905 revolution, the 1905 war with Japan, World War One, and the October Revolution. No, let's focus on everyday life and peasant issues. :picardno
I've practically got a revolution on my own hands from students' boredom and frustration with the material. Sign up for a Russian history survey and end up focusing on these obscure social studies as opposed to the meat and potatoes of things. Ridiculous. I've started circulating a list of additional readings to fill in these massive gaps in the coursework, but save for the 2-3 keeners on hand, most of them are hesitant to take on extra work, it being their first or second year of school. :?
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Ouch, sounds unpleasant. I'm kind of off the traditional grid with Czech; there's no Rosetta stone or easy software, so I'm going off a teach yourself book, a grammar book, http://www.milotice.com/, and eventually, my friend, who's already pointed out that I'm going to sound like the greatest stuffed shirt alive if I speak this proper Czech. (Annoying, since I kind of do want to speak proper Czech, you know?)
Most Czechs and Slovaks had to learn German growing up in the school system (another primary-to-college long-term focus), so I'm guessing that's a huge contributor to the necessity.
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I have no intention of learning that language.
Why not? Couldn't hurt to learn some rudimentary German, especially if it's valued so highly.
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I guess I don't really like it. I'm a quarter or more German by genetics, but I've never been particularly interested in the country or the culture, even after visiting. The giant resistance against fate, passionate sturm und drang thing is interesting, but...I don't know. With French and Japanese still on the menu besides Czech, and all the other ancillary ambitions, I'd just feel so guilty 'wasting' time with German if I could possibly avoid having to learn it.
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Makes sense. Learning second languages can be difficult. When your heart isn't really into the language itself, it makes it all the more difficult and frustrating. If French is just as valued, then there's your ticket.
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Re: Czech, have you looked into any programs with Masaryk University? They (history and european studies department) wanted me to go there for part of my MA.
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I think that something like 1 in every 10 books printed is printed in German. Truthfully, not adding much to what's been said, but it's a fun fact anyway. I think that its probably third after English and Mandarin Chinese as the world's most valuable language to learn. Supposedly, knowing English and German can get you by in just about any part of Europe. Supposedly. French is still pretty valuable, methinks.
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Re: Czech, have you looked into any programs with Masaryk University? They (history and european studies department) wanted me to go there for part of my MA.
I misread that as "Miskatonic University" and got excited.
Oh, Lovecraft. Your stories of sublime terror warm my heart.
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Moving this here so we don't kill Mysticalpha's thread of awesome:
I only wish to be *the* Schala of those I know. Perhaps in general the only Schala, because I know even Zephira isn't as nutty as me, and she likes to be me too.
I guess I'm a Schala by general term, but THE Schala when it comes to commitment that probably crosses sanity's limits.
Though, if I know I'm insane, how can I be insane to begin with?
It's alright if you want to be insane; it's your mind, you can do what you want with it. Still, it'd be better for everyone else's sanity if you would leave the roleplay out of most of your posts. The roleplay board is there for a reason, so that it doesn't spill over into general discussion or analysis. It'd be nice to post cosplay photos and discuss theories without having someone popping up and claiming the thread is about them. Not everyone agrees with your views on Schala, or how you portray her. It was funny for the first few posts, but now it's just annoying. So please, keep the roleplay in the roleplay forum.
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Not wishing to start a fight, but...
Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be a pervert victim in this comic series once it reaches a certain point in the storyline? Dalton's probably going to do something worse to me than what the mystics did to the topless naga... Heh.. *blush*
That's pretty disgusting and offensive, actually. Keep your rape fantasies to yourself.
For someone who's becoming female you're really acting like the horrible stereotype (weak, only desired for sex) that any sane person is striving to defeat. I've seen some of your posts that express this and it's absolutely disgusting and sexist.
And seriously, Zephira's right. You're not the real life incarnation of a 16-bit shallow video game character, but if you're going to keep up believing that you are and subsequently cause potential ruin to your life, then go ahead, but don't flaunt it here on the forums; no-one likes it.
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Clearly PSZ is in actuality "RPing" Princess Skhala Zeal from an evil parallel universe where she's nowhere near as cool as we think Schala is from the few glimpses of her we get from the series...Now someone go artist us up a pic of the evil mustachio'd Skhala fantasizing about rape~!
lol, j/k PSZ, you know we tolerate you...er, w/e...
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This frustration among some Compendiumites by "Princess Schala Zeal" (PSZ) is very interesting to me, but also of some concern. I think it's fair for any forum member to point out when another forum member is making them feel uncomfortable. But I also have some sympathy for PSZ, because there's nothing wrong per se with assuming the identity of a fictitious character. If PSZ can still tie their shoes, hold down a job, and speak in complete sentences, and isn't hurting anyone or toppling democracy or stealing from the poor, then what, really is the problem? I think the frustration that others feel toward PSZ is purely of our own making. We want to think of Schala as a video game character. Here's someone who comes along and complicates that simple idea in difficult ways. That's frustrating. And it can be frustrating when conversation is diverted to point out that a given topic is talking about video game Schala and not our very own Chrono Compendium "Schala." But, really, it's far from the end of the world.
Just consider these two proposals I offer: First, identity is largely a matter of choice and perception. The Internet has been a great proving ground for the validity of experimentation in identity. Second, PSZ is almost definitely not trying to piss anyone off, so be gentle.
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Identity is largely a matter of choice and perception. The Internet has been a great proving ground for the validity of experimentation in identity.
Yes, but it has also been a great display of how easy identity theft has become, be it the identity of a person or a fictional character that's being taken advantage of, as well as the problems that come along with someone claiming to be who they are not. Sure, Schala has no credit card or social security number, but she has an identity that is exclusive to the Chrono universe, and that is being taken advantage of to a disturbing degree.
Still the same, I agree with Zephira, in that the entire forum is not a roleplay thread. That's why we have a roleplay thread. That's my main problem. Nobody should be forced to accept that anyone who makes odd or impossible claims is telling the truth.
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Yes, but it has also been a great display of how easy identity theft has become, be it the identity of a person or a fictional character that's being taken advantage of, as well as the problems that come along with someone claiming to be who they are not. Sure, Schala has no credit card or social security number, but she has an identity that is exclusive to the Chrono universe, and that is being taken advantage of to a disturbing degree.
The key element in there is that Schala "has no credit card or social security number." There is no actual person whose identity is being stolen. That's a key distinction, because the practical argument against PSZ hinges on the existence of some tangible harm being done. Otherwise, it's purely a philosophical issue on the subject of identity.
Still the same, I agree with Zephira, in that the entire forum is not a roleplay thread. That's why we have a roleplay thread. That's my main problem. Nobody should be forced to accept that anyone who makes odd or impossible claims is telling the truth.
Mr. Bekkler, we are all here "roleplayers" to some degree. Nobody here presents themselves exactly as they are elsewhere, because to do so would be impossible, because identity depends in part upon the context of our surroundings here in the moment. Here we "put on a different face," as it were, even if subtly, than we would on another message board, or when having dinner with our parents, or when addressing Congress, or when visiting with friends at the cafe...sometimes even relative to other visits to this very website. Identity is fluid.
Your argument is one of degrees. By "odd or impossible claims," what you're really saying is that some degrees of roleplaying are unacceptable to you. I guess the real question then is what the administration's policy is. Ultimately ZeaLitY will decide what is acceptable or not, and you can push this in that direction if you want. But why is it so important for you to do so? What do you have to gain? I put up with the likes of some pretty undesirable folks around the Compendium. Others who feel the same way about me put up with me. None of us has a right to expect zero conflicts whatsoever when we participate in any community.
I don't think PSZ is "roleplaying" in the sense you mean, hence the quotation marks. Roleplaying is akin to acting. I don't think PSZ is trying to play a role. I think, for whatever reason, this person, whoever that may be, wants to be Schala. There's no victim in that, and the frustration here on the Compendium seems to be relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Identity is malleable, Mr. Bekkler. So why should its malleability be rejected on the grounds you have laid out? What is the wrong here? What is the dishonesty here? What are the motives at play?
I humbly suggest, once more, that you will better solve this problem to your satisfaction by changing yourself than by changing PSZ or appealing to the Compendium's rulemaker. This is a philosophical advice I offer. Remove within yourself the willingness to be frustrated by this particular behavior...and the problem will solve itself with no cost to anybody.
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He has admitted to his behaviour being an extreme form of roleplay, which he calls soulplay. The frustration comes into play when his acting the character interferes with the normal function of other threads (which is against the rules of conduct), and from the sexist attitude (my favourite being the "ignore her, she's on her period" and "American Nazi zealot" lines). It might be easier to ignore every thing he posts, like others have to do for the religion/debate threads, but that is exactly what the roleplay forum was made for.
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Mr. Bekkler, we are all here "roleplayers" to some degree.
Nuh-uh, J: I really am 75+ years old as my avatars suggest, and we've seen Mr. Bekkler in actual clown makeup in real-life photos if I recall correctly...might have been zombie makeup though.
Joking aside, I have to agree with J with respect to PSZ's most interesting identity choice; there are things higher up on the totem pole that need to be addressed in the world. I think the more important issue here is the comments Zephira refers to in the above post. While free speech is valued here, off-the-cuff remarks like that diminish an otherwise safe conversational environment.
...religion debates, on the other hand, well...maybe there's just no hope of salvation for those. :D
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Yes, but it has also been a great display of how easy identity theft has become, be it the identity of a person or a fictional character that's being taken advantage of, as well as the problems that come along with someone claiming to be who they are not. Sure, Schala has no credit card or social security number, but she has an identity that is exclusive to the Chrono universe, and that is being taken advantage of to a disturbing degree.
The key element in there is that Schala "has no credit card or social security number." There is no actual person whose identity is being stolen. That's a key distinction, because the practical argument against PSZ hinges on the existence of some tangible harm being done. Otherwise, it's purely a philosophical issue on the subject of identity.
Still the same, I agree with Zephira, in that the entire forum is not a roleplay thread. That's why we have a roleplay thread. That's my main problem. Nobody should be forced to accept that anyone who makes odd or impossible claims is telling the truth.
Mr. Bekkler, we are all here "roleplayers" to some degree. Nobody here presents themselves exactly as they are elsewhere, because to do so would be impossible, because identity depends in part upon the context of our surroundings here in the moment. Here we "put on a different face," as it were, even if subtly, than we would on another message board, or when having dinner with our parents, or when addressing Congress, or when visiting with friends at the cafe...sometimes even relative to other visits to this very website. Identity is fluid.
Your argument is one of degrees. By "odd or impossible claims," what you're really saying is that some degrees of roleplaying are unacceptable to you. I guess the real question then is what the administration's policy is. Ultimately ZeaLitY will decide what is acceptable or not, and you can push this in that direction if you want. But why is it so important for you to do so? What do you have to gain? I put up with the likes of some pretty undesirable folks around the Compendium. Others who feel the same way about me put up with me. None of us has a right to expect zero conflicts whatsoever when we participate in any community.
I don't think PSZ is "roleplaying" in the sense you mean, hence the quotation marks. Roleplaying is akin to acting. I don't think PSZ is trying to play a role. I think, for whatever reason, this person, whoever that may be, wants to be Schala. There's no victim in that, and the frustration here on the Compendium seems to be relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Identity is malleable, Mr. Bekkler. So why should its malleability be rejected on the grounds you have laid out? What is the wrong here? What is the dishonesty here? What are the motives at play?
I humbly suggest, once more, that you will better solve this problem to your satisfaction by changing yourself than by changing PSZ or appealing to the Compendium's rulemaker. This is a philosophical advice I offer. Remove within yourself the willingness to be frustrated by this particular behavior...and the problem will solve itself with no cost to anybody.
I don't understand why you're singling me out in this. I'm not the only one who is confused about PSZ's behavior, nor am I stating that he's breaking any rules or harming me in any way. I did say that it annoys me, personally, and that I don't think it should take place in the normal forum threads.
Honestly, PSZ as a person, with all Schala references removed, is fairly intelligent and easily tolerable. He knows his shit when it comes to programming and has a lot of Chrono related knowledge.
It's not the person I dislike. It's the behavior. How is PSZ any different than Laith or Shadow D Darkman, both of whom were banned not because of their personalities, but because of their behavior on the same forums?
And when it comes to the identity issue, I've tried to represent myself as true to my IRL identity as possible, while keeping the uber nerd that still loves Chrono semi separate from regular life. I post sometimes about things I do outside of the forum, and I hold that I'm not trying to mislead anyone into thinking I'm someone or something that I'm not.
What PSZ is exhibiting seems to be sociopath behavior, or antisocial personality disorder. People who have these problems usually don't even know about them, without someone at least mentioning it. I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone, especially PSZ, because my intent is not to offend or hurt at all. I do think he needs help, though, and the first step is understanding there may be a real problem.
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Hmm...
My experience with PSZ in the Compendium has shown itself to be... well, unique in its own way.
One experience in particular was when I was asking neo-fusion about putting voice acting into his CT:A. He was more than comfortable with me volunteering my talents, but PSZ wanted to volunteer his voice talent by playing the part of... well, it's only obvious, now isn't it?
PSZ even discussed in the CT:A thread that he was hoping to get collagen injections (or whatever one calls it) for his vocal cords and to take estrogen-supplying drugs to "bring out his feminine side"... and all just to fill a voice acting role that he clearly wasn't ideal for.
Despite the outcome of the venture (neo's not doing voice acting after all), this demonstrates, in PSZ's own words, what lengths he wanted to go to in order to epitomize the character he has emulated for so long in the Compendium. Those were the words from his mouth telling other readers what he was going to accomplish. Whether he did so or not is entirely unknown to me, but...
This shows that role-playing CAN be taken to the extreme, to the point where it consumes your character and your identity. I'm not saying that PSZ should go away altogether and live out his fantasy elsewhere. I just want to talk to him as his real self. I mean, I have no problem showing my real self (i.e. through my words), so why shouldn't he? There's no shame in saying that he's reached a certain degree of obsession of a fictional character.
People have done physical and mental harm to themselves by playing out their fantasies to the extreme. Want proof? Google real-life superheroes. These people actually convince themselves that they can fight crime, so they don costumes and gadgets (at least they have enough horse sense to wear bullet-proof vests), and go out of their way to pick fights with criminals who would beat them up and perhaps even kill them. It's like method acting, only it's applied to the real world.
This isn't a potshot at PSZ for his behavior. I'm not frustrated at all. The word is "concerned". I hope that you're not implying that it's somehow wrong to show concern for someone's behavior.
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This isn't a potshot at PSZ for his behavior.
The word is "concerned". I hope that you're not implying that it's somehow wrong to show concern for someone's behavior.
Exactly.
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Speaking of keeping the conversational environment "safe," I think it's important to consider that PSZ may be in a state of trans-genderism for reasons other than wanting to be a videogame character specifically. I mean, every day there are probably a few men and women who make the decision to cross over; there is nothing wrong with this. In a way, trans-genderism is second only to immortality in terms of control over one's own body. For that reason alone I respect it immensely; certainly not something I have a desire to do, but to each his/her own.
What I'm trying to say is that the issue of wanting to be Schala and the issue of wanting to alter one's physical shape should be treated separately. A transgendered person shouldn't be treated with any more "concern" than a straight, gay, male, or female person. I think everyone was talking about the "becoming Schala" aspect specifically, but I wanted to make the distinction just so it's out there.
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Speaking of keeping the conversational environment "safe," I think it's important to consider that PSZ may be in a state of trans-genderism for reasons other than wanting to be a videogame character specifically. I mean, every day there are probably a few men and women who make the decision to cross over; there is nothing wrong with this. In a way, trans-genderism is second only to immortality in terms of control over one's own body. For that reason alone I respect it immensely; certainly not something I have a desire to do, but to each his/her own.
What I'm trying to say is that the issue of wanting to be Schala and the issue of wanting to alter one's physical shape should be treated separately. A transgendered person shouldn't be treated with any more "concern" than a straight, gay, male, or female person. I think everyone was talking about the "becoming Schala" aspect specifically, but I wanted to make the distinction just so it's out there.
I'm glad you made the distinction. I actually have friends that are transgendered. It's not a new subject for me, and I have no problem with that whatsoever. The fact is, changing one's gender is a permanent decision. You can't just go back after it's started, and the decision is not to be taken lightly.
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The fact is, changing one's gender is a permanent decision. You can't just go back after it's started, and the decision is not to be taken lightly.
It is a decision, yes, and a very expensive one at that but for someone who is transgendered it is not a choice.
I have a sibling who is transgendered (born physically female), and although I cannot understand from a personal view (because I am not transgendered), I try to understand as best I can. It hurts me that he goes through such inner turmoil and suffering, because he really does feel as though he was born into the wrong body. I wish I had more money so that I could help pay for the various operations he would like to have and feels he needs to have. I agree that he needs to have them too. So he can feel normal and at peace with himself and truly become what he actually is--a male.
Apologies if I misinterpreted what you said, Bekkler.
~~~~~
In the spirit of this thread, it infuriates me that there is so much ignorance surrounding those who are transgendered. "What, so...you're gay?" Um, NO, my brother is NOT gay. He has a girlfriend, but that does NOT make him gay. "You should be happy with the body you're born in. Why can't you just accept it? Get over it!" Ignorance, ignorance, ignorance.
Actually...this is something that belongs in the hate thread.
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One of the friends I mentioned regrets starting treatment and has stopped taking hormones. I was talking about the medical procedures when I said decision. Sorry I wasn't clear.
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Weird, I act myself when I am online. Hell, J and Zephy both even said that when they met me. I guess I am just cool like that.
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Want proof? Google real-life superheroes. These people actually convince themselves that they can fight crime, so they don costumes and gadgets (at least they have enough horse sense to wear bullet-proof vests), and go out of their way to pick fights with criminals who would beat them up and perhaps even kill them. It's like method acting, only it's applied to the real world.
To note, not all "real-life superheroes" do this. There are many who dress up to fight other social ills rather than crime. Some put on a costume and go help the homeless, or clean up a park. And even those that do "fight crime," is that truly an undesirable behavior for citizens to have? There is off and on talk of "good Samaritan" laws that are supposed to require by law that passersby stop and help individuals in need, the name of course coming from the account in the Gospel of Luke. But the account in Luke ends not with a simple morale but a command, "go and do likewise." If it is good for an individual to offer aid and resist evil when they happen to be in its presence, why not actively attempt to create a better world?
Is this dangerous for the individual? Truly. However, I find the sentiment behind the behavior to be quite laudable.
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Is this dangerous for the individual? Truly. However, I find the sentiment behind the behavior to be quite laudable.
Anyone remember that one story I posted in the Humanity thread a few months ago regarding the bank teller that was fired for running out and apprehending a would-be robber? The law and order side of me felt that the man deserved a reward, or, at the very least, a public commendation for having the guts to chase down someone like that. A few more sensible Compendiumites pointed out that the teller put several people into danger by acting in such a rash manner, and deserved at least a warning from his boss.
That's pretty much the situation we find ourselves in with these "real-life superheroes." While they certainly have enough cajones(even the females) and good will to try to bring down criminals, at the same time, they're putting the general population at risk whenever they pick a fight with these guys. Of course, me being the law and order type, I say that if they're chasing down the man in the black ski-mask that stole an old lady's purse, then more power to them. But there's another, much more sinister side to this: vigilantism, and that is nothing to support or be proud of.
Plus, wherever there are "real-life superheroes," there must be some real-life super villains, and I can only imagine what they would concoct. Could you imagine a real-life Dr. Doom or Lex Luthor? Someone needs to keep an eye on Howie Mandell.
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That's pretty much the situation we find ourselves in with these "real-life superheroes." While they certainly have enough cajones(even the females) and good will to try to bring down criminals, at the same time, they're putting the general population at risk whenever they pick a fight with these guys.
To be fair, when the police attempt to take down a criminal, they are also putting the general population at risk. The difference comes in terms of training; ideally, the police have been trained to minimize the risks involved.
However, there seems to be a difference in situations; the bank robbery occurred around a number of other people, the entity being harmed could easily endure the harm being done to it, and the police would have been involved regardless of the teller's actions. But imagine a different setting; it is night and there is a woman being pulled down an alleyway. Almost no one is around to notice, and almost no one has even an inkling of doing something. That "almost on-one" being a "superhero" out on patrol. Certainly, by interfering the individual would be putting the woman's life in danger, but it is unlikely there would be many others caught in the crossfire. The victim may or may not survive the harm that is plotted against her, and police involvement is not a sure thing. Now, the superhero could call the police, but the likelihood of a timely response is rather low (at least, until there are gunshots).
In the case of the teller, the potential for harm from interfering was high when compared to the harm being done. In this case of the superhero, the potential for harm from interfering was comparatively low to the harm that might have been perpetrated.
Of course, I couldn't tell you how often these superheroes do good and how often they cause harm. To my knowledge there aren't many studies done on the matter.
But there's another, much more sinister side to this: vigilantism, and that is nothing to support or be proud of.
Maybe. Vigilantism is often given an overtone of revenge, in the public eye. A movie might have a child kidnapped and then the parents taking the law into their own hands, hunting down the kidnappers and killing them. That is vigilantism, and I can understand how one might not support that. However, let us say that you are at Disneyland and all of a sudden a little girl starts screaming that the man dragging her along is not her father. Surely, you should do more than merely stand there and maybe call the police. By stopping the man you would be taking on the role of a law enforcer, thus stepping into the realm of the vigilante. And yet, I would argue that if you did not do so you would actually be breaking the social contract. A society cares for its members, and while we have ordained specific individuals to take on that duty for society, that does not free us as members of society from still being aware of those duties and fulfilling them when there is need.
Vigilantism is problematic when it is taken to an extreme, when the public and the law suffer because of it. However, society and the law suffers when the citizenry ignore their duties to society, they suffer when the citizenry ignores need merely because that isn't their responsibility. Yes, society has established representatives, it has established workhouses and prisons. But to say that these free the common individual from actively caring for their fellow humans is intolerable; it is akin to saying that if people cannot go to these established social institutions, these workhouses and prisons, for help, or if they would rather not go, then that they should die and decrease the surplus population.
To cross the line from being vigilant and caring to being a vigilante might be a dangerous thing to do, but to approach that line, to be as caring and vigilant as possible, is good. To be great one must risk great consequences. Sire, those consequences can be bad, but right now, society rarely thinks about making the attempt to greatness. Let us worry about going too far when we start going at all.
Plus, wherever there are "real-life superheroes," there must be some real-life super villains, and I can only imagine what they would concoct.
The thing is, there world is already full of would-be Lex Luthers and Dr. Dooms. We have the villains, and we the common citizenry have the power to stop them. But our reaction tends to be that with great power comes great delegation. A little awareness, a little concern for the welfare of others, a little action, and the world would be a goof step closer to a utopia.
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I have found a new arch enemy outside of research, essays and correcting exams:
Military paperwork.
Ho-ly shit.
Can they make this anymore tedious? How many friggin' hoops, acronyms, essays and security clearances do you need for an application? Seriously! Addresses for the past 10 years, lists of extended family...
Glad I have Jean-Luc on hand:
:picardno
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As in, to apply to the military?
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It's an internal position with the Department of National Defense, more of a policy analysis thing. I did apply to the forces years ago, fresh out of high school, but they ruled me out because of my Epilepsy. I've applied to a number of government jobs in other departments and even had a few invitations for interviews that I unfortunately couldn't make due to prior commitments (Indian Affairs, a six month study on Civil-Police Relations), but this has got to be the most convoluted process I've encountered. I need to crank out a 7500 word paper now, after being screened in, on top of all the fill-in-the-blanks sheets. :?
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Damn. I hope it pays off! Good luck!
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Thanks! It would be a neat gig, and a refreshing break from school I think. When I look back and think, 'Damn, I started elementary school over 20 years ago...!' it sort of throws me into a quarter-life crisis train of thought, you know? 'Hmm... I wonder what the real world is like...'
If the world is a sea of opportunity, academia is a fish bowl.
The main thing holding me back is that despite the sleepless, mostly impoverished student existence, there are perks now and then. Where else will I find a job (if you can call being a perpetual student such a thing) where you'll be funded to go abroad and research for a year(s)?
The idea of 3 weeks vacation just seems kind of... :/ I'd sure miss my friends overseas.
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agh.
i broke up with mia. it was nice being single again and not listening to her whine, but i miss her double bass and her awesomeness. and how she would listen to all my troubles. so now im in relationship withdrawal. i need someone physical who will listen to me, give the best hugs ever, play a mean double bass, and doesnt whine.
relationships suck. do not enter into them unless you know that he/she/it is the one. if you think they are, youre wrong. if you know they are, youre still wrong.
i dont know.
im just angry.
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Sorry to hear that Zombie. It'll get better with time. Cliched thing to say, but for the most part it's true.
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Condolences, Bucky. It always hurts. But if it wasn't working out, it's for the best.
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oh, im glad we broke up. things werent going well at all. now im just lonely.
maybe thats why people get back together with their exes really fast then realize that they suck and they hate eachother.
good news in all this? new recruit at the grocery store! and hes pretty hot. im just a little nervous to talk to him... small town in connecticut, after all. whatre the odds that he goes that way and wont tell the whole world that i kind of have a thing for guys? :oops:
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So, that's a fretless bass in the back of Dancing in the Dark, and not a synthesizer.
:(
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my family is composed of evil evil geniuses. im not sure if im happy that they are or upset that im not.
anyway, last night i made a bundt cake. it was amazing. it was for a surprise birthday party for a close friend of ours. however, his parents got him an ice cream cake, so we didnt use mine. what happens when i make something thats really good is i put it in my secret hiding place and take it out at random intervals, but my family said they didnt want any because they dont like bundt cake. so i just put it in the fridge for a while.
i went into the fridge this morning and found that there was one miserable little slice left.
theyre geniuses!
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...
i went into the fridge this morning and found that there was one miserable little slice left.
...
That's my situation in a nutshell, minus the geniuses.
Have you tried labeling it, or making it look so gross (yet secretly delicious) that they won't want to steal it?
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see i stash whatever goodness i bake that i know theyre going to want, especially if it involves a function of some kind. like when i made this huge batch of peanut butter cookies that involved two whole jars of skippy and more sugar than i thought imaginable, i hid it.
id make it undesirable in appearance, but i find that a lot of the appeal of baking isnt just making it delicious (thats a main part of it though). its making it look like you just want to eat it all up. thats why, even though unnecessary and time consuming, i crisscross my peanut butter cookies with a fork, or i hand frost cookie cutter cookies.
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I'm frustrated that my rotating avatars aren't working. :( Zombie's, Zeph's, and tushantin's aren't either. Bah! Silly rotating avatar website!
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oh its funny to me because when you post then zephira posts, i see magus head then magus legs from the same picture. and im digging prophet magus.
frustration: the playstation lives in my notroom. the football is on in my notroom with the playstation. i want to use the playstation, but there is football. football > playstation. :cry:
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*sneeze! long sniff*
Woke up with a cold yesterday morning. It was mild, though, so I powered through the day and through the Super Bowl. Alas, despite my rest and consumption of fluids, I wake up this morning and it's still just as bad (perhaps even worse). Even so, I made it to school today and will power through the day.
Got plenty of Kleenex, though. And to think that I had gone at year without getting sick once.
:x
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Was just awakened from one of my greatest and most meaningful dreams.
....D*****!
If only I could remember more, that story was priceless... and, dare I say it, unforgettable =(
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Ironic that you found it to be unforgettable since you can't remember the majority of it.
What exactly did you remember?
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The French subjunctive.
Edit:: Aaaaand one of the Toolboxes (roommate's boyfriend) burned something in the kitchen, which set off the fire alarm. The entire dorm had to stand outside for 10 minutes in the cold while my apartment was being filled with smoke. And now it reeks of burned food. Yuck. At least we were let inside after only 10 minutes. Maybe it's just super easy to set off the fire alarm, but personally I think it's because the two Screechers (roommates) and their Toolboxes have the combined intelligence of a log. About the same amount of personality too. And that's an insult to the log.
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One of my good friends is back on drugs.
Sigh...
Today is not a good day.
Edit:: And here's a rant that's been a long time coming (copied from my Facebook status).
I was looking for a fan page for "My Parents", because I am a huge fan of my parents and love them a lot. But all I could find were a bunch of disrespectful, immature, angsty fan pages. I understand that some people have completely legitimate reasons to dislike their parents, but seriously? All those damn pages? What the hell?
It's so ironic that said angsty, rebellious, "oh so cool and trendy and awesome" children are getting pissy about things that they themselves will do once they are parents. The blatant disrespect many Western children have toward their parents and other elders makes me want to vomit. Have fun getting the same stupid treatment once you pass the age of 40, you immature brats.
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Was just awakened from one of my greatest and most meaningful dreams.
....D*****!
If only I could remember more, that story was priceless... and, dare I say it, unforgettable =(
I always write them down as soon as I snap out of them. If you can toss the fatigue and jump on it right away, it's surprising how much you can get down on paper. If you re-read the summaries later in the day, more details sometimes drift back to you as well.
***EDIT: Big dream summary deleted. Please carry on!***
Frustrations today: foolish syllabus. It really is skipping all the interesting, relevant politics of the time. Bolsheviks? Marx? World War One?Revolution? Who needs those in an introductory history survey when we can talk about the lives of peasant doctors, short stories and the rise of feminism to look at? :?
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Frustrations today: foolish syllabus. It really is skipping all the interesting, relevant politics of the time. Bolsheviks? Marx? World War One?Revolution? Who needs those in an introductory history survey when we can talk about the lives of peasant doctors, short stories and the rise of feminism to look at? :?
Ah, welcome to the New History.
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Ah, welcome to the New History.
You don't say. :?
It's really too bad, you know? We're focussing on these subfields, usually to do with social histories - peasants, women and nobility rights... which are very popular in research circles today, and sure, that might help you get a job... but when you're in your late teens and never studied Russian / Soviet history before, and likely took the class just out of interest in the Revolution, World War II etc.... what's the point of feeding them this fringe stuff? It's turning a lot of good students off of the subject, which is a shame.
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It is unfortunately a problem with academia itself. In order to get PhD in history, one needs to be able to conduct new and novel research. The big important things have been covered, usually by experienced and skilled historians, so the newbs find themselves drawn to less studied topics. Social histories provide the perfect ground of this. This is further influenced by a serious problem facing modern historians; too many sources. It is quite possible for a single historian to be an expert on, say, the Roman Empire. But the Modern British Empire? Nope, there is just too much information for a single person to master it all. This is only getting worse with the internet; to be an expert of the Iraq conflict, for example, could take an entire lifetime! Thus, people specialize into limited areas and the field is not set up for significant collaborations, thus these specializations never get connected with the larger historical narrative (narrativistic history generally being pooh-poohed since post-modernism). Historians need to be set up a little bit more like research labs, where four, five, or more historians of different levels are all working together to actually form a full, coherent account.
If that wasn't enough, Academia in general is structured to produce clones, not unique investigators. Would-be historians are supposed to find a mentor and make themselves a clone of that individual, so they become limited to a specific specialty field long before they are even fully trained; they can't usually make the switch to another field, so their career then focuses on just becoming more specialized and more distant from humanity itself. Thus we get specialties of specialties of specialties, such as the development of eating utensils in the Caucus mountains (oh how I wish that was a joke)!
... I don't have personal issues with the academic complex in the field of History, honest!
>.>
<.<
Okay, maybe a little.
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It's so ironic that said angsty, rebellious, "oh so cool and trendy and awesome" children are getting pissy about things that they themselves will do once they are parents. The blatant disrespect many Western children have toward their parents and other elders makes me want to vomit. Have fun getting the same stupid treatment once you pass the age of 40, you immature brats.
I understand a lot of the frustrations that young people have toward their parents, and I'll go so far as to say that I can't understand how some people I knew in high school had as much respect for their parents as they did, considering the way I watched their parents treat them. I hate to say it, but I'm almost with George Carlin on this one in that I suspect that many parents in the States today do not do enough to earn the respect of their children. I respect my parents for being more than reasonably intelligent, for being able to feed, clothe, and do far more for me money-wise, and for not allowing vice to destroy them, but far too many kids in the States cannot even be thankful for the "basics" which I've listed. Interestingly though, most of the children of real dysfunctional families who I've known would see the stupidity in joining a Facebook group which announces that very troubling dysfunction to the world in some form or another, or otherwise puts them in a public "dysfunctional family" club. Granted, they'd be more likely to blog about it, or create some sort of public media which allows them to release the resulting negative emotions.
However, the prevalence of dysfunctional families in the States has made me amazed at the very healthy and cohesive natures of many families I've come in contact with over the years. In my list of things that absolutely astound me in a very positive way, healthy families are very near the top.
Edit: On second thought, maybe "stupidity" is too harsh of a word, and what I'm thinking is more along the lines of "inadequacy". These kinds of things bother me as well, but I suppose I'm not in a position to really judge why anybody would join any particular group on Facebook.
Edit 2: "Very obvious inadequacy".
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Kind of the wrong place to put a first post, but I've been lurking here for several years and I haven't posted at any blogs or forums besides a few crappy links I put here some months back. I'll try to contribute, but I don't have much to say about Chrono that hasn't been said better elsewhere. So, um...
My grandmother died this morning. My mom's been taking it hard, and I'm wondering if I should try to get the family to make a deal with the Cryonics Institute(http://www.cryonics.org/index.html). It's not cheap, $35,000, but, well, I thought I'd mention it because I didn't know cryonics existed until I heard it mentioned here. I don't want to sound like I'm plugging anything, chances are it's a fraud or a fruitless effort, but I'd appreciate any advice.
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I suspect that the identity of a human being depends on the physical configuration of their brain and, just as importantly, the characteristic behavior of that brain. So, if these can be safely preserved, then cryogenic stasis may be a viable option for future life after a fatal experience in the present. But! I would caution you that the comfort of the thought of a loved one or even yourself living once more at some point in the future is mostly a deceptive one. I humbly suggest that it would be more productive to begin the grieving process that will eventually allow you to say goodbye for all time.
I'm sorry for your loss. You're right; that's a tough note for a first post on any forum.
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Unfortunately, I know very little (if anything) about cyronics.
I am so sorry about your grandmother, random404.
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http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,3283.msg189589.html#msg189589
.......
My condolences, random404. I understand the loss of an important family member, but I was never good with sympathies... I apologize.
P.S.: As for Cryogenics, I'm not sure if it's up to the point where there's a possibility of revival. Usually 4 hours after death is the timelimit to revive someone, but that's all. I'm with Lord J on that.
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http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,3283.msg189589.html#msg189589
That's horrible tushantin. I'm so sorry.
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That stinks.
Now I feel lucky that I'm living in a peaceful city.
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Holy shit, I just now learned about the terrorist attack (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_india_explosion) Tushantin. Are you and your family & friends okay? I can only suspect the problem is that, unlike you, the perpetrators of this crime don't carry within them a constructive dream. Because they've never tasted the act of creation, all they can do is tear down. Granted, it would have been helpful if more opportunities were available to the perpetrators growing up. I hope this is a one-time thing and not the beginning of a wave of these things. Stay safe.
random404, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I think everyone works through these things in their own way; your family will need time above all else. While I'm a strong supporter of cryogenics in principle, I feel it isn't anywhere near what it needs to be, either in terms of the science or in the structure through which the service is provided. There's no guarantee that it's going to work down the road, and I worry what will happen to the preserved persons if the corporations who are dabbling in this practice go out of business.
An interesting way of dealing with grief might be to do something in the person's honor, whether that means taking on a project or getting the family together to reminisce for an afternoon.
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Today is also Chinese New Years. :(
Thank you for all the kind words, btw. And that's a horrible thing to go through, tushantin. Hope your friends and family are safe.
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Me and my family's safe (considering our flat is situated in an area surrounded by military bases/schools such as Armed Forces, Intelligence Departments, Armed Medical Colleges, etc. which is why we often feel safe. Although my father usually delivers food around the city due to which I panicked last evening, but he's fine; he didn't go near the area since 5 pm. Still, this means I'll have to quit classes for a while (since it's nearby Koregaon Park and is heavily crowded) just to keep on the safe side.
I thought our city was much safer than the likes of Mumbai, but I guess they were false ideas. Even though I have no reason to fear so long as I'm in a safer haven I still can't help but feel loathing for those people...
And you're right on one thing, FW. The only thing that can thwart this problem is the act of creation itself. Still, one person's mistake could be so dangerous...
Oh yeah, happy Chinese New Year! But of course, something tragic in a good day always is a great kick in the nuts. I know some people in the Compendium might scream at me for praying this, but the least we can do is pray, Random404.
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I just spent 3 hours lying awake in bed, cannot sleep. I might as well get up at 5:30am...
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These trolls making threads about the GameFAQs character battle are starting to tick me off.
There are THREE separate threads for this. I understand why this would be important to us and beneficial to our interests, but this is about overkill.
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These trolls making threads about the GameFAQs character battle are starting to tick me off.
There are THREE separate threads for this. I understand why this would be important to us and beneficial to our interests, but this is about overkill.
Seriously, it's worse than their last stupid poll...Maybe due to more awareness of the Compendium? We have polls too, y'know! You don't see any of us trolling about it on other forums! Y'know why? BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EFFING MATTER!!
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"If you want more Crono, you should vote for him more!"
:lol:
I do feel bad that Crono's losing to a...what was it again? But at least it's close!
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When you call a professor (at their house number!) about something important and they don't get back in touch with you. Grrrrrrr! :x I understand you're probably busy and all but guess what? I am too!
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When you call a professor (at their house number!) about something important and they don't get back in touch with you. Grrrrrrr! :x I understand you're probably busy and all but guess what? I am too!
Professors, in a nutshell (I adore PHD comics) :
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v363/68/121/94800358/n94800358_34849664_2379.jpg)
(http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v363/68/121/94800358/n94800358_34849665_2594.jpg)
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v363/68/121/94800358/n94800358_34849695_2675.jpg)
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v363/68/121/94800358/n94800358_34849670_8225.jpg)
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v363/68/121/94800358/n94800358_34849699_3589.jpg)
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs132.snc3/17939_608349232049_94800358_36961377_5165978_n.jpg)
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Oh man, I am definitely going to show these to my father! He went through the grueling process of getting a PhD, and he's now a professor. Never one of mine though, thank god! I would never have been able to survive in any of his classes (not to mention he teaches at the post-graduate level and I'm still an undergrad). He's always been known as the toughest professor.
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Aye, PhD Comics is great. Particularly since it is currently being created by a Doctor! of Philosophy
Though, unfortunately, it is a little too accurate.
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Though, unfortunately, it is a little too accurate.
Ah, all the wonderful things I get to look forward to after I graduate!
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Hmmmm...do I really need to write, "V says: Do not make a list, this is not Facebook" in the title of the Stuff You Love thread? Naw...that'd just be silly...V_T (hey! I found a purpose for the weird smiley the beginning of my SN makes! That's almost worthy of putting in the Stuff You Love thread itself, ha!)
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/sugar-may-be-bad-but-this_b_463655.html
Okay, natural medicine people: If you want to be taken seriously, you gotta be scientific. You don't get to be "better" than science. You don't have any authority by yourself. If you're not willing to demonstrate your claims scientifically, I'm not willing to take you seriously. Drop the sanctimonious attitude, the mystical insinuations, and the abject mookery. You undermine any credibility that natural medicine might have when you divorce your activities from good science. You don't get to make up wild shit, you just don't. And, if you do it anyway, you can expect a wild flush.
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Maybe I missed something in the article, but how is that natural medicine?
While the author does indeed make wacky leaps and makes unscientific statements (such as claiming that all sugar, of any kind, is inherently bad), the general theme seems to be that high fructose corn syrup is worse than "real" sugar, which indeed is in line with current science. A simple pubmed search can indicate as much (you can read full articles at PubMed Central, but that doesn't go back as far).
This seems to be more of a case of someone with a smattering of real knowledge making poor assumptions, rather than natural medicine going crazy. But again, did I miss something?
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Seven people showering at morning = cold water, no shampoo.
Their apartment deal fell through (no one wants to take them in apparently), but the girl has decided to move back to California after this school quarter is over, and the hanger-on is going to move in with his brother. Waiting for this plan to fall through, too.
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Lame.
My frustration: Warranted betrayals. My sleeping schedule has been out of whack the past few days, and I was supposed to finagle it so that I woke up bright and early this morning fully charged. Well, I got to sleep at the right time yesterday, but I woke up five hours early. Heroic measures were insufficient to put me back into dreamland. Now I'm up, but in a daze of fatigue. I need to catch a nap if at all possible, and there will be much coffee today, and maybe even an afternoon nap if all else fails.
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Here's my frustration:
A cold that has lasted two weeks thus far. Not that I seriously had to stay in bed because of it, but the fact that I wake up every morning with a slightly sore throat and some nasal congestion is proof enough that it's not going away. I wake up every morning thinking it will, but it hasn't given in yet.
Stupid cold!
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My nap failed.
:franky BUT I CAN SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD !!! :franky
(I told that to myself right after I got up off of the couch, and instead of the usual "Rah, rah!" I ended up contemplating my own mortality. This is what happens when I'm awake during the bright part of the AM hours on a sunny day. I get macabre. Nothing says doom and gloom like a bright sunny morning on the cusp of spring.)
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Lakewood, Washington. I've never driven around in Seattle, so I can't make a fair judgement, but I don't know which is worse.
The drivers in Lakewood, or the drivers in Tacoma?
I'm leaning towards Lakewood. :picardno
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i hate insomnia.
and being hungry even after a huge fucking supper.
i cant sleep (and i have work early in the morning) and im hungy, but if i eat then i wont be able to sleep extra and then ill be groggy while stocking shelves. and they have me handling the big heavy things.
good news in all this: if i do good tomorrow, theyre considering moving me from stockboy to electronics rep. :D
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It really, really fucking annoys me how people of the opposite sex can't be friends without seemingly everyone else assuming that they're dating or at least romantically / sexually interested in each other.
I have a really good guy friend (I'll call him Shane for clarification) whom I spend a lot of time with, and people keep thinking that we're going out and--once they realize that we aren't--think that we both just have massive crushes on each other.
Is it that absurd for people to imagine two people being friends without wanting to have sex with each other?? Is it really that hard?? I feel really sad for the people who keep assuming that we're dating. How sad to believe that sex defines our life so much that males and females cannot be friends with each other. It makes me really angry to think that some people are that shallow and that judgmental. Shane has already gotten the "Uh...are you guys dating? Doesn't she have a boyfriend?" from a few people and it's massively irritating.
There is only one person whose opinion matters, and that is my boyfriend. Fortunately for me, I have a boyfriend who is not prone to jealousy and is not insecure about our relationship. The one thing I am worried about, however, is that people will see me and Shane hanging out so often and think that I'm cheating on D, emotionally and / or physically. That is NOT something I want to be labeled as. But at the same time, for those who think that...um, fuck you? Sorry that I'm not so sex-driven that I feel the need to jump the bones of every guy I'm friends with. D knows I would never cheat on him. He trusts me completely, and vice versa. He has good female friends and I have no problem with that. Friendship crosses all kinds of differences, and that includes gender.
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While it is true that you can be friends with someone and not necessarily want to have sex with them, those other people probably find it hard to imagine that there is zero sexual chemistry of any kind and of any amount between you two. That kind of thinking I can understand. Right now, I have plenty of female friends (kind of lacking in the male friend department at the moment though...), but only one that I absolutely would not have sex with, even under the influence of ridiculous amounts of alcohol. She isn't ugly, its just her personality removes the sexual element somehow. Everyone has fleeting, meaningless sexual thoughts about their opposite sex friends (assuming straight ppl of course) so it really isn't a big deal. Or maybe women can just turn that off more easily than men, who knows...
But you are right, its really the bf's opinion that matters - if he is okay with it, to hell with everyone else.
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When it comes to having a group of friends of the same gender, it becomes great news when it turns out that one of them (up to all of them) have a potential relationship with someone of the opposite sex. What frustrates me is this...
Some groups of friends treat it like it's a race to see who can get laid first! It's stupid! To them, sex is the goal of their relationships. Friendship and fidelity take back seats to wanting to be the Alpha Male of their little circle. At that point, the one guy who decided to save his virginity for the one he truly loves is somehow the bottom head of the totem pole and the group punching bag for sex jokes. Alienation, anyone?
Unfortunately, I've been in those kinds of buddy groups, and let me tell you: I am sick and tired of hearing them talk about how they sometimes get a booty call from their "girlfriend" that they decide to have as a cohabitant to their apartment ("cohabitant" being the operative term).
Thankfully, I've moved on and found new friends.
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Genesis I am happy my friends treat it a different way.
We think of it as a alright man way to go thing. Nobody is lesser or better for it in our group, which makes it a friendly group.
There are some kids out there that LIE about it to make them seem cool. One in particular at my school that we have called out and laughed at because Lying about it is worse than anything... He is a douche and thats the end of it, don't judge me lol, you don't know this ass-dick-prick-ballsack-ass-doubleass-dick... lol.
Anyway, I think I got my point across.
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When it comes to having a group of friends of the same gender, it becomes great news when it turns out that one of them (up to all of them) have a potential relationship with someone of the opposite sex. What frustrates me is this...
Some groups of friends treat it like it's a race to see who can get laid first! It's stupid! To them, sex is the goal of their relationships. Friendship and fidelity take back seats to wanting to be the Alpha Male of their little circle. At that point, the one guy who decided to save his virginity for the one he truly loves is somehow the bottom head of the totem pole and the group punching bag for sex jokes. Alienation, anyone?
Unfortunately, I've been in those kinds of buddy groups, and let me tell you: I am sick and tired of hearing them talk about how they sometimes get a booty call from their "girlfriend" that they decide to have as a cohabitant to their apartment ("cohabitant" being the operative term).
Thankfully, I've moved on and found new friends.
That always pissed me off so much.. that I ended up saying that I actually got laid... so they would stop annoying me.
Everyone was like that. But when I said I wasn't a virgin. People treated me different in the group. I was too mature since I had to repear a year when I moved overseas.
I don't see sex that important right now. I do know that some of my female freidns likeme as more than a friend. I just can't decide which.
So I rather keep those as freidns and find somebody else for me to not ruin those friendships.
I am right know in a group where all off them are still virgin and don't seem to bother or compete much. It fells better that way.
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While it is true that you can be friends with someone and not necessarily want to have sex with them, those other people probably find it hard to imagine that there is zero sexual chemistry of any kind and of any amount between you two.
That is largely because that is how we are raised, not because that is how we are.
Guys in particular (I say guys because, being one, this is the gender I am most familiar with) seem to be raised to constantly have their "femdar" going. We're supposed to notice women more than men (cause if not that'd be totally gay) and we are supposed to be easily able to classify them into groups that are attractive (that is, attractive in the popular sense, not necessarily ones that the guy himself finds attractive; that usually is in its own category).
It might be supposed that this is due entirely to peer pressure, but that isn't exactly true. The media that children consume often reinforces this point. I remember watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and it seemed like all the turtles had a thing for April. Gargoyles? Goliath and Demona were clearly a pair, with the other male characters obviously not as important (cause if they were important they'd get their own gal). ReBoot? Bob and Dot, Enzo and AndrAIa. Cecil got Rosa, and you TOTALLY know that Edge had a thing for Rydia. Crono and Marle, Donkey Kong and Candy Kong, Cloud and Tifa, Tidus and every female character (but mostly Yuna), Randi and Purimu, Optimus Prime and Elita One, Link and Zelda, and so forth, and so on. All the cool guys get girls, and if a female character shows up, you know she's going to end up with the hero cause that is just what happens, regardless of if they have anything in common, regardless of if she's even said a word yet, so obviously we're supposed to get girls too, by mere fact that they're female. Personality? What, you mean like Smurfette? Um, sure I guess. What are you supposed to do with them? Dunno, the credits always roll before they get to anything interesting. But that is what puberty is for, to fill in the gaps.
Learning to turn off one's femdar is a necessary step in being able to have friends of the opposite gender. Unfortunately, it is not something that all guys learn to do. This creates a barrier between the genders that is detrimental to both. But it is a learned behavior, and so it can be unlearned as well.
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"Femdar." Hrm, I hadn't heard that one before! I disagree with you though that attraction is a learned behavior that can simply be turned off. Indeed, I think presenting it like that makes it even harder for people of either sex to learn to distinguish between preferred sex friends and preferred sex potential lovers, because it denies or at least ignores the fact that sexuality is a fundamental component of our nature, way more than simply a product of social learning. So they'd be trying to turn off their attractions and would be constantly frustrated that it doesn't work. There will always be attraction in an individual to members of their preferred sex(es), in many cases if not most. There's nothing wrong or bad with that; it's okay for "just friends" to be attracted to one another. There's nothing wrong or deceptive about that kind of a friendship. It's also okay for mutually attracted friends to develop a sexual relationship (absent social limiting factors). The key to maturity is to choose when to act and when not to act on one's attractions. Like just about all other aspects of maturity, good judgment is the entrance test. You don't have to treat someone you find sexually attractive as a prospective sexual partner. I think that's closer to what you were trying to say--and none of my comment here is to imply that I disagree with you that our society (and probably all societies) oversexualize pretty much everything. I merely wanted to note that attraction--and this is true for most humans, not just males--is deeply intrinsic to individuals and not just a condition of society. It is a condition of nature too, presenting in individuals not simply as a result of behavioral learning but also, more significantly, as a product of the libido.
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http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/b4xo4/sokushinbutsu_were_buddhist_monks_who_killed/
Fucking idiot apologists. Fuck Buddhism and fuck it to history with homeopathy, phlogiston, and every other faith and pseudoscience.
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fffffffffffffffffffffff
i recently got very very very angry at my sister. she and i were havign an argument about i dont even know what. she kicked me, so i decided to punch her. but she ducked and instead i hit the fridge.
i broke my hand.
it hurts. i cant work for a while. and it is hard as all shit to type.
never punch your little sister. or even try to. your hand will break. horribly.
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That's a good lesson to learn, Bucky, even if it comes at a stiff price for you. Humans are not as resilient as refrigerators; they're not good for hitting. So don't hit unless your aim is to hurt...and there is no such thing as a domestic dispute where hurting someone is a good answer. It's too bad your sister didn't break her foot; then you both could have learned something useful.
I had to learn this lesson the hard way myself, after getting into a fight with my ex-roommate back in college about seven years ago. At least I didn't break any body parts, mine or his, but my pride certainly took a beating after I got to spend a weekend in jail for assault! It was a humbling experience, too, knowing that in four or five seconds of bad judgment I had done wrong, and that I had no excuse.
I hope you learn the right lesson from this. And I hope your hand heals fully and swiftly.
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Huh, I find it very difficult to imagine you angry.
Good luck with the recovery Bucky, I hope you find some better means to settle your dispute.
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I'm not an angry person, which is probably why you find it hard to imagine, Zephira. I was never some brute who went around beating people up. I find that kind of manner deplorable. What happened with me is a testament to the fact that even the mild-mannered can lose their tempers. That's human nature.
The humbling thing is that anyone can experience the same. No human prudence is 100 percent effective. Everyone is going to lose their temper sometimes, if they expose themselves to the risks. It's a just a matter of when, where, and how badly. My ex-roommate and I had never liked each other; we moved in together out of financial opportunism. That was a mistake. Living with him built up a lot of stress in me. That was a recipe for trouble. The most useful choice I made as a result of fighting with him has been that, since then, I rarely keep destructive people in my life. The rare exceptions, I keep at arm's length. Avoiding the risks helps me to avoid the thing itself.
It reminds me of that old saying, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." In the saying, "the kitchen" is a metaphor for adversity. We all have "kitchens" in our life that threaten to overwhelm us. Some of these adversities are worthy, and worth confronting despite the risks, but some are not. Some kitchens aren't worth it. If you subscribe, as I do, to the notion that an individual's identity varies depending on what kind of "kitchen" he or she is in at the time, then it makes sense to say: Don't venture into the kitchens that bring out the worst in you. Some heat is simply not worth standing.
I'm better off than most, because, since I'm not characteristically violent or angry, I have no personality traits that needed changing. What I did do was change my surroundings--my "kitchens" of life. (And it would be entirely apt to describe my life as a series of kitchens for the preparation of everything from cake to world domination.) I lost my temper with my roommate because of three different factors that all aligned at once: I was dead tired that night, he had made the first move by provoking me, and we had been increasingly stressed out with one another ever since moving in together. Any two of those would not have been enough to make me lose my temper, but with all three I snapped. That particular kitchen was a place whose fires saw me fatigued, provoked, and stressed out. Thus, the lesson I took was to avoid putting myself into that kind of kitchen again. When I'm not in there, I'm not going to be the kind of person who loses his temper. When I am in there, all bets are off.
That's part of the process of humbleness, which is good for me. Knowing that I'm not infallible, knowing that there are places I could venture where the integrity I cultivate in myself could be so easily diminished, is a humbling, helpful lesson for anyone who seeks power (which I do). This firsthand knowledge is a big part of my motivation for encouraging you to move out of your house, Zeph, what with all the troubles that happen there. You haven't been spoiled by that place yet, but you're at risk the longer you stay there. I used to live in a broken house, and it nearly broke me. Flee that place, is my advice.
And bring your driver's instruction manual on Friday. =P
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Ironic that, while reading this, there was another argument brewing in the real kitchen here. The trouble is, it's very hard to tell the jokes and teases from real arguments. This man has been known to make and follow up on threats of physical violence before, and the way he "teases" has absolutely no base in humour at all. He's a racist and sexist jerk, and I plan to move out as soon as I get my new computer (and a better job).
I shall commence searching for said book immediately! (and by immediately I mean Wednesday. Now is knitting time.)
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"Femdar." Hrm, I hadn't heard that one before! I disagree with you though that attraction is a learned behavior that can simply be turned off.
Sorry, I think you misunderstood me (or I misrepresented my position). It isn't that attraction is a learned behavior (though I would argue that much of what we find attractive is learned); rather, it is the constant scanning and evaluating of individuals of the preferred sex based on their level of attraction. It is the constant asking of the question "is that girl the Elita One to my Optimus Prime" that is harmful and learned.
To offer an analogy; say you are looking for someone with a gun. To find the gun you frisk every person you see. You will eventually find the gun, but you'll have ignored all those people. If you aren't actively and constantly looking for someone with a gun, you are free to pay attention to the people. And hey, you might find the person with the gun anywho.
Femdar is the constant scanning and cataloging of women, by men, based on their attractiveness that I am objecting to and claiming is learned. To notice that someone is attractive is different than to actively perceive and evaluate them based on that criterion alone. If men are always prowling for a mate, then they'll always treat women as the prey.
But as you said, it seems like we are in sync on this (you can be Lance Bass).
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To offer an analogy; say you are looking for someone with a gun. To find the gun you frisk every person you see. You will eventually find the gun, but you'll have ignored all those people. If you aren't actively and constantly looking for someone with a gun, you are free to pay attention to the people.
Thought, this is a wonderful analogy, and strikes at the heart of why this issue is so important for people to dissect and discuss. It's not the sexual attraction that's the problem, but rather the throwing away of the other person once one realizes said attraction won't play out to a certain conclusion. Every social interaction is an opportunity for enrichment, and when we overlook people in the way you've identified, we're robbing ourselves of that.
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I feel like we've entered the Twilight Zone section of the frustration thread...AND I LIKE IT~!! *dun dun dun* (wait, that's not Twilight Zone...!)
idk about all that attractiveness by learned association...I never saw Optimus Prime as a dude, per se. He was always a soldier to me and I figured robots just built new robots to 'procreate' *shrugs*. And I don't think there were even female Autobots until the movie came out (with all those lame new robots: i.e. Hot Rod). I think too much of it is simply nature, preservation of the species. We judge each other like art in a way...contours, design structure, symmetry...or maybe not because a lot of things do end up influencing your stupid human brain...er, our...what matter? Gray matter?
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I want caffè e latte, but, alas, I have no latte.
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yeah, i try not to be too violent, but she kicked me where it hurts. and then laughed about it.
i have learned my lesson: refrigerators are very wise and noble creatures, keeping our food safe and fresh while silently making sure we know where it is. it knows when to turn the light on and off. it makes a gentle humming. and its body is of STEEL.
oh, and probably something about not attacking my sister even when she kicks me in the balls over mayonaise.
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oh, and probably something about not attacking my sister even when she kicks me in the balls over mayonaise.
I know I shouldn't laugh at another guy's man-pain, but this phrase did make me laugh. :lol:
I haven't been kicked there in awhile, thankfully. My ex-girlfriend did whack my head against a tile floor once, giving me a scar above my left eye. I think I'd take that over a kick though. At least I can lie about the scar and say I got it in a bar fight!
Frustration...? Still the insomnia, really. Tell you one thing, I'll be super-frustrated if Canada doesn't win the hockey match against Russia tonight. Especially if Mike Babcock has the ill-sense to start Brodeur!
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All of my friends either live off-campus or are studyaholic perfectionists. I've been banished from a friend's dorm while he's doing homework because I'm "too interesting / distracting." Boo! I can't even study / do homework with him, he still says I'm too distracting because he just wants to talk instead. -______- I had this same problem with D before he graduated. I need more slacker friends who live within a one mile radius.
/slacks off on French homework
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Your slacker friends are all on the internet! We could distract you!
Frustration: The schooling history section of job applications is stupid. It only asks for what diplomas you have. I don't have any degrees or diplomas, but I'm almost graduated from high school and college.
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One of the worser euphemisms in our country today is "right to work." Yecch. I'm glad I don't live under such a backward law.
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Alas, the word "right" if far overused, underappreciated, and often misused. It seems to be considered synonymous with "freedom" though the two are quite different.
Or perhaps a new word should be adopted, so as to not disenfranchise our sinistralian brethren?
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All of my friends either live off-campus or are studyaholic perfectionists. I've been banished from a friend's dorm while he's doing homework because I'm "too interesting / distracting." Boo! I can't even study / do homework with him, he still says I'm too distracting because he just wants to talk instead. -______- I had this same problem with D before he graduated. I need more slacker friends who live within a one mile radius.
/slacks off on French homework
Get a motorcycle.
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I can't speak for Sajainta, but that's the most awesome thing you've ever suggested on these forums, Ramsus.
@Thought: Damn straight.
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So instead of "right", what would be a better word choice?
The euphemism shouldn't be "privilege to work"... unless that was the intention.
On another note...
There's one advantage to having mostly online friends, and it's one that I've never seen anybody here mention as of yet:
They demand less from you.
Sure, you emotionally support them, comfort them after a breakup, maybe even talk them out of a suicide. But knowing someone in cyberspace can also add a whole, long list of demands from them. In this sense, you have much more control in Instant Messenger, or on a forum (like this one), or in MMORPGs.
The problem is you are hard-wired by evolution to need to do things for people. Everybody for the last five thousand years seemed to realize this and then we suddenly forgot it in the last few decades. We get suicidal teens and scramble to teach them self-esteem. Unfortunately, self-esteem and the ability to like yourself only seems to come AFTER you've done something that makes you likable. You can't kid yourself. If I think John Doe over here is worthless for sitting in his room all day, drinking Pabst and playing video games one-handed because he's whacking off with the other one, what will I think of myself if I do the same thing? (Yes, it's an extreme example, but you get what I'm saying, right?)
You want to break out of that tar-pit of self-hatred? Brush the hair out of your eyes, step away from the computer and buy a nice gift for someone you loathe. Send a card to your worst enemy. Make dinner for your mom and dad or friends. Go clean the leaves out of the gutter. Grow a plant. Do something simple, with a tangible result.
It's not rocket science; you are a social animal and thus you are born with little happiness hormones that are released into your bloodstream when you see a physical benefit to your actions. Think about all those teenagers in their dark rooms, glued to their PC's, turning every life problem into melodrama. Why do they make those cuts on their arms? It's because making the pain (and subsequent healing) releases endorphins they don't get otherwise. It's pain, but at least it's real.
That form of stress relief via mild discomfort used to be part of our daily lives, our routine of hunting gazelles, gathering berries, climbing rocks and fighting bears. Not anymore. This is why office jobs make so many of us miserable; we don't get any physical, tangible result from our work. But do construction out in the hot sun for two months, and for the rest of your life you can drive past a certain house and say, "Hey, I built that." Maybe that's why mass shootings are more common in offices than construction sites. (It's only a conjectural theory; I don't actually believe that's the reason why)
It's the kind of physical, blue-collar satisfaction that you can only get by turning off the computer, going outdoors and re-connecting with the real world. That feeling, that "I built that" or "I grew that" or "I fed that guy" or "I made these pants" feeling, can't be matched by anything the internet has to offer.
Anyways, that's my take on it. What says you?
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I'm probably going to regret posting this, but...my "take" on this is that you've probably never experienced it from the inside. Genuine depression--the kind that leads to suicide--completely saps your energy and motivation. You can't just go out and "do" something: the well inside you from which you should draw the strength to act is so empty that you can barely manage to get out of bed in the morning, and if even the tiniest thing goes wrong, and you think that you're responsible for it, it can take you days to pull yourself together again. Withdrawing means that things are less likely to go wrong, so withdrawing is what you tend to do. It's difficult, almost to the point of impossible, to break out of a depression without help, and the kind of advice you're giving will tend to make things worse, not better.
Tell person to do something -> person can't do it -> further erosion of self-esteem due to failure. It's a simple, ugly cycle, and very difficult to stop once it gets started.
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What the hell? Lord J is one of the most emotional draining and demanding people I have had the privilege to know. A complete slave driver! You have some lax internet buddies.
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alf, you're right about me... to a point.
I've been depressed before, but never to the point of being suicidal. The fact that I was staying inside doing nothing only enhanced my mood, kind of like how humidity enhances the temperature.
Questions: Is the depression you speak about clinical depression or simply the mood of depression? Did you ever have depression before? If so, was it naturally occurring or self-induced? (This would explain a lot about what you're talking about)
As for that "well inside you" being empty, the depression is only telling you that it's empty. That doesn't mean that it is; you're just so depressed that you're only convincing yourself that it is. Of course belittling yourself over the smallest happenstance of wrongdoing will make things worse. You're not going to accomplish anything by sitting there feeling miserable about yourself.
Withdrawing may be the lesser of the two proverbial evils, but the existence of such depression is no justification to sink further into despair. <-- Analogy Alert!
It's like writer's block (the likes of which I'm suffering in my screenwriting goals); if I don't keep on writing, the block wins. Even if its pointless free-thought writing, at least I'm still writing and not surrendering to the block. Who knows? Maybe through my pointless writing I may discover an amazing character trait, clever plot device, or even a new story idea, the likes of which I probably would've never found out if I chose to "weather out" my block (have you anybody who's done that yet?). And the tangible result of my writing is a finished copy of a screenplay, be it the first draft or the tenth.
You can't conquer depression by weathering it out. You have to take initiative.
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Sounds nice and all, but there are cases where depression is caused by serious, biological imbalances in brain chemistry that need medical help. While some sufferers of that might be able to do the impossible and fight the power in the springtime of youth, it'd be brutal to expect them to when they're facing stacked odds due to their own errant biology.
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And ZeaLitY has neatly nailed it.
Me, personally? I have dysthymia, which could be described as chronic moderate clinical depression. The reasons are at least partly physiological: I have a serotonin deficiency, exact cause suspected but not known for certain. If I take enough pills, I can do a reasonable imitation of a human being, but I still react badly to certain situations that most people would be able to shrug off.
GenesisOne, the reason why what you said bothered me so much is that, for someone like me, your advice is actively damaging and verges on (unintentional, I'm sure) victim-blaming, and it isn't necessarily easy to tell from the outside whether a person is just in a low mood that might be resolved by your advice, or has a serious problem that needs medical help. (Actually, it isn't always easy to tell from the inside, either--the stigma attached to mental illness is so severe that many people will put a lot of effort into denying that there's anything wrong, even to themselves.)
Part of the point I'm trying to ram home to you is that it is nearly impossible for someone suffering from clinical depression to take the initiative for anything, and the failure to do so when you've been told that you're supposed to feeds back into the depression and makes it worse--the mechanism that breaks this feedback loop in normal people just isn't there, and no amount of well-meaning advice can bring it into being. Believe me, I was hit with a lot of advice of the form, "You should just be able to shrug that off," as though I should have been able to cure myself by an act of will. That's like telling a paraplegic that he should just be able to get out of his wheelchair, because after all, his legs are there, aren't they? The damage that makes them useless is no more visible to an outside observer than depression is.
I was lucky enough to have a family that cared enough about me that, once they figured out what was going on (and it took them more than a decade to do that, even though they did care) they were willing to do most of the work needed to get me on meds for me, because left to myself, I wouldn't have been able to do it even though I knew I needed to. For someone who isn't that lucky, your advice could be the last straw that causes them to take out the gun, load it, stick it in their mouth, and pull the trigger.
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*cracks whip*
*beheads peasants*
Seriously, though, others have made an important point, which is that when you're gripped with a mental illness, such as a depression, your ability to live life normally can be severely impeded. This is a point worth underscoring. I've known a number of people who suffered from these kinds of psychological maladies, and have even had tensions with family members and lost a couple of friends over it. It is every bit as debilitating, and more, as alfadorredux says.
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alf, I was referring to the mood of depression in my post, not clinical depression. Bringing myself up to speed...
Yes, I realize that clinical depression is near impossible to break out of without the help of medications. I'm sorry if I offended with my advice, but for the record, it's a false analogy to compare my advice to telling a parapelegic to stand up from his wheelchair because he still has his legs. The challenges that face a parapelegic are much different from the challenges facing one who is clinically depressed.
As for that whole slippery slope that taking my advice will eventually lead to suicide, the fact that you ARE that lucky to have a whole family care about you and your dysthymia speaks volumes about the altruism of humanity. Unconditional charity shouldn't be a reason to loathe yourself even more.
These people care about you by magnitudes, and that, along with the medication they provide you, should at least be the booster rocket that will break you out of the atmosphere of depression. Ultimately, however, the will to conquer your condition lies within yourself. For you, there IS a way out. You just need to find that way.
However, if it's your honest opinion that I'm doing more harm than good with my postings about this, I'll stop.
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Genesis, I chose the analogy I did deliberately. As I said, the roots of my problem are physical. I am stuck on the meds I am taking for the rest of my life, and they are still not a perfect fix. No matter how much help I get, I will never have the emotional resilience that you take for granted...just like your working legs.
And yes, I do think that the harm your advice could do, in the worst case, outweighs the good it could do. Neither of us has any idea who is reading this or what shape they're in, and this is one area where well-meaning verbal interference really can do damage. Best to leave well enough alone.
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Late to the conversation, but I read over the posts on depression and I (as someone who has been diagnosed with clinical depression) completely agree with J and alfadorredux.
That is all.
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I'm frustrated with this huge head cold that I have. It's never fun to be the one kid in class who's sniffling and constantly blowing their nose and coughing. Yuck.
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Made a fucking ton of friends at the conference, but one of the most interesting ones hates Obama and is really religious. Fucking Texas.
The badass I met more than compensates.
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I loathe texting with a passion because it's a conduit for miscommunication. That's the mild way I would put it. I'd hate to unlock the censorship barrier and let loose on how I really feel about it.
So do we really need a study to tell us that we can reduce miscommunication by 53 percent when it's on a face-to-face basis? Well, apparently there is such a study (http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1694817/mayo_study_finds_that_team_preop_briefing_improves_communication_reduces/index.html).
Questions: How many of your friends have you only spoken with online? If a good percent of your personality has gotten lost in the text transition, how well do these people actually know you? The people who dislike you via text, on message boards or chatrooms or whatever; is it because you're honestly incompatible, or is it because of the misunderstood 53 percent? And what about the ones who like you?
One method to make up that difference is in sheer numbers, piling up six dozen friends on Facebook. Now, don't get me wrong. Facebook friends are great, but how many of them are like your real-life friends that you hang out with on the weekends and wax nostalgia over your favorite pasttimes? I can only think of five friends in my life that actually do that, and I do that every week at my friends' houses. It's done me wonders in figuring them out and building a lasting relationship between all of them, something I've yet to accomplish with texting.
Anyways, that's my take on it. What says you?
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It's done me wonders in figuring them out and building a lasting relationship between all of them, something I've yet to accomplish with texting.
It depends on the people involved, I suppose. There are many of us, that, in order to have a fulfilling relationship with someone, need to have face-to-face interaction. On the topic of miscommunication, there are many subtleties in communicating in-person that can't be relayed consistently through text: vocal pitch, gestures, facial expressions, etc. It's the lack of these that could be behind a number of the communication issues that Genesis is speaking of.
In my case, I feel I can best convey myself when those subtleties are taken out of the equation. Rather than aid, my non-verbal cues tend to mislead those who aren't intimately familiar with my personality. For example, I can't look someone directly in the eyes when speaking to them. It takes so much effort for me to direct my gaze towards someone's face, and keep it there, that I lose my train of thought when speaking, or fail to entirely comprehend the words spoken by the other person. An average person, unfamiliar with my "quirks," would likely take this as a sign that I'm tuning them out, or that I don't particularly care about the conversation, when the opposite is more likely to be the case.
It's more comfortable, and efficient, for many involved parties if I put my thoughts into text and allow the reader to assign to me their own non-verbal nuances and expressions in lieu of mine.
I should point out, too, that I don't actively engage in high-speed texting as we tend to identify it today, with cell phones, Blackberries, iPhones, etc. I tend to stick to emails and message boards, since I find that txt tlk is teh sux0rz lollolomfg!!!!!1!!1oneone. To me, it's counter-intuitive, as it tends to bring up its own unique set of communication difficulties.
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I've never used 'txt speak', but I do more texting on my phone than actual phone calls. Yes, it can lead to miscommunication, and it is very inappropriate for certain situations (like trying to resolve D&D dramas). On the other end of the spectrum, it is a fast and convenient method of relaying or requesting short bits of information, especially when you're in a situation where you can't talk, or you just don't like talking on the phone.
If you're talking about making friends through phone texting, I've never heard of anyone using it that way. I only text people who I already know, and who I see on a pretty much daily basis (mostly my mom, little brother, and D&D group members). Why would anyone have your phone number if you don't know them, anyway?
If you mean you loathe texting by forum posts, then why are you even here?
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I don't mean message forums. I'm talking about cell phones. (And no, I don't hate leaving messages on forums. It's been quite productive in that respect).
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Some d-bag on G4's forums thought I was white knighting because I pointed out how his whiny off-topic post about some (supposed) girl's font choice was more annoying than said font. Then several other people started to similarly make off-topic posts about his reply & so-on (whereas I just PMed him to tell him he was wrong)...He called me a fucking n00b as well, but at least that was mildly accurate since I only just started posting there a while ago...
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Frustrations: Jealousy and sucky graphics cards.
We only have two class days left to work on our Intro to Level final project. I have a lot of stuff to work on at home, but I can't open the main scene file because my computer doesn't support all the shaders in it. We also have a poly count limit of 20,000, so I can't model that statue in Magus' basement. Suck.
Regarding jealousy, my little brother got to go to Seattle to watch the filming of Friday Night Smackdown, while I was stuck at school. He even got to see Kane amidst all his fireworks! It's a guilty secret of mine, but I've always dreamed of going to one of these shows to see exactly that. Maybe he'll be there next time the WWE comes to Seattle.
(Reposted because it got moved to the Abortion thread.)
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Double-spacing assignments is fucking annoying.
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Major virus killed my computer a few days ago. It really sucks. I had to restore the whole thing to factory settings, and therefore lost everything I had on it. All of my music, the images and art I made, and every program that didn't come with the computer.
And now the disk drive won't work to get the programs I need disks to get.
*Sighs from frustration* It'll be a long restarting process.
But I guess I gotta do it. :kamina
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Current frustration: Doctors.
Why do they have to keep diagnosis info from you when you really need it?
For the past few months I've been seeing a doctor to find out wether or not I have Asperger's Syndrome. They completed the diagnosis and gave it to my DVR counselor. However, I have to wait a another month, maybe more, before I finally have a damn clue!
Is it Asperger's or ADD?! Can't you bastards just friggin tell me already?!! :evil:
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Double-spacing assignments is fucking annoying.
Try marking +- 150 assignments for a course. Then you'll learn to love double spacing! So much easier to read and comment on.
I've always satisfying to type single spaced and then double space it to kill off the page limits for assignments. Besides, if your prof is real lenient, you can be crafty and even double-space footnotes! Brutally efficient way to get through things! :lol:
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Bleh. One of my professors this semester has to take a leave of absence because of illness. Everyone I know has told me they hope the replacement isn't this one professor, as he's a ridiculously hard grader. He got in trouble a few years ago for failing too many students.
Well, he's my replacement. -___- Yuck.
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TK: Yeah, that one's a doozy. I bet you were using Internet Explorer though, weren't you? First port of call if you have to avoid those viruses is using alternative web browsers. You might need to use a USB stick to ferry files from CD's and so forth to this computer (that's what I had to do when my brother got that virus and had to restart everything).
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This upsets me, too. The more I think about it, the more I read about it, and the more I'm reminded of it, the more ashamed of my state I become. On behalf of all Texans who can't stand this nonsense, I'm sorry that our state is setting such a backward trend.
Statements like these; overly-broad generalizations about an entire group of people based on the asshatery of a few legislators, coupled with spiteful "apologies" on behalf of said people.
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"Overly broad"? This is a democracy; you can't use that excuse here. We're not talking about "the asshatery" (ironic sic) "of a few legislators" (by which you mean school board members). This is the product of a cultural disease that cuts to the bone of the culture of Texas and more broadly the South. There is no hijacking of the will of the people. This is the majority will of the people, at least for now. Any solution you might propose, which refuses to acknowledge the spectacular failure that is modern conservatism, is doomed to irrelevance.
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Somebody recently mentioned data loss as a frustration. And how! I think there is very little in life, if anything, more personally frustrating than data loss. Over the years I've lost documents, e-mails, forum messages, and even whole stories to data loss. Just now, I lost all my revisions to an article that my editor had requested I revise. See, their website automatically logs you out after 24 hours. I try to keep track of it, but with so many logins and logouts, sometimes I forget what to set my internal alarm clock for. Instead, I write articles in a word processor. In fact I write nearly everything of any importance in a word processor. But I thus far haven't done revisions to these articles in a word processor. So, in between the time that I logged into the site to make the revisions, and the time that I submitted the revisions, my 24 hours passed and I was silently logged out.
Nuts.
Update: Triple WTF! When I went to post this message, I got a "not logged in" error message. (Don't try to post replies if you've navigated away from and back to the posting page.) Thankfully, on the Compendium, the browser's back button will save the day.
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I came back from a friend's dorm to find my door open, a light on (that was most definitely off when I left), and my closet door ajar.
What.the.fuck.
And my door doesn't lock. UGH. Why the hell were my roommates in my room??!! :x
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Statements like these; overly-broad generalizations about an entire group of people based on the asshatery of a few legislators, coupled with spiteful "apologies" on behalf of said people.
1.) I think that my tone was pretty obviously one of disappointment, not spite.
2.) The only group of people mentioned in my statement is the "set", if you would, of Texans who do not like the thought of history textbooks being tampered with by people who have little if any background in history, and for the purpose of "balancing" the teaching of history in the same fashion that Fox News "balances" the reporting of current events.
I mentioned being ashamed of my state, yes, but my mention of my state was more a reference to the figurative entity that is "Texas", and the foolish trend now set by this entity. Unfortunately, the asshattery of 2/3 of our school board members has lent such a loathsome character to our entire state.
Actually *rereads your statement*, I think that you are referencing two different groups of people in a rather jumbled way in your post. I apologize on behalf of everyone in my state who is upset by the school board's vote, and I generalize about... whom now? I'm confused.
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On a related note, I find the fact that curriculum, for any subject, is determined by a school board like this. I'm not familiar with all the members of the Texas Board, but those I am are not historians, economists, or anything else that qualifies them to make these sorts of decisions. It is only a dedication to the subject itself that can guard against such detrimental tampering. School boards lack that dedication, yet continue to set the standards. Our education system is ruled by the insane. Today their insanity happens to involve stabbing History repeatedly, but tomorrow it might involve rubbing food in Foreign Language's hair. Though a good bit nicer than a knife to the face, don't mistake it for sanity. The only solution is to remove this insane institution, and the sooner we can remove it, the less harm it will have caused.
So to sum up, my frustration is the current educational structure.
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"Hey guys, sorry that everyone in my 'state' except for me and everyone who thinks like me is a complete screw up."
Whether or not this is what you meant to say, the implication is definitely there. Your position is not what frustrates me, Uboa, but rather your method. These "apology" statements are nothing but pure condescension; there's really no argument made here. This is probably the main part of most of Lord J's discussions that irk me the most, although to give him credit, he has been abstaining his typical method in recent weeks, and I've found that his arguments aren't nearly as maddening when he does this.
Uboa, you personally have been able to make potent arguments about a position you feel strongly without this insulting and elitist attitude. I know you can do better than this.
Although, to be frank, the fact that both you and Lord J patronized me for my use of the word asshatery(and a fine linguistic construction it is) because it is not considered "standard English" makes me second guess that notion.
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These "apology" statements are nothing but pure condescension; there's really no argument made here. This is probably the main part of most of Lord J's discussions that irk me the most, although to give him credit, he has been abstaining his typical method in recent weeks, and I've found that his arguments aren't nearly as maddening when he does this.
Yeah I actually left the forum for a little while because of a few of J's more condescending comments. They are frustrating, but luckily, he and I have not had too much trouble as of late.
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"Hey guys, sorry that everyone in my 'state' except for me and everyone who thinks like me is a complete screw up."
Whether or not this is what you meant to say, the implication is definitely there. Your position is not what frustrates me, Uboa, but rather your method. These "apology" statements are nothing but pure condescension; there's really no argument made here. This is probably the main part of most of Lord J's discussions that irk me the most, although to give him credit, he has been abstaining his typical method in recent weeks, and I've found that his arguments aren't nearly as maddening when he does this.
Uboa, you personally have been able to make potent arguments about a position you feel strongly without this insulting and elitist attitude. I know you can do better than this.
Although, to be frank, the fact that both you and Lord J patronized me for my use of the word asshatery(and a fine linguistic construction it is) because it is not considered "standard English" makes me second guess that notion.
Your chosen spelling of that fine linguistic construction suggests the act of hating asses, rather than "asshatting".
I suppose that I am a little flattered that my apology carried enough chutzpah to be considered as an argument. I don't usually enjoy inciting heated political arguments on forums, so I try to refrain from tossing out such statements unless I'm really willing to see an entire argument through. Still, instead of a political argument I seem to have incited here a bizarre diatribe about the sincerity of my, um, apo-argu-logy-ment, in addition to my potential "elitism". Or, does that count as a political argument these days?
Since you were so considerate to read into my statement for the benefit of everybody I clearly intended to insult, allow me to return the favor. As a general rule, if anybody at the Compendium expresses regret, remorse, disappointment, anguish, woe, etc. about the direction of their country, state, district, or any other social group to which they belong, without a doubt they are really intending to distinguish as a "complete screw up" everybody within that group who does not think exactly as they do. Truthordeal will graciously point out this transgression and remind them that they can do better, free of charge. He will even offer an uplifting reminder about all the times they did not speak so unbecomingly! (Bonus "Lord J" typification while supplies last.)
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"Hey guys, sorry that everyone in my 'state' except for me and everyone who thinks like me is a complete screw up."
Whether or not this is what you meant to say, the implication is definitely there. Your position is not what frustrates me, Uboa, but rather your method. These "apology" statements are nothing but pure condescension; there's really no argument made here. This is probably the main part of most of Lord J's discussions that irk me the most, although to give him credit, he has been abstaining his typical method in recent weeks, and I've found that his arguments aren't nearly as maddening when he does this.
Uboa, you personally have been able to make potent arguments about a position you feel strongly without this insulting and elitist attitude. I know you can do better than this.
Although, to be frank, the fact that both you and Lord J patronized me for my use of the word asshatery(and a fine linguistic construction it is) because it is not considered "standard English" makes me second guess that notion.
Your chosen spelling of that fine linguistic construction suggests the act of hating asses, rather than "asshatting".
I suppose that I am a little flattered that my apology carried enough chutzpah to be considered as an argument. I don't usually enjoy inciting heated political arguments on forums, so I try to refrain from tossing out such statements unless I'm really willing to see an entire argument through. Still, instead of a political argument I seem to have incited here a bizarre diatribe about the sincerity of my, um, apo-argu-logy-ment, in addition to my potential "elitism". Or, does that count as a political argument these days?
Since you were so considerate to read into my statement for the benefit of everybody I clearly intended to insult, allow me to return the favor. As a general rule, if anybody at the Compendium expresses regret, remorse, disappointment, anguish, woe, etc. about the direction of their country, state, district, or any other social group to which they belong, without a doubt they are really intending to distinguish as a "complete screw up" everybody within that group who does not think exactly as they do. Truthordeal will graciously point out this transgression and remind them that they can do better, free of charge. He will even offer an uplifting reminder about all the times they did not speak so unbecomingly! (Bonus "Lord J" typification while supplies last.)
I know this is a frustration thread, but I think Uboa has become my new favorite person on these boards. :P
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I know this is a frustration thread, but I think Uboa has become my new favorite person on these boards. :P
She's pretty spiffy, isn't she? :)
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This isn't an argument Uboa. Just a frustration of mine. I don't consider being condescending to anyone as something to be happy about.
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Here's what I don't like:
The media trying to disguise shoddy reporting techniques and pass them off as fact!
As anybody who has ever wistfully imagined Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly fighting to the death over a pit of lava knows, most media outlets are biased. Usually it's not part of anybody's grand scheme to brainwash you, but rather just the result of newsrooms being staffed by fallible, opinionated humans.
The problem is they're generally not allowed to come right out and say they think the subject of their news story is a hate-mongering idiot, so they have to rely on subtle and sometimes downright dishonest methods to gently sway you one way or the other.
Weasel words, false correlation, burying inconvenient facts, biased photos, active voices, and guessing the motives are but a few convenient means of churning out a news story without having to dig for answers.
I'd just like newspapers and the news media to be more honest in their reporting. Just give me a straight-forward report! No punditry, no misleading photos, and definitely no unqualified interviews. Maybe then I could tolerate their crap a little more.
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I'd just like newspapers and the news media to be more honest in their reporting. Just give me a straight-forward report! No punditry, no misleading photos, and definitely no unqualified interviews. Maybe then I could tolerate their crap a little more.
But if they did that, what would be left for historians to do?!
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But if they did that, what would be left for historians to do?!
Fix the History Channel.
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But if they did that, what would be left for historians to do?!
Fix the History Channel.
Nice.
Edit for P.S.: Time constraints have limited my Compendium availability recently, Truthordeal, but as I am able I will pledge a return of the thrashings and rebukes you so consistently deserve. Elitism, bad? Does it follow, then: "Mookery, good"? Attacking the obliviousness with which you write some of your stuff, as well as the stuff itself, is not a pleasure sport of mine. It genuinely follows from my philosophy that you do a lot of damage by saying shit that either isn't true or doesn't follow. If I spoke to you politely, you would accuse me of condescension, perhaps not unwarrantedly. I prefer to be honest: You should ask more questions, do more studying, keep a more open mind, and resist the temptation to make snap judgments or use faith-based logic. When you fail in all these, you fall significantly short of your human potential. If that burns you, good. Now go do something about it other than complaining about Lord J.
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Edit for P.S.: Time constraints have limited my Compendium availability recently, Truthordeal, but as I am able I will pledge a return of the thrashings and rebukes you so consistently deserve. Elitism, bad? ... It genuinely follows from my philosophy that you do a lot of damage by saying shit that either isn't true or doesn't follow. If I spoke to you politely, you would accuse me of condescension, perhaps not unwarrantedly.
You do realize how incredibly silly this sounds, right? Shaking your fist, promising to go about what you see as a moral duty to correct people on the internet? For fear of others digesting their views, however (in)correct they may be? You've got a long fight ahead of you if that's the case. Especially (try not to take this the wrong way, Truth) if you're going to cast as wide a net as to go issuing lectures to people almost ten years younger than yourself.
(http://blog.pauked.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/duty-calls.jpg)
Honestly, giving online verbal beatdowns in an effort to push your views on someone or simply obliterate their own is a waste. Respect is earned. Patronizing rhetoric and dueling monologues get you none.
Reading some of your longer posts, J, I don't think I'm even that far off from you on major issues, but come on. We're some of the oldest members here. Let's save our haughtiness and philosophy for mature items like doing dishes, paying the bills and writing congressmen as opposed to online bickering. It shouldn't be such a distraction that we have to leave foreboding PS messages in threads we didn't have time to argue in.
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I've had many years to think this over. My position is that it is irresponsible for people to be vapidly opinionated, and irresponsible for others to let it go unchallenged. If I wanted whatever you think "respect" is, I would surely behave differently.
There is an analogy in politics, in the form of the right-wing noise machine, whose agents will sink to the lowest depths of taste imaginable in their charades and circuses. And so many gullible people buy into it! That's a good reason not to give idiocy a free pass. But the real point of interest here is: What do you do about it? Do you ignore them in the hopes that reason will prevail? Do you respond to them on their level, vying for dominance over the lowest common denominator? Do you fight back with reason, facts, and head held high? I've had years to practice all three. I've learned something of the art of argument. I like Truthordeal. Despite my best efforts to write him off entirely I think his head is in the right place. But he needs constant correction, constant rebuke, constant pushback. He'd morph into one of those drooling right-wing troglodytes if the Compendium were a conservative haven. But it's not; it's a moonbat oasis, and so here his ego is checked every time he ventures an opinion. That's a good thing. I don't much care that he doesn't much care for me; I'm simply doing what I think is the right thing to do. Don't assume that the more genial conduct of others better serves him or them or the Compendium as a whole. My role is an important one. As you said, respect is earned, and I don't give mine out to anyone who manages to post opinions on a website. In a world filled with mooks it does no good for everyone to make nice with everyone all the time. In such a world, learning is stifled. I say enough with this infernal Get-Along Gang! Let's stand for our principles and go fight evil.
Before I go: You've got one point that I have to address specifically: He's considerably younger. That does figure into his state if not his abilities. I find it interesting, though, that you were so embarrassed to point this out that you felt compelled to tell Truthordeal "not to take this the wrong way." In fact the "wrong" way is exactly the way you meant it; else your modesty would not have stricken you. You're calling him too young to stand with the rest of the crowd. You're giving him a pass that you imply you wouldn't give to an older person. You're disrespecting him as much as I do, but, unlike me, you're unable or unwilling to admit it--and, unlike me, you've come out and put it in large part on his age. I never did that. Nor would I. To me it is an irrelevancy; he is old enough to think: He just needs to learn how.
With me, total honesty. And that works both ways: When people honor themselves, I respect them, and I'm as direct about that as I am with my shenanigans against mookery. The ones who can't get over me are the ones who can't get over themselves in some way: Daniel Krispin's incuriosity, for instance. A fine person, but utterly self-defeating in intellectual discourse. Truthordeal's problem doesn't seem to be incuriosity, but dogmatism and self-entitlement. He keeps coming back with the expectation that he'll be allowed to introduce his opinions into the community discourse without criticism. As if! That, Samopoznanie, would be elitism of the wronger sort. His opinions are ever so deserving of criticism! Not always; sometimes he's an ally. But often enough. It'll do him better to recognize he's living in a world where there's something more to life than shutting himself up in an insular existence of yeasaying and backpatting. And I don't need to make innuendos about his age to chart a course.
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Uh oh. I just realized I've got to be up for something in less than five hours. Nuts!
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Sampoznanie, I understand J's philosophy regarding the Internet and arguing. He's explained it once or twice before. I find his condescension maddening at times, and I still think it's the wrong policy, but, I guess that's about a moot point at this juncture.
I realize a lot of the criticism I receive from here is based at least partly on my first months here, where I was extremely immature during debate and refused to part ways with some of the more onerous right-wing rhetoric I'd grown accustomed to. Particularly in the Fuck Sexism thread. I've grown a bit since then, and re-reading a lot of it makes me cringe, so it's perfectly understandable why anything I say is at first glance met with some level of...for lack of a better word, skepticism.
Finally, there's a lot one can say about J, but one thing is that he doesn't discriminate by age. It'd be far easier for me personally if he did, but at the same time the Compendium wouldn't challenge me if that were to happen, and that's something I'd rather not give up. It's also worth mentioning that I think J's thread "Ask a Liberal," is complete genius; it allows Compendiumites to challenge him, and for him to challenge us, without the usual shenanigans that arise out of a typical debate on here.
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Your chosen spelling of that fine linguistic construction suggests the act of hating asses, rather than "asshatting".
Also, I can't believe I let Uboa get away with this in my previous post.
Asshattery is a noun that means "the art of asshatting." It comes from the word "asshat" which Urbandictionary defines as: "One who has their head up their ass. Thus wearing their ass as a hat." (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=asshat)To prove my point, two case studies.
1) The word "poetry," a noun meaning "the art of making poems," or "the art of making poetry." It's typically bad mojo to use the word itself in the definition, but since the two instances of the word have different meanings and functions, I think it's excusable for the sake of clarity in this case.
Both words the same ending morpheme "-(e)ry" to change them from a verb form--making poetry, and asshatting or being an asshat--to a noun form. The "e" in the case of asshattery merely exists to help with pronunciation. A person who does either is referred to by the root word--Poet, and asshat, respectively. The only deviation would be in the adjective form: poetic vs. asshattish(ok, "asshat" doesn't have an adjective form as far as I know, but this is probably the closest supposition of what it would be). Even then, the morphemes -ic and -ish, and even -esque aren't very different. The deviation here is minimal, at best.
There might be some confounding in the fact that asshat is a compound word, whereas poem is not. But, I feel that the word "asshat" is inseparable, so that doesn't exactly change much either. But I'll get more into this particular point of "declension"(this was a pun, a lame one, sure, don't take it seriously) in a bit.
So what does poetry mean? Making poems. What does asshattery mean? Being an asshat.
2) Jackassery, or "the state or art of being a jackass." Jackass is an English colloquialism meaning "to be an idiot." It uses the exact same construction of "asshattery" and even uses a compound word as it's root.
To be a jackass does not mean "to jack asses," nor does jackassery mean "the art of jacking asses." If it did, jackassery would probably be considered a homophobic slur, which it is not.
Again, to Urbandictionary: "Conduct consistent with a Jackass," and "a large quantity of stupid, asinine behavior; typically referring to a group of people exhibiting poor judgment," are the first two definitions. Since asshattery functions the same as jackassery, one can infer correctly that asshattery has to do with being an asshat, and not hatting asses.
Truth be told, I could've used Urbandictionary from the start, but I wanted to make sure that the reasoning behind this construction was abundantly clear.
But, for the sake of I-Told-You-So, here's the Urbandictionary entry on "asshattery."
1. Acts committed by an asshat or asshats. 2. Engagement in an activity normally reserved for asshats.
I demand that all of you stop this asshattery at once!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=asshattery
Check it yourself.
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The brackets are officially a mess.
Big ups to J for using "troglodyte."
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Look at this poor, ignorant fucks outside the legislature on C-SPAN, with signs like "abortion is NOT health care." Just yesterday, Barney Frank was called a faggot and John Lewis was called "nigger" by Tea Party fuckers. They're so mired in religion and misguided anger that it's reaching an epic level of pathos. The bill isn't even that good, and will nonetheless likely benefit them. But Glenn Beck, their pastors, and their local politicians told them to be outraged, tapping into the prized redneck fear-vote. And here it is, splayed out like fallen humanity outside the Capitol.
Fuck, I can't wait to see them when the vote takes place.
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whooooooaaaa they said the n word? wow I heard something racist was said, but geesh. the republic is turning into 4.chan.org/b
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Look at this poor, ignorant fucks outside the legislature on C-SPAN, with signs like "abortion is NOT health care." Just yesterday, Barney Frank was called a faggot and John Lewis was called "nigger" by Tea Party fuckers. They're so mired in religion and misguided anger that it's reaching an epic level of pathos. The bill isn't even that good, and will nonetheless likely benefit them. But Glenn Beck, their pastors, and their local politicians told them to be outraged, tapping into the prized redneck fear-vote. And here it is, splayed out like fallen humanity outside the Capitol.
Fuck, I can't wait to see them when the vote takes place.
I said it before, and I'll say it again. These Tea Party jackasses need to die in a chemical fire... :picardno
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Yeah, speaking of Glenn Beck and a bunch of zealous followers...
I managed to keep myself from hurling when watching one of his choir preaching sessions last night on Faux News. He was basically calling Obama a liar for not bringing around the public health care option fast enough like he promised back during his '08 campaign trail. He then goes on to site a list of countries that did exactly what Obama is doing right now (universal health care, universal education, universal whatever) and amounting them to epic fails. It was that final line that drove me to switch the channel on him (see below).
Paraphrase: The only thing America is promising is oppression in the order of North Korea.
What person would have to hate America enough to listen to his diatribe?
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Jesus, only in the Deep Fucking South can some complete idiot like Eric Cantor get elected.
Edit: Aww, is Boehner going to cry again?
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Your chosen spelling of that fine linguistic construction suggests the act of hating asses, rather than "asshatting".
Also, I can't believe I let Uboa get away with this in my previous post.
Asshattery is a noun that means...
I like to think I have a decently developed sense of humor. Part of being a "funny guy" is making a lot of jokes. Now most the time, those jokes fall flat. Humour is often the result of trying again and again until one finds something that works; great comedians tell a lot of jokes that aren't funny, but they keep trying so when they hit on one that works, that is what we remember them for. As such, a necessary skill that one must develop in order to be effectively funny is to know when to let a joke go. Sometimes things that should be funny, and would be funny in the right crowd, just fail when told to certain people.
Thus, it is with a sagely, magnificent, white beard that I, in this realm of humour, must advise: let the pun die. It was a great pun, but it fell flat and aught be put out of its misery.
Here, let me say a few final words for it:
Oh Pun, you were a good pun, witty and cutting.
You were as the springtime, beautiful when you came, dispelling the grey winter of discourse.
But sadly you are less so now,
having been killed, beaten, run over, shot, stabbed, given many paper cuts, poked, electrocuted, and killed some more.
Your beauty has now waned, you are all putrid and grossified.
Farewell, Pun, you're life was too short and we shall miss you.
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Thought, your advice only works if it were a pun; it was not. My post was not a joke. It was an explanation of why the word "asshattery," despite the scoffs of Uboa and J, is a word that "works," and also a response to Uboa's claim that I was misusing it.
It's a trifle to argue about, sure.
Edit: And also, on a completely unrelated note:
Curse you common typography! You have been the bane of my existence!
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/Dalton-Angry.gif)
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Fuck this cat bullshit. I understand that cats are cute, stuck-up fuckers, but I don't comprehend the fucking obsession with them. Two blogs I visit have a daily picture of a kitty, and it's useless goddamn filler. If I start a fucking blog, I'm going to jam a daily dachshund in faces and fight the fucking power.
Do the impossible
see the invisible
raw! raw!
fight the power!
touch the untouchable
break the unbreakable
raw! raw!
fight the power!
Power to the peeps, power for the dream
still missing piece scattering, so incomplete
we be the most incredible soldier from underground
see how easy, they all fall down
digging to the core to see the light
Let’s get out of here babe, that’s the way to survive, ya
top of the head, I’m on the set
do the impossible, don’t you wanna bet?
cuz, a lot of things changed, we be waiting in vain
if you wanna get by, no pain no gain
wow! fakers wanna test me again
sorry, my rhyme’s gonna snatch your brain, yo
I’m still starving for the straight up shit
we gonna make it happen with the crazy rap skill
get ready to rumble, now is the time, uh huh
if you ain’t know, now you know
good luck fellows!
2nd verse dedicates to the real peeps
what we got to say is so real thing
cuz, revolution ain’t never gonna televise
kicking the mad flow, microphone phenotype
open your third eye, seeing through the overground
I’m about to hit you with the scream from the underground
whole city is covered with the cyber flavor
“G” is in your area, one of the toughest enigma
Edit: Some badass determinator beat me to it: http://www.dailydachshundanddognews.com/
Looks like it needs to be updated, though.
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Hehe, I love cats and I kept several blogs addresses in my bookmark collection. Whenever I get bored I just go checking whether they have some updates.
------------
I sprained my waist this morning while washing my tea cup, it's really shameful considering my age.
:picardno
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I own twelve cats...
>.>
<.<
and I know them all by name.
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Not a big cat fan. Used to have a Dachshund who made it to 15, she was awesome and I still miss her. For now I stick with my chickens...
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I loooooove cats, but I love camels more. ^_^ Camels are so fucking badass.
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Health Care Bill got pushed back into the House for 'Final Approval'...
...........
...............
:picardno
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The phrase/word "Obamacare." Forget politics, forget even humanistic concerns. It offends me as someone who likes to coin words and phrases. "Obamacare" is an utterly uninspired "word," the construction of which is an affront not just to the English Language, but the entire Indo-European Language group.
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Damn financial analysis. Markets are irrational and manipulated, and financial analysis is like trying to pull the truth out of five layers of deception laid upon a foundation of sand and animal spirits. Most of it reeks of unscrupulous wealth capture, too. The majority of mutual funds can't even beat the index, and the ones that can are usually massive investment houses/hedges (with buy-ins of several million dollars) that have significant market power. What a fucking arena of chaos. I hate the extreme masculinity of it all, too, with risk-taking and one-upmanship prized in financier culture. Read some of the accounts of corporate culture at Lehman Bros. or the other investment houses, and you'll find some of the biggest dick-swinging contests in history's annals. A culture like this reinforces gender roles and keeps out females. It's no surprise that Wall Street has been faulted for lacking conscience for female employees (http://jezebel.com/5502141/wall-streets-mommy-track-is-the-kiss-of-career-death).
Fuck the weighted-average cost of capital.
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I am going to fucking destroy sexism or die trying. The Gendendium will have its day.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/Makoto_Shishio_by_kaizeroexit.jpg)
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I had to go into hibernation for awhile to meet a deadline... this whole issue is pretty buried now, but I'll add to a pair of minor items, re: J's comments two pages back.
But the real point of interest here is: What do you do about it? ... I've had years to practice all three. I've learned something of the art of argument.
While I can agree that there's a certain art to debate - 'argument' strikes me as something more brash and inane - there's only so much 'art' you can learn over the years by typing on a screen with strangers. Especially when they can just google stats or trivia on the go. I've done my time as far as that scene goes, and at this point I've got enough papers, panels and political items to work on outside of the web. If I have down time, I'd rather just collapse and watch some highlights from a piece of cinematic gold like Ninja Terminator to flush the day's stress away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0l7Fp5jTRQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0l7Fp5jTRQ)
Before I go: You've got one point that I have to address specifically: He's considerably younger. ...
And I don't need to make innuendos about his age to chart a course.
You're reading into things a bit much. As I mentioned above, I've tired of internet frays. But I've been through enough of them to know that people get sand in their vaginas over the most petty of comments, or bend them out of context for the sake of arguing. It sucks that we've arrived at the point my instinct is to preface my remarks with politically correct asides, yes. But if that's what it takes to stave off a potential internet shitstorm, then I'll go to the extra trouble of adding a pair of brackets and 3-4 words to my post and let my online character take a hit. I'm about as PC as George Carlin, but internet scrums just aren't my cup of tea these days.
**********************
In other news.....
Frustrations? Students who use CAPS LOCK in term papers for added emphasis, or take a shot in the dark with a thesaurus to try and jazz things up. I'm still trying to picture what an "army attack[ing] polyphonically" is supposed to look like.
:picardno
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I'm still trying to picture what an "army attack[ing] polyphonically" is supposed to look like.
:picardno
Obviously, they are referring to the Kiss Army.
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Obviously, they are referring to the Kiss Army.
Ha! I only wish! Good call though, maybe I'll listen to Sonic Boom (their latest album) while I'm marking today. :lol:
It is kind of eye opening, the stuff you find though. Copy-and-Pastes from online with a few pronouns or adjectives changed, rambling sentences that repeat peoples' names 4-5 times... another person even cited "An Unknown Document" as a source. :? If I couldn't laugh, I'd cry.
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Nice use of RuroKen villainy to portray your convictions, Z.
I, too, find Shishio Makoto to be affably evil.
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I've been extremely dizzy all day, with weird muscle spasms randomly happening. Yuck.
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Tell me about it. My month of leave ends today, and tomorrow I go back to work, but I spent the last day and a half just lying in bed with a fever and feeling really sore and tired. That hot/cold feeling isn't very good either.
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Windows 7. Specifically, it has compatability issues with almost everything it seems like. So far the two most annoying ones have been Diablo II and Photoshop CS2. I finally was able to get D2 to work, but CS2 continues to allude me.
Alas, poor Photoshop... I knew her, Horatio.
An art program of infinite use.
Where are your layers now, your vectors?
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Thought, do you have the 32 bit edition of Windows 7, or the 64 bit edition? I find that programs work way more stably when I run them in compatibility mode for Windows XP (by right-clicking on the executable of the program I want to run). But I wonder if that trick works for the 64-bit edition of Windows 7 at all.
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In the Amusements thread I wrote this:
I saw this advertisement on a letter board at McDonald's during the train ride home yesterday...
My frustration is that I have a natural tendency to combine certain complex noun phrases into single words. For instance, in that sentence I had to fight the urge to write "letterboard" instead of "letter board," and "trainride" instead of "train ride." Neither of these consolidations would be inconsistent with the rules of English grammar, but they are against precedent--the Firefox spellchecker caught me, and I had to choose (against my fiber!) to break them up as I did.
The problem here is that English itself is inconsistent. Some complex nouns are consolidated, like "windowsill." Others are hyphenated, like "role-playing." Others still are left unlinked, like "bottle opener."
In some instances I override the precedent. For instance, I rarely write "roleplaying" as "role-playing." (Indeed, I tend to consolidate many of the hyphenated complex nouns, which itself is consistent with a wider trend in modern English away from hyphenation of complex nouns.) Other times, I choose to override or observe the precedent based on the venue. In my fiction writing, I show very little deference for precedents, but in essays the bias is revered. In casual writing, such as here, I tend to respect the precedent unless I am prepared to override it and offer a rebuttal to anyone who criticizes it. This is primarily a matter of principle, since in practice people rarely bother to critique my grammar, but it is a good example of a non-ideological principle which I respect and try to adhere to: Don't make a commitment that you aren't willing to uphold if tested.
My frustration here is quite minor, but I suppose worth writing about, because here we are!
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Well, if ever I find myself tempted to combine separate words into what appear to be single words, I use my good friend the hyphen.
Otherwise (or is it "other wise"?), they're still two separate words, no matter what I seem them as.
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My frustration is The Piety of the Artists, my derogatory term for the trouble which arises in science among those whose training is in the liberal arts, the humanities, and the softer of the social sciences, when they appeal to, or invoke, the much more rigorous natural sciences. The core of the problem is that their appeals are inappropriate both in concept and substance. To put it very simply, they invoke science without being scientific.
I have a foot in both worlds: Nearly all of my collegiate study was in engineering, physics, and chemistry, while at the same time most of my non-academic activities have been outside of the hard sciences. I have come to understand just how easily the scientific method can be misused (deliberately or not) to create the illusion of empirical authority where there is none, and thereby to create false substantiation for claims. Over the years I have been chagrined and humbled by my previous lack of awareness when it came to making claims; I have since tempered my scientific claim-making considerably, though perhaps you would not notice it unless you have known me all this time and can remember the way I used to be. Even if you don't remember, you will surely recall my contempt for those who invoke pseudo-science, such as the ones who appeal to a “quantum physics” of which they have no grasp whatsoever in order that they might “authoritatively” explain a universe using framework that is as fantastical as that of faeries and elves.
Fortunately, the cure is simple: Don't mix science with the appeal to authority. Proper science requires no authority whatsoever and shudders under the very premise. I don't want to see any of you misusing science in this way. Science is as accessible as its anti-intellectual detractors claim it is not, but it cannot be cheated upon. It is a world whose work must largely be done by oneself. Your ability to make claims in areas where you have undertaken little personal study...is necessarily quite limited. Be prudent, be judicious. Do not invoke science's good name when you are unable to uphold the same.
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Thought, do you have the 32 bit edition of Windows 7, or the 64 bit edition? I find that programs work way more stably when I run them in compatibility mode for Windows XP (by right-clicking on the executable of the program I want to run). But I wonder if that trick works for the 64-bit edition of Windows 7 at all.
I have the 64 bit edition and have had no problems with Adobe CS3 Master Suite. The trick does work, with the 64 bit Win7, there is a compatibility mode for Windows XP and there is also an x86 Program Files directory where 32 bit programs install themselves and they run beautifully.
I have to admit, I have grown to love windows 7. It didn't work well with most of my plug n play peripherals when I first got it around Christmas time of last year, but within a month, all the drivers had been updated and my digital SLR camera,
my combo scanner/printer,
my wacom tablet,
my wireless mouse and keyboard (had to check),
logitech gamepad,
all works perfectly. And setting up a home network was a breeze. What are you having trouble with, Thought? Anything I can help with, possibly?
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Thought, do you have the 32 bit edition of Windows 7, or the 64 bit edition? I find that programs work way more stably when I run them in compatibility mode for Windows XP (by right-clicking on the executable of the program I want to run). But I wonder if that trick works for the 64-bit edition of Windows 7 at all.
64, if I am recalling correctly. Yeah, the compatibility mode is necessary for running almost any program that hasn't been designed specifically for Windows 7. And, of course, making sure that one runs a program as an administrator whenever there is modification or installing going on. My problem with CS2 is that it doesn't recognize the registration code after I install it; it is a valid code, it had been working swimmingly on my now mostly-dead desktop. Thus the only thing I have been able to conclude is that there is some conflict that it preventing photoshop from properly verifying the code.
I have the 64 bit edition and have had no problems with Adobe CS3 Master Suite. The trick does work, with the 64 bit Win7, there is a compatibility mode for Windows XP and there is also an x86 Program Files directory where 32 bit programs install themselves and they run beautifully.
An oddity with CS2 is that it won’t allow me to accept the x86 program directory as a valid pathway for installation. There is the standard Program File Directory that it will install to, but then when I go to check the actual file locations afterwards, they've really installed on that x86 Program Files directory that it said it couldn't find. Perhaps that is actually the problem; the program might think it's in a different location than it is.
Thanks for the advice, both of you.
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(http://i.imgur.com/GGpOh.jpg)
American media is shit. It brings to mind this:
(http://bsalert.com/img-host/newsweek_covers.jpg)
A bunch of European outlets have also now picked up the Wikileaks story and are running it as frontpage items. CNN? Nothing.
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Maybe we should give people tax credits based on their ability to answer a current events questionnaire.
"I'll pay you to be less ignorant!"
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Maybe we should give people tax credits based on their ability to answer a current events questionnaire.
Could we do the same with Carbon Credits? (They're such a joke, it isn't funny.)
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It gets under my skin that my fiance insists on being right. She told me today that Star Wars was based on the Star Wars book series.
After telling her how wrong that was, she still wouldn't listen. Even after LOOKING IT UP AND CITING FIVE DIFFERENT WEBSITES she still said I was wrong.
._.
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You shouldn't marry someone who gets under your skin like this before you're even married.
In fact, society ought to formalize a couple of tiers of indefinite relationship statuses below the level of marriage, so that people who can't take the heat of matrimony but want some level of legal recognition (and some of the rights that go with it) can have their needs met.
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But everyone's bound to get under your skin from time to time, healthy relationship or not. That's just inevitable.
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But everyone's bound to get under other your skin from time to time, healthy relationship or not. That's just inevitable.
This.
She and I both know this. While we annoy each other from time to time, we still love each other.
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Disputes will come and go (hopefully), but don't let them get to you. Especially not something as trivial as Star Wars (I feel I will be jumped for saying that). Part of being in a relationship is learning how to work your way through problems. Sometimes, agreeing to disagree works just as well.
-----
Now for my own frustrations. . .
In my search for scholarships, I found a relatively easy one. Just three questions and I'm done. Two out of the three I can answer, but the other one. . . I don't know why, but it has me stumped. "Tell us the funniest true story that has ever happened to you."
It seems that when it comes to recalling specific moments in my life, I fail. I experienced the same yesterday with Lord J's question, "What is the most beautiful thing you have ever done?" I can't answer these questions thoroughly, and it frustrates me.
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I am officially stationed in korea, which is cool, but by some quirk of the date of my arrival, im stuck doing nothing until the 15th but the simple inprocessing that I've almost completed. I don't really know my way around downtown so I dont want to get lost, and my friends are either already here and working, or dont get here until the 18th.... soooo boreddd
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I had the ingenious idea of not wearing sunscreen while in Hawaii so now I'm paying for it D:. Hopefully I will have achieved the tan I wanted though.
Also, kind of sucks being back from vacation XD.
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After almost a week I finally have news about school regarding the earthquake of last Sunday.
No school until the 19th. Although, to me, that's not exactly 'Stuff you love' material, so it more or less goes here. And since the lost time will be recovered in June... :roll:
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:x
I hate it when people rely on me and my mental condition to help get something accomplished around the house when they are perfectly capable of doing it themselves. It's like I can't get a break from them. Heaven forbid them actually remember how to operate a VHS/DVD player from 3 days ago when I showed them how to step-by-@#$%-step.
Fun Fact (<--Sarcastic): I have Asperger's Syndrome. Average IQ, but Rain-Man-esque memory.
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Bah, if the 'going green' initiative taking place at my college means turning off the air conditioning in a three story all males dorm filled with athletes in the middle of a South Carolinian spring, I say nuts to this planet and lets go make a new one! With Blackjack. And hookers. In fact, forget the planet...meh, screw the whole thing, I'm too hot to deal with that nonsense.
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It is WAY too warm outside. Blah. I wish it could be winter forever. -__-
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You make me wish I had Aspergers, Genesis XD.
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My frustration is people who do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Case in point: A fellow activist recently proclaimed how much it would elevate his standing for him to be seen participating in the activism. Never mind that his work was good work to do; the comment he chose to make is that his work would draw attention to him.
It's certainly true that one can benefit personally from being proactive, and it's certainly sincere to point that out. However, when the actual motivation for being an activist turns to self-promotion rather than social progress, that person's contribution will always come with a detrimental component. So the question becomes: At what point does the detriment supersede the benefit?
This is a good meditation* on the uselessness of the dilemma of conventional "good" and "evil."
* See Definition No. 2 (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meditation?o=15413) as well as the etymology (i.e., "thinking over").
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ZaichikArky, you don't want to have what I have.
It's not as severe as autism, but it's not without its pay-offs.
Those who have what I have tend to show their inner thoughts more through speech (quite bluntly, I might add) and have a hard time maintaining their tact in conversations when the topics (and those talking about them) get deep and involved. They say honesty is the best policy, but in this case, honesty comes with some baggage when you have a certain thought that needs to get out but can't because it might offend someone.
It's not all that fun, and the extreme cases are really sad to observe and study.
However, if it's the extreme case that piques your curiosity, I would recommend Pretending to be normal : Living with Asperger's Syndrome by Liane Holliday Willey. Personally, I couldn't relate to it because I don't have a severe case of it like the author, but this is where my frustration kicks in:
It's classified as a "disease" (http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/umlsdef.asp?glngUserChoice=31268)
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Went to an upscale restaurant yesterday, and half the fucking menu is Italian bullshit. How the fuck am I supposed to know what the fuck to order when I don't fucking speak goddamned Italian? I'm not an iPhone trendster either, so it's not as if I can pull out Google Language on the spot like some worthless pseudointellectual and peck the terms in one by one. Stupid fucking bullshit; the entire obsession with Italian culture is similarly fucking stupid. Congratulations; Gucci a horde of other worthless tripe comes from Italy, and it's all overpriced, slave-labor-designed, needless bullshit. Anyone who bottom-feeds Italian brands should be reminded that it's the fucking token third world country of Western Europe.
Fuck that noise.
-
@ Genesis- Yep, I'm the same way, but I don't have Aspergers. I'm very blunt and I have social problems. Also, not all people with Aspergers have outstanding memory. Actually yesterday I filled out some kind of facebook questionnaire that said that I have a very high Autistic spectrum profile or something like that. I am fairly certain I don't have Aspergers, though. Just still living with ADHD. They're kind of similar in many ways, actually...
Back to the bitching thread- I've been upset with my bestest internet friend for months and months because he's even more terrible with communicating with me than lately. I confronted him with this the other day and I found out he's more depressed than I thought. I hope he feels better, but I miss talking to him and really, it's not that hard to have a 15 minute conversation with someone, is it? He can't really even do that.
Also, I am becoming more depressed because I still can't sleep right. Oh and I'm reallllly tight on money this month....
-
Current frustration:
Too many furlough days here at my University! I'm not getting enough class days to actually feel that involved in the assignments I am given. It sucks because its really the students who have to tighten their belts because the folks up in the state Capitol suffer from some very sloppy management.
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Went to an upscale restaurant yesterday, and half the fucking menu is Italian bullshit. How the fuck am I supposed to know what the fuck to order when I don't fucking speak goddamned Italian? I'm not an iPhone trendster either, so it's not as if I can pull out Google Language on the spot like some worthless pseudointellectual and peck the terms in one by one. Stupid fucking bullshit; the entire obsession with Italian culture is similarly fucking stupid. Congratulations; Gucci a horde of other worthless tripe comes from Italy, and it's all overpriced, slave-labor-designed, needless bullshit. Anyone who bottom-feeds Italian brands should be reminded that it's the fucking token third world country of Western Europe.
Fuck that noise.
Really? Can't read it so you slam Gucci? Over priced shit with shady labor at best comes from everywhere. Sounds like you're more pissed about not having complete control over the particular situation (due to a language barrier) than anything else. Because if you really hated the culture as much as you say you do, then you can do better than designer leather.
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heh, seeing as how I'm at a downspot in my bipolarousity, I think I'll take a stab at that. (that's my frustration, btw.)
I mean, let me get this straight: You're actually pissed off because you went to an upscale Italian Restaurant without being aware that the more expensive a themed restaurant is, the more authentic it gets? I thought everyone knew that. Hell, you see it in movies all the time, lol. I don't mean to make fun of your gripe, Z, but even you have to look back at it and tell yourself you should have known better and you really shouldn't hate on Italians just because you couldn't speak their language. I mean, come on, going to fancy Italian Restaurant is like going to any restaurant ran by mexicans. If you don't know the language, you shouldn't go in.
And then you start in on society for being obsessed with Italian culture when you're the one who tried to go to an upscale Italian Restaurant without knowing the language. That's like a troll getting on someone's case for trolling.
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...the more expensive a themed restaurant is, the more authentic it gets?
Truth. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a fancy Indian or Thai restaurant and the menu is in (what a shocker!) Hindi or Thai. You just gotta roll with the punches and ask the waiters what stuff means, or what they would recommend if you like [insert whatever kind of food]. At least if it's Italian it has the Latin alphabet. :)
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That's not a function of expense, at least in Seattle. Italian, Thai, French, or whatever else...you're as likely to have the menu presented in a transliteration at the Greasy Spoon as you are at the La d'Da.
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My frustration:
Beginning at 6:30 AM (PST), we will have a 15-20 minute upgrade to our system. Please save your work and log out of the system prior to the upgrade.
This announcement was made sometime after 6:20 AM (PST), and I didn't see it. I still found out about it, though, when I found myself unable to progress past a point requiring a new page load. Heh.
Oh well. Coffee break!
Update: Something went horribly wrong with my coffee. It came out about one-third as strong as I was expecting. Do you know what weak coffee with full creamer tastes like? My advice; don't learn.
Second Update: After the coffee break ended...
Beginning at 6:30 AM (PST), we will have a 45 minute upgrade to our system. Please save your work and log out of the system prior to the upgrade.
Well, how about that!
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Hello, yes, I'd to order a Liberty Steak, with a side of Freedom Fries and Liberty Cabbage. I'll have Greek Coffee to drink and an order of Cyprus Delight for dessert. Oh, and can I have a bowl of water for my Alsatian?
Thanks, that'd be super.
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Pft. I'd rather have roasted meat with avocado sauce, sour cream, and rooster beaks, served on a flatcake.
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It's not an upscale Italian restaurant at all; it has an Anglo name and also has a couple indecipherable French names on the menu. You can't even order spaghetti there. If I were the fucking proprietor of a restaurant, especially in Texas, I would ensure my customers know what they can order by providing convenience translations. I'm slamming designer brands because they are crap. My best friend is a fashion designer who's worked on everything under the sun and worked for nearly all the major houses. It's slave labor, planned obsolescence, and pure plagiarism. And yet people devour it like it's goddamn gold.
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I'm slamming designer brands because they are crap. My best friend is a fashion designer who's worked on everything under the sun and worked for nearly all the major houses. It's slave labor, planned obsolescence, and pure plagiarism. And yet people devour it like it's goddamn gold.
Bottled water...
Need I say more?
EDIT: Ok, to be fair, bottled water might come in handy during a hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster where you are in short supply of water, but even then a gallon of Piggly-Wiggly brand will do more for you than a bottle of Le Watter pisse chère française, and it's probably cheaper. -_-"
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Don't even get me started on bottled water...
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I'm annoyed with my roommates (again. Always, really). I want to be pensive and quiet and they are being loud and obnoxious in the other room. These past two weeks have been very hard and Blonde Screecher (one of the roommates) is becoming increasingly more passive-aggressive. I have no idea why she thinks it's perfectly alright to act like a 13 year old, but whatever.
I can't stand passive-aggressiveness. Or bitchiness. Or immaturity. Thus, I can't stand Blonde Screecher.
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I'm annoyed with my roommates (again. Always, really). I want to be pensive and quiet and they are being loud and obnoxious in the other room. These past two weeks have been very hard and Blonde Screecher (one of the roommates) is becoming increasingly more passive-aggressive. I have no idea why she thinks it's perfectly alright to act like a 13 year old, but whatever.
I can't stand passive-aggressiveness. Or bitchiness. Or immaturity. Thus, I can't stand Blonde Screecher.
Kill it with fire.
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Kill it with fire.
Oh, if only. Her and her Tool Box boyfriend.
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Ugh...
:picardno
Not in relation to the above. I've just been sick the whole sick. It came as a result of nothing but junk food and desserts yesterday (wedding reception up in the Bay Area). Anyways, it's not like I've been confined to bed. I've had a minor headache, runny nose, and heavy eyes. I can still operate, but everything is reduced to basic functions in terms of daily activity.
I hope it's one of those 24-hour illnesses.
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A Facebook fan page led me to this:
http://www.nationalmanday.net/
I laugh, but it's still frustrating. You should check out their description.
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^ Hahahaha. Is this really serious? It sounds like a joke to me.
Many people have asked us, "Why a National Man Day"? For those of you who actually had to ask that question, the answer is simple;
There comes a time in every man's life where he must stand up for what he believes in...
That time is June 15th!
On June 15th, men across the nation will unite in one cause and one voice saying, "I am man!"
On that day, men across the nation will blow things up, they'll shoot big guns, they'll punch each other for no reason, they'll pump some iron, or they'll watch every Rambo movie from beginning to end... Straight through.
And when asked why we do these things, we'll say "Because I'm a MAN!"
At what point did a time come when that answer to a question become unacceptable? Since when has being a man been lame? Since men have let down their guard and become sissies, that's when.
It's time to take back the crown of masculinity. It's time for men to be men.
What should you do on this day? Be the man God made you to be. Be a good father, drop kick your best friend when he least expects it, dump a whole tank of gasoline on a pile of sticks and ignite it by shooting another can of gas! Be responsible for your actions, go out there invite every man you know, play ball with your kid, eat an 18 oz steak, get your wife some flowers, punch another guy in the jugular and just be a MAN!
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At the very, very, very (like...minuscule) least some of those things are positive. "Be a good father / be responsible for your actions."
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I really hate being this kind of fan but...
8-Bit Theatre. Apparently it ended 4 weeks ago, and nobody but Brian Clevinger(and I doubt even he knew, really) seemed to know this until he posted it on his blog-thing Saturday(didn't check it until today, because I also read How I Killed Your Master). So, what we're looking at here is a comic that didn't update for four weeks, without any news to his fans for four weeks regarding whether or not it would continue. It might he said, with an epilogue, but Lord knows he's not going to get to that now that he's working for Marvel. And I'm not dissing on him because he joined up with Marvel, either. Having a big name webcomic artist working with one of the Big Two comic companies brings a metric tonne of legitimacy to the webcomic culture that any fan would love to have. But when the majority of your site traffic comes to see a project for yours, and has been doing so for 10 years, and you suddenly quit to move on, there is some feeling of...for lack of a better word at the moment, disappointment there.
I realize that 8BT has taken a back seat to Atomic Robo and his various other oddities for a while now, and I accepted this when he had to scale back updates for it. But imagine if Penny Arcade stopped making it's tri-weekly comics altogether and focused on PAX, or if Munroe stopped xkcd altogether. The difference between the two is that xkcd and Penny Arcade have no storyline, and thus a sudden end wouldn't exactly be earth shattering. Although, I'm sure that if they did, they'd tell the fans weeks in advance rather than four weeks afterwards, so that the hopeless fanboys like yours truly wouldn't keep checking every week.
Also, the ending sucked.
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Two things, ToD:
1) On March 31st Brian had said that the comic would continue, so it is quite certain he didn't realize he had reached the end.
2) The ending could have been worse: http://www.nuklearpower.com/2008/12/11/episode-1070-what-were-you-expecting/
Onto my own frustration... well, it is mostly a minor annoyance than anything else. The elevators here are clearly the work of some fiendish devil. There are three elevators, and the waiting area for them displays what floor they are on. I'd been suspecting this for a while but I've started to pay specific attention. Every time I summon an elevator, the one furthest away is the one to respond. Example: I am on floor 2, and there is an elevator on 1, 4, and 7. All are stopped. I request to go up. The elevator from the 7th floor is the one to respond. Alternately, I am on the 5th floor, and the elevators on are 1, 4, and 6. The elevator on the 1st floor is the one to respond. And occasionally the elevator I summon will start moving, overshoot my floor, and then another elevator that had been stationary will start to respond to my request.
It's a mad house, A MAD HOUSE!
(http://charltonhestonworld2.homestead.com/files/ch-apes-7.jpg)
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Elevators are one of the most interesting and difficult challenges in civil engineering! They are the prime limiting factor in tower design, and the logic to run them efficiently is very complex. It must anticipate elevator usage demands from all floors, between all elevators, in both directions (up and down), based on the time of the day and even the day of the week. One thing that particularly contributes to people's frustration that "the elevators are ignoring them" is that they can't see other elevator requests in action. Think of it this way: If your building has seven floors, that means 42 point-to-point trips are possible at any one time. But there are only three elevators, so if more than three trips are on the logic board at once, either the extra trips will have to be queued (which is never a first resort) or trips will have to be stacked. Then you get into thousands of potential multi-point trip combinations in a single elevator run. Elevator efficiency can degrade spectacularly badly if the logic is inferior; you've never seen that in action, but just imagine it. Depending on the number of passengers, wait times could easily stretch past the ten-minute mark and toward half an hour.
There are two things you can count on: 1) An elevator will never reverse direction until it has reached the farthest floor in that direction at which service has been requested or the logic itself has told the elevator to go. 2) People inside the elevator always have priority over people still waiting to use the elevator.
One huge step architects and civil engineers can take to improve elevator efficiency is to have as few exit levels as possible--preferably only one, unless we're talking about much taller towers. If a building is on a hill and has street entrances on two levels, that severely degrades the elevator efficiency. If there's a parking garage with multiple parking (i.e., exit) levels in addition to the main level(s), it gets even worse--which is one reason that parking garages often have their own elevators. I am firm advocate that elevators in towers should only have one main exit level, with more added only as absolutely necessary for service and handicap access. (This doesn't count double-deck elevators, which by definition have two exit levels.) All other traffic should be aggregated to or distributed from the main elevator level by use of escalators (for malls, large lobbies, etc.) or secondary elevators (for parking garages, handicap use, and service access). The next best measure is to restrict the main floors at which elevators will stop (which only works well when there are enough elevators and traffic and exit-level spreads for the traffic to be evenly apportioned), so that, for instance, Elevator A will only go to Level 1 while Elevator B will only go to Level B (both elevators will stop at all non-exist levels). In some scenarios, it's the other way around: A given elevator won't serve the even-numbered non-exist floors, and its counterpart the odd-numbered ones, etc.; this has the effect of reducing stops, which are the major source of elevator transit delay. However, either scheme (but especially the former) tends to be confusing to passengers, who respond with characteristic annoyance. If it were my tower, annoyed people would not be allowed to use the elevator. (They'd get to use the Stairway of Surprise.) Beyond these measures, the best way to move people with elevators is to make the elevators faster, the stops shorter, and the bank larger. I had some friends who lived in a tower with almost 30 floors Downtown, and only two elevators. Often enough, one of those elevators would be set aside in midday for people moving in or moving out. Yet service was almost always hearty; there were only a couple of instances that I had to wait more than a minute for the elevator. That's because they were friggin' fast, and had excellent logic. I tried watching a counterpart building in the development, whose elevator traffic is visible from the street, and I was amazed at some of the patterns I saw. Among other things, I realized that the elevator holding floors didn't care which elevator was stationed there. Sometimes it would be Elevator A, and sometimes Elevator B. That's pretty cool. Simpler elevator logic wouldn't be able to handle a paradigm shift like that. Can you tell I like this subject...
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I'm getting the urge to make something again. Problem is, I don't have any clay, no sewing machine, and I don't know how to carve. Indecision and lack of materials sucks.
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My frustration of the moment is the "business model." You've all probably heard that term before--maybe even ad nauseam, like me--and I've even used the term myself on numerous occasions. Nevertheless, to be perfectly honest with you, frankly I think it's a gibberish concept. While some specific business models can be very precise, nobody seems to really understand the general case. My research for a short article on the subject revealed even more confusion, ambiguity, and lack of commonly-cited principles when it comes to describing what a generic business model looks like, or even what its basic definition is. Some have tried (http://www.telco2.net/blog/images/BusinessModelChart%20%28Small%29%20%28Custom%29.png), but efforts of that nature are suspicious in that they serve to obscure the concept rather than clarify it; at any rate, there seems to be no general, authoritative consensus as to what a business model is--which is grossly out of proportion with its ubiquitous usage in the business world.
Just one more piece of evidence that the whole damn business universe is a land of fables and sorcery.
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It all makes sense now!
(http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89/uboacc/profit.jpg)
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@ Uboa: I like your version better.
@ Truthordeal: If you're immunized against liberal pessimism, Noam Chomsky (who is the premiere liberal pessimist of our time) gave an interview recently that touches on some of the Tea Par stuff we were discussing recently. You can read it here. (http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/noam_chomsky_has_never_seen_anything_like_this_20100419/)
@ Everyone: Noam Chomsky is probably one of the best encapsulations in modern times of all there is in liberalism that I myself am not about. That said, he's a smart cookie and we do agree on things every once in a while. But he sure as hell frustrates me plenty enough!
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Noam Chomsky is one of those people whose name I've heard a million times before, but I have no idea what it is he does.
I really dislike this article though, but not because of what Chomsky is predicting. This Chris Hedges fellow seems to write on and on about Chomsky's credentials and very little about the actual prediction itself, which, being the headline of the article, one would think would be the main point. All the same...
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See, I know about Chomsky coming from the linguistic perspective. Chomsky as well as being a political figure is also a world-renowned linguist specializing in syntax and grammar.
You might like him, Truth. He's an anarchist. Anarchism and libertarianism are the same thing, right? :p.
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I learned about Noam Chomsky in linguistics too.
Hehe Nim Chimpsky...
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More than a frustration but not quite a hate: Arizona passes anti-illegal immigrant law (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100420/us_nm/us_immigration_usa_arizona)
It is bad enough that this law essentially subverts the legal principle of innocent until proven guilty.
But not only that, it essentially invites racism by making the criteria for identifying potential illegal immigrants "reasonable suspicion."
But not only that, take a look at the comments people have left. It would be one thing if the supporters of this law had compassion for the victims that this law will undoubtedly produce and that compassion was merely overcome by an adherence to what they saw as legal behavior.
This article isn't frustrating, I don't hate the subject, but it does make me heart-sick. In the words of Cicero (I think...), "Oh the times! Oh the morals!"
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People are being douchebaggy on my Facebook wall.
Lord J to the rescue! XDXDXD
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Also, the Christmas lights I had around my desk burned out. That sucks. :(
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Nooo! I have a very long, lovely string of Christmas lights (I call them "faerie" lights) hanging in my bedroom. I've had them for years and they've brought me a lot of comfort and cheer. But their little bulbs began burning out en masse last year, so I stopped using them until I could buy replacements, since, as more bulbs burn out, the voltage on the remaining ones becomes higher, increasing the burnout rate. Well, I bought replacement bulbs with a few spare dollars around the Solstice, and they turned out to be the wrong kind! I've had to go without my faerie lights ever since, for lack of money to buy even more replacement bulbs, and this has been quite dismaying. =(
As for the Facebook person, I was wary of being rude to a total stranger in somebody else's Facebook status, especially since I didn't know if he was merely joking with you. But it seemed like he was being serious. I'm glad you didn't mind my chiming in. His comment, if sincere, was blisteringly disrespectful and Facebook is not the place for that kind of misbehavior.
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It was sincere. He's the youth pastor of my old high school. He returned with a really fantastic preachy comment.
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In a sense I can sympathize with his inability to apologize for his intolerance. But since he happens to have picked the wrong position to hold, his intolerance is inexcusable. I don't understand people who cause trouble on Facebook any more than I understand people who cause trouble on YouTube. It's beyond mere ordinary pointlessness. It's a special brand of egotistical absurdity. For all that his tone was kind, his action was most definitely not.
Speaking of kindness, one of the things I've learned about human nature is that, oftentimes, that famous Christian "kindness" is more of a construct to reassure the believer in their own moral rectitude than it is an actual devotion to kindness itself. Given that I know a little bit more about some of your frustrations than he does, I can see how his preaching not only is disrespectful because of the setting, but how his attempt to be "kind" to you in this way is likely to produce a hurtful effect. Too many Christians--too many people, regardless of their views on divinity--are so beholden to their own desires that they can be utterly blind to reality. "Must preach! Must proselytize! This is kindness! Must show kindness!"
You know the world has room for improvement when Lord J, Esquire can ever be considered a model of good behavior on the Internet. =/
As to the other item: If you come across a few spare dollars, I think you should replace your desktop faerie lights! Lights are a gift that give and give.
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Too many Christians--too many people, regardless of their views on divinity--are so beholden to their own desires that they can be utterly blind to reality. "Must preach! Must proselytize! This is kindness! Must show kindness!"
What irks me about the inability of people to see past their own beliefs is just how creepy they can come off sometimes. Proclaiming that all human beings are destined to attain awareness of, essentially, some dude in the sky is a little odd to say the least. The sense inevitability that comes with this proclamation is what pushes it into the realm of the creepy if you ask me. Not to mention all of the talk about being cleansed by blood, and so on, that is often in tow.
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Fuck Oklahoma. Burn the fucking state. Two veto overrides mean this bullshit is now law:
The first, a similar form of which was struck down by Oklahoma courts last year, requires "a doctor or technician to set up the monitor where the woman can see it and describe the heart, limbs and organs of the fetus. No exceptions are made for rape and incest victims." This is already invasive — Dionne Scott of the Center for Reproductive Rights calls it "the most extreme ultrasound requirement in the country."
The second law, however, is even more disturbing. Basically, it protects doctors from being sued if they decide not to tell patients that their fetus has birth defects. Writes McKinley, "The intent of the bill is to prevent parents from later suing doctors who withhold information to try to influence them against having an abortion."
(http://tvseriesfinale.com/assets/spartacus02a.jpg)
Hoping some brave Spartacus comes forward and axes these fucking things for being unconstitutional, just like the last OK bill that would have publicized names of those who got abortions.
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Fuck Oklahoma. Burn the fucking state.
My mother lives in Oklahoma, you douche. I understand and sympathize with your frustration but quit treating the entire state as if it were one giant entity that represses abortion rights.
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What frustrates me? All this...
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This kind of stuff just blows my bagpipes:
http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1103ap_eu_britain_election.html
The tragic flaw of the media is that, if made to choose, they'll always pick the story above the truth. So, when the UK prime minister calls one of the British voters a bigot, no one stops to ponder whether or not he might actually be right. No one dwells upon the issue of xenophobia. No one sees any interest in pursuing that line of conversation at all. Instead, his comment is declared a colossal blunder and he is given longer odds on winning the election. I'll grant that his making the comment in private rather than to the voter's face was foolish, but I understand why he did it. Our democratic systems press candidates into the most torturous of contortions in order that they might revere the general public as the grandest good in the universe. This willful lie is a diversion from the great tragedy of democracy: it's democratic.
Blecch. Dishonesty and stupidity abound. Maybe this means I wouldn't be cut out to hold elected office in a democracy, not for any lack of qualification to discharge the duties of the office, but for my unwillingness to lick the public's boots. I would never be one of those cynical lying cowards who conceals his opinions and activities in the hopes of winning office. But I would also never be one of those cynical opportunistic pricks in the media who jumps on a candidate for saying something that may damn well be true, and, if true, ought to be seriously addressed in the national conversation.
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Fuck Oklahoma. Burn the fucking state.
My mother lives in Oklahoma, you douche. I understand and sympathize with your frustration but quit treating the entire state as if it were one giant entity that represses abortion rights.
Hahahahaha. If I were to show you my driver's license, which state do you think it'd be from?
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(http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8448/edgarg.png)
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Inspired by the "Love" thread:
I am quite frustrated by the cost of video game soundtracks, particularly for older games. I've had my eye of the SoM sound track for some time now, as well as the CT sound track, but I am always reluctant to plunk down that much money. I am cheap.
One of the really nice things about the Wii shop channel is that it addresses the market for old video games. Now if someone would just do the same but for old video game music.
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Ever just feel bleh?
I think it's because I hate my day job, even though it should be the best in the world. But it ain't. At least not anymore....so it goes. Easily the best situation for me right now, just trying to get this ball rollin' some more!
Bah, it'll pass.
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I am quite frustrated by the cost of video game soundtracks, particularly for older games. I've had my eye of the SoM sound track for some time now, as well as the CT sound track, but I am always reluctant to plunk down that much money. I am cheap.
Well, you can always cheat by going on YouTube, finding such music, and ripping the audio. It's how I did it, but that is beside my long-standing frustration.
I'm sick and tired of how console games are trying to become the new Hollywood. When teens are in the mood for a mobster story, the game industry hopes you'll be in the mood to play The Godfather game rather than watch the movie. The difference here is that people can watch the movie version over and over and over again because there is a human element to the story that lets a person enjoy it all over again after all those years. Games really don't give you that.
I find it completely unfair to compare any movie game to a movie because films are relying on an art form (drama) that has thousands of years of experience to its name You put sympathetic humans on screen (or stage, or TV, etc.) and tell a well-paced, exciting story and we escape into their adventure. However, the director controls how the story unfolds, controls what you see and, if s/he knows what s/he's doing, delivers it to an audience based on a centuries-old formula designed to engage the emotions.
Games try to trump that with interactivity, letting you control the outcome. But the more control the gamer has, the more the pacing is ruined by brainless repetition (leaving the task to the gamer presents the possibility the gamer will fail 30 times in a row).
If they make the game tasks easier (as not to bring the story to a screeching halt), the gaming experience becomes much too short to justify the $60 price tag, and the more interactivity is taken away in favor of pacing and pre-rendered cinemas, the more they stop being video games.
Again, it's okay for a film to be scripted because you're in the hands of the director and charismatic actors who make you care about their situation, but other than the thrill of seeing what latest visual effects a shiny new console can show off, what's the reward for playing a scripted game?
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...what's the reward for playing a scripted game?
Education, entertainment, inspiration. Are you really going to go up against, say, Chrono Trigger--a game that is totally scripted except for a chapter of sidequests at the end?
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Education, entertainment, inspiration. Are you really going to go up against, say, Chrono Trigger--a game that is totally scripted except for a chapter of sidequests at the end?
Those three things I can easily find in my favorite movie or TV series.
Actually, I'd only have to contest the first one: education. You learn the names of all the fictional characters, the monsters, the locations, the races, the stats, the weapons, the spells, etc., but how much of that knowledge can you apply and use in real life toward becoming a more intelligent person other than using it as discussion points for us Compendiumites, cannon-fodder for fanfic writers, and having them join the throng of thousands of tropes and conventions like its brothers and sisters? Most likely, you can't.
Chrono Trigger was a leap in RPG story-telling which I have yet to see replicated to this day in any other RPG I've played. You won't be seeing me criticizing the script (i.e. I'm removing myself from the nameless rabble of debaters over its plot holes, paradoxes, etc.), but despite its awesome story, immersion, and replay value, at the end of the day, it's still like any other game that I win at. The only reward I get is the self-satisfaction of playing a game and finally beating it. Nothing more, nothing less.
The only differentiating factor here is the taste and personal preference that feeds the satisfaction of beating said game.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
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Well, it's thanks to the use of mythological references in videogames that I did decently well with that sort of stuff in grade school; I might never have known about Shiva, Ifrit, the Roman god Janus, etc., were it not for my favorite games! The random info in videogames inspired me to pick up an encyclopedia and read it when I was a little'un.*
But more important by far is the fact that RPGs got me interested in storytelling as an art form, and improved my vocabulary quite a bit. True, I guess I could have gotten this from movies and other, more traditional media, but, uh...I didn't! Sooo, there! :lol:
*Note: It was an antique 1950s encyclopedia, so this isn't really bragging. :picardno Man, was I pissed when I found out years later there wasn't really vegetation on the planet Venus! So much stuff I had to unlearn...
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It was as recent as the 1950s, and you're complaining? The encyclopedia we had in the house when I was a kid was older by several years than either of my parents. It had an entry for "World War, The".
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The encyclopedia we had in the house when I was a kid was older by several years than either of my parents. It had an entry for "World War, The".
Mwahahaha! Amazing. Man, there are probably encycs still floating around that have this pic (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/London_-_Crystal_Palace_-_Victorian_Dinosaurs_1.jpg) next to the "Dinosaur" entry. Only, er, not in color.
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Ugh, tired of hearing that it's "women's choice" to wear hijab in France, in regards to the possible ban. It was not their choice to be born into a Muslim family in which, as children, they had no real choice but to accept and be conditioned by the religion of their parents. A brainwashed "choice" is an oxymoron. I would only debate the ban in terms of how effectively it will erode religion and whether it will have any counterproductive effects. Otherwise, it's a smashing attack on religion, no matter if it's partially motivated by xenophobia.
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Big matter that it's partially motivated by xenophobia. When you find yourself in pursuit of a worthy cause but are attracting the alliance of villains, it's extremely important to own the terms of the debate and to explicitly distinguish the good motives from the bad. If bad people are on your side, you can't help that, but you can do the cause a lot of hurt by ignoring it, downplaying it, or excusing it. I am categorically against blurring the line between humanistic and xenophobic motives for banning the public use of the veil. You need to remember that in terms of world power structures the more dangerous people are still the Christian fundamentalists, not the Muslim ones.
I continue with a discussion of the sexism of the veil, appropriately, in the Sexism thread (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,7769.msg193138.html#msg193138).
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Ugh, tired of hearing that it's "women's choice" to wear hijab in France, in regards to the possible ban. It was not their choice to be born into a Muslim family in which, as children, they had no real choice but to accept and be conditioned by the religion of their parents. A brainwashed "choice" is an oxymoron. I would only debate the ban in terms of how effectively it will erode religion and whether it will have any counterproductive effects. Otherwise, it's a smashing attack on religion, no matter if it's partially motivated by xenophobia.
Zeality, from what I've surmised, you were born and raised in an extremely religious family and community(so religious that your own parents aren't aware that you're an atheist) and yet you somehow chose to be an atheist. My question to you is: Why you think you're capable of making the "rational decision" to convert to atheism, but that these women are too brainwashed to reject the veil?
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You need to remember that in terms of world power structures the more dangerous people are still the Christian fundamentalists, not the Muslim ones.
Right, because Christians flew those planes into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, not Islamic extremists.
You have to understand that not all acts of terrorism are religiously motivated. There are always anti-governmental and anti-social sentiments that exist within such infrastructures. As such, I am more inclined to believe, based on the evidence I have perused, that Islamic fundamentalists are more dangerous than Christian fundamentalists.
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I am more inclined to believe, based on the evidence I have perused, that Islamic fundamentalists are more dangerous than Christian fundamentalists.
Most of the world's great powers have a Christian heritage. None have a Muslim one. Most of the world's richest people are Christian, or at least come from countries with a Christian background. Very few, in comparison, are Muslim or come from a Muslim background. Christian ideas and attitudes and credit and troops are exported fluidly throughout the entire world; Islamic ones are not. Christian fundamentalism, by existing in large part within the developed world, has an inherent power advantage. Power is dangerous, and thus more of it makes a person more dangerous. Your decision to judge power on the absurdly narrow variable of terrorism--nay, the even more absurdly narrow case of a single specific terrorist act--is completely negligent and foolish.
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Most of the world's great powers have a Christian heritage. None have a Muslim one.
Are you kidding? There are lots of people with a Muslim heritage that occupy positions around the world in politics, entertainment, business, etc. Check it out (http://muslimpowerlist.wordpress.com/).
Most of the world's richest people are Christian, or at least come from countries with a Christian background. Very few, in comparison, are Muslim or come from a Muslim background.
Names would be nice to have to back up your assertion. This is not to say that "invalidation by numbers" is a valid argument. Example: I'm more likely to die from getting hit by a falling coconut than by getting attacked by a shark, but that doesn't mean that shark attacks don't happen.
Christian ideas and attitudes and credit and troops are exported fluidly throughout the entire world; Islamic ones are not.
Now this is just flat-out lying. Do you honestly expect me to believe that there is absolutely no Islamic influence being exported around the world in science, literature, the arts, et. al? Read this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_world).
Christian fundamentalism, by existing in large part within the developed world, has an inherent power advantage. Power is dangerous, and thus more of it makes a person more dangerous.
Let's break down your argument:
1. Christian fundamentalism, by existing in large part within the developed world, has an inherent power advantage.
2. Power is dangerous.
3. Therefore, Christian fundamentalists are dangerous.
This would be an association fallacy. In this case, the fallacy implies that the power that people associate with Christians comes from them being fundamentalist in their beliefs. While this may, in part, be true, it is fallacious to state that all fundamentalists in power are dangerous, or that someone becoming a fundamentalist in power is dangerous.
Your decision to judge power on the absurdly narrow variable of terrorism--nay, the even more absurdly narrow case of a single specific terrorist act--is completely negligent and foolish.
Is it any more negligent and foolish than what you've asserted with basis? We both have room for improvement, in that case.
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Since you persist in this nonsense I will grant you one more reply, but I was short on patience the first time around and I'm not any better now.
Most of the world's great powers have a Christian heritage. None have a Muslim one.
Are you kidding? There are lots of people with a Muslim heritage that occupy positions around the world in politics, entertainment, business, etc. Check it out (http://muslimpowerlist.wordpress.com/).
"Great power" refers to a country, not a person. The most powerful Islamic or Islamic-heritage country in the world would probably be Pakistan or Indonesia. Either would fall well below such countries as US, China, Russia, the UK, Japan, India, Brazil, Germany, France, and more.
Most of the world's richest people are Christian, or at least come from countries with a Christian background. Very few, in comparison, are Muslim or come from a Muslim background.
Names would be nice to have to back up your assertion. This is not to say that "invalidation by numbers" is a valid argument. Example: I'm more likely to die from getting hit by a falling coconut than by getting attacked by a shark, but that doesn't mean that shark attacks don't happen.
The lower part of that comment is irrelevant nonsense. Don't waste my time. We're talking about relative power differences; if more Christians are rich than Muslims (and this is true), and more rich Christians are richer than rich Muslims (also true), and if wealth is an important measure of power--and it is, in fact, a key measure of power, through the markets, government, and enterprise--then it follows ineluctably that Christians are more powerful. Now add the "fundamentalist" qualifier, and the statement remains true. I leave it to you to inspect a list of the world's richest people and note the ratio of Christians to Muslims.
More importantly, I wasn't talking just about the rich. Implicit somewhere between the line about great powers and rich individuals is the power of the wider populace of the great powers. Far more Christians than Muslims have access to ways and means of every configuration.
Christian ideas and attitudes and credit and troops are exported fluidly throughout the entire world; Islamic ones are not.
Now this is just flat-out lying. Do you honestly expect me to believe that there is absolutely no Islamic influence being exported around the world in science, literature, the arts, et. al? Read this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_world).
Lying, no. You failed to understand what I said. Never assume that Lord J is lying when your own ignorance remains an unchecked possibility. I leave it to you to make the raw comparisons of the Christian-background versus Muslim-background flow of ideas, attitudes, credit, and troops. What you'll see is that, while Islamic influences certainly are visible all over the world, Islamic dominance is confined to a narrow band of the center of the world. In contrast, Christian dominance is global and is intertwined with the operating bases of everything from our economic systems to our morality codes to our national constitutions. This is a part of why it has been such labor for secularists to extricate the states and the people from the church and the institutions of religious dominance generally. When Christians make that beloved claim of theirs that ours is a "Christian nation," they're not right in the sense they mean (in that the country was founded with the intent that it be a bastion for religious conservatism), but, technically, they're not wrong either, because our nation has a Christian heritage. It is not not a Christian nation, culturally speaking.
Christian fundamentalism, by existing in large part within the developed world, has an inherent power advantage. Power is dangerous, and thus more of it makes a person more dangerous.
Let's break down your argument:
1. Christian fundamentalism, by existing in large part within the developed world, has an inherent power advantage.
2. Power is dangerous.
3. Therefore, Christian fundamentalists are dangerous.
This would be an association fallacy. In this case, the fallacy implies that the power that people associate with Christians comes from them being fundamentalist in their beliefs. While this may, in part, be true, it is fallacious to state that all fundamentalists in power are dangerous, or that someone becoming a fundamentalist in power is dangerous.
You're right. If taken at face value, my argument commits the fallacy you mention. I could have been more exhaustive in explaining the relative difference between the Christian and Muslim sides. If we take it that power is dangerous and Christians are more powerful, then Christians will sometimes be dangerous. If we take it that power is dangerous and Muslims are less powerful, then Muslims will sometimes be dangerous. And, between the two, Christians will be dangerous more so (either in frequency or severity) than Muslims.
That you would make such a quibble, however, when you almost certainly could have deduced the full form, smacks of the diversions of desperation.
Your decision to judge power on the absurdly narrow variable of terrorism--nay, the even more absurdly narrow case of a single specific terrorist act--is completely negligent and foolish.
Is it any more negligent and foolish than what you've asserted with basis? We both have room for improvement, in that case.
The fact that you are contesting this point is an absurdity and I find myself disgusted that your critical faculties are poor enough that you actually think you have a point. I only wish my time were not so severely constrained. Maybe somebody else can explain it more simply and in greater detail that Christianity is based in the developed world and Islam is based in the developing world, and thus Christianity (and Christian fundamentalists) are the more powerful of the two religions. The wars launched by Christians have been broader in scope and more numerous. The laws passed by Christians have been greater in reach and encompass more people. The politics of Christians have shaped most of the world's present-day national boundaries. The companies founded by Christians are at the center of finance and the globalization process. The exports and imports of Christian-heritage nations are more numerous and valuable than those of Muslim-heritage ones. Etc., etc., etc.
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Ugh, tired of hearing that it's "women's choice" to wear hijab in France, in regards to the possible ban. It was not their choice to be born into a Muslim family in which, as children, they had no real choice but to accept and be conditioned by the religion of their parents. A brainwashed "choice" is an oxymoron. I would only debate the ban in terms of how effectively it will erode religion and whether it will have any counterproductive effects. Otherwise, it's a smashing attack on religion, no matter if it's partially motivated by xenophobia.
Zeality, from what I've surmised, you were born and raised in an extremely religious family and community(so religious that your own parents aren't aware that you're an atheist) and yet you somehow chose to be an atheist. My question to you is: Why you think you're capable of making the "rational decision" to convert to atheism, but that these women are too brainwashed to reject the veil?
It's a good question. If I had to identify some factors...
- Decent parenting, but with a split; my mom was Catholic for most of my childhood, and my father was Mormon. So I recognized a kind of dichotomy early on, and my parents were never completely Nazi about much..
- Possibly biological factors related to cognition, but I'm not qualified to speak about this or guess on nature vs. nurture.
- Experience being an outsider. I was a Mormon in the Baptist midwest in a small Mormon community, so I already knew what it was like to be on the outside of popular belief.
- Exposure to humanism all within 2004-2005, specifically from Star Trek: The Next Generation, arguments between others on the Compendium, and the Richard Dawkins documentary that came out during that time. The Next Generation gave me an incredible feeling of happiness and hope for the potential of humanity, and helped me dream of an ideal future. It also illustrated why religion was contrary to it.
- A commitment to self-honesty combined with struggling with sin. Ever since I was a little kid, I've resolved to be self-honest and not lose my passion. It's why I can wear a lot of things on my sleeve, like my dreams or creative side—things most people take a long time to reveal in conversation or getting to know people. This didn't mesh well with the more anti-human of sins, like having "impure thoughts" or getting into a mischief, which wasn't helped by my awesomely delinquent Scout Troop. The church is pretty strict about that stuff; you can't take the Sacrament on Sunday if you've sinned, or else you're offending God twice. And you definitely can't enter the Temple to perform baptisms for the dead or anything else if you aren't worthy. Over time, I came to realize that some of these "sins" were actually interesting and valuable parts of the human experience, like play drive, interest in science, human sexuality, and so on, and so it was impossible to reconcile sin with self-honesty.
- Looking down on other religions helped. Islam was obvious, but I also looked down on Baptists, because here it's 1) get baptized, 2) you're saved, no matter what you do! And that seemed like a gigantic copout compared to being LDS, which involved strenuous good works and 10% tithing till the day you die. Catholicism was a giant guilt trip, and all the other churches in my city looked like little hovels, which I discriminated against because they obviously were too blind to ask what the one true church is, as Joseph Smith had done.
- A long break from church while experiencing that humanism. It let me have a break from the programming and social reinforcement of church. It coincided with a particularly bad youth leader, who (like many people in our church) was military, but was in a bad, jerkish way. He was kind of an ass, and he was also one of those ultra-spiritualist people who really takes belief uncomfortably far. (Reminds me of this guy in my undergraduate speech class who referred to Jesus by the archaic "Abba" and thought churches were too impersonal, and that Sunday practice should alternate in people's homes.) That guy put me and a few others off (again, awesomely delinquent Scout Troop; we were badasses who skipped out on merit badge fairs to get lunch and played extended night games and pranks at campsites).
The "liberalism" didn't come until later. At first, I escaped my parents' conservatism into libertarianism, but then realized that I couldn't trust most humans as they are right now to function ethically in a society as free as libertarianism would create, especially given the widespread abuses of Wall Street financial houses and other institutions like the World Bank. History also seemed to demonstrate that the rich protect their own interests to the detriment of others, and that only the force of law and common government has been able to cow elements of society like that (truly successfully? maybe not) into working for humanity. And as for wanting to change the world... I have a friend who feels that people have to help themselves, and I agree—up to the point they have an even playing field. But many people don't even get the chance for an even playing field, and we can still influence what kind of playing field will be there when future generations will be there. So we might as well make a big damn ruckus right now and even the playing field as soon as possible to free future humanity from the fires of antiquity.
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Zeality, I can relate to nearly everything that you're saying. I actually come from a small town called 'Bean Station' in eastern Tennessee. I've grown up in a very Southern 'If-You-Aren't-Baptist-Go-Die' environment. The only place I have actually EVER been offended in the world is my home. Being a liberal in this environment, I get a lot of dirty looks, so to say, from the residents. My own father ignores me because I'm not a fan of hunting, Nascar, etc. I actually dread the holiday season when I have to spend an evening awkwardly sitting in a corner watching everyone talk about football and guns. My mother begs me every week to go to church, even after explaining my position on certain organized religions.
Many of my teenage years were spent learning more and more about people every day, which eventually lead to me being a liberal. I watched as these ignorant, racist, homophobic rednecks ridiculed one of the few homosexuals that went to my school. After learning that my close friend and spiritual brother was a homosexual, I began to realize that I had been brainwashed ever since the tender age of one. I realized that these people are just like everyone else, and deserved to be treated equally. They deserved to make their choices.
It really pains me to stay here. The other day, I went to the local barber shop to get a haircut for my upcoming job. As I waited, I noticed a sign that, in summary, said the 'The Demon Gays and infesting our schools and governments. The Mexican, Asian, and Black gangs are infesting our neighborhoods. Are we going to let them tell our children that homosexuality and violence is ok?' This was the sole time I have been truly offended in my life.
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Fuck Interstate driving. The German autobahn felt safer at lower speeds because people knew how to fucking drive and obeyed the rule of staying to the right and passing on the left, and because truckers were limited to the rightmost lane. The Germans were impatient and unafraid to use their horns in city streets, but I respect their driving skills. Fucking interstate driving is like...take all the idiots and cretins of the world, and weaponize them through speeding hulks of fiberglass and steel. Fuck that noise. I'll be happy in fucking Europe with some goddamn mass transit. Don't even get me started on the nightmare of fucking merging. In Europe, it's simple because the rightmost lane is the slow lane, and you don't feel like you have to punch it to get ahead of the Ford F-450-driving asshole who's hell-bent on getting to Dallas before the mud dries on his ignorant face. American highway culture was cool, before it involved sharing overcrowded roads and underfunded road systems.
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Fuck Häagen-Dazs and the propensity for stupid Americans to buy shit just because it has a foreign name. Häagen-Dazs was started in fucking Brooklyn. That shit is not European and it is not fucking special. Corporate bullshit names like ones that have "dyne" or "solutions" or piteous amalgams like "Amegy" in them are equally fucking retarded.
You know, Rockefeller may have been a robber baron, but Standard Oil is a pretty damn fine name. There's something to be said about industrial simplicity over marketing embellishment. Stuff like plain old "US Steel", which brings a powerful empire to mind. You know you're getting simple, reliable, dependable, industrial motherfucking steel. Who cares if the iron ore didn't come liquefied out of a mountain goat's teat on the Pyrenees and used in a quaint blast furnace/café on an Italian square? God, it's like fucking bottled water. Fuck the branding, and fuck the marketing.
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Naysay you may, but ValueDyne Solutions has consistently delivered excellent quality to its valued partners with the ValueDyne Premium Plus Platinum family of solution-driven products and services. These dynamic, value-driven solutions are a continuing presence in a competitive industry.
My only frustration is that I still can't figure out what they sell...
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http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/
Developing countries usually serve as workshops of the world and that results heavy pollution in their environment.
Such factories are usually built in remote areas, but governors of remote areas usually want such industry because of the economic profits they bring. That causes a strange circle: developed countries move heavy polluting industry to developing countries, developing countries throw them to their remote areas, the products of heavy polluting industry are necessary to daily life (gasoline, soap, chemical fertilizer...) so they can't be abandoned easily.
I hope human can find a solution before the planet becomes a wasteyard.
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http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/
Developing countries usually serve as workshops of the world and that results heavy pollution in their environment.
Such factories are usually built in remote areas, but governors of remote areas usually want such industry because of the economic profits they bring. That causes a strange circle: developed countries move heavy polluting industry to developing countries, developing countries throw them to their remote areas, the products of heavy polluting industry are necessary to daily life (gasoline, soap, chemical fertilizer...) so they can't be abandoned easily.
I hope human can find a solution before the planet becomes a wasteyard.
America used to look like that. Some narrow parts actually still do, although almost inevitably to a much lesser extent. What changed things for us was the labor movement--unions.
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Jeez, the irony is, that kind of corporate abuse might have produced pro-Communist sentiment here in the US (and I imagine it definitely did back in the day -- The Jungle was primarily a Socialist document from what I recall). Tiananmen Square didn't work out so well, so I wonder what's left as far as solutions to the kind of situations utunnels brought up. I can think of only two:
1. A progressive similar to Teddy Roosevelt coming into power through the already-established channels, and then proceeding to bust some stuff up.
2. Western consumers ending purchase of certain Chinese exports produced in these areas. But that might hurt these people even more, since they depend on these facilities for what little income they have to begin with. Though I wonder if simply returning to the land and living without money would provide a better standard of living anyway.
I wonder what kind of interaction the people who have to work in pollution-heavy areas in China have with the local government? It's interesting how little even PoliSci students in the US learn about Chinese government (I would hope International Studies students fare better). From what little I learned, I take it government is a sort of "top-down" thing, with local officials being appointed by higher-ups in most cases.
EDIT: Although, supposing corporations have free reign over their operations in China, another way of solving this might be through corporate...re-culturing, however that would go. I just read an article on that blog utunnels provided, about a case where dozens of workers were injured after using a poisonous chemical to clean iPhone screens. (http://www.chinahush.com/2010/05/11/cleaning-iphone-screens-62-chinese-workers-poisoned/) It wasn't an industry-standard process, but rather an efficiency measure imposed by the factory manager according to the story. Where are these managers, and upper level management for that matter, trained?
Ninteenth century production standards don't necessarily have to be the norm. If endangering workers simply isn't viewed as an option in the cultural business climate, then minimum cost of production simply rises, and profit margins simply fall. If only such an outcome were more readily embraced.
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Fuckers dipping out on my lunch celebration tomorrow at the last minute. It's hard to know what number of people to reserve for a Facebook event when most are "maybes". That's one fucking thing about these accounting friends I've made down here; they can't fucking appreciate going out to eat. It is a ritual; a boon of humanity; a celebration of life and saturnalia to be taken deadly seriously.
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I was browsing the internet, and came across some chump who described synesthesia as a "brain disorder". Oh, fail.
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http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/05/11/gender-101-from-iron-man-2/
:picardno
Edit: Splinter the size of a hydrogen atom in my right middle finger.
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Out of curiosity, are you frustrated with that article or with Iron Man 2?
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The movie. Ms. Magazine is pretty good.
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FUCK
It rains more in Oklahoma than in the Czech Republic. Damn; I'm going to miss that.
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Most of that Iron Man article seems redonculous.
4. Men need to leave a legacy and build a better future. The best way to do this is via weapons, wealth and womanizing
You CANNOT have Iron Man ANYTHING without weapons, wealth & womanizing. Tony Stark is a flawed person. They obviously aren't familiar with the comic, but who can blame them? Tony Stark's a d-bag most of the time...
9. In fact, the male body is a weapon. Literally, figuratively, metaphorically. Man is iron. Or, as Andrew O’Hehir’s naming of the Iron Man suit as “impenetrable iron-dong costume” in his Salon review suggests, the iron suit allows for the fulfillment of the male body not only as weapon but as walking erection–hard and ready all the time.
They're kidding, right? Armor is armor. It's not a metaphor. I doubt Stan Lee was thinking of how cool it would be to make a hero who embodied his wildest phallic fantasy...This just makes it look like they're grasping at straws trying to make a big list of things to whine about.
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A piece of media like this only becomes a problem when it contributes to a stream of media just like it, and that stream begins shaping attitudes -- I'd like to see how the author feels about the state of popular movies in general, and how Iron Man relates to it. The recent critique of August Diehl's role in Salt is probably much more telling about the general state of popular media. (http://thehathorlegacy.com/salt-filmmakers/)
I wouldn't say the onus is on the producers of Iron Man 2 to radically reform the source material, but rather it's on a nebulous "someone" to put out a bunch of stuff that's counter to current norms. And to make that stuff popular, which in turn requires securing large sums of money from corporatists who look to the past and not the future for guidance, if things are to be done the traditional way. Aye, there's the rub.
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Prince has reportedly needed double-hip-replacement surgery since 2005 but won't undergo the operation unless it is a bloodless surgery because Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions.[89]
Another reason why most of Prince died with the 80s: his religious conversion.
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Prince has reportedly needed double-hip-replacement surgery since 2005 but won't undergo the operation unless it is a bloodless surgery because Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions.[89]
Another reason why most of Prince died with the 80s: his religious conversion.
That ain't religious. That's just plain stupid.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279252/Jehovahs-Witness-15-dies-refusing-blood-following-crash.html
Now a 15-year old Jehovah's Witness is dead following a crash because he refused blood.
Guess he's with "God" now.
:picardno
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Tch. Well, if we wait long enough, maybe these animals'll kill themselves off... if they don't totally F up the world before then.
World's better off if you ask me.
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Drama. Drama frustrates me and pisses me off.
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Hear hear. I don't do drama. Most of the time I'd sooner dissolve a friendship than put up with drama, and I don't tend to gravitate toward drama people in the first place. Fie on drama! To blazes with drama! O, wretched quality!
*audience claps*
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My biggest frustration - besides the Tea Party 'victory'- the fact that I think so little of people now. About a year ago, I could honestly say I could believe in the good of people. But now, I'm not so sure anymore. Every day when I'm on the computer or when watching TV, it seems I'm always being bombarded by how rotton people can be (and how most people are, take the majority of the news). With today's programming, aside from cartoon network and comedy central, it seems that most of TV only gives a damn about drama these days.
That and given my own 'lackluster' experiences with people, there are times nowadays where I no longer see people as people. I see... Yahoos. Anybody who's read Gulliver's Travels all the way through probably knows what I mean.
And it frustrates me that I feel this way. And due to that frustration, I cause a bit of drama, which I apologize for.
I'll admit it. I'm kinda messed up. And I don't know what to do about it. :x
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And I don't know what to do about it.
A nice stroll through DeviantArt (http://liline.deviantart.com/art/Celes-and-Locke-v2-32318195), Wikipedia's quick-reference art galleries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edouard_Manet_004.jpg), or even Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BhA24pN8eE) always works for me.
There may be a lot to hate out there, but there sure is a lot to love too.
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My biggest frustration - besides the Tea Party 'victory'- the fact that I think so little of people now. About a year ago, I could honestly say I could believe in the good of people. But now, I'm not so sure anymore. ... And it frustrates me that I feel this way.
Your frustration is very understandable. Humanity gives us a lot to admire and a lot to detest. Like the proverbial half-filled glass, you can see it two ways. You have the power to choose which way you'll relate to. I'll say this: If you are genuinely troubled by the shortfalls of your fellow humans, then you are in a good position to appreciate the amazing potential our species collectively possesses. Do not be any more troubled by the dead weight than you have to be to assure their wellbeing. Focus on the inspiring people among you, seek them out and make yourself known to them. In a few decades you will be gone; in the meantime, enjoy what power you are able to muster for the fulfillment of your ambitions and the betterment of our civilization. I do not mean to tell you that you should not be frustrated. Yours is a frustration that I share. I only mean to tell you not to settle for less than you are capable of understanding. Embitterment is very easy. It is not very rewarding.
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Heartbreaking call with a woman facing an abortion for a couple grand. She's out of our coverage area, and the regional fund won't call her for a while, so she was considering coming to north Texas. But the trip alone would probably wipe out the aid we'd give her through gas money/lodging... And I could feel the dejection and despair in her voice after I told her about the coverage, and the maximum assistance we could give her. This situation probably wouldn't even exist if Texas weren't so horrible in regards to the abortion process and sexual education. Three more women today would have qualified, but can't reach the National Abortion Federation, who uses the attrition of a single phone line to weed out women who aren't devoted enough to call them hours a day until they can connect to an operator. The state of things is emotionally distressing, and even more so when communicated through the voice of someone in that situation...
Damn the people who stand in the way of reproductive rights. I damn them to the pages of history. I will bury them.
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Damn the people who stand in the way of reproductive rights. I damn them to the pages of history. I will bury them.
I guess you must be damning me then, seeing how I'm actually standing up for civil rights and not reproductive rights as some people would misapply to the situation.
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My very own ankle-biter. Fuck off.
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Tsk, tsk.
There will be people with views different from yours. Why must you be this rancorous to anyone whose voicing his or her opinion? Does telling anybody that make you a better person, let alone be remotely productive? Be honest.
If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.
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Your brand of "difference" is disruptive, ignorant, and offensive. You are the voice of the Dark Ages on this forum.
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Josh no draw good.
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Your brand of "difference" is disruptive, ignorant, and offensive. You are the voice of the Dark Ages on this forum.
:lol:
So the twenty-first century is the Dark Ages now? Good luck socializing with that attitude.
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The Compendium has never used moderation because of someone's political views, because normally they are not expressed in an ignorant, inconsiderate, inhuman manner. It is never too late for a first time.
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Hoo-boy.
Well, before you respond Genesis, it would be best to bear in mind that ZeaLitY's willingness to bring nuclear options to the table over this argument could very well be reflective of his interaction with women who are in the darkest pits of despair right now for their inability to secure abortions. I think you've made reference to your own interaction with women on the verge of such a decision, so your familiarity with this isn't in question as far as I'm aware. However, I feel the context is worth noting.
I suspect those of Pro-Life disposition hold on to their attitudes dearly because they view abortion as a low-boiling Holocaust, and feel that retreating to the distance necessary for allowing all women full and efficient Choice over whether to carry a given pregnancy to term would be tantamount to stepping aside while a grave violation of human life occurs. I know what that's like; I had the same fears at one point. Others here might admit to the same.
But it doesn't have to be this way -- we don't have to make a choice between Choice and Life, any more than we do when someone waiting on an organ transplant dies. Judith Jarvis Thompson makes that case adequately in my opinion. To suggest that anyone be forced to support a Life with their own body, and without their continual interest in doing so, can only be a frightening proposition. We don't even have to get to the question of when a fetus transitions to full humanity. There are certain inviolable rights that we all should have, and it so happens bodily integrity is something that ranks pretty darn high. Yes, perhaps high enough to outweigh any other concern when push comes to shove. Perhaps I would feel differently if I lived in a society where we routinely hooked up those in need of lung transplants to healthy individuals.
Further debate on this would probably be best conducted in the abortion thread (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,7945.0.html), though there indeed be much frustration on all sides.
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While it's nice to see someone stand up to Zeality's atheism and his "fuck you, fuck religion" rants, I think it's important at this juncture to note that, as a Christian, GenesisOne does not represent my theology. I'm not debasing his with this statement, just saying that it is not mine.
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Here in India children are regarded as forms of God, but there are some people around that do not even see children as a living being. Okay, I fine knowing everyone's got likes and dislikes, and some people aren't comfortable being around children, while some others who love children, and some more who consider children even more entertaining than TV.
I'm fine with all that.
What I'm NOT fine with is that some people treat them as toys, even being violent towards those below the age of 4! And not just "Shush, quiet down!" kinda violence, but tossing em, beating em, dragging em (a poor kid of 2 broke an arm because of that), etc.
They just breed kids for the heck of it and don't give a damn how it affects em. Discipline is one thing, but this boils my blood.
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The story of humanity is the story of humans recognizing that others are human too. Our story isn't over yet and there is still much to do.
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Fucking Coldplay songs.
All the popular ones (Clocks, Speed of Sound, When Love Ruled the World) sound like the perfect "good memories" mourning songs, like someone saying "wow, we had just good times; we were so young; summer was so great...now life will suck more, and we're getting old, but we can always look back on those good times. Oh, how time passes; what a feeling of bittersweet nostalgia."
What a fucking unproductive message. The springtime of youth knows that the best times are always ahead because it's always fucking making better times. What you're gonna do is what you wanna do; just break the rules and you'll see the truth. Fucking
FIGHT THE POWER (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqM-ef-NcF8&fmt=18).
Crucify the very idea of "giving up" and obliterate nostalgia by creating better times than the past ones. We have eyes in the front of our heads to go forward. We will make a fucking summer out of winter if we fucking have to.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/MYDRILLWILLPIERCETHEHEAVENS.png)
(http://www.ffcompilation.co.uk/ffviii_images/ffviii-zell.jpg)
SO GO FORWARD
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What a fucking unproductive message. The springtime of youth knows that the best times are always ahead because it's always fucking making better times. What you're gonna do is what you wanna do; just break the rules and you'll see the truth. Fucking
Crucify the very idea of "giving up" and obliterate nostalgia by creating better times than the past ones. We have eyes in the front of our heads to go forward. We will make a fucking summer out of winter if we fucking have to.
8) Words to live by.
Onwards to the destiny we create; the United Federation of Humanity!
(http://animehistory.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/78985_730125.jpg)
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Hoo golly. I am frustrated about finances. "Frustration" is an understatement.
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1:30 am and I'm not tired at all. Ugh.
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Mr. Sandman: Bring me a dream!
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Mr. Sandman: Bring me a dream!
Cue Zeph telling us all to read The Sandman comics. :P
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My frustration is the local library doesn't have all the Sandman books :cry:
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You still have a Seattle Public Library book out. When you return it, you can check out all the Sandman books you want! Check their website for availability; you can have them transferred to the Capitol Hill branch to be ready for you to pick them up upon your next visit here.
@ Sajainta: You called it! =)
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Hmm, this is frightening enough to make one frustrated:
Today's college grads declared "40% less empathetic" in a University of Michigan study. (http://www.livescience.com/culture/empathy-college-students-generation-me-100528.html)
If true (and it's always good to critique the methodology of a study with results this drastic), this is a serious dilemma. Sometimes the only thing standing between community harmony and a full-blown Holocaust is empathy. Someone in the comments calls empathy "the key building block of civilization," and I couldn't agree more. What the heck is happening to us?
Also of great interest to me is how quickly people in the comments honed in on the role economics might have played in this trend:
I seriously think a portion of this "lack of empathy" may be due to the state of the economy. I'm in college and I can tell you most students know about the grim nature of the job market. Around 70% of college students today are living paycheck to paycheck. A lot of parents don't have the financial means of helping their kids through college, something previous generations have been able to benefit from. We're more competitive out of necessity. We're competing against older people with more work experience for low level jobs that would have normally been available to us. So despite my "lack of empathy," I can understand the circumstances other people are facing.
and
...its [sic] not that younger generations don't recognize the suffering other people might be going through, they're just too busy trying not to suffer themselves. Sure you can give your starving neighbor your last loaf of bread, but when your own starving children ask whats for dinner, will you still be able to hold your head up high at the thought of helping a friend?
I can see a compelling rationale here, and it's something we can probably all relate to, to such an extent that I feel I'd just be beating a dead horse by commenting on it further. But then, we also have this curiosity:
I think it's the *absence* of real hardship that's the root of the problem...You can be destitute or moments away from death and still care about the well-being of others.
I'll say I did an interesting thing during the Obama Campaign: I directed a recent college grad to the appropriate place to apply for a job with the campaign, sacrificing him as a volunteer in the process -- and if you're familiar with campaign work you know just how stupid that kind of move was on my part, from the perspective of pure self interest. I'm not sure I would have done it had I not been in the shoes of a jobless college grad myself for awhile. Perhaps the Great Recession is going to produce a great renaissance of empathy?
Wouldn't count on it. I doubt any single cultural factor could have produced the survey results. It was certainly the case that immense suffering in Germany during the 1920s didn't prevent a Holocaust in the following decades.
So, what's most frightening about the study to me, is, we've got this lack of empathy and we don't know where the hell it's coming from. It's difficult to point a finger at one factor and address the problem effectively.
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Perhaps something to do with it, perhaps not: http://www.cracked.com/article_15231_7-reasons-21st-century-making-you-miserable.html
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"College students today may be so busy worrying about themselves and their own issues that they don't have time to spend empathizing with others, or at least perceive such time to be limited," O'Brien said.
Give me some sunshine, give me some rain~ Give me another chance, I wanna grow up once again~
A lot of parents don't have the financial means of helping their kids through college, something previous generations have been able to benefit from. We're more competitive out of necessity. We're competing against older people with more work experience for low level jobs that would have normally been available to us.
Only a donkey, well trained or not, goes with tedious jobs without thinking, too busy for anybody else, so long as he's being fed. A true genius muses under the shade of a tree, dreaming of ingenious things to do. So what does one choose to be: a brainless/unimaginative yet prosperous lap-dog, or a rascal who sought freedom and faced starvation and rain?
The source of lack of empathy all gets to one point: us. Each decision we choose will inevitably create some kind of cog to turn which will affect few others in the process, be it on the basis of regulations, inspiration or even competition. Personally, I loathe competition, which is basically the reason why I only enter some of them (reason being I love to show my art to people, not to win; but I also know there are those better than me and the thought of my art being ignored hits hard). My idea of human development is not by giving examples of successful people and surpass them. my idea of human development is the development based on various multiple intelligence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_intelligence).
Competition itself has its own flaws, especially how it was defined in the movie 3 Idiots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Idiots). From what I gather, technology was actually meant to make people's lives easier, being an intellectual extension of a human body (creating a force which isn't equivalently powered by human efforts, in which case, "magic"). But in this regards economy also plays an evil game; economy's tendency is to create an amount of credit to help a person afford a number of necessities, but when the balance is shifted you actually have one person crawling in luxuries while the other starving to death, and all thanks to the genius of effortless money-making technology. This creates a role of competition amongst individuals who yearn to survive: again Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest.
Initially people's dependence on technology alone was limited, and the only way to survive was to congregate in groups, consider relations with other people (the more you're liked the more likely you'll survive; in fact, even today chicks/dudes watch out for social proof of the opposite gender). Today, money is actually a contract saying, "I don't care who you are and I don't care what emotional status you're in. You work for hours and you get paid. Deal?" So you see where the things are going.
This in turn breeds more crimes, especially when people get desperate they'd kill another for their own needs, especially when those people utilize people's "empathy" as their weakness. Consequences? People are told to be cautious, which leads to fear and thus people stop trusting strangers especially with their identity, and with no trust there can never be enough social connection or empathy. Terrorists attacking makes it even worse.
So basically each person has the right to worry about his future, but when that happens people would happily sacrifice others for their own ends if their lives seem to be at stake. But with this attitude we're not really any better than beasts.
So this is my Springtime of Youth resolution: Teach kids the importance of the human heart. If parents or teachers force you to be someone you aren't, FUCK it! Show your parents you're more than that! The world is your playground with lots of possibilities, and you can't be tied to one place eating peanuts. Go out there and eat a VARIETY of peanuts!! Find your path, or even BREAK a path if you want to, follow your heart and MAKE LOVE TO ART (the art of scientific invention is also art)! And also, LEARN because you want to or to use the knowledge to make a difference; DON'T learn just to get good grades. Any idiot can memorize a book and get 99% without knowing its significance. But we aren't all idiots, are we?
ANNNDDD find awesome ways to help the poor to get on their own feet and make their own destiny. Farming is better than charity.
:franky SO WHO'S WITH ME?!
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Hey hey, calm down, lassy! Actually worrying about dying is gonna accelerate the process further. I've never known what the fuck went wrong, but it's pretty shocking when you drop the bomb like that all of a sudden, and I really don't know what to say... I'm sorry...
Nevertheless, note that death is never the ultimate goal.
:franky YOU ARE IN THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH!!
Don't worry your heart, and godspeed. Humans do make miracles that surpass the binds of scientific explanation, and you will recover. I'm at complete loss of words right now, but this is something I'd like to show you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y4cQEEyuTw
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Words to the wise. But I won't say I'm not struck.
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Saj, may you be like Stephen Hawking, telling doctors to suck it nearly 40 years after he was predicted to kick the bucket.
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The world ends where you want it to end, Saj. :kamina
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:picardno
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That actually breaks my heart, because we all know the things you've been through, plus some things that you probably keep deep down inside you. I have to say, it hurts to know that the world might end up losing someone like you, Saj. But, I bet...I bet you'll pull through. Like stated earlier, people surpass things. I bet you are one of them, because so far, you've surpassed everything. Burn on, Sajainta. We're rooting for you.
(http://masten-space.com/images/persistence.jpg)
(http://massiveaction.tv/blog/wp-content/uploads/never_give_up1024x7681.jpg)
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I have a lunch appointment at one o'clock this afternoon, and my fate is to be fatigued for it. After taking a spin in a weather balloon late last night, I inadvertently unsettled my stomach and ruined any chance of returning my sleep schedule to a normal phase. Oh well!
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Fuck cretins. Fuck knows I'd love to enjoy the song "Stronger" by Kanye West and the beats and aesthetic of a lot more hip hop, modern rock, pop, and even some country songs (er, modern rock and indie are kind of still musically shit), but they're sung by total fucking idiots and are thick in misogyny, consumerism, and total ignorance. It's hard to like something when the message is stupid as fuck and the person singing it is brainless. I'm reminded of a pearl some otherwise-xenophobic idiot once posted; that a civilization is in decline once everyone is striving to appear like the underclasses. We have material possessions as the gold standard of achievement in life, and even shit like ICP calling scientists liars about miracles. What a fucking dereliction. Create loyal workers through substance abuse, consumerism, and religion, and erect a life of pursuing these vapid things as the most glamorous possible. Normalize what's considered difficult so that the plague of human limit perception and laziness kicks in and makes small achievements feel large and intense difficulties seem impossible. Then let the perpetual underclass work for their buzz and toys, and sit back with wealth capture. People get out of school and begin rotting, lacking self-challenge and any sense of individual and collective perspective. Cares and worries get localized and further constrict any kind of grand-scale thinking, and self-improvement and challenging gets written off as "stressful" and avoided. Fuck that. I'm going to make a fucking empire of humanism.
(http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00114/theodore-roosevelt_114086t.jpg)
I am the fucking strenuous life. My desires are the prized compasses pointing me to as many destinies as stars in the sky, each ascertainable through the springtime of youth. There is no cutting them away. Each desire represents another aspect of life; another root in existence; another flavor of this world. I shoot for all of them and let the chips fall. Humanity never stops fucking growing. Smash fate with your fucking fists. If there's a wall, we fucking tear it down. If there's no path, we build it with our own fucking hands. No God, rot, or limit is going to contain the will of sentience.
(http://www.altergroup.com/alter-care-blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/071011_nobel_roosevelt_vmed12p_widec.jpg)
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Agreed with that, Zeality. :kamina
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Fuckin' magnets...
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Fuckin' magnets...
How do THEY work?
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It's a miracle, yo!
(http://bbsimg.ngfiles.com/1/21055000/ngbbs4bca5098cef6d.jpg)
I really, REALLY hope that band is just playing stupid. What depresses me most is that my little brother is a fan, and is always trying to get ahold of their licensed soda.
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I really, REALLY hope that band is just playing stupid. What depresses me most is that my little brother is a fan, and is always trying to get ahold of their licensed soda.
-_______________________________________-
I don't think they're playing stupid. My condolences for your brother, Zeph.
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My frustration is that I have utterly and totally misplaced the DVD my friend gave me yesterday of his wife's appearance on Jeopardy. I am beginning to worry that I may have dropped it outside the apartment somewhere...which would be uncharacteristic of me!
Instant Update: I wasn't willing to admit defeat by posting this, so I did one last thorough search of my apartment, and found it in the foyer closet. I sit down there to take off my shoes when I come home, and the CD had slid off the desk and onto the floor behind a pair of shoes. Hrm! An escape artist.
Frustration canceled.
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I like trees.
But I don't like them when they fall on my roof.
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=/
How bad?
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=/
How bad?
One of my first thoughts after coming in from work and seeing it last night was, "Cool, I always wanted a sunroof..."
It could have been a lot worse. Structurally, everything is all right, and it wasn't a big tree (it was tall, but not very big around). But apparently it was an already weak area of the roof, and it just didn't accept the tree's weight very well. I had a nice hole in my roof that I covered as best as I could until today, when they put a temporary cover over it until they can put in some new ceiling joists, new shingles, and reseal the area. They started on it today, and they'll be back tomorrow to work on it some more. Thank goodness I know some people, or this would be a lot more expensive.
The worst part was all the water that got in. It's just a gigantic mess. At least it was in a room that was mostly empty, but... the carpeting, the walls, everything... it's just disgusting. It's still wet, even though this happened over 24 hours ago. I like the rain and all, but it needs to stop for a few days so I can get it all dried out.
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Well that sucks. At least it didn't knock down the whole house.
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Well that sucks. At least it didn't knock down the whole house.
Absolutely. And there are trees close enough with the size and weight to do just that. I got really lucky.
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Oh WOW. That really sucks. I hope it gets fixed soon.
I do like that you had a sense of humour about it. That can help a lot in shitty situations.
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MotherFUCK this Czech chapter is not sticking. Niceties like "you mustn't remove your shoes!! tsundere~ boty-chan, let's go on a visit at your nice flat!" are not sticking. I'd better change it up and do vocabulary for a while and force these words to stay in my mind.
:franky HEY WHAT'S SHAKING NICE HOUSE FUCKER
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Hmm, I watched a piece of news on TV that night, which said many stray cats was poisoned to death in a East China city. Such things also happened in my city before and will no doubt happen again and again. The reason for such action is simple, because some think cats are annoying, especially when they are over populated (there are usually hundreds of thousands of stray cats in a city, they grow fleas and when certain time in a year comes, their haunted howls pierce the quiet night). Some cat-loving organizations suggest to sterilize stray cats since it is impossible to adopt or feed all of them, but you know that needs lots of efforts and money.
Though I love cats and don't think it's an good idea to sterilize or kill them, but the overpopulation problem is just there, eventually people have to do something to that. :?
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I TOLD YA CATS WILL FIND A WAY TO RULE THE WORLD! NO DOUBT ALFADOR'S LEADING EM!
But seriously, poison em? This gives a good view into human mind. It's not just insects or animals; when most humans grow tired of tolerating even other humans they dislike they try to move away. If that isn't possible, then crime is imminent. But considering cats have no way of speaking their view (come on) almost everyone would consider that killing the pests off is okay. What a bunch of losers...
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Though I love cats and don't think it's an good idea to sterilize or kill them, but the overpopulation problem is just there, eventually people have to do something to that. :?
It's actually a bit of a kindness to sterilize them. Cats have a problem of overpopulation; people find kittens and bring them to shelters all the time, meaning that shelters are forced to eventually put some cats "to sleep." But by capturing, sterilizing, and releasing them, we can allow cats to live in the "wild" but not overpopulate. The problem with just taking a feral cat and adopting it out is that a new feral cat will move into the area. While one intends the adopting as a kindness, it doesn't really help the problem. A neutered cat, however, can maintain its territory, help keep the rodent population down, and live the life it always has.
Also, if cats are neutered, they probably wont howl at certain times of the year, so hopefully people will be less pissed at them.
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It's easier on the female cats as well: feral females rarely live to be two years old, or so I understand, and it isn't just because of fighting or lack of food. In general, spaying/neutering extends a cat's life.
Killing them, though, is just...wrong. :(
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This is why Bob Barker used to tell people to have their pets spayed or neutered.
But yes, a kitty cat genocide is wrong.
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I just got back today from a weekend spent with my family down south for a cousin's wedding. This is the first time I've seen any of my extended family in 5 years and believe me...it will be the last. My mother is the "black sheep" of the family for the most ludicrous reasons, they are a bunch of racist, ignorant alcoholics, and not to mention that the wedding ceremony lasted a long-ass time because there was a fucking EUCHARIST during the ceremony. What the hell??
I guess the point of a Catholic wedding (from what I have gathered) is to keep telling the couple that they should be blessed with children. Because obviously...that is totally the point of marriage. -___- The mood of the ceremony was morose and hardly focused on the couple at all. But that's what they wanted, so...whatever.
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http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/2010/06/29/sharron_angle_abortion/index.html
(http://www.stargods.org/TheyLivePicard.jpg)
Get off my planet
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My eldest cat died today. She was 12 years old and had breast cancer.
I was holding her paw the moment she passed away... she was in a lot of pain.
May her soul rest in peace.
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I'm so sorry Angerona. :(
I'm glad you were there when she died and that even in her last moments she was being held by someone she loved.
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I made tom kha soup and I forgot to add water to the coconut milk. On top of that, I used a little too much oil while cooking the chicken. The result is that my soup is like liquid coconut grease. =/
Double trouble is that I can't afford to waste food like this. I'll either eat it bit by bit over the next day, or add water post hoc and hope for the best.
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Alas! Tom Kha is easily my favorite Thai soup! (and soup in general). Hopefully adding water now and letting it simmer for a few minutes will fix everything.
No Soup Left Behind!
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NO, GOD NO! PLEASE, NO! GIVE ME 30 MINUTES OF MY LIFE BACK, PLEASE!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvYewpdpcZE
Any Naruto fan out there, please don't watch this! You wouldn't be able to live with yourselves!
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I just threw my desk chair across the room out of anger and broke it. Really lame move.
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Join the club of people who own broken things. My desk chair's arms are both broken, and the thing creaks when I lean back in it. So far, though, I can still sit in it!
Also, my moccasins are literally disintegrating from wear.
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I'm so sorry Angerona. :(
I'm glad you were there when she died and that even in her last moments she was being held by someone she loved.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sajainta. They really helped me... I only wish she hadn´t suffered that much but I hope that now she will be having a good time in Heaven.
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Sometimes I feel having a pet is like having a child that will usually die before you, really creepy if you think about it. -___-|||
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Sometimes I feel having a pet is like having a child that will usually die before you, really creepy if you think about it. -___-|||
Yeah, it pisses me the fuck off. I want to have a pet, and my biggest argument against that is the fucking heartbreak that comes when it expires. Eternal life can't come fucking soon enough.
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Wait wait wait wait. You're unwilling to have a pet because it will probably die before you? How the hell is that even remotely in the springtime of youth? That is like never dating because few such relationships end in anything but heartbreak.
The thing is, Zeality, life is like visiting Paris. You can't just read the guidebook, you've got to throw yourself in. Eat the food, use the wrong verbs, get charged double and end up kissing complete strangers.
Or is that just me?
Sure, there will be heartbreak, but pets bring a lot of joy to life as well. You're not going to stop living just because you are afraid of death, are you? Why avoid living, then, because you are afraid others might die? As Anatole France said, "until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened."
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Haaaaaaaa I JUST saw Louis C.K. (who is hysterical, btw) talking about this.
"Hey, everyone! A puppy! Let's countdown to being sad!"
Still, the joy outweighs the pain. I still miss the Snick-dawg (us sharing a berfday didn't help) and I know the our chickens will even have shorter lifespans than the dog. But the joy of watching them chase bugs or roll in dirt or sunbathe (yes, chickens sunbathe) is immense. They have more space and relaxation than 95% of chickens on this entire planet. It's a good feeling. Always be ready. Ready to clean and all that mundane shit but readily know that it is all finite. Sweetens the victory.
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I'm going to stagger pet purchases so that there's always at least one alive. That'll ensure death is not a total emotional loss.
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My xbox 360 went red again ......3rd time .
Costs 82 pounds every time to fix :S
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Oooooh that sucks. -____-
Maybe you should just get a new X-Box?
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My xbox 360 went red again ......3rd time .
Costs 82 pounds every time to fix :S
Heh, that's the reason why it is nicked 'Princess 3-Red' here.
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Heh, that's the reason why it is nicked 'Princess 3-Red' here.
Remarkably appropriate (and pretty cute) title.
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I find it frustrating that sometimes, I really want to come back in here and post something, but the moment I want to, my mind draws a blank.
It's like I'm torn between posting and not posting. It hurts! :x
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I'm tired of friends detracting from my plan to get the CPA certification. This world is facing overpopulation and other distressing problems like resource disappearance. While I'm still humanist and believe in humanity's capacity for the ideal, I recognize that this world may get worse before it gets better, especially as the market system is strained. I still desire to achieve a few ambitions without fail in my life and there's a requirement of money and mobility for those. So in light of the world's peril, the value of an extra business qualification in fetching English-teaching work and pay, and the probability that the certification will be reciprocal with worldwide qualifications in a few years, I've chosen to get my CPA.
Meanwhile, some of my friends are hoping to get where they want to go just by feeling good about it and hoping. In a world where all entertainment and religion validates the notion that good things come to those who wait, yeah, it's pretty understandable that some people would think that, and rationalize it through spiritual concepts like magnetism to one's desires or gravity, or something. They have lofty goals too, but don't really subsume them under an actionable plan to realize them. Things don't happen in this universe because people wish them to. They come through action. If you want to go somewhere, you must travel there. If you want to meet someone, you must find them. If you want to achieve something, you must work towards it.
And so, I've got a reasonable goal, achievable in six months, that will buttress my European ambition and provide a very valuable backup plan for the future if things sour. It will also probably immediately translate into higher earnings in my jobs. This goal involves studying something I don't like but can tolerate and feel comfortable with. And this is an egregious sin to my friends.
I'm not sure where they think the world around them came from. It didn't materialize out of some vision of future civilization. It was built, just like great works of art or the infrastructure we have from the New Deal, by hands and hard work, whether on the field or behind a desk. And while I think the market system is riddled with flaws and corruption and acknowledge that I don't like accounting, I recognize that I have some lofty ambitions, and to be realized, they require work. I understand that many people fall into this line of thinking with far too much acceptance and for the only purpose of satisfying consumerist wants. For me, it is the most effective and direct route to completing my goal.
Occupations are such a minefield of "conventional wisdom" that I guess it's hard for some to let reason and logic cut through aphorisms like "do what you love", which confuse the process and the result. Down the line, I have an idea about using my accounting skills to get involved with a gender equality non-profit or the UN and do some serious damage to inequality in the world. Accounting is no big joy to me, but I'd be doing what I love: improving humanity. The process itself might not be what I love the most, but the result, created in realtime through my every action, would be. Even in the most beloved pursuits, there are still some obstacles to overcome, and some darkness and tedium to navigate. Ahab had to weather rough seas to reach Moby Dick. Great thinkers still had to tinker with language to convey their thoughts. Great artists still had to select and apply the right medium to translate their impressions. And great dreamers must still find ingenious, reliable ways to bring about their visions.
So fuck wishing. If a dream's over the horizon, then I'll rip it from the sky with these two arms!
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/kaminasimon.png)(http://whitewhaletheatre.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/ahabweb.jpg)
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Your friends want you to not get certified and potentially miss out on a higher salary and job security? That's...that's just stupid.
If nothing else, thank...uh, ambition, I guess, that you're one of those people who actually handles his goals and future with some air of responsibility.
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Things don't happen in this universe because people wish them to. They come through action. If you want to go somewhere, you must travel there. If you want to meet someone, you must find them. If you want to achieve something, you must work towards it.
And so, I've got a reasonable goal, achievable in six months, that will buttress my European ambition and provide a very valuable backup plan for the future if things sour. It will also probably immediately translate into higher earnings in my jobs. This goal involves studying something I don't like but can tolerate and feel comfortable with. And this is an egregious sin to my friends.
I'm not sure where they think the world around them came from. It didn't materialize out of some vision of future civilization. It was built, just like great works of art or the infrastructure we have from the New Deal, by hands and hard work, whether on the field or behind a desk.
Accounting is no big joy to me, but I'd be doing what I love: improving humanity.
So fuck wishing. If a dream's over the horizon, then I'll rip it from the sky with these two arms!
:lol: You forget. Our civilizations are built on wishes. We wished to fly and got ourselves airplanes. We wished to reach the stars and got ourselves rockets. We wished for love and got ourselves the world! But you're right; dreams don't come true when you keep dreaming it without opening your eyes and striving to make it a reality.
Keep your friends closer, but remember that they don't have you on a leash. :kamina Lookin forward to yer accomplishments!
On another note...
http://sify.com/news/australian-police-tried-to-hush-up-attack-on-indian-news-international-kednucfffic.html
http://sify.com/news/teenage-boys-attack-indian-student-in-australia-news-international-khfraeiidbf.html
These aren't the only incidents, by the way. WTF is with Australian delinquents and their racial attacks on Indians?!?!
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$$$ issues. Ridiculous shit...
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$$$ issues. Ridiculous shit...
I hear you... :(
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Furrealz...not only are these fees ridiculous, but they're making it impossible for me to pay them!!! If the online system doesn't work, and the phone system doesn't work, but they can't pay humans to help me on the phone, then what the fuck am I supposed to do??? Idiots...
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I miss Uboa. :( A lot.
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No kidding. Me too. =(
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Geeze, I feel I just run out of ideas of making something creative.
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With my car totalled and all, I have to get a new vehicle. Unfortunately, I cannot afford one, nor can my folks really. Apparently, the money that was to be used on our family vacation to Hawaii will be used on a new vehicle for my mother, and I will inherit her Mercury Mariner.
I've become a financial burden, of sorts. :(
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My love just...left me...so.......
I feel very frustrated.
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I'm trying to convince a friend not to self-injure. She's being defensive and angry. I know I shouldn't be mad because I know she's in a lot of pain but blah... I'm frustrated.
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People driving on state highways need to be traveling faster than 40 MPH. If they can't travel within 5 MPH of the posted speed limit sign (typically 55 MPH), they should find an alternate route, and get (the frak) out of my way!
I hate being held up.
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Waiting on the perfect job, and they keep pushing back the hiring date over and over and over...
Also, can't go running when it storms. Tried using the exercise bike I found in the basement...It catches constantly so I can't pedal more than one rotation without stopping. I'd shoot it if I thought it would help.
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People driving on state highways need to be traveling faster than 40 MPH. If they can't travel within 5 MPH of the posted speed limit sign (typically 55 MPH), they should find an alternate route, and get (the frak) out of my way!
I hate being held up.
That mentality among motorists frustrates me.
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People driving on state highways need to be traveling faster than 40 MPH. If they can't travel within 5 MPH of the posted speed limit sign (typically 55 MPH), they should find an alternate route, and get (the frak) out of my way!
I hate being held up.
This.
Also, people driving at or below the speed limit in the left lane. That's for people wanting to actually go somewhere. If you aren't passing someone or driving fast, get out of the way. And while we're on the subject, don't attempt to pass someone by going only 1mph faster than them, when I'm coming up behind you going >10mph faster.
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For fuck's sake, the open roads are not your personal speedways. They are for everybody to use, and their purpose is transportation--not egotistical feats of power. The speed limit is a speed limit, not the speed that everybody has to be driving at. A car is for going places, not proving your superiority to anyone who happens to be nearby. The passing lane on a road is for anyone to use to pass another vehicle, not just speed demon idiots who have no conception whatsoever of the dangerousness of operating a motor vehicle at a high speed with an attitude of entitlement to the road and resentment toward other motorists.
It's a sad fact that young males are the most dangerous drivers on the road. Another Compendiumite almost killed himself in a car wreck the other day. Even ZeaLitY has totaled a truck and could just as easily have been pushing up daisies by now. Why don't you two jokers think about enjoying the drive and driving safely rather than pissing your pants whenever you have to slow down a few miles per hour because some other motorist has the sheer gall to "get in your way"?
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I just want trains.
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Darn University Prices going up ! >.>
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I miss living in the UK where my family didn't even need a car--the public transportation was excellent in Edinburgh and we never missed a vehicle. I wish I could say the same thing for the US, but everywhere I've lived (with the exception of Boston) the public transportation has been awful.
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Ugh, why did my cousin had to stay with us for vacation time? Everytime he and my brother get toguether it's like a torture to me. X_X
Maybe I should convince my mother that next time he (my brother) should go instead to my cousin's house... :roll:
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It seems my last post touched a nerve. Allow me to rephrase.
People who think they are the only ones on the road, and take their sweet time either intentionally or unintentionally blocking the road for others. If you aren't going to go the speed limit, stay in the right lane. This is worse among semis. One will go below the speed limit. The next will go 1mph above them and think they should pass. Your lack of decreasing 1mph to match and remain behind the one in front of you makes me slow down 10-20mph abruptly because you decide you own the road.
Also, blinkers people. They're there for a reason. If you're in a turning lane, it's obvious what you're doing. Even I don't use them half the time in a turning lane because the fact I'm in the turning lane signals to other drivers I'm going to turn. But if you're changing lanes, I and everyone else is unaware. Let us know!
All I want is my own share of road. Let me be and I'll let you be. I'm not the guy racing 50mph over the speed limit, but nor do I wish to be trapped between the semi and the old asian lady, neither of which know how to drive or where their gas pedal is.
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deviant was able to clarify my feelings a bit more accurately; I admit I posted that while I was still feeling a bit of road rage, and didn't make myself as clear as I had intended. :lol:
For fuck's sake, the open roads are not your personal speedways. They are for everybody to use...
One should keep both extremes in mind when keeping this perspective. Agreed, it isn't particularly courteous or safe to treat most highways like drag strips, but as deviant noted, those that don't feel any hurry to reach their destination should realize that there are others behind them who may have some kind of deadline they have to meet. To me, it's equally discourteous to not allow the traffic stacking up behind oneself the opportunity to continue on their way. It's the latter that my frustration was directed toward.
I should point out too that I was on a two-lane highway at the time, which means there is no passing unless traffic going the opposite way is clear. That's when the whole "move your crappy Pontiac" mentality tends to weigh heavily on me. It'd be different if I was on the Interstate and actually had a passing lane to utilize.
Anyway, I just had to vent somewhere. Don't mind me. :P
I just want trains.
I agree; it's too bad public transportation is so culturally irrelevant in the US. :(
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Fucking Buddhism. "Stop up your desires" is the biggest rationalization for giving up and throwing in the towel I've ever heard. "Desire is the root of all suffering" is true for those who are too weak to achieve their desires. So get stronger; educate yourself; believe in yourself; grow; work hard; and find what you're looking for in this world while constantly improving yourself and your ethos. Don't give up and then claim that's somehow enlightenment. That's just a fucking copout. The entire thing's wrapped in metaphysical bullshit anyhow, and the truth is that we only know we've got one life to live and a heart that craves experience. Throwing that away and sitting in a room meditating for the rest of your life in austerity is a great way to waste all your potential and fail as a human being.
It is so fucking obvious.
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deviant was able to clarify my feelings a bit more accurately; I admit I posted that while I was still feeling a bit of road rage, and didn't make myself as clear as I had intended. :lol:
For fuck's sake, the open roads are not your personal speedways. They are for everybody to use...
One should keep both extremes in mind when keeping this perspective. Agreed, it isn't particularly courteous or safe to treat most highways like drag strips, but as deviant noted, those that don't feel any hurry to reach their destination should realize that there are others behind them who may have some kind of deadline they have to meet. To me, it's equally discourteous to not allow the traffic stacking up behind oneself the opportunity to continue on their way. It's the latter that my frustration was directed toward.
I should point out too that I was on a two-lane highway at the time, which means there is no passing unless traffic going the opposite way is clear. That's when the whole "move your crappy Pontiac" mentality tends to weigh heavily on me. It'd be different if I was on the Interstate and actually had a passing lane to utilize.
Anyway, I just had to vent somewhere. Don't mind me. :P
I just want trains.
I agree; it's too bad public transportation is so culturally irrelevant in the US. :(
But of course! I drive at the speed I drive, which often means I pass others, so I'm usually in the left lane on the interstate. Should someone catch up to me, I gladly step aside to let him pass.
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Last week I got a Tetanus shot in my left arm. A week later, and my arm still hunts. I can't use my Wii for more then 20 minutes before my arm starts to hurt.
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http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2010/07/28/aint-i-a-mama/
Fuck this post. I don't give a fuck about your feminist-on-feminist bashing, and using god-fucking-awful English is deficiency, not culture.
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Fucking Adobe. I can haz version of Flash that works on my system and doesn't have a major unpatched security hole, plz? Sometime this century would be nice.
(For those that don't know, Adobe has decided not to release a 64-bit Linux version of Flash 10.1, leaving me with the choice of either keeping 10.0, which has major security holes, or, well, nothing, since the wrapper that's supposed to let me use a 32-bit plugin in a 64-bit browser has never worked on my system, unless there's some manual symlinking requirement that I missed. Supporting only 32-bit was acceptable five years ago, guys, but those days are long over. Get with the fucking program! And just to add to the fun, Firefox 3.6.4+ appears to hate Flash 10.0, or possibly the combination of the old Flash version and the NoScript extension, I'm not quite sure, but the recommended fix for the symptoms Did Not Work. I have recompiled Firefox four times in the past 24 hours trying to fix this, and in the end, I had to downgrade back to 3.6.3 in order to get YouTube working again. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.)
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Fucking Adobe. I can haz version of Flash that works on my system and doesn't have a major unpatched security hole, plz? Sometime this century would be nice.
(For those that don't know, Adobe has decided not to release a 64-bit Linux version of Flash 10.1, leaving me with the choice of either keeping 10.0, which has major security holes, or, well, nothing, since the wrapper that's supposed to let me use a 32-bit plugin in a 64-bit browser has never worked on my system, unless there's some manual symlinking requirement that I missed. Supporting only 32-bit was acceptable five years ago, guys, but those days are long over. Get with the fucking program! And just to add to the fun, Firefox 3.6.4+ appears to hate Flash 10.0, or possibly the combination of the old Flash version and the NoScript extension, I'm not quite sure, but the recommended fix for the symptoms Did Not Work. I have recompiled Firefox four times in the past 24 hours trying to fix this, and in the end, I had to downgrade back to 3.6.3 in order to get YouTube working again. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.)
On the bright side, the new Adobe CS5 Production Suite is awesome. I just spent $1000 (upgrade license), and it's definitely worth it. Their member site and the way they handle software distribution is pretty good too.
Since you're using Linux, you might try eliminating the need for Flash from your everyday activities. 64-bit linux flash has performance issues with rendering fullscreen stuff anyway. The new HTML5 beta on Youtube ( http://www.youtube.com/html5 ) supports a good number of videos, and quite a few more sites are already doing the same.
I know the frustration though. Flash on Linux has always been a pain. My big frustration was always trying to run 32-bit Windows VST plugins on 64-bit Linux in a way that's usable with Linux Pro-audio software. I could get 32-bit flash working, but VST plugins in 64-bit Linux is just impossible.
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Truth be told, I lived without Flash at all for several years (I've been running a 64-bit Linux system for quite a while now), and will be glad to give it up again once I'm finished with Chrono Helix (while I'm working on it, access to Cross playthrough vids through my primary browser, i.e. not Chromium or 32-bit Firefox, makes my life much easier). What really frustrates me is that this represents a regression on Adobe's part: Why release any 64-bit Linux version ever if they were going to yank it instead of making a critical bugfix? That's what raises it from the "mild irritation" to the "frustration" category. It gives the appearance of deliberately setting out to screw over people in my position, although I expect that the real explanation is stupidity or laziness rather than malice.
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I ordered some take out food earlier and got home to find they'd included someone else's order with mine. I didn't bother taking it back. Now I feel horrible because of their mistake.
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Going to the hospital shortly. I'm scared.
Although I'm aware of your situation, I don't know if you're going to the hospital for the good thing or for the bad thing. Just hope everything'll be fine at your end and you emerge victorious over the pain. If your heart fears, pat it lightly and tell it, "All is well". You're in the Springtime of Youth, and you'll come through. :franky Never give up! People need you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_xK9PDFFgc
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BAAAH
I have about 90 minutes to kill before some filming and editing and blahblahblahblah so OF COURSE I'm sitting down to catch some Bears football and -
blackouts? In the preseason? C'mooooooooooooon!
I waana just sit like, with some fuckin' mutton and drink mead and make noises and watch football for an hour or so.
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAtoughtimes :lol:
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So my guitar needs some extra care. I'm going to risk destroying it and do some overhauls. For starters, I'm going to snap off the headstock and glue it back on, since there's an atrocious neck crack and that's the best way to completely fill the crack and seal it. Then I'm going to take out the electronics, add some shielding, and then replace all the pots and wiring and the three way toggle switch. I'll also throw in a kill switch pot for fun. It sounds like there might be a ground loop somewhere too, so hopefully I'll fix that.
The real problem though is that I don't have a backup guitar at the moment.
Oh well. Maybe I'll airbrush it while I'm at it.
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This heat is frustrating. I think my body is a throwback to the ice ages.
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Swimming sports gear is fucking neolithic stone age bullshit. Professional goggles are designed with the assumption in mind that no one over 5'10" goes swimming. Latex swim caps are hard as fuck to get on and pull your fucking (wet, even) hair like all fuck.
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Found out I didn't make it to the Hollywood Comedy Fest. But they said they liked me and would send my shit out to bookers. We'll see.
Some trite nonsense with... :shock:
THE RETURN! The Scorpion woman strikes again. Some trite mularkey (yea I'm bringin it back) with her. Rabble rabble rabble. She'll choke on the dust I kick up soon enough.
My shower...fell apart a few days ago. Friggin' ridiculous. Then today I lost power...in just my bathroom. Seriously lame.
But this shit ain't even a flesh wound.
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The flesh wound is what happens when you try and shave in the dark. =)
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"It's only a flesh wound!"
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The flesh wound is what happens when you try and shave in the dark. =)
Ho boy that made me laugh.
Thing is, I could see my dumb ass trying in a rush or something like that.
Ah...haven't seen The Holy Grail in yeeears...
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Maaaan, I haven't seen it in ages either. I should get on that. I love that movie.
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First time I saw that, when the "Intermission" came on I laughed maybe as hard as I've laughed at anything I've ever seen in a movie. They made up for it a few minutes later, when the ending pissed me off as much as anything in any comedy movie I've ever seen has pissed me off. =D
That's what makes Monty Python so great. They're not in it for you. They're in it to get you. Their bread and butter was in the absurdity of surrealism. They never liked to tread the same ground twice; that's part of what made them so brilliant. I think they would frown at the fact that geeks around the world (myself included) today spend so much time quoting the Pythons' stuff verbatim, endlessly reenacting the same beautiful scenes, rather than taking our own guns out in the middle of our own national newscasts and shooting our own wildlife from the rafters of our own television studios.
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This is coupled with my "I love fanart" comment. It's inevitable that, while looking for fanart, you'll be absolutely inundated with random and weird slash. Some of it is laughable, others are just What.The.Fuck.
Take, for example, the whole Saint-Just / Robespierre slash obsession. What the HELL is up with that?! I cannot think of anything more absurd. >____< Any artwork of Robespierre is 25% bishonen style (gag), 70% Saint-Just / Robespierre making out (points if they're making out on the tumbrel), and 5% actual art. Laaaaaaaaaaaame.
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I have a large head. It isn't noticeable most the time, but it does make it so that I can't wear hats (baseball caps excluded). There is an awesome world of head coverings that is barred to me... at least until I can find a proper hattery and the excess funds with which to pay.
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Were you gestated in Earth orbit?
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As much as I wish all science were accessible at a grade-school level to practically everybody, it's not. The vast majority of people, including my fellow Compendiumites and me, are not even amateurs, let alone experts, in the various fields of science popularized by science fiction and pop culture, particularly "quantum" anything. Nor is a lot of this stuff transferable to laypeople through the "references of irresistive resort" (i.e., the Internet). I regularly see folks on the Compendium (and elsewhere) casually make assertions that even the best physicists in the world could not utter with such confidence.
I used to have this problem myself, but over the years I have understood my error and it has since become quite a frustration to me to see science abused in this way by people who frankly do not know what they are talking about, yet are smart enough to recognize the mistake of presuming and supposing knowledge when they truthfully have none--especially when the mistake is pointed out to them by somebody else. But are they grateful for the insight and driven to speak more wisely? No, they become defensive and usually more ridiculous. Oh, human nature, you make me itch...
I don't want to dash anybody's eagerness for or interest in science. Goodness knows I got my start by watching Star Trek, which is not particularly scientific. But people need to learn to respect the difference between being interested in science and understanding scientific concepts. As Carl Sagan insisted, it's okay to say "I don't know."
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I had worked for the state for the last 4 years, which included a retirement package. Due to my institution not actually knowing what it was doing (up to the point of me directly asking a question and being given an answer that was the exact opposite of what was reality), it appears that instead of rolling over that retirement monies into a different retirement account, they wrote out a check to me. Problem with that is that the government heavily penalizes the withdrawing of retirement monies. It looks like I will be loosing around 30ish percent of that (I'll need to get a tax adviser to know for sure).
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Put it into an IRA asap!
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Going along (kind of) with what J said--I wish I were better at mathematics and the sciences. I am just so abysmally horrid at maths that I can't even begin to understand basic chemistry or physics. I was never any good at science courses either. And I wish I was, because it is so fascinating.
I'm very much a stereotypical English lit major--I can't do maths or science at all. Oh well. I kick ass at writing papers, though.
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My laptop hard drive died today. This is a considerable inconvenience.
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Oh wow. That really sucks. :( I hope you have backups somewhere.
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I have flash drive backups of all my most essential creative files. If memory serves, I have backups of some of my media library. Alas, however, I have no backups of anything since I moved out of my apartment early in August, including a number of passwords and, more importantly, a nearly-completed $2000 project, $800 worth of which just evaporated. But the real kicker is that I effectively don't have a computer right now. The ones in storage are not viable and certainly not portable. I'm typing this from Zephira's desktop computer, but when I leave her house at the end of this week I have yet to figure out what I'm going to do. Not only are both of my jobs done through the computer, but most of my communication with other people (except the in-person ones) is via computer rather than phone. I may have no choice but to spend Essential Monies on a computer replacement, not to mention a likely-futile effort to retrieve the data from the ruined hard disk.
I guess it's just as well that the first phase of my national backpacking trip is right here in my own city, so that these kinks can get shaken out. =/
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Too bad my spare laptop hard drive is packed and being shipped by boat, or I could've mailed it to you with a Windows installation disc. Then you could've been up to speed again within a week or two.
Are you taking a vacation from work during your trip? If you're planning on using wifi spots, I suggest learning how to do some WEP and WPA cracking, otherwise you're better off just buying a 3G wireless card or usb dongle with a contract-free pay as you go plan.
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My trip will be low on paid work, aye, although the nature of my present employment allows me to work from any computer with an Internet connection. Most of my computer work on this trip, however, is going to be of the old-fashioned offline variety, as I work on my book. I'll think about getting one of those USB modems, though. Rushingwind has one and it was very handy in a pinch or two.
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My new geology professor is a hyper-religious New-Earther who stops lecturing every five minutes to remind us that Geology is a hard science, but it isn't, but it is! So therefore, we shouldn't let billion-year-old rock deposits and all this nonsense about carbon dating bother us too much. We just need to have faith, even though it's hard sometimes (he actually said this).
Really? I actually get a real hydrogeologist for a professor, and he starts a religious debate every few minutes? I took Geology to talk about science. The only class I want debate religion in is my religion class. I guess those billion-year old rocks from the Precambrian period are pretty stressful stuff if you're a New-Earther... (Unless, you know, God just made it that way)
Normally this kind of thing doesn't bother me, but goodness, he was extremely obnoxious about it. Enough so that I'm actually debating switching to another class. I felt really uncomfortable in there.
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Wow, that's gotta be a weird class. "Hey, students, you know that Turkana Boy? Poor kid missed the last call for Noah's Ark! By the way, so did T-Rex."
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My friends Cat has been missing for over a month now. Now most of us think that the cat got eaten by a wild animal, because a unidentified animal that appears to have been mauled was found around the same time that the Cat first disappeared.
My friend is convinced that the cat is still alive, not only that, but she thinks that someone is holding her cat captive. She is harassing people, and alot of people now are starting to think that she's going alittle nutty.
I feel sad that she lost her cat, but the way she's acting is really frustrating.
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Crono666, I understand your friend's sentiments. Hell, there was this cat I adopted and wanted to protect her from the nearby dogs, but in the end it was my worry that killed her: she was killed by an Alpha Cat instead. For weeks I lay in guilt and sorrow.
Anywhos, your best bet is to find the cat. Believe it or not, they survive their environs much more than dogs and are pretty cunning to boot. Hope you do find her eventually.
Frustration of the week: a motherf**ker broke my netbook's adapter! Can't fix it since the pin is quite rare and a new adapter costs 1.5 grand. What's worse? The guy's moved to Bangalore!
Hell I called the son-of-a-b*tch and swore in various languages until he agreed to pay me at the end of September. I hope he does, otherwise he's got another thing coming.
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busteed A/C. One of those things that makes you go "Oh boo hoo poor baby." But it's triple digits in this bitch and our house gets hot as it is. Thermostat reads 96. Inside.
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Put it into an IRA asap!
Good advice. Though to give an update, at least I can put the money I received in a Roth IRA (since taxes have already been taken out), and that wont be penalized for early withdraw. However, I will be penalized for the money that was withheld for taxes. Essentially, the government is penalizing me for paying taxes.
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Fool! Clap louder at once or Osama might hear your treacherous mewling.
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So my grandma isn't doing well and I've been kind of stressed about that lately. Over a week ago, dad made me take him to the airport at five in the morning and it has fucked over my sleeping so much that it's basically impossible to sleep without nyquil D:. I'm willing to give melatonin another shot, but I haven't had the time to buy it. The good news is that hopefully in October, we can have grandma live in a nursing home in state rather than out of state. The bad news is that her dementia has progressed to Alzheimers and it really upsets dad. I've kind of accepted it. I'll be happy as long as she remembers us from time to time.
Also I'm annoyed that in so many cases, I get completely stammered with just one or two drinks. Was drinking with coworkers today. You know them library-types, complete party animals :roll: . Anyway, I had two cocktails and was so damn drunk, I'm glad that they cut me off or else I'd be passed out somewhere. At the same time, I'm disappointed they cut me off because I *wanted* to be passed out somewhere >_>;. Too bad this isn't Japan and you can't really do that in public here. Once I get to a certain level, I can't really control myself and need others to control me. Must have something to do with my Russian blood. Mom's side are all horrible drunkards.
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Current frustration: I can't find a clip of the Daily Show episode where Jon gives a giant 'Fuck You' (complete with quior) to Glenn Beck. I wanted to post it here. :(
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(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/nonono.png)
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaax
95 on FAR, though. Seems I did better than most people who actually like accounting.
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Frustration...you don't want to know (http://nangbaby.livejournal.com/103796.html) what I'm frustrated about.
Or maybe you do. Long story short, a bunch of webcomic creators decided to slander my name and make false accusations about me, then had the nerve to lie about that after the fact.
Lyin' Brian must have pants made of asbestos.
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WOW. That really sucks. Sorry about that, Nangbaby. :/
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Christ, the audit vs. tax rivalry in accounting was true: tax is boring, tedious, dull, and suited best for uninteresting fuckers who don't mind memorizing hopeless amounts of arbitrary rules promulgated by a broken system. Oh, and it attracts anti-federalist assholes.
I passed FAR with flying colors, but fuck knows how I'll ever care enough to know all this tax bullshit.
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Unpacking.
Uggghhhhh. Can't stand it.
I haven't even left yet (back to college) and I'm already dreading the unpacking I'll have to do tomorrow.
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(http://i.imgur.com/ivjEl.jpg)
LLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
"I believe in women's rights," said the woman wearing clothing designed to prevent her from tempting men to rape her in respect of a centuries-old tradition founded on myth.
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"I believe in women's rights," said the woman wearing clothing designed to prevent her from tempting men to rape her in respect of a centuries-old tradition founded on myth.
XDDDD I agree with you there. Kind of ironic to wear a clothing which was initially meant to cover a woman's beauty from men's lustful eyes, while declaring female rights.
Two things to be noted thought: It wasn't founded on myth. Also, I have a feeling 20% of the females think of that clothing as style. :lol: They do kinda look good in that (if worn properly, that is).
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Pince Of Persia is coming out on DVD. Next time I hear "Give me the daggah!" I'm just going to punch whoever's around me. So don't be around me or else I'll punch you. 'Cause that shit is on nonstop!
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Is that any better than "Get to ze choppah!" ?
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Pince Of Persia is coming out on DVD. Next time I hear "Give me the daggah!" I'm just going to punch whoever's around me. So don't be around me or else I'll punch you. 'Cause that shit is on nonstop!
I agree. I honestly felt like some parts of that movie were akin to "Assassin's Creed."
Oh, and up yours, Jerry Bruckheimer, for thinking action will ever take the place of plot in this movie.
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From around 2000 to 2003ish I had a jazz version of the epoch's music (Wings that Cross Time, I believe). It was very well done. Alas, I lost that file and never since have been able to even confirm that such a thing existed. It is my white whale (okay, not really, but "white whale" is fun to say)
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Friends canceling plans. Especially when said friend was up to doing something two hours ago, but now is "moody". Fuck that. A whole stressful first week of school and the first weekend I get I can't hang out with my friends? Fuck that.
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I hate when that happens. Just happened to me not to long ago, and utterly pissed me off because the plans were cancelled at the last minute.
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Sunsets show that God is a beautiful artist.
Yeah, I especially love his work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and that Indonesian Tsunami wasn't such a bad piece, either.
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A whole stressful first week of school and the first weekend I get I can't hang out with my friends? Fuck that.
In such cases I do two things. 1) Bunk classes. 2) Hold up my own events and force my friends to join in. :lol: (it's actually a treat; today we're goin for icecream sodas)
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Yeaaaaaaaaaah, skipping class is a really bad idea this semester. Or ever. I try to avoid missing classes at all cost, let alone skipping classes.
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I'm back in the desert where I grew up, for a few weeks. Contrary to what I remember, people here don't seem to run their air conditioners continuously...or barely at all, in some cases. Josh is hot. =(
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I hate traffic jam.
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So much familial opposition to my European ambition, rooted in some kind of fear of never seeing me again. Christ.
Edit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11317441
Haha, if a Papal Aide called the UK a third world country, what does that make the Vatican? Fucking Medieval?
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Fuck India and its primitive mindset in every regard. Before the British era it was a mighty place full of kickass kingdoms with a passion to break through fate and create the unthinkable. Now? Everyone's a lazy fucker just waiting to satisfy their own wallets, which results in the rise in expenses, in turn resulting in creating a rift between affordability and common employment, in turn creating lack of empathy, in turn creating a FUCKING loop. Hell yeah, you've got uneducated, bribe hungry trouble-making police here who like nothing than to find a scapegoat and earn some kinda promotion. I was hoping the nation would educate itself, hoping it can learn something from China, but no -- it decides to move to the opposite direction.
The only things that seem to be tying this country together is religion and tradition, at least here, and moral values encouraging empathy, thanks to festivals held in full glory. But unfortunately even those threads are fading slowly. But this isn't why I rant.
The cafe I normally work at is no longer a cafe. Every cafe in Pune has been shut down. Why? Mumbai attacks, and perhaps future terrorism. Each time something happens they place Cafes as scapegoats giving us as much inconvenience as possible, and most of their demands are hardly logical. No, it's hardly about security even though they have that reason as a backup, it's just downright annoying. We did have digital storage of data of every customer and even had surveillance, but no, just because the officers don't know how to use a simple computer they wanted us to do that AND write more details of every customer's name, address, phone number, referrals, etc. just to let him use the net/comp for a couple of minutes. Meaning: I have to make people wait for 15 fucking minutes doing things that aren't important just to let them browse for a bit. Doesn't valid ID Proof suffice? Or are the officials too lazy to track people down based on IDs itself? What, people set up bombs by programming it?
The core reason for my rage is sheer backwardness of this country where people don't pay the slightest attention or effort to learn something simple, either wanting things spoonfed or just fucking with people for fun.
Nevertheless, we're still running, not as a cafe but at least for bill payments, ticket booking, and hardware sales and services. The problem? Lack of funds means my salary might go down 50% or more. Even so I have served here faithfully for four years and it's about time I search for a job in the line of my career. Sadly my courses aren't over yet, nor have I complete my college. I don't mind leaving this job but things have happened at just the wrong time.
Anywhos, searching for a job would mean one thing: finish a good portfolio and master most of the tools required. Unfortunately that might take well over a year, but my resolve is to finish it under a year. Six months even. Also, gotta finish my book pronto so at least I "might" secure some funds there.
But the Phoenix never gives up. He breaks, he burns, he turns to dust. But he rises through the ashes in all its glory, claiming the world in darkness with his light. Not only will I attempt to secure finance for myself and my family I will also revolutionize this pathetic country's animation field, and not to mention, the morality field. Despite the worst there are still quite a lot of people here who are smart enough to see the flaws in our great country. For them, and the majestic heritage behind us, I will secure a great future.
To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.
In their well being and prosperity alone lies my happiness.
Jai Hind!
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I am using my dad's laptop this Saturday noontide, and I lament that this keyboard layout switches the left control key with the left (and only) function key, so that the function key rather than the control key has bottom-left status.
The reason this is lamentable is that CTRL + C will execute the clipboard copy function, whereas FN + C will immediately crash the computer. I'm at two and counting.
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I have a few frustrations.
1 - Spite. Turning a thermostat up to 85 degrees F and telling me you're feeling a bit chilly, when you're sitting there, witnessing me drenched in sweat. Unless you've got the flu there's no way you're cold at 85 degrees, even here in Carolina. You're just not.
2 - Friends who lie about important things. I will give my trust until I'm given a reason not to, and today I learned that a very good friend lied to me about something hugely important when they had a dozen opportunities to make it right. I felt very close to this friend, and it wounds me to think they lied to me about this. It's bad enough that I'm not sure the friendship can be salvaged. Which sucks, because I can count on one hand the close friendships I have, and this was one of them.
3 - Me. I've turned very nasty in the last month. Normally I'm a very nice, sweet person. I've undergone such a dramatic change in the last month that it surprises even me. I have openly told several people to fuck off lately, which I don't do. I have become very confrontational and, in my opinion, antagonistic. True, I'm accomplishing a lot, but this kind of behavior isn't me. I need to find a way to relieve some stress...
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3 - Me. I've turned very nasty in the last month. Normally I'm a very nice, sweet person. I've undergone such a dramatic change in the last month that it surprises even me. I have openly told several people to fuck off lately, which I don't do. I have become very confrontational and, in my opinion, antagonistic. True, I'm accomplishing a lot, but this kind of behavior isn't me. I need to find a way to relieve some stress...
Confrontation is human nature. However, try and relax a bit. Stress does that to people. Mind you, telling people to fuck off again and again eventually becomes a habit.
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For what it's worth, I've been mostly hot here in the desert, too. It seems people don't use their air conditioners as much as I remember. =(
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Only one in Udgir erred, why target us: cyber cafe owners (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/only-one-in-udgir-erred-why-target-us-cyber-cafe-owners/684111/)
Police chief talks tough, heat on unlicensed cyber cafes (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/police-chief-talks-tough-heat-on-unlicensed-cyber-cafes/682257/)
Australia says high risk of terror during CWG; UK, NZ, Canada also worried (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/australia-says-high-risk-of-terror-during-cwg;-uk-nz-canada-also-worried/684240/)
:picardno
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I'm getting a cold right now. I haven't had one in two years thanks to my "creepy nose things", but they're running out and can never be replaced : (. I wouldn't mind so much if it weren't for the fact that dad and I are planning on traveling to bring grandma to her nursing home near dad, and he's worried she will pick up this cold that's been going around.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_wars
Ew. Such a frail idea of reality. It reminds me of someone who said that the scientific method itself was "patriarchal". It seems like any kind of social organizing will always be made tough as long as people believe in and demand respect for their religion, spirituality, and irrational beliefs.
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It seems like any kind of social organizing will always be made tough as long as people believe in and demand respect for their religion, spirituality, and irrational beliefs.
Make that, philosophical. After all, science is not some absolute order. It's a tool used in acquiring knowledge.
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Oh, for the love of...
http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-king-christian-flag-100920,0,3348221.story
I guess in hindsight, this was always a disaster waiting to happen. I remember when this memorial was constructed. It was privately funded by churches and religious organizations, and some personal donations, but ultimately built on city-owned property. The churches feel like they have the right to fly a Christian flag there. The city council, however, also has the legal right to remove that flag since it owns the property.
I am not religious, and tend to hold a rather antagonistic opinion of organized religion (though I try very hard not to...), but this doesn't feel very cut and dry even to me. It's almost like saying, "Hey, thanks for the expensive, beautiful memorial! Now, get all your stuff and get out!" to the churches who paid through their teeth for the memorial. Then again, it's city property and therefore the council has the right to remove the flag. And there's a very expensive lawsuit to consider.
No easy answers... or maybe I just can't see the issue clearly.
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Been really horrid with the insomnia lately. I asked the doctor to put me on prescription pills
I have been really freaking out about the trip I'm taking on Sunday to take grandma to the nursing home. Today at work, during my total meltdown when I had to leave the office to sit in the sun for a while to try to make myself stop crying, I called the parents to be demanded to be put into a hotel instead of share a small apt with bitch grandma (mom's mom) and dad. He of course said no, so I said I would order it myself. Mom called me back and let me know that I would only be there from 11 pm to around 6 am, which I then agreed to bear with it. I just hope that dad will be ok to deal with during the brief trip. There are some people that I cannot stand being around when I'm less than happy, and he's number 1. That's mostly what I'm afraid of. He'll be a bitch the entire time and I won't be able to take it and have some kind of melt down.
Coworker drama has reached a threshold. Thankfully, I finally spoke up and it looks like immediate supervisor should be taking care of things. We didn't want the director involved, but at our drunken coworker night, one of us talked really loudly about the manipulative bitch coworker. Immediate supervisor and Director aren't aware of just how much manipulative bitch coworker has fucked all of us over. During my 7 hour shift today that I covered for her, I learned a lot more than I really ever want to. This isn't nearly as bad for me as a worse situation in Japan, but still I get in uber bitch mode when flakes are fucking over us who work hard.
Anyway, right now I think I'm gunna take 4 pills of these prescription drugs . Hopefully I can sleep tonight. Tomorrow I have a shift with pokemon coworker. I like working with him the best, probably, even though me and German coworker have really gotten along well. One time a few weeks ago there was a huge bitch fight between him and her because she basically was like "Shut the fuck up about pokaymanz, I'm trying to concentrate," and all hell broke lose XD;. I honestly was only offended because I wish she'd said it more politely, but I guess it was a misunderstanding.
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So me, and my parents go out to eat at a restaurant, and we end up having four flys buzzing around us.
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Set your phasers to stun. Watch the antics ensue.
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Lost my mind from insomnia several days ago, and now I have agoraphobia D:. Also some kind of paranoid other things. It's a long story. Anyway, I can only be in crowded places now if I have my ear plugs with me. Good news is that grandma is doing well.
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Holy cow! Hope you'll be fine. You seriously need to hear some celtic music. XD It's helped me get to sleep. Another method of inducing sleep unto yourself is to completely stop thinking for a moment, shutting down the rational side of your brain and let the images float in.
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The doctor that I went to gave me a sleep sheet with stuff he wants me to follow. Since I got back, I've been sleeping pretty well, though only ~7.5 hrs when I like around 9 hrs XD;. A big thing that has helped is that he said I was not to play on the computer or video games, or any kind of "stimulating" electronic medium an hour before bed. Even though I'm pretty hardcore over pokemon black right now, I've been basically trying to follow that and read some chick book instead. If I get really bad, I still have dad's copy of Moby Dick- one of the most horrid books I have ever tried to read. Disappointing because I'm really into the story >___<. Reading a really boring book actually has started to help me.
I still am sensitive to noises when I sleep. A problem with my place (now I'm at my parents) is that the next door neighbors have their very noisy air conditioner running all night long, even if it's already cold and they don't need it. It's kept me up the entire night before.I haven't bitched about it to them because they have more serious problems- one of them has some kind of severe blood pressure condition that hasn't been alleviated and doctors can't figure out what is wrong with him : (. It's really sad because every time I ask about what he's been up to, all he's been up to is spending hours and hours at the hospital undergoing all sorts of medical tests. Wish he had Dr. House!
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Ha, god. Tons of protests are going on in Europe over austerity measures (side note: fuck austerity; it doesn't fucking work), and the ACTA is still being kicked around. But what's on the news?
"Be afraaaaid! The terrorists are coming for...uh, somewhere!! Hide! Don't get anywhere! Be very, very afraid!"
God, it is the most cynical, hollow fucking thing. Are we at war with Eastasia now?
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Jealousy. Separating bullshit from motivation. Trivial.
Aaaaand got some killlllller feedback from a casting director for a good paying job, no word on booking the damn thing though...HA it's a mirror of my love life..."You're GREAT, BUUUUUUUT"
*begins writing jokes*
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I've been looking forward to getting an eReader, and so far only Sony has met my expectations. They had a special bundle for the Daily Edition about a month ago, so I decided to save up for it. Now that I have the money, the PRS-900 is being replaced by the PRS-950 and thus no longer available.
OK, fine. The Touch Edition is essentially the same and smaller in size, only lacking the Wi-Fi. After much research and finally deciding it is the Reader for me, I headed to Best Buy to make my purchase . . . only to find that it, the PRS-600, has also been discontinued (for the PRS-650). Fortunately, this Reader isn't much more expensive: $183.99 compared to the $239.99 I was willing to spend on the Daily Edition (and $169.99 for the original Touch). Unfortunately, that model was out of stock. So I waited. And finally, today the PRS-650 is back in stock! . . . But for the price of $229.99. I actually called customer service to find out what happened; apparently, the price I saw was for a promotional sale no longer being offered. :x
I have the money however, and this Reader is the most suitable for me. So I believe I will make the purchase.
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Despite the fact they're served at the same restaurant, sake and sushi don't mix well together on an empty stomach....
I feel like I'm falling over drunk on one bottle of alcohol, hahaha... I'm such a lightweight. And I'm probably never going to eat sushi again.
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You say that now, but Seattle beckons...
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I realize that my political opinions can be offensive, especially considering I have more right-wing opinions of certain things, but I really wish people didn't take my opinions so personally. Especially since I get defriended by two people by stating them in my own blog. I didn't care with one of the defrienders at all, but the other one I actually really liked and it was kind of hurtful to be said they don't want to associate with me anymore because they think I'm a horrible person for having the guts to state certain political opinions. WTF D:. I would never do that to someone.
I know someone who is quite right wing, and always said all these really rude racial slurs about people. I've known her since HS and she's always been right-wing. These days she's become even more right wing and has become very intelligent about politics, especially when it comes to raising dirt about our president. I don't agree with about 70 percent of her opinions, but I would never stop being friends with her just because of that. I have tried to stop taking internet drama seriously. I am usually the cause of it, and that one person who defriended me I have decided isn't worth my time getting upset over, if she wants to abandon me for my political views.
Internet drama isn't really worth my time getting upset about anymore. I suppose that I value the Compendium for that epiphany :3. My life is pretty awesome and it exceeds the internet. I love all of you here, but I'm glad I moved past getting emotionally invested in internet drama. I still do it, but it's not like it makes me sad or even enraged anymore. The enraged I'm sure may happen again, let's just hope it isn't soon XD;
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Kodokami - those eReaders are tricky business. I'm not a big fan of Sony's - I had one, it broke, it sucked. Even after we got it replaced, it sits in my desk drawer.
There is something unnatural about it, and the Sony's still glare in the sun, just not as noticably.
I'm frustrated due to not being able to synthesize two conflicting mindsets I have, and it's giving me hell. Also, writer's block.
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I'm actually enjoying my eReader (I've had it about a week now). There are problems, but overall it suits me. I have to be so careful with it though so as not to damage it ($40 is ridiculous to dish out for that mediocre cover). True, there is still a slight glare and an odd feel to it compared to real books, but the ease and convenience of carrying multiple books for whatever I fancy wins in my opinion.
Good to see you back, by the way.
Hmm, a frustration... Family financial problems. And no job to back them up with aid. =(
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The cover actually broke on me - when it was replaced, they gave me a foam case thing - REALLY inadequate as far as safety goes.
I suppose I didn't give myself enough time to get used to it though, I still have some books in there and free classics are always nice. I remember the initial joy - hooray, no thinking about what book to bring anymore! Just grab the eReader and go!
Thanks for the welcome back.
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Moldy cheese. I bit into it. Dkajfalafdsfdda. It was disgusting, and I spit it out immediately, but the taste lingers.
It was shredded cheese, too, so it wasn't immediately obvious. I've been trying to up my calcium intake a bit, but this was not exactly what I had in mind. I was distracted, and took a bite of the cheese while I was preparing dinner. It tasted foul, and I spit it out. Sure enough, it was moldy. It completely ruined my baked spaghetti, too.
I love cheese, but lately, foul tastes (or upset stomachs) have been ruining foods for me in one fell swoop (sushi was the latest victim). I hope cheese isn't among the list of foods I can't stomach now. :(
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$%*!, the Depths of Memory dungeon in Sands of Destruction is $%*!ing ridiculous! More so than the puzzles in FFX...and I'm using a walkthrough!
At least I'm finished now...
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LOL traffic jam and the bus drove into a dead end. Before the driver managed to back the bus to the previous intersection, another 2 buses had caught up and passed by.
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Fucking asshole rednecks. It's the down-home, country-fried, common clay of the earth, red-stater, Republican-voting, young-earth creationist, old-timey, backwater white-ass goddamned fucking trash who tip the worst at my restaurant. Out of any fucking demographic, country white trash rednecks are the fucking worst tippers. Is it any fucking wonder that the American south and midwest are so socially fucking retarded? It's these fucking cavepeople's goddamned home territory. I was fucking MVP at the restaurant tonight and no one was for want of anything, and I even had constant cups of ice coming for iced tea (since the ice melts fast) and even a birthday candle for the big redneck party. $7 on a $120. Not even fucking 7%. Redneck dumbfucks.
(http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsW/18372-1934.gif)
These are simple folk, people of the land, the common clay of the earth. You know.... morons.
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Fucking asshole rednecks. It's the down-home, country-fried, common clay of the earth, red-stater, Republican-voting, young-earth creationist, old-timey, backwater white-ass goddamned fucking trash who tip the worst at my restaurant. Out of any fucking demographic, country white trash rednecks are the fucking worst tippers. Is it any fucking wonder that the American south and midwest are so socially fucking retarded? It's these fucking cavepeople's goddamned home territory. I was fucking MVP at the restaurant tonight and no one was for want of anything, and I even had constant cups of ice coming for iced tea (since the ice melts fast) and even a birthday candle for the big redneck party. $7 on a $120. Not even fucking 7%. Redneck dumbfucks.
Well, run them over with a tractor. Violence is the only things these animals seem to understand.
Yes. I called them animals. No, I don't believe they don't deserve to be called human. Not with all the bullshit they've apparently been getting away with for so many years. :x
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Hm. I need to make note of this. I rarely go out to larger restaurants unless I'm with a group, but $2-3 is common for what I would tip for my share. Is this reasonable?
I wouldn't be so extreme as to call these people "animals" though, Skylark.
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Just depends. The expected minimum is probably 10%. 15% is for good service, and 20% is for great (or if you really like the person). Under 10% is inviting disappointment, and under 5% means you will be remembered.
Not that I'd ever sabotage someone's food or anything, but if someone's a bad tipper, I have less incentive to try harder to get them what they need. That time's better used getting someone else's stuff, since they might tip well.
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Not that I'd ever sabotage someone's food or anything, but if someone's a bad tipper, I have less incentive to try harder to get them what they need. That time's better used getting someone else's stuff, since they might tip well.
Haha, I can understand you there. It's unfortunate that so many don't realize the importance of the waiter.
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Hm. I need to make note of this. I rarely go out to larger restaurants unless I'm with a group, but $2-3 is common for what I would tip for my share. Is this reasonable?
I wouldn't be so extreme as to call these people "animals" though, Skylark.
I get what you're saying, but...
It just scares the hell out of me what these jackasses are capable of and what they're willing to do. And what pisses me off the most is their attitude of 'There's no room for people who don't follow our way of thinking'. I'm sorry, but I can't bring myself to believe that these hypocrites can be the way they are and still be considered human. I just can't. :(
Although to be fair, I can think of a couple of exceptions. But only a couple.
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I understand that you're upset about your friend converting into a Christian, but I do not understand why you're upset by your friend finding another friend so quickly. The first thing that comes into my mind is "envy", but I wouldn't jump into assumptions to hurt someone like that.
Of course a person has a right to choose what he/she wants to be, just as you have the right to believe what you want to believe. But why must his conversion hurt you so much?
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From an existential point of view, it could be that the suddenness and distance of the conversion is more distressing than the content of the conversion. Perhaps it calls into question how genuine people really are when we interact with them. I daresay it's great fodder to channel through some artistic undertaking, though that's probably cold comfort to someone in the midst of asking these kinds of questions.
I'd hazard a guess that the friend is just as lightly Christian as he was atheist previously. In the bravado that follows striking up new friendships or relationships in general, one member of the relationship might feel tempted to adopt the other's interests as a way of latching onto the other. An exchange of views and perspectives is healthy, but ultimately a superficial swing in interests isn't going to bind people in the long term. There's got to be something deeper. The question is, is it ever possible to know when our relationships have that "deeper" stuff?
Seems to me a story that takes place at a costume ball would be a fantastic medium for exploring this question. And if the costume ball takes place in a Venusian cloud city, that would make it even better. Phew, I'd better lay off the booze. Or maybe I should have more...
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I'm very sorry to hear that, Saijanta. Forgive me if I say, though, that I do not understand how it feels for a person to simply dump someone because I've always found us humans to be predictable (unless they're online) and have also experienced a few "best friend's betrayal" in the past which I managed to forget. Thus I never take people's words for granted, no matter how much they mean (which is why I don't have many "true friends"). I don't want to sadden you so I'll try my best to appeal to your professional nature instead instead of your social one.
You see, human relationship sort of fluctuates in time, sometimes being closest while at times being at the brink of tearing. Yes, even with the closest of relatives or friends. At the same time, all a human being needs is love; a place where he's adored the most he'd wag his tail right there, loyal to his communities until he finds a better place -- like a mix of cat and dog. We seek community and some of us are usually willing change our beliefs just to blend in with the crowd, and when needed, protect the community no matter how wrong they are. Basically, protecting friends. And like FaustWolf mentions, his sudden lack of interest towards one friend/community and going for another certainly brings his loyalty into question.
Of course, what he did say was indeed hurtful, but I do have something to add. Considering you're an atheist, from your point of view worshiping a non-existent being would indeed be primitive, but for those who believe think that loving God would make miracles happen. I beg to differ, because if there's a reason why God created us would not be to bless us; if one truly believes in God and knows how a superior mind would work, staying lazy and praying for things to happen would make even God facepalm. No, Gods have little to do with miracles and judgement. If God exists, he's there to watch his creation burning with the flames of passion and dreams, stepping through obstruction towards the light, facing the darkness with a candle and burning the grounds so to let there be light.
You may be ill, Saijanta, but you're one of the strongest I know. You take arms against oppression towards helpless people, you take up a pledge to protect your friends. And I dare say that if a God exists to influence fate in any way, he would be a complete asshole to hurt you in any way.
I don't know how I could console you as I'm not good with words, but I hope for the best. Godspeed and may you live to your fullest and blessed.
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Great. Now somebody pickpocketed my brother's phone. Which cost me three months of salary...
:picardno
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That sucks. Well, that's one of the reason I always prefer a cheap phone.
And I haven't encountered a pickpocket in my life, LOL, perhaps that's because I don't have something worthy to pickpocket.
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I'm trying to learn to love God again.
Yes, the God that did horrible things to you. And no, I don't have an answer for that. I don't know if God does either. I just don't know. So don't ask.
What a terrible thing to say. Perhaps not in a general sense, but that he said it to you--someone he held a very close friendship with--makes it revolting. With Faustwolf I would agree that this "friend" is as lightly Christian now as he was atheist before. Looking from the opposite side, perhaps his conversion is due to something deeper--an internal problem, family or otherwise, that would cause him to question previously held beliefs? Regardless, I cannot guess what would be so demanding in his life for a conversion, and to drop the close bond of friendship he had with you. To put it in quotes, "[His] lack of faith of is disturbing."
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Bastard probably wanted to get into his 'new friend's' pants. Just another reason for me to believe humanity is nothing but shit... :x
Alright...
I've never been good at giving advice, especially to anyone who's been what you've gone through, but I've been through a hell of a lot of 'false friends' myself, so at least I can relate to you on that regard.
I realize it bothers you, but if this friend of yours wants to be a douche, then to hell with him. Anyone who does what he did isn't worth the drama. And that goes for anyone else who decides they want to back out.
Just keep on pushing forward, and don't let anyone or anything stand in your way.
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As much as I love the sexy time... It complicates everything.
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My old best friend (whom I haven't completely lost--he still wants to be friends) has decided to convert to Christianity. Previously an atheist, but now wants to "love God". I'm really upset. I can't tell you how many times we discussed religion and how ludicrous we found the Bible to be, how often we rolled our eyes at the super religious people in our classes, how sometimes we were downright condescending concerning Christians.
I had a friend like that in high school. Militant feminist, black panther, godless heathen and proud of it. Then, after we had all gone our separate ways after graduation, something happened and she became one of those hardcore conservative fundamentalist Christians who we had derided so thoroughly. It left me wondering: I had considered her an intelligent, aware person. Had I been wrong about that? And, if so, how?
Lessons like these--when taken cumulatively across many subjects of interest--involving the capacity of somebody you thought you knew to become radically different with apparent suddenness, have led me to suspect that true honesty is an even rarer bird than I had figured it for. It seems that people just can't or won't be honest about who they are and what they're thinking.
This former friend of yours was probably never the person you thought he was. You got it wrong in your perception of him. And now you're left wondering how that could be. It's a lousy frustration to have, isn't it?
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Well, somebody feels proud of something might because he thinks his standpoint is different from many people, not because he has a strong faith towards it.
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Urrrgh! It takes a lot to get me riled up, but people who've drunken all the kool-aid of conventional economic wisdom fit the freakin' bill. "Why, all those people who are struggling right now need to better themselves! Let the market handle it! Why are so many people complaining? If they don't have money, they're not working hard enough! All these angry people got just what they deserve, so they should clam up and stop complaining about CEO paychecks." It goes on and on like this in various comments sections of econ articles.
And I know all these folks can't be pampered elites chewing on tobacco pipes while sitting back in leather chaise lounges as they fire off comments in that spirit. And yet, there's some hideous disconnect between them and the young African American man with an education who can't land a job no matter how hard he tries; the laid-off middle aged parents whose human capital withers while they spend their waking lives firing off hundreds of resumes; the valedictorian of a graduating class who's shut out of some opportunity because she's from a poor household and couldn't afford to develop connections through an unpaid internship.
There's a complete void where creative economic leadership is needed, and a frightning abundance of apologists for an economy that functions like we're still in the 1800s, when we should be in the Information Age. This is nuts.
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Urrrgh! It takes a lot to get me riled up, but people who've drunken all the kool-aid of conventional economic wisdom fit the freakin' bill. "Why, all those people who are struggling right now need to better themselves! Let the market handle it! Why are so many people complaining? If they don't have money, they're not working hard enough! All these angry people got just what they deserve, so they should clam up and stop complaining about CEO paychecks." It goes on and on like this in various comments sections of econ articles.
Hah, working as a waiter has only strengthened my feelings about that. It's difficult. Restaurants must run lean or they'll lose out at the margin. One's sense of timing must be supreme, and one's acting and social skills have to be at the top. It's hard damn stuff. To some people, I'm a romantic young person crossing the stream with this stepping stone. To others, I'm probably a deadbeat who needs to get a real job.
There is a fundamental lack of empathy in this system and its principles. And one of my favorite question is, what would happen if everyone did work hard enough and go back to school and be more qualified, etc.? Well, competition would increase for those good jobs, and then everyone who didn't make it would still get the leftovers. The Starbucks counter isn't going to man itself, nor is garbage going to fly itself into the landfill. Service jobs are essential until robots or other automated systems are created, and even then, sometimes a person just has to be there for the right service. Something so essential is also such a fucking scapegoat and punching bag for these unempathetic, heartless people who view the people manning them as inferior.
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Yeah, I was on the verge of bringing up the word "empathy" as well. It's probably the same people who give you a 5% tip at Red Lobster who suggest that the middle class vanishing is a perfectly desirable and efficient thing.
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You get that a lot, but the system isn't going to change so soon. Anything alive today is selfish in some way or other, and that goes without even going in details about political harassment of civilians and broad-daylight bribery (and robbery). System is drawn out, some find it unfair, and there's a race of survival all over again; screw education. Those experienced in the field, and with enough help and Godfathers behind them (as Zeality says, "extreme social skills") win the bet despite all the hard work and intelligence of a middle class worker.
What frustrates me even more is how some people sway off paths by providing loopholes to principles. Get this: Business doesn't need emotions involved and thus superpowers are happy enough making people's lives miserable so long as they keep their customers satisfied and get the dough. If you involve emotions in business, the offices are biased enough for employees to trip each other and rely on ass-kissery to get to the top for the sake of competition, leaving behind the intellectuals who can actually make a difference.
I'm not that kind, and would happily stay poor if that's the way it is. I wish all the world's money-lovers would stop making love to green paper and remember that it's not a luxury, but a necessity to trade for something far more meaningful, because in the end it's just that: green paper. I'll change the world in my own way. Which reminds me of a sarcastic quote by Banksy:
We can’t do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves.
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My Halloween sucked.
First people to come to my door: Missionaries. God damn missionaries.
Go peddle your fascist beliefs somewhere else, you sacks of crap! :evil:
Everyone after was pretty normal... except for the last group.
I hate it when late teens don't even try to pretend they're trick-or-treating. I hate it even more when they start laughing at me and making nose-picking motions. (I've been sick so there's a bit of crust around the nose.) By the time I went to get my bat, the pricks ran off.
Yeah, I'm never letting trick-or-treaters at my door again.
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You get that a lot, but the system isn't going to change so soon. Anything alive today is selfish in some way or other, and that goes without even going in details about political harassment of civilians and broad-daylight bribery (and robbery). System is drawn out, some find it unfair, and there's a race of survival all over again; screw education. Those experienced in the field, and with enough help and Godfathers behind them (as Zeality says, "extreme social skills") win the bet despite all the hard work and intelligence of a middle class worker.
What frustrates me even more is how some people sway off paths by providing loopholes to principles. Get this: Business doesn't need emotions involved and thus superpowers are happy enough making people's lives miserable so long as they keep their customers satisfied and get the dough. If you involve emotions in business, the offices are biased enough for employees to trip each other and rely on ass-kissery to get to the top for the sake of competition, leaving behind the intellectuals who can actually make a difference.
I'm not that kind, and would happily stay poor if that's the way it is. I wish all the world's money-lovers would stop making love to green paper and remember that it's not a luxury, but a necessity to trade for something far more meaningful, because in the end it's just that: green paper. I'll change the world in my own way. Which reminds me of a sarcastic quote by Banksy:
We can’t do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves.
I guess this is only slightly related, but I will say this. I spent years in a cutthroat, miserable job just like that. Employees tripping each other up, doing underhanded, dirty things to get ahead just for more money.
Now, I have much less money, but I wouldn't go back, not for a minute. Leaving was one of the best decisions of my life, and I don't regret it at all. I have more time for everything, including trying to manage my various stresses (instead of ignoring them just to make it through the workday).
Now I'm in school studying for a career that still won't make me rich. But I enjoy it, and I won't participate in that kind of nonsense again if I can absolutely help it.
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Good for you, rushingwind. Preach it!
Sorry your Halloween was so terrible, skylark. At least next year you can have all that candy to yourself, right...?
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Thought I'd post this out of frustration. SE needs to step it up and start listening to their longtime fans, and I'll leave it at that.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6283339.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop%3Btitle%3B5
Funny though, I spotted some good posts by a couple users...
user "dybbuk" said:
Blame the yen, accounting practices, whatever, the bottom line guys is great games sell. That is what this company was built on, great epic games, and not just from one single franchise. During the psone era there was more than final fantasy. And what about sequels that your fans care about? I can understand not wanting to rehash, but if your going to release something new then you better make sure it doesn't suck. What would be so bad about a Vagrant Story sequel, or a Chrono sequel, or a xenogears sequel? or(dare i say it?) a remake of FF7? AND WHERE IN GODS GREEN EARTH IS VERSUS!!! cmon, someone over there needs to get on the ball. News on versus was out before FFXIV, but FFXIV came out first!? and got terrible scores to boot. Square-enix you guys need a gut check, time to dig deep and decide if your gonna deliver or just fade into average-ness. Sorry for my rant y'all, but I spent lots of nights with square games and my psone, and these last few years have been painfull.
user "punanisher" said to user "dybbuk":
Exactly. I mean, seriously, I have purchased Chrono Trigger three times on three different systems (snes, ps1, ds). What more can a consumer do to state they want more? To me, Xenogears was the epitome of great RPG storytelling and the property was dumped and poorly handled. Square was the reason I went with the PS1 instead of Nintendo 64 way back when. Every PS1 Square game was a pre-order, day 1 purchase for me. Nowadays, they just don't have what I'm looking for.
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Looks like the polling this season was very close when it comes to the final lay of the U.S. House of Representatives. We got whooped this year. =(
On the other hand, things are shaping up well (as can be expected) for damage containment in the Senate and governorships. But it looks like we lose Russ Feingold. Why, oh why, people of Wisconsin? You're better than that...
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Steamed. Combination of the show among other things. Went well. For all 12 people. At least I had a couple come out, but garnering support is getting ridiculous. Thankfully I didn't bring a big zero people, then I'd REALLY of looked like an ass to the promoter. And the producers from the Tonight Show.
Fuckity fuck fuck, it'll pass. But until then...rabble rabble rabble...
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And once again, we have the Republican Reich gaining power. :picardno
I don't care what anyone says. If any sort of Republican jackass starts stopping at my doorstep telling me the way of God is the way of American law, somebody's gonna get shot. :evil:
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I remember writing on this site a few months ago about what the Tea Party could do if they ever got enough political power in this country. As of yesterday, they're one step closer to it. It hope this is as far as they get.
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I meet weekly with my mentor to go over "Latin." This generally takes the form of me being given an excerpt which I translate and then bring in to see if I did alright or not. Generally takes most of Sunday to do. This last week we didn't have the meeting itself, but instead my mentor gave me 4-5 times the amount of work (not an exaggeration) because, hey, we had a "week off." It's not a week off if I still had to do work for the activity. All it did was save me about an hour. That's nice, to be sure, but it really doesn't magically give me all this time to do a crapload of extra work either.
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God, I hate not being able to sleep before important events, even ones that I know will go fine. I know I won't sleep at all before the interview Thursday for Europe. It's a foregone conclusion. I'll have to find some way to get hardly any sleep tomorrow night so I'll be able to collapse somehow Wednesday night.
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Tumblr doesn't have the ability to categorize and organize discussion and always requires people to register before posting, while Wordpress lacks customization in the themes area. *frowns*
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Argh! May the Day of Lavos befall those women seen at Pasado's. Throwing food is no way to get a man's attention, especially when said man is wearing his favorite Fangamer jacket! I must now remove these bean stains. . .
Although, on a side note, mayhaps I should be flattered. I certainly had a good laugh out of it.
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My mentor doesn't like alliteration or clever turns of phrases. So sad. It makes it so much less interesting to write.
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Yikes. That's a real shame. :/
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We might not be able to move into the apartment. D's two jobs (yeah, that's right. Two) don't pay enough. He came home the last two nights a complete wreck because of stress and fatigue. He broke down sobbing both yesterday and today. D never breaks down. He rarely cries.
I don't understand it. Why can't we be happy. Why can't things go our way. So many couples our age and younger have their own place. They have jobs they enjoy, money to buy groceries and even money left over for amenities. They have their health, they both have degrees, they do not live every day with fear and dread. They have friends nearby.
Why can't that be us. Why why why can't that be us. All I ever wanted was our own place, just our own place. And money for food. And sanity. And a life without fear. That is all I ever wanted. Is that too much to ask?
Even if I do not believe I deserve this, D does. He fucking does. He is hardworking and kind and does not deserve this. I held him in my arms as he sobbed and I could do nothing else. He thinks the stress alone will kill him. He told me he thinks this will kill him. I am terrified.
I don't know what to do. Will he have to go back to his hometown away from me? We will end up being without a place to live? Is this a repeat of Boston, where we literally had no money to eat?
Why can't we have what everyone else seems to have? I just want our own place. Just a little place. And enough money to get by. Why does it seem like almost everyone I know gets to be happy and stable and financially secure except for me and the most wonderful person I have ever known?
I am so scared that this will kill us. Literally kill us.
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Really sorry Sajainta. It's ironic that of all the things that would end up hurting you in this world, I suspected the economy the least. Love enables people to do herculean things, so if this broke him, it's really important to accept that this isn't healthy for him. At least you were able to provide a comforting presence for him to come home to -- that makes a huuuuge difference.
I know it's little consolation, but I can say I don't know a single person right now in our generation who isn't feeling this recession. At least where I'm living. This summer I encouraged a relative to offload some of her two-job work to me so she could retain a certain level of sanity. I was inspired to do that after hearing the story of a truck driver whose wife studied for and passed a work-related online test in the guy's place for simple lack of time. Not sure if you're able to enter into that kind of arrangement with D, since it depends on whether the work is digital in nature. Are you able to collect any kind of benefits to help pad your combined income, or anything?
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I’m really sorry, Sajainta. I send you my best wishes, hoping with all my heart that things will get better soon.
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This is a frustration of sorts: I am about to undertake something very difficult and outside my realm of assured success. The frustration is not that I have to do it, but that there would be something "very difficult and outside my realm of assured success." Courage was never my strong suit on the Triforce, but now it's risk-taking time and I so suppose I'll dust off the ol' bravery of character and see whether or not I can, ahem, ride the skies above their limit and smash the unthinkable, etc., etc.
And for you, Sajainta: Here's hoping you and D find that lucky hat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfXggRuctAY) really soon. No one deserves it more!
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Same here, Saijanta. Where would humanity be if note lend a hand to a friend in need? If D's as awesome as he sounds then don't give up hope and stay smart. Usually a typhoon seems like forever, but it doesn't last long. You either wait till it ends or you bend the storms to your will. We hope the best for you guys, so remember that when you smile the world smiles with ya!
But you know what? This settles it. Corporates may be doing us a huge favor by supplying technology to the masses and quicken development and evolution, but that alone does not diminish greed. There are lots of things I wish for, but one of the greatest of all is to watch every currency in this world singe to dust.
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I am indignant on your behalf. Shallow frauds like that deserve a stubbed toe. >=(
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I am indignant on your behalf. Shallow frauds like that deserve a stubbed toe. >=(
Stubbed toe? Stubbed toe?! The bastard needs a bat upside his damned head!
All I can offer is condolences, unless you're willing to tell me where this prick lives... hopefully somewhere in the Lakewood WA area.
I may not believe in God, but I do believe in Hell, and I think there's a special place there for people like him. :evil:
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I recently realized human relationships are keeping me sane. In a stroke of irony, I've been losing "friends" left and right recently. Do people really turn cruel over short spans of time? Or did we not notice it to begin with?
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All I can offer is condolences, unless you're willing to tell me where this prick lives... hopefully somewhere in the Lakewood WA area.
Nah. He lives in the Midwest.
I may not believe in God, but I do believe in Hell, and I think there's a special place there for people like him. :evil:
That's a wee bit harsh. I don't believe in God, nor do I believe in Hell, but if it existed I don't think he should go there. He's been a massive jerk and has done some really terrible things, but I wouldn't want him to go to Hell.
How does that work, though? Your disbelief in God coupled with a belief in Hell? Not trying to be patronizing or start a fight, I'm just very curious.
I recently realized human relationships are keeping me sane. In a stroke of irony, I've been losing "friends" left and right recently. Do people really turn cruel over short spans of time? Or did we not notice it to begin with?
Yeah, people really can turn nasty very quickly. Most of the time it's very subtle from the beginning and you miss it, but if you looked back you'd realize that they were cruel all along and you just didn't see it until it was too late. But sometimes people do just change that quickly. Either way, it sucks. I'm sorry you've been losing friends too. :/ It's incredibly, incredibly disheartening.
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I don't believe in God, nor do I believe in Hell, but if it existed I don't think he should go there. He's been a massive jerk and has done some really terrible things, but I wouldn't want him to go to Hell.
XDDD Hate to break it to ya lassy, but as Mephistopheles says, THIS is hell. Yes, the very world we live in is ridden with filth, plague and fires of torment. But humans we are, we've survived chaos and turbulence, and so hell is nothing to us. We strive to bend the world to our will, turn hell into home, a paradise that may not exist elsewhere.
I recently realized human relationships are keeping me sane. In a stroke of irony, I've been losing "friends" left and right recently. Do people really turn cruel over short spans of time? Or did we not notice it to begin with?
Yeah, people really can turn nasty very quickly. Most of the time it's very subtle from the beginning and you miss it, but if you looked back you'd realize that they were cruel all along and you just didn't see it until it was too late. But sometimes people do just change that quickly. Either way, it sucks. I'm sorry you've been losing friends too. :/ It's incredibly, incredibly disheartening.
It's not that people "become" nasty overtime, it's that we "are". We're born self-conceited and malevolent, and "doing the right thing" is what we learn in time. There are various reasons why we think a person suddenly changes when he hasn't.
Firstly, no matter how close a person is, when he's too close for too much time he feels uncomfortable. You see, humans are fast and free, hate being bound to one place for too much time. Easily get bored. Secondly, when you're with someone for too long you begin find it uncomfortable to feign niceties and just wanna lay off steam sometimes. To avoid this, it's always to have different situations to take your mind off. For instance, when you get a feeling things are starting to get boring do something INCREDIBLY different and crazy. XD
Yep, even the nicest bloke in the world may be one of the biggest douchebags you may ever see. In the end it's not what you are that counts, but what you do.
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Uh... to answer Saj...
You kinda have to ask where you might end up when it's your time. I beleive that people who are generally good just find... peace. Just simply peace and rest.
But there are people in this world who I don't believe deserve that peace. People like Hitler, serial killers, extreme right-wingers and religeous nutjobs, and anyone who would basically screw someone over intentionally.
And considering that this guy knows what you've gone through, what he's done is especially heinus to me.
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Nobody deserves "Hell." Death, perhaps. But the very idea of a supernatural torture chamber is bogus. It persists only to frighten children and soothe our desires for revenge against injustice. But vengeance is not justice. Hell is a petty concept unworthy of liberal affection.
That's why I said "stubbed toe." In my philosophy, there's a lot that a person can do to merit execution...but scarce little to merit actual torture. When a person is dead, their opportunities cease, and that is punishment enough for any crime. To desire more is unbalanced. Understandable, sometimes, but unbalanced still.
Time travel wouldn't certainly have a profound effect on ethics, wouldn't it?
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XDDD Hate to break it to ya lassy, but as Mephistopheles says, THIS is hell. Yes, the very world we live in is ridden with filth, plague and fires of torment. But humans we are, we've survived chaos and turbulence, and so hell is nothing to us. We strive to bend the world to our will, turn hell into home, a paradise that may not exist elsewhere.
I was referring to the non-existent place in the afterlife.
I am very well aware that we live in a shitty, hellish world.
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A thick headed, stubborn brother who doesn't respect anyone, neither admitting his own faults and thus blaming others for everything wrong, nor giving a rat's ass about what anyone else feels. Even when with friends one moment he's having fun, then the next he's standing at the side with a scary attitude, ruining the mood of the group and at the same time picking fights with people worrying about him for no apparent reason.
Any hints?
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LOLd
A while back, I just moved my window live space to wordpress, which had been blocked here for a long time.
And wordpress stayed un-blocked for a few days, that made me think that Microsoft had strong magic.
But the situation didn't last long, and wordpress got blocked again.
Today or yesterday I received an email from windows live, said I can move the space to a Chinese blog site.
OK, very well.
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Ugh, things like this piss me off to no end (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/50-Buzzwords-You-Shouldnt-Use-usnews-369644370.html?x=0). First, I hope a fair amount of it is complete BS; but secondly, it still highlights the fact that our economic system is based on weeding talent out instead of connecting that talent to production. How backward is that? Maybe that was the best we could do in the 1890s, but we can't just lie down and settle for this nowadays. Sometimes I can't fathom the ridiculous inefficiency of it.
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Just realized I've never had OCR's Radical Dreamers songs backed up in the CSMA.
:picardno
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FUCK these bringer shows!!! I'm back at The Comedy Store tomorrow night...another fucking bringer. They don't care if you're funny, only how many people you can bring. I'm lucky to get 3 out, but I won't even get on stage with that many. Fuck that. It's such backward bullshit. Some of the fucks will bring out 30 people! And then follow it up with 5 minutes of silence as they bomb away. And then those of us who actually have talent wait hours on end to go on last when everyone has already left because the people who brought a ton all blew. I turn on the tv and see fucking Dane Cook sell out MSG, I can't even get 5 fucking people out to support me. I'm bending over backwards, jumping through every hoops, even offering to pay for those who say they would but can't afford it. But no. They want none of it. "Next time."
Well there won't be a next time, I can't handle the humiliation of it anymore. If I get left hanging high and dry AGAIN I just don't know how I will respond.
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I feel you, Shee. The need for connections (and luck in grabbing connections willing to truly bend over backwards for you) is becoming a huge drag on our economy in general, I think. The major challenge we all face is to find leaders in our respective industries willing to make use of our talent. I have a feeling you've got the capacity to go where you want to, especially after seeing that Doritos commercial sketch you were in awhile back. Even if it didn't air, I really had the feeling I was watching a professionally made commercial or one of those high quality, cinematic SNL skits.
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I guess it's all about the turnout for them, Shee. You can't take it personally. Take it professionally: If this isn't working for you, then don't work for it. Deploy the torpedoes on that one-horse hole-in-the-wall and set out for your audience.
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So I was paying for the CELTA, and I get this prompt to use SecureCode. Googled and found this:
http://consumerist.com/2008/04/its-impossible-to-cancel-arcots-securecode-on-your-mastercard.html
Fucking great. Looks like I'll just forget using a credit card and try an international bank transfer.
I fucking hate credit/finance bullshit like this. If I've ever felt an emotion like the urge to murder, it's triggered by stuff like this.
Edit: Looks legit, but why is it being handled by Arcot or whatever? Mastercard couldn't afford to have it on their own domain? Sheesh.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamz%C3%ADk_TV_Tower
The VEŽA restaurant ceased operation in May 2010 due to a lack of customers, and all its operations including the restaurant chefs and staff have now moved to the 'West Restaurant' at the 'Best Western West Hotel' about 100m down the tower approach road. The VEŽA restaurant's website is however still active and the phone lines divert through to the Best Western Hotel. It is not clear if the VEŽA establishment will reopen under a new guise or left to be derelict.
What the fuck?! Damn, that sucks. I had no idea I'd be one of the last fucking people to eat in that restaurant (well, a year out, at least). Sad.
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No pilot for me :( It's ok though, it went real well, I left it all out there. Finally asked out this certain layday, and to my surprise she said yes!
First date anxiety is the worst sometimes. Regardless I either further a relationship with someone I care about or I'm issued a comedy gold mine. Win/win, quite frankly, but until then just fightin the jitters.
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My left wisdom tooth shattered today when I was eating.
Though it didn't hurt, but half of the tooth doesn't make the tongue too comfortable.
:picardno :picardno :picardno
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Ouch! Hope you can get that fixed utunnels. Or more likely, pulled? Just don't let it get abscessed.
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Loud...
annoying...
neighbours.
Shut the FUCK UP.
THIS IS NOT A GODDAMN COLLEGE DORMITORY.
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Ah, welcome to the world of renting! Heh. Just balance out their ruckus with your nightly live performances of Jackhammers On Ice.
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I have a badass cold, and it's interfering with my ability to summon resolve. I just want to lay back, play a game, etc.
NOT TODAY MOTHERFUCKER (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPvmIxu-LSA)
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FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU**********!!! My monitor's busted and Samsung LED isn't in stock till next week! GODDAMMIT more waiting! Not only my work is halted but I can't initiate the Compendium Bookmarks/Cards fest unless I get one!
People keep telling me to settle for LG/Acer. No. Tushantin only settles for the best.
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Gettin' the run around...still haven't gone on the date which means no happiness OR comedic gold!!! Whether her flakey-ness is legit excuses or dodging me, the sheeit is...ahem....frustrating. (SEE WHAT I DID THERE???)
Bah, otherwise fine.
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Java updates....
wish they weren't so goddamn intrusive.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9tJW9MDs2M
:picardno
I'm not a Justin Beiber hater nor am I a fan. But although this song was quite touching some people just DON'T want to enjoy anything or even thinking about humanity. Anti-conformity is annoying, way more than any obsessed fandom, and if you need any evidence, this dude called "bajskorv03" seems to lurk around Justin Beiber Youtube pages for countless of hours just so he can waste his life spreading some hate. Any other JB video he can do what he wants, but why THIS specifically?
Now I'm not really trying to defend JB, but when it comes to the topic about Humanity I get pretty touchy. Normally at any circumstances I'd simply not get involved in complicated things, but if I'm working at a charity place helping the poor and orphans, and some prick shows up tossing rocks at both the celebrities appearing there AND at the children, (nevermind the celebrities, but for the sake of children) I'm sure gonna head up and break the prick's face.
Often I wonder if humans being a master race was a grave mistake. Is suffering truly the only way people will ask important questions? Why are we humans, despite being the most intellectually advanced species, so stupid? Why are we so blind to notice what's truly wrong with the world?
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I didn't click the link, but I'm assuming you're going on about a YouTube comment here. Not exactly a community of intelligence, those YouTube comments...
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This.
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My burning passion is missing. I don't know where it went. It had been going strong until wednesday, when it began to falter, but it petered out completely today. My faith in myself, my friends, and humanity in general is failing me for the first time in months. Maybe my soul is going into hibernation?
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I've had the flu for about a week. I feel unsanitary. I'm cranky because of it.
These are all frustrations.
bleargh!
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I didn't click the link, but I'm assuming you're going on about a YouTube comment here. Not exactly a community of intelligence, those YouTube comments...
Despite all the horridness of the comment section I kind of find it amusing reading them (good for comedy); but it's not just the "anti-humanity" stuff on Youtube I'm upset about, but the same stuff happening in real life. You see, each action sets a chain reaction of thought in my mind. Usually a good thing: but I remember once a fellow here in Pune tell me, "So Haiti was hit by an earthquake and thousands of people are dead; does that earn me a dime? No?" Don't mind someone not caring about it and simply leaving, but this dude likes to crack jokes at other people's misery.
This.
LOL!
Maybe my soul is going into hibernation?
Does that sound like a plot device to you? XD Sounds like an ingenious Sci-fi / Fantasy plot device to me! Nevertheless, I hope you find your motivation soon.
I've had the flu for about a week. I feel unsanitary. I'm cranky because of it.
These are all frustrations.
bleargh!
Ouch! x_x Yeah, frustration makes it worse indeed. So I guess having a good time really does make it better. *hands a PSP* Chill out. =P
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Known in ancient times as Gharapuri, the present name Elephanta, was given by 17th century Portuguese explorers, after seeing a monolithic basalt sculpture of an elephant found here near the entrance. They decided to take it home but ended up dropping it into the sea because their chains were not strong enough. Later, this sculpture was moved to the Victoria and Albert Museum (now Dr Bhau Daji lad Museum) in Mumbai, by the British.[1]
LEAVE THE ELEPHANTS ALONE!
Sheesh, whatever happened to see the past in all its glory? Discovering the islands (awesome on its own) is one thing, but dropping an important historical artifact into the sea (or taking it from its home in the first place) is a sure dick move. Guess we should be thankful to the British for finding it again.
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Whatever happened to seeing the past in all its glory? The idea wasn't really invented until the last few decades of the 20th century; before the past was more of a good to be sensationalized and sold. So I guess the lack of time travel happened to it :P
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Whatever happened to seeing the past in all its glory? The idea wasn't really invented until the last few decades of the 20th century; before the past was more of a good to be sensationalized and sold. So I guess the lack of time travel happened to it :P
Sold? Bah, I prefer knowledge than money, thus the preservation spirit, but if money saves knowledge of our world from being destroyed...
Thanks, capitalism! XD
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Woke up sick today. Really?
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Bad day to be sick. I did that on New Year's Day 2000. Yeah, the 2000. I was great for about the first ten minutes from midnight while I had a glass of champagne and rang in the new year with my dad, and then I spent the remainder of the dark hours extremely sick to my stomach, followed by an afternoon of chills, aches, and weariness.
It had a strange consequence, though: I'm not sure I would have remembered the occasion as well otherwise.
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Fuck marketing.
Advertising was a necessary evil in an age where information had meaningful logistical costs. Businesses needed to get their products out there so people would know they exist. But now, we have the Internet and an abundance of free information. There is no need for the old system. Products and services can be dispassionately, scientifically compared; the clear winners would dominate the market and innovation would be driven by the sheer clarity of the situation. Instead, it's the same old. Whoever pushes the most gutless marketing out there and does the best social engineering gets the customers, regardless of product quality. And people are either too busy or too ignorant to cut through this. The public discourse has been poisoned.
Fucking everything is bullshit lifestyle social marketing. God fucking damn people who get validation through consumerism. You can't take it with you, and you're burying humanity, its nobility, and planet fucking earth under fucking meaningless trash.
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Fucking everything is bullshit lifestyle social marketing. God fucking damn people who get validation through consumerism. You can't take it with you, and you're burying humanity, its nobility, and planet fucking earth under fucking meaningless trash.
I kind of agree with you there, especially on how people roll with advertisements. If there's a good product out there but no ads they think that the product either doesn't exist or is horrible. When we recommend AMD processors at the cafe, the usual response is "AMD? Never heard of em." That's despite the fact that Athlon II and Phenom x4 run WAY faster Intel i3 processors and are cost almost the same (at least here). You could compare its processing power to i5 x4 cores. Even Kaspersky Internet Security is overlooked while QuickHeal is given more priority, all thanks to ads, even though KIS is considered to be the best thing that's happened in IT while QuickHeal plain sucks (no good defense against viruses).
Even Andrew Pryce from BlenderGuru has mentioned about advertisements; if you want to land a job your best bet is to spread yourself everywhere otherwise people wouldn't know that you even exist. Basically send flyers all across the city to redirect them to your address, otherwise people wouldn't be able to find you. Sad, yes, but true.
Here's a sarcastic quote from Banksy, the world famous Anarchist and Anti-Capitalist/Anti-Consumerist.
We can’t do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves.
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I'm at the emergency vet, been waiting an hour, the receptionist could at least try to act like she cares. My dog is shitting blood. He was shitting bloody diarrhea but now it's just blood pretty much. Oh, totally, I'm okay with waiting, watching my dog shaking in his cage.
This sucks. If he dies I'm hitting somebody here.
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I'm at the emergency vet, been waiting an hour, the receptionist could at least try to act like she cares. My dog is shitting blood. He was shitting bloody diarrhea but now it's just blood pretty much. Oh, totally, I'm okay with waiting, watching my dog shaking in his cage.
This sucks. If he dies I'm hitting somebody here.
I’m very sorry… I really hope the vet will start treating him as son as possible and that your dog will get better soon. I send you my best wishes.
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Jesus, Bekkler, that sucks ass. I'm really sorry about that, it reminds me of real healthcare, only animals in pain is much more irritating than people in pain for some strange reason.
BEST WISHES
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I wish my roommate would turn down the Goddamn television in the living room. Nobody wants to hear him play fucking Call of Duty for four hours a day.
Also, Bekkler, I'm sorry to hear about that. D:
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He should be okay, the vets gave me meds for him. I'm out 260 bucks with a "maybe" though.
At least he's not dying. I was really more frustrated with the fact that I have ZERO ability to help him except driving him there and saying "blood poop wat do?" than with the receptionist. She ended up being nicer, after I found out she had to watch multiple euthanizations today.
Which got me wondering, wouldn't it be something if businesses (like vets, for a related example) had to print statistics on their location? Number of deaths compared to number of successful procedures per day, number of lawsuits lost and won, etc.
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I'm glad there's nothing too serious, Bekkler. Here's sincerely hoping your dog leaps boundaries once more, kicking all the toxins outta its body.
Which got me wondering, wouldn't it be something if businesses (like vets, for a related example) had to print statistics on their location? Number of deaths compared to number of successful procedures per day, number of lawsuits lost and won, etc.
LOL most hospitals grow colder and get nerves of steal after watching oh-so-goddamned-many deaths, injuries and worst case scenarios, so basically "it isn't anything new" to them. Nevertheless, I respect the docs who still care about their patient and get them better ASAP, but you'd be surprised how many of em just don't give a f**k.
Here's a case: About three years ago I was suffering from Anaemia, and a doc misdiagnosed me with Jaundice. Why? Because she was friggin lazy! She gave me wrong medications which made matters worse for me. =_=
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Glad to hear your pet is on the mend, Bekkler. Unfortunately emergency vets are a dubious sort. If you aren't satisfied with that one, you might want to make friends with a good vet and get them to recommend a good e-vet. Unfortunately I had a run in with such a place a few months ago and my little guy didn't make it. If we had done research ahead of time, things might have done better (or the same with higher medical bills). Anywho, point being, sort of like how you might know which hospital to go to when you have an emergency (assuming your area has more than one), knowing which evet to go to can be a life saver.
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:picardno
Corruption in India is really mainstream. Neither can you argue with a cop nor is there any chance of them doing anything right. Calling a parking a "drive way" and refusing to get us a license on false grounds with a hope of earning some under-table bribe? Not just that; even college seminars HELD BY THE FRIGGIN PRESIDENT HIMSELF is nothing more than some money-making scheme. The most ridiculous attempt out of several: actually charging students after "asking" them to vote on a decision in a topic? Give me a break! No wonder people don't wanna be involved in politics, goddammit!
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Whoa, a fee for voting? That ain't right. Is that a university thing or a government thing where you're at Tushantin?
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Personally, I hold a strong abhorrence to Mary Sues. Probably the worst instances are when fangirls have self-inserts that make everyone even more out of character than the fic would have on its own; very RRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE inducing.
Also, note how there's just about twice as many posts in the 'angry' thread than the 'love' thread. Seems to say a lot about the forum, methinks.
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Manly Man, I'm curious if there's a specific fanfic or set of fanfics that triggered your RAAAAAAAAGE; feel free to tell me over PM if it's a Chrono fanfic. I've grown really interested in the "Mary Sue", or rather how to effectively avoid such a character, since it's been discussed so much here lately. I'm a learn by example kinda guy.
I'd like to think that the Springtime of Youth threads contain a lot of what we'd otherwise put in the love thread, but it's also true there's been much for everyone to be frustrated about! *Sigh*
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Also, note how there's just about twice as many posts in the 'angry' thread than the 'love' thread. Seems to say a lot about the forum, methinks.
I think that says more about people in general than about this forum in particular.
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Also, note how there's just about twice as many posts in the 'angry' thread than the 'love' thread. Seems to say a lot about the forum, methinks.
This is the frustration thread. The hate thread is further down the page and has half the posts of the love thread.
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@FaustWolf: Both. The seminar was held by the President and had taken place in a university where my friend studied in. :? The ministers encouraged voting by SMS, saying they'd "greatly appreciate the (crap what's the word for "help out"?)" just to "understand the public mind and doing things in their interest" since ours is a Democratic nation after all. Turns out we had to PAY them for each vote (and you find that out after you've voted). The seminar was supposed to have been an intellectual one though, about how expenses are rising, industries branching out to other cities, rising intellectual youths in science and politics, economic powers, National Morality, etc. But what do we learn? "How Gandhi's teachings changed our lives". No offense to Great Spirit (Mahatma) Gandhi, but none of these guys who bragged about their "Gandhi-giri" actually applied the same moral sense and actions in their own personal or professional lives.
I sometimes doubt that the nation would improve even if someone like Obama became President/Prime Minister here.
@Manly Man: I got three things for ya, Mista Musculah! :lol: 1) Either good things happen so often that people don't find it surprising to post about it, or 2) Real life's just boring for some people, or even 3) Nobody wants to share their "secret" awesome lives with the internet (it's most of the time about their mates). Come on, who'd keep posting about each time boning someone (except the Facebook Abusers who'd post about anything useless)?
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You make it sound like "boning someone" is the only awesome thing out there.
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@Manly Man: I got three things for ya, Mista Musculah! :lol: 1) Either good things happen so often that people don't find it surprising to post about it, or 2) Real life's just boring for some people, or even 3) Nobody wants to share their "secret" awesome lives with the internet (it's most of the time about their mates). Come on, who'd keep posting about each time boning someone (except the Facebook Abusers who'd post about anything useless)?
Why, thank you for the compliment.
I kinda wish it was what's behind door number one, but my personal experience make me lean towards the second one. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether I'm just annoyed with something, or outright hate them. I think it's more that I hate the Mary-Sues themselves, but just how frequently I come across them irritates me to the point that I want to bash my head into a wall. Also...
...define boning.
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Personally, I hold a strong abhorrence to Mary Sues. Probably the worst instances are when fangirls have self-inserts that make everyone even more out of character than the fic would have on its own; very RRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE inducing.
I'm currently talking with one of my friends over IM and giving her two Mary Sue litmus tests. She's an aspiring author and her character outlines just painfully reek of Sue-ness, so I hope this will be a wake-up call.
One of her characters is named Wynter Lilly, and another one is some half werewolf / half vampire hybrid who had a supar traumatic past omg that has to bridge the gap between the two species (races? species?) and she's the ONLY one who can do it and the ONLY half werewolf and half vampre EVAR. Ugh. Kill them with fire. -______-
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One of her characters is named Wynter Lilly, and another one is some half werewolf / half vampire hybrid who had a supar traumatic past omg that has to bridge the gap between the two species (races? species?) and she's the ONLY one who can do it and the ONLY half werewolf and half vampre EVAR. Ugh. Kill them with fire. -______-
I totally agree with you. I am a little bit guilty of the Sue-ish name thing, though. In a Teen Titans fanfic I'm writing, I have a character called Moonshadow. She is a Tamaranean though, and I was mostly just trying to fit something to the naming template of the race, which seems to be either noun+noun, or adjective+noun. I've got no idea of their language's vocabulary or grammar, so I've just called her that rather than gone through the trouble of trying to find out exactly what her alien name would be. I dunno if they even have a Tamaranean dictionary out there, like how they do with Klingon or other languages like that.
I have at least made an attempt to keep her away from that sort of behavior, but I think I'm drawing closer and closer as I go, and it's starting to make me not want to bother with it anymore, since hypocrisy also ticks me off, especially if I end up doing it myself, because then I just look plain stupid. Le sigh...
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You make it sound like "boning someone" is the only awesome thing out there.
xD Well not necessarily, but get my point. Awesome things are often enjoyed with close people, like friends or family, and as social folks we tend to keep what's in the family indoors, keeping privacy and respecting the, well, respect.
BTW folkss, Mary Sue concepts aren't that bad, so long as you know how to use em. Think of em as a plot device, and you're in business! :D I admit, I'm using a couple of em and they've turned out to be pretty neat!
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One of her characters is named Wynter Lilly, and another one is some half werewolf / half vampire hybrid who had a supar traumatic past omg that has to bridge the gap between the two species (races? species?) and she's the ONLY one who can do it and the ONLY half werewolf and half vampre EVAR. Ugh. Kill them with fire. -______-
:shock: that's ... but ... why?
You know what I've always wondered? If you mate a vampire and a werewolf, won't the offspring be sterile like a mule? Think about it.
Also I wanted to point out the film Hot Rod for being funnier than I thought it would be, and for featuring a main character who thinks he's a Marty Stu, only to get proven wrong every time he attempts anything. Just when you think he might do something right, hilarity ensues instead.
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You know what I've always wondered? If you mate a vampire and a werewolf, won't the offspring be sterile like a mule? Think about it.
Indeed. Even worse about it is the prospect that this is an undead creature trying to conceive a child with a beast-man/woman. Even in a magical world, this makes absolutely no sense at all.
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BTW folkss, Mary Sue concepts aren't that bad, so long as you know how to use em. Think of em as a plot device, and you're in business!
Explain.
I admit, I'm using a couple of em and they've turned out to be pretty neat!
By your standards, or the standards of your critics?
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You know what I've always wondered? If you mate a vampire and a werewolf, won't the offspring be sterile like a mule? Think about it.
I hope so. I really, really hope so.
Unfortunately, the girl's "love interest" is a human, so I assume their offspring is going to be Vyolette Mydnyght Lestat-Dracula-Wolfenstein-Whatever who's half human and thus has to go to a normal human school but has such amazing powers and is such a ~*~speshul snowflake~*~
I totally agree with you. I am a little bit guilty of the Sue-ish name thing, though. In a Teen Titans fanfic I'm writing, I have a character called Moonshadow. She is a Tamaranean though
I don't think that counts as a Sue-ish name, because it's probably a name that would be normal for a Tamaranean.
Indeed. Even worse about it is the prospect that this is an undead creature trying to conceive a child with a beast-man/woman. Even in a magical world, this makes absolutely no sense at all.
Necrophilia and pseudo-bestiality ftw!
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You know what I've always wondered? If you mate a vampire and a werewolf, won't the offspring be sterile like a mule? Think about it.
It depends on how many chromosomes the hybrid offspring has. Mules have an odd number of chromosomes and thus are normally sterile, but most big cat hybrids (lion-tiger crosses, lion-leopard, etc) have an even number and are fertile.
</USELESS_INFORMATION>
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Oooh! Ligers. Tions. Lobcats.
But, sadly, no horse-birds I take it, except in Final Fantasy XIV. :(
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You know what I've always wondered? If you mate a vampire and a werewolf, won't the offspring be sterile like a mule? Think about it.
Probably depends on which origin story is used for them. If vampires and werewolves are originally humans, maybe that makes them compatible. Maybe.
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But, sadly, no horse-birds I take it, except in Final Fantasy XIV. :(
In the new game from the guys who did Ico and Shadow of The Colossus, you play as a little boy who has a guardian that looks like a cross between a horse, an eagle and a dragon.
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Both smoke alarms went off in my house just as I was going to bed. Since they are both wired into the house, if one goes off they both go off.
Had to call the fire department.
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BTW folkss, Mary Sue concepts aren't that bad, so long as you know how to use em. Think of em as a plot device, and you're in business!
Explain.
I admit, I'm using a couple of em and they've turned out to be pretty neat!
By your standards, or the standards of your critics?
:lol: Both; but of course, my critics haven't even realized yet which of those characters is a Mary Sue/Gary Stu, since they were downright awesome. Basically because those terms only seem to apply (blame human emotions) when a character follows the traits of it and goes bad.
When people do something, saying this method works unlike the other so don't touch the other, I do it completely opposite. For once thing, I've always believed that in our world there's no item that's without a purpose besides being negative, which makes me want to try things other people haven't. When I once read about people being annoyed with the rise of Mary Sue-ism in fiction, telling everyone to drop the topic because nothing good can come out of it, I decided to experiment this myself and wrote a whole god-damned book (unpublished) about it. At least 20% of the characters are based on me, but are pretty well developed to have flaws and strengths alike, and yes, a couple of them also have those tragic pasts you worry about, but funny enough none of them were emo. Only a few trusted folks have read the manuscript, but they're pretty rational and dang awesome to help me correct any kind error or flaw, and none of them complained (or even noticed) about the concept I was secretly following.
Can't tell you how I did it (it's all confidential), but the most logical fact would be that Mary Sue is nothing more than a plot device, either intentional or unintentional, but tricky to pull off nonetheless. Sometimes people fail, sometimes they get pretty awesome results. 8)
Oh yeah! I also have werewolves and vampires in (the sequel of) my novel. And no, they aren't like Twilight. :S I'm more fond of Mystery/Thriller genre, and involved a little supernatural to it.
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I find it useful to make a distinction between "Mary Sue" characters and author surrogates. Author surrogacy is a legitimate and time-honored component of literature, and a sensible vehicle for the exploration of ideas. Mary Sues are a class of author surrogates which corrupt the artistic potential of a work by communicating unrealism at the meta level.
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Is inserting an intentional Mary Sue into a story with otherwise completely believable characters for mainly comedic effect equally contemptible?
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Totally changing subject, but this is serious and bothers the Hell out of me.
My neighbor owns an old German shepherd, and the poor thing's about as close to being a stray without being officially so. He's skinny as a rail and is so dirty that after petting him tonight, I'm probably going to keep the stink he'd left on me for two or three days. The worst part is that the closest animal rescue services don't come out to the middle of Goddamn nowhere that I live in, so I can't get anything done via said organizations. Currently, I'm wiping away tears while contemplating whether or not to hit his owner over the head with a large cinder block.
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@Lord J: Not just author surrogates. XDDD I'm really talking about Mary Sue. Think of it this way: if you completely leave out the genre of the stories then you find that a concept is shared between Twilight and an anime called School Rumble, and that is a girl, an author/audience surrogate, finds herself falling for a man who's almost perfect. And I'm not just talking about the two protagonist girls either, but also those "perfect dudes" named Edward Cullen and Oji Karasuma. Both the characters are Gary Stu by nature, lack of flaws and what some girls perfectly dig, but Edward Cullen was unintentional while Karasuma was placed there with artistic and comical intention. It's because the story revolving around Tsukamoto and Karasuma is so goddamned fun to watch nobody complains, or even has the time to think, about negative aspects of Mary Sue-ism! :lol:
It's like how you wouldn't use a hammer to crack open a glass bottle. Every concept has its useful time and place, and every human is supposed to master their tools at hand.
@Manly Man: That's pretty sad to hear, man. I'm not sure what to say on this matter, besides the point that the dog's master is a d**k. But the dog itself would need a new master. It'd be awesome if you could adopt it and give it a new, better life.
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Totally changing subject, but this is serious and bothers the Hell out of me.
My neighbor owns an old German shepherd, and the poor thing's about as close to being a stray without being officially so. He's skinny as a rail and is so dirty that after petting him tonight, I'm probably going to keep the stink he'd left on me for two or three days. The worst part is that the closest animal rescue services don't come out to the middle of Goddamn nowhere that I live in, so I can't get anything done via said organizations. Currently, I'm wiping away tears while contemplating whether or not to hit his owner over the head with a large cinder block.
My brother has a similar problem. There's a badly-treated dog in the area where he and his girlfriend live and, like you, they live out in the middle of nowhere. They're not sure whether they should confront their neighbour or not. Is it feasible for you to talk to the person who owns the dog?
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Mother's snoring like a tremendously loud creaking door! >_<
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@Lord J: Not just author surrogates. XDDD I'm really talking about Mary Sue. Think of it this way: if you completely leave out the genre of the stories then you find that a concept is shared between Twilight and an anime called School Rumble, and that is a girl, an author/audience surrogate, finds herself falling for a man who's almost perfect. And I'm not just talking about the two protagonist girls either, but also those "perfect dudes" named Edward Cullen and Oji Karasuma. Both the characters are Gary Stu by nature, lack of flaws and what some girls perfectly dig, but Edward Cullen was unintentional while Karasuma was placed there with artistic and comical intention. It's because the story revolving around Tsukamoto and Karasuma is so goddamned fun to watch nobody complains, or even has the time to think, about negative aspects of Mary Sue-ism! :lol:
I'm confused...what does the explanation of those two plotlines have to do with your own story? Or are you describing the novel and the anime to tell us that you have a similar plotline?
Also, I hope you realize that some characters can have distinctively Mary Sue traits without actually being a Mary Sue. If your characters are supposedly well-rounded and have legitimate flaws then I fail to see why you would call them Mary Sues.
What do you consider to be a Mary Sue?
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@Saijanta: The reasons to why I considered using Mary Sue in my books are described in this post (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,4445.msg199781.html#msg199781), not the one you quoted. The one you quoted, though, was where I was describing about how few pop-cultures use the concept of Mary Sue in an artistic sense, and how to use those traits to one's advantage rather than centering the story around it.
Besides Audience/Author surrogates similar to John Watson or Rose Tyler, if a character has every trait of a Mary Sue, but is not a Mary Sue, and is STILL an amazing character to have then what would you call it?
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First off, sorry for being nitpicky, but my username is Sajainta, not Saijanta. I've noticed that every time you address me in a post you misspell the name, and I don't really know why. I know it's a random and odd username, so if you want to avoid misspellings you can just call me Saj.
@Saijanta: The reasons to why I considered using Mary Sue in my books are described in this post (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,4445.msg199781.html#msg199781), not the one you quoted.
That's...not what I was asking? I asked if the plot explanations of the two examples you provided had anything to do with your own plot, not why you decided to use Mary Sues.
Besides Audience/Author surrogates similar to John Watson or Rose Tyler, if a character has every trait of a Mary Sue, but is not a Mary Sue, and is STILL an amazing character to have then what would you call it?
I don't know who either of those people are, so I can't comment on that.
There is no possible way for someone to have "every trait" of a Mary Sue and not be a Mary Sue. That would mean that they're immortal, a quarter vampire and a quarter demon and a quarter werewolf and a quarter angel, speak every language ever, having characters falling in love with them left and right, are the last of their kind, are some kind of "Chosen One", all of their terrible actions are always justified, are beautiful or handsome beyond all reason, have magical powers that no one else has ever had, are the most powerful person in the story ever, etc. etc. etc. Definitely an irredeemable Mary Sue.
However, some characters in literature or movies or w/e do exhibit traits characteristic of Mary Sues without being a Mary Sue. Immortality, last of their kind, some kind of hybrid creature, some kind of "Chosen One", yet their ~*uber speshul-ness*~ is not overwhelming and / or is realistic to the universe they live in. And they have flaws, and are held responsible for their actions, and don't complain about being "too gorgeous" all the time.
So if a character has SOME Mary Sue traits, but is still believable and is not the most perfect being evar next to Jesus, then obviously that's not a Mary Sue. But someone who has every trait of a Mary Sue is obviously a Mary Sue. I understand that the line can be blurry, but I've read enough (good and bad) literature to usually be able to spot a Mary Sue when I see one.
Again, how do you define the word "Mary Sue".
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I consider a Mary Sue any character with cliché characteristics.
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Good point, Kodokami! Unfortunately today we're buried with millions of literary works, and thus it's pretty hard to find anything without being cliche'd.
@Saj: Ouch! Sorry about that, I didn't notice. I was dyslexic as a kid, but was forced to get over it (with intense and severe tutoring by people who simply thought I was a jackass for failing classes). Of course, the year after that my hard work paid off as I surprised people by becoming a topper (i.e., highest marks in class), but my grades went poorer again as I had to study other languages besides English. Although forcing myself to type in proper grammar everytime I'm on a PC, it looks like my symptoms are still catching on. For instance, just today I saw the word Heuseca twice and kept thinking it was Lucca until I read it for the third time. Yeah, I'm a very slow reader. :oops:
Anywhos, back to the Mary Sue point, that statement which you quoted previously was actually directed at Lord J, and it wasn't Lord J who asked about my novel. Nevertheless, since you're curious I'll tell you.
At first, I think Mary Sue is supposed to be either the author's "dream come true in a fictional fantasy" or being treated by the author as "special", as if the world revolved around them. They're often loathed by the audience, which gives them the term, but that's the consequence, not the cause and nature of the character. Usually perfection, tragic past, etc. all come secondary, but you remove the "fulfillment" and "special" aspects of Mary Sue it becomes really tricky to actually use it masterfully, thus my experiments in my own novel. What I do know is that, despite the faults, a handful of authors have used them intentionally for comical or "thematic" effect, though removing certain traits (like tragic pasts for Karasuma) and still keeping him what he was intended to be.
How the following pop-culture ties in with my novel? Now think back for a second: why do people hate stories with Mary Sues? It's usually because the plot is centered around them, thus the bad development bleeds into the story. But what if we keep the character as-is (without changing) and still keep an engaging plot? Well you'd say that the character would still be hated, but that's the idea. Now if the protagonist is a Mary Sue, then he'd be unbeatable, right? He'd have no problem beating the bad guys and the story would be boring and predictable, yeah? Now take a look at the other side of the coin: who's the MOST hated in any story? The antagonist. Mary Sue is an immortal, a quarter vampire and a quarter demon and a quarter werewolf, yadda yadda? What if the ANTAGONIST was Mary Sue? If that happens, wouldn't the protagonist really have trouble beating him/her, especially when the author likes the antagonist over the protagonist, while the audience is rooting for the hero nonetheless? The unpredictability gives rise to many story opportunities.
But it's not about just switch and swaps. Nah, story writing is more complicated than that. Take School Rumble, for instance. Karasuma is cool. He's the type of guy most guys want to be, but not him exactly. Mainly because he's an intentional Mary Sue, but also a parody of it at the same time. He's immortal (he does things which can kill anybody), he's good looking (in the eyes of the girl, despite his average looks), he's calm and emotionless (some people's wet dreams), super-powered, part alien (in some episodes), can turn into super-saiyan and pull out force-fields, always gets the chick, etc. But he ain't the hero in this movie, and I did mention why. Instead, he's actually the antagonist, the guy taking the chick away from the main hero Harima. And it's actually funny! XD
Hell, even the author once mentioned that one his most favourite characters was Karasuma, because despite being "flawless and talented", he brings some opportunities for more plot which forces the main characters to think up of various ways to confess their love/kill him.
Similarly, I have also been going for a similar theme, usually satirical or, basically, doing the impossible and exploring where other writers fear to tread. :franky
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Not necessarily. A cliché is anything "which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning ... rendering it a stereotype." Many unoriginal ideas can become original simply by the approach an author takes.
From what I know of him, I would not consider Karasuma a Mary Sue character. For example, how does his role affect the protagonist's development? Surely the protagonist faces difficulties against Karasuma and grows as a result. The author also poses a legitimate answer as to why Karasuma is his favorite; he was not designed to be "flawless and talented" just for the fun of it, but to act as a foil for the protagonist / other characters.
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Shaving with a dull blade.
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turned on the shower water and piping hot water was squirting from the hot water knob >.< additionally had an ant invasion, but I was quick to hose em down the drain with the shower head
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Spanish Mid-Term coming up. Shit.
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Gave the dentist a visit...
Result: I'm two teeth less...
Mouth hurts...
$%*! indeed...
>_>
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Spanish Mid-Term coming up. Shit.
Unless you're a diplomat, the only phrase you need to know in Spanish is "Speak English already!"
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No frustrations tonight.
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Spanish Inquisition coming up. Shit. :(
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Handing back student exams with marks of 27%. Not sure who it's more awkward for, me or them. :picardno
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Spanish Rice coming up. Shit.
(I work in a restaurant where we don't always have what we need for certain things that may or may not be on the menu. Today it may have been old bay or peppers, or it may not have. It also may have been both. This was an ...elegant way to say it. :lol: )
Handing back student exams with marks of 27%. Not sure who it's more awkward for, me or them. :picardno
Hopefully at least one got upwards of 90% or else it's just awkward for you, and anger inducing for them. But if it's only a few that did so badly tell them to get off teh potz and teh boozes. :lol:
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Handing back student exams with marks of 27%. Not sure who it's more awkward for, me or them. :picardno
Hopefully at least one got upwards of 90% or else it's just awkward for you, and anger inducing for them. But if it's only a few that did so badly tell them to get off teh potz and teh boozes. :lol:
Or Teh Minecraft.
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Samopoznanie, are you a professor? Teacher? TA?
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Not necessarily. A cliché is anything "which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning ... rendering it a stereotype." Many unoriginal ideas can become original simply by the approach an author takes.
From what I know of him, I would not consider Karasuma a Mary Sue character. For example, how does his role affect the protagonist's development? Surely the protagonist faces difficulties against Karasuma and grows as a result. The author also poses a legitimate answer as to why Karasuma is his favorite; he was not designed to be "flawless and talented" just for the fun of it, but to act as a foil for the protagonist / other characters.
Whoops! I guess I got stereotypes and cliches mixed up. :oops:
Well that was the intention, regardless: to bring out the reactions from other characters. Think about it. The moment we begin watching School Rumble we sit and gawk at the surprisingly (or unsurprisingly; depends how you see it) unrealistic feats of this guy which puts the protagonists through interesting phases, which again in turn brings out comedy. XD That's what I'm talking about.
On a different topic,
1) I'm tasting blood. F#&$!! I may have recovered from my illness, but my cough is worse than ever.
2) Sometimes I skip classes when I don't wanna go, but other times I skip classes when I really need to go. Was ready and such though a bit late, double checked everything, my stuff and my bicycle, began riding halfway through the four miles journey and my tire busted. -.-"
3) I must admit that, though I'm neither a Justin Bieber fan nor am I a hardcore hater (I actually respect the guy), some creative discrimination is awesome to read since it's really, really funny, such as at Cracked or some witty jokes. It's also sometimes healthy community-wise. But now it's not only getting out of hand, but also getting really annoying really fast, just like the Twilight effect. Why, you say? Just received a Graphicsly Newsletter (seriously, where's the professionalism in profession?).
Check the attachment.
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Samopoznanie, are you a professor? Teacher? TA?
I'm a TA, but in effect the TA's (there are two of us, a little over 100 students) are the teachers for this course. We're the ones who have one-on-one contact with the students in tutorials, and we're the ones responsible for their grades. All the prof does is lecture twice a week... the only input he has as far as the marks go is if a student disputes a grade and can't resolve it with us, or if someone plagiarizes (had two cases last year). It's definitely more work than I expected given my experience as an undergrad.
I like it though. Teaching is a lot of fun, and the good students outnumber the bad. About half a dozen of them from last year have even stayed in touch, which is cool. I don't like giving poor marks, but when someone gives you one sentence as an answer for an essay question, you're kind of stuck. Can't always find enough half-points to save everyone!
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Handing back student exams with marks of 27%. Not sure who it's more awkward for, me or them. :picardno
I tend not to make eye contact in those sort of situations. Cause not looking at them totally makes it better.
<.<
>.>
That being said, I think it tends to be more frustrating for the teacher. Chances are, if the student is getting that sort of grade, they're used to it and half-expect it. Though when a good student misreads the question and does something totally wrong... those really really suck.
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As a Thought exercise, outside the realm of existing policy at your educational institution, wouldn't you say that a student who misinterprets either the prompt or else makes some small mistake which instantly guarantees a wrong answer, ought to be evaluated not purely on the accuracy of their answer and the rigor of their method, but on their demonstrable grasp of the concepts as well?
Don't get me wrong. I still remember what happened with the Mars Climate Orbiter. The value of rigor and right answers counts for a lot. But 73 percent? That seems overmuch.
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I tend not to make eye contact in those sort of situations. Cause not looking at them totally makes it better.
That, and handing the exam to them face down. :?
Chances are, if the student is getting that sort of grade, they're used to it and half-expect it.
That's the vibe I get from things, yeah. Nobody's protested. One of them was even genuinely thrilled that he squeezed out a 67 on the first essay.
As a Thought exercise, outside the realm of existing policy at your educational institution, wouldn't you say that a student who misinterprets either the prompt or else makes some small mistake which instantly guarantees a wrong answer, ought to be evaluated not purely on the accuracy of their answer and the rigor of their method, but on their demonstrable grasp of the concepts as well?
Usually in that case I would do just that, yeah -- deduct a set number of points and then mark it as I would a usual essay question. In the case of the 27% exam though (and most of the poor marks, for that matter), that simply wasn't an option... there's not much you can do when they leave answers blank, or write just a couple sentences for for a section worth 60% of the test.
It was a tough exam, with some pretty obscure (IMO irrelevant) things on it. A lot of the time I think the university makes them overly difficult, in an effort to keep the average down and not give the impression of having any bird courses.
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Stomach virus. Up for most of the night, threw up 11 times. Stomach pain preceding the first two times = most physical pain I've ever felt. I'd be a terrible prisoner of war, I think; I'd give up the information at the first chance to make the pain stop.
Anyway, an hour ago, I poured a can of Coca-cola into a tall glass of crushed ice. Best coke I've ever had in my life. Ditto for the can of Pepsi classic that came after. Suffering incredible physical pain makes you appreciate simple pleasures. I'm glad I had this virus before Europe, at least.
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In my experiences, cola, especially Coke, helps with stomach problems.
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Eleven times has got to be some kind of record! I did green tea last time I had to pray to the porcelain god, but I'll have to try something fizzy next time.
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Yeah! O_____O" Considering Shakespeare invented the word "puke", this would be the best time to make him proud by saying it each time ZeaLity breaks his own record. No offense, though. Hope you're healthy soon. Godspeed.
On another note...
http://www.hindustantimes.com/4-arrested-for-collector-s-grisly-murder/Article1-654658.aspx
A nice way to celebrate Republic Day, they say! Let the country rot, they say! Well here's what I say to all in the roots of corruption: SUCK MY D**K!!
RIP Yashwantrao... I hope his wife and kids remain strong. Few courageous men like do their duty loyally, and what do they get in return? Heh, the news does sell.
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It was a toss-up between posting this here or in the amusement thread, but since this seems to be serious in its intent, it seemed most prudent to put it here. It is the Sarah Palin Battle Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl3YQYtlALc&feature=related).
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Ugh... I've been playing the SaGa2 DS remake, and while a fun and awesome game... the Final Boss is just... ugh...
It's so bad not knowing if certain characters will act before or after it to know when to heal, and thus, sending me to a Game Over... once more...
This is worse than Star Ocean 3's, at least in there I'd knew when to efficiently heal... :x
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Fly to Europe tomorrow. Can't sleep. What the fuck is new.
I hate a lack of lucidity. Hate it hate it hate it hate it hate it hate it hate it; nothing opens way for biological instinct, fears, worries, etc. like being fucking tired.
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My nose piercing has been bothering me and hurting slightly for the past week, and I have no idea why. I had it pierced the summer of 2004, and it's never given me any trouble until now. -___- I don't need to have a stud in it all the time--I've had it pierced long enough where it won't close up for a long time--but it's still irritating.
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As a Thought exercise, outside the realm of existing policy at your educational institution, wouldn't you say that a student who misinterprets either the prompt or else makes some small mistake which instantly guarantees a wrong answer, ought to be evaluated not purely on the accuracy of their answer and the rigor of their method, but on their demonstrable grasp of the concepts as well?
Don't get me wrong. I still remember what happened with the Mars Climate Orbiter. The value of rigor and right answers counts for a lot. But 73 percent? That seems overmuch.
Sorry, I had totally missed this questions. This is such a multifaceted question that I am afraid I can give no single response. It generally depends on the situation. If the assignment is to test concepts rather than knowledge, I tend to be lenient in some regard. But sometimes we just need to know if the student has gained basic knowledge, and thus these minor mistakes confound our efforts to evaluate. I might be lenient the first time, but that is it. Such mistakes undermine the very intent of the assignment.
For assignments aimed as concepts, I attempt to be forgiving with understandable mistakes (it isn't always up to me, though). First time I usually note the error but don't hold it against them. But the second time, I am less willing to be forgiving since that is starting to smack of the student not caring (I am still forgiving, but I am dubious as to if forgiveness is merited). But again? No, something is up at that point.
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But sometimes we just need to know if the student has gained basic knowledge, and thus these minor mistakes confound our efforts to evaluate. I might be lenient the first time, but that is it. Such mistakes undermine the very intent of the assignment.
How do you reconcile the apparent likelihood (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/science/21memory.html?pagewanted=all) that test-taking is also a vehicle to education? How do you respond to the fact that failing a test, or otherwise bombing on an assignment, can still generate an educational effect? Do you think grading should be reformed to reflect this, or not? If so, how?
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How do you reconcile the apparent likelihood (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/science/21memory.html?pagewanted=all) that test-taking is also a vehicle to education? How do you respond to the fact that failing a test, or otherwise bombing on an assignment, can still generate an educational effect? Do you think grading should be reformed to reflect this, or not? If so, how?
For me, I have very mixed feelings on tests, as it takes a particular sort of student to perform well under pressure and a short time-span. In one case last year, one of my best students had slow and borderline illegible handwriting. It was very difficult to grade him accurately, and so I suggested that he approach disabilities services to get permission to type his exams. I had done the same in high school, because I have very slow handwriting. He did, and the university turned him down because they demanded a doctor's note and a fee of a couple hundred dollars. It's tough to deal with these things sometimes...
I like the idea of having different options for how to compose the grade. I.E. having the choice of written or oral exams, or the alternative of a few essays. That can accommodate peoples different strengths while still testing their knowledge.
If there are to be tests, I would prefer that there be many of them, worth relatively little. I.E. bi-weekly ones, to make sure that people are keeping up with things and that concepts / facts are sticking. I've taken a few language classes like this (French, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian), and it does a good job of reinforcing things.
I'm opposed to reforming the grading system to accomodate failure though. This is what they've done in high schools in my home province: percentile grades were eliminated in 2003, replaced with letters. 'F' was not one of them; the lowest is 'S' for 'Some progress'. Likewise, the most negative comment teachers can choose from now is "Needs Improvement". The only way a student could fail is if they didn't hand in the work. Increasingly, the logic behind the schoolboard seems to be, "Johnny can't read, but he sure feels good about himself!"
:picardno
By modifying things to avoid competition or failure, you end up hurting the brightest students, some of whom lose interest out of boredom. Failing is no fun, to be sure. I've still got the F on my transcript from bombing Calculus in my freshman year. But it's part of life, not just in school but outside of it. If someone doesn't like to fail, then they should try harder, not just take satisfaction in the praise they get for making the effort.
But I do think that the grading system could be given more flexibility to focus more on what knowledge kids have taken in, rather than investing 45% of the grade on an exam that only tests one outlet for expression.
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I swear to fucking God. I leave my apartment, and my roommates east all my leftover food I was saving for tomorrow.
Where the fuck did common decency go?
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Ex-Lax Cookies.
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Someone's status update::
"Reclaiming the werewolves for God. ;-)"
She's an "aspiring" author who wants to write supernatural romance with a Christian message. Why. WHY.
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Sounds like compelling literature.
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Not just "compelling literature." The greatest story ever told!
(http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/7805/wolfmanjesusposter.png)
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:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Genius.
I am so very tempted to save that picture and post it on her wall.
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My college has denied my request to graduate in May on a technicality (I took a math class out of sequence, which isn't commented on in their handbook, or fine print, or anywhere else I can find). I have met every requirement they have, and worse, I was told last semester that I would be able to graduate in May without a hitch, so long as I didn't fail anything. If they'd had their goddamn act together last semester when I asked them, point blank, if I was on track to graduate with the classes I'd registered for, I could have taken the class I "needed" and still graduated on time.
They fuck up, and I have to pay for it. Motherfuckers.
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They fuck up, and I have to pay for it. Motherfuckers.
That's academic arrogance for you. It's quite easy for them to let the students handle the pressure than them giving a damn. I just hope the college I'm about to enter is more responsible and decent.
Did I mention that, not in just colleges but even secondary and high-schools, students are given assignments/projects each week where they're required to print several pages of pictures? Consider the fact that only 15% of the population in Maharashtra can actually afford running printers at home, and the cafes charge a bomb for it. Turns out, you gotta "pay" about 200 bucks (equivalent to two-days worth of my salary) to get a few scores every week, which isn't even important to pass the class; the students do it anyway lest the teacher gets hot on their ass, probably even due to fear of suspension.
Also, it turns out more than half of the students in their class don't even know what they're doing the project about. Kids aged 11 to 17 come to me every week and tell me, "please, sir, give me info and pictures about Leonardo da Vinci". Surprised that even kids above 15 don't know about such a great innovator, I ask, "I thought this was taught to you in school? It's in your text book, isn't it?"
What they tell me?
"I really don't know who he is. It's there in the text books, but the teacher only reads it, and all we know is that he did paintings. We're supposed to be presenting more info on this guy ourselves." <----- This isn't just from one school, by the way. Similar statements were said by a bunch of other kids from various schools and about various topics. Sometimes I really wonder what they're teaching these days anyway, and whether the so called "academic education" today is even worth it.
On another note: There's a certain soundtrack from Tsubasa Chronicles I used to be addicted to, and that certain soundtrack was played in violin. Cats loved that kind of music. But each time I see a cat, and a while later play that music (even without the cat around), a day or two later the cat's dead.
I don't know what you may call it; a placebo effect, or "Curse Musica", but whatever it is it's been killing the cats I've seen. Surprisingly, the cats aren't in danger when I don't hear it. It's a strange experience.
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Maybe I should have bought a snow shovel. Damn.
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rushingwind, that sucks, sucks, sucks. College bureaucracies are horrendous beasts. Can you challenge it?
I'm tired of living in a city where I can't just walk around a goddamn neighborhood. I go from air-or-heat conditioned bubble to bubble; even when I just want to be outside, to go anywhere interesting or walkable, I have to drive there first. I feel my senses being dulled by the lack of nature, the surplus of screentime I do love my city and think it is underrated, but I wish it weren't full of consumerist strip mall anti-nature whoredom. I want to move to the goddamn West Coast right now but I have (wonder of wonders) a relevant job and wonderful friends and I don't want to be ungrateful for what I've got. Sigh.
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Maybe I should have bought a snow shovel. Damn.
I just read your comment in the other thread pooh-poohing the thought. I have to say, this is absolutely hilarious! Especially after I watched the weather reports for this storm last night. Cheers for eating some snow crow! Make yourself a good bowl of snow ice cream.
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rushingwind, that sucks, sucks, sucks. College bureaucracies are horrendous beasts. Can you challenge it?
That's not true everywhere. The University of Washington, even though its old bureaucracy building is literally in the shape of an upside-down pyramid (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/University_of_Washington_Schmitz_Hall_02.jpg), was always helpful, straightforward, and efficient.
I want to move to the goddamn West Coast right now but I have (wonder of wonders) a relevant job and wonderful friends and I don't want to be ungrateful for what I've got. Sigh.
If I may, this is the only life you have. Once you start trying to settle into your present circumstances rather than create new ones--and I mean this on the indefinite time scale--you have fundamentally shifted your outlook on life. Is what you have now really good enough for that?
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I just read your comment in the other thread pooh-poohing the thought. I have to say, this is absolutely hilarious! Especially after I watched the weather reports for this storm last night. Cheers for eating some snow crow! Make yourself a good bowl of snow ice cream.
We got quite the snow storm (for this area, at least). I'd hate to be those who need to drive today.
Also, snow ice cream sounds good. But is it really healthy to be eating snow off the ground? :P
I'm tired of living in a city where I can't just walk around a goddamn neighborhood. I go from air-or-heat conditioned bubble to bubble; even when I just want to be outside, to go anywhere interesting or walkable, I have to drive there first. I feel my senses being dulled by the lack of nature, the surplus of screentime I do love my city and think it is underrated, but I wish it weren't full of consumerist strip mall anti-nature whoredom. I want to move to the goddamn West Coast right now but I have (wonder of wonders) a relevant job and wonderful friends and I don't want to be ungrateful for what I've got. Sigh.
I understand that feeling. J has a good point though. Imagine what you're missing out on.
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I'd hate to be those who need to drive today.
This is the first time that bad weather has put off major travel plans for me. I was scheduled to go to Texas tomorrow; now I'll have to put it off at least a day. Any idea on whether they'll have the roads in better shape by Thursday?
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I would say yes. Most years when we have snow, the roads are clear by the next day. So by Thursday they should be clear.
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If I may, this is the only life you have. Once you start trying to settle into your present circumstances rather than create new ones--and I mean this on the indefinite time scale--you have fundamentally shifted your outlook on life. Is what you have now really good enough for that?
It's a fair point, though "really good enough" doesn't play into it for me, though you may not have guessed it from my frustration. Aside from my physical location, everything else in my life is as fulfilling and supportive of my goals as I could hope for. I suppose that I know so many people with issues getting a job, much less one they like, and with finding a lively social life, that feel protective. I've worked hard to get to this point: deep, longstanding relationships, career-relevant job that benefits me creatively, strong ties to family. I have a very good life, so it's more a matter of wanting to experience more.
But am I satisfied with settling - as you suggest, the mindset of settling? No. And I guess that's the determining factor. :)
Also, you're in Seattle? How do you like it? I have family and quite a few friends there.
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Seattle is awesome. A golden city, where the streets are paved with fair trade coffee, and the sun is always on a coffee break.
I'm not actually there, now. I'm touring the country. Next stop: Texas!
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That's awesome!! How long have you been on the road?
And ronically enough... that's where I am! Houston, that is. There is actually plenty to see in Texas, it's just hard to see that everyday because of this city's sprawl. I hope you enjoy yourself.
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Thank you. I've been backpacking since August. Tonight I am leaving South Carolina.
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That's academic arrogance for you. It's quite easy for them to let the students handle the pressure than them giving a damn.
Also, it turns out more than half of the students in their class don't even know what they're doing the project about. Kids aged 11 to 17 come to me every week and tell me, "please, sir, give me info and pictures about Leonardo da Vinci". Surprised that even kids above 15 don't know about such a great innovator, I ask, "I thought this was taught to you in school? It's in your text book, isn't it?"
What they tell me?
"I really don't know who he is. It's there in the text books, but the teacher only reads it, and all we know is that he did paintings. We're supposed to be presenting more info on this guy ourselves." <----- This isn't just from one school, by the way. Similar statements were said by a bunch of other kids from various schools and about various topics. Sometimes I really wonder what they're teaching these days anyway, and whether the so called "academic education" today is even worth it.
This story only confirms a deeply disturbing trend in education. It used to be that the burden of teaching was on teachers. Now that burden is solidly on students. Somehow, it has come to be accepted that the effort of the individual student is the only thing that matters, and that actively teaching them anything is irrelevant. If a teacher gives an assignment, then the students are expected to complete that assignment on their own regardless of their knowledge of the subject. The students are expected to teach themselves whatever they need to complete the assignment as a part of their assignment. (If the students fail, then their effort was clearly lacking and they deserved to fail.) I wonder if the Internet may be indirectly responsible for this? In an age where most students in the developed world have access to a computer, they have access to all of the raw data they would ever need – courtesy of the all-powerful search engine. In a way, it's almost analogous to parents placing their kids in front of the TV instead of actually parenting. We now have teachers placing students in front of a computer instead of actually teaching. Under this dynamic, the only purpose of the teacher is to give tests and to judge the students ability to self-learn. The result is 15-year-olds who don't know who Leonardo da Vinci is. It's pretty sad.
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Thank you. I've been backpacking since August. Tonight I am leaving South Carolina.
Fare thee well, noble nomad.
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And ronically enough... that's where I am! Houston, that is.
There is excellent pie to be had in Houston, if I recall correctly, but alas I cannot recall the name of the place...
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House of Pies is awesome! (Well, it is, even if that's not the place you're thinking of.)
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They shut down the cafes again. Many of my friends are out of jobs, trying to seek out new ones that could pay just as much, and my boss might go bankrupt. The reason for the ban? They fear terrorists might use these networks to send messages to suspicious folks. Oh, dear government, don't you realize you get free wifi access when you buy coffee from any hotel/coffee houses who don't ask for identity proof? There are other ways to get connected to the net, cheap or not, and the ban is mainly because the cops are too lazy to monitor customers and their legit IDs, but hey, the government is actually doing something!
The results? Many small scale company workers (read: employees) who depend on the cafes to get their job done, get prints and scans, have now happily gone in losses. Sacrifice for thy nation! Many school kids, which are burdened by assignments and forced to find their info on their own, especially those who can't afford net or printers at home, are actually failing/being suspended (I saw a couple of them crying because of it). Patriotism!
:picardno
I still wonder why I care. All I need now is to just finish this portfolio/novel and I'm in business, so no problems for me. And I still wonder why I care.
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I still have not found a job. I've applied to pretty much every place I can think of in this area, but no fruition. Absolutely nothing. Not that I am surprised by that, but my student loan bill due in 22 days is for $70, which I don't have. Not even close. I only have $29. There is no way I am going to be able to find a job, get a paycheck, and be able to have enough money by the 28th. I am so scared that I am going to go into debt, that I will have to leave the apartment because I cannot help with electricity or food, and there is only so much D can help me with, since he is the only one paying rent and he is the only one who can afford to buy food. And then there are the medications I have to take every day both for my mental health and my physical health, which cost so much since I do not have good insurance. And the hospital bills that I still have not been able to pay off.
I am really, really frightened. I cannot afford my meds, and if I do not take them I will become very ill and will end up in the hospital. And I cannot, cannot afford to go to the hospital again.
Is it a horrible thing to say that I am glad it is my birthday soon so that maybe people will send me money instead of gifts? I'd rather it be for my birthday than asking for any kind of handout. At least that is a better excuse to give someone money...right?
I feel so shitty for saying that.
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Birthdays are what keep some of us alive in this economy. It's really come down to that.
Something online, that pays, with lots of turnover (and thus hopefully openings), is Tutor.com (http://www.tutor.com/), if you'd be up for something like that Sajainta. Former tutors seem to have had their fair share of complaints about the outfit, and I'm not sure what funky system requirements it might have (there's some "virtual blackboard" thing that sounds kinda psychadelic to me). I'm keeping an eye on it myself as a stopgap measure in case I can't find anything in my field once I graduate. Best suggestion I can come up with at the moment at any rate; I'm all ears if anyone has more tips.
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Hey, Saj!
Unfortunately, I don't really know how we could help you out. Just don't feel bad about your birthday. It's a necessity, and one couldn't think ill of you for thinking that way. Hell, being a friend isn't about giving gifts at birthdays. Being a friend is actually about making your best friend happy at birthdays, giving them the best birthday they've ever had!
I don't think this could solve your problems, but I just hope this helps out a little if not at all.
http://www.redbubble.com/ <---- These guys actively seek simple artists with ideas to make T-Shirts and merchandise. You don't have to be skilled, just stylish and creative. :)
I just hope that this year you have a great Birthday. Nobody deserves to be saddened at their birthday.
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Just got flaked on again by a different layday for lunch. Seriously?
Seriously?
Seriously?
:o
Saj - head up! hope it works out!
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Adding to Faust's suggestion: another possibility might be Smartthinking, which is another online tutoring service deal. To cobble together some money, you could always try freelancing too? Elance, guru, and craigslist are the sources I usually use for that.
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Saj, could you sell plasma or blood? I know that isn't optimal, but it has helped me out in a pinch. Your medication may make you unqualified, however... In many places you can make $50+ per week selling plasma.
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Girl wants to just be friends. Story of my life.
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Don't wanna sound demoralizing or whatever, but I've never had a real problem with that. If they just wanna be friends, I don't push it until they offer me something, and drop any efforts that would say otherwise. Since women tend to be the ones who define the 'yay' or 'nay' of a relationship mist often, if they don't want to go out with me, I still at least try to be friends.
Look at the bright side though, Bekkler. If she's a friend, try to make her as best of a friend as you can. Better to have someone who's not so close as to be a lover but is still positively inclinde towards you than someone who shares a bed but is nothing but irritating. Besides, this gives you a chance to try and find another, and look deeper into yourself to think more about what you want in someone than what you know right now.
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Saj, could you sell plasma or blood? I know that isn't optimal, but it has helped me out in a pinch. Your medication may make you unqualified, however... In many places you can make $50+ per week selling plasma.
Unfortunately, I cannot donate blood. =/ I would love to, even if I wasn't given any money. I've tried, but it usually goes like this.
Nurse-person (reading the form I filled out): "...So you lived in the UK during Mad Cow Disease?"
Me: "Yes."
Nurse-person: "And you lived in the Philippines for most of your life?"
Me: "Yes."
Nurse-person: "And you had malaria at one point?"
Me: "...Yes."
Nurse-person: "And you're anemic?"
Me: "...Yes."
Nurse-person: "Okay, go home."
I don't know if those things would come up if I tried to donate plasma though, so I'll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion!
Don't wanna sound demoralizing or whatever, but I've never had a real problem with that. If they just wanna be friends, I don't push it until they offer me something, and drop any efforts that would say otherwise. Since women tend to be the ones who define the 'yay' or 'nay' of a relationship mist often, if they don't want to go out with me, I still at least try to be friends.
Look at the bright side though, Bekkler. If she's a friend, try to make her as best of a friend as you can. Better to have someone who's not so close as to be a lover but is still positively inclinde towards you than someone who shares a bed but is nothing but irritating. Besides, this gives you a chance to try and find another, and look deeper into yourself to think more about what you want in someone than what you know right now.
Still. It always hurts to have that "just friends" thing happen to you. I've had it happen, and it sucks. Not to mention that, for me, it would be seriously awkward to try and be good friends with someone if they knew I liked them. It would really hurt knowing that they don't like you in that way, and it would hurt even more if they started to show interest in someone else. I'd rather have a good friend than a shitty relationship too, but I don't know if I would want to be friends with someone with all of that awkwardness and (one-sided) sexual tension. I've tried to do that "just friends" thing before, and it didn't end well.
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She was just sending mixed signals and we have some mutual friends who are dating and they were egging me on, thought I had a chance for a minute, but she's not interested. Honestly it's better to know than to just be stuck in that limbo of wondering. Not that bad in the long run, but it is frustrating.
The problem I keep running into is girls who are interested don't say they are, and girls who aren't won't say they aren't. Not until after plans are made and time has gone by. If a girl asks me out and I don't want to go, I don't say yes and give them my phone number. :?
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The problem I keep running into is girls who are interested don't say they are, and girls who aren't won't say they aren't. Not until after plans are made and time has gone by. If a girl asks me out and I don't want to go, I don't say yes and give them my phone number. :?
I've always found that incredibly irritating. Not to bash my own gender, but most of the women I know have that mindset and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. At least with men, it seems for the most part they're pretty upfront about whether or not they like you (or at least, that's what I've experienced). I don't know what it is about the women I've known who aren't honest about their feelings. Fear? Self-consciousness? Worried they'll be seen as "too manly" if they ask a guy out, or be seen as a bitch if they turn someone down?
Don't get me wrong, I've felt every single one of those things (sans the last one--I've never accepted a date from someone I didn't like), but is it so weird to ask a guy out? If they aren't a douche and that kind of thing doesn't bother them, then what's the big deal? I know there's this stupid idea that only men should ask women out but come ON. There's no basis in logic for that. Hell, I'm the one who initiated my current relationship. D and I were friends, and I asked him out.
Huh. I guess that's a question for people (since the majority of the people on here are men). Would it be weird to you if a woman asked you out?
Aaaaaand that just turned into my own rant. Sorry about that.
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Girls asking guys out is awesome. Unfortunately, it's also pretty rare.
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My first three girlfriends and one boyfriend asked me out first. Huh.
Now that I think about it, I'm probably not the first person to look for when it comes to relationship advice, since it seems everything's kinda backwards on my part. Well, there's another thing that irritates me, not being much help when I'd like.
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I am all for girls asking guys out, but social conditioning does come in handy - boys are 'trained' to do it, or at least get a lot of experience, and as a chick I just don't know how to pull it off very well. I've had to try because I'm bisexual, and I pretty much failed until I had some guy friends coach me on it. I guess I have sympathy for both involved - having to ask people out sucks, but it also sucks to be sitting around waiting for someone to chance by because you're socialized to be passive.
And Bekkler, that sucks too. :(
Augh, this discussion is making me remember my naive early-college days, in which I sent a lot of mixed signals, apparently :/ To me they weren't mixed and I was just being nice and expressing enthusiasm for friendship, but I didn't realize that a lot of the outings to restaurants and cafes were considered dates by the boys involved and lots of messiness ensued as a result. Stupid atypical high school socialization.
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That happened / still happens a lot to me too. -__- I'm a strange person when it comes to friendship. I hate small talk and I jump right in and ask deep questions on the first or second time I hang out with someone new. That first "Hi, I'm Saj" frequently turns into six or seven or eight hour long conversations all on that first day, and a lot of people assume that kind of interest in a close friendship means I like them. It's troubling when people assume that since you want to be close with someone you automatically like them. Can't I just be interested in another human being without wanting to fuck them?
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That happened / still happens a lot to me too. -__- I'm a strange person when it comes to friendship. I hate small talk and I jump right in and ask deep questions on the first or second time I hang out with someone new. That first "Hi, I'm Saj" frequently turns into six or seven or eight hour long conversations all on that first day, and a lot of people assume that kind of interest in a close friendship means I like them. It's troubling when people assume that since you want to be close with someone you automatically like them. Can't I just be interested in another human being without wanting to fuck them?
The best thing you can do is mention your boyfriend almost immediately. Holding back the fact that you're taken implies that you want the other party to like you and you aren't sure they will if they know. Which leads to the "she wants me" mindset. By that time, mentioning your significant other is seen from the guy's point of view as some obstacle that can be "taken care of later". The sooner you make it clear that you're not lookin for lovin, the better for the potential friendship.
Keep in mind I don't mean stop a regular, innocent conversation to say "I HAVE A BOYFRIEND." But if the person starts to flirt, compliment your looks or offer to take you somewhere a quick and easy "I go there with my boyfriend" or "my boyfriend says that all the time/doesn't think so!" won't hurt, and the conversation can continue platonically and successfully with neither party misled about the other's intentions.
Girls who are in a relationship and keep it a secret are REALLY annoying. Example: my most recent ex, or the bad date/just friends girl from this past Sunday. It happens to me a lot, and often the girl will let it go beyond just one date before the big reveal. Then pain happens. :(
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The problem is...I do mention that I have a boyfriend. Since D and I are really close and we do pretty much every single thing together, he comes up in almost any conversation I have. But some men still assume I'm into them. I don't know why. Maybe because most people aren't used to being asked tough questions early on in a friendship, and jump to the conclusion that since they've never been asked [insert whatever] before, then I must like them, regardless of the fact that I've said I'm in a relationship.
I also have no idea how to identify flirting. -_____- I failed Dating 101.
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I think this would all be much easier if we were more casual about our sexuality. I tell you I'd have been a lot less nervous and awkward in younger days if attracting a partner had not been depicted in our culture as something so massively important and nearly unattainable.
I never dated until I was in my twenties! It's a lot easier than I thought it would be, because I have a very good idea of what I want and the confidence to pursue relevant topics of conversation from the onset.
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I didn't start dating until my freshman year of college. I was too terrified of people to get involved in any romantic relationship until then, hah.
Frustration--when people write Middle-earth wrong. It's not Middle-Earth or Middle Earth or m1ddel urth. If you've read anything by Tolkien you should know how to write the damn world it's set in. I don't play CT and think Crono lives in Gardia. :roll:
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I think that pushing the conversation along deeper lines does tend to surprise people, and put them off guard in a way that encourages closeness quickly. I imagine most people try small talk because they're afraid of making themselves too vulnerable right off the bat, I think, and small talk is easy for them. Small talk is not easy for me, so cultivating an environment where other people feel accepted and willing to share what's really going on in their heads has been pretty key to my social development.
Yeah, all those dating issues + homeschooling + actually liking girls more than boys and having no idea how to pursue anyone meant I didn't date for a long time, either. It made said early college days especially awkward, because on top of no awareness or knowledge of dating protocol I couldn't say I had a boyfriend then, nor could I say I was totally gay. And "I'm bisexual, but my attraction to men is really fickle and specific and also I'm weird and I don't think you can handle it" doesn't go over well - I know, because a lot of guys pushed me to the point where I had to say that, though I broke it to them as kindly as I could.
Regarding bringing up your boyfriend right away: that's a good and fair point, because it sets expectations right off the bat, and it is unfair and narcissistic for a girl to avoid mentioning it when it's clear that's what he wants. But 1) it feels presumptuous and forced to do it out of the blue and 2) man, does it piss me the fuck off when a boy suddenly drops all interest in me after he learns I'm not single. I hate it when I've put all this effort in getting to know someone and I'm cast aside because he wants to focus on the next conquest possibility. It has happened more than once. Maybe I'm just that boring. Blargh.
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If you talk anything like you write, you'd never be boring.
In my eyes, at least.
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Must...get...to...bed...at...an...acceptable...hour.
Gah.
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(http://www2.maximumpc.com/files/u46190/deus_ex_human_revolution.jpg)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_nuUTQ_grFWk/TIfKBAjZPrI/AAAAAAAAC0k/PAi2j2aXIzU/2010%2008%2019%206.jpg)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_nuUTQ_grFWk/TIfJ5tgboOI/AAAAAAAAC0U/jT4Uvn6GxAo/2010%2008%2019%203.jpg)
All right, who spilled coffee all over Deus Ex: Human Revolution?
(http://www.sliceofscifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/300_movie.jpg)
It's like fucking 300. I don't get this color scheme. Yellow, brown and gold are titanically ugly colors. "Hey, my new game/film is colored like realistic urine!"
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It's the same as any stylistic choice. They want to create an aesthetic style as a loose cover-up in hopes that you don't notice the more glaring flaws like the cheap-Target-plastic cups on the table there (no real wine glass looks so ...ridged?) or the fact that all the human characters STILL look like dead-eye uncanny valley wax sculptures.
Actually, with that in mind, your frustration reminds me of "A Scanner Darkly", with Keanu :P Reeves. The entire movie is digitally rotoscoped, that is to say, they covered the actual film with crappy animation. When asked about it, they said it was so the special effects looked more realistic in the environment. They actually admitted their special effects were so bad they had to make the whole movie look JUST as bad so nobody would notice! Then they called it a style AFTER it was done.
Anyway, I completely agree with you, and that horrible "EVERYTHING MUST BE BROWN! WE NEED MORE BROWN!" mindset is what kept me from getting into FPS games in the past few generations.
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Ugh... my brother... is shouting so loud and is all angry. Just becuase he can't find some information for his homework. I've already told him several times by now to calm down, but he isn't cooperating.
My head and ears hurt... :picardno
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I have been looking for Chrono Trigger DS everywhere in this city, but it's impossible to find. I don't know how many times I had to spell the name because nobody knows about the game! I would have expected the employees of the videogame stores to know about Chrono Trigger, but no...they only know about Halo :o
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Software that randomly decides to fail to compile for no apparent reason.
Don't ask.
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- He isn't sure what political party he'd support if he was old enough to vote. "I'm not sure about the parties," Bieber says. "But whatever they have in Korea, that's bad." He does have a solid opinion on abortion. "I really don't believe in abortion," Bieber says. "It's like killing a baby?" How about in cases of rape? "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."
:picardno
(http://picardfacepalm.com/picard-facepalm-hotlink.jpg)
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At least he says "I've never been in a position to judge that, so I can't say." That at least shows a certain openness, y'know? So many people are just NOT ABLE TO SAY THAT.
Of course, I admit I have a bit of a fondness for Bieber, which I owe solely to this site: http://lesbianswholooklikejustinbieber.tumblr.com/ (http://lesbianswholooklikejustinbieber.tumblr.com/)
It's quite remarkable how many there are!
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Not going to get into the whole "rape happens for a reason" because I would just get too angry and upset. So I'll move on to a much more insignificant frustration...
I'm really, really sad that there isn't anyone I can talk to in depth about the French Revolution. I really do love my friends, and we all share similar silly interests, but none of them really care about the FR. That's understandable, but I just really, really want to geek out with someone about the FR. It's my number one interest, and I've been massively fascinated by it since I was 14.
The French Revolution hardly has a fandom, and for those who are actually IN said "fandom" (if it can be considered that...) are either college professors or young girls who are obsessed with writing yaoi. I'm sorry, but WHAT IS WITH the obsession with Saint-Just / Robespierre slash??? Ugh. Please give me a person who loves the French Revolution as much as I do who is around my age or who doesn't write stupid and completely unrealistic yaoi about SJ/Robbie.
And yes, I do have nicknames for infamous revolutionaries. Georges Danton is Georgie, or Georgie the Frat Boy, Jean-Paul Marat is Rat-Face or Scrub-a-dub Ducky, and Camille Desmoulins is The Angsty Green Emo. Saint-Just is also the Metrosexual Angel and Robespierre is also Rousseau's Biggest Fanboy.
I am very strange. What can I say?
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I have been sick since before christmas. I get better and inmediatly get sick again. I got a cold then I got chicken pox, which is the MOST HORRIBLE thing when you're an adult, agh!, now I have another respiratory infection, I thought I was getting better, but no. Right now I'm feeling seriously dizzy :? I want to be healthy again :cry: ... sigh, going to the doctor again.
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Here's hoping for you to get better in due time, Lica.
I've had chicken pox before, and it just plain sucks.
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:picardno
I'm back. For now, at least, until (hopefully) I get another eProject to do on my own.
So here's the story. I was a director and animator, which means there was lots of responsibilities on my shoulders alone; I had to make concept arts, storyboards, scripts, animatics, X-Sheet, sounds and voices, help the crew and organize them, decide on the style of models, textures, environments, and finally after the crew was done with preparing content, and because there was no capable animator in our midst, I had to finally animate the characters according to the script and prepare cinematography. Finally, rendering the scenes and compositing it at post-processing phase.
For the first phase itself I've been working hard, and what do I get in return?
Bullshit, that's what!
It turns out that Indians, especially those nation-bound, do not have the zeal, that Springtime-of-Youth, in their lives and what they seek most is easy way to earn money, basically monetary convenience over efficiency. Nobody cares about utilizing every tool at our disposal and doing the impossible. They tell me that I'm hypocritically flying with waxen wings, those ignorant, unenthusiastic fucks!
:?
Let me start over in brief. I had specifically given every crew member the task at hand and I needed them completed within a couple of days (don't troll; with the number of individuals at hand it was quite easy to finish ground base, trees, lighting, characters and weapons in only a couple of days), and told all of them specifically to come every day and report their progress. Not to mention I had been severely ill for the past week and yet I rode 6 miles in the sun, back and forth, on my bicycle everyday to make sure nobody is left behind and that they aren't hindered without my help.
Turns out I was the only bloke going to class. Nobody had even the slightest care to inform me they weren't coming. Several calls later it turned out that one student was facing problems with viruses, one met an accident, one of them is at parties, another doesn't tells me she doesn't want to help out with the environment and is fine with skinning alone (and she told me this 6 days after her role was decided and she accepted it, while the project report and end of phase one was nearing), etc. Four to five days passed and then I decided to simply remove their names off the team list.
But before I could, half of the team began mailing and calling me, apologizing for remaining absent. They had actually been working hard, but feared to communicate directly. I forgave them and demanded their work, and received some. Finally, with the storyboard done I decided to carry it to the lab and show it to everyone, preparing the X-Sheet on spot.
Turns out nobody appeared again, and the Headmistress called me to her office. Had a long, heated argument with her, but I'll point out a few things:
1) She blamed the integrity of the team entirely on me. This was possibly the only thing she was right to do.
2) She exclaimed that our group hadn't been doing any work because nobody had been coming regularly to show them. Completely untrue: I was regular enough, and the faculty didn't need to know what work was going on until the final project submission; if she wanted to know she could have asked. Her excuse? I was inconsistent. Why I call bullshit? I was right closeby everyday and she didn't bother to let me in on their change of plans!
3) They asked me who appointed me as a director, and I mentioned that because nobody else was capable for the job we had a majority vote that I should volunteer (but frankly, I didn't want the job; I did it for my them). What does she tell me?
"Oh, so you're a self-appointed director? So you don't do much yourself, and just order people around?"
Excuse me? Who's been doing the scripts? Who's been storyboarding, preparing the art and references? Who's been plotting out the cinematic and feel of the project? Who's been trying to give the movie some life? She kept saying that I had no right to decide on the tasks the team members are supposed to do. That's funny, because it was the faculty that asked me to organize and task the team in the first place.
4) And mostly, they asked us all to use the state-of-the-art tools provided by the institute, to which I can only pull my head back and laugh. Those state-of-the-art tools which are running on old Pentium 4s, constantly crashing, riddled with viruses and lack of file security, formatted twice every month, corrupting our hard-worked source files, and those that take over 20 minutes to render a single frame when we need render 24fps for over 60 seconds of footages? That's all besides the "render testing" stages. What do they expect me to do, pack my bags and live there as well?
I complained that this wasn't the only reason that we decided to work at our own convenience, using modern "Cloud" method rather than the pre-historic tools provided by the institute. All I got from them was that they weren't ready to believe me because nobody's complained so far.
And the only reason nobody's complained so far is because they're scared. You know, scared of being dropped out.
These ignorant bastards refuse to listen to what I have to say, insisting that they know their business; but let's be honest here. If they really knew their business they would have known that the tools they're providing are only good enough for banks, where data entry is the only thing necessary, let alone for 3D animation use. She did not have a valid logic backing her arguments and mainly relied on her iron-clad decisions, making it very clear that the folks here at the Compendium are actually a dozen times smarter than her. I just didn't know how to deal with these kind of people; I really wish I had a debatable mind like ZeaLity's, but my skills are only ever good for thinking and art, not diplomacy.
In the end I turned over my position as the Director, deciding to do my work on my own. I destroyed the storyboard, burned the concept arts (except a few digital ones which I'll share with you later), and outright deleted the scripts from the mainframe systems. The only copy of the script I have right now is in my Google Docs, which once again I'll publish here. I don't care if the rest of the team fails. I want them to do their own damn work on their own; they brought this upon themselves.
@Licawold: Godspeed! When you get some time try having Sugarcane Juice. I dunno why, but when I had chicken pox as a kid the one best thing that cheered me most was Sugarcane Juice. :wink:
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Damn, really sorry it turned out like that Tushantin. Hah, I have a hard time keeping up with your voracious knowledge of new file sharing and art technology, so it's no wonder the school headmaster doesn't have a clue why you're doing what you're doing. That was a deplorable response on her part though, as far as I understand how everything went down; it's always been my experience that teachers and profs side with those who put the most work into a project, rather than blame them when things fall apart.
The specific expectations of your field being as they are, and the infrastructure of your area of residence being as it is, it sounds as if your institution could benefit students by providing off-campus resources for communication and production. What struck me most is that you have to ride for miles on a bicycle to get where you need to go. Here in the US we make jokes about how people used to have to go "uphill, both ways" to get anywhere, but in your case that's actually true. :cry:
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Wow, tushantin, that really sucks, man. In my experience in my field, mediocre and unreliable work mates exist everywhere, that cannot be helped. That's the people who live by the law of least effort, and it's a pain to be in charge of them, you have to be over their shoulder all the time for them to do their jobs, like children :? What really shocks me is the reaction of your headmistress, I mean seriously? how can she be complaining about someone willing invest more effort, willing to work around limitations, even when not required to? that sounds like the kind of behavior that should be encouraged...
Because they know their business sounds like they got stuck in their Pentium 4s, while the rest of the business kept moving forward but they refuse to acknowledge it.
Oh, well. Sometimes is better to work alone, let's hope that would force your team to organize and learn to do their work.
I have never tried Sugarcane juice, i think i'll look for some, thanks 8)
@GenesisOne: yeah, chicken pox is a pain :cry: I went to the doctor and apparently the dizzines was due to the medication for the infection, I got a new prescription and I'm feeling better, thanks!
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I hate people who milk the system and are just plain lazy. Why does my hard earned money have to pay for their stupidity and laziness...
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I am so glad I'm immune to the chicken pox...it sounds like hell.
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I remember a quote: Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. It's often when our superiors just want to rule people with iron-clad decisions, and as the students grow up they completely lack the ability to adapt to complex situations, solve problems and introduce better and more convenient way to do things. For instance, the method our teachers use to properly rig a humanoid body explains how to rig a two-legged model but not something complex like a buffalo or a spider; in fact, it makes it even difficult to find the answer on our own, especially when we've got better ideas.
@FaustWolf: I really don't know how explain the flaws and offer convenient advise to my own teachers, especially when they don't want to listen. They take our silence as a cue that everything's okay, and it's wrong for them to ask something of me and later decide they never said anything. Tell me: does a student need to work like a sheep, or break all rules, dreaming of grand, innovative ways to finish his task?
@Licawolf: She may be knowledgeable, but she doesn't have the capability to learn or even refuses it outright. Those that aren't capable of learning, no matter how smart in any area, are deemed stupid/unintelligent. I've lost all respect for them. :roll:
Got a call from one of my team members who was concerned. She's begging me not to leave the team because otherwise the team would fall apart. I really don't know what to do.
I hate people who milk the system and are just plain lazy. Why does my hard earned money have to pay for their stupidity and laziness...
Haha, see? Of course, we could always just ignore the hype and simply not buy what we don't need. Unless you mean something else, of course.
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God, I see.
That has to be horrible. I've been in that position before, but never on such a huge scale. And I was lucky enough in graduate school to be friends with motivated people.
I guess the one comfort out of this is that you've confirmed just how special it is to be in the springtime of youth; to be the person self-organized and self-driven enough to shatter fate and try to get something done. Only in that position do you get to experience the misfortune of realizing you're the only one who really cares, sometimes. Then you get to feel what it's like wondering if you can just do it all yourself, and then struggling with your own limits...
For this reason, don't hesitate to romanticize yourself and love yourself for being the raucous bastard who dares to try something ambitious and won't stay down or shut the fuck up. It really means something to have intelligent, considerate, burning ambition in this world; many people have ambition (in its simplest form) or intelligence, but rarely both. Even rarer is intelligent ambition that's empathetic and also conscious of the effects of one's goals on the world and other people, and all the externalities it might create. With this empathy and intelligence, it's easier to falter, because you're more self-aware, self-critical, and sensitive to failure; it often seems as if idiots are more self-sure and confident than geniuses. WELL FUCK THAT! So remember this if you're ever feeling hard on yourself: you're in the springtime of your FUCKING youth and THE GLORIOUS DOMAIN OF MAKING A CHANGE AND FULFILLING SOME NOBLE ENTERPRISE IS YOURS TO ENJOY!
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
And as for the issue of getting things done through leadership, yeah, that's an other special challenge on top of being personally in the springtime of youth. It's a challenge that's made or broken empires. So definitely pursue mastery of the art of extracting tasks from people who've signed on to your vision, even if callously.
(http://randomc.net/image/Gurren%20Lagann/Gurren%20Lagann%20-%2026%20-%20Large%2001.jpg)
DO THE IMPOSSIBLE AND NEVER GIVE UP
CAN YOU FEEL MY SOUL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUfIAnBNwI)
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The Facebook Machine tells me :shock: 2.0 has a bf. Don't want to jump to judgment (muffed up a bit once due to that), but can't help feeling like poo a tad. Saaaame shit, different girl. It's so damn rare that I meet someone who I share a passion with and who's support of me has been eye-popping (at least it was...) and who I think is beautiful and funny and blah de blah de blah...and to get flaked on then fed some shit about it'll all get made up and all this and no let's just get another man that isn't Shee. He's funny and therefore has no feelings. And after getting burned in these rare times repeatedly, it fucking hurts. I got dumped 6 and a half years ago and have been essentially single since. And it's all really starting to pile up.
Life is fine, honestly...venting here which always lends itself to some exaggeration and boo hooing, but this shit hurts. And I really wish it didn't and I wish it could roll off of me and didn't matter but it sticks and festers. And observing and comprehending that hurts even more, the whole understanding that your pain is not really all that big of a deal but you're still upset so that all makes you more upset deal. And a year and a half, 2 years from now it's all going to happen again. Just like 2 years ago. And 2 years before that.
Fuck it, gonna go youtube Clay Davis and write some jokes.
I do not fall alone. - Clay Davis
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That sucks Shee. :/ I'm really sorry.
You made an interesting point with "he's funny and therefore has no feelings". That mentality really does seem to be true. People assume that a funny or witty person can roll with the punches easier and don't feel pain as much as everyone else. That's truly ridiculous and upsetting, but unfortunately that's how a lot of people think.
I hope Clay Davis makes your day a little better.
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Yeah. Changing my avatar to Clay Davis in solidarity. DO THE IMPOSSIBLE
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Thanks you crazy people.
Let's do this.
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The public comments at the end of Yahoo news articles. I have to make a conscious effort to never read these or else I get sucked in for hours. The reason for this is a misguided idea that I might be able to make a difference.
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The public comments at the end of Yahoo news articles. I have to make a conscious effort to never read these or else I get sucked in for hours. The reason for this is a misguided idea that I might be able to make a difference.
I hear ya.
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I wish I had more money and less debts with my education and medical expenses.... seriously... I'm so good with my money and this shit has my wallet bending over, without even a kiss on the cheek.
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Oh my god, effing Yahoo news articles. The dregs of humanity, I say. The dregs. I've considered abandoning my Yahoo account (which I keep largely because I've had it for so long, and I want friends to know where to contact me years down the line...) JUST BECAUSE I keep looking.
I can't claim a goal as lofty as Thought's (though sometimes I do feel that way). I think I just feel I need to remind myself that people like that exist. I also go to the Focus on the Family website every few months or so, which is especially masochistic because I grew up around evangelical homeschoolers that were all about that horrifying organization. WHY, SYNA. WHYYYYY.
In other news, I wish my boss had the sense to realize he is making the atmosphere at my job miserable. He isn't a bad guy, but he comes across as extremely brusque and doesn't have the self-awareness necessary to prevent himself from inflicting his pissy moods on everyone else. No one here is happy, and we have creative jobs in this economy. By all rights we should feel lucky and privileged and dedicated, but we just haven't since he's been in charge. A waste.
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No one here is happy, and we have creative jobs in this economy. By all rights we should feel lucky and privileged and dedicated...
This is not directed at you, but I have noticed a disturbing trend in the current economic downturn. Specifically, there seems to be an increased feeling that 1) one should be thankful for having any job, which follows into 2) that criticism and being thankful are contradictory. This is disturbing because it gives people the perceived right to shut down legitimate criticism. Your boss is a sex-fiend? You should just be grateful that you have a job. Your employer wants to cut your salary by 10%? You should just be grateful that you have a job. And so on, and so forth.
This isn't to say that people shouldn't be thankful that they have a job, but that one can still be thankful and be critical of aspects of that job. Yay employment, but boo to the abusive boss. Yay employment, but boo to pay-cuts (all the more so when these pay cuts aren't being shared by the management, who in reality should shoulder the brunt of such things since they have the most income to be disposed of).
This all ties together in that the Yahoo article that got me sucked in the other day was one on the state of protests in Wisconsin. There was a general feeling that teachers were being vile for having even a desire to defend their paycheck and work situation; this is not particularly new, but it did seem that the economy made people more venomous in that regard.
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Yeah, that's such a Capitalist/Calvinist attitude - "you deserve what you've got, so be grateful that it isn't worse [hell]!" It is certainly important to keep things in perspective, and I try to; so many of my peers don't have jobs, and so few people in general have full-time jobs related to creative writing. But I do really hate that capitalistic attitude of "your employer doesn't owe you anything, so shut up and be grateful," and of course it doesn't help that people are willing to put up with a lot more these days. The employers really have the upper hand, and that's honestly quite scary.
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It's like that Subnormality comic. You think about humanity and feel good about sentience and civilization, and then you realize there are people who can't fucking point out Canada on a world map. And it makes you wonder...
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It's like that Subnormality comic. You think about humanity and feel good about sentience and civilization, and then you realize there are people who can't fucking point out Canada on a world map. And it makes you wonder...
a lotta those peeps be Nickelback fans, ironically enough
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a lotta those peeps be Nickelback fans, ironically enough
I almost choked on my water when I read that.
You, sir, just made my day.
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I am essentially uneducated when it comes to music. To give an example: I greatly dislike the Beatles (though I can appreciate them on a historical level), which I am told is an unspeakable affront to humanity. But the point being, I have no idea what it is about Nickelback that engenders such derision. True, they don't seem to be anything special, but there seems to be an entire level of fail that I don't understand. I don't suppose someone might be willing to elucidate the matter for me?
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Hah, try listening to radio on a commute over the last few years. I forget when specifically, but there was a 2 or 3 year period where
LOOK AT THIS PHOTOGRAPH, DURRRRRRRRR
was on heavy, unstoppable, suicide-inspiring rotation. They're not hated because they're mediocre and write mediocre lyrics and cash-ins; they're hated because they're mediocre and ubiquitous. Everyone has some friend who likes Nickelback, a bewildering fact that otherwise damns a respectable person. And then there's this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs4tNeGyTyI
They cannibalized their own song. That was the fait accompli.
I hate modern rock in general, though. Seems like it's devolved into shitty melodies and production, the same godforsaken vocal style (parodied through Nickelback in this genius video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAw8khnYPC0)), and testosterone-filled angry male lyrics.
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^^^ Pretty much...
They're just a talentless band with a terrible lead vocalist and a slew of forgettable songs that all sound the same. The same could be said for a lot of bands--like, say, Creed--but for some unknown reason Nickelback still remains popular and their shit is played everywhere. They're just a crappy band.
But frankly, I have no idea what makes them such a huge punching-bag, as opposed to other lame "rock" bands. I think it's incredibly amusing, but I have no idea where it came from. I'm not sure when it became some sort of in-joke for people to collectively hate on Nickelback.
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Thanks, Zeality. The first video was greatly interesting and the second was just hilarious. I'm not sure I understand yet (like Saj, still don't know what makes them stand out more than other bands... perhaps the lack of change?), but I definitely have a good inkling now.
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In my personal opinion, Creed is about a million times worse than Nickelback. But Nickelback still fucking sucks.
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Yeah, Creed is worse, though they're so over-the-top bad that they're easier to make fun of. Maybe that's the reason people are less vitriolic about them? I mean, there are few pleasures in life so fine as mangling "Higher" with one's friends.
Anyway, my uncle was in Seattle during grunge's heyday, so I have an especial contempt for people who STILL TRY TO SING WITH THE DAMN EDDIE VEDDER VOICE well into the 00s. Only one person should do that and that is Eddie Vedder.
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a lotta those peeps be Nickelback fans, ironically enough
I'm one of them.
>.>
<.<
Well, not a hardcore fan, but hell!
I guess I understand now. Frustration makes the world go bad. Makes em do evil things. When a boss is frustrated, the employees are screwed. When a teacher's frustrated, the children wanna go home badly. For ignorant people, frustration comes in the form of screaming "WHY DOESN'T THIS BLOODY THING WORK?!?!", but even the intellectual ones aren't spared, as their minds are constantly struggling to keep their sanity. When you're frustrated you don't give a shit.
And that's the end of empathy.
EDIT: Going with the music topic, as much as I like many rock music albums quite a lot of them sound similar and have unoriginal lyrics, which is why my taste sort of shifts in different directions. For some reason, based on my mood, my tastes vary between traditional, to celtic-new age, to Hindi, to concert/classicals, pure instrumental and tribal, or regional, or even complex trance. I just don't have tastes for metal though, unless I'm in an inspiring mood.
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Getting back to Subnormality for a moment, that's a great comic and everybody should take a look at it (http://www.viruscomix.com/subnormality.html). (It's not just the big themes, but the little details, like "is built for climbing," (http://www.viruscomix.com/page532.html) which make it such a fine work.)
Thus, to spin up a frustration on the spot and thereby do honor to this thread, my frustration is that, ideally, the artist of that comic is closer to what I would call "ordinary" than "extraordinary," yet in real life he stands above most people. My real frustration is how refreshing I find it to encounter someone who thinks lucidly. That should be commonplace, not hard to find.
A curious side note: I played with the wording of this post and noticed that so many of these words which indicate non-exceptionalness are also indicative of popularity: normal, typical, average, regular, ordinary. I struggled to find a word less derisive than "mediocre" (because such a word is an insult to Subnormality and its author), yet free of suggesting representativeness of a majority of the population. I settled on the unsatisfying and awkward "non-exceptionalness" for lack of time.
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a lotta those peeps be Nickelback fans, ironically enough
Oh, lookGetting back to Subnormality for a moment, that's a great comic.
Oh, look. I just found the comic page relating to Nickelback (http://www.viruscomix.com/page328.html). *Giggle*
Smells like Nirvana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklUAoZ6KxY).
Maybe that'll ease some frustration in here.
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@Lord J Esq: ....My biggest frustration is your complexity of English. No, don't take that as an offense. I really find your words hard to understand until I finish reading them two times or more. Although it may seem simple, for some reason for me, it's not. I really wonder where you got that kind of intelligence from, because it's radically awesome! This often makes me imagine if you're capable of processing two or more situations at a broader range which should be impossible for any human mind.
That's pretty interesting, as I have some characters in a few stories who have almost total control over their languages, are decisive, evaluative and sophisticated just like you, and yet I often fail to bring them up to their fullest potential despite having a dictionary at hand. Of course, English is probably your first language, but still. You, sir, have my utmost respect! :kamina
@VirusComix: LMFAO!!
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The Dahu is built for climbing. One set of legs shorter. It's a fictional (read: mythical) animal.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Dahu_by_Philippe_Semeria.jpg
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The Dahu is built for climbing. One set of legs shorter. It's a fictional (read: mythical) animal.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Dahu_by_Philippe_Semeria.jpg
That is a very cheering picture.
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D and I are going to a con in May, and I probably won't have enough time to pull together a decent Lucca costume. -_____- I'll try my hardest but without 1) money and 2) a lot of time, it most likely won't work out. Boo to that. I'd rather go as something else this year than have a crappy, half-assed costume. If I'm going to be Lucca, I'm going to do it RIGHT.
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I'm sorry, was someone talking shit about Creed???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms61I54CeQA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHUF00Q6CYs
8)
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I have been trying to make an appointment via online to get an application for a passport, the system is so godamn slow and it keeps crashing on me! I have been hours trying to do it. Then I try to do the appointment via phone, two of the three lines aren't working and the third one gives me a pre-recorded message proudly announcing that the service is now available on-line thanks to mexican goverment's constant effort to provide services more efficiently :picardno
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I'm pretty disheartened, as I sometimes am, that modern writers are just generally not as uniquely, radically badass as Cormac McCarthy. I wish we had more style. And awesomeness.
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http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/03/steve-jobs-reality-distortion-takes-its-toll-on-truth/
Ugh, and I'm already so sick of Apple, from the smug marketing to the prohibitive content and app control.
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http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/03/steve-jobs-reality-distortion-takes-its-toll-on-truth/
Ugh, and I'm already so sick of Apple, from the smug marketing to the prohibitive content and app control.
Hah, old news. Product-wise, they're the best. But what's bound to frustrate you is their attitude.
Agreed, if it weren't for iPad's daring approach the world may not have seen a Tablet PC revolution this early, but that does not mean it's the best in market currently (besides it's "easy to use" feel, but as far as that idea goes I think Blackberry Playbook and, it pains me to say, WebOS win the price here). Also, I don't know much of what innovative ideas might be introduced with iPad 2, but those other Honeycomb tablets (also to note, those Playstation capabilities) sure look promising.
I'm surprised nobody got up and said, "You liar!!"
...or did they?
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Product-wise, they're the best.
I disagree. Apple discourages its experiences to be combined with third-party software or hardware (see iTunes). Its user designs are often sub-optimal (see the infamous one-button mouse, or the Kindle). I'm not an Apple hater or lover, I'm really not interested in that particular conflict, but I don't agree that their products are superior. They are, I think, merely good.
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(http://i.imgur.com/ATOq7.png)
On the brighter side: http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/fyfci/my_friend_is_in_a_church_group_called_debating/
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:picardno
They're at it again. There's just no way things can improve here, and I hardly think they'll stop harassing the students. What's worse, I can't believe those people who I'd take a stand for would betray me like this.
I could rant so much about what's happened, but I can't be bothered wasting any mental energy than I have left. Only few days to go to complete the film and some of my team-mates have already failed me.
I swear, if I fail this because of anybody, if any of the hardworking students are failed because of this madness, I'm going to make sure these guys can't do any business and at least 20% of the state's corruption is reduced. I may be an ordinary guy with no money, I may not have power or contacts, but if I'm going down I'm going to show what Springtime of Youth is all about!
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I keep trying to watch Farscape on Netflix and just about every episode is the same reaction from me. It's 50 minutes, I get 30 minutes in and then I just don't care. None of the characters really feels relate-able. There's two puppets, two full-body makeup aliens, one alien who looks like a human, and one human who is allegedly a genius and works for LASA (couldn't get the rights to say NASA?) but makes horrible decisions and even though he's in a wholly different part of space than where he's from, he continually get's weirded out by things that are easy to understand. It's like they intentionally made every character unapproachable.
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I keep trying to watch Farscape on Netflix and just about every episode is the same reaction from me. It's 50 minutes, I get 30 minutes in and then I just don't care. None of the characters really feels relate-able. There's two puppets, two full-body makeup aliens, one alien who looks like a human, and one human who is allegedly a genius and works for LASA (couldn't get the rights to say NASA?) but makes horrible decisions and even though he's in a wholly different part of space than where he's from, he continually get's weirded out by things that are easy to understand. It's like they intentionally made every character unapproachable.
I know what you mean. D loves Farscape and rented the first and second season from the local library. I started watching it with him and I just couldn't get into it. I didn't care for the characters at all and the episodes were far too similar to each other. D kept saying "Oh, just watch the next episode, it'll get much better!" but it didn't. The only characters I liked were the tiny robots that ran around the ship.
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So, Republican Bobby Jindal, in 2009 a presidential hopeful, uses his rebuttal to President Obama's first State of the Union Address to mention, among other things, that we should cut funding for volcano monitoring. That speech was so bad that it essentially ended his presidential contention. Then, two months later, we have a massive volcanic eruption in Alaska.
Today, the House Republican budget calls for slashing millions of dollars from the NOAA budget for...what else...tsunami monitoring (http://ptwc.weather.gov/?region=0).
Why don't the American people react to this stuff? Why don't they add two and two? I do not understand why anybody but the lunatic Christian fringe and corrupt business and finance people would ever vote for a Republican.
It's frustrating!
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So, Republican Bobby Jindal, in 2009 a presidential hopeful, uses his rebuttal to President Obama's first State of the Union Address to mention, among other things, that we should cut funding for volcano monitoring. That speech was so bad that it essentially ended his presidential contention. Then, two months later, we have a massive volcanic eruption in Alaska.
Today, the House Republican budget calls for slashing millions of dollars from the NOAA budget for...what else...tsunami monitoring (http://ptwc.weather.gov/?region=0).
Why don't the American people react to this stuff? Why don't they add two and two? I do not understand why anybody but the lunatic Christian fringe and corrupt business and finance people would ever vote for a Republican.
It's frustrating!
That Bobby Jindal speech was so creepy. I felt like I was watching Mr. Roger's neighborhood for adults, except with a robot host from the future.
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http://www.unitedatheistfront.com/GodBlessAmerica.jpg
Fucking stupid assholes.
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That's exactly why I hate to view comments on news sites recently.
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http://www.unitedatheistfront.com/GodBlessAmerica.jpg
Fucking stupid assholes.
WTF?! They're still holding a grudge about ancient history? And what ill did the innocent urban/rural Japanese commoners wish for them?
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Wow.
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The mindset of that people is just...
:picardno
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Apparently said mindset was also sufficient to shock the entire Compendium into silence. o_O;;;
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AWWW MOTHAFUCKA
just burnt my lips on this blunt xD
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AWWW MOTHAFUCKA
just burnt my lips on this blunt xD
Haha! Get cardboard from a cigarette pack, rip off a little sliver, roll it and put it in the mouthpiece. Tada! Filter. It won't get too hot or too wet now. Old trick I learned in college. Just don't smoke the cardboard, or you'll have to post in this thread again, :lol:
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If a mere bee upsets me, you'd know how much the recent events would affect us all. Just saw Google Maps, and it ruined my day. It saddens me to see those losses in that huge of a number. People there, didn't knew what was coming. Old folks hoping the best for their children's future, while pondering what food they'd like. Youths, with dazzling prospects and dreams to achieve, holding out for the future they march to their everyday lives. As if everyday frustration wasn't enough, nature took them by surprised and crushed any dream that could have been fulfilled for the greater good... it only took ONE moment to shatter those dreams, and nobody would ever know what could have blossomed...
My sympathies and condolences. Japan is strong, it defied fate before and became a developed nation, and it wouldn't be surprising they'd do it again. No matter how gravely death looks upon them, they'd spit at its face and tell it to make em a sandwich. That is something I respect about them, and that is why I wish to assist.
But what sickens me most is SOME people's insensitiveness.
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/62292/how-not-to-talk-about-japans-8-9-earthquake/
Come on! Despite supporting OpenSource, I always respected Bill Gates for his ideas and dreams to earn wealth with pure innovation, handing people the power to make destiny. True, Microsoft made blunders before, but all was forgiven.
But this...? This truly makes me wanna boycott it once and for all...
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A couple of my brother's friends were wrongly "fined" by the police.
Yesterday they were given an allowance of 500 Rupees to run some errands, and went on a bike to the groceries store. Saw some of their friends involved in a fight, they approached to break em up. Somehow a Havaldar stumbles upon and doesn't care if the two were just passing by, and harasses em, threatening to throw em in jail unless they give him all the money in their wallets. And a kid with a criminal record in India is a kid with his life ruined. I ask you...
:picardno
Seriously? Public servants? We'd feel way safer around a thief with revolver!
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Hell. Tushantin, that's fucking awful. Does that sort of thing happen often? I'm surprised that they were so openly antagonistic and self-aggrandizing, but my experiences with American cops haven't been good either. My bf and I were at a party once that the police busted on completely flimsy terms. Even though we were compliant and went inside and turned off the noise, they busted in and arrested one of the girls who lived there as she walked past the door. My bf asked them why they were taking her away -- not disrespectfully or even angrily, just asked -- and they knocked him down, hit him on the head multiple times with a nightstick, kicked him, and arrested him too. Both cases were dismissed, of course, since there were tons of witnesses but they still had to pay the lawyer fees.
Meanwhile, that same year, I had been working at a middle school in a very impoverished area of town, and there was a shooting outside of it. We had to close off entire sections of the school because some of the kids had caught sight of the body, which was just laying there outside the school. There was also a billboard advertising help for cocaine and heroin addiction right next to the school. Priorities?
I know that there are good cops and that we need them, but yeah. A lot of them-- public servants my ass.
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Sorry about the party bust-in, Syna. The modern justice system was supposedly created to ensure integrity in the our societies, making sure the public can interact with the officials and resolve problems as such. Public servants are given liberties, surely because of the frustration dealing with people most couldn't trust. We respect that. But it sickens me to see a bunch of douchebags infesting this system and taking advantage of those liberties just so they could have a spare dollar for a donut, without giving a damn whether others are harmed in any way.
It's always good to spoil yourself once in a while, but these guys take things to the extreme making it a risky gamble at the heart of justice itself. I'm not so sure about America, but in India once you have a criminal record you don't get education or jobs anywhere, you can't migrate or travel abroad, you're socially shamed, marriage is restricted, and even decisions for your own future is close to negligible, no matter how small your crime. Many youths have even been led to commit suicide due to this. But hey! The Police have nothing to lose, right? :roll:
:picardno
I despise being so helpless. I want to change things. No, I will make a difference!
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Fuck the police
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It's very, very common in other countries for the police to be used as personal militia for the rich and / or powerful. I don't trust the police in the US for many reasons, but as a whole they are angels compared to the incredibly incompetent, violent, and corrupt police in the Philippines (where I grew up).
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I'm not so sure about America, but in India once you have a criminal record you don't get education or jobs anywhere, you can't migrate or travel abroad, you're socially shamed, marriage is restricted, and even decisions for your own future is close to negligible, no matter how small your crime. Many youths have even been led to commit suicide due to this. But hey! The Police have nothing to lose, right?
And I imagine that the people who can avoid such encounters reliably are able to bribe the cops, right? everyone else has to hope that they just don't have an encounter with them. As Sajainta said, they enforce the will of the rich/powerful. That's awful about the criminal record -- it damns you to a life in the lower classes and possibly freaking suicide, all because you got on someone's bad side. What you said is exactly right: we need these people and want to trust them, but there are so many people working the system for their own benefit. And they have power over us.
I'm definitely willing to believe the American cops are better than cops from other countries; my dad is from Mexico, where basically most cops enforce the oligarchy/drug cartels by working on the bribe system, and that's one of the better things I can say about them. (And I wouldn't be surprised if it were worse in the Philippines.)
But those experiences I mentioned -- which were offensive on principle because I saw them beat the shit out of my boyfriend, but most offensive because they wasted our time with us and ignored Houston's real problems -- as well as working in the city's worst ghetto really clued me into the fact that the American police can be unbelievably corrupt. Bribing is more difficult, but they're still motivated by cruelty and pride, and they really take to heart that idea that American cops are better than cops in other countries. (Hence whenever they step out of line, it's not that bad.) The cops will mess with you just to mess with you, often with catastrophic legal consequences, and often justifying their actions with truly titanic egoistic delusions and pure racism. I'm sure that's the case a lot of places, and I wouldn't doubt that the ratio of good cops to bad cops is dramatically better in America, but make no mistake about it, many, many American cops are not there to help you, or society, or anyone. They are not above lying in the most blatant and shameless manner to their superiors and to the justice system just to satisfy their egos. This had life-altering consequences in the lives of the kids I taught.
That said, there was one time when I thanked a cop for helping me deal with a homeless dude who was harassing me. She was incredibly surprised and grateful; she acted as though that's one of the only times when that's happened. There's definitely some self-fulfilling prophecies at work here, both on the cops' part and that of citizens.
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Fuck the police
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l9khirNiN51qafckmo1_500.png)
I hear ya.
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Funnily enough, the only time my father ever got asked for a bribe was in Chicago.
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Once upon a time I got into a fender-bender in Seattle. The people from the other car found a police officer nearby, who happened to be a friend of theirs. The officer was chummy with them from the beginning. He wasn't hostile to me, but I'd never been in a fender-bender before and I didn't know that I should have given him a statement. I learned later that that was my only chance to affect the outcome of the insurance claim. The price tag for my ignorance and for the officer's negligence in providing explanatory assistance was an eventual $2000 in insurance premium hikes after they both claimed medical injuries (for an impact with less jerking motion than a small pothole) in addition to repair costs.
The people in the other car committed insurance fraud, which was the more serious offense that day. I should have been more knowledgeable about what to do in those circumstances; that was my shortcoming. And the officer: He failed to provide the public service that I take it for granted police officers are supposed to provide. That's a breach of public trust which borders on corruption, although I don't know if it crosses the line.
Having said all that, all of my other, albeit limited encounters with police officers have been professional. I am genuinely surprised that several of you have had notably bad encounters in the United States. I don't know what to make of that. When it comes to allegations of police misconduct, I am usually inclined to suspect that the supposed victims of that misconduct were actually the ones doling out the inappropriate behavior--a suspicion reinforced by broad sentiments like "fuck the police," which would only ever be justified if the police were completely corrupt, in contradiction to what I have personally seen over the years. On the other hand, I trust some of you enough to take you at your word when you say you've been on the losing end of police misconduct, which turns my suspicion back toward the police and their testosterone-fueled temptations to be greedy and tyrannical.
That's just the American police. I have no standing to gauge their conduct in nations like India.
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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-03/17/c_13783945.htm
Darn those ignorant rumour spreaders and followers, or should I say I feel sad for them. :(
Well, I think I have to wait until the price goes normal again.
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My Macbook is now a useless plastic brick, right after the limited one year warranty expires too. :(
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My Macbook is now a useless plastic brick, right after the limited one year warranty expires too. :(
Can't ya revive it? D=
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Typical Apple.
I bought a fourth generation iPod (touch) and plugged it into my three year computer only to find that my Tiger OSX (10.4.6) is too dated to run the iPod. Yet I can plug it in to my 8-year old Dell PC (which is currently out of commission) and it works just fine. Essentially they had made it so that you HAD to upgrade your OSX to Leopard OSX just to get the iPod to be recognized...
Damn hipsters.
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My Macbook is now a useless plastic brick, right after the limited one year warranty expires too. :(
Can't ya revive it? D=
I haven't taken it apart to examine the insides and test the battery's charge (it's the unibody Macbook with the sealed battery), but it's probably some kind of logic board failure, seeing as to how it won't respond to any power events or the charger (which works, tested it with a multimeter).
I'll just have to strip it and sell it for parts, since logic board replacement parts alone cost too much, and I don't want the hassle of doing it myself.
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Damn hipsters.
Alas, it is a well known fact that (http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=228) hipsters ruin everything. (http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=229)
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Ordered one of these:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/lenovo-thinkpad-x120e-review/
Upgrading it to 4GB of memory and a 500GB notebook drive with spare parts I already have.
Seems like it's small but rugged enough, has a nice matte finish (no fingerprints or smudges!), doesn't produce a lot of heat or noise, and has pretty decent battery life. The AMD Fusion architecture seems to perform somewhere around a low end Core 2 processor, which is more than good enough, and it even outperforms a few dedicated mobile graphics chips on the graphics side of things. Best of all, everyone says the keyboard is amazing.
This still makes my iPad next to useless though, since I no longer have a Mac to develop iOS applications with. :(
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Ordered one of these:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/lenovo-thinkpad-x120e-review/
AMD Fusion?! Rockin! :D I wish I could swap my Intel Atom processor (from HP Mini 210) with this one!
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NEWS! I'm partly happy, and partly frustrated, (mixed emotions) about the current state of events.
Over a month of sleeplessness, I've been staring dead eyed at the screen and working my hands spontaneously over the mouse and keyboard trying to do the best I could. But my efforts and talents were betrayed by lazy, half-assed teammates and irresponsible, negligent and ignorant teachers and headmistress. Burden fell on my shoulders, but I tried my best to fulfill my quest. "Everybody else is doing it, so what's YOUR problem?" <---- That's what they keep telling me.
Then while I've almost finished my scenes and am just waiting for raytrace render to get over with, I get a call from Pooja who tells me...
I'VE FAILED!
And it's not just me: everyone in class did too. Hell, 95% of every class under my Maya teacher has failed too! None of them were able to submit their projects in time. Now even if I manage to taunt the faculty about this they're going to deny everything, refusing to see the obvious that if the majority failed they're doing something wrong! But no, they'll just get away with it saying we're irresponsible. Well, they are partially correct (I failed thanks to procrastinators), but that doesn't discount their own negligence.
Now they're asking every one of us to pay a fine of Rs. 500 per student. The hell I would!
:picardno
I'm gonna dedicate my time solely to my novels and my dreams from now on.
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On Thursday, my boss asked me to write a high-concept pitch based on his ideas.
Yesterday, he rejected said pitch and, in a very condescending manner, as though I and the video team were to blame, said that our pitch was off the mark because the project demanded an entirely different setup.
I swear, this is the most powerful motivation ever to 1) find a way to Neverland, 2) burn out like a Romantic poet, or 3) DO FREAKING CARDIO FOREVER. There are advantages to getting old, I strongly believe that, but this guy is just the embodiment of all the reasons not to. Senility + arrogance is an awful, awful combination.
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Did the Main Room last night.
Did my job. Got enough people out. Not a single woman I invited showed which is....hilarious? At least I got...excuses? Stupid 2.0... Anyway I did fine but they STILL cut my time short. Fuck that show.
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Ugh, someone please tell me there is some value in Zen. I've tried reading two books, and they all seem to be collections of obfuscating, vague language, intentional confusion of short-hand abstractions, and juxtaposed contradictory statements with a smattering of scientifically-untrue assertions. Thus far, it seems to me that Zen is the practice of deluding yourself into some kind of comfort by tangling your mind in a massive philosophy and discounting personal meaning, like a more insidious version of Abrahamic religion. Its bits can be skewered seven ways to Sunday, whether scientifically disproven or demonstrated to be a linguistic MacGuffin. I'm sure if one practices reading and believing a labyrinthine set of stories and ideas long enough, they'll feel comfortable in it and also feel self-affirmation from being a part of global Buddhist practice. But that doesn't mean it has any fucking merit, does it? Some people get meaningless satisfaction out of accumulating credits in Halo: Reach, and others get it by sitting in a room alone and calling themselves enlightened, without actually doing something meaningful or grand in life. Enjoy your cloister. The rest of us will be enjoying the world.
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Ugh, someone please tell me there is some value in Zen. I've tried reading two books, and they all seem to be collections of obfuscating, vague language, intentional confusion of short-hand abstractions, and juxtaposed contradictory statements with a smattering of scientifically-untrue assertions. Thus far, it seems to me that Zen is the practice of deluding yourself into some kind of comfort by tangling your mind in a massive philosophy and discounting personal meaning, like a more insidious version of Abrahamic religion. Its bits can be skewered seven ways to Sunday, whether scientifically disproven or demonstrated to be a linguistic MacGuffin. I'm sure if one practices reading and believing a labyrinthine set of stories and ideas long enough, they'll feel comfortable in it and also feel self-affirmation from being a part of global Buddhist practice. But that doesn't mean it has any fucking merit, does it? Some people get meaningless satisfaction out of accumulating credits in Halo: Reach, and others get it by sitting in a room alone and calling themselves enlightened, without actually doing something meaningful or grand in life. Enjoy your cloister. The rest of us will be enjoying the world.
That's odd; may I know the names of the books you've read?
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Intractable nausea is bad enough, but why does this malarkey always seem to happen at night when I'm tired and want to be asleep?
Or will this bout spread to the light hours too? This one is more persistent than what follows an overzealous repast, and sunrise is not far off. Could MISANTHROPIC MICROBES be to blame?
On the plus side, this is a great way to effect a desired phase shift in my sleeping schedule.
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So today I recieved the last of my grades for the partial. Overall they're still around the same averages as usuals, which is okay since they're among the highest of the class anyway, but among them was something of a first for me... failing an exam (and since it was 50% of the grade, there goes that half down the drain...).
:picardno
Not just a failure, it was the one (well, tied with someone else) with the lowest grade, and said grade was an almost-0. Worse thing is, that the teacher of that subject took everyone off-guard because at the last second, that being when he was handing out the exams, he mentioned the contents of the exam were (not totally, but it was still coming-from-left-field type of) unrelated to what he had been repeating this whole time about what we had to study.
:picardno :picardno :picardno
And not just that, we have been working in teams of 3 on a project that would span the whole semester, and we had to present what we had until now on the day of the exam. And he even had the nerve to say he did us a favor since he wasn't originally going to grade the ones done by teams who weren't made up by 4 people, and as such, be an automatic failure. Excuse me? didn't he himself had said weeks before the teams HAD to be of 3? Fortunetly this wasn't as bad for me, because since we're 28 in class and that meant the leftover, which happened to be me, go figure, had to get into an existign team, so we were a team of 4 anyway, and appearantly a few did were grouped in 4's but still, most of the class was in teams of 3's and even 2's so that would've been almost 2/3 of the group failing if not it's so...
:picardno :picardno :picardno :picardno :picardno
I hate this, this is way much worse than 4 semesters ago when we had that same teacher on a different subject. I know he was VERY strict and had practically his own way of doing things than the rest of the teachers... but this was too much to bear...
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why do I have to live in this city? dammit dammit dammit (http://blog.medjet.com/?p=213) ...sigh, nothing new. Something just reminded me how frustating this is at times :picardno
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Licawolf! Come here to the states!
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why do I have to live in this city? dammit dammit dammit (http://blog.medjet.com/?p=213) ...sigh, nothing new. Something just reminded me how frustating this is at times :picardno
Boo's sort of right, Licawolf. :( I never thought you lived at Mexico, but I also can't believe things like that haven't stopped yet. Drug dealers, or worse people than that, are remorseless folks who'd kill their own mothers for a penny. Try moving to the States. If you can't, or if for some reason won't, I guess you already know the details of safety as specified in that page.
Be safe! :o
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Thanks guys... Oh well, I really wish I could go to the states, but I just can't. It's not impossible, but it's very very difficult... The situation in the country is very focalized, it's not the whole country, but I happen to live in a particularly problematic city (because it's a very industrious city, full of job opportunities...it's mentioned twice in the article I linked :| ) and the political and economical situations keep us trapped here, unable to do anything. Me and some colleagues, as college students, used to think we could make a difference and relieve the situation with our ideas "oh! let's keep people away from drugs by creating job opportunities, give them more education!"... but our juvenile efforts did not ended well... sigh, I got my lesson after I got accidentally trapped in a shootout (the scariest 5 minutes in my whole life!). Nowadays I just try to be safe, live my life and keep away from any potential problems, but still sometimes the fear is omnipresent... it sounds terrible, but people get used to it. People get used to anything :?
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I've known some very nice people who technically happen to have been drug dealers. Its not the dealers you wan to watch out for, it's the higher-ups. And you're not likely to just bump into someone like that and know what they're involved in. I was caught in a shootout once too when I went to school in a big city in my state. As far as I know, it had nothing to do with drugs.
My point is that there are totally normal-looking, normal-behaving, dangerous people all over the place. All it takes to have a weapon is a hand and a bad attitude. So if you're going to worry, don't just worry about drug dealers. Worry about people who look like they're paying attention to you when you haven't given them a reason. Worry about people who seem to be following you closely or just generally acting shady, that kind of thing.
Wherever you go, just be aware of your surroundings and be careful.
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I try to be careful around everybody (We're all a little paranoid around here, ha ha :? ). Thanks for the advice, I'll try to stay safe and alert.
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Oh boy... saying to leave the country... won't that be a little extreme? I certainly wouldn't. Then again, it's not as extreme over here and I tend to be unaware of this stuff most of the time and...
I should probably just shut up now... :oops:
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Oh boy... saying to leave the country... won't that be a little extreme? I certainly wouldn't. Then again, it's not as extreme over here and I tend to be unaware of this stuff most of the time and...
I should probably just shut up now... :oops:
Well, I would love to leave the country not only for security reasons, I would like to pursue a career abroad, maybe a master degree. It would certainly be nice to live in a safer place, but don't worry, the idea is not only motivated by fear :)
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Mom left to the hospital, crying. I hadn't the slightest doubt though that she'd come back well in four days time.
But I panicked when I heard my aunt, that same woman who knows little about surgery and more about saving money. If something happens to my mother I can't even slap my aunt for it, coz she's married to the brother of a lawless "Big Guy" who can easily stab me to death and get away with an "accident" alibi.
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Yikes... I hope your mum is okay, tushantin. :/
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Me too, I hope your mom would get home soon, tushantin :(
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Hmm, when talking about money, it is sometimes the most frustrating problem.
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Tushantin, I hope your mother gets well soon and that neither you nor her gets stabbed.
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Thanks, guys. She's actually got a tumor, but thankfully at a very early stage so there's a good chance she'll be fine. Good news on one part though: father didn't take aunt's advise, and instead took mom to a hospital they trust most (funny enough, the doctor is a Sindhi, the same rare caste as us). So now all I have to worry about is hoping the surgery goes well and visiting her from time to time (taking a couple of days off just for that).
But even so, it almost feels like the presence of death is close; while at the street I noticed one of our old customers talking desperately on their phone while a girl screamed "Mummy" constantly in a Rickshaw, which was summoned to rush them to the hospital. Apparently the girl's mother had a stroke; hope they make it in time. First mom, then a friend's mother's cousin, and now this. What the hell is goin on? :shock:
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Maybe you have worried too much.
Sometimes the chance to the bad result is not as big as you think. My mother had an intestinal tumor surgery several years ago and she's now as healthy as before. But yeah, finding a right hospital and a trustful doctor is the most important thing.
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I hope everything goes well, tushantin. Stay strong!
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I agree with utunnels, you're probably too worried. I'm happy the problem with your aunt turned out well and your mom could go to a hospital in which she would be more comfortable. I hope all will be okey.
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Licawolf, my dad's family lives in Mexico and they are in the same situation. The drug cartels are getting really frightening-- they refuse to let us go down and visit them, even. I am so sorry. From this vantage point, I just hope things can get better down there, somehow or another..
tushantin, it's very hard not to get utterly freaked out when something happens to your parents. Best to your mom -- it sounds like she'll be okay.
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Good luck tushantin!
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Thanks, Romana.
Yeah, I see what you mean, utunnels. Got a call from dad, who said the operation was a success. Mom's still unconscious, so he can't leave her yet. Which means me and my bro are men of the house.
Warning, family issue (Read only if you like a good drama): Biggest frustration today: my brother. We haven't much money to buy stuff and I'm careful about spending (while my brother gets cranky if he can't have a burger and is used to spending money at stuff). On top of that, we don't know how to cook. He refuses to take even the slightest temporary responsibility until our parents get home, and what's worse, he HATES me for being mature! He thinks I sound lame! I merely told him that even I don't like the circumstances but we'd have to cope up with a calm mind, he told me I sound like an old man, tossed a chair at me, banged the desk in fury and stormed out of the house! :o
I ask you. Can't a person feel even a bit concerned about his situation and work on it? Apparently he likes escaping to his rich friends. I don't wish any ill towards my parents, but I do wholeheartedly wish my brother to face reality and learn his place. That's when he'd know the value of money and maintaining one's life.
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Biggest frustration today: my brother. We haven't much money to buy stuff and I'm careful about spending (while my brother gets cranky if he can't have a burger and is used to spending money at stuff). On top of that, we don't know how to cook. He refuses to take even the slightest temporary responsibility until our parents get home, and what's worse, he HATES me for being mature! He thinks I sound lame! I merely told him that even I don't like the circumstances but we'd have to cope up with a calm mind, he told me I sound like an old man, tossed a chair at me, banged the desk in fury and stormed out of the house! :o
I ask you. Can't a person feel even a bit concerned about his situation and work on it? Apparently he likes escaping to his rich friends. I don't wish any ill towards my parents, but I do wholeheartedly wish my brother to face reality and learn his place. That's when he'd know the value of money and maintaining one's life.
I think the Compendium would be delighted to pass some recipes and general cooking advice along to you. Certainly, I would. If you'd like to post a new thread about some of your dietary preferences (foodstuffs, etc.) and your available cookware, perhaps we could help you save a few dollars! (Rupees?)
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I think the Compendium would be delighted to pass some recipes and general cooking advice along to you. Certainly, I would. If you'd like to post a new thread about some of your dietary preferences (foodstuffs, etc.) and your available cookware, perhaps we could help you save a few dollars! (Rupees?)
Thanks! :D Simple cooking advice would be great! Though I sorta fear touching the stove. Couldn't accept the money, though; I don't have a bank account to be able to receive any. Plus, I have a thing against borrowing (no offense, it's just my values).
Hah! Just got a call from mom. She... seemed to be in serious pain. :( Anywhos, I'm on my way to the hospital to meet her. Thank you, everyone! I'm grateful for your condolences and concern. :)
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So here I am, sitting in one of my classes, idly examining my fingers... when I notice that my left pinky nail is split down the middle. The split ends at about halfway to the cuticle. I stared at it for a while, then started halfheartedly picking at it. Next thing I know, I'm down half a fingernail.
Frustration: My left pinky hurts like a bitch.
Frustration: I haven't completely kicked my fingerpicking habits.
Resolution because of this: Coat fingers in tobasco... once the left pinky nail stops hurting.
Edit: CONTINUED FRUSTRATION. As my pinky finger is still paiiiin, it is very very difficult for me to type. This lso means that it's difficult for me to play my favorite games. As I was so frustrated, I took a nap.
It is now 11 PM. I am typically wiped at 10. I am wide awake. I have class tomorrow morning. And in the process of attempting to type this message, I somehow opened some thing about javascript. Stupid bandaged pinky...
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LIVEJOURNAL I KEEL YOU.
Why are you always down!? ><
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It got DOSed the other day, but it's working right now.
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It's been working on and off for me for the past hour or so. Hopefully the problem is fixed.
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Apparently my life is a comical tragedy; grief comes in the most humorous ways possible.
1) As you know, mother is at the hospital and she called asking if my brother had something to eat. Brother insisted that his friend help him out at the kitchen, to which idea mother harshly rejected. Now, just because he didn't manage to convince her to have his friend warm the food, he banged the phone, broke the table, broke my spectacles, badmouthed everyone and left the house, swearing to never come back again.
2) He kept saying, "I worry about mother so much and this is what she does to me!" Wait a second, he worries about mother? And what has he been doing while she was in pain? Drinking beer with his friends? Oh, that's thoughtful!
3) Father kept requesting him to stay, but he outright told him to fuck off, saying that he doesn't care if mother and father die because he isn't their son anymore. By the time got home, he was gone. Father kept wondering that he'd been begging his son not to leave, so why would he leave (oh, nice thinking, Sherlock) and blamed me for it. Funny enough, I was asleep! :shock: I was taking care of mother all night and came home to sleep, and by the time I woke up I saw my brother arguing with mother on the phone. Scapegoats, anyone?
4) Brother said that his feelings were hurt by the way his mother spoke to him. Also, mom and dad kept apologizing and begging him not to leave. Wait a sec, there's something wrong here: my brother never apologized. He never begged. He always ordered to have things his way, and he's sad because he had his feelings hurt. What about all the times (like, everyday) my brother was the one to hurt everyone else's feelings, especially mom and dad's? Oh wait, according to him, that's off topic.
5) Mother refused to listen to me since the dawn of time, and this resulted in her being a victim of Endometriosis. Dad refused to listen to me, thinking I was an idiot, and this resulted in my brother being an asshole. And now despite the consequences, they still won't believe me. Hehe, it must be so relaxing being a fucktard. No, being a fucktard, you don't need to weigh decisions logically. Oh yes, you get away with anything by blaming someone! :D
6) My uncle, that benevolent uncle from Australia, wants to help my father with money and promised mom would get well, but suddenly, now that my mother is in the hospital and needs the fees, decided not to because he doesn't trust father. That motherfucking son of a cunt. Hilarious! Yes, making trapped, near death, people hopeful by giving them a rope and suddenly dropping the rope like an asshole really makes an awesome April Fool's joke, doesn't it? :lol:
Ah, all this is really inspiring! The stories I can make with these real life events are really touching. Heh, brings tears to my eyes.
EDIT: Furthermore, my father is in great stress. If mother gets the wind about this, the stress might get her killed too. LOL It's like dying by slipping on a banana skin.
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You are in a very tough place, tush. So are your family members, by the sound of it.
In response to the stresses of my own youth, I did a lot of writing and computer gaming. I'd say that, in the long run, it served me well. Adversity informs artistic creativity. Something will bubble up inside you...when it does, better to let it out through a saxophone or a paintbrush than through a bottle of liquor or a cold closed fist.
That's all I can say. You have my condolences, but condolences don't mean much here.
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Thanks, mate. Someone told me something similar, that the greatest creativity stems from flood of emotions, even if it's experiences from reality, regardless if it's positive or negative. And this is something I've taken to heart.
Admittedly, not only am I tired of the needless drama here but I also don't get any respect for my rational advise and selfless service to these people (that motherfucker broke my spectacles; I can't temporarily see anything with my left eye). What's worse, they blamed me for everything even though I was fast asleep for those two hours of conflict; my father would beg and plead to his younger son that has little to no respect for him, but he wouldn't mind belting and swearing his elder son that actually cares. My brother even had the audacity to demand apology from my
And all I request was just one simple night to rest because I was dehydrated and haven't been able to sleep for the last two days, taking care of mother at every given moment. At least my mother and some of my friends acknowledge what we're going through, so not all's bad. Friends don't even have to help out; just visiting once in a while makes our day.
The only thing I've got to worry about now is money, and those last injections, the healing factor, depends on it. They're expensive, far from what we can afford, but I have some amount saved up so gotta use em all.
After my mother's well and my institute's over, I'm going to leave this drama behind and move to Kolkatta for winter vacation (I assume, two to four months). At least there I'll be surrounded by folks who actually respect me as much as I respect them. The disadvantages, though, are that I'll only be able to write and not work on my films or art. Which means no portfolio, and thus no animation for a few months. Dang...
Since it's a frustration thread, here's an advise to all frustrated people: Though it's rad to take advantage of negative emotions and channel them into positive creativity, like this guy (http://syacartoonist.com/), sometimes extra stress my kill your enthusiasm and your ability to think clearly. And these times, nothing works better than a piece of chocolate and a refreshing glass of chilled fruit juice, with some Celtic/New Age music (if possible, also some cold, salted slices of cucumber). 8) Think of it as your temporary summer vacation, and that stressful moment immediately turns into something soothing and enjoyable when you spoil yourself.
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The underlying story here is actually pretty cool: Fast new wireless service is on the way nationwide! (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014694465_apustecgpsthreats.html)
What frustrates me is the way the article is written. It takes a conscious and deliberate effort to avoid using the words "electromagnetic," "frequency," and "spectrum" in an article this long whose main point is that the new network will potentially cause serious interference to communications on adjacent frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum.
This is one of the less damning reasons that I make an effort not to read Associated Press articles whenever I catch the byline before clicking on a story. I understand the idea behind the whole "Let's write to an eighth-grade comprehension level!" that handicaps our national journalism, but this is pathetic. Look at all of those awkward references in the article to "next door"--three, to be specific. She's talking about adjacent frequencies, but we don't get words like that, and forget about learning the actual frequency intervals involved. She also mentions "air waves" instead of "radio waves"--apparently the AP target audience doesn't understand the difference.
It can't be the writer. It's got to be a dictate from editorial. The writer simply lacks the finesse to give us a dumbed-down story without making it look really dumbed-down.
I already have a blanket embargo on AP political articles, because of their incredible bias and uninformative disposition, but the rest of the AP has bugged me for years for its lack of quality, generic reporting, and unthoughtful framing. Ugh.
But, hey: fast wireless a-comin'! Unless all that shit next door gets jammed.
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That is such a tragic story, tushantin. It's so painful to read how family dynamics crumble away like that when the going gets tough, and you're left to pick up the pieces of those who wouldn't give a shit if their lives depended on it.
If it's any consolation, can you post a picture of your uncle and your brother? That way when I see them, I'll know exactly who I'm pushing down a flight of stairs. Though really, I'd never repay violence with violence.
Update: The American adaptation of the anime movie "Akira" is now worse than ever (http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/).
Selfish American producers. :picardno
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Thanks, GenO! Nah, no matter how bad he is, he's still my brother. True I curse him and would like to punch him in the face, but I wouldn't wish ill for him or want him to fall into any sort of major problems or worldwide humiliation, so sorry if I can't give you his picture. Here's a hint though: chicks, usually those younger than him, swoon over him. :lol: But run away as far as they can once they get to know his wrath.
As for my uncle, he's got a Peanut and Dry Fruits factory/company at Melbourne, is semi-bald and has an Indian/Sindhi name, so it's difficult to miss. Apparently the reason for his change of mind was that he doesn't trust my father.
About that Akira script, now I see what's going on. You obviously know about Dragonball Evolution, but did you know that the movie was in the works since, well, a decade? Back then I was a kid and always went to Cyber Cafes to play games and keep up with the news. They had an excellent script prepared then, and were thinking of casting Jackie Can as Vegeta (sucks, I know) and Jet Li as Goku (well,... not too bad, but shouldn't it have been the other way around?) and thought about moving to pre-production, hoping to keep the fight scenes similar to The Matrix. Problem was, somehow various studios hindered the overall production and the project went into a Development Hell.
Development Hell happens for various reasons, but mostly it's for money and budget. It's usually because the studios have the power to green-light or delay the projects as per their consent, sometimes even if they don't have any relevance with the project. If they spot something strange, they'd put even the completed film into development hell unless it's redone for their own liking. I've heard that Akira Toriyama wanted full control over Dragonball Evolution, but the producers didn't want their project to remain under the asses of distributors, and thus had to pay him more, make him sign a contract and give him the boot. The result? Evolution sucked.
Similarly Akira has been in talks for ages now, and (although this is just an assumption) I wouldn't be surprised if the producers/directors had to change the entire setting in order to get the green-light just to film the thing.
Man, I hate the way Hollywood works! If I ever became a director/producer I'd rather work at UK, despite the risks.
EDIT: I forgot! The biggest reason for films to go in Development Hell is this:
Industry buys rights to some film, say, Dragonball. But not for making it. No, but to sell those rights for twice the money to someone else. :o When nobody buys it for a long time, they just end up making a shitty movie to regain the lost value.
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What frustrates me the most about this probable (though not inevitable) government shutdown is not that the Republicans keep demanding more after Democrats cave and meet them on the previous demands. It's that what they're demanding now is the total defunding of Planned Parenthood. That's their latest goal. It's not even about saving money now (as if it ever was; the whole Republican wish list of cuts is 3 percent of the total federal budget and consists almost entirely of cuts to programs which benefit Democratic voters); it's about screwing people over. That's what Republicans do when they get into power.
I actually agree with them that the budget is unsustainable. But cuts to discretionary non-military spending are not going to fix the deficit--which is larger than the entire discretionary non-military component of the budget--and in any event shutting down the government is just plain stupid. To wit, our troops in combat will get half a paycheck next payday, and then nothing at all till the government reopens (when they'll be back-payed). And they're "essential" workers. Nonessential workers for the government won't get any money at all for the time they were out of work. Incidentally, this is happening the week before Tax Day.
The last time the Republicans pulled this shit, they guaranteed President Clinton's reelection. This time the right-wing propaganda machine is much more powerful, and the traditional media are much less objective, but even now opinion polling suggests that Republicans will take more of the blame for this than Democrats. If that turns out to become the case, it shall not have happened to a nicer bunch, but in the meantime all these idiot Dems and independents who didn't vote in 2010, or voted GOP, ought to be licking the floor in penance for their own stupidity.
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I working with a HUGE file in photoshop, it's slowing down the program so much... it takes forever to do anything! :? Also I find annoying the way Ctrl-z works in Photoshop, I'm too used to work on Adobe Fireworks.
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"Health care is another matter," O'Reilly said. "That has to be taken very methodically because people's lives are affected. Nobody's life is affected by NPR. Nobody's life is affected by Planned Parenthood. These are options."
REALLY, Bill O'Reilly? FUCKING REALLY? I know you are an idiot of magnificent proportions, but I also know that people agree with you. How out of touch can you get, white conservative America?
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I'm frustrated that I live with people who agree with this. My mom and dad are really old school, and my eldest brother (who still lives with us) is of this opinion as well. Dad doesn't condone abortion and Mom feels that you should reap what you sow. And Alex... well, he's better, but still thinks that you reap what you sow.
Another frustration: I messed up my ankle. I now hobble around the house... :(
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It's mightily irritating because PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOES NOT RECEIVE ABORTION SUBSIDIES TO BEGIN WITH. The money it gets from the government is devoted to health care for those who need it! O'Reilly is completely ignoring 95% of what PP does!
Not to mention that because they provide services that are proven to reduce abortions -- namely, birth control and sex ed -- PP has likely prevented more abortions than they have performed, many times over.
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Fuck the Republican party. There are so many bullshit riders attached to that budget, it's ridiculous. There's a lot of jobbing for corporations in those riders as well. My Facebook feed, of course, is now filled with bullshit "DERP TH'TROOPS AINT GUNNA GET PIAD, THEY DUNT PUT THUR LIVES ON TH'LINE FER FREE" fucking idiocy. (Nevermind that we shouldn't have such a fucking bloated defense budget in the first place). I thought I had blocked all the wingnuts on my feed. I was wrong.
Thankfully, I've found my muse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiwmYjk9ARA . After my own heart.
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Gotta love that internet that only works when it wants to. Five or so websites fine, the rest no. Anyways, good to be back. Still in that limbo for another day or two...got some other very personal issues hanging over the ol' head, but generally good.
All the best to all of you. Let's do this thang.
Oh yeah, if you go see the Arthur remake I will smote you.
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Through Planned Parenthood, I was connected with funding to receive an ultrasound to check out irregularities in my ovaries, in which I discovered that my right ovary is basically crap and needs to be removed at some point in the future, lest it calcify and/or become cancerous. Through Planned Parenthood, I have access to hormone therapy which is keeping my entire reproductive system somewhat in check, and is quite possibly the only thing standing between me and complete infertility.
Yes, Planned Parenthood helps women with infertility problems. HINT: Ultrasounds are not cheap. I paid $50 for mine. You can bet it cost a lot more than $50 without their help. They are even offered me infertility counselling services.
Without Planned Parenthood, I would lose access to the medicine I take, the monitoring of my reproductive system (because, in addition to making it harder to get pregnant, my non-functioning ovary has be to watched for calcification), and would likely soon be completely infertile (which, is still possible anyway, but at least this way I have a fighting chance). Cutting funding to PP would remove access to this type of thing from relatively poor women like me, who have no health insurance.
One day, if I ever get pregnant, I'm going to volunteer to be an escort for women getting abortions at Planned Parenthood. That way, when I'm walking around 8 months pregnant and escorting a patient into the clinic, all the protesters will be harassing me and leaving the woman who's actually getting an abortion alone.
I am thankful to Planned Parenthood for all they've done for me. I will challenge anyone who says they're a worthless organization. Bring it on.
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Fuck the Republican party. There are so many bullshit riders attached to that budget, it's ridiculous. There's a lot of jobbing for corporations in those riders as well. My Facebook feed, of course, is now filled with bullshit "DERP TH'TROOPS AINT GUNNA GET PIAD, THEY DUNT PUT THUR LIVES ON TH'LINE FER FREE" fucking idiocy. (Nevermind that we shouldn't have such a fucking bloated defense budget in the first place). I thought I had blocked all the wingnuts on my feed. I was wrong.
Thankfully, I've found my muse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiwmYjk9ARA . After my own heart.
Though I am far from pro-war and I don't have any love for the Republican party (in fact, you could define me as extreme far left), I do find a serious disparity in paying the idiot congressmen while the government shuts down for their political grandstanding, and then not paying the people who are getting shot at... no matter how you feel about the wars. And it's not just the troops. Many other federal employees would have been furloughed because of this, while the political grandstanding of Congress would have paid off as they sat at home doing nothing and getting paid for it. Laziness does not get many A's in my book.
I suppose that's what bothers me about it, not just the fact that the troops themselves aren't getting paid. Rather, that they're not getting paid, many federal employees aren't getting paid, but Congress keeps getting paid, reaping ridiculous paid time-off for their grandstanding.
No matter the party, I guarantee you money talks. If their pay was on the line, the budget would have been settled weeks ago! (Though, that's just to say they're greedy. There are a very few who do not fit this rather broad characterization, though.)
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I'm frustrated that I feel so alienated from my new friends. I've known them for a while (since October), but I don't feel particularly close to any of them, and that bothers me. I am very much used to intimate, intense friendships. Usually after I meet someone I find interesting, a friendship is formed very quickly after hours and hours of talking. They tell me things they've never told anyone before, even though we've just met. It was like that with D, it was like that with my ex-best friend, and it was like that with many other friends. So I am not used to not being close to friends. I'm not used to people not sharing things with me. I wonder if it's me, or if the nature of friendships between females are incredibly complex.
I've always found myself able to relate to males more than females. I'm not good with female friendships. I get very insecure and I can never tell when they really like me, or are just pretending.
So I don't know what to do. I'm so used to people confiding in me. These new friendships feel so strange.
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I'm frustrated with being partially blind without my glasses. Imagine how I managed to work at the cafe without being able to read or notice anything (I oould still recognize people's faces, thank you). Good thing you can't see me type. The way I'm looking at the screen, just for a few minutes to read my mail and some news, is embarrassing.
:roll:
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I'm frustrated with being partially blind without my glasses. Imagine how I managed to work at the cafe without being able to read or notice anything (I oould still recognize people's faces, thank you). Good thing you can't see me type. The way I'm looking at the screen, just for a few minutes to read my mail and some news, is embarrassing.
:roll:
Why can't you use your glasses right now?
Current frustration is a bit... odd... It involves a typewriter, Red Sox, a violin bow, and one very VERY angry police officer.
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XD It broke.
Current frustration is a bit... odd... It involves a typewriter, Red Sox, a violin bow, and one very VERY angry police officer.
WTF?!
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Current frustration is a bit... odd... It involves a typewriter, Red Sox, a violin bow, and one very VERY angry police officer.
WTF?!
Well, basically we went on a grand adventure to Hartford, where we poked around some shops (and my older brothers picked up a typewriter and a really old violin and bow). We went to lunch, and they were showing the Red Sox and Yankees game. Sam is a somewhat-big Red Sox fan, and my father (a police officer) is a big Yankees fan. They got into a bit of a spat, and at one point Sam threatened my dad by saying that if he didn't shut up about the pitcher guy (I didn't catch his name, I was watching hockey players beat each other up) and how he let up a big run then he would impale him with said violin bow.
It was an... interesting day.
The good news in all this is that I managed to get Sam interested in Chrono Trigger. He just started today and got up to the Cathedral thing.
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I'm frustrated with being partially blind without my glasses. Imagine how I managed to work at the cafe without being able to read or notice anything (I oould still recognize people's faces, thank you). Good thing you can't see me type. The way I'm looking at the screen, just for a few minutes to read my mail and some news, is embarrassing.
:roll:
I'm legally blind without my glasses/contacts, but see it more like a character-shaping burden than a frustration.
Unless they're lost. If I can't see six inches in front of me then how am I supposed to find my glasses? I can't recognize people, can't read, can't drive, and can't do anything useful unless it's right next to my face. It's a powerless feeling, and yeah. Embarrassing is the right word. My parents wondered why I fell asleep with contacts in all through high school.
I want laser surgery. But again, my glasses give me character. Alas, my vision is so bad I'd actually still need glasses after lasic, just not for every waking second.
Anyway, I can relate, tush.
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@Bekkler: Just an opinion, take it or leave it (it's hard giving advice these days). I'd avoid lasik at all cost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LASIK#Patient_dissatisfaction) and prefer simply relaxing my eyes and letting it relax and adjust to the environs in time. Some doctors jump the gun into recommending surgery to patients just because they get something out of it, which is why it's always useful to research. While Lasik improves vision it has complications, and after the age of 40, it starts to hurt bad.
"Before undergoing a refractive procedure, you should carefully weigh the risks and benefits based on your own personal value system, and try to avoid being influenced by friends that have had the procedure or doctors encouraging you to do so."[41] Consequently, prospective patients still need to fully understand all the potential issues and complications, as satisfaction is directly related to expectation.
An alternative would be Orthokeratology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthokeratology) contacts. :) This also has some sideeffects, but not as bad as Lasik. Still, I'd recommend research and consult your doctor.
Gah!! I've been learning for the past few months, devouring so much knowledge at a given time and trying to think things over rationally, that I forgot how to think stupid! I'm incapable of thinking silly, stupid things! x_x I have forgotten the joys of being an idiot...
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It's way too hot outside. It's 80 degrees and it's early April. The worst part is everyone I know is all "OMG OMG OMG IT'S SO HOT YAY I AM SO HAPPEH WINTER SUX LOL". I know you love this summer weather bullshit because you've been complaining about winter for the past four and a half months, so stfu. I get it. You don't need to squeal every two seconds.
One of my friends has a friend who lives in Wyoming whose school has two exchange students from Greenland. Can they send me there in exchange for those two students please? :/
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I dunno, man, I'd be happy to see 80 degree weather here. We almost got hit with a snowstorm a couple of weeks ago. Apparently a couple of schools were closed up in Massachusetts. I just want YAY THE WORLD IS ALIVE AGAIN instead of this whole bleak 'It's not winter anymore, but the trees didn't get the memo' thing.
Current frustration: Alex is messing with Sam. Sam is whining. That is one noise you should never EVER hear, the sound of a 21 year old whining because his big brother is picking on him.
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If I were to get eye surgery of any kind it would have to wait a long time til I've graduated school, secured a steady career, and actually been able to save money. Right now I cook part time at a restaurant and go to school full time with 2 weeks off a year til I have a bachelor's degree. Paycheck to paycheck, happiest days of our lives, etc.
I guess I'm frustrated with myself, I'm 25 and haven't finished this crap yet.
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Yeah, I'm legally blind without my contacts / glasses as well. I don't think I'd ever get surgery though. It's not a hassle for me to wear contacts (or my glasses if need be). It can be irritating at times, like "Grrr, I want to spend the night here, but that would require having nowhere to put my contacts." But other than rare irritants, I really don't mind having extremely poor vision. It doesn't bother me at all.
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I'm legally blind without my glasses too (mmm, I'm noticing a pattern here? :lol: ), I have considered eye surgery, but I'm not yet convinced it's really worth it. Any of my doctors recomended it, but they did not discouraged it if asked.
But again, my glasses give me character.
I believe this too :wink: and my friends think that I would look weird without glasses, anyway.
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If I don't remember where I put my glasses before, say, hopping in the shower, I can't find them. Yikes...
Tried to end my limbo yesterday...pretty sure I deserved at the least...a response? Evenif it were to be a no...seriously...after all that...
Also found out my roomie's moving out. We got along well, and the current prospect of being alone in this house with just chickens is not a thrilling one. Especially after that other nonsense.
Coupled with this shitty keyboard where the space bar never works and a mild hangover and we've got ourselves a Monday!!! 8)
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Oh boy, we're all blind! I'm the only one in my family who (regularly) wears glasses, and without them I can't see things. My mom used to say that in two weeks from getting my glasses, I went from a vague confusion as to what the hell was going on with the world to having a 3rd grade reading level.
I'm frustrated at my own temper. Being a senior, I get to leave school early. However, because of this, the lunch ladies won't let us pay them tomorrow for a hamburger today. I only had enough for half a lunch, and I threw a bit of a fit when they wouldn't let me buy lunch. They like me, and I'm usually a really nice kid, unlike those kids who treat the lunch ladies like shit.
Remedy for this: Realize that I should remember to bring money with me EVERYWHERE so that I can buy food.
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I have considered eye surgery, but I'm not yet convinced it's really worth it.
*cough*notworthit*cough* Ortho, k?
Remedy for this: Realize that I should remember to bring money with me EVERYWHERE so that I can buy food.
Money makes the world go round, kid. And for some, money is all they can trust. :roll:
...Ah, screw it. Let's burn the banks! :franky
@Shee: Gahahahahahahaifeelyourpainbuddyreallyidooheyletskickitoldschool!
@Saj: Ya know, when I saw your picture the other days you looked pretty, but I didn't give much after thought. But now that you mentioned you wear glasses, I try to imagine and somehow you seem like a younger version of my Godmother. XD (Don't misinterpret me; I meant it as a complement) She's pretty and is highly knowledgeable/wise. I already know your brilliance knowing your love for history and sorts, especially the French revolution, but though your personality differs from her's, the physical appearances seems uncanny.
Weird stuff happens. Another friend of mine got into trouble by the cops. This time, they got arrested.
Friend and his girlfriend had been on a date, and they decided to take a walk before dinner. It was close to a mall and a garden that things got intimate and the girl kissed him. One thing led to another and they began cuddling (but not TOO much of it). They weren't even foreplaying, let alone making love. Just an embrace, you could say, and it lasted only for a minute, not more.
The cops came up to them and arrested them on the grounds of indecent behavior. Okay, I'd understand if they'd do things that kids shouldn't be watching, but hugging someone is an indecent behavior? It was a good thing his father's some big guy so they got off easy.
But it's really funny how paranoid our society is today. I remember my grandfather once told me that when he was young he actually started flirting with a pretty stranger he saw at the street, in public at broad-daylight, and often teased her when she left home. Back then he didn't even know her name, and then that girl became his wife (thus, my grandmother). My friend laughed when he heard the story, and said that maybe in the future flirting will be THIS dull (in a robotic accent):
Boy: Hello, my name is Boy. Here is my ID card, and I am no sex offender.
Girl: Oh, hello. My name is girl.
Boy: I would like to date you, and have sex with you in my room.
Girl: Verily. Let me ask my mother first. Until then, please sign the contract here.
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My family has nagged me for years about not wearing contacts or getting lasik. Glasses are my style. I don't care if I am utterly useless as a human being when I lose them, dammit!
I actually think Lucca influenced this opinion: I remember distinctly being proud of my glasses for the first time when I played CT because Lucca had them, and Lucca is awesome. At least in the 90s, glasses had a very negative connotation otherwise. (Not helped by the fact that all the choices I had for kid's glasses were of the coke bottle variety.)
And there's that tiny risk of blindness through lasik. I realize the risk is negligible, but I can't bring myself to gamble like that with my sight. I have heard a number of people tell me they made dramatic improvements through eye exercises, though I have yet to research them; I understand they're controversial, but then again, any so-called 'natural' method seems controversial by default for some. Anyhow, rant over.
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@Saj: Ya know, when I saw your picture the other days you looked pretty, but I didn't give much after thought. But now that you mentioned you wear glasses, I try to imagine and somehow you seem like a younger version of my Godmother. XD (Don't misinterpret me; I meant it as a complement) She's pretty and is highly knowledgeable/wise. I already know your brilliance knowing your love for history and sorts, especially the French revolution, but though your personality differs from her's, the physical appearances seems uncanny.
Does she have pink hair too? XP
My family has nagged me for years about not wearing contacts or getting lasik. Glasses are my style. I don't care if I am utterly useless as a human being when I lose them, dammit!
My boyfriend's the same way. People ask him why he doesn't get contacts all the time but, like you, glasses are just his style. Imagining him without them for an extended period of time is just strange to me. He looks handsome in them (not that I'm biased at all) and doesn't want to get rid of them. He loves the way he looks in glasses and never wants to change them for anything.
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Damn. I had a dream where a new Chrono game was finally announced. Obviously, my hopes are crushed.
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I dreamt about that too, a couple of years ago :picardno and still the dream hasn't come true.
Today at work, for ten minutes I totally freaked out becase I thought I accidentally deleted the work of many weeks... thank god I forgot to clean my last computer memory before giving it back, there was a copy of everything there! :o
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Does she have pink hair too? XP
Okay, except for that. XD
Today at work, for ten minutes I totally freaked out becase I thought I accidentally deleted the work of many weeks... thank god I forgot to clean my last computer memory before giving it back, there was a copy of everything there! :o
:P Got a (free) solution for ya, in case that happens again. Running Windows or Ubuntu?
If Ubuntu: Ubuntu One Cloud service (https://one.ubuntu.com/) will always save your life. No installation or anything because it's already in-built. Just select the folder in your computer and hit "Synchronize".
If Windows: You can do wonders with the Briefcase option it's got, along with Dropbox (http://www.dropbox.com/). xD Even if you accidentally delete any folders it can still be accessible from anywhere in the world.
Both these cloud services give you 2GB of free online storage, so no fret! Ubuntu One will also be coming for Windows soon, just so you know.
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:P Got a (free) solution for ya, in case that happens again. Running Windows or Ubuntu?
He, actually, I'm working on macOS :P but thanks
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:P Got a (free) solution for ya, in case that happens again. Running Windows or Ubuntu?
He, actually, I'm working on macOS :P but thanks
Here ya go! 8D http://www.dropbox.com/downloading?os=mac
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A bunch of my friends have decided to start using drugs. Woo-hoo! Nice, good "Christian" friends with husbands and children. Fucking idiots.
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People really are stupid, but what can you do other than tell them that it would be a really bad idea, especially if their kids found them and started using them, too.
I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately. Last night I was up until like... 11 because I just couldn't sleep. All of today I was tired, and it won't help the whole sleeping thing today because I took an extended nap when I got home from school. I was just... OUT.
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A bunch of my friends have decided to start using drugs. Woo-hoo! Nice, good "Christian" friends with husbands and children. Fucking idiots.
That is terrific.
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Yeah, I'm going to be the bad guy and contact this one girl's parents (she's really endangering her son). We have two mutual friends who know a lot more than I do, and they're being all "oh, she must feel so awful". They've known for a MONTH that she's been snorting coke, driving with her one-year-old while high and drunk, and selling herself for drugs. And they've done nothing. Nothing except coddle her and say "Oh that's terrible, you must feel so bad." I'm infuriated by their actions (or lack thereof) as much as her's.
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When straightedge types fall, they fall hard. I knew so many who just went ballistic once they started doing 'forbidden' things.
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They've known for a MONTH that she's been snorting coke, driving with her one-year-old while high and drunk, and selling herself for drugs.
that's awful :/ ... I usually leave people alone when they get into that stuff, but if she really is putting her child in danger I guess someone needs to intervene :?
Here ya go! 8D http://www.dropbox.com/downloading?os=mac
xD Thanks! I'll give it a try tomorrow at the office
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A bunch of my friends have decided to start using drugs. Woo-hoo! Nice, good "Christian" friends with husbands and children. Fucking idiots.
Hah! I don't want to make jokes at this point of time, though I was just about to say that my drug is MII (Meditation, Inspiration, Internet), but that statement of yours reminded me of a hilarious scene on TV that I watch after I get home from work.
There's a guy who pretends to be an old sage by wearing fake beard and wig, and the way he "Preaches God" is hilarious, and yet he manages to convince everyone that this is the right way to worship God. In turn, any enemy would actually turn over a new leaf and become benevolent.
Last night there was an episode where a drunkard tripped and fell, and to heal his injuries he demanded more booze. His wife kept begging to the conman sage to help them, and he managed to convince the drunkard that the most addictive feeling is to drown yourself in God's love and somehow managed to fix his neck (which they called a miracle). Problem was, he was singing a drunkard's Item Song to prove his point. :lol:
Here's an idea of what it would sound like if he preached God in English:
*clears his throat* Our great ancestors have guided us with the words...
You know you love me, I know you care
Just shout whenever, and I'll be there
You are my love, you are my heart
And we will never, ever, ever be apart
Arthaat (definition)! The Lord wonders why his children ignore him so. He wonders why nobody speaks his name anywhere. But his undying faith lies within the world he created, within the innocent, honest hearts help one another. They fulfill the Lord's dreams of bringing peace and happiness, and the Lord says, "You know you love me, you know you care, just as you care for the world. Don't worry, my children; whenever you shout out my name, I will be there for you. I love you and hold you close to my heart, and even if all the heavens fall apart, you and me shall never be apart". So, my brethren, the words speak true: The Lord shall never forsake us. And we shall be forever grateful to his love, and kindness. So let us sing along now:
Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
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GOOD MORNING COMPENDIUM.
It is 6:24 AM here in Bard_of_Time World, and I've been awake since about 6:00 PM yesterday! I'm running on adrenaline, caffeine, and INTERNETZ. This is my frustration. This goddamned INSOMNIA. ... and random naps.
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@Saj I hope it turns out ok. It's scary stuff. I have failed...miserably...in my previous intervention attempts with close ones. Can't blame your anger, but remember that NO ONE enjoys being told that they are wrong. Ever. Guess I'm just sayin don't go in with guns a blazin...
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Frikin TUITION BILLS!
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@Saj I hope it turns out ok. It's scary stuff. I have failed...miserably...in my previous intervention attempts with close ones. Can't blame your anger, but remember that NO ONE enjoys being told that they are wrong. Ever. Guess I'm just sayin don't go in with guns a blazin...
I'm making sure not to act angry or confrontational. That's what I have the internet for, right? :/
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It's not a terrible idea to vent it out beforehand, and yea the internet is a great place to do such things. If that's what you meant. All the best.
Fuck this keyboard by the way. Gotta replace it.
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It's not a terrible idea to vent it out beforehand, and yea the internet is a great place to do such things.
Actually, it is a terrible idea. Human mind ain't a steam engine, bro, that we'd release the pressure so the system can cool. Us blokes have a thing called habit. The more we blow, the more we tend to blow. :lol: Even if it's on the internet.
Still, we ain't gonna mind. We're all here for ya, Saj, so feel like home.
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Well personally, I've always found venting to be very therapeutic, as does everyone I know.
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Well personally, I've always found venting to be very therapeutic, as does everyone I know.
That's because of the illusion. Actually, anger does get you into a better mood at times because it normalizes stress and blood pressure, so it's not all bad. I just meant that you get the habit. xD
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He loves the way he looks in glasses and never wants to change them for anything.
Yay, someone else is like me. It's amazing how persistent people are about getting contacts -- it's like they don't understand style. I'm glad I'm not alone in that XD
I definitely think certain people, myself included, just look better in glasses. It does certain things for the symmetry of the face. And also, you get to pick out a cool accessory.
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Sad to see people defending financial austerity measures on reddit. "Hey, we're going to cut all important social services, and then privatize everything so the rest of the economy gets exploited even more. And then when hedge funds and profiteers ruin everything, we'll call for a new round of austerity measures! Wait, are you a third-world country? Congratulations on your new debt to the World Bank, which you never have hope of paying back!"
There are deep ethical issues in economics. Finance attracts many people who couldn't give less of a fuck about them.
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"Hey, we're going to cut all important social services, and then privatize everything so the rest of the economy gets exploited even more. And then when hedge funds and profiteers ruin everything, we'll call for a new round of austerity measures! Wait, are you a third-world country? Congratulations on your new debt to the World Bank, which you never have hope of paying back!"
Made me LOL! :lol:
But seriously, though. Fuck those guys! Maybe we should post on Digg about what Trolls they're being.
@Syna: Glasses accessories? o_O Is there such a thing? *googles*
Frankly, glasses make me feel cool. Unfortunately, they limit my physical movements and range of vision. Everytime I play soccer I fear breaking them. Everytime I wanna look around I can't see the world in all it's glory. Meh, I wanna improve my eyes and get rid of these. But that's gonna take about a year worth of non-stop therapy. I managed to go halfway, did succeed in recovering my vision, but then got caught up with work and classes I just had to wear them again.
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I honestly don't have a choice in regard to glasses. Either I wear my glasses every day, don't wear them, or get lasik (which might not even work and is too expensive). See, because my eyes are so BAD, the prescription is really heavy. Because the prescription is really heavy, it would be nigh impossible to get contacts for these, let alone ones that I could wear and actually close my eyes.
Frustration: Sam is leaving today. He says he's going back up to school, but I know that his spring break is two weeks. When called on this, he said he's going up to Vancouver with some friends. So I'm gonna miss the COOL older brother whilst he goes up to Canada to do Canadian things. Good news is I get to stay home and SLEEP.
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Goddammit! And here we thought we had another zealous, hardcore Chrono fan! :o Still, Canada's pretty cool, so I bet he's gonna enjoy there. :wink: Tell him to join the Dark Side when he comes back, because we've got a Time Machine! 8)
Frustrated at this HEAT!! Couldn't sleep all night properly; mind muddled with insomnia, and tonight's probably the same. Ah, dear Indra, please bring storms and shower the earth with rain like you've got nothing else to do!
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Goddammit! And here we thought we had another zealous, hardcore Chrono fan!
Sam is packing right now. He asked me if he could take the SNES with him. I said to go for it. I also snuck into his bag while he wasn't looking my copy of Chrono Cross with a note saying that he'd better not break it. He's usually good about those things, but some of his friends can be pretty wild.
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The last thing I remember is that you said he was getting ready to SAVE DA WORLD. Let's hope that when he comes back he'll join us in the
dark chrono side 8)
I'm frustrated by the fact that apparently I'm catching a cold. I was starting to enjoy being healthy after two months of non-stop illness :? Also, after my experience with chicken pox I get all paranoid with any silly symptom like a headache... I remember one day feeling a little bit tired and with a light headache and the next one feeling so bad as to not being able to sleep, sit down, eat or THINK. But, all fine, this is just a cold..... or is it? :shock:
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Oh god. I get these stupid... THINGS (I'm not even sure what to call them anymore) where it feels as though someone is stabbing my eye with something. I don't even know what causes it, or why, or even how to stop it. It happens in both eyes, usually only one at a time (but it has been known to spread).
I'm getting one right now... it sucks...
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Roomie just moved out. The house feels empty, though it really isn't.
Really gotta get rid of this keyboard.
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Oh god. I get these stupid... THINGS (I'm not even sure what to call them anymore) where it feels as though someone is stabbing my eye with something. I don't even know what causes it, or why, or even how to stop it. It happens in both eyes, usually only one at a time (but it has been known to spread).
I'm getting one right now... it sucks...
o_O What things? Dude, what's going on?
Eye stabbing? It's weird. Just tonight I saw a Gangaajal (pronounced Gungaa-juhl), a movie which includes people stabbing each others' eyes and then pouring acid over the wounds/faces.
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Oh god. I get these stupid... THINGS (I'm not even sure what to call them anymore) where it feels as though someone is stabbing my eye with something. I don't even know what causes it, or why, or even how to stop it. It happens in both eyes, usually only one at a time (but it has been known to spread).
I'm getting one right now... it sucks...
o_O What things? Dude, what's going on?
Eye stabbing? It's weird. Just tonight I saw a Gangaajal (pronounced Gungaa-juhl), a movie which includes people stabbing each others' eyes and then pouring acid over the wounds/faces.
I don't even know how to describe it, but all of a sudden it feels like my optic orifices are being violated and it suuuuucks.
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Oh god. I get these stupid... THINGS (I'm not even sure what to call them anymore) where it feels as though someone is stabbing my eye with something. I don't even know what causes it, or why, or even how to stop it. It happens in both eyes, usually only one at a time (but it has been known to spread).
I'm getting one right now... it sucks...
I'm not sure... but it sounds a little like the kind of pain I had when I was about to have a migraine. It was intense, and it was in the eyes, usually one at a time, and sometimes spreaded to the head :/ you should really check that with a doctor if it's very frequent and painful.
Today was the worst day to forget my cellphone at home :? we had a car accident, thankfully no one got hurt and it was not our fault, but it was a mess. Everyone was fighting: the drivers, the people from the car insurances, the traffic police, even the state police got involved, ugh :roll: And my brother and I forgot our cellphones at home, we couldn't contact our parents or our insurance agent... when we were able to contact everybody using a public telephone, our insurance agent took like two hours to come to help, in that time the state police came and threatened everyone with sending us all to jail and taking away the cars if we didn't accept to give them a bribe (even a guy who had his car parked in a legal space and that was accidentally hit, he was going to be send to jail for having his car parked??), of course we all gave them the bribe (those guys have riffles and guns), and the worst thing is that we still had to say "thank you" to them after they took our money.... :picardno
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@Bard_of_Time: It does sound like it could be migraine (mine sometimes manifest as stabbing pains in the eyesocket before spreading up and back), but Licawolf is right--do check with a doctor to make sure it isn't something more dangerous. If it does turn out to be migraine, Advil LiquiGels seem to be one of the more effective non-prescription painkillers to use on them.
@Licawolf: Every time I hear a story about corrupt police, it makes me sad, and overtly corrupt police make me angry, too. It's unfortunate that policing as a profession tends to attract bullies as well as idealists.
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@Licawolf: What frustrates me is what just happened with you (and the innocent parker). Ya know, although I'm not much in favor of being an internet vigilante, things like these kinda make me wanna carry a camera around/sound recorder around. If a rotten police threatens to ruin someone's life, I'll be given a blank check to ruin theirs. In public. In the news. In front of all the Anonymous group who are just looking for an excuse to fuck around with the corrupt.
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Be careful with that. I've had friends arrested because they used cellphones to tape what was going on. The cops really don't respond well to being recorded. I'd try to do so clandestinely, myself.
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Yeah, I kind of hate it when police abuse their authority just to get their point across. What I hate even more is how the police can take a simple offense or violation and send in more personnel than is necessary in order to seem like they're not slacking on the job.
True story: I got pulled over for going 15 mph above the limit. The usual litany of procedures aside, two other cops in their cruisers showed up minutes afterwards, and all they did was stand around and survey the scene. Nothing beyond that. To this day, I still wonder why.
Either way, I got my court summons and paid my dues to society, but still. Why send three cops to pull someone over for a traffic violation? I could think of hundreds of better ways to spend my tax dollars on local law enforcement than pay cops to stand around. It's ridiculous.
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I've been trying to reset my sleep schedule after 6 years of collegiate abuse. My natural sleep schedule is a block of rest reserved for 3 AM to 12 PM; I wake up ready to roll, achieve full lucidity very quickly, and I only really feel "tired" around 2 AM.
I've tried to alter that block to 9 PM to 6 AM. After two weeks of struggle, I've done it consistently for a few days, now. It aids my self-discipline and exercise to wake up early. But holy fuck, my body must be resisting. I get tired around 3-4 PM, even on days I've had a lot of sleep. My body just fucking hates this configuration. I wonder how long it will be until this feels normal.
Also, fuck this world's system. Scientific studies have demonstrated that late-risers have higher recall and cognitive performance throughout the day than early-risers, whose performance drops earlier in their personal day. I'm programmed to be part of the former.
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No matter how hard I look, I can never find a clip from Samurai Jack that's just Aku yelling his trademark "FOOOOOOOOOLISH SAMURAAAAAAAAAI!!!" thing. It's not like it would be hard either, it would be a clip not even ten seconds long. I've seen shorter stuff on YouTube.
It's mostly that I was going to use it as a joke, but I guess not. :(
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@ZeaLitY: That "late risers" thing? :lol: That's provided you still "sleep early", whether you wanna get up early or late. Sleeping late actually does worse for your body (and eyes) than bullshit. What they mean is not to wake up early or late, but sleep as much as your body requires, not restricted to 8 or 9 hours. You may find yourself waking in the middle of the night, that's normal again, so just get some water and go back to sleep.
And getting tired at day? That's normal too, especially when your body tries to reset its own biological clock. When you get tired, just take a nap for 20 to 50 minutes and you should be fine.
Sleep moar to live moar!
@Syna: I know they don't like that sort of thing (I mean, WHO would?) but they deserve it. I mean, come on! They openly take bribes in front of bystanders, the top-guys know about it and don't do a jack? Why not simply just make bribery legal for the cops so everyone would be satisfied knowing they're the slaves of the government, rather than staying absent minded about it? Why just be a dick about it?
I'm hoping Anna Hazare's Lokpal bill is passed (if ever; the bill's been dilly dallied for over 45 years now), so at least the higher ups don't keep eating the nation's wealth.
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My kitty is old. :( She was an adult cat when we found her, ten years ago. Now, she's has difficulty digesting food. It's frustrating and depressing at the same time.
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WHAT. THE. FUCK.
Ever since Google Notebook's support was ceased I looked for a good online alternative, and landed upon Zoho Notebook. Not only was it more functional, it also had better privacy policy than Google. It's gorgeous! Only now, it's time to get scared.
Remember the time I said that when I slept ill I accidentally made an amazing story all in my dreams? Well, I jotted down immediately on Zoho, in case I ever forget something so magnificent, and was satisfied with how it looked.
Then I logged out, only to log back in a couple of days later and find the words I did not type.
Share Price
For a bit I was taken back by the words, figured it was a computer glitch, I jokingly added right next to it, "How about $200?" I logged in for a couple of days. but nothing. I was satisfied with the theory that it may just have been my imagination, and left Zoho for a few days. Then after a month or so, I logged in again to save something, and saw the words just below where I asked for money.
Company not found
I guess it's about time we worry about Terms of Privacy and cloud services. The only guys I've decided to trust my sensitive data with are Canonical.
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Wait, Google had Netbook support? :roll:
I think I'm about to switch to my dual-boot Ubuntu. I rarely use it, but at least it has support for Netbooks.
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Wait, Google had Netbook support? :roll:
I think I'm about to switch to my dual-boot Ubuntu. I rarely use it, but at least it has support for Netbooks.
XDDD I meant Google Notebook! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Notebook) You know, a Notes application to jot down your ideas or ToDo's in. I love Notes apps, provided they're quick and productive for heavy writing (I really like Zim Wikipad (http://zim-wiki.org/) and Basket Notepad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BasKet_Note_Pads) for offline use). And Ubuntu rocks! (Plus, Natty's coming this month :D)
My point is... Zoho's scary (http://www.zoho.com/)! :o
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Oh, I totally read that wrong then. Whoops! :cry:
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*Grrburger* :evil:
I am having so much trouble perfecting a certain section of this recital piece I'm working on. Switching cross-over arpeggios are perhaps one of the most difficult piano skills to nail down, and I made the mistake of making it the last part of the piece I'm working on TO work on.
Music is beautiful, especially certain piano music. But wait 'til you have to play it yourself, and you'll see what toil and labor go into creating such beauty.
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I was supposed to hang out with friends this evening, but I'm sick and I can't go. >:[ And I'm pretty sure one of my friends is ignoring me. I have no idea why.
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I hate losing my writing. It's one of the worst frustrations for me. Sorry to hear it happened to you, tush.
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It's frustrating that the about 28,000 people in Japan died in the tsunami but the media prefer to spend most of their time on the disaster by talking about the nuclear meltdown, which hasn't killed anybody yet and will never kill more than a small handful of people at worst. There are so many worthier angles for covering the story. The tsunami even has the kind of sensational video footage that the media usually love. I don't mean to say that the (partial) meltdown isn't newsworthy; it obviously is. But it doesn't warrant hogging such a large percentage of the coverage of the story of the overall disaster. The media's fixation on the nuclear meltdown strikes me as misanthropic, as if to say humanity is too arrogant and a meltdown is proof of our hubris. I don't appreciate the sentiment.
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It's frustrating that the about 28,000 people in Japan died in the tsunami but the media prefer to spend most of their time on the disaster by talking about the nuclear meltdown, which hasn't killed anybody yet and will never kill more than a small handful of people at worst. There are so many worthier angles for covering the story. The tsunami even has the kind of sensational video footage that the media usually love. I don't mean to say that the (partial) meltdown isn't newsworthy; it obviously is. But it doesn't warrant hogging such a large percentage of the coverage of the story of the overall disaster. The media's fixation on the nuclear meltdown strikes me as misanthropic, as if to say humanity is too arrogant and a meltdown is proof of our hubris. I don't appreciate the sentiment.
Amen. :(
The death of those 28,000 people is a glimpse of how horrible the end of civilizations really is. It's downright saddening that every miracle we build, every step to dream we take, can be broken and destroyed by a simple natural/man-made event like that.
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I hear ya, J. But it's sad that they're playing to what people care about. Who cares about 28k dead? (we do, obviously, but we're not most of their demographic) You really can't do much for those people, and (even more sickening) it'll never happen to us. But there's a slight chance that their reactors might blow up? Oh no! We need to know how EBIL nuclear power is! We can get people to donate to Japan to help save their reactors so they won't blow up! (if people bother enough to donate)
Current frustration: I appear to have an infection. In a rather awkward place. Fun doctor times awayyyy...
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But there's a slight chance that their reactors might blow up? Oh no! We need to know how EBIL nuclear power is! We can get people to donate to Japan to help save their reactors so they won't blow up! (if people bother enough to donate)
You're right.
You see, India has a little something called the Shiv Sena (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiv_Sena), a right-winged political party who are extremists in every way. If they don't like something, that something becomes wrong by default. And the consequence? They burn things down. For instance, they were against the release of the movie called My Name Is Khan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Name_Is_Khan) and threatened movie-goers not to go to the film, and caused chaos so that the workers at the cinema wouldn't dare honor the openings.
Even worse, there's hardly any intelligent politician in their midst. For every slight inconvenience cause either by the government or the people they respond via Bandhs; that is, saying, "Close all your shops, hospitals, and every business you own! If you don't we'll be there, break your bones, destroy your business and burn the buildings!" <--- And this leads to economical losses of our nation.
Recently they've been causing bandhs and problems in order to discourage nuclear deals, because fuck! I think they were so moved by what happened at Japan, about how the meltdown could potentially destroy half a nation, that they decided to go on a shooting rampage against the police, shoppers, bystanders, etc. just to stop that!
And we're afraid of terrorism. :( I think we're all terrorists at heart. Which reminds of the moral learned from the political movie Gangajal:
The political leaders are but a reflection of the republic that chose them. We all want people who are often like us to lead our nation, only to despise them when their sins come to light. And we retaliate in ways far worse than what we've experienced.
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It would be a fitting irony if despised political leaders truly were representative of the public that elected them, but it would also be damning for the premise of democracy. (I don't have a problem with that potentiality, but many people would.)
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Since the current flavor of frustration is elected representatives of a republic, I find it frustrating that all of their political grandstanding and charisma seems to be the only thing center-stage in their campaigns. Instead of addressing the issues with ironclad promises to find and execute solutions to the bigger problems (for example, America's crumbling infrastructure of railroads, highways, and dams), they use it as leverage to win votes without anybody wiser to their ulterior motives. Those who are the wiser are the silent minority whose vote had as much impact as a drop of water does when filling a bucket of votes.
You know what elections really need? And I'm not just talking about the presidential election here, but all elections, right down to the local level. <--Analogy Alert!!
During baseball season, the attention of sports fans shoots first towards the leaders of the American League and the leaders in the National League, right? The box scores for these leaders makes it easy to see who the top players are. It's all laid out: hits, runs, errors, batting average, earned run averages, etc.
I'm thinking, wouldn't it be great if we could have box scores for the U.S. government? Candidates could present their lineup for key posts, and we the people would be able to evaluate which team had the strongest bullpen or the most home run hitters. And why stop there? We could use a similar process for our representatives. When election time rolls around, we could look at our senators and congressmen and think (metaphorically, of course), "Well, this guy been averaging around .220 for his last term. Let's see if we could find a .300 hitter." This way, it would be easier to find out who to keep and who to kick out.
But that's just my idea. What says you?
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Before I bitch about women, Genesis - being a sports guy I LOVE this idea. Naturally I see some problems such as what stats are we keeping track of? Voting? Spending? What else? Still, it intrigues me.
Now... after scene study tonight it would appear that ol' :shock:2.0 isn't as interested as she says. We were supposed to go out yesterday and I heard nothing until today when she texted to say her phone was busted. Which she was on every free minute of class. No hellos, spoken apologies, acknowledgement. Guess it's time to let this ship sail. It kills me...her support of my comedy AND acting was unlike ANYTHING I had ever received from anybody, and for it to come from her it meant the world to me. She is also supremely talented and SAG eligible (a big deal)... I'd be lying if I said this didn't hurt (lots), but it ain't the end of the world, and there is a certain...tiny....silver lining being the "freedom" from it all. Could probably bore y'all to death but I'll let it rest there. Tomorrow is another day, another mic, another night. 8/7.
Bon Voyage, 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PopKVxY_lvw - Almost Gone, Barely Here
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@Lord J: Yeah, they don't represent the public's interest at most times. So what do they actually represent? The public's mindset, that's what. Just sayin' that's what I'm talkin' about.
@Genesis One: :oops: Since I'm not so familiar with Baseball, I have no idea what ya mean there...
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I annoys me when I wake up with the feeling that I had an interesting dream, but I'm not able to remeber it :P
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I annoys me when I wake up with the feeling that I had an interesting dream, but I'm not able to remeber it :P
Here ya go! (http://syacartoonist.com/sweet-dreams) :D
Don't mind me, I'm just your friendly neighborhood Super Nu.
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A friend of mine convinced me to buy Portal 2, which is perfectly fine of itself (except for the $65 price!). However, before getting to the multiplayer part, he demanded I play the entire main story. So the next 6 hours or so were filled with "you're doing it wrong," "you're so slow," and "god, how do you not see that?" Many plots were spoiled before I reached them as well (though I have to admit, they were predictable).
I should have played it on my own time. :picardno
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I just got Portal 2 as well, though on PC it's 50 bucks. Playing slowly, on my own time, and loving the hell out of it.
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@Genesis One: :oops: Since I'm not so familiar with Baseball, I have no idea what ya mean there...
What I mean is, representatives' and senators' could be kept track of. I'm not just talking about popularity ratings, because rarely, if at all, does popularity have anything remotely to do with job execution on the representative's end. S/he could be (un)popular for all the right or wrong reasons and we the people would be getting mixed messages by just listening to the popularity ratings.
I'm talking about statistics such as:
- Stances of current political issues of high priority (I mentioned America's infrastructure in my last post)
- Number of bills proposed and sent through Congress
- Success to Failure ratios of said bills (and consequently any riders attached to said bills)
- Previous positions held (e.g. mayor, chairman of a city council, judge, judge)
It's like baseball cards, only for our elected representatives.
Does this make more sense?
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24 hours per day is surely too short.
6 a.m. - get up
6:30 a.m. - leave to work
8:00 a.m. - work, and browse random websites when bored
5:30 p.m. - come off work
7:00 p.m. - get home
... (eat, rest, clearn, blahblah..)
around 0 a.m. - go to bed
There's not much left for multiple hobbies.
It seems I spend to much time on the bus (3 hours or so), maybe I should try to read or learn something useful during that.
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Ugh...I drank so much coffee today I'm having colitis pain right now...it sucks, but I regret nothing...
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I'm working with a gargantuan file in illustrator... if the computer crashes on me again while I try to save it I'm going to cry... or at least I'm going to swear against the computer and its mother in a very very loud voice for a minute or two :picardno
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I'm working with a gargantuan file in illustrator... if the computer crashes on me again while I try to save it I'm going to cry... or at least I'm going to swear against the computer and its mother in a very very loud voice for a minute or two :picardno
:( Welcome to the world of crashy stuffs. I remember that happening with me before, and I banged the computer desk, walked to the door and leaned like a stylish action hero buried deep in sorrow just to get my mind off things.
It's funny that minor things like these lead us to buying better hardware. Bleh, what a money burner...
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A few days ago, my colleague got a damaged psd file, which is weird since the program didn't crash.
Fortunately the work was simple enough to be reworked.
Maybe we should not over-trust softwares sometimes. LOL
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President Obama released his birth certificate. Hopefully that'll cause some people to shut the fuck up.
Frustration thread because of idiot birthers, and because he had to release the certificate in the first place.
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President Obama released his birth certificate. Hopefully that'll cause some people to shut the fuck up.
I wouldn't be so sure. Next, these idiots are probably gonna start claiming the Hawaii isn't a state... :roll:
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President Obama released his birth certificate. Hopefully that'll cause some people to shut the fuck up.
I wouldn't be so sure. Next, these idiots are probably gonna start claiming the Hawaii isn't a state... :roll:
And perhaps they'll also say George Bush is an alien. *snorts* Oh wait, that's already been done.
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Not only that, but it's been done so often that some SF author or other (Lawrence Watt-Evans?) was able to get some mileage out of the story idea, "the terrible discovery is made that the president of the United States is not an alien".
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Never underestimate the human capacity for conspiracy theories. It's truly inexhaustible.
That said, hopefully this particularly stupid one will be regulated to the fringe. They can't say "he hasn't released the long form birth certificate!" anymore, which will steal some of their thunder.
I suppose I have a bad taste in my mouth about it because Donald freaking Trump saw it done. I really find it exasperating that anyone takes him that seriously -.-
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That said, hopefully this particularly stupid one will be regulated to the fringe. They can't say "he hasn't released the long form birth certificate!" anymore, which will steal some of their thunder.
Ah, but as the president of the united states he had the authority to order it forged! Now we need thirteen witnesses, a virgin sacrifice, and three cheeseburgers. Hold the ketchup.
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That said, hopefully this particularly stupid one will be regulated to the fringe. They can't say "he hasn't released the long form birth certificate!" anymore, which will steal some of their thunder.
Ah, but as the president of the united states he had the authority to order it forged! Now we need thirteen witnesses, a virgin sacrifice, and three cheeseburgers. Hold the ketchup.
Damn right. Ketchup sucks.
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FUCK THE ROYAL WEDDING
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FUCK THE ROYAL WEDDING
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That said, hopefully this particularly stupid one will be regulated to the fringe. They can't say "he hasn't released the long form birth certificate!" anymore, which will steal some of their thunder.
Ah, but as the president of the united states he had the authority to order it forged! Now we need thirteen witnesses, a virgin sacrifice, and three cheeseburgers. Hold the ketchup.
Quite right. He should never have acquiesced that that sort of unwholesome political subculture. Not only will the long form birth certificate do nothing to quell their insistence that he is ineligible to be president, but it broke with Hawaii tradition of not releasing those documents to the public and it also set a precedent which says this president can be bullied if you resort to Trump-strength obnoxiousness.
On the left we have the same problem, a tiny group of people who insist that Bush ordered the September 11 attacks. They're an embarrassment to honest liberals and they distract from legitimate criticism of America's worst president. I can only imagine that people on the right feel similarly about these birther dunces.
Damn right. Ketchup sucks.
You did not just...aw hell no...
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Honestly, it's just a wedding. It's a very fancy wedding, but it's a wedding. When my mom and dad got married, did they get this stuff? Noooooo. But it's a PRINCESS getting married, so that makes a world of difference, don't it?
It seems like it's a slap in the face to British people. "We can afford this big fancy wedding, with big fancy rings and big fancy music and big fancy food, even in these tough times. Times are tough, and big weddings don't help at all.
Also, ketchup makes me ill sometimes. I much prefer mustard.
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It seems like it's a slap in the face to British people. "We can afford this big fancy wedding, with big fancy rings and big fancy music and big fancy food, even in these tough times. Times are tough, and big weddings don't help at all.
Not as long as they can gossip about it and get all excited over it. Or at least that's the way it was while I was living there.
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What's all the fuss about the royal wedding hatred? You guys jelly or something, or is it just prejudice? Okay i can understand that the majority wouldn't care who these people are or why they want a huge wedding, but flaming? Aww come on! Royal or not, it's a wedding, and for some people (i.e., bride, groom, and the related) it's a "happy" moment that should be celebrated like there's no tomorrow. Call it vanity or whatever, but here's the way I respond:
" :D Congratulations! May you be blessed. Now if you don't mind, I've got stuff to do..."
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There are several negative points.
- It, and the British monarchy, are a colossal waste of taxpayer money.
- It feeds infatuated cults of personality and celebrity.
- It breeds and reinforces the monarchy/aristocracy's unhealthy air of authority and societal superiority over other humans and castes.
- It provides the unethical, profit-driven media of our times with more needless bullshit to air instead of relevant world news.
It can fucking get bent. It's a giant, ugly symbol of humanity's vestigial ignorance.
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- It provides the unethical, profit-driven media of our times with more needless bullshit to air instead of relevant world news.
This. Exactly.
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Unfortunately, if the media didn't have the royal wedding to fasten onto, it would just find something else equally trivial to replace it with--because the media itself is the problem, not the wedding. Likewise, people inclined to worship celebrities would just find someone else to fasten onto if the royal family weren't there.
As for the rest... What many Americans don't seem to grasp is that the monarch of Great Britain and her representatives throughout the British Commonwealth actually have a function: they perform the ceremonial duties of a head of state, such as greeting other heads of state, allowing the elected head of the executive branch of government to get on with the business of running the country instead of wasting time on diplomatic pageantry. In the States, you've conflated the two positions into one, but they are in fact separate responsibilities. So the money spent on maintaining the monarchy is actually a salary and expense account of sorts, not a sinecure. (The question of whether the diplomatic pageantry should be necessary is a separate one, but the fact remains that under current circumstances, it's required if a nation wants to function within the international community.)
In terms of authority, the British aristocracy is a joke (it was defanged for good when the House of Lords became an elected body) and most people living inside the Commonwealth know that. To put it another way: the members of the Queen's family have exactly as much authority of any kind as the latest manufactured pop star (and tend to handle what little they do have rather more gracefully). If you're going to be stuck with celebrities anyway (and I agree that these silly cults are a bad thing, but there seems to be no eradicating them), there are worse choices. ::shrug::
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On the left we have the same problem, a tiny group of people who insist that Bush ordered the September 11 attacks. They're an embarrassment to honest liberals and they distract from legitimate criticism of America's worst president. I can only imagine that people on the right feel similarly about these birther dunces.
We do.
About the birthers of course. Not about the whole "Bush was the worst president" thing.
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Humanity can do better for its collective cultural mythology than the damn royal family :/
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Humanity can do better for its collective cultural mythology than the damn royal family :/
Problem is, it just isn't. That's easily the shortcomings of Humanity.
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I'm pretty sure I have strep throat. So much suck.
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So yesterday, I come home from my weekly volunteer work, and I suddenly have constant bouts of diarrhea and stomach pain. I had trouble sleeping due to both, but then the worst part came. In the middle of the night, my digestive system shifted into reverse I emptied my stomach contents all at once.
It's official. I have food poisoning, and I still can't find a comfortable sleeping position.
:x
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Get well soon, you two!
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That sucks, Saj, Genesis. Hope your recovery is as swift as a mongol horde.
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I've been doing some work for my mother's boyfriend who manages a law firm, I have no experience and little interest in law as a profession but he's been letting me do grunt work for decent pay, and I'm kind of grateful.
For the past 7 hours though I've been filling a spreadsheet with raffle forms from some conference his firm was at. I'm trying my hardest to keep focused, but this is really the most monotonous, unpleasant way to spend a Saturday, oh my god. I keep thinking, "what if someone who actually went to law school had to do this?", if I had I'd really be questioning my life choices.
Can't complain though, work is work, and I shouldn't be posting here on the job. Someone be my mercy angel.
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Here's some mercy, Tact! Uh, maybe!
"McDonald’s and its franchisees hired 62,000 people in the U.S. after receiving more than one million applications..." (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-28/mcdonald-s-hires-62-000-during-national-event-24-more-than-planned.html)
It sounds as if you could be closer to accessing the heart of law practice than many who've poured thousands of dollars into learning it in classrooms, and who love law dearly. Not that that means you should go into what you would consider a soul-crushing experience just for the bucks; it's just the bittersweet tragedy of our economic reality. Good on ya for taking advantage of an employment opportunity when these are getting all too rare, anyway.
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Already in a piss poor mood...fucking neighbors party music is loud my house is shaking.
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I love spending an hour+ on an important email, just to have the internet eat it once I go to attach a file.
AJKDJKFDK:DJF.
Now I have to rewrite the whole thing. :(
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Already in a piss poor mood...fucking neighbors party music is loud my house is shaking.
I can't stand that. >< I think I'd be less angry with my neighbour if he shook my walls with decent music, instead of Linkin Park and the Twilight soundtrack.
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It frustrates me how I always procastinate cleaning my message center at deviantart. I keep thinking "I'm doing it today for sure! I won't go to sleep until I finish", but I always find an excuse or a distraction not to do it... the next thing I know is that two months have passed and there are 1000 new messages and deviations to check and comment on (and the idea of having to do it makes me procastinate even more) :picardno
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Already in a piss poor mood...fucking neighbors party music is loud my house is shaking.
I can't stand that. >< I think I'd be less angry with my neighbour if he shook my walls with decent music, instead of Linkin Park and the Twilight soundtrack.
Exactly. Accordions and tubas and....a Mexican rendition of Proud Mary. :evil:
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Yeah, neighbors from hell drive me up the wall, too.
My previous neighbors were like that, Shee, except instead of music, they had a truck shop behind their house. Every now and then, they'd happily rev their wheels, even in the middle of the night. I had learned that they pissed away their fortune on their large family and drug-abusing father who OD'd on them. The family then quietly left the house one night w/o putting it up on the market. The house was eventually bought again after being abandoned for six months, but the new family there is just as bad as the old one, except now, it's the kids who are smoking and doing drugs. Oh, and they still haven't bothered to beautify their backyard except stick a giant jungle gym back there which clears our fence by a good yard or so. You can only imagine the violation of privacy from such a vantage point.
You'd think people would move to rural areas to get away from the noise of the city, but apparently, these nieghbors must've missed class that day. Why can't I ever have nice neighbors?
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MUST. MOW. LAWN. MUST. KILL. RAIN CLOUDS. Dandelions....as far as the eye can see, and then some...
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MUST. MOW. LAWN. MUST. KILL. RAIN CLOUDS. Dandelions....as far as the eye can see, and then some...
Dandelions are pretty! (Oh, but how they make me sneeze... :( )
My frustration: Need to get to work! I can't finish my last bit of classwork until my math professor gets back to me. He always gets back to you within twenty minutes, it seems, no matter if you email him on a holiday, a Sunday, or 5am in the morning. He's going on four days now, and the semester ends in... five days (and my last day in his class is in three days)? The result is a stressed out RW. I would not like to have to finish everything on the last day of class, but I can't do any more until he gets back to me!
In the meantime, I'll work on things that'll pay me money, but it's harder when I'm distracted by the pressing, panicky need to do schoolwork.
A second frustration: I came within five minutes of owning a 1983 Apple Lle computer. Fully functional, with software, manuals and the whole nine yards. But I missed my window... by five minutes! *weeps* :(
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The other good thing about dandelions is that they're edible. So if civilization collapses tomorrow, you'll at least be able to survive a couple of days longer by turning your lawn into a salad. ;)
My frustration: arthritis. Right now, I hurt like hell even with painkillers. :(
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For a paper I wrote I analyzed theological trends in a particular point of Medieval history. My mentor marked up my paper claiming that trends were debated and resolved two centuries earlier than the sources I used for my paper said. In revising it, I widened my search substantially and discovered that all indications point to my mentor being wrong. The problem is, I don't have the time to do the in depth research necessary to prove this to her. As such, I will just need to cut the section. It is frustrating because that section contained some excellent analysis and it will be a lot of work wasted.
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Thought, is there any way you could complete the research later and get the study published in an academic journal? Sounds like interesting stuff.
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Thought, is there any way you could complete the research later and get the study published in an academic journal? Sounds like interesting stuff.
That reminds me: how DO you get stuff published in academic journals, anyway? o_o
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I was standing in line at the store tonight, in a dress, with makeup and other girly things on (long story, heh), and there was a group of guys and girls behind me in line being idiots and making fun of me... Including one girl's comment: "Why did you cut all your hair so short? You look like a man."
It was her snide tone that did it. When I'm absolutely enraged, my eyes water uncontrollably. It's an involuntary reaction. I'm not crying, or sobbing my eyes out. I'm so mad I can barely speak. It doesn't happen often, but it hit me then, and it took all my willpower to calmly tell the girl that no, I didn't cut my hair off. I lost it. It fell out. I would have much rather kept it but now it's gone and it won't grow back for a long time. They then proceeded to laugh at my watering eyes, thinking I was crying, and continued to be snide. I was so angry by that point I could barely speak. I just set my stuff down and left the store. I couldn't take a moment more.
I am getting sick and tired of the idea that I am somehow not proper because my hair is so short and I dare not to cover it up with a hat or a scarf of some sort. But when I suggest that this is all possibly rooted in a concept of religious modesty, people get defensive and say, "Oh no, we're not Muslim." They miss the point entirely. I don't know what else to do to make myself "look like a girl." I get told every day, at least once, that I look too boyish, gay, or whatnot. Someone always comments. "Wow, your hair is so short! You look so... um.. tough! Yeah!" And when I explain the alopecia, they say, "Oh, but you should really wear a wig or a hat until it grows out, so you don't look like such a boy, and you'll be prettier."
I'm sorry, what the fuck is wrong with me having short hair? What part of my entire appearance has confused you about my gender? Is it the dress? The makeup? The jewelry? My very obvious female anatomy? Why was I "pretty" when I had long hair, but "ugly and boyish" now that my hair is short? Nothing else has changed. And I am so goddamn sorry to all those that have had to look upon my bald head or short hair, so motherfucking sorry that I had alopecia and had no choice in the matter and lost my hair. Clearly, it burdens everyone else so much more that they have to look upon me for two seconds than it burdened me to lose my hair. Clearly. Because it's not like losing your hair against your will could be traumatic or hurtful in any way, right? "Hair doesn't matter," they say when you're sick, until it starts to grow back, and then it's "your hair makes you look like a man." SHUT UP.
There's a lot of faulty ideas about gender identity. It's okay for a girl to be masculine and it's okay for a guy to be feminine. But I'm just getting frustrated with the short hair being used as a weapon to insult and criticize my own identity, as if long hair were the only thing to make me female. I've been taking a stand against these folks for a while, but it's getting to the point where I'm trying to decide if I'd do better hiding behind a wig or a hat until it really does grow longer (and with the summer heat that's coming up... oye). I just can't keep taking the comments. I don't know what it is about the South that makes people feel entitled to air their intolerance so publicly, so unabashedly. I'm even knocking heads with my bellydancing teacher about it! She doesn't really want me to perform in her show without wearing a wig or a headdress, because "traditional Raqs Sharqi dancers have long hair." Can I get a break somewhere, please? Am I not immune even in my hobbies?
Anyway, I'm not a little boy, and the way those words have been leveled at me as an insult lately, it's making me feel completely unattractive and very ugly. And that's even though I understand the problems and prejudices associated with the insults. There just comes a point where that stuff adds up, and it starts to really hurt.
EDIT: Pictures I posted on the Pictures thread in recent months (I'm the fourth post down):
http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,6631.1080.html
Is there a reason why the first picture is "pretty," but the second is not? Two months separate them, and nothing else changes but the hair. (People here on the Compendium were awesome. But in general, everyone else raved about how pretty I was in the first picture, but remain silent on the second.)
I just don't understand. Someone explain it to me, please.
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That's quite sad, and I'm quite speechless on the issue and tactless to ever properly console someone. Bare with me here:
I can understand that it's a long tradition of human capacity to recognize feminine beauty mostly thanks to long hair. The way a hair is kept does not just signify beauty and their relentless efforts to blend in with the society, but good hair also signifies good health; this usually drives women to spend hours in front of a mirror before going out, and this is understandable. Asking someone to cover their faces and/or hair is usually an offence. Women aren't material, they are people, they have their views, rights and dignity, and yet the society would take appearance first and foremost.
That said, looks heavily matter, especially at first appearance, and most people wouldn't really know (and for some, nor care to know) about a person's current status or disorder so long as they look and behave well. As for the mocking, humanity has developed a trend since the old days that not only work but also put people in their places. Consider mocking an obese person, and though their feelings hurt they might try to lose pounds (yes, that sounds bad and yet true, but the best method is to actually get an obese person to make friends with healthier people rather, so they adjust to the lifestyle, instead of mocking them; that's just a take). Another example would be a person horribly dressing up for parties, in the end being ignored or even mocked at. This results in the person either isolating himself or trying harder to look his best. After a certain age every man/woman is responsible for their own faces, and people spend countless of dollars to look their best, whether or not they're born that way, only to be accepted by the majority merely because they need a face to know, not the personality. That's the harsh reality, I know.
:) Here at the Compendium however, and some other places you feel most comfortable at, we don't care what you look like so long as you're a wonderful person. Your actions and personality matter most in most cases than anything. Regardless of a person's looks, you have no restrictions to what you do, not only here but also at the world at large. Show them who you are and what you're capable of! Do what you need to do to prove yourself, and be respected by everyone! That's your destiny and we're all counting on it.
But when it comes to show biz, such as theatre, cinema or dance, do note the "first impression rule" again: appearance matters. Most of the actors you see on screen are outright ugly in real life, but are brilliant actors, and all they need to do to get in is to disguise themselves, spending countless dollars on looks alone. Yes, your bellydancer teacher may have been tactless and hurtful, but professionalism counts. Do what you need, get a wig, perform your best and let the world know you. After the show you may toss it away, go out to the world and show you face, no matter what you look like. Be proud of who you are, and be proud of what you do! No buggers or mockers can stop you from achieving your dreams! 8)
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Appearance matters, to some extent and in certain ways, but how incredibly frustrating and tragic is it when people persist with their narrow, petty-minded standards of beauty and attractiveness? We should do our best to call people out on their abhorrent lack of imagination.
Rushingwind, your post is triply enraging to me: one, because obviously these people who are mocking you were incredibly tasteless and rude and interested in policing your individuality, not to mention so dismissive of the fact you were sick after they were informed; two, that they had such a tiny limited idea of femininity that they think it's restricted to hair length, even though you were dressed femininely; and third, that weird assumption that looking gay or androgynous impacts your attractiveness. (Also, haven't these idiots ever heard of femme lesbians? Portia di Rossi? Come on.)
Personally, I think that depending on the individual, short hair can look very feminine or masculine. Would anyone call Natalie Portman with her pixie cut boylike? I don't think so. To say nothing of the fact that people so often act as though women are there for them to find attractive. (Even women think this, as that example illustrates...)
I notice this policing hair phenomenon with boys, too. My wonderful brother has thick, curly Jim Morrison hair. It's absolutely gorgeous and girls will often approach him just to play with it, but every day he gets comments about how he should cut it, how it looks unruly, how he looks like a "fag," etc. etc. It's really disgusting. I'm glad he shares my stubbornness and will never cut it.
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Portia di Rossi is so awesome.
Rushingwind, you need a good can of mace! I'm sorry people are motherfuckers with no respect. It falls back on people making a big deal out of what they don't understand, and these particular morons didn't seem able to understand much. Though that's no excuse, I guarantee it stemmed from one of the guys checking you out, then being confused about his own sexuality(probably not very secure with it) and thinking "this does not fit my cookie cutter definition of what I'm allowed to be attracted to as dictated by my father!"
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Sorry to hear about that episode RW! What the heck's happening in our society when people go out of their way to lash out and hurt others? What utility could there possibly be in that? It's unfathomable.
It's been said (and possibly backed up in studies/surveys, need to double-check on that) that the wider body of US citizens is less empathetic today than in earlier eras. Sounds about right judging from this, sheesh.
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I imagine it will only get less and less empathetic as resources become more scarce and people become more numerous.
I wish I could put together the first machine consciousness. I'd solve this.
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Syna's right, by the way. Ever heard of Emma Watson's new hairdo? Most guys were against all this, just because she looked like a dude. What did she say? A polite equivalent to, "Fuck you! I'm enjoying this shit!"
Sorry to hear about that episode RW! What the heck's happening in our society when people go out of their way to lash out and hurt others? What utility could there possibly be in that? It's unfathomable.
The utility's ancient, and it's thousands of years old. :( Despite the modernity I can understand how such primitive behavior still affect us.
RW, stay strong! Don't give those fools any reason mock you for reasons more than they have. But do give them a reason to respect you, to be impressed with you. Beat them in their arguments cleverly. Lash back with s silver tongue. Demonstrate the boundless spirit and talents you possess and make them know their places. Let them know that you're more valuable to the world than those fools who simply have no time but to mock someone randomly! They will either admire you, or they will run and bark back but to never return. :evil: But I would advise you to have a friend with you in case things seem rough.
I imagine it will only get less and less empathetic as resources become more scarce and people become more numerous.
I wish I could put together the first machine consciousness. I'd solve this.
Verily.
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Thank you, everyone. I'm fine today now that I've slept, but good gracious, I was very close to physical violence last night. It would have been a low-brained response to a low-brained action, so I'm glad that I gathered myself and just left.
Tushantin, the thing about the dancing is that it's not professional show biz. It's a students/teachers sort of performance. Don't get me wrong, I like the headdresses! They're very pretty, and for artistic or stylistic reasons, I would certainly wear one (and I have considered one with my costume, at least before I realized my short hair was going to be a stumbling block). My resistance, however, is that I would be asked to wear the headdress (or wig) so that I would look more like the traditional bellydancer, as if I can't be a dancer with short hair. This is a gathering of students, teachers, soon-to-be-teachers, and the like. We're not professionals. They supposedly "encourage" creativity and individuality, but I suppose they have their own definitions of those words.
When I'm told to do/not to do something, I get really rebellious sometimes. I sensed way back in December that I might run into problems like these. There had been sort of a pressure on me to "cover my head," and that really brought out rebellion in me, because I interpreted it as being rooted in concepts of religious modesty. The baldness was "incorrect," and an obvious sign of something being wrong. My friends were fine with my bald head, and around them I didn't wear a hat. But out in public, I covered up my head. (Though, there was some practicality in that too, because it was so unimaginably cold walking around without hair!)
There have been very encouraging people, though. I was walking around at the mall one Saturday night, and I was wearing a thick hat. I'd only intended to be in there a few minutes, but I ended up wandering around for a while (I like to walk, heh), and wandered into a store. Finally, it was so hot I had to take off the hat for a little while. My scalp felt like it was crawling with fire ants. As luck would have it, I'd wandered into a sort of goth type store, and the cashiers were telling me how hot I looked, and how much they loved women with bald heads walking around proudly, telling society to go screw its concepts of normalcy. That was an awesome night, heh.
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Kick ass for humanity
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Amazing! (Just saw the news) America had been giving Pakistan financial aid, and wants to continue doing so, but Pakistan's civilians actually want the Americans dead. They've put up rallies against the Americans, mourning over "Osama, their Prophet". There's something wrong here, and I'm going to remain open minded about it. That motherfucker managed to brainwash a whole nation just before going to hell! Goes to prove how easy it is to influence a human mind.
On a side note, there's a dragonfly in our room! x_x
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Oh, screw the English dictionary and its ridiculous incompletion! If I want to use the word "sliverish" to mean "as thin as a sliver", then by the gods of memery, I'm going to do it, damn it!
Amazing! (Just saw the news) America had been giving Pakistan financial aid, and wants to continue doing so, but Pakistan's civilians actually want the Americans dead.
Considering that Pakistani civilians have become victims of our airborne Terminators, it's unfortunately no wonder. :(
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Oh, screw the English dictionary and its ridiculous incompletion! If I want to use the word "sliverish" to mean "as thin as a sliver", then by the gods of memery, I'm going to do it, damn it!
Writer's prerogative. =)
As long as you understand the variables in play, you may transform or create any word you like when occasioned. That's a special and largely hidden power of writers and other linguineers.
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Oh, screw the English dictionary and its ridiculous incompletion! If I want to use the word "sliverish" to mean "as thin as a sliver", then by the gods of memery, I'm going to do it, damn it!
LOL, but they don't have to explain sliver again since you can do another search.
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Haha, I was just frustrated by the fact that the major online dictionaries don't have an entry for "sliverish", whereas they have entries for other similarly constructed adjectives ("whitish", "silverish", "childish", etc). We'll see what happens when I work my way up to things like "refudiate"; I have a feeling I'd be violating Lord J's language rules at that point. :)
EDIT: Oh, you know what? I think the word I was looking for was "slivery"! And that's been used widely enough to be in the dictionary. :oops:
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Fuck the platitudes of some Christians to the effect of "we're so imperfect! Humans are so corrupt and fallible and unworthy; we're nothing in the eyes of God! Only the glory and mercy of Jesus gives us any value!!"
Fuck that self-loathing bullshit right into the ground.
(http://yusa.imouto.org/sample/c9425cf2786369cdcef9ac1d010ad66b/moe%2073089%20sample.jpg)
(http://images.wikia.com/twewy/images/e/e9/Twewy-sanae-hanekoma1.jpg)
Well, well, well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy_YGeYKPA8
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EDIT: Oh, you know what? I think the word I was looking for was "slivery"! And that's been used widely enough to be in the dictionary. :oops:
=P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqPFyCTYGtU
Still, you can never have too many variations on the same word. It's a poet's mainstay!
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Fuck the platitudes of some Christians to the effect of "we're so imperfect! Humans are so corrupt and fallible and unworthy; we're nothing in the eyes of God! Only the glory and mercy of Jesus gives us any value!!"
Fuck that self-loathing bullshit right into the ground.
We're imperfect? Well, yeah... Corrupt and fallible? Also true. Unworthy? Probably not. Nothing in the eyes of God? Yes, if you consider God as "The Universe". Only Jesus gives us value? Sort of, but it's nice to know where we stand today thanks to the hardships of great legends in the past. Gandhi, Julius, Augustus, Mohammed, Newton, Blake, Tesla, etc., all of you from the past, you have made us what we are today, and we shall rise in your name! Thank you.
So what if we're imperfect? We're a superior life-form destined to tear the universe apart! We're the perfect symbols of all the glories of evolution, and we will transform infinite darkness into light! We'll destroy the corrupt. We will eradicate our flaws. We have our reasons of existence, and we will exploit the mysteries of the universe! :kz
There's a long journey ahead, brother.
(http://naokochan.altervista.org/kenshin/kenshin121.jpg)
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I visited an old old old DA account I had. The drawings are shit, but it's actually funny to look at them. What frustrates me are my original comments... oh god, I was such a pathetic angsty teenager:
Here my winged wolf again, I use to draw him everytime I'm sad... maybe I should go to psychologist to know what it means... He's supposed to be in pain.
:picardno
...how did I ever manage to make friends?
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Late for Rushing Wind's story, but I do have this to say:
I saw your pictures, RW. I can only empathize with your dilemma seeing I've never had to endure something like that.
On the one hand, it's disheartening to know that people won't take the time to learn about an afflicted person such as yourself and why you are that way instead of short-cutting it with a snap judgment about gender identity; you should verbally castigate anybody who dares mock you for your condition.
On the other hand, there's a silver lining to your situation. As a dancer, do you consider yourself artistic in your pursuits? If so, then may I suggest that you view your situation from an artistic perspective. Your head is now a blank canvas for infinite possibilities in terms of how you express yourself. You are the artist and hair is your medium. Show the world your unique personality, intellect, charm, anything by turning that canvas into a stunning work of art. Turn those lemons into lemonade!! :lol:
Of course, this would all be until your hair can grow back. It is my sincerest wishes that it does; you honestly looked gorgeous in the "before" picture, even without a thick layer of superficial make-up, and I'm not saying that you don't look stunning with your current situation. Simply refer to my "canvas of hair" analogy as proof that I don't think you're without hair.
And now I'm rambling. What says you?
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Thank you, Genesis (and again, to everyone else who replied).
My hair is growing back, though I seem to have a few bald spots. That's just how alopecia rolls. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to be severe, and my doctor said I would have some minor hair loss for a while, assuming the major type of hair loss does not strike me suddenly again. The real unanswered question is, was my hair loss caused solely by medicine upsetting my immune system (thus making it a one-time event), or did the medicine trigger an underlying genetic condition (autoimmune alopecia) that had simply not been triggered yet? It's really unlikely that at the age of 26 that I'd have genetic alopecia that had not been triggered yet, but I have a family history of alopecia, so it is possible (if unlikely). However, I'm going on five months without major hair loss, and I have only one patch of hair that has not grown back at all. That's very uncharacteristic of someone with autoimmune alopecia. Again, it does happen, but not often. There are typically many episodes of hair loss in quick succession before there's a remission. I'm very hopeful. :)
I do have other autoimmune issues, but it would just probably have triggered autoimmune alopecia much sooner. I have ovarian problems related to my immune system, but that's an entirely new post, heh. That all seems to be under control at the moment, and relatively minor. Seriously, I could have it so much worse. I look up Lupus when I start to feel sorry for myself. It snaps me out of it every time, because holy freaking smokes, it could be so, so much worse than hair loss and reproductive issues.
I am very optimistic. Even though my hair is very short and I have some bald spots, I am optimistic. ^_^
As a dancer, do you consider yourself artistic in your pursuits? If so, then may I suggest that you view your situation from an artistic perspective. Your head is now a blank canvas for infinite possibilities in terms of how you express yourself. You are the artist and hair is your medium. Show the world your unique personality, intellect, charm, anything by turning that canvas into a stunning work of art. Turn those lemons into lemonade!!
For a little while, I did consider getting a tattoo on my scalp. ^_^ I thought that would be a great way to use the "blank canvas." The high sensitivity of my scalp led me to decide against it, as the pain would have been hard to take. (It would have been the same tattoo that I've always wanted: An acacia tree with a quote from my novel. Guess I'll eventually get it on my shoulderblade instead. ^_^) As for my dancing, well, I try to be artistic. I'm still working on the "doing the moves correctly" part. I am trying to show the rest of the world how awesome I am, though. ^_^ I will accomplish it one day!
Thank you for your kind words, Genesis.
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I guess to keep in spirit of the thread, I should post a frustration, heh.
I shipped a package last Monday with the postal service. Actually, I shipped two. One has made it to its destination, while the other seems to either be lost or the postal service is forgetting to scan/deliver it. I'm hoping it's something as simple as the shipping store just forgot to take it to the post office, because I'm going to be quite ticked if it was lost. I've shipped dozens of packages over the last few years, and never lost one before.
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I woke up too goddamn early and now I can't fall back asleep. I can't stand mornings and afternoons. I feel so lethargic. My peak productivity time is around 2 or 3 am, and so my 10 am is what I imagine someone with a normal schedule's 10 pm would be. I just don't work well when it's light outside and since it's spring and Daylight Savings already went by, there's only about 10 hours of nighttime. Blehhhhhhhhhh.
Not all of us run on a 9 to 5 productivity schedule. Mine is more like 10 (pm) to 5o 5 or 6. -___-
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My brother works for a local college community, as part of his work he contacted certain Software developers in the US via email to buy some software licenses for the college computers. When he mentioned he was from Mexico, they asked where Mexico was :picardno Okey, granted (ignoring the fact that we're neighbouring countries) there are plenty of countries I don't know where they are either, but sending an email back to a client asking where their country is, instead of taking 5 minutes to look it up in google, seriously?
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My mom -- who is from the US, but spent 8 years in Central America -- teaches Spanish and, unlike many Spanish teachers, insists upon testing culture and geography.
She's shown me the results of her geography tests. They are fields of blood and carnage. The most memorable test belonged to someone who thought Panama was Brazil.
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Lica, is it possible that they meant to ask "where in Mexico" rather than "where is Mexico"?
But along those lines, I've been grading midterms. The two most horrific examples of ignorance are thus: one person thought the United States used nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War. Another student thought that Britain supported North Korea and prodded them into attacking South Korea (with the support of Mao and Stalin, of course). At least, I am assuming that when this student said "the South" they meant S. Korea and not the Confederacy of the American Civil War, although I assume so more for the sake of my own sanity than because of anything the student said.
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Geographical stupidity never ceases to astound me. Alright, I can understand an American not knowing where, say, Andorra is, but MEXICO!? That is beyond sad.
I once got asked if the Philippines were the islands between France and England, and someone asked my brother's girlfriend--upon learning that she grew up in the Philippines--"Where's that in Tennessee?"
Not geographically related (but similarly stupid), when my family moved back to the US from Scotland, my mum took my transcripts from my school in Edinburgh to the high school I was going to attend in the US. The woman working at the desk said "Oh, her transcripts from Scotland? Okay, we'll have to get them translated into English."
:picardno :picardno :picardno
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Lica, is it possible that they meant to ask "where in Mexico" rather than "where is Mexico"?
Maybe this was the case. My brother told me about it, I didn't read the email myself, so I would give them the benefit of doubt :P he did mentioned the city and the state, but it's perfectly understandable not to know where specific states and cities are.
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Reading these last few posts of you guys, this is the best laughter I've had this week. XD (Okay, so it's Tuesday, but still... shut up)
With all these ignorances and obvious factors in two, I'd like to ask: why are people such fucknuts? It's like the answer's THERE right under their nose, but thanks to their arrogance or laziness, or just their unwilling to judge priorities, they don't even glance at what's most important. :picardno It's just been a while since Mom recovered from her post-hospital sickness/stress and is slowly getting healthier, but things just NEED to pile up. My Godmother took care of me mostly when I was at my birthplace, and she's really close to me. I call her "Ma" too, because she's like a second Mom to me. Now, she's married to a guy who just can't quit booze, not even for the sake of her daughter, and goes berserk when he's high. This time he carried things too far, triggering Godmom's migraine attack. She's in the hospital now, and even THEN the guy just wants to ruin people's lives just for the heck of it. Just wouldn't learn...
I swear, I'll clear out my bank account for her and hand over all the money I've been saving for months for an Android phone. Fuck the phone, she doesn't deserve this torment! If somethign major happens I'm going to Kolkatta and give the asshole a piece of my mind.
Rant over... Keeping in spirit with the ignorance topic, here's my next frustration.
Everyone of us thinks that exaggerated things like secret organizations led by powerful intelligent folks, or a batman-esq super-vigilante catching culprits is all a premise of some movie or TV cartoons. But we tend to forget that if a concept exists, there's a version of it in real life.
What's even funnier is that the founder of said organization is actually one of the most influential men in history, who revolutionized civilization and our outlook on urban dangers, thus making it easier for us to live today. We are today what we are thanks to his hardwork and logic, and yet not many even remember him. Even I just found out about him yesterday, and when I went on to discuss this enthusiastically with my friends, nobody even had the slightest hint on who he was. It's the same as Nikola Tesla: the dude revolutionized modern technology, and yet nobody remembered him, preferring to cling onto some guy who patented a light bulb he totally didn't create.
What's even weirder is the amounts of coincidences happening in my life, and it stuck me again. You see, I've got (don't laugh) a baby polar bear teddy I used to play with as a kid. I named him a name coz it sounded cute. I even wrote his adventures in picture books and shared them with friends (no, it isn't about running around gardens, but actually solving cases of missing honey and fish). Strangely enough, not only his occupation matches this mysterious "Great Man" I talked about in the previous two paragraphs, but also shares his first name. This last bit is something I'm not really frustrated about; more like I'm baffled by it.
I know I've left off some info here. Bonus points if somebody can guess/deduce what or who I'm actually talking about.
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Tushantin, if you like American cinema, you should watch The Prestige. It's about two magicians dueling it out, and Nikola Tesla plays a major role in the film. Plus, he's played by effing David Bowie. The film was written and directed by the Nolan brothers, who have done the much-beloved Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, so you know it's quality.
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I am... getting very upset at my inability to read things right all the time. I was reading a post about using the word 'sliverish', and all I could read was 'silverish'. It was all okay and made sense until they used 'silverish' itself. I got very, very confused...
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@tushantin: I'm sorry to hear about your Godmom, I hope she gets better and his husband gets his priorities straight, for sake of his family if not himself :/
I don't know who you are talking about in your other paragraphs, but I thought it sounded so cute that you wrote picture books about your polar teddy bear :wink: xD
@Bard_of_Time: I too read "silverish" instead of "sliverish" when I read that post and got all confused :P
Man, it's so hot here I can't sleep... and the water in my house got cut off aaagh.... I'm melting... I stole a popsicle from the fridge, I don't know whose it was, but I'm willing to go and and buy them a new one when sun rises if they want, I don't care, for now I just want something cool... :cry:
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@LicaWolf: I'll probably republish em in a blog. XDDD
@Boo: Holy shi--! Thanks! I keep an eye out for movies like that, and yet I somehow missed this. Mystery, Thriller AND Magicians? 8)
@BoT: You're not the only one. Being born dyslexic, have you any idea how much time it takes me to read and properly understand, making sure I haven't misread anything, let alone writing back? Normal post like LicaWolf's one, about 3 minutes (which is long). I constantly keep misreading 'beloved' as 'bellowed', or 'simple' as 'single', etc.
Though as much as I love reading Bible, Quran and Bhagwat Gita for inspiration (the latter is helluva rad!), there's a lot of things I find really strange about Bible and Quran.
Consider Quran: It mentions in many verses how forgiving Allah is, and ask the lord to forgive your enemies and keep the precious connection in human bonding. Basically, support your brethren in their times of need and help them understand the value of love. Hatred is the premise of the Devil (Shaytan).
And immediately when it's about Mohammed, commandments of violence picks up as the prophet constantly encourages his people to slaughter the non-believers. I mean, What The Eff? I understand that these verses are supposed to be open-minded, but they've actually been used by extremists to brainwash the masses in horrible ways. And when Jesus comes in, POOF! Everything's all about Love again!
When writing my book, I made the protagonists pass through a middle-to-low-class Muslim dominated area (similar to the one I grew up in), where one of them gets scared while the other mentions that his fears are highly prejudiced (yeah, he's an asshole like that). They sort of have fun there, though, and the second protagonist speaks a verse from the Quran, specially quoting 'Allah'. The Muslim friend from Hyderabad, I told you guys about earlier, loved my work but asked me remove anything relevant to Islam and Christianity from the book with a warning:
"See, most urban Muslims here in India, especially the Shia, respect and embrace these views you've placed in the book. But there are crazy extremists out there, in Sunni Islam and Christian sectors alike, that will no doubt see your passages and send you death threats for it. At least in this unsafe world in today's time, please reconsider."
This friend of mine has helped me through a lot, and I do consider his opinions by heart and reason. But how am I going to change the world for the better? Why must it be so difficult? Why can't people just unite and focus on bigger problems?
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I'd say screw it and just keep all the references. Art is meant to be bold and make a statement. Don't worry about people who WON'T like it, they're not your audience anyway. If all the famous painters and writers of the world decided not to do something because of who might get upset, we'd live in a very bland world indeed.
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I want to beleive that you have the right to say anything you want, that you shouldn't worry about upsetting someone, even if it's too polemical, but... I agree with your friend about it being too risky :/ If there are violent extremists in your area I would suggest you consider leaving that out of the book.
I guess in my mind I'm comparing this to the problem with drug-dealers here in my city, it's not the same of course, what I mean is that people get threatened, kidnapped or attacked just for writing articles on the newspaper or talking wrongly about them in college classrooms... If extremists groups can be as violent as this people, well... :/
Of course, this is just my local situation.
On the other hand, I have seem some polemical works about christianity receiving just harsh comments or bans in a country that is very traditional like Mexico, and nothing worse than that, so...I don't know, I guess it all depends on your local situation.
....My own little frustration of the moment is that I'm stuck babysitting again, ha :P
EDIT: AND the kids just scratched my Wind Waker cd very badly.... shit, that intro is not loading properly...
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@Bekkler and Lica: Our local situation is thankfully better than those at Mexico, and I'm thankful for living in such a safe place (though no place in the world is 100% safe). I remember way to the south of India a school teacher mocked something trivial about Mohammed, and the student went and told this to his parents. Next day, while the teacher was travelling with his family in a car, some extremists stopped the car, dragged him out and chopped his hands with a sword in front of everyone. Thing is, I'm not writing anything remotely offensive, rather the positive sides of peaceful Muslim culture, but most extremists (especially the Sunni and Laden followers) just make a big issue out of little things and I fear endangering my family into this.
And yet not all Muslims hate such references in art and literature. The Shia especially are forward thinking, peaceful folks and embrace every aspect of humanity and logic. They are staunch supporters of feminism and they respect the diversity of life. They embrace the idea of spreading goodwill, and frankly, my work is partly dedicated to them as a gift. So yes, I will go with Bekkler's idea and leave the references, but vaguely enough to let the readers interpret themselves. No matter who you are, where you're from, so long as you love humanity as whole you are my family.
:) Thank you, mates!
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No frustrations today! =)
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No frustrations today! =)
XD Then let me get frustrated for you. This might give you a guys a good laugh.
Okay, so I was reading Cracked, see? (http://www.cracked.com/article_19184_the-8-most-disgusting-animal-defenses_p2.html) And I came upon a picture.
(http://i-beta.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/article/9/8/8/56988.jpg?v=6)
As everyone can see at the bottom right, it says, "1 cm / E. Heiss". What I actually read was, "I am Cheese." The thing got stuck in my head for about five minutes and I really couldn't re-read the thing properly.
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What I actually read was, "I am Cheese."
I know this is the frustation thread but this really made me laugh so much. Now everytime I see the pic I imagine the little newt saying "I'm cheese!" xD
My frustration is that clients don't send the fonts for the design projects properly. They send an indesign file which requires a "Condensed Bold Oblique" version of a font and they send me only a "Condensed" version or just a "Regular Bold" one, or something like that... and I have to go internet hunting the exact variation they need, or a free equivalent with the same characteristics... and that takes a ridiculous amount of time sometimes...
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I want so badly for the decent Muslims to claim their religion for their own, but I often think that may be impossible. ._.
In cheerier news, though: the Bhagavad Gita is the proverbial bomb!
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Oh snap, it seems GFW (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Shield_Project) has gained new skills.
Now if I use certain proxy software, my ISP will cut the access to foreign IPs for about five minutes (no matter I visit the site via proxy or directly). At first I thought the compendium was temporarily down, soon I discovered some other sites were done in the meanwhile, and messenger was dead too.
:? :shock: :o :cry::(
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rabble rabble rabble...
Just finished my show. One of 2 out of the 8 comics that actually got people out.
:shock: 2.0 came. Front and center.
Seriously? What a slap in my face. That was a hard show to get through, though it did go well. I'm so fucking pissed though. I guess she either really doesn't know she's KILLING me or she's playing a damn good game. That I have no fucking time or patience for. Some consistency or respect would be nice. And since we're in class together once a week the idea of calling her out on her bullshit is troublesome. FUCK!
Yea, I know I said before I was done with boring y'all to death with this shit, there are infinitely worse things I could be dealing with. But hot damn, it hurts.
ALSO went o go see another agent today. I had no intention of signing, just for the experience. They shat on my headshots and sent me on my way in 10 seconds. New agent has my shot front and center on their website. What a colossal waste of my time; that's what I get for thinking I had the powah, if only for one meeting.
Whatever. Got invited back to club for 2 different shows. Hell yea. back at open mic tomorrow, scene study (which apparently is only awkward for me, not her... :evil:)after that. 8/7.
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I know I'm the one to design the character, but I seriously HATE drawing Levant over and over again. >< I don't mind the outfit, but the hair frustrates me. What's worse, I'm trying it with a mouse since my Tablet's dead.
Che! And I could only steal my bro's UPS for mere 3 hours....
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Texas state government to fun formula one auto races while cutting education funding (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-11/texas-taxpayers-finance-formula-one-auto-races-as-schools-dismiss-teachers.html)
Really Texas, really?
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Do I have to spend money after money? First my monitor busted. Okay, I thought, I'd just buy a better one. Then my bicycle, and it was okay coz I can buy better pedals. Then my UPS, and it's still under repair. Then my netbook Battery gave out, so I thought I'd buy a 6-cell instead. And now I thought I'd get some art done (I've been away from the love of art for over a month now), and I realize my tablet isn't functioning anymore.
:picardno
At least I managed to finish composting the cutscene.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_425Kdjg4ujY/SsE1ACaJ8cI/AAAAAAAAABI/b7KLh11pYxw/s1600/wtf.png)
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:D :D :D :D
My day thus far:
Woke up this morning to read a bunch of garbage on the ol' facebook machine from you-know-who. Cue 7 boring paragraphs of speculation etc etc etc :lol:
Managed to work out, keeping it consistent. Actually fit nicely into some pants I hadn't been able to wear in about 7 years a lil bit back. So that's cool. Wait, I guess that's a good thing then....ummm.... I know! I can't fit into any of my other pants now because they're too big. So it looks likes I'm an ass who wears his pants too low all the time.
One of my contact lenses decided today when I put it in to slide on the other side of my eyeball. Holy shit that's a horrendous sentence but it stays!!! Yea that was painful.
Enormous spider in my shower today whilst showering. Had I seen the little fucker in a normal situation the little shit wouldn't have stood a chance. But I was...you know....showering. Advantage spider. Cue Windex!! Needless to say, there is water everywhere in my bathroom now.
I gotta move to a different location (owners of my place are selling it) so I gotta get rid of my chickens and deal with all the normal moving nonsense. No way I'm getting a better deal than the one I have now, too. Alas, so it goes.
Today, I'm getting some chuckles out of it at least.
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You're getting rid of the chickens?! But... but what if the place you move to allows you to keep them? D:
I know that I gripe about the cat a lot. I hate him and I want to make him go away. But he's... he's sick, now. I... I feel bad. I feel bad that I wished this onto another living being. The poor thing is having trouble breathing. He can barely say 'Mrow', let alone his almost iconic 'MROWWWWWWOW' when he wants food or water.
Unfortunately, we can't really get him to a vet. The money... just isn't there right now. We're making him comfortable here, but otherwise... it just... kind of sucks.
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Really Texas, really?
Yes really ._. Though after the textbook debacle of last year I can believe anything: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/education/13texas.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/education/13texas.html)
My friends and I protested the hell out of all of this but there is only so much you can do when the populace of your state is willing to elect Rick Perry as governor over and over again, despite his many, many embarrassing shenanigans (including calling us to 'pray for rain,' shooting a coyote on one of his runs - who brings a gun on a jog?!, florescent eyestraining hairgel, etc) and stunts like calling for public schools to be replaced by "Christian culture centers." (By which he means evangelical Christian, of course.) There are a lot of wonderful dimensions to Texas, but the politics at a state level are not one of them.
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Oh no, those chickens. That's a blow.
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Wolfgang didn't make it through the night.
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Alas, so it goes.
Someone's been visiting the Slaughterhouse.
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I'm sorry to hear about your cat, Bard_of_Time. Even if you didn't get along with the cat, it's always sad having to part with a pet. At least, you were able to make his last hours more comfortable.
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Yeah... even though he and I weren't always on the best of terms, it's still sad. I'm gonna miss the way he would clambor up onto me while I was playing a game or something and settling himself awkwardly in my lap, usually putting his paws in the most uncomfortable of places. And nudging my hands while I did something technical, and licking me. And begging for food. And drinking out of the toilet.
... I think he was actually a dog in disguise, or thought he was one.
The important thing, though, is to think positive. He's not in pain anymore. He was comfortable. We gave him a good home and good food and good water and good poopbox. And tonight is going to be fun. Not 'fun' in the sarcastic way, but for serious fun. Tonight's the promenade, and my date and I are going to have fun, whether she wants to or not!
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Alas, so it goes.
Someone's been visiting the Slaughterhouse.
FINALLY!
Granted, been a while since I've read it but the phrase alwaaaays stuck.
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Thanks to a fun pharmacy mishap (long story full of some personal details, and there's a long writeup on my personal LJ), I've ended up going off of two medications cold turkey that you should absolutely not go off of cold turkey. Both medications least seizures as possible side effects of simply quitting without tapering off, and I had to dump both at once. Fun times. On the bright side, I think I got through the roughest part of it yesterday (though I really don't want to tempt fate by being so sure of that). And no seizures. That's the best part. If I'm lucky, I may be able to get some more of the medicine tomorrow. Thanks pharmacy for making my weekend not fun, and for having bizarre filling practices.
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Ugh, I just can't believe the essentialist, social-Darwinist mantras floating around in economics-related Internet commentary. "If they generate value, they'll get hired! If they generate value, they'll be paid! If that straight-A Biochem major son of yours didn't get employed, that means he wouldn't have generated any value!" I've read this stuff over and over again, for real. Like, this is the way people are actually thinking. My, how easy it is to wash one's hands of the plight of the poor and unemployed in Western society these days!
I say, the deepest root cause of the recession is a lack of vision and leadership. People defaulting on their homes en masse is merely a symptom of that root cause. Our system has gotten so good at weeding talent out for any niche occupation (and what occupations aren't niche any more, among those that pay well?), we've forgotten how to put talent to good use, and how to transform existing talent to more effective use.
Some stand back and say, "Ah, there's just too many people, and not enough of them have the right talent; the system can't possibly provide them all jobs." If that is truly the case, then the field of economics has utterly, utterly failed us as a society. At what point does the "Hey guys! Let's put everything to use!" enthusiasm of Econ 101 turn into this morass?
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Yeah, as if money is the end-all, be-all measure of value.
It feels like the entire economic and financial system is going to need revision after the truth that growth cannot be perpetual sinks in. The world's resources are finite. And human population is mushrooming. These two trains of doom are speeding towards one another, and will be the greatest challenge humanity has ever known.
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Bard_of_Time--I'm really sorry about your cat. Losing a pet is always difficult. I am, however, glad that you're staying positive and I hope you and your date had a fantastic time at prom!
rushingwind--I could probably write an entire book about how goddamn frustrating pharmacies can be. >< Not getting the right medication, not having it in stock at all, forgetting to contact your doctor so that you can't get your meds on time. UGH. I hope you were able to get your meds eventually, and that the side effects weren't too terrible. :/ I missed one of my pills because of a pharmacy screw-up, and I had body spasms the entire day. It felt like my brain was having small little seizures and it was absolutely terrifying. And that was only ONE day after missing ONE pill. Fucking pharmacies...
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I miss having a best friend (other than D). I miss having intimate friendships so much.
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(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/RIPBuck.jpg)
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/SweetB.jpg)
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/FitzFlying.jpg)
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/ApplePoPo.jpg)
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/SweetBTree.jpg)
It's our last hour together... :(
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Some stand back and say, "Ah, there's just too many people, and not enough of them have the right talent; the system can't possibly provide them all jobs." If that is truly the case, then the field of economics has utterly, utterly failed us as a society. At what point does the "Hey guys! Let's put everything to use!" enthusiasm of Econ 101 turn into this morass?
As if we didn't create this system with our own hands. It's not as if we understand and control it all, necessarily, but we certainly own it. The people who refuse to acknowledge our part in how things are often have a stake in the status quo remaining what it is.
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@Faustwolf, ZeaLitY and Syna: What people need is dreams. True, quite a lot of them have it, but not all of them follow it through till the end. Worst case scenario, they're rushing on through debris of a broken system, in turn falling into the depths of no return. At least America find and nurture talent, if not being able to find good use of it. In India, especially, it's harder to do the same, and people rely on social skills, politics, bribery and Godfathers to find the position they need, which in turn makes the best talented folks out there tossed through the edge and falling in poverty and helplessness. Then I decided to build my own bridge to walk past the debris without being an asshole, and helped folks without expecting anything in return. Somehow that paid off, and surprisingly I made friends with a man who's eager to help me back; I asked for college admission, and got it. Heh, looks like I'm lucky.
@Shee and Bard_of_Time: If it's any consolation, I too felt the same way. The other day I logged onto Windows Live Messenger on Windows 7, and saw the status message I haven't changed for almost a year: "RIP Chu - 5th August, 20010". Every time I see that message images of little Chu flood my mind, sleeping serenely on a ledge, or following me and my bro, meowing and scratching our pants. I feel guilty of my helplessness and stupid decision, as I could have prevented her fate and let her enjoy her new life. Sure, cats are selfish, and the kitten simply tried to own me every time she got, but she was still innocent. Still a child. This is the unmanliest thing I've ever done: I weep typing about a kitten. Can't believe it's been almost a year.
P.S.: @Shee: Lookin adorable, there! :)
Today's frustration: ..............FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....dge...
They rescheduled my exams again. And two more projects to go after that. And they're asking me to pay 500 rupees more.
*bangs head*
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Dreams will be useless if everyone keeps believing in the illusion of perpetual growth. The idea of going to a university, getting a fantastic career, owning a home, etc. is all predicated on the current pace of economic expansion. Things will be radically different once the gravy train runs out.
Fuck this: http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,763294,00.html
Merkel tells Greece to raise the retirement age and cut vacation time.
How dare you enjoy a more leisurely lifestyle! You must work, Greeks! You must slave the rest of your lives for your financial overlords so the rest of Europe can enjoy a stable currency! Damn your lifestyle; join the capitalist rat-race and piss away your life funneling your labor and wealth to the plutocracy! Human fulfillment WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr28/SheeREno/SweetB.jpg)
Always loved that picture.
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Dreams will be useless if everyone keeps believing in the illusion of perpetual growth. The idea of going to a university, getting a fantastic career, owning a home, etc. is all predicated on the current pace of economic expansion. Things will be radically different once the gravy train runs out.
There's a rule I always go by: what you acquire are only tools, means to an end. Primary needs are food and shelter, and money is a necessity, not luxury to me. :kz I follow the path of dreams, and those dreams are my soul. I shall help bring the change.
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(http://i.imgur.com/1Npzs.png)
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Don't wear the shirt just yet--the Rapture is tomorrow.
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Yeah, Mr. Camping has a few hours to go yet since he's in California. May 22 is gonna be weird -- a local radio station in my area is one of those that carries his broadcasts, and I'm morbidly curious as to what's gonna air on it from now on. I'm glad it's not causing a national uproar or anything. More people psychologically cracked in the leadup to Crimson Echoes than the leadup to this, fascinatingly. Even his official Youtube channel is surprisingly untrafficked. I guess the Second Coming of Crono was more relevant to our generation. :D
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Hah, I was just about to post that on WTF thread, but looks like everyone already knows about it. When I told dad about the Rapture thing I read here, (http://www.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Famericas%2Fus-preacher-warns-end-of-the-world-is-nigh-21-may-around-6pm-to-be-precise-2254139.html) he simply stated, "We're all gonna die sooner or later anyway, so why not just make our lives the best of what we have now?" That's the most inspiring thing I've heard all week.
More people psychologically cracked in the leadup to Crimson Echoes than the leadup to this, fascinatingly. Even his official Youtube channel is surprisingly untrafficked. I guess the Second Coming of Crono was more relevant to our generation. :D
Sir Crono doesn't need a glorified Second Coming! His Second Coming was at Zeal when it fell, Third at the Dark Ages, Fourth when he was reborn in 1000 AD and Fifth when Lavos poked out of his hole. And each time we were saved! :lol:
Speaking of which, I once saw a DBZ-esque Manga of Jesus once. I forget where...
P.S.: This again reminds me, it's still highly possible. Correlation rather than causation, I mean. Not necessarily Christ descending, but any major event might be the last for the human race. Black Holes and Magnatars? Earthquakes and Volcanoes? We can predict Earthquakes, but not well enough to know when. So yeah, I'm going to stick to my father's words and make everyday the best I've lived. 8)
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One of those Rapture billboards popped up on the way home, between the costume store and the old strip club. The strip club is no longer operational. I never did get what they were trying to say. I thought it was a radio program that the Bible guaranteed. Regardless, if the world is going to end, let it! If it isn't, good for it!
Frustration: If the world ends, I'm going to go out a virgin. :|
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Meh, I heard about it some days ago. It's not the first time Rapture have been predicted, probably not the last :lol: The end of the world sounds like a good excuse to throw a party, anyway xD
I guess the Second Coming of Crono was more relevant to our generation. :D
Sir Crono doesn't need a glorified Second Coming!
When I read Faustwolf comment yesterday I couldn't help thinking there was a Sir Crono joke there xD
Today's Frustration: I have no patience for children, and my nephew and nieces are a handful sometimes @_@
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Middle schoolers are the worst, IMO. They're still annoyingly high pitched and immature, and yet they want to be like high schoolers. And the only way to do that is to emulate what they see in movies... and that drives me nuts.
Frustration: I want to play a game about SAVING THE WORLD, but I'm not sure which one I want to play. A Final Fantasy? Chrono? Fire Emblem? Mario??
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What a friend of mine semi-affectionately refers to as 'apocaphilia' fascinates me; it feels as though our era is pretty marked by obsessions with the apocalypse and a not-so-subtle desire on the part of many, many people to see it happen, but I do know that apocalyptic references go way back, as far as Egypt's Middle Kingdom, even. I'm not sure I know enough about history to make an educated guess as to whether it's more potent now than in other times, though.
Even my 10-year-old brother is obsessed with zombies right now. Honestly, it exhausts me-- I know why it's culturally and psychologically relevant, there's nothing wrong with it in principle, but in practice it just seems so... escapist, or something. Like people just want to give up. Everyone needs to sit down and watch The Road and take a good, hard look at themselves. We really don't want this to happen! Let's try to make things better!
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It's not the first time Rapture have been predicted, probably not the last
Unfortunately, it isn't the first time this organization predicted the Rapture, and it probably wont be the last either
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Yeah, I've wondered if there isn't some kind of nihilism underlying the fascination with doomsday. Or maybe people just think it'd be exciting? When something's lacking in people's lives and it takes the apocalypse to fill that void...that's a little creepy.
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Frustration: I want to play a game about SAVING THE WORLD, but I'm not sure which one I want to play. A Final Fantasy? Chrono? Fire Emblem? Mario??
SimCity! All those empty tiles...awaiting their potential fulfilled!
Tetris: Will the L-Shaped Block doom us all? Can the Soviets launch their rocket on-time?
Metroid Prime 3: What better way to save our world than by blowing up another one!
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There's nothing more epic than tetris :P
[youtube]VE_1KlWFJyA[/youtube]
Middle schoolers are the worst, IMO. They're still annoyingly high pitched and immature, and yet they want to be like high schoolers. And the only way to do that is to emulate what they see in movies... and that drives me nuts.
A couple of years ago, I was stuck with a group of middle schoolers for a week, during a religious retirement... and, man, they were immature and annoying as hell...
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What a friend of mine semi-affectionately refers to as 'apocaphilia' fascinates me; it feels as though our era is pretty marked by obsessions with the apocalypse and a not-so-subtle desire on the part of many, many people to see it happen, but I do know that apocalyptic references go way back, as far as Egypt's Middle Kingdom, even. I'm not sure I know enough about history to make an educated guess as to whether it's more potent now than in other times, though.
Even my 10-year-old brother is obsessed with zombies right now. Honestly, it exhausts me-- I know why it's culturally and psychologically relevant, there's nothing wrong with it in principle, but in practice it just seems so... escapist, or something. Like people just want to give up. Everyone needs to sit down and watch The Road and take a good, hard look at themselves. We really don't want this to happen! Let's try to make things better!
That's very perceptive. Pessimistic storytelling is very big right now, both in the form of apocalyptic fiction and dystopian fiction. It's getting nuts in sci-fi; like a virus it's the flavor of the moment and it's hard to find sci-fi that doesn't at least have these kinds of undertones. It's an issue in fantasy as well, and has more recently become an aggressive evolved version of the disaster format of action films--leading to what some people derisively call "disaster porn": Hollywood big-budget movies that involve killing and eradicating most of civilization in lurid graphic detail. Nor is this an issue only in America, with other countries favoring pessimistic storytelling to various degrees.
It comes from the good times we're in. Both in material quality of life and in civil liberties, most (Western) people right now have a very comfortable life and have considerable freedom to do what they like. It may not seem like it, but we live in both a golden age and an age of legends, where high technology and high quality of life both rule. That's the good news; all of this apocalypse fiction and such is a sign of the good times.
Most people who benefit from our comfortable way of life aren't able to comprehend that we're living in good times, however, because if one hasn't found fulfillment in life from within oneself, it doesn't matter what external setting one may dwell in--and when that setting is lush and magnificent, it becomes more like a cruel irony to feel so internally wanting. Many people's natural tendency toward insecurity can make this feeling even worse. Also, most people aren't equipped to deal with many of the unnatural stressful particulars imposed upon our society--such as unsatisfying jobs, hydralike social webs, and the attention-sapping barrages of media. On top of everything else, we live in an age where our enemies are hard to touch (existing, variously, as foreign terrorists, huge corporations, or even such abstracts as the environmental pollution caused by our very existence), and our champions are nowhere to be found--often drowned out by the mass media.
This combination of lack of fulfillment amid good times, festering personal inadequacy, and continuing outside stress...leads people to the cynicism which makes them so attracted to stories where civilization is destroyed or corrupted. For some it is an act of vengeance to partake of such stories. For others it is projection. For still others it is the mere escapism which you mentioned.
You're entirely correct that we don't really want an apocalypse to happen. Those who think they do are either sick in the head or, more likely, deluded. Most of the rest are either cynics who are convinced it will happen and that they have no control to stop it (an allegory for their own lives), or are stressed people who are coping with life's difficulties by indulging in one of the oldest forms of coping: imaginative What-Ifs where you can sock it to everybody who ever did you wrong. When they take in these disaster stories...they're the hero. They're identifying with the people who survive and live on to build a new world.
I echo your wise sentiment. We don't really want this to happen! Let's try to make things better!
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At my spare time at work I read the news, watch stuff, read the comments, formulate thoughts, evaluate theories and test them, and just when I've reached the brink towards revelation... something distracts my train of thoughts, and I forget all of it. All of it! It's like my brain is functioning on fucking 64MB of RAM! I wish I could remember things at will, then temporarily forget them when I don't need them, and recall them again. Human brain has the capability of forgetting things via simply unlinking thoughts, then recall them with a zap. But its archiving method isn't sufficient for me. I need a super-evolved brain now!
More frustration and replies on the way, provided I get my net recharged. x.x
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It's a sad day when a good, intelligible forum is attacked by spammers who think they're funny.
:roll:
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It's a sad day when a good, intelligible forum is attacked by spammers who think they're funny.
:roll:
Agreed. They could never live up to the hilarity that is My Immortal anyway.
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Ah, Christ! This is what happens when I wait (not the spam thing, but my own mental capabilities). About the rapture, about the people's mindsets on apocalypse, about anticipation and significance of events, etc. I had built up such good insights about all of those, and by the time I come back to work to get access to the internet and just to share it, I... forgot.
WHAT THE #*&^*&%#*&_*%&t(& -GOOSE!!!
If only I could remember those huge walls of text and chains of thought like Lord J. People in RL tell me I have a lot of things in my head. I tell them it isn't enough.
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I got ahold of some DA points (Deviantart currency) by getting ride of my old and neglected chickensmoothie (http://www.chickensmoothie.com/) critters. I thought the DA points were worth more, but apparently I don't have enough points to buy something from the DA shop, and now I feel silly because I don't know what to do with them, few artists accept Point Commissions. Maybe I should just wait and save the points until I can afford a print or something nice.
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willow stole my fjcuking swtet. :picardno
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WHAT THE #$%&!!!!
.....
THEY RESCHEDULED MY EXAMS AGAIN! FIRST WEEK OF JUNE!! :evil:
......
*tears books and clothes apart, jumps out the window*
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*tears books and clothes apart, jumps out the window*
Err...*sets up trampoline outside window really quickly*?
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Yeah, finals are frustrating. One of my teachers has decided that everyone in his mixed earth science class will take the final that seniors get, then the underclassmen will have a second final, covering everything that the seniors missed. But I'm a senior, so I don't care!
There's this... this thing on my leg. I'm not sure what it is. I've had it for a while, it's raised, brown, and it hurts. I'm worried about it...
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You should check out that with a Doc, Bard_of_Time, Internet is the worst place to look for medical support.
I actually googled your sympthom, with the intention of giving you a more useful response, and I got "melanoma" in the first result :| Internet is just bad like that. I really don't think it's a melanoma, but get that checked out, okay?
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I've seen a dude around the comedy clubs going on about self - diagnosis on the internet. It was absolutely hysterical. Going from a common cold to hell-bent sickness etc etc etc. I wouldn't trust it a whole lot, but maybe a good laugh can help
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Yeah, a doctor plan is in the works. Melanoma does actually make sense, and that's why I'm so damned nervous about it. I remember in a health class, the health teacher specifically pointed me out as a risk for skin cancer. Pale skin, blonde hair, blue eyes, and he's familiar with the rest of my family. Alex had serious freckles in high school, and I've since grown out of them.
But I'm not worrying right now. ... well, yes I am, but I'm not going to get myself into a dither about it. I'm going to calm myself, play some video games, because what can I do right now? Diddly squat. ... except maybe cut it out. ... which would make it worse, in regards to pain.
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I really miss my freckles. :/ They went away when I was ten, when I moved to Scotland. That might've had something to do with it. :P
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Well if you have access to liquid nitrogen, you could always burn the thing off yourself.
... Okay, maybe I have been hanging around researchers too much.
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Bard_of_Time, I'd hate to encourage consternation, but please don't hesitate to make an appointment with a dermatologist and get that removed. The only way to cure melanoma is to nip it while it's in situ.
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People talking about God in regards to catastrophes is frustrating. This tornado outbreak has spawned the usual Bible Belt religious nuttery. Everyone should watch that Youtube video of people enduring the Joplin, MO EF-4 tornado from inside a convenience store freezer; the sound of shredding wind is horrific, and the humanity is palpable.
But it's drastically fucked by prayer. "Heavenly father! Jesus! Jesus!" Oh yes, God will save you from the tornado! Nevermind that this all-powerful God let the fucking tornado HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. This kind of bullshit, stupid reasoning comes up whenever there's a tragedy A man falls from a skyscraper and lives? Praise Jesus! Though praising Loki would be more apt, since Jesus apparently had the itch to throw the man off the skyscraper in the first place. An earthquake massacres an entire town, but a baby survives? Praise Jesus! Nevermind that He allowed this earthquake to kill hundreds; this baby that survived is surely evidence of His divine hand!
It's the same stupid bullshit with prayer in general. "God has a Plan of Salvation! The Lord works in mysterious ways." Yeah, that's fine and good until you fucking want something. Oh no, your relative is dying! Time to pray, in effect doubting God's plan and preempting Him with your own selfish desires! But never fear, God answers prayers. Any sports fan would tell you that. Oh, especially sports fans. You can count on God to win the big game for the home team, even while prayers for relieving starving, emaciated, AIDS-stricken children in undeveloped countries go totally unanswered.
Fuck magical thinking. Fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it fuck it. Fuck all exploded theorems and failed hypotheses about wonderful phenomena. Religion and spirituality have got to fucking go. Bury them under the sands of the Sahara and forget them. There is no God. There is no Allah. There is no Yahweh. There is no Elohim. There is no divine Buddha. There is no Shiva. There is only the universe, something more majestic than a bunch of Dark Age druids across time and culture dreamed up for solace in the cold.
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"My Freckles Left Me in Scotland" would be a good song.
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"My Freckles Left Me in Scotland" would be a good song.
Sounds like a country song.
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@ZeaLitY: That post of yours was far less intelligent the the previous ones regarding your frustrations towards religion, but I'm actually going agree with you on this one. Religion is more like a moral guide, and more, than an absolute law, and I hate seeing people trapped in a bubble of fantasy rather than thinking rationally. The tornado at Missouri was devastating, the earthquakes at Haiti and Japan were woeful, and while people ought to try help them somehow they'd rather sit on their asses in delusions that God has some kinda plan. If they really believed in Jesus' dreams of saving humanity, then they ought to go fulfill it: by saving humanity! Donate! Inspire! Give them hope!
Sometimes I feel I'm glad being born in India where the religious (New Gen) are practical and rational, rather than America. Indians pray to Gods, not for some supernatural being that may or may not exist, but a God that is a personification of everything good within us. Their prayers are answered, not because we think there's some wizard looking out for us, but because their prayers give them the spirit to do the impossible. They pray for humanity.
Unfortunately I do not share their views that much, because as much as I love the vast Hindu culture and our ancestors I cannot bring myself to pray. But I'm not afraid to step into a temple, gurudwara, mosque, monastery or church and pay my humble respects either.
"My Freckles Left Me in Scotland" would be a good song.
That made me LOL!
I don't believe this! They keep rescheduling my exams like it's a joke! They first said January, then rescheduled twice to March, then April, May and now June! Haven't I paid for my fees? Haven't I worked hard to reach till here? Every retard in my class received his/her certificate, so why do they keep delaying mine? On top of that they keep apologizing. Oh, excuse me Headmistress, the term I'm sorry only applies with a promise it wouldn't happen again, and yet you keep fucking up every time you get!
*sigh* I can't even get a job unless I pass college, which can't begin unless I get the fucking certificate! ><
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If they really believed in Jesus' dreams of saving humanity, then they ought to go fulfill it: by saving humanity! Donate! Inspire! Give them hope!
I usually avoid talking religion here, but I must say there are christians and catholics who are like this too :| I hope I can become more like this myself. Christianism is based on the ideal of becoming more Christ-like, not in asking for Christ to do your job and mouth feed you anything you want. In Mexico we have the saying "Dios solo ayuda al que se ayuda" (God only helps the ones who help themselves) which basically means "Get up your lazy ass and don't wait for God solve your life. That's not the way it works, dude" :P
"My Freckles Left Me in Scotland" would be a good song.
That made me LOL!
Me too xD
*sigh* I can't even get a job unless I pass college, which can't begin unless I get the fucking certificate! ><
Welcome to my life :?
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I don't think prayers made by victims of disaster as the disaster takes place really have much to do with religious belief, oddly enough--it's more a matter of grasping at straws: they have no other way to affect what's happening, and therefore they pray even if they don't really believe it will have any effect on the outcome, and don't believe in the divine in general, simply because it's something to do. Terror-driven spinal reflex due to cultural context, not worship.
On the other hand, people not otherwise involved in the disaster who use religion as an excuse not to help (or worse, to claim that the victims deserve it) deserve to be tarred and feathered.
@tushantin: Given the number of times this has now happened, it sounds to me like they may be screwing you over intentionally, rather than negligently. Unfortunately, I don't know what you can do about it.
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In Mexico we have the saying "Dios ayuda al que se ayuda" (God only helps the ones who help themselves) which basically means "Get up your lazy ass and don't wait for God solve your life.
You're kidding me! XD That's the exact same phrase (English/Hindi version, of course) we live by here! I can understand the implication being shared through the world, but not the exact sentence.
I'm glad at least someone from the American continent sees it the way we do here. If we're a legacy of something important, then let us fulfill those dreams that benefit mankind.
I don't think prayers made by victims of disaster as the disaster takes place really have much to do with religious belief, oddly enough--it's more a matter of grasping at straws: they have no other way to affect what's happening, and therefore they pray even if they don't really believe it will have any effect on the outcome, and don't believe in the divine in general, simply because it's something to do. Terror-driven spinal reflex due to cultural context, not worship.
On the other hand, people not otherwise involved in the disaster who use religion as an excuse not to help (or worse, to claim that the victims deserve it) deserve to be tarred and feathered.
That's quite a unique insight, and I admit I never thought about that. I'm going to ponder over this all night, I suppose. The mere thought might trigger a chain reaction in my head. :lol:
@tushantin: Given the number of times this has now happened, it sounds to me like they may be screwing you over intentionally, rather than negligently. Unfortunately, I don't know what you can do about it.
What I can do is destroy their business, plucking it from the roots and leaving them in market debt, plus the added criminal charges they couldn't expect, but I'm not sure how that would help me get my certificate. I'm hardly powerful, but I am extremely clever. Also, I'm anything but vengeful and usually forgive easily, but this behavior of theirs is driving me over the edge.
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There are very similar sayings in French--"Aide toi, et le ciel t'aidera"--and (primarily British, I think) English--"Heaven helps those who help themselves." A shame they seem to be mostly ignored in the US.
@tushantin: Yeah, screwing them over in return doesn't seem like it would help you make progress toward your actual goal. I think you've hit the point where someone over here who was in a similar position might start considering getting the legal system involved, but I suspect that might be a bad idea (or just impractical) in your country.
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Thought is clearly a far better prophet than Mr. Camping:
http://www.webpronews.com/harold-camping-rapture-rescheduled-for-october-21-twitter-laughs-on-2011-05 (http://www.webpronews.com/harold-camping-rapture-rescheduled-for-october-21-twitter-laughs-on-2011-05)
As hilarious as this is, I'm at a point where I just feel sorry for this old man and his ravenous need for validation.
Or maybe people just think it'd be exciting? When something's lacking in people's lives and it takes the apocalypse to fill that void...that's a little creepy.
It's something like that, I think. Lord J's post lead me to think that in addition to the reasons he mentioned, and a general association of Darkness and Grimness with Realism and Authenticity (which drives me crazy, by the way), we just see few opportunities for heroic acts. A hundred years ago there was at least the possibility that you could venture across the world in search of new experiences and find something that few people had ever seen before. Video has done away with that, of course. Advances in technology have always popularized survival stories, and I guess the simplest and most compelling way of setting the premise for one in our era is the apocalypse.
Pessimistic storytelling is very big right now, both in the form of apocalyptic fiction and dystopian fiction. It's getting nuts in sci-fi; like a virus it's the flavor of the moment and it's hard to find sci-fi that doesn't at least have these kinds of undertones.
You know, it's funny you mention this, because a friend of mine forwarded this article onto me yesterday: http://futurismic.com/2009/06/18/pessimistic-science-fiction-is-a-cop-out/ (http://futurismic.com/2009/06/18/pessimistic-science-fiction-is-a-cop-out/) We live in a comfortable, rich world, as you say, and it's just incredible to me that people will come up with that many excuses to write something grim! Especially when trying something different from the norm, and getting your work published, is such a difficult task for modern-day writers.
The reason, of course, is the one you give: people are not fulfilled, they don't know how to be fulfilled (and they are predisposed to whining). To say nothing of the fact our evolution hasn't caught up with the technological demands of our society yet.
And honestly, a lot of smart, aware people I know are genuinely terrified: http://www.utne.com/Environment/Truth-Hurts-Conversation-Altered-World-Systemic-Failures.aspx (http://www.utne.com/Environment/Truth-Hurts-Conversation-Altered-World-Systemic-Failures.aspx) Most of the time I am inclined to chalk it up to a love of conspiracy and general paranoia, but that's not quite fair. There's a heartstopping amount information out there, and much of it is negative-- one can, fairly easily, be well-read and inquisitive and be exposed largely to articles and analysis that is generally negative, and dismiss the positive information one finds as manipulative or unrealistic.
Also, most people aren't equipped to deal with many of the unnatural stressful particulars imposed upon our society--such as unsatisfying jobs, hydralike social webs, and the attention-sapping barrages of media. On top of everything else, we live in an age where our enemies are hard to touch (existing, variously, as foreign terrorists, huge corporations, or even such abstracts as the environmental pollution caused by our very existence), and our champions are nowhere to be found--often drowned out by the mass media.
I can't add anything to this except to say that it is spot-on, and presents an interesting challenge to those of us who are storytellers.
There's been a lot of analysis on the cultural function of superheroes as heroic myth, but I feel we need to begin talking about heroism in particular outside of the standard tropes of fantasy, sci-fi and superhero stories. It's very hard to figure out how to do this in a compelling way, however. But that's another post altogether, probably best delegated to the writing thread!
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Tonight's plans were canceled because it seems everyone I know is sick. Including me. I'm bummed that I can't hang out with anyone tonight. I look forward to Friday all week. :/
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Sajainta, if it makes you feel any better, I'm sick, too. And there's the whoooole weekend! Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, too!
Today was an absolutely beautiful day. I decided to get out and do something productive, like riding my bike. Turns out the cat, before he expired, found a way to puncture my tires. :|
The good news is Sam is back for the summer (unless he runs off with his roommate again...), so fun times with him. Both in the sarcastic sense and in the actual sense.
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:shock: A cockroach climbed in my desktop and I didn't notice until I started to feel something funny in my hand...
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I'm on the first stop of my road trip in Saint Louis, MO (a little over 700 miles). Memorial Day has been awesome... until tonight, when someone felt compelled to put a brick through my windshield.
I know exactly one person in Saint Louis, and I was inside of her house when this happened. We heard shouting then glass cracking and then we called police. I wondered at first if I had some crazy stalker that had followed me here from North Carolina, as I didn't think I'd been here long enough to make such a mortal enemy. However, after some police questioning with the neighbors, apparently I have a very similar car (dark plum colored Saturn S-series) to the lady directly across the street. Her ex-boyfriend has been threatening her and showing up at weird hours of the night harassing her. Oh yeah, he just happened to be hanging out at the gas station down the street around that time, too. It seems my car windshield was the victim of mistaken car identity. Despite it being parked AT THE WRONG HOUSE, and despite it having North Carolina tags instead of Missouri tags. WTF, I know you're a vandal, but can't you read?
This stuff only happens to me, I swear it.
On the bright side, my insurance company is taking care of it, and is showing up tomorrow to replace the windshield. Boy, am I glad I didn't drop that "Other Than Collision" coverage last week... (I considered it!) Also, good thing that I wasn't planning on leaving Saint Louis until Thursday, heh... To be honest, I'm kind of laughing about the whole thing. I could get mad or cry, but that wouldn't be very productive. Laughing seems appropriate since no one was hurt and nothing was stolen.
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:shock: A cockroach climbed in my desktop and I didn't notice until I started to feel something funny in my hand...
LMAO, I haven't seen a cockroach for years.
I recall when I was in elementary school, my living place has a lot of roaches. I got pretty much homework at that time and usually couldn't finish before 11:00 PM. When I got bored, I went to the kitchen for a roach hunt, using slingshot or even hammer for fun.
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RW, that is awful and must be so frustrating! I'm so glad your insurance is going to cover a new windshield.
I agree, sometimes you just have to laugh at unfortunate things. And I have to admit, I smiled when you said::
Despite it being parked AT THE WRONG HOUSE, and despite it having North Carolina tags instead of Missouri tags. WTF, I know you're a vandal, but can't you read?
because the way you described the vandal was seriously funny.
It is ridiculous that the vandal attacked your car. So much fail on their part.
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I was looking some information about scholarships in the mexican goverment website and got a blank page with the words "Fatal Error ownz you ! by s4r4d0"... ha! the goverment site was hacked, apparently... and I don't know if that's amusing or frustrating :?
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:shock: A cockroach climbed in my desktop and I didn't notice until I started to feel something funny in my hand...
I find it very saddening how gross people think bugs are, and how much better the world would be without them.
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No power for three whole days. Water cut for one day. Finally it's back. Hopefully it remains.
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I find it very saddening how gross people think bugs are, and how much better the world would be without them.
I don't think bugs shouldn't exist. I don't consider myself a bug hater xD I just don't want them climbing in my hands, it's not a good feeling. Cockroaches contaminate food and are pretty much a pest around here, not a good company. I think I have the right to dislike them.
No power for three whole days. Water cut for one day. Finally it's back. Hopefully it remains.
Sorry to hear that :/ Charge your cellphones and batteries and fill some buckets of water just in case it gets cut again. We get the water cut without warning very frequently here, and it really is annoying not being prepared for that.
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I find it very saddening how gross people think bugs are, and how much better the world would be without them.
I don't think bugs shouldn't exist. I don't consider myself a bug hater xD I just don't want them climbing in my hands, it's not a good feeling. Cockroaches contaminate food and are pretty much a pest around here, not a good company. I think I have the right to dislike them.
Actually, from what I've heard, that was a myth, and that cockroaches actually have slippery limbs where bacteria try to cling onto them but slip away the moment the host moves onto another surface. Well, I could be mistaken.
But I do know that I don't like insect poop all over my production stuff. o_O Have you felt how disgusting they are? Yuck!
No power for three whole days. Water cut for one day. Finally it's back. Hopefully it remains.
Sorry to hear that :/ Charge your cellphones and batteries and fill some buckets of water just in case it gets cut again. We get the water cut without warning very frequently here, and it really is annoying not being prepared for that.
Heh, yeah! My dad is always on "Automatic mode" for some reason when he wakes in the morning, always finishing chores, making tea and plugging in all phones on charging. We even filled two buckets of water, but apparently those aren't enough. Still, no power means we sit in the heat, and most of our work remains pending throughout the day. :(
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I find it very saddening how gross people think bugs are, and how much better the world would be without them.
That's a noble sentiment, and I appreciate the underlying opposition to xenophobia, but I think some discrimination is in order. Cockroaches are almost exclusively a pest upon humans. Their continued survival as a species is not threatened by their extermination in human areas, nor are they capable of being victimized the way higher animal life is. I have no reason to wish cockroaches off the face of the Earth, nor to promote their individual suffering, but I'd push the button to eradicate them from human communities were such a button around.
I suppose you might argue that their prevalence in our societies provides a worthwhile impetus for us to make advances in public health and sanitation, but, because they are not equal-opportunity offenders, their "impetus" primarily impacts the people who don't have the means to do anything about it.
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I have no problem with bugs. They're cool things, I guess. It's when they're in my house that I don't like it. Mr. Gigantic Spider does not belong in my house. Ms. Scary Bee doesn't, either. If Mr. Gigantic Spider and Ms. Scary Bee decide to have a party out in the lawn, more power to them! And if they want to chill out on our deck, that's cool too. It's when they crawl on me that gets me.
This morning's frustration: I feel like I need to go out and do things, be ready for something, anything. Just... WHAT, I don't know... and it's driving me insane!
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This morning's frustration: I feel like I need to go out and do things, be ready for something, anything. Just... WHAT, I don't know... and it's driving me insane!
Then BE insane! :D Wear jeans on your head, grab a belt and glue some bottles on em, carry a rambo squirt gun and run around screaming like Thor. IT'S SUPERLICIOUS!!!
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Actually, from what I've heard, that was a myth, and that cockroaches actually have slippery limbs where bacteria try to cling onto them but slip away the moment the host moves onto another surface. Well, I could be mistaken.
I've never hear of that, I'll have to check it out. Still, I have small children at home who spend half of the time playing in the floor and putting everything they find to their mouths, so I prefer not to take the risk :P
It's when they crawl on me that gets me.
This. :lol:
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Yea I don't miss my roach wars. Bugs...generally...don't bother me but roaches I hate. Probably due to that one who said hello in my bed a few years back...
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Quite. I remember that time I was getting ready for school and as soon as I put on my shoes, I felt something inside it, so I remove the shoe... and cue cockroaches getting out of shoe... :cry:
So yeah... though in general, bugs don't mind me either.
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I made a list of the things I wanted to finish this weekend and I just realized I didn't finished anything. I need to be more disciplined with my time :picardno
At least, this weeekend I met with many friends I haven't seen in quite a while. There's been a lot of things in my head lately, I haven't realized how much I missed them :)
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I warn this generation with the brutal murder of my patience: Never EVER waste good money on Animation institutes! Especially not if they offer a mere certificate. It's not worth it. You'll be paying an arm and leg just to get in, and what you gain in return will be equivalent of what you could have known with just a bit of research on your own. Not all of them, but most institutes offer basic software training rather than actual concepts and techniques of animation, and they don't even have proper equipment to deal with things. This is especially the case in India, and I can easily see why the country sucks in Visual Media business.
Regardless of your location, buying courses for animation is a waste of time and money, and the financial gains are only a fraction of what you spend. I could easily teach someone the basics at just a fraction of the cost and let them soak up the rest on their own (it seriously isn't that hard), but these days anybody with access to Blender, Flash, Audacity and a decent video editor can make a good short. Maya is a different topic, but once you know Blender and/or Lightwave, you will know Maya well too.
The second thing that annoys me is that most institutes think they know what they're doing but manage to fuck things up, ending in students paying for their blunders. I am yet to know when my final exam is. This is a joke. They're just fucking with me.
If you really want to invest in higher education in Media, go to Film Colleges. They're the best. Sure, the teachers might be douchebags, but you get better equipment, proper training, good grasp at concepts and a massive space to visualize your dreams.
Once again, think ten times before you spend on higher education, and ponder about the consequences of your choices. Research, it does you good.
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Once again, think ten times before you spend on higher education, and ponder about the consequences of your choices. Research, it does you good.
Sound advice no matter where you're living in the world these days, it seems. Really sorry to hear how this worked out for you tushantin.
The research is easier said than done though. Economic conditions change in such a way that guidance counselors would have to be clairvoyant to advise outgoing students properly at the secondary education level. The average quality and results of particular institutions does sound like something a guidance counselor would be able to investigate ahead of time, however.
I think part of the problem with higher education the world over is that nobody's pressuring these institutions to connect students directly to the work force; they just kind of throw you into the water and it's sink-or-swim. Added to the fact that companies are looking for very specific niche skills and experiences - rather than molding workers with more general skillsets into their specific needs during training phases - the economic environment is becoming frighteningly poisonous and inefficient in many areas.
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The average quality and results of particular institutions does sound like something a guidance counselor would be able to investigate ahead of time, however.
There's a problem with that: guidance counselors in my area aren't interested in students, but potential employees. I.e., they wouldn't help with which best courses to apply for, but where a person can try for a job. :?
Even if it's a bit of research it'll save you of a whole lot of trouble. Four years ago I was just a chap eager to learn and didn't bother looking up about this institute before joining. If I had known beforehand what their primary focus was I could have saved my money, taught all of it myself and focused on college instead. These guys hardly taught anything that did require their assistance, and the books they provided (which can easily be brought from library) were more useful to me than the teachers or what the institute offered.
And now when it's about my exam, they keep dilly dallying. They rescheduled it. Again! I called the headmistress up and scolded her coldly for it.
:picardno
I think part of the problem with higher education the world over is that nobody's pressuring these institutions to connect students directly to the work force; they just kind of throw you into the water and it's sink-or-swim. Added to the fact that companies are looking for very specific niche skills and experiences - rather than molding workers with more general skillsets into their specific needs during training phases - the economic environment is becoming frighteningly poisonous and inefficient in many areas.
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Someone I know gave herself a monroe piercing yesterday (here's (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2f85ULzcgMY/TRcP2wh_WRI/AAAAAAAABpo/Zt0gXRNZNXE/s1600/Monroe%25252BPiercing.jpg) what a monroe piercing looks like. The girl in the picture isn't my friend btw). She did it with a safety pin.
DIY piercings are dangerous enough, but a piercing that goes into your mouth? With a SAFETY PIN? That's so fucking stupid. No matter how much you think you "sterilize" a safety pin, it is NOT safe to stab yourself through the mouth with anything. You're not a professional. You don't know what the hell you're doing.
Look, DIY ear piercings I can understand. But not mouth ones. That's incredibly dangerous, considering how much bacteria is in your mouth and considering how often you use it.
I have a piercing that goes in my mouth--right below my bottom lip--and I had to take a LOT of precautions and do a LOT of after care after I got the piercing in order to keep it from getting infected. And I got it done at a professional and reputable place, with a sterilized needle. Not a goddamn safety pin.
So I told her this, in a much less mean tone. I told her she should take it out immediately to avoid infection, and that if she wanted a monroe, she should have gone to a piercing parlour.
And she responds by throwing a little temper tantrum on her blog. Really? I mean, really? I gave you my honest (and intelligent) advice, and I gave you said advice so that you would take out the stupid piercing and not get injured. But no. She had to throw a hissy fit.
(( I also think monroes are really unattractive and look like shiny moles, but that's irrelevant. ))
So two frustrations in one. 1) Self-piercing anywhere near the mouth is a stupid fucking idea. 2) People getting pissy when you give them solid, reasonable advice.
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2) People getting pissy when you give them solid, reasonable advice.
I hear ya. :?
You've no idea how many folks find a good advice as a personal offense, as if we somehow hurt their ego with our honest concern.
As for piercing, that's... that's horrible! Setting the event aside, I still don't understand what's the point of piercing anyway. If fashion harms your body in any way it isn't really worth being called fashion (that's what I've heard anyway).
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If done properly, piercings don't harm your body at all. It just makes a hole, which can close up if you take the piercing out for a long time.
If you don't understand what the point is in getting piercings, you should ask people you know why THEY got piercings. People get piercings for many different reasons. To reclaim their bodies, for artistic purposes (yes, body modification can be an art form), or because it looks beautiful to them. Those are all perfectly legitimate reasons. I wouldn't call it a "fashion", but that's just me. And it is definitely not harmful. It's just making a hole.
In addition to my piercings and tattoos being done for "reclaimation" purposes, I love decorating my body. I think piercings and tattoos can be very beautiful and artistic. I'm very proud of mine. If people don't like them--in addition to my pinkish / purple hair--then I really don't give a shit. This is my body, and I can decorate it however I please.
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My mother did a DIY piercing when she was really younger. Grandma wouldn't let her get her ears pierced, and back then they had these things that had you squeeze at them to slowly pierce one's ears. Mom did that, except without the slowly part.
Another friend did a DIY piercing on her lip as well. She had it done at school, and either her friend used a safety pin or the friend used an earring to get the job done. Within the week her lip was swollen and puffy. Internally I was chuckling.
It frustrates me too when people don't listen. If I tell you 'Dude, that essay is ridiculously plagiarized, trust me, I saw my brother WRITE that essay, you might want to reconsider turning it in.' and then you say 'No way, man. Look, I changed this whole paragraph right here.' and then turn the damned thing in and get EXPELLED for plagiarism... well, it's hard NOT to say 'I told you so', you know?
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The girl didn't take my advice, and left it in all night. -_____- But when she tried to change out the studs this morning, the hole closed up. Thank goodness. I swear, based on this and a plethora of other things she's done, I think this girl is the stupidest human being I know.
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I was so excited reading news from the E3 and suddenly I read the message that the city is under code red alert again, lots of cops and soldiers everywhere. awesome way to get back to reality :?
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Man, I'm in a really shitty mood. -___- I wish things weren't so crappy. I know, I know, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" but sometimes you just get sick of bad thing after bad thing hitting you in the face. And then you have to wonder if the phrase should be altered to "What doesn't kill you will probably try again."
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I'm sorry (kinda) but "What doesn't kill you will probably try again." Made me laugh. VERY heartily.
I remember talking with my acting coach about my (now rather ironic) Vegas trip a couple months ago and how it wasn't meant to be an "escape" of sorts, but turned out that way. And it pretty much was. And upon my arrival back into town it kinda just picked up where it left off. Shit just comes in bunches, good and bad. Anyway I told him about the escape-ness and all he said was
"There is no escape."
Then we laughed and parted ways, never to see each other again...for a week. You'll get there!
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I'm sorry (kinda) but "What doesn't kill you will probably try again." Made me laugh. VERY heartily.
Now that you mention it, it IS a rather funny statement. =)
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Ooooooooof.
Traffic won today. I'm in a knot. Rabble rabble
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If alternative medicine worked, it would be called medicine.
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If alternative medicine worked, it would be called medicine.
That's a simultaneously hilarious and poignant quote.
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Compy is slow.
Saj is mad at compy.
Nu-Hal, I love you...but you need to speed up, dammit.
Yes, I named my computer Nu-Hal. After our lovely friend :| and after HAL 9000.
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Online Novel + Regular updates + ADHD = Pounding out materials at the last minute.
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You should feed Nu-Hal muffins. Alternatively, open it up (carefully, or have a computer savvy friend do it) and clean it out. Not the actual files and such, but all the dust and such. On our old computer (called Molasses by Alex), someone suggested we clean out its innards. So I went to do that and found SPIDERS.
Molasses has since been donated to a computer repair shop.
They don't allow us in anymore.
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If Nu-Hal is a Windows PC, also check to make sure it isn't loading any services you don't need during start-up--those things can really gum up a system.
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Compy is slow.
Saj is mad at compy.
Nu-Hal, I love you...but you need to speed up, dammit.
Yes, I named my computer Nu-Hal. After our lovely friend :| and after HAL 9000.
My laptop is named HAL after HAL 9000 too :P and after my old desktop PC that was named like that for the same reason xD
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my laptop's name is "You Sonnuvabitch"
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my laptop's name is "You Sonnuvabitch"
Mine's nickname is "fuckingpieceofshit", but only when I'm very stressed and not when in mixed company xD (and for some weird reason I actually swear in english IRL)
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my laptop's name is "You Sonnuvabitch"
XDDD I guess that's what you'd call it regardless of it being an ass.
"Error: UI problem detected. Perhaps the Shut Down button shouldn't have been in the Start menu."
Mine's nickname is "fuckingpieceofshit", but only when I'm very stressed and not when in mixed company xD (and for some weird reason I actually swear in english IRL)
:shock: Okay, that scared me...
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:shock: Okay, that scared me...
The part about my computer's nickname or the part about swearing in english xD ??
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:shock: Okay, that scared me...
The part about my computer's nickname or the part about swearing in english xD ??
The middle one. 8)
I kinda always thought you were a cheerful one, always taking in anything fun thrown at you, and when I see people like that snapping I tend to shit bricks. Yeah, I can handle the devastating rage of a naturally violent bugger, but when a cheery person starts scolding out of the blue I don't know why I get so scared.
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:wink: I'm usually the cheerful one (my friends say that, that I never get angry xD). To people, to children, to dogs, I can take it. But computers.... Have you hear about calm people who have road rage when they get in the car? I have computer rage and only when I get very very stressed xD
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:wink: I'm usually the cheerful one (my friends say that, that I never get angry xD). To people, to children, to dogs, I can take it. But computers.... Have you hear about calm people who have road rage when they get in the car? I have computer rage and only when I get very very stressed xD
*Meekly raises hand at road rage......... and Republican/Tea Party rage.*
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My laptop is named HAL after HAL 9000 too :P and after my old desktop PC that was named like that for the same reason xD
Whoa, really? That's awesome!
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If Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis had been born in the purple, holding his famous traits constant, we would all presently be speaking Latin.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Cato_Utica_Louvre_LP2090.jpg/220px-Cato_Utica_Louvre_LP2090.jpg)
I am going to achieve that insane level of self-mastery.
(http://chronofan.com/Zeality/caesar.png)
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@ZeaLitY: That's... an interesting trivia. XD
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I don't understand why people are afraid of me / intimidated by me. I especially don't get why FRIENDS feel that way.
I don't know...I wrote an entry on my personal blog saying that I wish people would reach out to me and push back when I try and alienate myself. And the responses were "I'm afraid of you getting angry with me", "I'm really intimidated by you", and the ever-so-lovely "I look up to you", "I really admire you."
WHAT does that have to do with anything else they said? That if you admire a person, you're afraid of them?
I asked for help and the responses from every single one of my friends who responded were just...unhelpful. To say the least.
And I don't like being put on this pedestal or seen as this paragon of strength and survival. It's very lonely up there on that pedestal, and people don't expect you to crumble. Or they don't want you to crumble.
I don't know what to do. I just wanted a friend to talk to, and instead I got a bunch of "I don't know what to say and I'm really intimidated by you and kind of scared of you."
Thanks, friends. Thanks a lot. =(
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Before I say anything, I'd like to mention that people are probably going to misunderstand me. Again. :? Still, I'll remain brief (I'm tired of trying to explain things over and over again).
Saj, it wasn't what you said, rather it's (perhaps) how people actually know you. When you talked about your needs, especially asking close friends to keep close and/or give you space your statements would obviously bring factors in mind whether they can socially cope with you. Believe it or not, you're already standing on the pedestal people see you at but you're just not aware of it. Extreme thirst for knowledge and the ability to critically analyse whatever is on your plate usually brings gap of intimidation between you and the people you go out with. You're different, you're (in some ways) better and thus people are most likely to respect you for it. Yes, I've actually been there; very few people in RL would actually cope with conversations at either my level of intelligence or an open mind, while the rest of them see me as some kind of Sherlock Holmes.
To you, your intelligence may seem natural but most people don't share the same level of curiosity, most people don't see things as critically as you do, and they certainly do not stand boldly in the face of grief like you do. You're strong, Saj, and this is why people respect you and, at the same time, are intimidated by you. They know you're least likely to make a grave mistake in a situation. :) And they know that you give them strength! So be proud of who you are.
If you do want to reduce the gap, however, here's a simple idea: share your interest with your folks in a way they'd understand or enjoy (for instance, a friend of mine hates mythology, but when I told him that the battle of Ragnarok was like DBZ he instantly wanted to know more), and also try dabble into their interests too. It kinda helps them see why you see things the way you do. :wink:
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*bites nails* I crave to write a Young Sherlock Holmes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Sherlock_Holmes:_Black_Ice) vs Artemis Fowl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_Fowl_%28series%29)fanfiction...
...but I can't, if only because I have a couple of important projects already pending on my head.
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Screw you too, David Tyree. (http://www.tmz.com/2011/06/15/super-bowl-hero-david-tyree-gar-marriage-anarchy-wedding-new-york-giants/)
My brother has been significantly more open lately. He and I got to talking (he trusts me more than my parents) and he mentioned that up in MA he has a boyfriend. He has no clue how to talk to our (old fashioned, hardcore Catholic, deeply religious, very condescending) parents about it, for fear of being shunned. He had a lot of trouble telling them in the first place that he wanted to be involved with music (Dad has hated him for it), and he's not sure how to approach the subject. And it's things like THAT up there that make it even HARDER. I mean, sure, Sam doesn't want to get MARRIED yet. But when famous people say 'RABBLE RABBLE GAY PEOPLE SUCK THEY WILL CAUSE THE END OF THE WORLD' it makes it harder for others to be accepting.
You know, way back when, when people wanted blacks and whites to be married, they were probably like 'RABBLE RABBLE BLACK PLUS WHITE DOES NOT WORK NOT IN AMERICA RABBLE RABBLE'. Look at us now. One of my bestest friends comes from a black-white marriage. He turned out fine. I can't see what's wrong with a man marrying a man, or a woman marrying a woman.
... perhaps it's just that I'm a spoiled little northerner, sick and tired of the old customs his parents still practice.
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Syna, great post!
Or maybe people just think it'd be exciting? When something's lacking in people's lives and it takes the apocalypse to fill that void...that's a little creepy.
It's something like that, I think. Lord J's post lead me to think that in addition to the reasons he mentioned, and a general association of Darkness and Grimness with Realism and Authenticity (which drives me crazy, by the way), we just see few opportunities for heroic acts.
That bothers me, too, and I’ve had years to think about why. It’s not simply the ignorance of mistaking one thing for another, or the cynicism that comes from perceiving unpleasant realities (or their fictional pretenders) as somehow realer than the rest. Common to most of these dark and gritty depictions of fantasy worlds is the desecration of beautiful things, or the bald-faced assertion that they were never truly beautiful in the first place and were more properly an abomination that only the fires of doom could purify.
Humanity struggles with a genuine desire for greatness amid the constant frustration of that desire. Some people just have no inkling of what greatness really is and keep looking for it in all the wrong places. Others have had a hard row to hoe and can no longer lift their heads to the horizon. Still others are their own worst enemies but perceive themselves as victims of an unjust society, thwarting their own personal growth. Whatever the cause, this embitters people and impels them to resent the very greatness they desire.
One of the reasons I find myself attracted to many fictional villains is that, when you remove the pettiness, the vanity, and the cruelty, you get the very people who are exemplars of a better society: ambitious dreamers who want to change the way the world works. Combine such characters with the philosophy of a just and wise storyteller, and you get bona fide role models.
We vilify the desire for greatness. We call it a bad thing, and preach a vague sort of “return to the basics” as the goal to look toward. It’s everywhere, even in stories I like, such as the mention of a grid-based road structure as imposing itself upon the free-flowing curves of nature. Perhaps grid-style roads are not a good avatar for “greatness” (indeed I would not expend myself to argue otherwise), but the point illustrates the thoroughness with which we subscribe to the concept that our civilization has somehow turned evil.
There’s a lot to justly hate. The regularity of our culture and our economy stifles expression. Mainstream culture offers no gateway to the promised land. Office towers may become symbols of oppression if you look at them and see nothing but soul-sucking cubicles and plutocratic business practices. Freeways, in all their smog-belching, sprawl-seeding, endlessly congested glory, may come to represent the depravities of drudgery and degradation rather than be heralded as the vast networks of empowering mobility which they also, and perhaps more properly, are. We would not have suburban sprawl without freeways, and suburbs create issues all their own.
I’ve said before that we live in a golden age now. It’s true, for those who are privileged (and most Americans are). What’s missing is not that our machines are dirty or our populations overgrown—such flaws in the gearbox are otherwise easily repaired—but that most people are not shown how to appreciate the world. Yet the golden age is not merely a state of mind, and the material quality of life most of us enjoy is jarring to those who find, in the void created by the expulsion of hardships which material comfort brings, a contradiction between their possession of pleasures and dissatisfaction of psyche.
The conflation of grit with realism, of darkness with authenticity, is a symptom of all this. Very little of it is the honest appreciation that comes from the complexity of minor chords and multidimensional metropolises. And, as a storyteller, simply insinuating that the present world is better than people give it credit for is not going to persuade anybody. What we need to do, as storytellers and citizens, is help people fix their own problems. Society’s problems are comparatively a cakewalk. A society filled with strong-minded people who are ready to tackle injustice and overcome adversity is a society vastly healthier than one where the people are materially well but intellectually starved.
If you ask me, the contrast between light and dark, elegance and grit, happiness and conflict...is overblown. At a sufficiently advanced level of comprehension, the two converge and there is no distinction between them.
We live in a comfortable, rich world, as you say, and it's just incredible to me that people will come up with that many excuses to write something grim! Especially when trying something different from the norm, and getting your work published, is such a difficult task for modern-day writers.
I think it was always so, but that today the interconnectedness with which we live highlights our lack of uniqueness. Also, the increased literacy rate and the factors of globalization have at once compelled more people to read and write even as the market presses for ever more similar and familiar stories. Fortunately the Internet empowers niches, and I think our generation will undergo a change of mindset when it comes to unfavorable comparisons of small-time publishers with the big-label commercial publishing houses. No one should aspire to write for the mainstream unless they want to engage people on the level of the mainstream. If you sell a thousand copies of your book, at four bucks a pop, through an e-publisher and third-party e-vendors like Amazon, that’s four thousand dollars—three thousand after taxes—and enough money to paint a picture of self-sufficiency with the proper balance of writing for one’s native audience and writing to other audiences or doing different work entirely.
The reason, of course, is the one you give: people are not fulfilled, they don't know how to be fulfilled (and they are predisposed to whining). To say nothing of the fact our evolution hasn't caught up with the technological demands of our society yet.
Aye. I am interested in looking at ways we can socially engineer a better crop of humans, both through modifying our social institutions and even our fundamental organization of society, and through genetic engineering of the fundamental human condition, combined with humanitarian abortion, to eliminate a wide swath of disease, disability, and what I suppose we can call recidivism—the people whose genetics simply are not compatible with civilized life in its broadest form.
Again, such ideas when they are presented at all by most storytellers are vilified. After all, “Hitler” was all for eugenics, right? That means we shouldn’t meddle with “nature”! (Never mind that pacemaker you have...) And Stalin reorganized society to his heart’s content, killing millions of course when the individuals didn’t fit in with the big picture. That means we should leave people to live however they like!
Today it is implicit in our popular culture that grandiose attempts to reorganize society or reshape the core human experience are misguided at best, evil more often, and inevitably destructive. It’s a narrow manifestation of a much broader American anti-intellectualism. What have science and government brought us, other than lies and suffering? Right? That’s what most people think.
Most of what we are doing wrong when it comes to raising kids and setting expectations for kids and adults is pretty simple. People have shitty parents, inadequate schools, Goofus-style celebrity role models, and the poisonous influx of religious brainwashing.
Indeed, when I stop and consider that many of the people who would presumably be involved in massive social reform of scientific wizardry come from such backgrounds, I almost want to concede that they have written a self-fulfilling prophecy and cannot be trusted to steward the programs we need. Fortunately, I have met or learned of so many good and decent people in the world that my trust in our speciary self-sustainability is exuberantly girded.
And honestly, a lot of smart, aware people I know are genuinely terrified: http://www.utne.com/Environment/Truth-Hurts-Conversation-Altered-World-Systemic-Failures.aspx (http://www.utne.com/Environment/Truth-Hurts-Conversation-Altered-World-Systemic-Failures.aspx) Most of the time I am inclined to chalk it up to a love of conspiracy and general paranoia, but that's not quite fair. There's a heartstopping amount information out there, and much of it is negative-- one can, fairly easily, be well-read and inquisitive and be exposed largely to articles and analysis that is generally negative, and dismiss the positive information one finds as manipulative or unrealistic.
My discovery is that conventional notions of “smart” are unreliable, to say nothing of conventional notions of “aware.” If anti-intellectualism is a bane, the intelligentsia itself is little better. We don’t have any major establishments that I know of where true human excellence is a prerequisite. Great individuals appear in all walks of life, or most walks anyhow, but do not yet seem to have a great citadel of Illumination that beckons to the rest of us. Perhaps the pursuit of utopia is simply outside most people’s ability, and let’s not forget that, for as advanced as our society is, we are also still a very primitive society, new to many of our liberties and technologies, and have a great deal of growing to do in building better social institutions.
Also, most people aren't equipped to deal with many of the unnatural stressful particulars imposed upon our society--such as unsatisfying jobs, hydralike social webs, and the attention-sapping barrages of media. On top of everything else, we live in an age where our enemies are hard to touch (existing, variously, as foreign terrorists, huge corporations, or even such abstracts as the environmental pollution caused by our very existence), and our champions are nowhere to be found--often drowned out by the mass media.
I can't add anything to this except to say that it is spot-on, and presents an interesting challenge to those of us who are storytellers.
It certainly does. Would you care to elaborate on your thoughts here?
There's been a lot of analysis on the cultural function of superheroes as heroic myth, but I feel we need to begin talking about heroism in particular outside of the standard tropes of fantasy, sci-fi and superhero stories. It's very hard to figure out how to do this in a compelling way, however. But that's another post altogether, probably best delegated to the writing thread!
I look forward to that conversation!
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We vilify the desire for greatness. We call it a bad thing, and preach a vague sort of “return to the basics” as the goal to look toward. It’s everywhere, even in stories I like, such as the mention of a grid-based road structure as imposing itself upon the free-flowing curves of nature. Perhaps grid-style roads are not a good avatar for “greatness” (indeed I would not expend myself to argue otherwise), but the point illustrates the thoroughness with which we subscribe to the concept that our civilization has somehow turned evil.
This is a point at which the slippage occurs that influences people to the point that they mistake intelligence for evil. A great part of the modern era has been in making nature legible, something that we can understand from a far off administrative perspective. For just one example of this, go take a look at counties in the U.S.: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/USA_Counties.svg
Notice how on the east coast the counties are largely haphazard. The sizes and shapes differ. Move towards the center and things become more regimented. The northern part of Texas is a wonderful example of this. However, you will also notice that the counties don't actually line up in a perfect grid: everything is more or less the same size, but many are off the grid by a few miles. The reason for this is simple: squares don't map onto a globe in a nice, orderly fashion. This isn't modernization at its worst, by any means, but it is an example of how the old modernization process ignored fundamental realities in order to achieve the goal of legibility. To be fair, odd county lines aren't going to make most people dystopian in their mindset, but this is an example of the trend that, when you look elsewhere, is more capable of promoting this perspective.
Germany's efforts to make forests legible in the first half of the last century is another manifestation of this trend: rip up natural forests, plant only the trees you want in nice orderly rows, and harvest them when they are fully grown. Greatly increase lumber output for about a single harvest-worth, then things plummeted dramatically because the necessary process of nutrient retention and protection against diseases have been removed. Health is another area where this has been the case. Because of our efforts to make people healthy, autoimmune diseases are on the rise. Our bodies, having evolved to be constantly fighting off infection, are now left with nothing to do but attack themselves.
The trend away from utopian thinking has coincided with society realizing that the world is more complex than we had originally thought: we thought we knew how to reach the heavens, but we then found out that our foundation could not support that. This, unfortunately, has in some people promoted apocalyptical mindset. Oil is going to run out, the ice-caps will melt, a new pandemic will arise, and we can't even stop hunger in the United States. The problems that face us now are largely problems of our own making. Having reached a point of development that the world has not seen before, it seems more likely that we'll fall rather than continuing to rise, especially since what allowed us to rise is coming back to torment us. This is a short-sighted perspective, but my intent has not been to legitimize the perspective but rather to help illuminate one reason why it developed (it would be cliché to say that the problem is multifaceted, but that does not make it any less true).
Despite the above, I am actually optimistic about the near future. Yes, the modern era caused problems that we are now facing, but we are also overcoming those problems, slowly but surely. We are creating ways to prevent pollution from happening in the first place, we are creating ways to undo the damage we have already done, we are creating balanced approaches to health to help prevent the rise of autoimmune disorders and to treat them when they are present. Our social advancements may be further behind, but the fact that discrimination is formalized indicates that it is already losing its grip on society (worry more about those forms of discrimination which are so accepted that no one feels the need to make a law). Right now people only see the problems that came with our past successes. I am confident that new successes will in turn change their mind again.
Within our lifetimes we will see a better society, a better culture, a better civilization. This is, indeed, a wonderful time to be alive. Yes, there are problems with face us, problems which if we do not address have the potential to ruin us. But this is not the apocalypse, this is the ragnarok, the end that brings new and more glorious continuations. It is during this era, when people despair, that we can affect a change for the better. When our civilization is at full speed, it is impossible to alter its course substantially. But now the winds are slacking, we can trim the sails, and we can change direction for the better.
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Learning Dvorak is harder than I imagined... and I'm dyslexic as heck, especially when intimidated. Most of the time I didn't even recognize common letters such as 'o' or 't' until 20 secs later.
And yet it feels like this layout is far better than QWERTYs
OK, wrote this post in Dvorak and it took me about 27 mins to finish it...
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I passed a turtle scurrying across a road here. I immediately resolved to save it and looped back around at the earliest opportunity. The turtle had, in my last view, parked itself near the curb to try and climb up (it was a steep, unyielding curve). When I got back, someone had deliberately run it over right where it had been trying to climb. I found it lifeless with a savagely cracked shell.
I want to find that person. I want to break their spine with a baseball bat. Some people aren't worth the fucking oxygen they breathe. Fucking beneath me.
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I want to find that person. I want to break their spine with a baseball bat. .
And I would grab that bastard from the back to make sure she/he won’t run away while you do it. I’m mad and speechless… :evil:
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Thanks for your solidarity...that event really made tonight suck.
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I can imagine, but I will never truly empathize with, the malice that compels people to do this. It can't just be empty-headed shits and giggles. There must be some kind of genetic malevolence wired into us which in some people takes the somehow-evolutionarily-advantageous form of torturing animals. Sick.
I do hold out hope for rehabilitation in such cases, before breaking out the ol' death sentence, however...
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I want to find that person. I want to break their spine with a baseball bat. .
And I would grab that bastard from the back to make sure she/he won’t run away while you do it. I’m mad and speechless… :evil:
I'll help too!
I don't understand why people are so cruel to other living things. I've taken care of some abused cats in the past, and I just don't understand what compels people to treat animals that way.
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I passed a turtle scurrying across a road here. I immediately resolved to save it and looped back around at the earliest opportunity. The turtle had, in my last view, parked itself near the curb to try and climb up (it was a steep, unyielding curve). When I got back, someone had deliberately run it over right where it had been trying to climb. I found it lifeless with a savagely cracked shell.
I want to find that person. I want to break their spine with a baseball bat. Some people aren't worth the fucking oxygen they breathe. Fucking beneath me.
Been there, mate. It's that significance of life question again where one person would empathize with any and every creature, valuing every life, while another person would sadistically kill those creatures for fun just because they wouldn't be any use to them anyway. It kinda saddens me, and yeah I have been in your shoes before.
Four years back there was this colony of cats at a space besides an unoccupied, weed-conquered land where I usually walked around at just to get a peace of mind. Often when required I bought some food for the cats, even though I knew I wasn't much worth in their lives (or at least they're ungrateful; cats are always ungrateful). I even brought more kittens who were endangered, thinking they were safer there. I helped them out nevertheless and spent time playing with them, until one sonuvabitch turned up began kicking them around. Three cats dead, several others ran away, two of them crushed under vehicles. That person wanted to build a bank there. Back then I was immature and picked a fight with him, almost about to break his leg until he called the security and had me tossed away. Since then, I was considered to be the bad guy and he continued to be a sadist towards animals just to annoy me.
:picardno
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Posting from the iPhone because the door of the office got stuck, I can't enter but I'm not allowed to go. So I'm just sitting here on the street and the ants are crawling all over me, agh!
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Ugh, bank service fees creeping up outta nowhere. Go ahead, big corporate vampires, bleed the little guy some more! What's next, reaching into little kids' piggie banks!?
The wonderful Invisible Hand at work!
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Ugh, bank service fees creeping up outta nowhere. Go ahead, big corporate vampires, bleed the little guy some more! What's next, reaching into little kids' piggie banks!?
The wonderful Invisible Hand at work!
Quick question (curiosity, really): do commoners really need banks there? If so, are you guys free to switch over to ethical banks?
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...do commoners really need banks there?
Having a bank account is the most efficient way of doing things, certainly. I'm not entirely sure how I'd access PayPal payment or Direct Deposits (my main source of income) without a bank account, for example, let alone order things online. It's actually difficult to imagine being paid in cash here -- every payment I've ever seen in my life has been a check that necessitates a bank account, cash being a luxury extracted from said account.
And credit cards, pah -- those will just get you in debt up to your eyeballs. Debit cards associated with bank accounts are where it's all at, or at least where it all was in my own mind up until I logged in and found this shit.
If so, are you guys free to switch over to ethical banks?
Aye, there's the rub. The most reputable banks are no doubt implementing the exact same thing my bank has just put into effect, though I'll give due diligence to researching competitors. My suspicion at the moment is that this has a lot to do with legislation in the US preventing banks from charging exorbitant overdraft fees -- the banks are essentially compensating for lost income here.
Lest anyone blame liberals for pushing this sort of thing through, I'll say that if my immediate family is factored into the equation we're still being hit less with fees than we were before. It just feels damn atrocious that the bank's cutting an appreciable portion out of my current income*, and it's sickening to think of how less fortunate families than mine will have to skip meals over this sort of thing.
*Bearing in mind that a bank really receives everyone's income to begin with, and just "banks" on the probability that not everyone is going to ask for it back all at once. If service and/or overdraft fees are really what a bank needs to rely on to pay its workers, maybe we oughtta re-think this entire freaking system.
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:(
And here I a was, advising people to save up their money and safeguard their future by using Banks. I guess in the US (or anywhere the same problems follow) that advise would most likely get people broke. But then again the Banks would obviously take advantage of commoners' necessities; every company does. In your case, necessity is bank transaction itself.
Funny. Industries. For the people. Against the people.
*Bearing in mind that a bank really receives everyone's income to begin with, and just "banks" on the probability that not everyone is going to ask for it back all at once. If service and/or overdraft fees are really what a bank needs to rely on to pay its workers, maybe we oughtta re-think this entire freaking system.
Good point! O_O
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Wait a friggin second. What kind of fees are you guys talking about? What service fees? Do you have to pay that monthly/annually? What about the interests you get on your savings account? Or don't you guys get them at all?
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Haha, when you suggested switching from checking to savings you might have just saved me some money tushantin. The hard part for me will be re-defining Direct Deposit, but it should be doable.
It's a monthly fee. Savings accounts and checking accounts operate under different rules, but both are liable to have fees attached to them any more. The rub with savings accounts is that there are severe limits on the number of times you may withdraw from them per month. Simply switching from a checking to a savings account might be feasible for me, but not for most, like, normal people -- who have kids and stuff by my age! Crikey!
Well, my situation's messed up after all (then again, I don't know a person who's situation isn't completely messed up any more!). The banks here do reward wealthy depositors -- there's a minimum deposit that needs to be maintained lest the fee kick in in my bank's case. I expect similar policies from the other major banks. But, damn, it's so high that the average customers ain't gonna make it, and the fee is equivalent to several boxes of Cheerios, you know? I mean, damn. I pity the fool who makes a kid go without his or her Cheerios! What else is the family gonna give up? Gasoline? Hah!
There is something called a Credit Union people can use as an alternative to banks in the US, though I'm not really familiar with how these work. Sounds like a good time to begin investigating, though.
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Heh, here one doesn't need to depend on Debit Cards because only 35% of the population have it (or I think so, at least), and majority of consumers would prefer paying by cash unless the amount is too huge (like, over 10k). I've got a savings account, but the last time I withdrew from the bank was about two months ago (since I only use it for saving up and that's it). So with all this new info your situation baffles me. Still, I'll give you what I know and hopefully you may find something of help.
Over here most big banks like HDFC and ICICI charge too much for initial / minimum deposit (that's Rs. 10,000), even if it's a savings account, while Axis charges half of that amount. Last year I opened at Corporation Bank (which is quite inconvenient, but at least cheap and sufficient for now) with a measly sum of only Rs. 1,000 for initial deposit. Minimum deposit might still be 5k, though. However, because we never felt the need to withdraw any money besides buying an LED monitor for myself my savings didn't even touch the minimum margin and till this date I've never ever been charged a single fee for anything. Neither services nor any fee in general. It was like my money was safe, for free of cost, and with the interests it was like I was getting paid to keep my money with them. Forget about that, I didn't even know there was such a thing as service fees with banks!
There was something my grandfather once told me before he passed away: "Go hungry for a day, but don't make a mistake of going in debt." I never knew what would happen if I was below the minimum margin of deposit, but I didn't care because the only point I saw with banks was to secure my money and nothing else. If going below margin would put me in the Bank's debt, then rather than doing so I'll simply save cash and use that instead.
I know the cash talk wouldn't help you the slightest, but I just put it out there if it could spark something. When the ancient explorers called America A New World they were right -- America's workings are so bizarre it goes over my head, both in good and bad way...
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It's great to get your perspective on how things operate in your neck of the woods, thanks. Yeah, I was totally unaware of service fees too until they started cropping up a few years ago. Here's to hoping you don't have such a rude awakening! I think we have a tendency to export our bad habits eastward...
"Go hungry for a day, but don't make a mistake of going in debt."
Your grandpa was a smart, smart man. Amen to that!
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If you're in a position to bank with a credit union (i.e., proximity to branches and ATMs), and be approved by the credit union for an account, you should ditch your bank for a credit union. The pros and cons aren't even close. Look into it if you live anywhere remotely urban.
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http://beta.news.yahoo.com/wal-mart-wins-supreme-court-sex-bias-case-142932169.html
It accepted Wal-Mart's argument that the female employees in different jobs at 3,400 different stores nationwide and with different supervisors do not have enough in common to be lumped together in a single class-action lawsuit.
EXCEPT THAT THEY'RE FUCKING WOMEN, WHICH IS THE POINT OF DISCRIMINATION?!?!?!?!?!!
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
FUCK WALMART
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
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...ZeaLitY seems angreh...
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I still have to look into the Supreme Court's reasoning on throwing this case out, but it strikes me as a seriously messed up decision with grave consequences. Too bad Z wasn't there to deliver his response in person.
We'll see how Election 2012 turns out, but I get this alarming sense that the US is slipping backward in every way. Like a train car ride straight into the 19th century. Just the ebbing of a more progressive era, or is this what the Fall of the Roman Empire looked like?
Damn, I guess this means we'll just have to work harder, huh?
:bison
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XD
I see this as an evolution of human empathy and logic. This is where the idiocy of the world comes in plane sight, just so we, and especially people like Z, could mock it. After this comes confrontation, and then a revolution that forces the system to change for the better.
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Frustration: Realizing I saved and replaced the wrong file. :picardno
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There was a storm last night that lasted for a fucking half hour, and it cut off a huge amount of power (as in hundreds of thousands of people). So now Draco, D, and I are at my parents' house up north because we have no electricity and it probably won't come back on for days. And Draco is FREAKING the fuck out because he's in a new environment. And I'm on my clunky desktop that freezes every six minutes or so and has practically no internet connection.
Tl;dr--Saj is in a bitchy mood because she can't be in her cozy little apartment.
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Westboro Baptist Church is planning to protest Ryan Dunn's funeral, ugh.
I can only hope a flash mob of a thousand Party Boys complete with Jackass 3 dildo cannons arrive and drown them out in a sea of male eroticism.
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Apple doesn't even spare small Open Source projects. (http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/06/apple-hit-small-open-source-project-with-cease-and-desist/)
And I have just one thing to say:
FUCK YOU, APPLE! FUCK YOU AND YOUR SELF-DELUDED BELIEF THAT THE WORLD BELONGS TO YOU!!
We get it Apple, you own the ‘App Store’ trademark. Except, let’s be honest: you really don’t – the English languages does.
(http://i.imgur.com/3SSW3.png)
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I just learned that one of my favorite aunts has breast cancer.
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Ahhh...ze minor heartaches....
As for something tangible, my neighbors have a bazillion cars. I have one. Let me park it in front of my home. At least for this last week.
If "booboohooboo women" and parking is all I have to bitch about, then things are good. Feels nice to type it out sometimes though 8)
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Westboro Baptist Church is planning to protest Ryan Dunn's funeral, ugh.
I can only hope a flash mob of a thousand Party Boys complete with Jackass 3 dildo cannons arrive and drown them out in a sea of male eroticism.
I think that they should prepare for this with not only the Party Boy thing, but also with a mob of people in shopping carts and those giant plastic balls.
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http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&_trksid=p4340.l2565&item=230634670078
Fuck people who bid early and drive the price up on stuff. It's the pinnacle of stupid Ebay behavior. You're not laying claim to anything; 15 snipers are going to put their max bids in with 2 seconds left anyhow, and all you've done is raise the ultimate cost.
Not that I should be buying Augustus memorabilia anyway; I need to get that Chronopolis watch first.
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http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&_trksid=p4340.l2565&item=230634670078
Fuck people who bid early and drive the price up on stuff. It's the pinnacle of stupid Ebay behavior. You're not laying claim to anything; 15 snipers are going to put their max bids in with 2 seconds left anyhow, and all you've done is raise the ultimate cost.
I'm sorry, but... that made me LOL. :lol:
Not that I should be buying Augustus memorabilia anyway; I need to get that Chronopolis watch first.
8)
I still hope whoever gets that memorabilia takes damn good care of it.
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People inspecting the house...of all days. I guess 6 more days when I'm outta here would've been too much...
BAH LEAVE!!!
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frustration: When you're happy being late in the computer and suddenly realize that it's almost the hour to get ready to go to work, and you haven't sleep yet :shock: >_>
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Three frustrations:
1) F@%k!!! I CAN'T TYPE ON NORMAL KEYBOARDS ANYMORE, WAAAHH!! :cry:
2) As much as I'm happy for the Gay Community at New York, the event saddens me personally. :( (No, I'm not gay)
3) As much as I try, I just can't seem to reset my body clock...
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UNHOLY SHIT!!! A CUSTOMER TRICKED ME!
So there was a rush of people asking me for prints. Tried to satisfy all of them. One guy paid me ten bucks, while another was simply walking away without paying. I told him he owed me 7. He said he gave me 10 (I didn't remember this). I ended up paying the guy 3 coz I was too busy. Turns out I was tricked...
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Ol' Shee took an L today. It happens. Absolutely muffed my audition today. Infuriating, really...to not reach your potential. I've done it before in the past, I'll get there again. But FUCK until then!!
Packing up for the move. Came across all sorts of old shit. I...never... do well with that sort of thing. Old college essays. Some random chicken stuff still around. A few tapes and drawings from high school. Photos, trinkets, etc. etc. etc. Letters from ex-gf's ("how in the hell did I ever make anyone that happy?" really shouldn't have been how I thought about those, but....shit...). A copy of my application to graduate from college. Shit from moving across the country. Stuff from old homes in LA. Stuff from my family's home.
I really should be celebrating all/some of this history, but I feel horrible. I think I'm just tired...
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That stuff can be a real drag. Earlier this year, I went home and went through all my stuff. I threw away tons of stuff...all my old school assignments, etc...except for anything with artistic value or that might be fun to share with someone. I scanned some other stuff into my computer, so it's "there" except not occupying space in the physical world, and not resting on my mind...
It's really easy to let the things you own end up owning you, but it's tough to get rid of stuff, since it's like throwing away pieces of your identity and development...
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@Shee: How can you not make her that happy? :lol: You're funny and yo know it! Anywhos, I know things are hectic, but sleep on it. There's nothing like a big "Fuck You" to Big Bud Frustration, and waking up to reclaiming the world again with a big smile.
It's really easy to let the things you own end up owning you, but it's tough to get rid of stuff, since it's like throwing away pieces of your identity and development...
This is going in my notebook. As a matter of fact, this deserves to be re-quoted! And here we are...
It's really easy to let the things you own end up owning you, but it's tough to get rid of stuff, since it's like throwing away pieces of your identity and development...
And here again...
It's really easy to let the things you... STOP THAT, DAMMIT!!
Eeps! I are sowwie... :cry:
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I feel like it was a quote from somewhere, though...
Oh, Fight Club. "The things you own end up owning you."
Sigh, Fight Club...at its core, it's a condemnation of superficial masculinity, and yet, this managed to go over the heads of almost everyone who saw the movie.
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Based on the commentary of the people I knew (male and female) who liked Fight Club, I was convinced I would despise it for the longest time. Then I saw it and realized how few people effectively learned literary analysis in high school, sigh.
(I can't believe Chuck Palahnuik ever convinced anybody that he wasn't gay.)
I'm an obsessive record-keeper myself. I think I'm pretty good at paring things down to what I absolutely feel I need to remember, but I get a bit crazy about it. I really enjoy reading things like past journals or writing assignments -- it can lend so much insight into who you were, and how you got to where you are; I feel best about my life when I feel that it has strong narrative arcs and themes, and I suppose records help me create them.
Infuriating, really...to not reach your potential. I've done it before in the past, I'll get there again. But FUCK until then!!
I've been there! (Especially "FUCK until then!!", lol.) Just try to remember that the times you shine are the ones that matter, and the ones that last and mean something, people's pettiness and criticism aside. Just look at Michael Jackson!
(Or... don't, that's actually rather depressing, ha.)
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Oh, Fight Club. "The things you own end up owning you."
Hah, I figured. As much as I'd like a sequel to that I hope they don't make one. Masterpieces get ruined with sequels (except Godfather). I loved the anti-consumerism theme and the twist at the end. And I did get the hidden message: the hero is always inside you, sleeping untapped; get your ass in gear or that hero might just turn into a villain.
I really enjoy reading things like past journals or writing assignments -- it can lend so much insight into who you were, and how you got to where you are; I feel best about my life when I feel that it has strong narrative arcs and themes, and I suppose records help me create them.
That... That goes in my notebook too!
Yeah, I got a whale database of essential information, but when it comes to organizing my life... I'm toast. I don't know how you guys do it.
Just try to remember that the times you shine are the ones that matter, and the ones that last and mean something, people's pettiness and criticism aside.
xD I'd like to add something lest someone gets a paralysis-by-analysis: Hakuna Matata, and enjoy what you do! If you make like a steam engine and feel pressured you're bound to blow, so throw aside that balloon and grab a fookin flute!
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Today I discovered an old friend is no longer living in the country, sigh. She moved abroad just some weeks ago. I was missing my old friends, and I wanted to contact her and see if we could meet up. Now i feel bad for not keeping more in contact =/
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Indeed. Indeed. Quite frankly yesterday was an L as well. Long, mundane...turned into aggravating, and by the time I made it to scene study I was a twisted knotball of stress and anger. 2.0 went all buddy buddy, and I dipped to go pack up more shit. Meditated a bit. I wonder why I pile on myself with nothing. NOTHING. Absolutely nothing!!! This relates back...I should be celebrating a lot of what's going on...and I feel the opposite...
Then realized I'm absolutely fucking exhausted. I haven't a moment to breathe since the Vegas job (which still needs to PAY ME, btw). I think it's just all catching up to me. I'm sitting in Kinko's or Fedex or whatever the fuck they're calling themselves these days, ripe and dirty as 10 jams, kinda just existing at this desk for a few minutes.
Luckily, I had another audition today that actually went well, even though I was a good decade younger than everyone else there again... ... .. .. ...so it goes. Two more VO auditions over the weekend. At least I got my bed setup already...now off the the old home to "take down the drums" by beating the ever living hell out of them one last time.*
*One meaning 30, of course.
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Hah, the irony. But hey, life can't blame ya. You did your best! And you earn a night's repose, so don't wear yourself out. Need to make the world smile. :D
At least I got my bed setup already...now off the the old home to "take down the drums" by beating the ever living hell out of them one last time.
Haha, you have no idea how awesome that sounds! I've seen people kick punching bags in frustration, but very rarely blokes let themselves flow in sheer creative music.
Today's frustration:
Kids, it's Friday. Friday. Kids, just leave me alone on Friday! :x
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THIS WORLD IS SHIT!! FUCK GOLD HUGGERS!! FUCK EVERY ONE OF YOU PEOPLE WHO WORSHIP MONEY BEYOND ANY HUMAN EMPATHY!
:picardno
...
Remember my brother's good friend who died in an accident last year? Heard his brother's story today. A lot of shit happened, but this... this was unbelievable. When Krishna died his family had to face a lot of legal problems and misery, especially hoping that the bus driver was put behind bars, though it wasn't important compared to dealing with the loss of their son since by law every driver responsible would have their license confiscated. Anywhos, after the accident Krishna's bike was secured by the cops, so when the family asked for it they could have it... for 2000 bucks.
:evil:
Okay, I know the scale of corruption here, and I wouldn't be surprised if the cops demanded bribes from criminals, stations and even us lowly shopkeepers and Cyber Cafe owners, but... placing monetary demands in front of a dead guy's family?!
Oh, and adding insult to the injury, the guy who killed Krishna is still driving freely and jovially without a criminal record, his license safe and without the guilt of murder in his heart. Why? He paid a precious amount as bribe obviously!
*Headdesk*
Krishna had potential to be big. He always told us that one day he would fly. He was robbed of his future, and his dreams shattered in one unpredictable moment. I can never forgive those assholes who make this world a hell to live in.
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Truly sorry. Don't know what else to say.
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Truly sorry. Don't know what else to say.
Neither do I. :( But I still remember my oath to make this world a better place. My code beckons me to keep to the path of righteousness and passive-aggressiveness, but my anger demands to put the corrupt to justice, even if it means to become a vigilante and risking my own future.
What's worse? There's no Samaritan law. If you're ever walking along the road in India and you find a headless body, seeing that everyone seems to pass by as if nothing happened, don't call the cops or anybody to inform them about it, even if the body belongs to a schoolboy who's mother is probably worried sick at home. Chances are the cops will arrive, register you as a prime suspect and close the case, thereby ruining your life unless you pay them a hefty bribe. There are two reasons for this:
1) They don't want to miss Cricket on TV
2) Their heart is where money is in. You've got money, they treat you like a saint no matter who you murdered.
3) They can easily mislead the media into thinking that their investigation was thorough even if it wasn't. Yes, their antics is left unchecked.
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Crap, that's really unbelievable. tushantin, is there any investigative journalism into this kind of thing going on within the Indian press? We needed some good old-fashioned muckraking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckraker) in the US to get people fired up about really blatant corruption back in the day. Some would probably argue we need more of it today.
Now, if you see the problem as more generally cultural (can the people of India get fired up over this sort of thing?), then you can take some pride in the role art must have to play in turning this around over time, IMO.
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Okay, I know the scale of corruption here, and I wouldn't be surprised if the cops demanded bribes from criminals, stations and even us lowly shopkeepers and Cyber Cafe owners, but... placing monetary demands in front of a dead guy's family?!
Hmm, true. It stinks when they claim the nation is ruled by law while there are dark corners where law doesn't shine.
And nothing is worse than those who we must rely on are not trustworthy at all.
I recall some local news about a young man raided a police station and killed several policemen. It seemed to be a simple murder case, but actually many (if not most of) people sympathized with the murderer. And even a guy who reported the news on a forum showed his excitement before he knew one of the victims was actually the father of his colleague. Sounds like a satire? But that is true.
:x
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Alone in a hotel room in Santa Fe towards the beautiful part of the city, I wake up at 3 AM to hear what sounds like two Texan tourists filming a porno either above me or a room nearby. My god, did those sound like some fake orgasmic screams. Even more hilarious was the timing: the guy seemed to orgasm 3 times within 20 minutes (?) with stops and starts. Even more bizarre, the girl started moaning again 20 minutes after the last comedic orgasm (after which ensued silence, and I nearly fell back asleep). But it was only 3-4 moans.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND
Excuse to use this again: (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/avatars/ZeaLitY%20Standards/grimmjow10.png)
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It'd be hilarious if it turns out they were just filming a commercial for a new shampoo or something.
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Tush, your story sounds just like events that have happened to my family and friends of my family back in the Philippines. The Philippines is one of the most corrupt countries in the entire world and it seems like India is as well. I'm so sorry about Krishna and the awful things his family is going through. :(
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Crap, that's really unbelievable. tushantin, is there any investigative journalism into this kind of thing going on within the Indian press? We needed some good old-fashioned muckraking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckraker) in the US to get people fired up about really blatant corruption back in the day. Some would probably argue we need more of it today.
Now, if you see the problem as more generally cultural (can the people of India get fired up over this sort of thing?), then you can take some pride in the role art must have to play in turning this around over time, IMO.
Yes! The people of India can get fired up over this sort of thing! But even so, they would not be able to do anything. See, the whole point with public silence is that if you point a finger you may as well await the apocalypse, as whoever you're pointing at would also retaliate with every power they have. You have to take it in the behind but you're not supposed to squeal. Suppose you published an honest article in papers about some corrupt cops, whether or not you have any evidence to prove them, and manage to get the public excited while you're content feeling you're safe and anonymous. But you're not safe, and they'll never stay quite. They will find you. They will hunt you down, gag you, and arrest you under false charges, say, drug smuggling. They will torture you until you confess for crimes you did not commit, and keep this as a lesson for other smart asses.
In the USA it's pretty easy to protest and say shit about the government, even if you aren't an influential and powerful fellow. But here in India there is no value for free speech. Money matters more than life. Thus, since majority are family folks, they wouldn't dare opening their mouths and making enemies.
I was hoping I'd make a file of names and data of every corrupt official I come across, though, and once I have enough info I'd publish it anonymously. No evidence, however. I wouldn't provide any info that might endanger other innocent folks. I'm aiming for the public here, with the same political strategies used in the USA: scandal thrill, and invoking what people want to here. Implant a worm of paranoia without the need of evidences, keep half the things in the dark and watch the mayhem.
I recall some local news about a young man raided a police station and killed several policemen. It seemed to be a simple murder case, but actually many (if not most of) people sympathized with the murderer. And even a guy who reported the news on a forum showed his excitement before he knew one of the victims was actually the father of his colleague. Sounds like a satire? But that is true.
:x
Ah, that depends. Why did they raid the house?
Tush, your story sounds just like events that have happened to my family and friends of my family back in the Philippines. The Philippines is one of the most corrupt countries in the entire world and it seems like India is as well. I'm so sorry about Krishna and the awful things his family is going through. :(
Thank you... I may not be able to be able to do much about Philippines, but I promise that I will do my best to make things safer than before. It's amazing how some nations half-assedly give so much power to rural/urban police that goes unchecked. It's like we're living in a computer circuit, while electricity is "power" of the police forces. It's essential, but too much of it that goes unchecked and unregulated would corrupt any electronic device.
Then again I remember the Stanford Prison experiment. Then again I remember these quotes:
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
And I wonder. Would I become the same monster if I was in their place? Sure, everyone would say that they wouldn't and that they respect justice, but the Stanford Experiment did prove otherwise. Which is why I doubt, even myself. Would at least I really turn into that very monster with that kind of power over other people?
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That's an excellent question, tushantin. I think you'd be highly inspired by reading The Lucifer Effect (http://books.google.com/books?id=vjeHCA6i4IAC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false), written by the very guy who conducted the Standord Prison Experiment (and fell into his own trap, as it were). It's always fun to call others monsters, but our own capacity for evil may be greater than we realize. It all goes back to basic empathy IMO, and being able to keep it at the forefront of our minds in new situations.
The Stanford Prison Experiment proves to me why art, and moreover, storytelling, can be powerful: if done well, art simulates real experience and gives us a stick by which to measure our own actions. You can always point out human misdeeds in a cautionary tale, and if the art resonates with the consumer, the consumer may be less likely to go out and repeat the evil at least. That sort of thing can produce change over time.
That's how I figure it'd work in a vacuum, anyway. The trick is probably at that "if it resonates with the consumer" stage.
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I hate goddamn proprietary software. There isn't a single bookstore within a comfortable driving distance, so I like buying books for my Sony Reader. But goddamn Amazon doesn't want to sell me their books unless I have their Kindle. UGHUGUHGH :evil:
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@FaustWolf: Thanks for referring the book! It'd be great for study. And indeed, it is amazing how a writer/artist can influence society for generations (the writer of Upanishads has managed to forward ethics for thousands of years). This really proves that a pen is indeed mightier than a sword.
I say, turn the Compendium into a Chrono Bible! :D For our savior Sir Crono died for our sins! (Okay, I'm joking)
I hate goddamn proprietary software.
Me too.
...
.....
:o Because I can't afford them, not because I'm a freeloader!
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Fucked up my back.
Fuck.
Should be fine by the end of the week. Still scary as all hell.
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=( Get better soon, Shee.
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Fucked up my back.
Fuck.
Should be fine by the end of the week. Still scary as all hell.
I was there last month. Sat in a long car trip in a seat not built for 6'7" people. Spent the next week mostly in bed, as my lower back muscles were completely exhausted and I had sciatica down my right leg for a couple days. The week after was taken very slowly.
It's at least reassuring that 90% of the time, a back ache (for us younguns) is just something that's been overstressed and will get better with time. Hope it's that going on. Good luck.
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Don't complain about not having money and then go out and get a full sleeve tattoo the next week. Just sayin'.
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Okay so, I have a friend from high school. She and I were really close, I guess. However, since graduation, she's been really sick. Impossibly dizzy, nauseous, barely able to do anything. I told her earlier that if she was so sick, she should call a doctor. She said she wouldn't even bother, because the doctors don't do anything.
I'm not sure if I'm frustrated that she's devolved from someone that at one point I would look up to into a needy whiny bitch who would rather have her family tend to her every whim than to try and get help, or that she's probably right in that the doctors won't do anything for her.
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http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/should-parents-lose-custody-of-super-obese-kids-2510149/
The frustrating part is that weight is significantly influenced by genetics. While this article is full of examples of an environmental change resulting in weight loss, none of the examples actually resulted in the child not-being obese. A bad diet and lack of exercise are undesirable regardless of the child's (or, indeed, individual's) weight. By focusing on weight instead of meaningful factors like diet and exercise, and by misrepresenting the significance of environmental changes, this sort of article encourages prejudice against weighty people and it fails to actually help those with health problems.
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I remember the news anchors talking about that. I don't remember what all they said about it, but they made it sound like one of those things like 'Can you believe this is happening?'. They have a tendancy to do that. You can usually tell when they're gonna do that because they get this tone of disbelief in their voices as they're introducing the story, they show clips of it over the news music (usually of people going WTF THIS IS NOT RIGHT), and tagging the thing with a ?. Because that makes people go NO.
When you think about it, being taken from your parents can be pretty stressful. Imagine just being a happy little (albeit in this case round) child, hanging out with mommy and daddy. And then out of nowhere some people scoop you up, tell you that mommy and daddy are horrible people, dump you with some new people (in probably a new city, which means a new school to adjust to) who may or may not be absolutely horrible. I think I read somewhere that stress can cause people to GAIN weight. So why would you go and take a child out of their house and put them in an extremely stressful situation, simply because they're fat?
Does not make sense to me.
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WHAT THE *&^()*&(^%*&^*&^!!!
I know I'm a bit behind schedule (actually, I'm a LOT behind schedule) and I applied the Polar Detective script for Celtx Seeds. I can finish the project before August, but the deadline for the script entry ends in two days. I do have the script prepared though. :cry:
So what's the problem? Well, apparently, the contest isn't free (entirely my fault for overlooking this). I need a Celtx Studio account to submit my script.
(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/4-koma-comic-strip-sad-kitty.jpeg?w=393&h=720)
(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/funny-pictures-kitten-has-balloons.jpg)
AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..... Do I need Seeds again?
(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/funny-pictures-your-cat-has-a-creepy-laugh.jpg)
(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/funny-pictures-hamster-wants-corn.jpg)
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I don't feel particularly good about either audition today. FUCK. I was really on my own case after the first one. Inbetween the two (which were thankfully nearby) I meditated for a bit checking out ye olde Pacific Ocean. Damn, that was nice.
I got away from forgiveness, got away from the bigger picture. The pressure I've put on myself, in my whole life really, is asinine. 3 hours of traffic later and the back is not pleased. I gotta figure some shit out, I shouldn't have this ping-pong between the ups and downs. Gotta level out.
Oh, and the computer only feels like working at half speed. Goshamighty thundernation I'll get there to that place of peace and stability. Just not today.
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I'm starting to feel the limitations of human mind. Staying true to the big picture and finding details in each branch and processing them... it's impossible for any human being especially when data needs to be processed visually most of the time, and the lack of memory compression not only kills linguistic capabilities but also leaves gigantic holes in your memories, expanding at a rapid pace every second until you're left to oblivion.
Like money, food and anything good, hoarding too much can be disastrous, even knowledge, and our minds our still inferior at this stage. Perhaps more three hundred years, but even that isn't enough. Maybe 3000 more. Still, can't wait that long. In the words of our Lord and Savior, the Doctor...
Oh! I'm thick! Look at me, I'm old and thick! Head's too full of stuff, I need a bigger head!
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I'm starting to feel the limitations of human mind. Staying true to the big picture and finding details in each branch and processing them... it's impossible for any human being especially when data needs to be processed visually most of the time, and the lack of memory compression not only kills linguistic capabilities but also leaves gigantic holes in your memories, expanding at a rapid pace every second until you're left to oblivion.
Like money, food and anything good, hoarding too much can be disastrous, even knowledge, and our minds our still inferior at this stage. Perhaps more three hundred years, but even that isn't enough. Maybe 3000 more. Still, can't wait that long. In the words of our Lord and Savior, the Doctor...
Oh! I'm thick! Look at me, I'm old and thick! Head's too full of stuff, I need a bigger head!
Indeed, I sometimes wonder what our minds would be like if we were physically able to live 200+ years. Would we just steadily lose earlier memories in favor of new ones, or would our minds become so badly garbled that we wouldn't be able to focus on anything? I'm no scientist, but I've often wondered if the natural aging process is triggered by our minds as much as genetic limitations.
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I'm starting to feel the limitations of human mind. Staying true to the big picture and finding details in each branch and processing them... it's impossible for any human being especially when data needs to be processed visually most of the time, and the lack of memory compression not only kills linguistic capabilities but also leaves gigantic holes in your memories, expanding at a rapid pace every second until you're left to oblivion.
Like money, food and anything good, hoarding too much can be disastrous, even knowledge, and our minds our still inferior at this stage. Perhaps more three hundred years, but even that isn't enough. Maybe 3000 more. Still, can't wait that long. In the words of our Lord and Savior, the Doctor...
Oh! I'm thick! Look at me, I'm old and thick! Head's too full of stuff, I need a bigger head!
Indeed, I sometimes wonder what our minds would be like if we were physically able to live 200+ years. Would we just steadily lose earlier memories in favor of new ones, or would our minds become so badly garbled that we wouldn't be able to focus on anything? I'm no scientist, but I've often wondered if the natural aging process is triggered by our minds as much as genetic limitations.
XD Actually, humans CAN live up to 400 years; all we need to do is suppress our aging gene (which was supposed to be modified naturally in another 1000 years). But with that, natural selection and evolution would have slowed.
Good question, though! I don't have an answer to that, but for this quote:
| (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Sherlock_Holmes_-_The_Man_with_the_Twisted_Lip.jpg/144px-Sherlock_Holmes_-_The_Man_with_the_Twisted_Lip.jpg) | I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. |
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Fuck this world. I'm going to have to do some other kind of volunteer work, as marking down that I helped an Equal Access Fund for abortions is a surefire way to get rejected. God, sometimes I wish I could crush anti-choice people with some kind of cultural war. The quicker religion dies, the quicker humanity will further improve.
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Fuck this world. I'm going to have to do some other kind of volunteer work, as marking down that I helped an Equal Access Fund for abortions is a surefire way to get rejected. God, sometimes I wish I could crush anti-choice people with some kind of cultural war. The quicker religion dies, the quicker humanity will further improve.
Stop using the word "God/god" and religion will die a lot quicker. :)
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Actually, I'm all for America becoming an Atheistic nation (though not an enforced one; force kills human rights and peace), because whatever religion America seems to be importing from the world seems to lack one (or three) fundamental aspect of most religion ethics -- Humanity / Philanthropy, Tolerence / Respect, Empathy.
This further turns religion into a "Fanclub" of the sort, something trying to dominate rather than improve their nation. Otherwise people like Benny Hinn wouldn't go around converting people (especially Catholics/Protestants) to his Church, as if he's claiming to be some kind of a Messiah.
However in other places, like India, the only things that seems to bind the nation to humanity strongly to empathy, and not letting it become hell, are two things -- Religion and National Philosophy (tolerance). Which is why I strongly support it.
On top of that, India is of diverse religion and ethics which blend in well because of tolerance. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, etc. can easily be experienced and improved without having to convert to it. You can remain an Atheist and still benefit from some schools of thought.
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However in other places, like India, the only things that seems to bind the nation to humanity strongly to empathy, and not letting it become hell, are two things -- Religion and National Philosophy (tolerance). Which is why I strongly support it.
That's an excellent observation, but one biased by the relative cultural primitiveness of India. (Don't get me wrong; India as a whole is better off than some of the subcultures right here in the United States, and the most enlightened parts of India--although I am making an assumption here--would probably compare favorably to the United States in its entirety. Rather, as a developing country, India's comparatively lower material quality of life, less well-evolved civil liberties and social welfare laws, and higher level of corruption and lower level of accountability by the immediate authorities all conspire to guarantee that few if any Indians can appreciate the world from the viewpoint of modern cosmopolitan liberals living in a Seattle or a Los Angeles.) On a straightforward level, you are correct: Religion has brought both community and an aversion to committing even worser evils upon our world and upon one another than we otherwise would have. That's generally true of religion. What you may have a hard time seeing is that religion could be replaced relatively quickly in its capacities as a social glue and an ethical compass. To be sure, it would be a hell of a lot easier if you made developments in the areas I mentioned (material quality of life, etc.) for the entire population, as these things supplant the need for religion by providing more practical alternatives to worldview-building. However, even without those advances, the authority of religion could be redistributed to other social institutions, such as the family unit and the media (for example), with little if any loss of effectiveness. ("The media" may not seem intuitive, but from my own example I took a lot of cues in younger times from the books I read and the films I watched.)
On top of that, India is of diverse religion and ethics which blend in well because of tolerance. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, etc. can easily be experienced and improved without having to convert to it. You can remain an Atheist and still benefit from some schools of thought.
Your tolerance for religion, in the absence of a better understanding, is commendable. Most people who don't know better about a thing should exercise tolerance, leaving opposition for those who have good reason (and to an extent for the automatic quality of some social mores).
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That's an excellent observation, but one biased by the relative cultural primitiveness of India.
XD But sometimes that specific cultural primitiveness (not in general, but the one you imply), prevalent in common areas, far out-does the experienced (for want of better word... dammit) philosophy of most people in the USA and other places.
See, relying on materialistic prosperity is in most cases impractical, because resources are primarily meant to satisfy necessities and not luxury, and an intelligent and properly developed school of thought can easily make a person skilled enough to take on the world. It makes a person capable developing skills that he never had, without clinging on to materials that might not be with him later, and thus gaining power to acquire things he never had, be it money or power. Schools and education were such means, but even those are starting to go down the drain. From what I've perceived, with the exception of science and math, true education can only be acquired outside academia. But religious theological studies, or simply personal indulgences therein? Although they can't compete with what they teach is, but I do point at how they teach us, they remain true to their humanitarian methods and do the best of what they do: forward ethics.
Compared to anything else in the world, religion is powerful and, though primarily meant to bind societies together and expand, thus the weapon some would use against another. When they say religion in bigger than an individual that's the cold truth, and yet an individual has every right to ignore, change or follow it. It is what you change it into that counts, and the right turn can make humanity better. Scientology formed by a drug addict may have worsened conditions in our world, but Buddhism seems to be blurring the line between it and science (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_science); hell, even I managed to find evidences of the existence of metaphysical concepts, such as Spirit, and detailed its properties thereof. Thus the quote (though it means more than what I explained): “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
Now back to the point: see, the main problem about India and why it's stuck in a developing state is that the entire government system seems broken, with every stupid procedures and laws passed that make the government incompetent (Democracy is only in the name of voting, but commoners don't have the right to speech eve though it's publicized a lot -- India may as well be a Fascist country), and people have nothing else to rely on but religion and culture, improving it over time and creating a social utopia for themselves out of diverse philosophies. It's a ray of light in an eternal darkness, and I'll give you an example why. See, Hinduism doesn't have "Devil" or "Hell", but Islam does, and the coexistence simply had them merged thus the majority of the people here believe in it, just like in the USA. But one big difference is that most religious commoners are helpful and would refuse to commit sin, not because they believe in Hell or Shaitan, but because they know it's wrong! Unlike a legal system that punishes crimes or Christianity that promises damnation to sin, Hinduism constantly drums in ethics that though humans have the freedom of choice only the good deeds are valued most, and that each good deed not only makes you a better person but also makes the world a better place. It is these similar aspects of humanitarianism is what most believe to be Religion here; and although I don't believe in some dude named Brahma creating the cosmos, I do value what a developed religion offers.
Perhaps I inherited this understanding not from Religion, but from my late grandfather: we never discussed religion, though he was a believer, but I think his wisdom and endless quest of philanthropy got to me. :) He always put other people's happiness before himself.
Your tolerance for religion, in the absence of a better understanding, is commendable.
Thank you! Although I don't get what you mean there. I agree I'm not religious, though I do study the religious texts out of sheer curiosity and thirst for better understanding -- in turn, I either take them as either records of old (sometimes exaggerated) history, or I take them as fiction -- and appreciate stuff that it offers in ways a true writer would. So (I admit my tiny head isn't capable of holding or processing a world of info and detail) what is my absence of understanding? Is it my lack of prejudice towards it?
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Okay, double post, but I think I need this. Swearing in 3... 2... 1...
....
F*%k!!! SONUVAB$%&h!
Lord J mentioned the word commendable, reminding me that such a word existed, and I decided to use it today to sharpen my verbal skills.
Instead I told my friend that her love for animals and he knowledge of dog species is condemnable. I didn't realize my mistake until she looked at me like I insulted her.
...
:(
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=D
You know this means but one thing...
Time now for another heart-stopping edition of OBSCURE VOCABULARY WITH LORD J !!!
Boation
A crying out; a roaring; a bellowing; reverberation. (Pronounced “bow-A-shun.”)
Insuperable
Incapable of being passed over, overcome, or surmounted.
Lissome
Lithesome or lithe, especially of body; supple; flexible; agile, nimble, or active.
Micturate
To urinate. From a root meaning “to desire to urinate.” Also: micturation: malformed and with an erroneous sense; condemned from birth.
Mumpsimus
Adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy (opposed to sumpsimus); a person who persists in a mistaken expression or practice (opposed to sumpsimus).
Ninnyhammer
A fool or simpleton; ninny.
Ort
A scrap or morsel of food left over at a meal.
Poltroon
A wretched coward; craven.
Slumgullion
A stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Torrefy
To subject to fire or intense heat; parch, roast, or scorch. To dry or parch (drugs) with heat. To roast, as metallic ores. Also “torrify.”
Xenogenic
To be completely different from either parent, or from the source of an object's creation. In biology, originating outside the organism or from a foreign substance introduced into the organism.
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Tush, apologies but once again my time is too limited for a full-figured reply. I'll do my best.
See, relying on materialistic prosperity is in most cases impractical, because resources are primarily meant to satisfy necessities and not luxury, and an intelligent and properly developed school of thought can easily make a person skilled enough to take on the world.
A higher material quality of life improves upon the human experience at the most basic levels and affects all subsequent things. A basic material quality of life provides the opportunity for dedicated contemplation by eliminating many kinds of visceral distractions and suffering.
It makes a person capable developing skills that he never had, without clinging on to materials that might not be with him later, and thus gaining power to acquire things he never had, be it money or power. Schools and education were such means, but even those are starting to go down the drain. From what I've perceived, with the exception of science and math, true education can only be acquired outside academia. But religious theological studies, or simply personal indulgences therein? Although they can't compete with what they teach is, but I do point at how they teach us, they remain true to their humanitarian methods and do the best of what they do: forward ethics.
India sounds like it's in bad shape, from what you've said here in recent months. I'm not surprised; that jives with my own expectations. But when a society is in decline, strengthening the religious institutions is about the worst thing you can do. Any gains in short-term order will be paid for dearly later on.
Scientology formed by a drug addict may have worsened conditions in our world, but Buddhism seems to be blurring the line between it and science (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_science); hell, even I managed to find evidences of the existence of metaphysical concepts, such as Spirit, and detailed its properties thereof. Thus the quote (though it means more than what I explained): “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
Unacceptable. I unfortunately do not have the time to get into this again. Perhaps someone else can take it up.
India may as well be a Fascist country), and people have nothing else to rely on but religion and culture, improving it over time and creating a social utopia for themselves out of diverse philosophies.
Religion has often been an underminer of other hierarchies, it's true. That is its nature. It is also an extremely dangerous and completely untrustworthy ally in preserving or promoting what is good and decent. Religion is unaccountable to worldly authority; that makes it intolerable as a social institution because it cannot deal with reality.
It's a ray of light in an eternal darkness, and I'll give you an example why. See, Hinduism doesn't have "Devil" or "Hell", but Islam does, and the coexistence simply had them merged thus the majority of the people here believe in it, just like in the USA. But one big difference is that most religious commoners are helpful and would refuse to commit sin, not because they believe in Hell or Shaitan, but because they know it's wrong!
People will behave well with the proper incentives, which can be anything, or with a developed sense of ethics. You overestimate religion's significance.
Your tolerance for religion, in the absence of a better understanding, is commendable.
Thank you! Although I don't get what you mean there. I agree I'm not religious, though I do study the religious texts out of sheer curiosity and thirst for better understanding -- in turn, I either take them as either records of old (sometimes exaggerated) history, or I take them as fiction -- and appreciate stuff that it offers in ways a true writer would. So (I admit my tiny head isn't capable of holding or processing a world of info and detail) what is my absence of understanding? Is it my lack of prejudice towards it?
Simply put I think you have a viewpoint which cannot easily evaluate the institutions of religion objectively. Your praise for certain aspects or qualities of religion is probably a testament to your good character, but reveals a fundamental naivete. I think you would benefit from world travels in your twenties. You seem to be well-positioned to learn a great deal about the world.
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=D
You know this means but one thing...
Time now for another heart-stopping edition of OBSCURE VOCABULARY WITH LORD J !!!
| (http://blog.obiefernandez.com/.a/6a00e54fdca91188330148c6c0e957970c-800wi) | .... I really can't stomach all that info at the same time, though it should be easy... :cry:
I'll try to memorize that today itself and use em in Atash Kedah Monogatari (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,9382.0.html). XD Thanks! Gee, you ought to give me lessons to master the language! |
Insert Quote
Tush, apologies but once again my time is too limited for a full-figured reply. I'll do my best.
No probs! Any and everyview from you is always valued. :) The stuff you point out often inspires me.
A higher material quality of life improves upon the human experience at the most basic levels and affects all subsequent things. A basic material quality of life provides the opportunity for dedicated contemplation by eliminating many kinds of visceral distractions and suffering.
Yes, it does. But you forget a couple of things: Firstly, material quality does not replace a broken government and education system (which are run by equally uneducated fucks here), just like how better oil or fuel source can't work well if you don't have a better car engine. Even if you're given all the riches in the world but have no human rights or have people acting like greedy devils, it just isn't worth it; you'll gain an iPhone, but you'll lose the ones you love. Secondly.... ah crap, I forgot what I wanted to say. I know they were three essential things, but... crap, I hate my forgetfulness...
But yeah, take my family for instance. The most we can afford is basic necessities like food, and I don't even have a cheap Android phone; just a cellphone that calls and works like a flashlight in the dark. I can't even afford a Waccom tablet, something I really need for digital art and especially for my current Polar Detective project. My parents are uneducated, and my brother hasn't even finished high school. But one thing's for certain: we are happy! We are happier than those poor fellows that panhandle every day, not knowing what the outside world is. We are happier than those rich fellows who know no life beyond partying, and learned respect and... well, there's a Hindi word which doesn't have an equivalent in English... which the rich don't have. We are happy because of the ethics passed down from my grandfather.
I could live peacefully with my family, but I know better. I know that outside my door lies living hell where people constantly suffer despite all the materialistic benefits. And I'm a patriotic fellow; I want to make this world a better place to live in, if only for the future generation if not for myself.
India sounds like it's in bad shape, from what you've said here in recent months. I'm not surprised; that jives with my own expectations. But when a society is in decline, strengthening the religious institutions is about the worst thing you can do. Any gains in short-term order will be paid for dearly later on.
You misunderstand me, Josh. We are neither strengthening nor reinforcing religious institutions, because we are aware the shortcomings of it. A reminder: we are not Pakistan. Okay, let me try explaining this: you've probably memorized the Periodic Table, but what about the four primary elements (Wind, Fire, etc.)? A fool would either take the latter for granted or completely dismiss it, even in the fields of symbology and the like, where it is most established at. But a wise one would know that the Four Elements has no ground in Chemistry, yet considers the concept as something equally important in other areas he may not be aware of, such as philosophy.
Similarly we are aware that religion is no substitute for experience and such, but we do follow it as a moral guide nevertheless. Religion doesn't tell us what to do here, but it does make us ponder, giving us a better judgement when facing reality. It's like a GPS Navigation system: it doesn't drive you to your destination, but does give you a vague idea of where you stand and where you're headed.
Unacceptable. I unfortunately do not have the time to get into this again. Perhaps someone else can take it up.
No problem! But yet again you fail to understand me. :( I'm not trying to compare science with religion, because they are completely different fields. What I'm pointing at is the latter: Science is Science, and religion pertains to Philosophy (and sometime, Psychology), thus should be treated as such. Still, combine science with philosophy and you've got one helluva stuff!
Religion has often been an underminer of other hierarchies, it's true. That is its nature. It is also an extremely dangerous and completely untrustworthy ally in preserving or promoting what is good and decent. Religion is unaccountable to worldly authority; that makes it intolerable as a social institution because it cannot deal with reality.
You're confusing the social situations here with the ones in your nation; still, I did mention that Religion is powerful, and it's logical to assume that it can also be a victim of politics. If you don't see what I mean, check out FW's DreamSplash where Science and pursuit of truth are also victimized for people's selfish agendas. Yes, Religion has taken wrong turns, but so has the Government System, so has the Education system, so has the Media, so has NASA,... and the list can go on. At this rate, we may as well go for Anarchy, if only to preserve Human Rights.
And just for good measure: "... extremely dangerous and completely untrustworthy ally in preserving or promoting what is good and decent. Religion is unaccountable to worldly authority; that makes it intolerable as a social institution because it cannot deal with reality." Extremely dangerous? Both Hinduism and Buddhism advises us to think several times before hurting another. Untrustworthy ally in preserving or promoting what is good? It did what anything else wouldn't bother to: promote empathy, encourage education, feed the hunger and human welfare, something that the Government is incompetent at. It can't deal with reality? Heh, you're not even close; here at least, if you're educated enough to have an open mind sit through a well learned Guru (not just any self-claimed Guru) and listen to his talks for at least ten minutes. The moment you walk out of the temple you'll be a better person with a bright smile playing across your face, and it isn't even the God factor, rather it's the sheer philosophy of it.
People will behave well with the proper incentives, which can be anything, or with a developed sense of ethics. You overestimate religion's significance.
Really? Then enlighten me, because I haven't seen anything work as well as religion has. Every nature has various cultures carried from establishments in the past, with folklore and literature. Most of them, if not all, collectively form Religion, and here is where things get interesting: whether part of religion or not, literature is malleable and thus prone to stuff, like improvisation (and some inaccurate Live Action movies), and most of it is disregarded by the general public (because the general public are too lazy to read) until Religion pics it up and establishes its canon, whereby educating the masses and passing moral and practical sense. Yes, this was exactly the process back then, and yes, religion was also responsible for the spread of literature and education (and hell, even Algebra). In modern times, though, all you've got is philosophical scriptures, but it's still a treasure-trove of world heritage, something that defined the world's ethics and still do today, something that is equally respected and valued.
And as I said, it does well at what it does: forward ethics. :)
Simply put I think you have a viewpoint which cannot easily evaluate the institutions of religion objectively. Your praise for certain aspects or qualities of religion is probably a testament to your good character, but reveals a fundamental naivete.
Mm, I will not counter that statement. But I would implore you to read the Upanishads, though most specifically the Bhagwad Gita (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita) (and Ramayana too, if you're at it, but only because it kicks ass much like Chrono Trigger). When you're done, tell me what you make of this. I just want to know your views.
Also, there's something I heard from a Hindu priest, a view not expected from a Hindu Guru and much compatible with my own observations. I'll just give you the title of his Satsang, and I want you to decipher what you make of it (in Philosophical means, or means of value, and to preserve the sanity of yours and mine please keep science out of it):
"There is no Almighty / I went on a Journey to find Him, but I found Him naught."
I know it's completely illogical to decipher a poetry, a work of art, from the title alone but please, I just want to know your views on this. :)
And also a last request: you know our National Anthem. The most beautiful Anthem I've ever heard. What do you make of it?
I think you would benefit from world travels in your twenties. You seem to be well-positioned to learn a great deal about the world.
I would love to! But I gots no money. :(
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WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!! (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/india/india-starts-blocking-file-storage-websites-in-a-move-against-piracy/635) And THIS? (http://www.medianama.com/2011/03/223-indian-government-blocks-typepad-mobango-clickatell/#disqus_thread)
I knew this was the case in practicality here, but now it's fucking escalated onto the internet! So I can't even browse fairly? How can the government be this incompetent? So I'm working on online projects and require Cloud or Filesharing services to share data and media, say some Voice actors send me their clips through Mediafire, but I can't download them?! I can't send over raw footages so our compositor can edit and work on them? Okay, so you might say this is just to curb piracy. So why THE FUCK did they block blogs? Ooh, posting information about the government and criticizing them is wrong? Having freedom of speech is utterly wrong? Apparently the general public is an idiotic bunch, spoon-fed children that don't know what they're talking about? FUCK YOU, DoT!
I was right. It's a mockery of democracy, as the my nation is pushing itself towards hardcore Fascism.
Our stand on this is that the government has no business blocking access to the Internet without a proper judicial process. In any case, when a block is instituted, it needs to maintain a list of blocked sites, and give reasons for the block. It can’t be ad-hoc, and it can’t be opaque.
EDIT: I must say this. If I ever disappear without a trace or notice, consider me
1) Dead (unlikely)
2) Caught in law's dirty assholery
3) Internet just got banned in India
4) In love (very likely, but... but... I don't know...)
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tushantin, can you still get to sendspace.com? It's an excellent way to share files in the short term; it just lacks long-term storage capability.
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People will say that one death is a tragedy, and a hundred deaths is a statistic. This is sickeningly true, and it frustrates me.
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WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!! (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/india/india-starts-blocking-file-storage-websites-in-a-move-against-piracy/635) And THIS? (http://www.medianama.com/2011/03/223-indian-government-blocks-typepad-mobango-clickatell/#disqus_thread)
What? That is unbelievable.
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tushantin, can you still get to sendspace.com? It's an excellent way to share files in the short term; it just lacks long-term storage capability.
I can actually get to every website there is because I'm using MTS rather than the ISPs that banned them, but what frustrates me is that online freedom may not last this long. True they harassed us at the streets, but now they're incompetently controlling our access as well. For national security's sake they also require to monitor messages going in and out, but Gmail's got SSL, which means (knowing these guys) they might go ahead and ban them too. Instead of thorough investigation and maintaining a stable security infrastructure these fuckers go ahead and ban everything they feel right.
Terrorism might be caused by the internet? Ban the Cyber Cafes! (Oh, hey! They're in dire need of licenses too; let's exploit them!)
(Warning for possible attacks) Bah, why worry over things that never happened? OH SHIT, WAS THAT AN EXPLOSION? They might be linked to some clubs. Ban em!
Oh hell, a good-natured writer is writing shit about us in the papers. Let's arrest him! Ban the shitty newspaper, so I can go watch a movie or something!
(Beating some random fellow up) Well, the Minister got off free from murder because he has money and influence, while you just stole a Popsicle and are sentenced to 1 year imprisonment because sorry, you gots no cash. Huh? We're not following the law you say? Hehe, foolish commoner. We are the law!
People will say that one death is a tragedy, and a hundred deaths is a statistic. This is sickeningly true, and it frustrates me.
That again depends on perspective. When you see the death of one person from the same perspective as you see a death of hundreds, that one death becomes seemingly insignificant. But when you see the losses of those hundreds from the view of one (such as, the one that passed away was someone you knew), then the latter becomes the most tragic incident you'll ever know.
Every truth depends on perspective and how you observe them. That's a fairly logical point of view.
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Ah, sonuvab****!
Did my best to avoid illness like a plague as people kept sneezing in front of my face, and finally... it got to me. Though a minor cold, and I was healthy and thus went to work. Halfway through work, I caught a fever. :( As I slept my dreams were senseless, couldn't make out a single thing, but akin to a war/heist movie where the disease tried to take over my mind and my immune system giving its all to stop it.
But you know what? Give in to illness and it only makes you sicker (is that a word?). I won't let this disease beat me! I am a superior lifeform, and I will destroy this cold before it does more damage. Run Rabbit Junk! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMxtI7QfpWk)
I feel week, tired, dizzy, bone-achey; but I'll drink Ginger tea, do some pushups, run a little, have a chavanprash, and mostly meditate Buddhist-style (good excuse to try this type of meditation for the first time)!
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Get well soon tushantin. Hmm, maybe there's a bright side -- James Cameron came up with The Terminator while he was languishing in some kind of fever. Maybe this will help you dream up the Next Big Thing!
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Microblog sometimes is the best thing to spread false rumors. :?
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I don't mean to nudge myself into a conversation which rightfully belongs between you and Lord J, tush, but I think I may be able to refine your argument a little.
Similarly we are aware that religion is no substitute for experience and such, but we do follow it as a moral guide nevertheless. Religion doesn't tell us what to do here, but it does make us ponder, giving us a better judgement when facing reality. It's like a GPS Navigation system: it doesn't drive you to your destination, but does give you a vague idea of where you stand and where you're headed.
This is a great description, and if I can be presumptuous, I think you are heavily informed by the fact that philosophy and religious thought seem quite closely wedded in the history of Hindu thinking, and there is a lot less of an emphasis on topics like apologetics and theology. (Let me know if I'm wrong at any point here. My studies on India have hardly been comprehensive.) To a Western thinker, they are at odds. This is a shortsided view in certain respects -- there was no tension between them for most of our history and it's all been deeply politicized -- but it's nonetheless the way things stand right now.
But morality, at least in terms of analysis of right and wrong, doesn't exactly require religion. So your emphasis on its ability to instill ethics in a person is a little misguided. Cultural mores can do that just as effectively, and for my part, I think that cultural mores are actually the driving power behind religiously motivated ethics; all the examples you ascribe to religion are pretty indistinguishable from cultural assertions. So I'd encourage you to think of what religion can offer on the subject that philosophy, logic, and cultural cultivation of empathy and civicmindedness can't. Think about your grandfather, maybe, and what role religion actually played in giving him a meaningful framework that he passed along to you, separate from his (possible) good moral fiber and his philosophical development. Think about the Bhavagad Gita and why it's not written as a plain philosophical treatise, but rather as a vast verse epic featuring the gods. And if you have thoughts on that, I'd love to know them, for my part.
(I hope I don't sound condescending here. Though I obviously have my own answers, I'm not trying to push your thought in any particular direction; I'm not a teacher anymore. ;) I'm just interested in seeing how your thinking develops.)
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Get well soon tushantin. Hmm, maybe there's a bright side -- James Cameron came up with The Terminator while he was languishing in some kind of fever. Maybe this will help you dream up the Next Big Thing!
:lol: Well, majority of my inspiration came from Fata Morgana today. I feel better than this morn, but went to the docs and she says I'm still horribly ill -- that explains my constant pangs of weakness on physical exertions (damn, I shouldn't have done those push-ups...) Haven't eaten all day, though; worried I might throw up.
I don't mean to nudge myself into a conversation which rightfully belongs between you and Lord J, tush, but I think I may be able to refine your argument a little.
Not at all! :D It's a Forum, and anybody is free to join in the conversation, and I'm always interested in knowing people's views. So, here we go.
See, India is in a completely opposite state than the USA; it's been a LOOOOONGGG while since we ever had religious wars (like, pre-freedom era) which ended the moment Shirdi Sai Baba (a bi-religious Guru) delivered his teachings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Baba_of_Shirdi), and at the current state it's the government that's screwed up while religion attempts to save lives and reverse damages by educating the poor, passing wisdom and empathy, etc. all because of the moral value that stayed true to their teachings and all in the name of human welfare. Though many renowned schools were expensive, my poverty stricken friend, who lived in a mud-hut at the road-side, was educated at a Christian-funded academy, while I got my admission at a Sindhi school that lowered expenses for my struggling family.
(Side Note: Sindhi, compared to any other Indian Race, are considered to be the truest and purest Indo-Aryan/Hindu races of Bharata, masters of trade and economy, but also the earliest to be influenced by Islam; the Sindhi Hindu however, staying true to their early culture migrated and blended. Thus the reason they keep saying Allah despite worshiping Hindu gods. Oh, and I'm also a Sindhi. 8))
I think you are heavily informed by the fact that philosophy and religious thought seem quite closely wedded in the history of Hindu thought.
Hell yeah! ...Sort of. :o Yes, and no. I'm not sure how to explain this (illness still takes control of my mind), but here's the (example) answer in one word: Guru. No, I'm not talking about the Guru from the western perspective, rather Indian, where Guru means teacher. Some were practical at their trade, while some others were philosophical sages, and there was a reason they were know as Learned/Enlightened and most of them were empowered by religion. :) I think you can deduce the rest; if not, lemme know and I'll explain once my illness subsides.
But morality, at least in terms of analysis of right and wrong, doesn't exactly require religion. So your emphasis on its ability to instill ethics in a person is a little misguided. Cultural mores can do that just as effectively, and for my part, I think that cultural mores are actually the driving power behind religiously motivated ethics; all the examples you ascribe to religion are pretty indistinguishable from cultural assertions. So I'd encourage you to think of what religion can offer on the subject that philosophy, logic, and cultural cultivation of empathy and civicmindedness can't.
Ah, you misunderstand me there: of course, it isn't a requirement! (Actually, it was a requirement, since all moral principles flourished from religion and thus expanded beyond its boundaries to stabilize civilizations) However, Religion does have the power to empower ethics and influence cultures, and filters and amplifies the best positive emotions. Hmm, I think I'll have to explain by examples (pardon my incompetence at explanations):
See, religion is usually one focus, while people and societies tend to segregate into castes, thus importing and altering upon the same philosophy in the name of the same religion. Problem is, what these differences, whether good or corrupt, that are called religious teachings are actually nothing more that cultural mores or independent practitioners (see Benny Hinn and Westboro Baptist as corrupt, but Shia Islam as an improved caste); this also makes it an easy target for political agenda. For instance, take any religion and travel; in one area that religion would be sacrificing animals, while in another the same religion would say God does not tolerate sacrifices. If both have the same source, how is this difference even possible, you've probably guessed. But if the philosophy behind any religion is strong enough, such as Buddhism or Hinduism, it can remain rigid and also open.
Now back to the differences between it and those cultural mores. While the ethics re-enforced by culture alone might be powerful it can at times also be misguided, which is where Religion comes in: it not only improves the situation but also pushes ethics beyond the boundaries of that culture. Here's a fun-fact: in India, it is the collective Religion (yup, over seven Religion) that united and defined our culture in the first place! While some backward societies and classes were in some point of time (and still do) stuck with horrible traditions, like feminine inferiority, dowry, baby-girl sacrifice, etc. (See? Cultural mores) but we tackled them and did our best to improve situations. These classes were then educated, but this did not improve their anxiety, tribalism and anger until temples were opened and they learned empathy. Religion at this point acts like a Filter of Humanity -- it teaches you how to be a better person.
Now here's something I love about my country's culture, and how it was defined by religion. There's a reason they call India a nation of Unity in Diversity, and it is that we're not only cool to be different and embrace whatever beliefs we want, but also that together we stand unbreakable, and that every religion philosophies are interlinked and form a web of guidance. Our best philosophies and ethics come from United Religion that force their ways beyond their cultural borders. We celebrate Festivals called in by Religion for certain purposes (oh, and having fun too), such as Diwali where not only do you get to destroy a Demon King with a flaming arrow but also as reminder of victory of light over darkness; the night conquered by light. And the wisdom given forth also helps you in a long run.
One may also consider religious teachings as an Academic teaching: both seem important. True, a man can learn ethics either by experience or cultural pressure, but that takes time. Religious, or philosophical, studies give a man a head-start. It's like warning a child that fire can hurt him before his curiosity leads him to burning himself. Yes, experience is the best teacher, but if one still insists that it's the only thing one needs, well, then don't pay for the child's school and let him figure out Science on his own.
Of course, Civic-mindedness does improve upon society, provided the system is proper.
Think about your grandfather, maybe, and what role religion actually played in giving him a meaningful framework that he passed along to you, separate from his (possible) good moral fiber and his philosophical development. Think about the Bhavagad Gita and why it's not written as a philosophical treatise. And if you have thoughts on that, I'd love to know them, for my part.
I may not be religious, but I do practice it if only because my parents and grandparents believed in their Gods. To me, the stone statues before me (with all the humbleness and respect in my heart) are either a memory of the distant past, of my ancestors, or simply a magnificent craftsmanship brought by art and literature of incredible devotion; but to them, these idols were more than that.
My grandfather was a hardcore Philanthropist, a wise man, and religious to the core. Religion strengthened his good nature and opened his mind, showed him the art of tolerance, helping him learn of the outside world better. Despite all the bullshit and deception he had to deal with from evil folks, he simply never gave up his good will, even if it drove him into ruin. All he wanted was the world to be a better place, even if it meant to make a random person smile everyday, because when you smile the whole world smile with you. He lived through poverty and suffering but never lost faith in his dream. He truly was a Sage. But further more, what Religion gave him most, was discipline and humbleness.
Speaking of Bhagwad Gita, Religion also partakes into amplifying metaphysical, practical and philosophical curiosity with thought-provoking literature and art, essentially where the major Religion keep drumming in intellectual concepts such as Ignorance is Sin. Such as the quarrel between the Hunter and a Brahmin, and Krishna's lessons about "the lies and the truth", all point to educating the reader/masses into understanding their world, how to deal with it, and how to decide their own destiny.
I'm sorry if my post makes no sense. I'll try again later. :(
P.S.: I would like to point something. In the words of Diane Vera (a Satanist -- yeah, Satanism is awesome too), Worship doesn't necessarily mean mindless devotion or selling yourself to a fictional supernatural deity; most commonly by the worshipers, the term usually means something alike Undying Respect.
There's also a word in Hindi relating to religion that doesn't seem have an English equivalent. The word is Shraddha, a kind of sentiment that the truest and the most devoted people feel, whether for their Gods, their ancestors, or ones they've lost. The term means a lot of things; Faith, respect, loyalty, love, gratefulness, etc. but its proper meaning is hard to express accurately in English. And funny enough, from what I've learned, most English speaking people don't even have that kinda emotion, and even if they do they're misdirecting/mis-inducing it as something else entirely, all because language controls human imagination.
What's interesting is that those who do feel this emotion are instantly sincere, if only for a few moments. Shraddha, in turn, induces empathy. Now those funeral rituals and Satsangs make sense!
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BAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE
"Shee, sitting yelling rabble isn't going to-"
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAHRABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE
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BAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE
"Shee, sitting yelling rabble isn't going to-"
LMFAO!! :lol:
"BAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH RABBLE RABBLE" <----- I think that would make a good Pop song!
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Nah, it should be "BEEEEEEEETTTTY RUBBLE RUBBLE." Hanna-Barbera Death Metal is the next big thing.
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What I do when I get frustrated: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRgnnXgj-I0
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SO CLOSE
[youtube]RalDsFionzU[/youtube]
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Okay, I took on breathing, rested well, drank electrolytes, ran in circles, and even arm-wrestled a tree for good measure (....owww, that bugger is STRONG!) thus I feel better today! :D Now to someone whom I owe an answer.
@Syna: Sorry if my previous post made no sense to you. My mind may have been veiled back then, but I took the time to ponder your question and realized that you never asked about deliverance superiority, rather deliverance of specificity. I came up with one thing that currently only Religion plays to its full power and in turn affects the psyche of the world with it, and a powerful psychology at its best: 'Tis a Belief System. :)
(Note to everyone else: I don't mean to offend anyone, but please don't say things like 'Belief System is pathetic', because honestly, coming from us of all people would make the statement more so.)
I could go on about the good things and shortcomings of Religion as a major belief system, why it is essential in the society, what also makes it dangerous in a way and how it can be improved. But right now I'm more interested in knowing your perception of the case. What do you make of what I've said here? Also, what am I missing, if any, pertaining to the roles that only Religion is capable of playing strongly and not culture?
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Hey tush -- what you said made sense, actually, and your contrasts with Western perspectives was quite fascinating, though your not-as-sick-addled thoughts are interesting, too. :D I'm in the throes of a work project and haven't had time to respond to things as they deserve, in general (there are a few other posts in the backburner too!). But I will get to it!
I've been learning about Indian philosophical methodology on my own for a bit, now -- not very in-depth, just listening to lectures and such -- so the discussion is especially timely. (And props for knowing about Theistic Satanism. I find Diane Vere too literalistic -- I prefer the Temple of Set generally speaking :D -- but she's certainly intriguing in that fringe kinda way.)
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No probs! :D Take your time. The Indian Philosophy is deep and not even the most determined Theologists of capable of grasping, but if my stay at Bengal and Maharashtra has taught me anything Hinduism is simplicity itself.
Hehe, glad to know I'm not the only one to read into Satanism, both Theistic and Atheistic/LaVeyan. What's disturbing is how these cults are misunderstood; true there are some few bizarre ones, but most Satanic cults are formed by self-respecting individuals congregating, building upon intriguing philosophies (I like the Luciferian one best) and shaping their future.
Ah, the Temple of Set! I need to read up more on that. Thanks! :)
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Guildenstern is dead. Oh the irony.
I have four fish (three which are currently alive). Also a dog. The dog I have no problem with, I've had him about a year and he's great. But my fish keep dying! Not all of them, mind you, but one or two at a time. The only constant is the Black Skirt Tetra that is supposed to be a community fish but he's aggressive as hell. He ate the fins off of Guildenstern while I was out of town for...wait for it... ONE DAY. :x
If you're curious, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are (and were) Dalmation Mollys (Mollies?) that I got to replace two Fancy Guppies named Siegfried and Roy (cause they were fancy) that were killed by an unknown (until now) force. The Black Skirt Tetra's name is Machiavelli, and I have a Red Mickey Mouse Platy (which is a weird name for a fish anyway) named Godot, cause he looks like he's just waiting around, he hides in the fake plants.
Machiavelli turned out to be a real dick of a fish. You might even call him a fish-stick. Thank you, South Park. If one more fish dies, he's gonna get a betta roommate, and he's gonna hate it. :twisted:
My dog's name is Wheezy. Saying it is easy. My fish get more elaborate names because I don't get to use them very often and can be creative with them. :wink:
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Any life lived under the name Guildenstern must be glorious, even if cut short. Alas, Machiavelli must have been jealous of Guildenstern's awesomeness, and decided the end justified the means.
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I think I have quite a penchant for naming things. ;-)
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Ugh... just got back from puking my brains out. We had steak for dinner, and for one reason or another it didn't sit well.
Shee, you should do what one of my neighbors did. They took the fish out of the water and tried to teach it to be a good fish. She would say 'Fishie in the water, fishie out of the water! If you stay a bad fish, you'll stay out of the water!'
... then again that neighbor was insane.
... and got locked up in an insane place.
... on second thought don't do that.
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*evil grin* Fishy needs to go on Shutter Island? :twisted:
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Ugh... just got back from puking my brains out. We had steak for dinner, and for one reason or another it didn't sit well.
Shee, you should do what one of my neighbors did. They took the fish out of the water and tried to teach it to be a good fish. She would say 'Fishie in the water, fishie out of the water! If you stay a bad fish, you'll stay out of the water!'
... then again that neighbor was insane.
... and got locked up in an insane place.
... on second thought don't do that.
Shee? I'm not him! Haha.
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Mr Bekkler Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are truly phenomenal names for fish. That was a wonderfully bloodsoaked story.
Now I want an aquarium full of hostile fish just so I can name them after various philosophers and/or historical figures and SEE WHO SURVIVES!
Tush, I'll look forward to the discussion!
Hehe, glad to know I'm not the only one to read into Satanism, both Theistic and Atheistic/LaVeyan. What's disturbing is how these cults are misunderstood; true there are some few bizarre ones, but most Satanic cults are formed by self-respecting individuals congregating, building upon intriguing philosophies (I like the Luciferian one best) and shaping their future.
Absolutely, though I personally hold the opinion that LaVey, at least, deserved a lot of it. He knowingly used shock tactics, which are legitimate and can be used adeptly, but are nonetheless, well, shocking; and from what I heard eventually completely sold out (basically charging money for initiations and that sort of embarrassing nonsense, which is why the Temple of Set formed a new organization).
Regardless, of course, the recurrence of "Satanic panics" is profoundly disturbing. And in theory Satanists are carrying on the tradition of the Promethean Aspiration, in the spirit of the Romantics, which I can't help but support. I've really enjoyed the company of the couple Satanists I've met.
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Well I thought the server was down yesterday.
I tried a proxy server and found the site was going normally. So I guess my ISP blacklisted some foreign IPs, again.
:picardno
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Ugh... just got back from puking my brains out. We had steak for dinner, and for one reason or another it didn't sit well.
Shee, you should do what one of my neighbors did. They took the fish out of the water and tried to teach it to be a good fish. She would say 'Fishie in the water, fishie out of the water! If you stay a bad fish, you'll stay out of the water!'
... then again that neighbor was insane.
... and got locked up in an insane place.
... on second thought don't do that.
Shee? I'm not him! Haha.
Glad I wasn't the only who caught that. Initial reaction was "But...I have no fish..."
Best of luck with ze feesh.
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Ugh... just got back from puking my brains out. We had steak for dinner, and for one reason or another it didn't sit well.
Shee, you should do what one of my neighbors did. They took the fish out of the water and tried to teach it to be a good fish. She would say 'Fishie in the water, fishie out of the water! If you stay a bad fish, you'll stay out of the water!'
... then again that neighbor was insane.
... and got locked up in an insane place.
... on second thought don't do that.
Shee? I'm not him! Haha.
Glad I wasn't the only who caught that. Initial reaction was "But...I have no fish..."
Best of luck with ze feesh.
I... forget... sometimes... I'm sorry.
On a different note! I fear that I have a bugbite... in my ear.
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This is one of the most genuinely disturbing articles I've read in awhile. To summarize: increasing numbers of young women, burdened with crippling student loan debts and the lack of available jobs, are selling themselves to wealthy benefactors - "sugar daddies" - to make ends meet. The implications for the current generation, and indeed the generations to come, should bring every self-respecting citizen to tears.
EDIT: Moderator please move this to Humanity: Good News, Bad News
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/29/seeking-arrangement-college-students_n_913373.html?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk2%7C220673
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I really, really, really, really really really
hate hate sitting through weddings.
I mean, I don't want to be a curmudgeon about it, since seeing my friends happy is important and participating in something significant to them is important, but I inevitably temporarily age into a forty year old Marxist and start grousing: "blah blah conformist blah blah sexist blah blah blah gendernormative blah blah I'll say 'congratulations' and buy you something from Target when you've maintained a good relationship for ten years and have actually earned something blah blah blah..."
(I hope it's clear by my tone that I know I'm being pretty stupid.)
On the plus side, in this last wedding I was in, the groom jammed and caterpillared down the aisle to "I Feel Good" by James Brown. And next year, my unmarried roommates who have been together 10 years plan on having a "we are drunk on the beach and so can you" party. Both those things are pretty redeeming.
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I really, really, really, really really really hate hate sitting through weddings.
Glad I'm not the only one. XDDD
This is one of the most genuinely disturbing articles I've read in awhile.
Sheee.... Sheeeiiiii .... Shheeeeeeeeiiittttt....
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I tried some optimizing software which removed unused junks from the system several months ago.
I didn't spot any side effect in a couple of days so I removed the backup...
Just yesterday I found I couldn't install Japanese IME anymore and had to try google IME instead.
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The following website posts news on a tablet specially for rural areas that cannot afford a cellphone, much less an actual computer. (http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/06/indian-70-solar-slate-joins-xo-3-and-sakshat-in-vaporware-race/) But apparently I pissed off a loyal Apple fan.
Just buy an iPad with 10 year contract .
So my response to the fellow was as follows.
Right, and you assume the "poverty stricken areas" an afford that? Do note the price difference. This pad is 3k Rupees. The iPad? Over 50k Rupees. While I'm not from a poverty stricken area, even I can't afford Apple's trash and have no desire to, because I don't need to pay an arm and leg for something that only "looks" fancy.
Then some troll named ODoyleRulz comes about and apparently corrects me.
He did say 10 year contract! huh.. btw your comment is really stupid! You can't afford Apple's trash? lool... ok.. Have you even ever used one? you can't afford Apple.. that's one thing, but you don't have to be ignorant. All major tablets cost around $500.. phones around $200 on contract, so wtf are you talking about? I buy iPhone every year, iPad every year... and I still have two legs and two arms. So I don't know what you are on....
I wouldn't mind being called ignorant, but offending the choices of poor folks is a completely different matter. Right. So, poor folks who barely get any education are supposed to sign a contract with Apple, especially when they've never in their lives purchased a fucking cellphone, much less worry about bills? And they should be giving up a dream-come-true technology and whatever they save for necessity expenses to play fucking Angry Birds? Oh, and he tells me he buys iPads and iPhones every year (more rant on this coming up).
I don't need to. Nobody needs to, lol. I'm just a gadget lover. If I like something and I can afford it, I get it... simple as that.
Okay, being a gadget lover is not a bad thing, and everyone wants some kind of novelty or another. But seriously? Would you buy an XBOX and a PS3 and a Wii just because you love them all? Would you keep four cars for yourself just because it's a technological marvel? Lastly, are the people from the west really that haughty, priming on the ignorance of value?
Ah no, not the people from the west. It is merely the wealthy I'd blame, whichever hemisphere they hail from. They say you do not value the worth of every drop of water until the well is empty. They wealthy have no limitations on monetary income, and they'd have no qualms about wasting a grand on nothing but selfish pleasures, even though somewhere a person's life hangs in balance, depending whether he can earn an extra 10 bucks. One day you want a new silver helm because all your friends have it, and there is that unfortunate fellow who is being denied education all because he is short on 50 Rupees.
I implore humanity, always value what you have. Every penny counts. Every grain gives a portion of destiny to the victims of misfortune.
btw... your government is butt raping you and your mandirs are taking all your gold :)
:picardno
I agree with the first bit. The second is an offense I cannot tolerate. See, the Temple here is a holy place. Some might argue placing parsads and money in boxes there is even holy to begin with, but with every penny inserted in the box we feel better; not because we feel we're bribing God (as one idiot pointed out before) but because we know that the money collected will eventually be used to feed the poor at daily Satsangs and Prayers. Our faith in religion saves lives. But this guy warns us that these miserable, unfortunate fellows are a burden to us. Seriously, do the wealthy never know empathy? Do they cower in their cozy sofas behind platinum walls just to stay the fuck away from people in rags as if they are some parasites of the earth?
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Fuck OneRepublic into the ground. Just let their fucking terrible music die.
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http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110805-292947.html
Send all the bear bile harvesters and buyers of bear bile to a re-education camp immediately. Force the eradication of both the practice and the superstition. This is just unconscionable.
This will not do.
Ugh: http://www.wwtdd.com/2011/08/this-is-why-everyone-hates-gwyneth-paltrow/
I don't like Brendan's (the writer's) sexist insults, but fuck, do I sympathize with the feeling. Does someone really deserve to have so much wealth for merely acting? Does someone really deserve so much wealth who is not committed to the illumination of humanity, as industrialist Andrew Carnegie so deftly implored in the Gospel of Wealth? And then this:
“Built-in slots hold holy books—including the Qur’an, Bible, and Tao Te Ching—all at the same level (which is how I like to think about religion).”
Yeah, they're all bullshit. I'd put them all on equal footing in an incinerator, so no one could possibly rescue these hateful, anti-human, misogynist, dark age texts from their deserved removal.
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I agree that the list is disheartening, but to say that she or any other actor is not "committed to the illumination of humanity" is ridiculous. Merely acting....I find that very disrespectful. It is, in my opinion, the purest form of life. It is living, without all the bullshit filters we put up around us constantly. When acting, there is no "wrong" all you can do is deal with what is presented to you. There can be no filters. And when the writing, acting, and crew all line up perfectly....FUCK if that doesn't move us then nothing does.
This isn't even about her anymore in my mind. I can't defend her use of her wealth. I can defend the wealth though. Um, sorta. It's not that different from the ol' "why don't teachers make as much as professional athletes" argument. The money isn't fucking there for teachers. No one buys season passes, parking, merch, concessions etc etc etc for teachers. People forget that a lot of the higher ups behind the scenes for a movie get about just as much money as the actors. The money is there. No one is buying tickets to go see a teacher. And actors like GP here that have staying power are absurdly rare. Look at how many flash-in-the-pans there are. Look back seven years at who was "hot" and see how many still are. And most actors at that level have put in and continue to put in massive amount of time and work. They are rare, and rarity gets paid. Is the pay too high? We could argue all day, and there certainly is a part of me that thinks yes, it is. But you never know which project could be your last. Stars fade, get paid while you can for doing what you love.
Let's not be fucking stupid. As an aspiring actor who is JUST NOW sniffing the outer rings of some real work and recognition I can say that I've busted my ass to get here. And yes, the money would be fantastic. No shit, I think anyone would enjoy more financial wiggle room. Am I achieving great art while I try to sling some horseshit while at a commercial audition? Of course I'm not. But it's a damn foot in the door! And heaven forbid I make rent doing WHAT I LOVE. And yea, for every wonderful movie (or "film" as some fucknuts might say) there's another 10 Smurfs and Hop and all that BS. I get it. I'm, in it. I see it every fucking day. For every truly beautiful play that gets turned into a movie a la Proof or Talk Radio there's 1000 more out there that don't. It's NOT all bullshit out there.
"Merely acting"....tell that to your Tron avatars.
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http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110805-292947.html
Wow. For those of you who didn't read the link, it's pretty gruesome...worth a read just to remember that this sort of thing is still very widespread in the world. Including, presumably, in elements of our own food production system.
It's an article about a bear who killed itself and its cubs to escape being tortured for their bile.
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I know, I know; acting is an extremely important thing. But I mean, damn, like $30 million for a single movie? And so on. People make less money for curing diseases.
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I imagine Paltrow has a few saving graces (http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/72-gwyneth-paltrow). Heck, even Charlie Sheen might have a redeeming quality or two (http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/287-charlie-sheen). Reflecting on the philanthropy of big name stars, I think our society has done a fair job of socializing them into pumping at least a portion of their wealth where it can be put to societally optimal use.
Ultimately I think the blame for poverty, stalled eradication of diseases, and lack of progress in other areas must be laid precisely at the footstep of government, which commands far more resources than all these people combined.
...Or does it? I guess Apple does have more cash on hand than the U.S. Treastury nowadays, huh? Well, shit. I'll just leave this where it is, 'cause it's all so damn confusing. And that's my frustration for now.
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http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/10/241830/top-10-thing-texas-gov-rick-perry/
Rick Perry can get fucked. Also, Bachmann winning that straw poll? Hilarious. There are few greater cases of hoisting oneself with one's own petard than casting a vote for that fucking ignorant, hateful loon.
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I suspect his secessionist streak will make him much less electable than he otherwise would have been, and the whole "right-wing governor from Texas" thing doesn't help either. I've been living in Texas this year, and he exudes a vague evil force like Sauron from Mordor.
No Republican has any chance at winning unless the economy goes into recession again or Obama manages to erode his support base even more.
Let’s look at the plausible contenders. Following are my in-depth dossiers.
Michele Bachmann
The most extreme fundamentalist Christian in the race. She is probably delusional. Her style of governance would resemble Nazi Germany more strongly than any other plausible Republican contender. The Tea Party’s star candidate. She has a moderate chance of winning the nomination, and no chance of winning the general election.
Rick Santorum
A washed-up ultraconservative Christian fundamentalist ex-Senator who got voted out of office for his excesses. Self-absorbed and egomanaical. He has very little chance of winning the nomination.
Tim Pawlenty
A solidly conservative former governor of Minnesota. Notwithstanding his Christian fundamentalism, Pawlenty is not a lunatic like many of the other candidates, but he has staked out all the right positions to appeal to the lunatics. He is the Republicans’ best mainstream candidate, but his campaign has yet to gain traction. He has a good chance of winning the nomination, and a low chance of winning the general election—although second only to Romney in that regard.
Rick Perry
A noted secessionist, Perry is the most negligent governor Texas has ever seen, responding to budget pressures by eviscerating Texas’ already spare state government and leaving poor people, science, and the sick and elderly to rot. He is a hardcore conservative Christian fundamentalist and has pandered to the Tea Party for support, but he is not truly one of them. If his record as governor were applied to parenting a child, he would be thrown in jail for abuse and neglect. Perry has the best chance of winning the nomination, and a low chance of winning the general election, but is the only one who has a plausible shot at it other than Romney and Pawlenty.
Ron Paul
A shameless cult leader and pseudo-anarchist who loves to run for president. He would dismantle much of the federal government, or at least attempt to. A Christian fundamentalist. His disciples resemble a quasi-paramilitary force of brainwashed jackboots, and they often dominate local Republican events to glorify Paul’s name and bring attention to his candidacy. He has no chance of winning the nomination.
Newt Gingrich
A disgraced former Speaker of the House who was responsible for government shutdowns in the 1990s and helped to engineer the economic problems of the 2000s. He is best known for leaving his wife as she coped with cancer. He makes millions from his book deals, speeches, and television appearances. He is the most corrupt Republican candidate in the race, but his campaign has imploded from what little traction it ever got. He has no chance of winning the nomination.
Mitt Romney
The least-objectionable Republican in the race. He is a moderate who has disguised himself as an ultraconservative, although as president he would govern very conservatively. As a Mormon, he has an unusually low support ceiling due to all the bigoted Christian fundamentalists who would never support him. Despite this, as the establishment candidate and a fairly popular politician he has a good chance of winning the nomination, and a low chance of winning the general election—but the best of all the Republican contenders.
In Conclusion:
Either Bachmann, Pawlenty, Perry, or Romney will win the nomination. Of those, all but Bachmann would be a legitimate contender to win the election. However, unless the economy goes into recession again, or Obama manages to significantly further erode his support base, the odds strongly favor his reelection in 2012 due to the extremism of the Republican candidates.
I previously thought that Pawlenty had a lock on the nomination, and I am surprised his campaign hasn’t caught on yet. With Perry entering the race now, however, Pawlenty may be doomed. Perry is very likely to suck up all the right-wing fascist energy that isn’t going to Bachmann.
Chance of Winning the Nomination
Perry: 47%
Romney: 26%
Pawlenty: 17%
Bachmann: 8%
All other candidates: 2%
Chance of Winning the Election
Obama: 67%
Romney: 33%
Obama: 70%
Pawlenty: 30%
Obama: 83%
Perry: 17%
Obama: 100%
Bachman: 0%
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I sincerely think actors do as much for humanity as the people who cure diseases - if not more, to be honest. But people hate Gwenyth Paltrow because she's a fucking pretentious asshole. And I am not one to say that kind of thing lightly of people I don't know, particularly people whose public perception is likely to be distorted for the services of the media machine. She's a decent enough actor, but doesn't have a role to her name that is particularly resonant or relevant -- to say nothing of the awful, entitled bullshit she spews on her little self-help website (GOOP, for those of you as masochistic as me) and in that article. I'm inclined, personally, to direct my hate at rampant materialism in the guise of liking fine, exquisite, aesthetically pleasing things.
The article about the bear bile breaks my heart. Humans routinely underestimate and misinterpret animals, and for centuries one of the supposed differences between animals and humans was that animals did not committed suicide (presumably because they did not have the self-awareness and ability to premeditate that requires). Not only was the bear able to commit suicide because her conditions were so abhorrent, she was able to have the empathy necessary to save her cub from a similar life of suffering by killing it.
Lord J, that's a great breakdown of the candidates. To add some fuel to the Rick-Perry-is-frightening fire, here's an article about what he's been doing in Texas these past years: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/10/241830/top-10-thing-texas-gov-rick-perry/
I can't even bring myself to think about Bachman, to be honest. She is directly inspired by many of the cultural staples of the evangelical environment I grew up in, most notably Francis Schaeffer, whose take on philosophy, art, and history is so utterly abhorrent to me and antithetical to my own that I can smell the stench of him miles away (sure enough, after hearing some of Bachman's comments, I did my research and was right: Bachman thinks Schaeffer was a prophet, basically). He believes things like "modern, abstract art is inferior to classical art because it is non-representational, "chaotic" opposed to the "orderliness" of our Creator," and tellingly thinks we all started to go downhill during Renaissance humanism. Auugggggh.
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He believes things like "modern, abstract art is inferior to classical art because it is non-representational, "chaotic" opposed to the "orderliness" of our Creator," and tellingly thinks we all started to go downhill during Renaissance humanism. Auugggggh.
Wow, that's a new record. He collectively insulted over 10 million artists with a single, simplistic sentence. :x
But he forgets the primary philosophy shared by true artists: only from chaos can beauty reign, and it takes a true stroke of genius to accomplish that. The very genii he collectively offended.
The bears! Please, not the bears! :cry: :(
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I didn't know you had that kind of upbringing, Syna. You've come a long way not to show it at all. It's very hard to do, and respect to anyone who can.
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Thank you -- it's always a relief when I hear comments like that. It was a very oppressive and life-denying environment.
Fortunately, I came away unscathed (save for an awful habit of looking at the Focus on the Family website every few months and pissing myself off). I had a some advantages -- essentially, a multicultural family, my natural proclivity to literature, and my occasionally bullheaded stubbornness! -- so I consider myself lucky.
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My two main agents are jumping ship. Offered me, so I have a shit-ton to think about.
Worried.
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Whoever designed the kitchen light fixture in my apartment needs to be shot.
Out of a cannon.
Into a brick wall. :picardno
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Do you have light fixtures? If so, then it could be worse.
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Holy shit, my subconscious was right! Either despite all laws of physics we're still living in a supernatural world, or reality is simply an illusion.
And the human race still takes laughably ridiculous decisions on equally hilarious reasons.
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Holy shit, my subconscious was right! Either despite all laws of physics we're still living in a supernatural world, or reality is simply an illusion.
And the human race still takes laughably ridiculous decisions on equally hilarious reasons.
Perhaps humans were all dead when Lavos stroke the earth. We are now living as memories of the planet.
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Holy shit, my subconscious was right! Either despite all laws of physics we're still living in a supernatural world, or reality is simply an illusion.
And the human race still takes laughably ridiculous decisions on equally hilarious reasons.
Perhaps humans were all dead when Lavos stroke the earth. We are now living as memories of the planet.
XDDD Now THAT makes for an excellent plot device / twist!
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Recently, I terminated all communication with my mom until she decides to act like an adult, among other (many) reasons that I won't get into here. It seemed to be working, but it turns out she's been contacting friends of mine on Facebook, trying to get information on me. And she's not just asking for information, she's making up weird stories to go along with it. Like asking people if I've been on a trip with them lately, telling them that I've been sick and she hasn't heard from me, asking people if they are my boyfriend/girlfriend, ect. It's all becoming very WTF.
I figure the rest of the family is used to her nonsense, but I had someone call me this morning, genuinely worried about my health after hearing some nonsense from her. I'm not sure what to tell people, though. Should I say, "My mom is crazy, just ignore her"? That makes me seem like a disrespectful daughter, lest I go into the laundry list of stuff that's led up to this (not the least of which is that she steals things from me whenever she can, like medicine, money and anything else I have that she wants, and she justifies it "because she's my mother." I'm sorry, but being my mother doesn't justify stealing from me.)
I'm torn on whether or not I should send her a message telling her to stop. I instigated this "no communication" thing a few weeks ago, and if I respond now, she'll know that if she acts outrageous enough that she'll get a rise out of me. (She is very smart about getting under peoples' skins, and uses her skills for bad things) But ignoring her bizarre behavior in the past seldom makes it stop. She just gets angry and does even more outrageous stuff.
*sigh*
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Don't send her a message. It's not going to change her behavior; it may even reinforce it by provoking a response from you. Just tell concerned friends and family members who contact you that you are all right, and that your mother's stories are a misunderstanding. You don't need to go into any more detail than that, unless you want to.
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I haven't slept in 22 hours because of our baby. She's been extra fussy tonight and has done a lot of crying/screaming and scattered feeding (that often isn't even feeding, rather it is fake feeding). Frustrating, right?
At the same time I love it. Listening to Mozart and spending time as a family... And she enjoys Mozart! So maybe this should be in the "I love" thread...?
The lack of sleep makes it frustrating, so I'll leave it here for now. :)
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Don't send her a message. It's not going to change her behavior; it may even reinforce it by provoking a response from you. Just tell concerned friends and family members who contact you that you are all right, and that your mother's stories are a misunderstanding. You don't need to go into any more detail than that, unless you want to.
I second that; if you feel uncomfortable with all this, simply drop the ball and leave. I know it's hard (she's your mother, after all) but she needs to be considerate about your feelings. Let her know, whether with words or actions, that the day she finally empathizes with you she will have you again. :)
That said, even my parents take money from my wallet from time to time, though they never claim it's because they have ever right to; when asked, they tell me that dad/mom needed it because they had none with them. And if I told them to let me keep them they would, and they respect our possessions. Due this, I don't mind them taking anything from me, because I feel I'd only be returning the favor for all they've done for me.
Reason I point this out, RW, is because the "I'm your mother" bit is too drastic. As a hard-working daughter, you too would feel the need to support them, and while I can understand your escape from situations (dawning my "other side" lens) she becomes needy and emotionally frustrated, and thus acts the way she does in desperation. But at the same time, if you give in, you would only be feeding into her anxiety.
It's a pretty rough situation... Especially when you know you can't just abandon this specific person for your well being. Strangers are easy, but a bond of blood ties you for better or for worse.
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Ugh, I forgot my password to my account on rav.shishnet.org. And I can't seem to request a new one. It's not a big deal, but I was thinking of returning to my original avatar.
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I hate it when I forget passwords. More likely than not, though, I just forget which one goes to which account.
On a side note, I seem to have agitated my tongue somehow. There's a little piece of flesh that just kind of dangles off. It hurts.
... also, school starts soon. :(
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http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/pint-sized-preachers-5547/Overview#tab-Videos/10425_00
Fuck everything about this.
Preaching and being religious: so easy, a 4 year old can do it.
You already know that in all likeliness, this kid's going to grow up to be a Republican, greedy, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, racist, classist, plutocratic, fundamentalist asshole. Churches are the incubators.
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Hurricane Irene cometh!
I'm far enough inland that I don't need to evacuate, but there's going to be majorly severe weather here (unless Irene takes a nice, easterly swing back out to the ocean). The last time a hurricane made landfall in that particular area, we had major problems here!
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Days like this make me feel ashamed of being Mexican…
http://www.animanaturalis.org/n/12131
http://mx.noticias.yahoo.com/flash--el-cachorro-de-neza-fue-colgado-como-escarmiento.html
http://mx.noticias.yahoo.com/s%C3%A1lganse-quemar-advirtieron-055804585.html
I know is not my country’s fault but… It’s so frustrating…
:picardno
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http://www.animanaturalis.org/n/12131
http://mx.noticias.yahoo.com/flash--el-cachorro-de-neza-fue-colgado-como-escarmiento.html
http://mx.noticias.yahoo.com/s%C3%A1lganse-quemar-advirtieron-055804585.html
...what...the...duck...
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism
These sad, sad Luddites and critics. Science does not make a rainbow less magical; quite the opposite. It's as if these people would prefer we go back to quasi-religious speculation.
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Goddammit, I mused about the effects of language to the psyche and how perception alters differing between languages, especially on the effects of Sanskrit, Hindi dialects, Urdu and its influence, European sovereignty, mingling of subcultures, errors in pronunciation and duplicating definitions, shortcomings of the English language, etc. this was a discussion that would have been so goddamned interesting for everyone and I... FORGOT!! *bangs his head on desk*
T_____________________T
Also, if hear someone say "Judo is gay" one more time I SWEAR I'll perform Tsuri Goshi on them!
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Myriad of health problems. Perpetual insomnia, constant anxiety attacks, and the lovely I-can't-breathe-and-I-feel-like-I'm-going-to-have-another-heart-attack episodes. And I can't afford to go to a local clinic, let alone a hospital. Whoopee.
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Myriad of health problems. Perpetual insomnia, constant anxiety attacks, and the lovely I-can't-breathe-and-I-feel-like-I'm-going-to-have-another-heart-attack episodes. And I can't afford to go to a local clinic, let alone a hospital. Whoopee.
Ah, crap! At first I misread your statements until attacks (I always do that; dyslexia, I know) and thought you were talking about love, but I realized what you mean. Holy shit!
Saj, stay with us! :o What about D? Aren't there any community/government hospitals in your area? Any relatives that could help out?
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Myriad of health problems. Perpetual insomnia, constant anxiety attacks, and the lovely I-can't-breathe-and-I-feel-like-I'm-going-to-have-another-heart-attack episodes. And I can't afford to go to a local clinic, let alone a hospital. Whoopee.
Have you looked into returning to a country like Scotland that has better healthcare for the poor? Have you looked into your Medicaid and Social Security eligibility? You probably have, but in the off chance otherwise I figured I would bring it up.
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Sajainta, I'm so sorry. :(
To join the chorus of "just in case this is helpful" voices: my city has a program where you can apply for a card that will give you free (or incredibly discounted) medical services. When my boyfriend broke his wrist, he used it. It wasn't ideal.. he had to go to certain clinics and certain hospitals, the wait list was like a month, and there was red tape galore, but it was better than nothing. This is in my ridiculously red state, too, so if it's here I imagine it's in other places!
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Myriad of health problems. Perpetual insomnia, constant anxiety attacks, and the lovely I-can't-breathe-and-I-feel-like-I'm-going-to-have-another-heart-attack episodes. And I can't afford to go to a local clinic, let alone a hospital. Whoopee.
*cringe* Health problems are never fun. The only advice I know to offer has to do with medicine. If you take any prescription medication that's very expensive, there are organizations that can help you get your medicine for free (usually if you're uninsured). If you go to your local county's Department of Health, they should have information on all the low-cost/free medical services in the area.
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My frustration today: I have a Physics professor who can barely speak English. When she lectures, she sounds like she's talking in her native language, and doesn't sound like she's speaking in English at all. The class is becoming increasingly disruptive, with students getting upset over not being able to understand a single word over a three-hour class (twice a week, too!). She repeats herself over and over again, until she gets upset, and then she becomes even less understandable.
If I just sit back and passively listen to her, I don't understand anything. If I concentrate really hard on every single word she says, I may get one out of ten. I mean, how is that acceptable for a professor? Maybe I'm just spoiled, and colleges just expect students to "deal with it," but if I'm having to super-concentrate just to figure out that she's actually speaking English, how am I supposed to learn anything?
I'm lucky, because Physics is very easy for me, and I can easily teach myself (if there were no attendance policy, I'd just show up for tests). But I know there are others in the class who are not so lucky, and they're getting more and more upset and distressed as time goes on.
Maybe colleges don't care, and they really do just expect students to "deal with it." I honestly don't know what a college's view would be on this subject. Or maybe this really is unacceptable for a professor. Anyone have any insight?
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Saj - All the best. I hope that you figure it out and be well. Ummm....ice cream? Everybody likes ice cream.
RW - Sounds like you gotta bring something up, whether it be another professor (Science/Physics hopefully), a Dean, somebody. The fact that multiple people are getting upset means there is a problem. It is not acceptable. Might not get you much, but it's something. It's no different from a professor teaching French that can't speak French well. At least in MY book that's how it goes. And my book is a coloring book...wait what?
Everybody Else - One person flash mob.
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@RW - You might not like this suggestion I'm about to give you (no tact), but here it is anyway.
If there's a serious issue, just be straight-forward about it. Go to your teacher and politely explain that you, or rest of the class, can't explain a word she's speaking. Talk to her about the issue and help her figure out how she's gonna get about. Maybe she could appoint a student to narrate for her (since teaching helps you learn better than actual learning)? If she's stubborn, then talk to the college Dean about it, flattering the teacher (even if falsely) and saying that you really wish to learn, but that none of the students understand her language. If your college isn't run by fascist pricks, they'll hear ya.
Knowing you, things will just go fine. I'm, unfortunately, the guy who dares to rebel and mock the mooks. :D (They banned make-up at the institute once, so just to fuck with them I tattoo'd my face)
@Shee - Haha! I stole that quote and stored it in my bookmarks, just because I can't be as awesome as you. :lol:
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I've been doing some freelance writing and I got on article rejected, which isn't so much the frustration as that I really shouldn't have taken the assignment in the first place. It was too long to begin with to be worthwhile for the pay, then rewrites were requested which essentially had me split it into three articles (with no increased pay). At that point I should have cut my losses, but I stuck with it. Finally it was rejected. Even though it was a friggenly huge article at that point, it was still too large of a topic to cover in such a small space, so it lacked a desired level of obsessive compulsive specificity. I really should be beyond the point of misjudging the effort required on a writing project by now.
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Commiserations, Thought. Seldom does my patented Iron Fist feel heavier than when it hangs over the heads of mooks who dare defy the Great Lord of the J!
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(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/Truthordeal/tories.png)
All it needs is a "thumb this up if you agree." Found this on a video containing Winston Churchill's "On the Beaches" speech. Most of the rest of the comments were arguing about the US's involvement in the war, almost all of them so glaringly wrong factually that I had a mini brain aneurysm.
Fuck, people are stupid.
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No other real place to put this...
The Lord Buddha gave this reflection about why a monk wears a robe:
Properly considering the robe, I use it: simply to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, simply for the purpose of covering the parts of the body which cause shame.
Okay, if there's no religious significance, then why does this persist:
http://mro.org/zmm/aboutus/teachers.php
Why shave your head and wear those robes? Especially if Zen is about getting over concepts, attachments, etc. and experiencing the world without mediation? Aren't donning those robes and rituals of yesteryear a form of hanging on to concepts and being attached to an idea?
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Okay, if there's no religious significance, then why does this persist:
http://mro.org/zmm/aboutus/teachers.php
Why shave your head and wear those robes? Especially if Zen is about getting over concepts, attachments, etc. and experiencing the world without mediation? Aren't donning those robes and rituals of yesteryear a form of hanging on to concepts and being attached to an idea?
Simple: You can't can't blame a Guru for his disciples' foolishness.
Also, those robes are cool.
(http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQDxWi6v2lj6ild6&w=180&h=540&url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F7%2F74%2FBeijing_bouddhist_monk_2009_IMG_1486.JPG%2F720px-Beijing_bouddhist_monk_2009_IMG_1486.JPG)
Simplicity says that robes aren't important to be a monk, but simplicity also says that robes are important to help identify them if need be. You can practice Zen/Buddhism in civil clothes, but (if you choose to) you can also wear robes in temples so people could identify you as a practitioner.
Also, shaving your head is essentially to show your getting over attachment (such as hairdos). It's a dare to test your dedication (there's more to this, but I forget).
Also, just because experiencing the world without meditation is important doesn't mean meditation isn't important. XD
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You can't can't blame a Guru for his disciples' foolishness.
Not only can you, but you should.
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You can't can't blame a Guru for his disciples' foolishness.
Not only can you, but you should.
Doing so is hardly rational; also, it sounds like you simply want to force an accusation/blame on someone, which is also irrational. So what is your reasoning behind your statement?
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The success of a teacher lies in the success of the students. I don't "want" to blame anyone. Wanting has nothing to do with it. Why do you even bring that up?
It is appropriate to judge a teacher by the students--not so that we can give the teacher a trophy or a public shaming, but so that we can look to build better methods of teaching and, in a grander context, make people better.
I do grant that, at some point, it ceases to be relevant to judge the student in terms of the teacher. "Jesus" is not responsible for anything that happens in the world today. But good teachers will favorably bend the arc of history before fading from memory. Jesus, and Buddha, and so forth, did not achieve that. That much is still eligible for judgment.
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The success of a teacher lies in the success of the students. I don't "want" to blame anyone. Wanting has nothing to do with it. Why do you even bring that up?
That is because of the generality-attitude I've studied about various cultures.
Bah, I was just trying to provoke a response out of you in relevance to the Want factor. :lol: It didn't work: either you're too smart for me or I'm an idiot. Anywhos, you have a few points correct and few not. For one, you are correct: The success of a teacher lies in the success of the students. But do note that, as children age, they tend to develop their own mind-frame and choose to follow diverse ideology, usually extremely different from their predecessors, no matter how good a teacher is. This diversity of thought is more common for adults than children, because adults usually have the power and advantage to steer their own life the path they choose and only accept what they feel is beneficial for them.
It is appropriate to judge a teacher by the students--not so that we can give the teacher a trophy or a public shaming, but so that we can look to build better methods of teaching and, in a grander context, make people better.
You win this round. *shakes fist*
I do grant that, at some point, it ceases to be relevant to judge the student in terms of the teacher. "Jesus" is not responsible for anything that happens in the world today. But good teachers will favorably bend the arc of history before fading from memory.
Same here. :D
Jesus, and Buddha, and so forth, did not achieve that. That much is still eligible for judgment.
XD This is where things will get interesting. Tell me exactly; how compatible is grammar and definition from one language to the other? How accurate will it be to take two steps of compatibility conversion? Okay, now say a paragraph of your honest thoughts (word of mouth) to a bloke who lives in Portugese, and ask him to relay it to his fellow people in Portugese, then ask them to spread it out to Spain. Then Russia. Then China. Then India (it's gonna be one helluva curry). Then back to you.
...Exactly. :lol: If you get what I mean, good. If not, let me know (and there goes an extra 40 mins of explanation *dies*). Knowing from Z's misinterpretation of Buddhism principles, I hope you see what I mean. It's one of the problems that the author Tarak Mehta was worried about, and another reason the Art of Pangai Noon was lost.
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If you get what I mean, good. If not, let me know (and there goes an extra 40 mins of explanation *dies*).
I fear I should ask for elaboration rather than make assumptions at this point. Take your time in formulating a reply. My schedule is quite full today.
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AAAARGHHH!!!
T_________________T"
I worked my ass off on this art last night and saved it half-way, hoping to finish it the next day, but now it says "corrupted PSD". WAAAAAAAAHH!
P.S.: Ah, thank Ubuntu! It's Image Viewer reads any image format, unlike the one on Windows which is restricted. I was able to grab my file and save it as...
....a flattened image. Meh, it's better than nothing, I guess...
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Ugh (http://news.yahoo.com/obama-halts-controversial-epa-regulation-143731156.html).
Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh.
:picardno
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Yeah. I was talking with my friend when I realized that Brazil's right-wing is left of the USA's Democratic party. The situation in this country is just completely fucking stupid. Most people are so deeply asleep in consumerism and religion that they've forgotten why things like social contracts and a centralized state with taxation are necessary.
I laughed playing a Sims offshoot today. You can buy a streetlight for your house, and the caption was, "remember when governments used to build infrastructure?"
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I laughed playing a Sims offshoot today. You can buy a streetlight for your house, and the caption was, "remember when governments used to build infrastructure?"
This right here is why so many are still without power from Hurricane Irene. I mean hell. Back in 1989 South Carolina got hit by a category 5 hurricane named Hugo that, by size and intensity alone, made Katrina look like a puny little bitch of a storm. Considering Charleston got hit head on by the storm, and it's below sea level at any given time of the year, this wasn't a very good situation. But we were out of power for a week. Just a week.
Now consider, this is 2011, 22 years after Hugo. Irene was never made it past being a fairly weak category 3, which can still do some damage but it's not that strong. North Carolina got hit head on, and the damage there was very minimal. Yes, they had more deaths than any other state, but the structural damage was relatively low. Meanwhile, you get to Virginia, and most of New England, and there's either a lot of infrastructural damage or people are STILL without power. How the HELL is any of this proceeding in the right direction!? I get that Vermont and New York don't get many hurricanes, but how can the power companies be THIS unprepared? How can the infrastructure of a coastal state be this weak against tropical winds?
It's damning.
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Are you aware that many Republicans in Congress, led by none other than Eric Cantor--a member of the GOP leadership whose district actually got hit by the storm--are opposed to any additional disaster relief funding unless it's matched by cuts elsewhere in the budget? We live in an age where it's not just that the government isn't fulfilling its own infrastructural responsibilities or promoting an economic climate where private enterprise does its share...no, there's actually a sizable movement in our government to do even less!
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We live in an age where it's not just that the government isn't fulfilling its own infrastructural responsibilities or promoting an economic climate where private enterprise does its share...no, there's actually a sizable movement in our government to do even less!
Hmm, I better make a note on that.
I'm not much aware of the damages that may have been caused by the coming of Irene, but hopefully there are no life casualties. Suffice it to say (I don't know what that phrase means -- I'm just mimicking), the lack of power wouldn't be a frustrating aspect for the commoners in the Third World. Power gets cut in every rain fall, let alone a storm or hurricane.
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:|
....
You guys have got to be shitting me. I stay away for a single day and there's so goddamned much for me to read... The Compendium has more words than the Torah and Upanishads combined!
Ah, well, it'd be an interesting read, anywhos. Keep em piling up! :D
People suffering from Aspergers have it easy, but we dyslexics are the ones who are truly suffering. I wait for the bus for an hour, and several pass by that simply aren't what I'm after. An hour later I ask another bystander when does a bus for Pune Station arrive, and he tells me, "Are you blind man? Four buses for Pune Station passed by right in front of ya! I was thinking you were waiting for someone."
I bit my lip, punched myself in the face, and grabbed a rickshaw. Yes, I have that bad of a difficulty reading things, and it doesn't help that the source and destinations are specified in Devanagari.
(Note: Despite our late start in learning Devanagari at school, a student is capable of picking the reading up fairly quickly, simply because it is not only phonetically efficient, case independent, but is also structurally superior to English. Reason I'm so bad is because it took me a fuck load of time to learn English, let alone a new language.)
Also, and advise to anybody planning to travel via rickshaws in India: make sure you're good at math and geography, and great at spotting things out of the ordinary (such as a rigged meter). There's a good chance someone's trying to rip you off (not all cabbies be wicked; many are simply poor, but it's nice to stay cautious).
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TOO MUCH TO READ, WRITE, AND DO.
and no thanks to you lot here!
All in due time, and now is the time for bike rides, local theater, and dinner with friends. I hope you're all as pleasantly frustrated with what is good in life as I am.
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I echo the rest of the crowd in saying, "Holy smokes! How am I supposed to catch up on the posts here?!?!"
It's quality reading, but still. I'm so behind, haha.
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I hope you're all as pleasantly frustrated with what is good in life as I am.
XD I bid the same to you, because apparently being human isn't good enough (blame the Sumerians and Egyptians). 8) (http://hq.deviantart.com/blog/43618012/)
Glad you're enjoying yourself. Though, my frustrations lie with people who have false visions of joy, and certainly not like yours. I really wish those people could see "life" beyond a pack of cigarettes, bottle of booze and all-night-out gaming/partying.
I echo the rest of the crowd in saying, "Holy smokes! How am I supposed to catch up on the posts here?!?!"
Couldn't have put it better myself!
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I hope you're all as pleasantly frustrated with what is good in life as I am.
Absolutely. =)
Watching Totoro shortly with a friend! What a classic...
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Watching Totoro shortly with a friend! What a classic...
I love that movie. It reminds me so much of my childhood. The scenery, their house, and the various myths made me feel like I was back home in Cebu. Two different countries, I know, but there were so many similarities and it made me so homesick.
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I slept for four hours Friday night, and so I was expecting to have a nice, long sleep last night. Yeeeah, didn't happen. I was exhausted, but as soon as I started getting ready for bed I just felt the urge to write more for the short novel I've been working on for the past month. And so I started writing. And writing. And writing. Seven hours later, and I've been writing non-stop. It's absolutely exhilarating but dear lord, writing can take such a huge toll on your well-being (as I'm sure some of you well know).
So I'm not frustrated with any of the thunder-bolt impulses I get to pour myself out onto a page, I'm frustrated because I never sleep.
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I slept for four hours Friday night, and so I was expecting to have a nice, long sleep last night. Yeeeah, didn't happen. I was exhausted, but as soon as I started getting ready for bed I just felt the urge to write more for the short novel I've been working on for the past month. And so I started writing. And writing. And writing. Seven hours later, and I've been writing non-stop. It's absolutely exhilarating but dear lord, writing can take such a huge toll on your well-being (as I'm sure some of you well know).
:(
I feel ya. The only thing in life that interrupts me from writing is life itself. I wish I had several days of free time to properly pour myself onto a page too.
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:(
I feel ya. The only thing in life that interrupts me from writing is life itself. I wish I had several days of free time to properly pour myself onto a page too.
This this this. I know exactly what you mean and I feel the same way. I only have time to write in the wee hours of the morning every other day or so, which is fine because it's when I'm the most alert (I have the weirdest sleeping schedule), but I wish I could write all the time.
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Nothing's going right today (or yesterday). Visited my girlfriend this weekend but had to drive six hours early yesterday to get back for band practice and a show. Got back but practice was cancelled cause the drummer had to work late(if I had known I could have had more time with my gf). Played the show, did well, got paid, had a massive PA speaker in my passenger seat on the way home, stopped at a red light, the speaker tipped forward and destroyed my windshield. Talked to gf last night after everything, she says she is supposed to go to breakfast with friends in the morning but she wants to skype first and see my face. I got my hopes up, called her this morning, and she decided she needs to go to breakfast and it in fact our skype date that can wait. Called insurance while walking to the store for cigarettes, store didn't have my brand, had to walk home and drive my glassy car to another store. Fuck today. I know it's 9-11 but that doesn't mean today HAS to suck. Ugh.
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...(Falls over laughing) Ahahaha!! Sorry 'bout that. Somehow it sounded like stuff happening to Garfield at Mondays. XDDD
You've hit quite a streak of bad luck. :shock: Sometimes I wonder if Lady Luck does that on purpose when she is mischievous, or whether she's really that clumsy. Does your girl really live that far? You could always tell her, "Introduce your friends to me! :D" and get into their good shoes. Not only will you get to spend time with her but also, if her friends are impressed with your good character, they'd buoy her with that, "Ooh! You two are made for each other" kinda thing.
...Or you could throw away that advise. Just an opinion, but I could be wrong. Just that socializing with her friends help, in a way that strengthens your bond. Of course, I can't help with the windshield or cigarette (I'm not Santa Claus, but I wish I was).
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I am very fortunate to have essentially as much time as I want to spend on my personal writing, since I control my work schedule and my expenses. Unfortunately, when ample time becomes available, it reveals other obstacles which may have previously been concealed. Writing can be immensely enjoyable...and damn annoying. =)
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Does your girl really live that far? You could always tell her, "Introduce your friends to me! :D" and get into their good shoes. Not only will you get to spend time with her but also, if her friends are impressed with your good character, they'd buoy her with that, "Ooh! You two are made for each other" kinda thing.
...Or you could throw away that advise. Just an opinion, but I could be wrong. Just that socializing with her friends help, in a way that strengthens your bond.
Yeah she went back to school so she lives 6 hours away. It's not her friends, I like them, they like me, but I felt like I was being avoided. At least I've been able to talk to her since and we got everything sorted out without getting mad at each other.
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Hurray for Totoro!!
It's been a long, long while since I've been able to chase inspiration for hours on end like Saj & tush have described. Unfortunately, writing for a living has its downsides, one of which is that when I have the time to work on my own pieces, I'm often shivering with restlessness. The last thing I want to do is write even more, so I scribble for a half-hour and am distracted by a cat or a friend (or an internet forum!) and the cause is lost.
In certain meaningful respects, I've been able to flourish in this position, and I've had ample ground to experiment with interactive narratives in a way that may one day translate to projects I actually give a damn about.
On the other hand, the writing I do may be "creative" but it's not art; none of it is close to what I'd be doing if my time were my own, I must bend to any halfbrained expectation a client happens to have, and I must write in a way that's acceptable for an audience with a "8th grade reading level," which has taken a measurable toll on my vocabulary >_>
And here I am whining about my good fortune; I'll stop. I'll try to transform my envy of those early-morning writing sessions - exhausting as they are - into a drive to stay up late and wait patiently until inspiration, that oft-tardy houseguest, arrives. (Preferably with wine.)
Here's something I read sometimes when I'm feeling emptied out: http://therumpus.net/2010/08/dear-sugar-the-rumpus-advice-column-48-write-like-a-motherfucker/ (http://therumpus.net/2010/08/dear-sugar-the-rumpus-advice-column-48-write-like-a-motherfucker/).
We get the work done on the ground level. And the kindest thing I can do for you is to tell you to get your ass on the floor. I know it’s hard to write, darling. But it’s harder not to. The only way you’ll find out if you “have it in you” is to get to work and see if you do. The only way to override your “limitations, insecurities, jealousies, and ineptitude” is to produce. You have limitations. You are in some ways inept. This is true of every writer, and it’s especially true of writers who are 26. You will feel insecure and jealous. How much power you give those feelings is entirely up to you.
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I am very fortunate to have essentially as much time as I want to spend on my personal writing, since I control my work schedule and my expenses. Unfortunately, when ample time becomes available, it reveals other obstacles which may have previously been concealed. Writing can be immensely enjoyable...and damn annoying. =)
Share how you do it, man. I'd be grateful. XD (I wonder why we call it "grateful" since we don't grate anything in such instances)
Unfortunately, writing for a living has its downsides, one of which is that when I have the time to work on my own pieces, I'm often shivering with restlessness. The last thing I want to do is write even more, so I scribble for a half-hour and am distracted by a cat or a friend (or an internet forum!) and the cause is lost.
Hey, getting distracted by cats is acceptable (those damn bastards love to play, but this keeps you healthy too), although you don't necessarily have to type things out. xD You could always use sheaves of paper and/or pen and break the rules of writing (scribble all over the place till your mind stabilizes and you hit a jackpot). If nothing else works, then you always have Taxonomy (on traditional Index Cards) (http://crissxross.net/cwnm/labimages/IndexCards02-600w.jpg), or even Mind Mapping (http://www.greenchameleon.com/uploads/Taxonomy_concept_map1_thumb.gif)!
There's just something about traditional writing that feels good compared to quickly typing stuff out. Yes you're slow (and I'm horrible at writing traditionally, and you know why), but there's this intriguing feel to it I just can't explain. Also, visual writing is rad!
Haha that Sugar quote is quite true. A person will never find their potential unless they touch their creative self and push! And I believe that a lot of us Compendiumites are those fortunate mofos who already have. 8)
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My frustration of the evening is writer's block. In addition to prose and the occasional play and poem, I compose music. I don't have the technical experience, theoretical grounding, or expensive software that most people who compose music have, and I can't play any musical instrument particularly well, although I have a synthesizer keyboard that's missing me while it sits in storage in Seattle.
No, what I have is a copy of Noteworthy Composer and General MIDI to hear playbacks.
But! I also have a lifetime of appreciating music (though who doesn't?), and my imagination extends to the world of music very naturally. I compose a fair amount of musics, and I try to remind myself that it would sound a little bit better if I dropped a few hundred dollars on nicer software. It doesn't come easily for me like writing words does, and, to be honest, my music is not all that great, but I enjoy writing it and I've been slowly getting better over the years.
With prose, I rarely get writer's block. But with music, it can hit me like a brick wall. Last night, after my contribution to the Josh Is a Dick thread, I forewent my intention to do paid work and spent the entire night composing twenty seconds of music that sound fucking great. (And it's not only twenty seconds long, but sixteen channels deep. This is a work for symphony orchestra.) By the end of the night my ears hurt, my eyes were strained, I had a headache, and my stomach was disgruntled from nothing but coffee, chili, and soda. I had made no money and my mind was turned to mush. But I had achieved some of the best-sounding MIDI squawks I'd ever written, and I'd done it from scratch. (It's amazing how an entire piece of music can derive from a metaphor that fits into a single measure.)
I watched the moonset, the sunrise, and went to bed. (We usually keep nighttime hours here.) This afternoon I woke up, refreshed and all that, and, after contributing my latest to the Josh Is a Dick thread, I gathered my wits and set to work on my composition.
Brick. Friggin'. Wall. I've spent three hours for no gains whatsoever. Nothing. Not a single measure. I've written, erased, written, erased--usually I don't erase but with this there's just no alternative. Stuck stuck stuck. Grrr, etc.
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I also have a lifetime of appreciating music (though who doesn't?), and my imagination extends to the world of music very naturally.
With prose, I rarely get writer's block. But with music, it can hit me like a brick wall.
Hah, tell me about it! Music is the soul of the universe, and you can hear planets and stars sing. Every life has a song etched in its heart, and that is where our journey begins. It's power can also bring life to fictional manifestations, which explains why it's capable of breaking a writer's block (cube?)
It's amazing, though, that majority of us have at the Compendium are into varied quality in music (some into classicals, some italidisco, some for new-age, and some movie-esq genres), but the massive world out there just goes for what's mainstream.
Then again, not all mainstream is bad. This one, apparently, bloomed flowers in the most barren deserted expanses of thought (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfo5X5YS_Kc)when I introduced an excellent female character in my novel.
Also, drums make Shee crazy. :D
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I wish I were more intelligent.
I wish I was as intelligent as I was before I started high school.
Hey Jeff, thanks for all the concussions, all the mind-fuckery and dehumanization, and all the drugs you and your little rapist cronies pumped through my body that fucked with my brain, you sadistic psychopath.
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XD You already are!
I don't know much of what went on in your past, and I am also aware that I am not in the position to ask. But I can say this: the human brain has an excellent capability to repair and improve damages (unless it's been shot with a Magnum sniper), which means that you are not as inferior as you think by any means. Yes, you may have a delayed start. But I also know that I view you as someone like Jun Misugi / Julian Ross from Captain Tsubasa, who suffers from a weak heart and thus is unable to play longer than 10 minutes per game (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3tpzo_jun-misugi-tribute_sport); one thing I love both about you and Jun is that despite your handicap when you step into the pitch you're like a sun that outshines every star in the field.
Also, it depends on how you define "intelligence". To me, it isn't "what you know or how much you know". To me, a person can be deemed intelligent when he/she is a critical thinker, has a critical and observant eye, is extremely curious and creative, and is capable of assessing information at a given time. It's easy to read a book and brag what you know, but it takes RADICAL to solve a problem or figure out things with precision, and fortunately anyone can be that radical. It's just that nobody wants to try or are too intimidated by it. But you already are that awesome. XD
Also, even if someone isn't, there's no problem with that. Intelligence isn't governed by uniform levels, but how efficient you are at whatever you do. In the words of Sherlock Holmes, master what you are and what you do; any knowledge beyond that is irrelevant. Sherlock was an idiot because he didn't know that the Earth revolved around the Sun, but he was a genius when he needed to track a criminal across continents. It was his strengths that mattered, not his weaknesses.
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Sigh. Lipsyncing is fucking tedious, despite all the technology available today. I hate being accurate and technical; I'd rather be artistic, focusing an aesthetics above all else. Artists tend to cheat through unnecessary accuracy, but sometimes things are just unavoidable.
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I hate diplomacy, in that I hate the air of legitimacy it gives to positions of ignorance. It invites an argument to moderation as well. How would it be if President Obama invited the KKK to the White House for a dialogue, in hopes of reaching a diplomatic consensus? Outrageous. Because we, in all our erudition, know the KKK is evil and racism is backwards. But other things? We're not so lucky. In issues of governance, taxation, economics, sexual equality, religion, and what have you, one must pander and open a channel to the ignorant parties as to appear diplomatic, courteous, and bipartisan.
But their emperors are naked. I absolutely believe that top-down encouragement of virtue from positions of power can have a positive effect. I sympathize with enlightened despots. But on a much more realistic level, I believe that there are far too many good people out there who hide away their ideals and cower as to maintain group agreement and consensus. (Well, maybe not the Dutch.) It is also a problem of idiocracy and the right-wing tone of indignation; I can find one-hundred blustering idiots who'll die for their imaginary God for every one sincere intellectual not afraid to speak their mind. It is thirdly a problem of anti-intellectualism. This is an age of tailored spirituality, religion, and freedom to live in a world without any inkling of understanding how it works. People are separated from underlying workings by blind acceptance of the world around them, and the emotional comfort this world grants—which makes it mightily inconvenient when truth inconveniently shakes things up. There is a reason we have cars. There is a reason we have electricity. It's called SCIENCE, and it didn't suddenly stop being true just because it invalidated your bullshit faith, asshole.
The only use of diplomacy in improving the world should be for ruthless, calculating effectiveness. When not apt for this purpose, take a stand.
Oh, not to mention anarchy and anarchists. If you're of that ilk, you're an irredeemable fucking idiot who's ignored 4,000 years of human history. Without humanity's self-governance, you wouldn't have two stones to rub together.
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I wasn't sure whether to put this in Frustrations or Amusements, but I settled on the former:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/sc-dc-tax-millionaires-20110919-9,0,2351238.story
For a few years now, conservatives have been prominently using the phrase "class warfare" to undermine economic policies intended to reduce economic class divisions and increase mobility. Do you appreciate how ironic this is, given organized labor's previous use of the term and also given conservative policies of increasing class divisions, increasing poverty, and literally capturing national economic wealth and redistributing it to the richest people?
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Windows, why you so slowwww? :(
My eProject nears and I can't seem to speed up this piece of trash (my hardware is sufficiently fast, mind you, but I don't understand why I would even need to fix it despite being extra careful of my OS). I don't understand why we have to pay for this piece of crap! Why can't it simply be as convenient, fast and stable as Ubuntu? What's all this unnecessary maintenance?
YOU AREN'T THE MASTER OF MY LIFE, MICROSOFT! :x
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Fuck the sun. All it does is punish with brightness, beat down with heat, and make days less aesthetically pleasing.
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I really, really do not like my friend's dog Chloe. I usually don't mind dogs, but I'm a cat person (and a ferret person) hands down. And this dog reminds me every single time I see her why I am a cat person and not a dog person. She's one of those "Oh, you don't love me? Why don't you love me? =( I'm going to bother you until you love me!" kind of dogs. It annoys the hell out of me. I don't want her getting up in my face, licking my legs, and trying to sit in my lap every time I visit my friend. And my friend spoils her rotten, so that doesn't help.
Uuuuurrrrgggghhhh. When a cat knows you don't like them, they leave you the fuck alone.
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Uuuuurrrrgggghhhh. When a cat knows you don't like them, they leave you the fuck alone.
But unlike dogs, cats usually don't respect you either. :lol: To them, they are your masters and it's your job to take care of them.
I read their minds, and it's scary what's in that tiny brain of theirs...
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And that's what I love about cats. They are so pompous, so it's all the more endearing when they're sweet with you. Most dogs are almost always sweet, so it's really not a big deal when a dog is all "I WUV U".
Besides, I don't crave respect from animals. I love animals, I treat them well, I've considered any pet I've had to be a member of my family, but I don't need their respect 'cuz they're, well, animals. As long as my pets like me and like playing with me, I'm happy.
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I am frustrated at people's seemingly indiscriminate aversion to "chemicals."
I wonder if they make a drug for that...
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Some of my music won't work on my new computer, and I have no idea why. >/ Looks like a job for Super Duper Computer Fixer D!
...Once he actually gets up, that is.
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Some of my music won't work on my new computer, and I have no idea why.
http://getsongbird.com/
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
XD
BTW, Saj, dogs aren't always the "I WUV U" kind (I was never a dog person, but thanks to Licawolf I developed curiosity towards them since the past few months). Here's what I saw today. (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,8229.msg209566.html#msg209566)
I am frustrated at people's seemingly indiscriminate aversion to "chemicals."
Was that a jibe towards someone I know?
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I am frustrated at people's seemingly indiscriminate aversion to "chemicals."
Was that a jibe towards someone I know?
I was talking more generally, particularly in response to this Los Angeles Times article (http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-skinnygirl-margarita-sodium-benzoate-20110908,0,7681262.story), but it's fair to include the comments in the other thread. Popular opposition to genetically modified food (quite apart from the malpractices of companies like Monsanto), and blind faith in all things "organic" and "local," are peeves of mine.
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I am frustrated at people's seemingly indiscriminate aversion to "chemicals."
I wonder if they make a drug for that...
Reminds me of the "chem trail" argument. For those who haven't run into one of these people yet, imagine having a conversation at work with a newly employed individual. You chit chat, they seem boring but fairly normal, when suddenly they ask: "So do you know what the government is doing to our air?"
I'd imagine you'd answer like I did, with a short no and a curious brow-furrowing. They will go on to explain that "con trails" (the short term for condensation trails that come from jet engines burning hot in the atmosphere, basically steaming the water right out) are actually chem trails, or chemicals streamed through the air DELIBERATELY. Why, you might ask this gent or lady who seems increasingly less normal than you'd hoped.
To poison us and CONTROL THE WEATHER.
This is not limited to a few nutty right-wingers claiming Obama's gonna kill us. This has been going on for years and years. I find it simply laughable that anyone would ever think the government could have the resources and actual ability to "control the weather" and one can't debate with the people who have the belief ingrained in their head. So here's my argument, you normal people, feel free to use it on a conspiracy-theorist: The government runs both the IRS and the postal system, and both keep messing up, sending me envelopes with IRS and some other guy's name on them, no matter how many times I try to send it back and let them know he doesn't live here. Do you (does anyone) think the American government is even competent enough to even remotely consider controlling the weather? And what does "controlling weather" mean? If we had the ability, it could have been used to raise a thick fog during 9-11 (assuming you don't think the government set that up deliberately as well)for example.
The usage of the word "government" as though it's a catch-all phrase is for another time.
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I am frustrated at people's seemingly indiscriminate aversion to "chemicals."
Was that a jibe towards someone I know?
I was talking more generally, particularly in response to this Los Angeles Times article (http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-skinnygirl-margarita-sodium-benzoate-20110908,0,7681262.story), but it's fair to include the comments in the other thread. Popular opposition to genetically modified food (quite apart from the malpractices of companies like Monsanto), and blind faith in all things "organic" and "local," are peeves of mine.
XD
Just a note: there's differences in "genetically modified" and "chemically modified", and also "blind faith" and "preferences". Hope that's clear. A man can survive on taste-less rice, but he'd undoubtedly prefer Biryani (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o07jRwFhY60/Tm0aHyklE6I/AAAAAAAABeg/r4b2XslN3cI/s400/Hyderabadi+Chicken+Biryani+Recipe+1.jpg).
@MrBekkler: That's politics for ya. There's this interesting concept in Psychology that states if you repeat something often enough, no matter how false, you'd eventually come to believe it. Politicians know this and don't need any sort of evidence to support their bullshit claims, because the way they handle it makes the general public take their word for granted.
Although the way you point out, it's ironic we call "Government" even though they can't "govern shit". Ah, that's a joke anywhos -- take it or leave it. Still, weather control sounds awesome (hey, Dubai's doin' it!), but didn't Con-Trails decrease temperatures by 1 degree Celsius annually? Still, I think I oughta prepare myself for a journey towards Godhood. :lee:
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http://getsongbird.com/
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
I figured out the problem (turns out it was really basic and now I feel stupid), but thanks!
BTW, Saj, dogs aren't always the "I WUV U" kind (I was never a dog person, but thanks to Licawolf I developed curiosity towards them since the past few months). Here's what I saw today. (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,8229.msg209566.html#msg209566)
'Tis why I said most dogs are almost always sweet. I've been around some pretty mean dogs.
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It's really sad that a lot of people feel the need to actually insult others, even if it stems from misunderstanding. And even if they realized the intentions and actions of those other people to be good, they'd still justify their need to cause more pain just to defend their ego than to reach a compromise for both party's sake and move forwards. It's sad, especially since this is also part of human defense mechanism: enough trauma and conflict can make a person switch to "survival mode" wherein they fire in all directions just to save themselves, even if their loved ones are in the vicinity. I can understand that one person's hurt, but what's the point of blindly hurting others regardless of their innocence? One person's scar should not be a reason to scar another innocent, because then the cycle of conflict and pain will never end.
To top it all, what also sickens me is how people approach to establishing "empathy": no, they don't approach with love, rather the opposite -- by causing conflict, a highly impractical and ridiculous method. You can't establish empathy by disregarding it, you can't win "love" by holding a gun to someone's head and asking them to love. Hate breeds hate, and the same goes for love.
If you really want the world to love and understand then begin loving and understanding. There's no better alternative. One love breeds another. One butterfly causes a chain of tornadoes.
That said, prejudice is a dire enemy of any and every artist. As you know that every artist has his/her own style, even though occasionally they experiment beyond what they're capable of. But some people disregard, or downright insult, their art and refrain from observing the sheer beauty and ingenuity of it just because they do not prefer that style. Sigh...
Why don't people understand the value of adventurous creativity? Why can't people go beyond the safety of their mindsets and observe the unnatural world beyond without being insulted? Why can't people value beauty at its finest? Why are people so restricted by their views that they fail to see the wonders beneath their noses?
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You can't establish empathy by disregarding it, you can't win "love" by holding a gun to someone's head and asking them to love.
Alas, you can. It's called Stockholm Syndrome. If there is any human trait that can outdistance our ability to hate everything without reason, then it is our ability to love everything without reason.
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I rather think that questioning things with reason can outdistance both of those. =)
Curiosity is bigger than love. The latter fits inside the former, but nay the other way. This might seem counterintuitive at first, but remember how one falls in love to begin with.
Then again, that's a highly debatable assertion...
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You can't establish empathy by disregarding it, you can't win "love" by holding a gun to someone's head and asking them to love.
Alas, you can. It's called Stockholm Syndrome. If there is any human trait that can outdistance our ability to hate everything without reason, then it is our ability to love everything without reason.
XDDD I'm aware of Stockholm Syndrome (I'm a huge fan of James Hadley Chase - No Orchids For Miss Blandish (http://www.manybooks.net/titles/chasejother08Blandish.html), which was also the very first novel I ever read). But I mean proper love, not the result of fear, misjudgment, abuse, yadda yadda, and I'm against winning someone's heart and trust via Stockholm Syndrome; it's inhumane.
My point was that you couldn't value love at its finest unless you begin loving. In a proper Utopia you shouldn't have the need of a weapon.
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Sorry, I was mostly being amusing, though I think most the time I am just amusing to myself :P I understood what you meant, Tush, but I was just offering a different perspective, one that is both discouraging and encouraging at the same time.
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Didn't get a job that I was a strong pick for. It wasn't their core business, but they were involved in auditing certain Christian non-profits, and so I imagine my lack of professing a strong affiliation with a church to one of the interviewing partners is what put the nail in the coffin. Ah well. In God We Rust. At least I won't have to stomach first-hand the utter, pitiful jokes that are these Christian organizations. How sad that "pastor" is a popular career choice in America. I wish faith could be thrown into the sea, along with care for a supposed afterlife.
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Sorry, I was mostly being amusing, though I think most the time I am just amusing to myself :P I understood what you meant, Tush, but I was just offering a different perspective, one that is both discouraging and encouraging at the same time.
You're amusing to me. That's one more person ;-)
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Sorry, I was mostly being amusing, though I think most the time I am just amusing to myself :P I understood what you meant, Tush, but I was just offering a different perspective, one that is both discouraging and encouraging at the same time.
You're amusing to me. That's one more person ;-)
Yes, you typically amuse me as well whenever I decide to pop up around here. So that's three-for-three.
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Oh my GOD Draco, please please please stop making a racket in your cage. I am trying to
dick around online do work in peace.
I love you dearly but urrrgh just go back to sleep.
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Sometimes it is frustrating to write people off.
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I was just unexpectedly betrayed.
I should have known better.
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I was just unexpectedly betrayed.
I should have known better.
Eh? What? What happened? :o
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Gahh! I'll be able to look at the world with only my left eye today. This sucks...
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I wish, wish, wish I could delete 90% of my Facebook friends because all they do is spew conservative and Christianese bullshit. But I can't because it would cause massive amounts of drama.
You can take the girl out of the über conservative, über Christian setting, but you can't take the über conservative, über Christians out of her Facebook friends.
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Make the jump to Google+ and simply don't add said people when they eventually switch as well?
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Maybe. I got a Google+ account just because D had one.
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Spending my night sending out 200+ job applications. If I had done this in 2006 or 2007, I would have needed only to send out 5 or 10. Oh, how the world changes. "May you live in interesting times." That's going to be true of my generation. I'm hoping to achieve my principal dreams before overpopulation, resource starvation, and plutocracy usher in the darkest age this world has seen since the industrial revolution.
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I only wish more of us couldn't commiserate. A system of production that locks out the talent of its best and brightest is a decaying one.
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I wish, wish, wish I could delete 90% of my Facebook friends because all they do is spew conservative and Christianese bullshit. But I can't because it would cause massive amounts of drama.
You can take the girl out of the über conservative, über Christian setting, but you can't take the über conservative, über Christians out of her Facebook friends.
@Saj, you know you can block your friend's posts from appearing in your news feed. I have had the same problems with some of my friends and I'm quick to block them from my news feed. They can still post on my wall and I can on theirs, and they have no way of knowing that they won't show up in your news feed, so it's completely anonymous. I do that rather than deleting them. Normally I forget about them and that's that, problem solved without any drama.
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I only wish more of us couldn't commiserate. A system of production that locks out the talent of its best and brightest is a decaying one.
Quoted for truth, as they say.
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Spending my night sending out 200+ job applications. If I had done this in 2006 or 2007, I would have needed only to send out 5 or 10. Oh, how the world changes. "May you live in interesting times." That's going to be true of my generation. I'm hoping to achieve my principal dreams before overpopulation, resource starvation, and plutocracy usher in the darkest age this world has seen since the industrial revolution.
Here's a goodluck, friend:
"What is true of the individual will be tomorrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope." -- Gandhi
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Mexico's population has tripled in fifty years, and its people's response is to outlaw abortion in half of Mexican states (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15104022). This deprives people of choice, disproportionately affecting the poor and the young who are least-prepared to have new children.
Mexico's population explosion has been one of the principal reasons for the high incidence of illegal border crossings into the United States. Increasing use of contraceptives and access to abortion over the past twenty years, likewise, has been one of the principal reasons for the reduction in border crossings that we have seen in the last few years.
So many people don't realize that they don't deserve the garbage that they're forced to deal with in their lives, and take no action to change things.
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We've lost half our crop of carrots to slugs! A pox upon the sly creatures!
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I hate not being able to go to public places/forums, etc. without being confronted by the idiocracy. I searched out Paul Hardcastle's "19" while on an 80s crawl; it was an important song that highlighted the struggle of American soldiers in Vietnam, the effects of PTSD, and the absence of a "hero's welcome" for any of them. And of course in the comments I find this, among other stupid comments, top-voted:
First & Foremost, I'm sure I'm older than many whom which in to Engage Into Listening To This Classic Tune.
It's Truly Phenomenal, My Father Served In Vietnam in 1966, In The 25Th infantry In Which this Song Is Articulating.
God Bless All Those Vets.
Freedom ISN'T FREE My friends.
Resplendant68 2 years ago 9
1. Who Taught You To Capitalize Every Thing Ass Hole
2. What Is Phenomenal About This
3. There Is No God You Twit
4. God Bless Unquestioning Patriotism Especially When We Wage Ideological Culture Wars Based On Jingoism
5. I Spelled My Username Wrong LoL What A Fucking Intellectually Disinterested Piece Of Shit I Am
6. Hooray For Parroted Weasel Words Like Freedom When Hey Guess What? America Has A Huge Impoverished Underclass, Myriad Problems, An Inefficient Two-Party System, Sexual Inequality, Racism, And Other Uncountable Problems, But Hey, Keep On Rocking In The Free World, Don't Let Minor Things Like Class War Stop You From Thinking You Live In Goddamn Paradise And People Who Civilly Disagree Should Be Shot And Put On Terrorist Watch Lists
I know it's fucking Youtube, and stupidity is to be expected. But Youtube is massive and a reflection of the masses on this earth. Sometimes this world feels like a prison, and we're locked in with the stupid.
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Yeah, most people are failures and it sucks, and they hold back the rest of us which sucks even more.
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Big frustration, and precisely at the wrong time. I told them to be wary of that Afro Fatso, but they never listened. A good friend has been arrested in suspicion of robbery (which I'm 90% confident he did not commit) and another good friend of mine might just be framed as an accomplice (which I'm 110% sure he isn't).
It's not a wise idea to formulate theories without sufficient data, or bending facts to that theory, but something tells me that even though the Afro guy having his house robbed is a big deal he simply decided to frame his own good friend for compensation simply because he's rich! On top of that, he takes advantage of my friend's silence, claiming that he confessed his crimes. To add salt to the injury, apparently he has a "written statement" from a bike trader who claims my friend sold the stolen vehicle to him (there's a possibility that the Afro bloke bribed the guy to make a false statement -- I've known the bloke since ages, and I'm pretty sure he'd dig so low).
Something's incredibly fishy, going on here. Well, my friends already have a lawyer to defend the poor fellow. I need to find out what's going on, but my best bet is to keep to the shadows, knowing that the moron will frame me as an accomplice too simply because I can read his mind. Well, if there's one thing to be learned from this, it's this:
"You wouldn't know who your truest friends are until you approach the storm."
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Feeling ignored and unwanted by people I like.
w00t. Story of my life.
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Feeling ignored and unwanted by people I like.
w00t. Story of my life.
You're not alone to feel that way -- that's the harsh reality of humanity as whole, and I've been a victim to such feeling as well. Rather, I've learned not to care too much.
Take from a different perspective, and I either give them space or I try to find the flaws in my own character that makes ignore and try to correct them. It's hard to admit our faults, though sometimes their detachment isn't really our fault but of something else. Either it's them, or it could be nobody's apparently (i.e.; situation may be to blame, not the person).
I can understand that your background has caused more harm to you than anybody else, even if you want to put the past behind and forge a better future. But hell, as Z said, life's too short to worry, and eventually it become too easy for me to throw away my despair and frustration out the window (blame the SoY). When you put up a big smile you're attracted to seemingly endless, unpredictable odds that you never knew existed. And you live!
In that spirit, sometimes it helps to give and not to try to obtain. Might sound stupid, but some of us have found that empathy, generosity and love (especially when you don't expect any to be returned), even if you aren't the kind of person, help keep us happy. Why? Because it dictates that you've done something good.
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My wife and I tried to sell some old dishes we had on Amazon. Our set had been discontinued a few years ago, so they were actually worth a decent amount. I am not sure what that USPS is doing to our packages, but despite good, solid packing and labels indicating fragile contents, so far no package has gotten to its destination with even a single item unbroken. This isn't even as simple as the box having had a single good drop, no. I assure you that we did not mail things in cardboard spheres: alas, that is what they look like upon their arrival. It is clear that the packages have been forcefully dropped on numerous occasions. Luckily we've insured each, but there is no guarantee that our claims will be approved. On a few items, even if the insurance claim is approved, we will then only break even because Amazon essentially forced us to take a loss on the original sale anyways (they don't allow sellers to charge a reasonable amount for shipping). Really, the only party who comes out ahead is Amazon, since they keep their cut of the original sale no matter the outcome.
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I abhor my eproject and its stupid, boring demands! I shouldn't complain, since it's easy, but...
Also, I always prided myself to be infallible when it came to zeal. I'm always the most zealous and enthusiastic individuals you'll ever meet, thinking 24/7 and inspired by everything I perceive, always having a plan beyond a plan if I ever conquer what's before me. And I've been building enough zest since over a month now, hoping to finish my eproject so I can apply newer methods to Polar Detective and another creative idea, but...
...all the energy suddenly drained away at one single fucking moment. I've become a lifeless corpse, and I simply don't know where to begin. Reason? *sigh* ....Infatuation.
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(http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/ad3416a3-4ac5-4553-a08b-acbea1e7b40b.jpg)
:?
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Love. Love is simultaneously overrated and underappreciated. I think most people don't really know what it is.
Our culture paints love as the strongest power in the universe, superior to everything, and the ultimate expression of good. It is none of those things.
It's like saying that Yellow is the best color of the rainbow. It kind of misses the point.
What love is, and what many people apparently don't perceive, is a unique expression of attachment to the experiences of, and characters in, one's life. Love is as priceless as all of the great emotions, if one aspires to live fully.
But it isn't a superhero.
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I sent this message to my bank:
Dear Bank of America,
I have been your customer for a couple of years now. I know I have provided you with little profit, but I am a customer in good standing nevertheless.
Your decision to impose a $5 monthly fee for the use of my debit card is not acceptable. The fees you were charging merchants for the use of debit cards were also not acceptable. When the Congress curtailed them, you decided to make your customers pay the difference. Since it looks like the Congress won’t be able to act in a similar fashion this time, I am taking it upon myself to express my displeasure.
The CEO spoke about Bank of America’s right to make a profit. That’s true, BofA has the right. But the bank already makes a profit, in part because it saves a considerable amount of money when BofA customers use their debit cards instead of personal checks. Exactly how much these savings amount to, the bank’s spokespeople will not disclose. I imagine that if the information were disclosed, it would undercut the stated rationale behind this $5 fee.
Too well aware am I that the only thing I possess which matters to you is my money, so consider this: I have already opened a checking account with another financial institution. I will use their debit card instead of yours. You will not collect the $5 fee from me.
I have recently begun to save money in my BofA savings account. I still have money in it. If Bank of America reverses its decision to impose the $5 monthly debit card fee, and continues to provide free checking and savings accounts to low-balance customers like me, I might keep my money there. If not, I will definitely find a better place for it. After all, it is my money. The bank ought to be paying me for the privilege of holding it, yet any account or card fee instantly erases what meager yield of interest I might accrue.
I am sorry to be political, but the BofA leadership is utterly and totally oblivious to the economic realities that the ordinary people of our country are facing. This has been a very good ten years for bank executives and top shareholders...but not so much for the rest of us. I don’t appreciate being fleeced even when the times are good. When they are bad, the greed is inexcusable. I only hope enough customers complain that it makes a difference.
Sincerely,
[Lord J Esq.]
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After bragging to someone earlier this week about how I've got super-duper time management skills, I then proceeded to unwisely spend the rest of the week's time. Heh, whoops...
Well, lesson learned. I'll have to make up for my unwise choices tomorrow!
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Don't you just love it when Josh tries to undermine you like you owe him money? The guy sent me a PM just to tell me what kind of an idiot I am (and he missed at all the attributions he aimed at me). It's cute! It's like gift-wrapping someone an insult, or specially paying a hefty amount to post "Fucktard" on a billboard. At first I always saw him criticizing logically, but now I'm not so sure: apparently his emotions got the better of him and he'd outright antagonize anyone out of sheer prejudice.
Boy, if only I could counter him. If he's a troll then I'm a King of bullies, but this forum isn't a battlefield. Anyone else can feel free to deal with him; this guy just isn't worth my time anymore.
P.S.: This one's for you, Josh. Enjoy that bubble of pride and self-delusion if you feel incredibly comfy in there. I ain't gonna poke it with a stick anymore.
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Uh, tush? I understand your frustration and all, I really do, and I'm sorry about what happened, but all of this "I'm frustrated with so-and-so" on the board is really rather passive-aggressive. If you have an issue with Josh, take it up with him. Or just brush it off of your shoulder. Or confide in an IRL friend. Or just simply take your own advice and not use your time on him anymore. Talking about it on here is rather immature.
And I am not just aiming this at you. Other people have done this as well. If any of you have a problem with someone, talk to them. Don't post about it for everyone to see. It could potentially cause a LOT of unnecessary drama.
We're all (for the most part) adults here. Let's act like adults. Let's be mature and not passive-aggressive. Let's take up our grievances with each other in private, instead of posting them publicly. I've been lambasted publicly on this site by three people (I'm not going to mention their names, and none of them frequent the forum anymore), but I didn't post my issues about it here because I wanted to take the higher road. I either contacted them in private, or ignored them outright because they didn't deserve my time and energy.
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I thought about it, and I'm sorry. Yeah, I probably should have hesitated before posting that. But with this guy, I just can't give a rat's ass anymore. Plus, it's not like I said anything inaccurate.
P.S.: It was also a rant. Feel free to ignore the post.
EDIT: Wait a second, I don't get it. How does THIS GUY get to antagonize or falsely accuse everyone in public then?
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Brand new, shiny frustration.
Rendering...
.....
AAAARGHSONUVA&^%*^&^%$(&*^(*&)(&%^&%*&)(*&!!!! :o
Bane of every 3D artist. Not only does it take too long, but also squeezes every juice out of the CPU. Wish I had an unbiased GPU renderer. Didn't even use Ambiance Occlusion, Global Illumination, Final Gathering, etc. :cry:
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The worst part is that my PM to tush was an attempt to explain why I've been giving him the cold shoulder lately...trying to balance my personal frustration with him and a feeling of social conscientiousness as to what role I might have played in causing the problem. It looks like all I did was get under his skin. Some good deeds meet only antipathy, which is frustrating but common enough in life that I'm getting used to it.
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I need to sleep and this wretched rendering STILL isn't done! :picardno
@Nobody_in_particular: Also, isn't it weird that the reason people give behind "Why I'm giving you a cold shoulder/knee/elbow" is usually an enveloped equivalent to "You're an idiot?" I've been observing this trend everywhere these days, and people seem to insist that "they didn't mean it". I mean come on...
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I went to a party Friday night with D and some friends. I only knew two people there but meh, the people were friendly and there was plenty of social lubricant involved.
Anyway.
Some guy ended up sitting next to me on the couch and asked me "So...you're a feminist and an atheist, yeah?" I agreed, and he then proceeded to say::
"If you're a feminist why are you in a relationship?"
"If you're an atheist, why do you celebrate Christmas?"
The stupid. I could not handle it.
:picardno
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The stupid. I could not handle it.
Sadly their's alot of stupid in this world. :(
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I suppose the idiot thought I was one of those "I hate men" feminists. And I have not met a single feminist who hates men, or who thinks that women are better than men. I do admit that can be very misandristic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misandry), but that's not because I'm a feminist.
I was about to ask the moron why he celebrated Halloween when he wasn't a pagan, but then I had to leave because my friends were tired. Bummer. He deserved to be put in his place.
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"If you're a feminist why are you in a relationship?"
"If you're an atheist, why do you celebrate Christmas?"
Hah! At these circumstances a friend of mine would often smile politely and say, "These questions are irrelevant. You may try again." Most of the time people get the idea (but sometimes at the cost of thinking you're a hypocrite, which is quite cringe-worthy).
Bringing about the "Halloween" and "Pagan" would have been quite witty too! :wink:
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Can't sleep. Normally this would just be a *grumble grumble oh well I'll just take a nap around 8 pm* but friends are coming over around noon and so I have to stay up and be social. -___- I like my friends and all but I do NOT like entertaining guests while sleep-deprived.
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Can't sleep. Normally this would just be a *grumble grumble oh well I'll just take a nap around 8 pm* but friends are coming over around noon and so I have to stay up and be social. -___- I like my friends and all but I do NOT like entertaining guests while sleep-deprived.
Here's a trick that's bound to work. Are you experienced with meditation? If so, then you probably know what to do. If not, just lie down comfortably in bed (preferably after a bath), close your eyes (and the lights) and shut down all thoughts, especially rational thoughts. Let your mind go blank, or simply let your mind flood itself with senseless images, but don't stay in control. Just get swept away. You'll fall asleep instantly.
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I despise being put into situations where I can't say what I really think. People just want to be coddled, and I can't stand it.
EDIT: Lest this be misinterpreted, this isn't related to anyone here.
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Oh, golly. You said it. I wouldn't even put it in the Frustration thread. I'd put it in the Hate thread. I hate having to make the decision that a given person is too much of a failure for me to be honest with them. It's a cliche in many circles, but in my life there really are few things more important than honesty. To have to make the choice not to show honesty is extremely disappointing.
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I despise being put into situations where I can't say what I really think. People just want to be coddled, and I can't stand it.
This. Thank you.
Another irritation is when someone says "Oh please be honest with me", and then you ARE honest with them and they get upset and defensive because they didn't really want honesty, they wanted to be coddled.
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YES. I can't stand the cries of, "But I want honeeeesty!" And then when you're honest, all hell breaks loose and you get shunned. Grrr.
I'm very fortunate to have some friends with whom I can be completely honest, without fear of losing their friendship! My family, however... I'm not so lucky in that regard!
Can't win them all! :(
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C. S. Lewis. More specifically, people who kiss the ground he walked on. Perhaps this is only a big deal within Christian circles, but growing up everyone around me acted like Lewis was the second coming of Christ. The Trinity might as well have been God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and C. S. Lewis. And I am just so tired of it. Please stop acting like everything the guy wrote is an extension of the Bible.
He was a decent writer but he is one of the most overrated people ever.
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Well that doesn't sound like any of the other authors who have written contemporary epics. Especially not J.K. Rowling, Tolkien, Joss Whedon or Issac Asimov. Nope. All of their fans are completely sane and subdued.
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Did practically everyone you know act like any of those authors were the second coming of Christ and claim their work was god-breathed? Did you grow up in an environment where the writings of any of those authors were considered to be almost on par with the Bible (by peers and authority figures and teachers)? Were you taught in elementary school, high school, and college by teachers and professors that the writings of any of those authors were almost as important as a religious text and that the writings of any of those authors were near-perfect? Were you personally chided by professors when they found out you didn't enjoy the works of any of those authors? Did any of your professors consider you to be morally inferior because you didn't enjoy the works of any of those authors? Did you know anyone who claimed that any of those authors were just as important to Christian theology as Jesus and Paul? Did any of those authors come up in every single course you took in college? Even if it was a geology course or an American literature course?
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Did practically everyone you know act like any of those authors were the second coming of Christ and claim their work was god-breathed? Did you grow up in an environment where the writings of any of those authors were considered to be almost on par with the Bible (by peers and authority figures and teachers)? Were you taught in elementary school, high school, and college by teachers and professors that the writings of any of those authors were almost as important as a religious text and that the writings of any of those authors were near-perfect? Were you personally chided by professors when they found out you didn't enjoy the works of any of those authors? Did any of your professors consider you to be morally inferior because you didn't enjoy the works of any of those authors? Did you know anyone who claimed that any of those authors were just as important to Christian theology as Jesus and Paul? Did any of those authors come up in every single course you took in college? Even if it was a geology course or an American literature course?
Oh cripes, don't tell me you live in Texas.
All right, I've got a rickshaw and 12 cartons of Mountain Dew. Get D and we're blowing this popsicle stand.
To Vegas!!!
......
............
...................
*cough* Yeah, I have no idea where that came from. :?
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Oh cripes, don't tell me you live in Texas.
Nope. I grew up in Scotland and the Philippines and went to college in the Midwest.
Christian fundies are all over the world, unfortunately. :/
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Did practically everyone you know act like any of those authors were the second coming of Christ and claim their work was god-breathed? Did you grow up in an environment where the writings of any of those authors were considered to be almost on par with the Bible (by peers and authority figures and teachers)? Were you taught in elementary school, high school, and college by teachers and professors that the writings of any of those authors were almost as important as a religious text and that the writings of any of those authors were near-perfect? Were you personally chided by professors when they found out you didn't enjoy the works of any of those authors? Did any of your professors consider you to be morally inferior because you didn't enjoy the works of any of those authors? Did you know anyone who claimed that any of those authors were just as important to Christian theology as Jesus and Paul? Did any of those authors come up in every single course you took in college? Even if it was a geology course or an American literature course?
To be bluntly honest, the answer to most of those questions is yes. Harry Potter in particular, especially when I was growing up. I'm not a fan of the "fantasy" genre of literature, so unfortunately I had to go through about 12 years(and counting) of hearing about it nonstop, while not being clued in to any of the in-jokes and references. It permeated every fiber of my childhood culture and that includes my church!
As for the Christian thing, that brings up the point that C.S. Lewis was an actual, well respected, lay theologian. Aside from his novels, he also wrote several scholarly papers about the English medieval era as well as Christian apologia. To criticize him for his appeal to Christians in theology is like criticizing Spenser for his appeal to Protestant and Classical symbolism(and the patrons thereof). I understand it's annoying to be exposed to so much of his fanbase, but don't hate the author for his talent.
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To be bluntly honest, the answer to most of those questions is yes. Harry Potter in particular, especially when I was growing up. I'm not a fan of the "fantasy" genre of literature, so unfortunately I had to go through about 12 years(and counting) of hearing about it nonstop, while not being clued in to any of the in-jokes and references. It permeated every fiber of my childhood culture and that includes my church!
So...you had professors say your morals were skewed for not liking Harry Potter and had professors in college say Rowling was as important as Jesus and that the books were god-breathed?
"Hearing about it nonstop" and in-jokes are not the same as what I said. I've heard about a lot of things I didn't enjoy nonstop without being told they were in the same category as the Bible.
As for the Christian thing, that brings up the point that C.S. Lewis was an actual, well respected, lay theologian. Aside from his novels, he also wrote several scholarly papers about the English medieval era as well as Christian apologia.
Yes yes, I know that. We studied him in a theology course I took. I wrote a paper on The Great Divorce.
However, being a respected theologian does not put you on the same level as people who wrote the Bible.
To criticize him for his appeal to Christians in theology is like criticizing Spenser for his appeal to Protestant and Classical symbolism(and the patrons thereof).
When on earth did I say that? I'm criticizing his fans--not him. I don't particularly care for him, but that is purely a personal preference. I said he was overrated because he is consistently compared to people who wrote the Bible and is constantly being brought up as this near-divine human being. I would describe anyone with that kind of fanbase as being overrated, because (from a theological perspective) NO ONE can be put on the same level as the Bible. Unless God himself comes down and says "Hey, so, all the shit Lewis said was god-breathed and inerrent" then I will continue to think that he's overrated. He isn't perfect. He isn't God's mouthpiece. Thus, he's overrated in my book.
A lot of people appeal to Christians. Not everyone is treated like a saint. C. S. Lewis is treated like a saint by most of the Christians I know.
I understand it's annoying to be exposed to so much of his fanbase, but don't hate the author for his talent.
Please point out where I said that I hated Lewis. And please point out where I said I hated him for his talent.
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Ah, ok wait. I figured you were being metaphorical and/or facetious with the "second coming" stuff. That...really does suck that you were introduced to the guy's work in that way. I think the closest I can come to that with the Harry Potter thing is someone telling me I was a dumbass for not liking it. It's not the same, but, in the end, you really can't compete with people claiming that an author is the new Jesus.
I don't know. In my experience he seems to be one of the more overlooked contemporary epic writers, especially compared to Tolkien and Asimov(both of whom I once had someone tell me that you can't be a true "nerd" without reading them) so I guess it was kind of weird hearing that(or, reading that, whatever) and it not being metaphorical. :?
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Man, I wish I were being metaphorical. I just grew up in a super religious environment.
That is crazy that you think he's overlooked. I cannot comprehend that because I grew up with people constantly talking about how awesome Lewis was and how he was better than any other contemporary writer. Maybe you should have gone to my high school and college. I assure you he was not overlooked there at all.
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However, being a respected theologian does not put you on the same level as people who wrote the Bible.
Oh, it does to me. "Enemies of the state", as I call them.
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Oh, it does to me. "Enemies of the state", as I call them.
Same here. They're all the same to me. When I said that I was approaching it from a Christian standpoint to help him understand where I was coming from, since Truthordeal is a Christian.
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Uhm...why the fuck can't I download stuff anymore? It worked with the finale of Doctor Who, but now I can't download anything else. ><
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@Sajinta: The obvious techie questions to ask (which you can ignore if you were just venting) are:
Download from where?
Using what software (browser/browser extension/download manager/whatever)?
Have you changed anything (settings, system or software upgrades) since the last time this worked?
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I figured it out, but thank you for offering to help.
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Language impressions are weird. (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,9185.msg210097.html#msg210097) For instance, in Urdu the term "Tenhaai" (pronounced "Tun-haa-ee") has a mix of poetic, solace (comforting) and mildly negative connotation, but the equivalent "Loneliness" (which has the exact same definition) has an absolute negative connotation. It's so confusing.
There's a good chance someone might bite onto soap thinking it's a sandwich.
And I despise it.
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Oh, it does to me. "Enemies of the state", as I call them.
Same here. They're all the same to me. When I said that I was approaching it from a Christian standpoint to help him understand where I was coming from, since Truthordeal is a Christian.
Oh, I know, haha. Just taking the opportunity to vent...
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Powercuts. Everyday. 6 hours straight each day.
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I wish I were better at drawing. I have so many fantastic art ideas and comic ideas and I would LOVE to illustrate scenes from the stories I'm writing. But alas, I can't draw. :/ And I would never ask someone to draw for me because they'd get everything wrong, dammit. :P
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I wish I were better at drawing. I have so many fantastic art ideas and comic ideas and I would LOVE to illustrate scenes from the stories I'm writing. But alas, I can't draw. :/ And I would never ask someone to draw for me because they'd get everything wrong, dammit. :P
XD Try Storyboarding, Character Sheets and Visual Scripting methods. You can't go wrong with those.
Of course, did you think about taking tips from artists? You can always find what fits your needs, and there's also references, stick figure planning.
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I've taken art classes (both in high school and in college) and both of my brothers are superb artists and I've asked them for help. It hasn't really worked. Some people just suck at drawing, just like some people just suck at math (like me).
Frustration:: I really want to find a friend who shares my sense of humour. I have a highly inappropriate sense of humour when it comes to certain things, and most people just don't get that. My ex-best friend was the only person I have ever met who laughed at my inappropriate comments, and I miss that so much.
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*sigh* Things are not looking so good on the work front...
I'm a writer. The Company approves us to work for various categories, including a general category. The work available in the general categories has dried up to exactly zero (which, for a lot of the people there, is extremely bad news). In the two specialized categories I write for, the work is on fast decline with no new work showing up. (And this is keeping in line with an announcement The Company made a few days ago, too... Ugh.)
Perhaps this is all a bit of paranoia, and there will be a last minute gush of work available. However, given the state of the economy, I am not optimistic (but then again, it's been pointed out to me before that I have a tendency to jump to the worst conclusions possible in a sticky situation... so I HOPE that I'm just being paranoid).
Either way, this means RW is going to be doing a lot of extra work in the very near future. If the work isn't going to be there in a few months when I need it, then my only choice is to do the extra work now!
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RW, if you're looking for a possible lateral transfer, I hear indie game journalist sites are surprisingly easy to get into right now. If the idea intrigues you and all you've got is a PC, you may look into sites covering the Steam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(software)) platform, or PC games in general. The biggest sites should pay; how well, that's the question. I suspect turnover is pretty high even at the big sites, because writers presumably get paid on a per-article basis, with game playthrough time going uncompensated. Then again, maybe it's the same deal with the research time you have to put into your current job?
Just an idea in case you're keeping an eye out for suggestions.
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I'm really sorry to hear that, RW. I wish I had some advice for you, but my experiences themselves don't weigh as much in terms of employment.
Although, FW has a good point: Indie game development and reviewing is plentiful and rising at the moment. Besides that, I've no data on your current employment, so unfortunately I wouldn't be able to suggest alternatives. The "General Category" you speak of, and its "erosion", can you give me some examples? Does your work appreciate original articles / writings over standard cue of work transferred by your employees?
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(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313650_10150499309503782_783653781_11632996_1707027949_n.jpg)
I will never get why people find Natalie Portman attractive. She looks like an emaciated little stick-child. I'm not advocating voluptuaries with this, but I am seriously questioning if her BMI is over 18. Eww. Her face looks like a leering skull.
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Uhm...why the fuck can't I download stuff anymore? It worked with the finale of Doctor Who, but now I can't download anything else. ><
Clearly, the internet knows that nothing else compares to Dr. Who, so once you've been exposed to that, why waste time on anything else? The internet is trying to save you from disappointment :P
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I will never get why people find Natalie Portman attractive. She looks like an emaciated little stick-child. I'm not advocating voluptuaries with this, but I am seriously questioning if her BMI is over 18. Eww. Her face looks like a leering skull.
It's been a long time since I've seen the word "voluptuaries." I'm not sure you're using it correctly. If you meant "fat people," then your usage is mistaken. If you meant "hedonists" or "gluttons," you're on firmer ground.
Anyhow...
I don't talk about it much, but I generally avoid public commentaries on my personal views about the attractiveness of individual celebrities. These kinds of opinions sometimes find a place in private discourse, but the pursuit of the popular opinion of the beauty of a public figure--though romanticized in literature and commercialized in pop culture--is the kind of destructive judgmentalism that doesn't do anyone any good, other perhaps than to fleetingly buoy the financial fortunes of some of the celebrities whom the public judges favorably. A society maybe cannot bring itself to fully eschew the practice, but as citizens we can starve the glamour beast by investing our public energies elsewhere.
I understand that your real target here was not Portman herself but our national glorification of extreme thinness. That's an injustice worth opposing. However, by singling out individual people for their supposed ugliness, you distract from the goal. I'll give you that she's extremely thin, although she does not seem to be in a state of actual starvation. Perhaps, if you had wanted to make your point and still use a photograph of somebody, you could have chosen Portman and done so in a less personally disparaging way. Better still, you could have chosen someone who isn't a female of reproductive age, as that particular class of people seems never to be able to escape being judged and appraised by their bodies--another legacy from our animal ancestry.
It should also be worth noting that not only for a celebrity's thinness do people find her or him attractive.
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Oh, I know. It's also slightly patriarchal to single out particular people and critique their appearance. But I was hitting on that damn thin obsession.
By voluptuaries, I merely meant to criticize men who must have G-cup breasts and Kardashian buttocks to find women attractive. Another shallow spectrum.
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What freaks me out is the response to Black Swan: there were so many "how to get Natalie Portman's ballerina body" articles, and apparently the pro-eating disorder crowd looked to her for "thinspiration."
You could see ALL OF HER RIBS. It was a horror movie. She has a symmetrical movie-star face, but seriously, she was at moments in the film unquestionably meant to be grotesque.
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Biggest frustration for today: it's nearly impossible to (practically and ethically) distinguish between Dark Cyan and Teal. Agreed, Teal is only 22 bytes darker that Dark Cyan (11 for Blue and Green hues), but try to figure the colors out in real life. You'll see what I mean.
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What freaks me out is the response to Black Swan: there were so many "how to get Natalie Portman's ballerina body" articles, and apparently the pro-eating disorder crowd looked to her for "thinspiration."
You could see ALL OF HER RIBS. It was a horror movie. She has a symmetrical movie-star face, but seriously, she was at moments in the film unquestionably meant to be grotesque.
Oh god, yes. When she won the Oscar I wanted to weep.
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Oh god, yes. When she won the Oscar I wanted to weep.
Pardon my ignorance here, but don't people win Oscars for their best performances and their relevance to the scenes? I haven't seen Black Swan yet, but from the discussion here it seems that her "look of malnutrition" may have been a requirement for skeletal aesthetic purposes. So why weep?
Here's something to think about. When someone tells a woman to drop the jeans and wear "feminine clothes" it's sexist and denies individuals their fundamental rights. But when someone tells a Sardar / Sikh to drop the turban, cut their hair and shave their beards, suddenly it's the Sardar at fault?
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I was laid off today -- on good terms; they just lost the projects I was going to work on.
I'm alarmed about it, but it's not too bad. They liked me enough to give me a month of "work" in which I can freely job hunt as much as I like; I have unemployment for half a year after that; and two years at this job means I've accumulated valuable experience in media production.
I'm telling myself this is a good opportunity to explore freelancing, which would give me mobility and time for personal writing endeavors, and apply to the jobs that really appeal to me.
I suppose this isn't frustrating so much as a bit scary, but you know what, bring it the fuck on.
(http://www.atanime.com/v2/i1/images/anime/utena/utena_sword.jpg)
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...but you know what, bring it the fuck on.
Hell yeah, that's the attitude! Good luck Syna. Here I was thinking you had one of the more awesome jobs in the world, but perhaps awesome-er opportunities await. You could always join the Compendium's growing ranks of freelance article writers, mwahahaha!
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Faust, you had mentioned that the country needs the ol' grister spirit, but you know, I think we might have it already. By my count Syna makes five compendiumites who are either making their own work, or about to embark on that journey.
Anywho, good luck Syna.
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I suppose this isn't frustrating so much as a bit scary, but you know what, bring it the fuck on.
Faust, you had mentioned that the country needs the ol' grister spirit, but you know, I think we might have it already.
That's the first time I've seen Syna bring in her Springtime of Youth. I say, HELL YEAH!
She's not the only one going through this, I suppose. Syna, ZeaLitY, FaustWolf, Thought, and my buddy Vick (RL friend), all are currently hanging in pandemonium, desperately seeking a way out. But we aren't the ones to give up easily; we'll steal destiny from the devil's own lair, and look stylish while doing it!
(http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50555_67773127754_9815_n.jpg)
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We ought to form a freelance group and pool resources. The content mill I work for has been implementing new policies over the past few weeks that tell me they're trying to get rid of most of their writers in the course of changing their business model.
Myself, Syna, rushingwind, and Thought, at least, I understand to be paid writers of some kind. Are any of you interested in collaborating? Is there anyone I'm missing? Send me PMs rather than distracting this thread, unless it's just to say you're not interested.
Edit: Just to clarify, I'm talking more about forming an informal partnership to share resources and techniques, and less about co-writing assignments together (although there's no need to rule out the latter entirely).
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Sorry for the off-topic post here. To follow up on my previous post, more people than I expected have expressed interest in the working group. Large groups are unwieldy, so I'll be capping participation at seven people, at least initially. There are a couple of spots left so send me a PM if you are interested (and have not done so already). Again, this is open to paid or otherwise experienced writers interested in freelancing for $$$ THE BIG BUCKS $$$, and I conceive of it as a resource-pooling and professional collaborative group. If nothing else, we'll be talking about how to advance ourselves.
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I hate being poor.*
*Poor as in "no money whatsoever." I realize that if you take the entire world into consideration (and even the entire country) I am very, very rich.
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Ugh. Yes. I have more than a lifetime's fill of this whole "poor" thing. I expect I have it worse than most, because of my upper-middle-class stylings and elitist philosophy. Fiscally, I am firmly rooted in the lower class. I don't own many of the toys, nor do I buy many of the services, that most people on these forums do.
As rushingwind says, having a pot of money would fix so many problems. I want a pot of money! *stamps foot*
It's ironic that someone of my level of intelligence should have been so poor for so long. I'm not sure if that's a more scathing indictment of me or of this country.
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As rushingwind says, having a pot of money would fix so many problems. I want a pot of money! *stamps foot*
Was it just me, or did someone else imagine little Artemis Fowl throwing tantrums and scheming to steal pots of gold from the Fairy race? :o
It's ironic that someone of my level of intelligence should have been so poor for so long. I'm not sure if that's a more scathing indictment of me or of this country.
Ah, there's the biggest problem. The world needs people as intelligent as you, and yet they favor those who are more "street smart" and social than talented folks. From an intellectual's perspective, that's illogical and horrible. From the perspective of the cunning (aka, social predators), it actually makes sense.
They say that to become rich, powerful and influential you need political / delegate skills, and need to know the right people, but such a system ends up eroding our progress, resources and system to a downfall (even if it helped us kickstart in the first place). They don't care how talented someone is; they care who you know. My goal is to change all that.
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Here I was thinking you had one of the more awesome jobs in the world, but perhaps awesome-er opportunities await. You could always join the Compendium's growing ranks of freelance article writers, mwahahaha!
I did indeed have an awesome job, but to be honest, I'd learned all I could from that setting. They were going the route of interactive films rather than games, and interactive film interests me much less. A lot less aesthetic potential.
Ultimately my goal is to get to a place where I can tell the kinds of stories I want to be telling, in one way or another. My job was not allowing me to do that. Ironically, the week before this happened, I attended GDC Online's Game Narrative Summit, and met a lady there who had my ideal life: she wrote fiction and children's literature in addition to freelance game writing (most of her jobs were intriguing indie projects rather than AAA titles), and supplemented things with editing. I think that's a life many of us here can envy - it was inspiring! (You're interested in game writing too, right FW?)
Thank you all for your well-wishes. It seems I'm in really good company!
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Syna, aren't there magazines, newspapers, studios or online media in the USA which can make use of your potential? Indie-studios, as FW suggested, is one thing, but there's bound to be a lot of publishers around? I too was hoping I could secure a column for philosophy in some newspaper agency here, but apparently my institute and current job restrain me from it.
Children's fiction sounds like a great example. XD Did you try getting into book deals? You could always start off with a blog of such.
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You're interested in game writing too, right FW?
Indeed, I'm one of those here who also hope to launch into that someday. I've seen a great need for writing talent in the videogame industry, especially outside of the big studios that have some change to spare on writers. The paradox is, games need some writing talent if they're going to carry greater cultural weight (IMHO), and yet the writer's skills are the most expendable when it comes to the nuts and bolts of game design on a shoestring budget. I'll have to look up the Game Narrative Summit, that sounds fascinating!
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@FW, Syna, Thought, and everyone in need: I actually chanced upon an interesting article by Susan Cain. Thought you guys might be interested.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/quiet-the-power-introverts/201104/5-tips-finding-work-you-love
The question here is, are you satisfied with what you're doing? Does money really matter that much compared to your true purpose in life?
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After this eProject's done, I'm gonna nap for a whole week...
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Ugh, why am I SO awkward... -_______-
I do not know how to be friends with girls.
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Sometimes having daily powercuts / black outs for 3 to 6 hours is a blessing for the human mind.
Sometimes, it's just a pain in the ass.
Also, I wanna be a playwright! *throws tantrums* One blessing of modern technology is that one can relay a visually telling story without any budget whatsoever. Still, it's no substitute for the actual thing. While I'm glad that I'm into digital media and story-telling, I hope my new blog curbs my anxiety.
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In the game industry, writing is in the early stages of budding off as a distinct job from game designer. It's taking time, but that is the way things are moving in the industry. Narrative designers are one of the first positions to emerge specifically to get writing that fits the needs of nonlinear storytelling, which I can tell you, as someone engaged in it, can get very tricky very quickly.
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The industry could use some friggin' writers. When the masses think that Bioshock is as good as it gets, I get smashy.
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Hey now, it trashed Ayn Rand. Can't argue with a good thing. (Tongue in cheek of course.)
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I'm broke... I just have Rs. 200 (i.e., $4) in my wallet right now, half of which will be used up in my eProject courier. I won't get salary for another month too.
Parents are willing to give me money, but I hate taking anything from them. Reason being, we're still in a state of financial recovery since my mother's operation, and I hate leaching off others.
That's it. I'll take Google's offer, no matter what the cost. If I am to help the world get on its feet then I may as well take on any and every burden that comes in my path. Do me a favor and lend me all your burdens -- it'll only make me stronger.
Time to steal destiny from under God's nose. Life, you better run for it: I'm gonna live the hell out of you, and will do it with style!
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I0SocUKpRXs/TRAWCBug3lI/AAAAAAAAAAM/gdO3d6EYEHc/s1600/kaito.jpg)
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I was all excited for the German Pirate Party winning seats, until I read that they're against quotas for female advancement in the workforce.
Typical. The greatest thing on earth could come to pass and you could still count on it to be patriarchal.
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Decided to drop my "friends". I'm sorry, but if I've known you for a year and you still haven't taken the time nor the effort to truly get to know me, then don't expect me to hang around.
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Decided to drop my "friends". I'm sorry, but if I've known you for a year and you still haven't taken the time nor the effort to truly get to know me, then don't expect me to hang around.
Ah, Facebook problems, aye? Hah, that's usually why I stay away from it.
I don't get why people aren't movin to Google Plus...
EDIT: My frustration is Consumerism, and it's grand "brainwashery" towards eradicating empathy and corrupting "Social Networks". 'nuff said.
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Ah, Facebook problems, aye? Hah, that's usually why I stay away from it.
Unfortunately, no. I'm talking about offline, face-to-face friend dumping. I wish this were just a Facebook thing.
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Ah. So what happened? Did a friend do / say something? Shall I draw on their face with a permanent marker?
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I don't get why people aren't movin to Google Plus...
It might help if they stopped trying to be the name police (http://blogs.gartner.com/bob-blakley/2011/09/01/google-can-be-a-social-network-or-the-name-police-not-both/) (not to mention that the service isn't out of beta yet, IIRC).
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On that note, I've found the so-called Nymwars frustrating. A bunch of self-righteous dolts, if you ask me, distracting from what portion of their position on this contention is credible.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/4chans_chris_poole_facebook_google_are_doing_it_wr.php
Chris Poole is right that “identity is prismatic,” as “we present ourselves differently in different contexts.” I am sympathetic to his desire to control one’s identity online. Nevertheless, he is mistaken to underestimate the simplistic view that “who you are online is who you are offline.” Insofar as cyberspace is an extension of the real world in terms of societies and economies, it’s not only very popular but also quite useful to use one’s own primary identity. With that, importantly, comes the opportunities to develop and maintain one’s social connections and business interests.
“We’re more like diamonds,” he says, meaning that we are multifaceted. But most people, in most circumstances, are not. The aspect of cyberspace that empowers us to be whomever we wish to be—which I think is its second most exciting and powerful quality, after its massive “passport to the world” quality—is flatly useless to most people most of the time. Services like Facebook and Google+ don’t cater to this frontier of electronic possibilities. The facilitate the development of the physical world’s socioeconomic webs. I think it’s appropriate for large social networks to place an emphasis on real names, although (as I have said before) I would not go so far as to unequivocally require real names. However, the more people who use their real names on these services, the more effective and relevant these services become. (Incidentally, Google+ will soon be offering pseudonyms and brands; a lot of this blow-up is that people were too sanctimoniously impatient, as if building a service for millions of users and making it work well is so friggin' easy.)
This wouldn’t be an operative truth if people were more delighted in their own exquisiteness, as the cultures out on the frontiers of the virtual worlds of cyberspace would come to rival even those of the real world, and thus it might be as interconnecting for your typical jack to use a handle or pseudonym as it would be to use a primary identity—which is nominally one’s legal name or some abbreviated or diminished portion of it. Yet, as well we know, people are not delighted in their own exquisiteness. They are not typically multifaceted diamonds. Facebook and, to a much lesser but still noteworthy extent, Google+, are the appropriate venues to accommodate humanity as it is and not as we would wish for it to be.
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Interesting read! Although I think I'm with Poole on this one; while most people have a simplistic approach with primary identities, it's actually pretty easy to change the "facets" of ones identity, personality, attributes, etc. both online and off. Depending on how people prefer to present themselves, they will assume such identity (I once managed to convince people offline that I was a Prince from Rajhasthan by modifying my speech, attire, thought process and body language, and pulled a successful prank for heck's sake). And depending on the circumstances, they will change their facets. After all, we only know people by how they present themselves, not who they really are, and it's pretty easy to judge them as "simpletons" even if they prefer to use primary identities for the sake of privacy -- but their primary identities are always, constantly refined.
For instance, you probably know me as a youthful clown (or a "gentleman thinker"; depends who you ask), because that's how I like to present myself; but what would you know about my skills, my vivid armory of personalities, my thoughts, my clothes, my preferences, etc.? I can easily be the best dressed Baron one day, and a slum wretch the next.
(Note: The above paragraphs relate to "People are like diamonds" issue; below relates to Social Networking Names.)
However, you're right on one regard that for most people it's simply useless, especially online; then again "names" alone don't establish identity, but helps facilitate it -- people find it convenient to let others know who they are rather than not. Although, unless you live in UK, what if you'd like to "upgrade" your identity by stating a, say, Pen Name? Mark Twain would sigh in disbelief if his account was deleted on Google Plus.
And yet we're stuck with the dilemma of whether people would be true to themselves. Some take facetual (is that a word?) identity to levels they can't handle and stumble, but would almost never hone and re-invent themselves for who they are or what they represent. Facebook and Google Plus help them re-invent themselves. However, as I mentioned before, they also somehow restrict much "empathetic connection" with people compared to how you're used it in real-life. This isn't much of an extension, but more of degeneration. Then again, it's just me -- I abhor mixing social life with consumerism and marketing.
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Sigh. The real problems with Google+'s name policy have to do with:
1. People who are getting their GMail, etc. accounts deactivated because Google doesn't like the info they put in for Google+. This is the real big one and it has absolutely nothing to do with which names are permitted.
2. The screening algorithm is broken and will disallow some people's real names ("Megazone") while allowing obvious fakes like "Pepsico Jobs", due to the usual Really Bad Programmer Assumptions about what a "name" is.
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But you weren't talking about technical complications in Google's policy. You were talking about the policy itself, about Google being the so-called "name police." If not for the technical complications, would you still hold your position?
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To be painfully correct, tushantin asked why people weren't switching to Google+ from Facebook, and I provided a couple of reasons why some people might not desire to switch, nothing more. (It may have been badly worded—I've had a constant migraine for several days now and have been intermittently taking painkillers which make me drowsy/spacy.) But yes, my position is that it's none of Google—or anyone else's—damned business whether a name someone uses online is real or fake unless that person is engaged in a transaction that has certain types of real-world consequences (and name alone isn't sufficient identification or authorization for transactions involving money or government documents anyway). A social network doesn't have those kinds of consequences. The name policing harms the minority without benefitting the majority.
I suspect that http://blog.talkingidentity.com/2011/09/google-and-the-trouble-with-tribbles.html (http://blog.talkingidentity.com/2011/09/google-and-the-trouble-with-tribbles.html) might be correct about what's really going on (short version: Google was trying to use Google+ information to build up Google Profiles). If that's the case, it's hardly surprising that it backfired—the honey just wasn't sweet enough to entrap enough flies. Especially since people who sign up for a beta-quality service are more likely than average to be technophiles, who are in turn more likely to not be using their real names online.
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Facebook also has a real-name policy.
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Facebook may have such a policy on the books, but they've never enforced it against people who aren't otherwise making trouble. Nor are they ever likely to—Facebook's customers are advertisers, and they know that even if the profile is fake, the eyes looking at the page are real. (And I approve even less of Facebook than I do of Google+, FWIW.)
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I can't stand it when I take the time to write a really long, deep post or a really funny post on my blog and no one comments. -_____-
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I can't stand it when I take the time to write a really long, deep post or a really funny post on my blog and no one comments. -_____-
Then share it. XD We know you got a blog, but don't know where. Some of us would gladly read.
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:picardno
(http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2011/301/6/c/after_the_storm_by_ayasemn-d4e9dxg.jpg) (http://ayasemn.deviantart.com/art/After-The-Storm-265817284)
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If you treat waitstaff poorly or don't tip well, fuck you. Burn in hell forever. You are less than human.
I'm about to become an incredibly militant son of a fucking bitch if I keep happening to go out to eat with people who aren't nice, or don't tip well. I always fucking fix the situation by adjusting the tip up to 20% or being nice, but it gets fucking tiring. Fuck you, you who embrace this capitalistic separation of server and served. There is no male, female, waiter, or guest. There is human. And you forfeit your humanity when you're a piece of shit to someone "lower" than you. You deserve everything you fucking get. And I will never, ever forgive you, or forget your brutally ignorant acts.
Furthermore, fuck the service industry and what it's becoming. A friend in Europe went to a McDonald's the other day and ordered a small cake. The girl at the counter began putting chocolate on it. My friend said it wasn't necessary, and the girl said "I have to put it on; there are cameras watching," and further explained that the store had a manager alarm in case it detected an absence of movement associated with normal worker duties.
God forbid the live human you have minding your store leans against a wall for a second or has a break. Such antiquated notions like that are the residue of socialism. Don't these poor employees know that to get ahead in a capitalistic society, it's kill or be killed?
Fuck the people criticizing the Occupy movements. May they grow in number and foment significant change, and steamroll the fuckers in their way. And a huge fuck you to the Oakland PD.
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You stole the words right out of my mouth.
If you treat waitstaff poorly or don't tip well, fuck you. Burn in hell forever. You are less than human.
Yeah, I've heard about waitstaffs in America. Apparently, unlike the east here, if you don't tip them well enough you won't be welcome properly or something next time. But I think, from what I've heard, the problem arises mostly from the waiters being paid less than than necessary (minimum wage, I think they call it) and thus they are required to make more from their "hospitality service" and gather tips. The low salary inevitably keeps the prices of food down to attract customers, but they pay the amount in tip anyway. While this attitude "in theory" promotes the waiters' good attitude towards the customers, in practice it's got horrible side-effects.
In India, eating out is already costly, and we don't even need to tip the waiters.
I suppose the Capitalist effect has become so obsessive that they potentially destroy what it means to be "human". Men aren't machines, dammit!
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In a number of states, there is a lower minimum wage for tip earning positions. In Washington, management is required to make up the difference if tips are not enough to bring up the total wage to the normal minimum wage, but if tips can cover the difference, they're off the hook.
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If you treat waitstaff poorly or don't tip well, fuck you. Burn in hell forever. You are less than human.
I'm about to become an incredibly militant son of a fucking bitch if I keep happening to go out to eat with people who aren't nice, or don't tip well. I always fucking fix the situation by adjusting the tip up to 20% or being nice, but it gets fucking tiring. Fuck you, you who embrace this capitalistic separation of server and served. There is no male, female, waiter, or guest. There is human. And you forfeit your humanity when you're a piece of shit to someone "lower" than you. You deserve everything you fucking get. And I will never, ever forgive you, or forget your brutally ignorant acts.
I don't know about "burn in hell forever" and "less than human," but I've been mortified for years by the way some people conduct themselves in front of clerks, cashiers, and servers. The oblivious malice is absolutely astonishing. I often suspect that these people have unhappy lives and take it out on others because they can't help themselves or don't know any better way. It's even worse when I see them doing it to their (still bright-eyed) kids.
My friend said it wasn't necessary, and the girl said "I have to put it on; there are cameras watching," and further explained that the store had a manager alarm in case it detected an absence of movement associated with normal worker duties.
Astonishing. That ought to be illegal. I read a story in the LA Times recently about Disney using electronic performance boards to pit its hotel workers against each other for efficiency. That ought to be illegal too. Tracking performance and firing slackoffs is one thing, but dehumanizing your workforce in the name of flawlessness and homogeneity is completely unethical.
Don't these poor employees know that to get ahead in a capitalistic society, it's kill or be killed?
It's not capitalism. Capitalism is a good economic model (perhaps the best available) for most industry sectors. What's missing is, legally, better government regulation, and, culturally, a sense of corporate responsibility.
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It's not capitalism. Capitalism is a good economic model (perhaps the best available) for most industry sectors. What's missing is, legally, better government regulation, and, culturally, a sense of corporate responsibility.
In essence, isn't that saying that it's a good model as far as its potentials for heinous abuse can be checked? Though I guess that reduces to any model, since ultimately human nature is what must be kept in check.
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It's not capitalism. Capitalism is a good economic model (perhaps the best available) for most industry sectors. What's missing is, legally, better government regulation, and, culturally, a sense of corporate responsibility.
In essence, isn't that saying that it's a good model as far as its potentials for heinous abuse can be checked? Though I guess that reduces to any model, since ultimately human nature is what must be kept in check.
"Capitalism" is a system whereby people can go into business for themselves, i.e., develop a product or service, own the means of production, and earn profits on the revenue. That premise spurs economic development and ultimately a better way of life. We owe life as we know it to the capitalist model.
Today our economy is being strangled by parasitic large corporations that enrich themselves without adding equal or greater value to the economy, and by a short-term-profits obsession among financiers and investors that comes at the expense of long-term fiscal sustainability...and not by the fact that I can open a restaurant and sell ice cream. These problems are mainly the result of abuses within the capitalist system, rather than structural flaws inherent to the system. As I have indicated before, a capitalist economy must be well regulated to prevent these and other abuses, but that regulation is still subservient to the capitalist paradigm--it still accepts the basic premise of private enterprise.
I suspect the word has become so general that it causes obfuscation when used in communication.
A minority of our problems actually are the result of capitalism itself. They are not structural flaws, but jurisdictional ones. Strict capitalists must apply the capitalist paradigm to all economic activities. That's a logical fallacy because the essential value of some economic activities does not correspond to those activities' direct profitability. One such example is the education of children. Educational facilities can be made profitable, but their essential value, by which I mean the primary benefit of their existence, has nothing to do with their profitability. A strictly capitalistic view of the educational system could only endorse the premise of money-losing schools in the wider context of education as an investment in labor. Not coincidentally, that is why the modern school system took form in the first place. Industrialists desired a better-trained workforce, and community leaders desired a more competitive public. The capitalist view hits several limiting dicta, however, which amount to a lack of accessibility to a better-rounded education on economic grounds. In effect, capitalism promotes only training, and not true education. That's a brick wall on the road to a better society. Therefore, due to the essential value of education, the educational sector should be public, not private. It should be planned, not market-driven.
To put it simply, I am a capitalist wherever profits do correspond to the essential value of economic activities, and a socialist wherever they do not. In functional terms I support a mixed economy. I uphold the tenets of private ownership, free enterprise in general, and wealth accumulation, all within the context of a robust system of regulation to preserve competition, protect consumers, steward the environment, and penalize abuse. That's capitalism, but the opposite of laissez-faire. Meanwhile, whenever the capitalist model fails to correspond to the needs of an improving society, I favor the socialist model of serving the public welfare specifically rather than the public's economic proxy, profits. Besides education, other sectors which capitalism cannot maturely address include (but are not limited to) healthcare, utilities, transportation, defense, and energy.
It is important to understand that capitalism does not own a monopoly on innovation. Many crucial technological advances are made possible by the public dole, because private companies will not spend money on their research after determining that the costs of research or the subsequent market potential of any likely applications were "a losing proposition." I gather that most people in our country do not understand how innovation can occur without somebody hoping to make big money from it. The reality is that those areas of the economy where I would apply the socialist model have just as much room for innovation. Many avenues of research and development readily suggest themselves. Many more avenues can be discerned with effort. These avenues suggest jobs, and those jobs will almost always be filled if they offer a decent wage. To wit, though the free market would not develop a system of universal education for children, government certainly does. Innovation within the public education system is limited primarily by the availability of taxpayer funding and secondarily by the demands imposed by law and more pertinently by the educational authorities in local, state, and federal government.
I defer to capitalism where capitalism benefits society because capitalism is so efficient. Socialism is not as efficient, in my understanding because it is not as agile, and that extra cost of relative inefficiency is only warranted when the public welfare is at stake. I don't want the government to own the video game industry. That statement, however, reflects the bias of our society against public ownership. In reality, such a statement is nonsensical. It's inverse is what is actually true: I want to be able to own my own video game company, make whatever games I want, and profit from it. "The government" wouldn't necessarily stop me from making whatever games I want, or even from profiting from them, to the extent I might earn a share of any profit that does accrue. However, if the government owned the video game industry, then I would not be able to own my own company, and I would have that much less control over my creative efforts.
It gets really interesting when we get back to the question of education and propose concepts like "Josh's Academy of Critical Thinking for Unfettered Personal Success in Humanism, Intelligence, and Talent" (JACTUPSHIT). Such an endeavor would concern itself directly with the public welfare, and whether or not I might like to own it myself and become stinking rich, I would have to content myself simply with running it. I find the premise of a public JACTUPSHIT to be eminently tolerable, provided the government would cooperate with me in a sane and consistent fashion. (In fairness, the agents of private capital are often as irrational in their demands as those who appropriate public financing.)
Economic aces--and, bluntly, maybe even a few economic deuces--might be able to spot some weaknesses and even a few outright errors in the above formulations. I welcome any such criticism in the Armchair Economists thread. I cannot be as assertive as usual because my total grasp of the underlying theory is not as thorough as it usually is when I take stances on issues.
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Today our economy is being strangled by parasitic large corporations that enrich themselves without adding equal or greater value to the economy, and by a short-term-profits obsession among financiers and investors that comes at the expense of long-term fiscal sustainability...and not by the fact that I can open a restaurant and sell ice cream. These problems are mainly the result of abuses within the capitalist system, rather than structural flaws inherent to the system. As I have indicated before, a capitalist economy must be well regulated to prevent these and other abuses, but that regulation is still subservient to the capitalist paradigm--it still accepts the basic premise of private enterprise.
In other words, it's a filthy piece of shit!
I'm sorry, Josh. I wanted to agree with you there, but I've come to despise Capitalism in entirety. Yes, you're right, this isn't the way I normally think and shouldn't even be thinking this way, and no, my anger isn't directed towards you (I'm pretty sure you've put plenty of thought and sincerity into what you wrote), but towards Capitalism itself. The reason for my temporary wrath is because I came from a seminar representing my Cyber Cafe for business purposes, and riding a bicycle 6 and half miles times two and protecting myself from being brainwashed by an incredibly competent businessman has worn me off.
I'm not surprised that I'm the only one who's upset about all this while everyone else in the room saw it as an opportunity to invest upon the new service; the only reason I'm immune to such levels of psychological persuasions and force is because I have a sociopathic wavelength of thought, and I managed to see the cultural impact of this new "nation wide" project. The horrors came when I was done with my analysis, but I maintained my trademark pokerface and made an excellent impression for the welfare of my boss.
Mark my words: in a few years of time, if this project indeed becomes successful, not only will the level of requirement drastically increase but it will create and everlasting rift between capital classes, a damage nearly unfix-able. And while this project claims to help individuals secure their future, what it's indirectly doing instead is fortifying the problems already existing, rendering them irreparable.
Sigh. I was having a great day today. Thought I might achieve something extraordinary today. Well, I managed to get my boss an opportunity, but I refuse to compromise my values for the sake of my own personal development. It's easy to be rich, but it's difficult to do so ethically; but I will die rather than disrespect my own honor, my code. Thought I'd rant in full-fledge, but I better ration my words. A short, well-structured rant coming soon when I blow off some steam.
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Then in the case where free private enterprise is causing tragedies of the commons and may threaten human extinction, the government (or Starfleet, as I might put it) should be empowered to directly intervene and "guide" enterprise to more humanistic endeavors, right? (Such a state would also have to be sufficiently centralized and involved in the market as to keep tabs on enterprises.) If everyone wished to own a video game company, it would then threaten the existence of humanity, as other critical sectors would be neglected, right?
I think about this with the logistics industry all the time. Right now, countless people are mailing, Ebaying, Craigslisting, etc. tons of shit to each other. To do so costs incredible resources, natural and human. And as time wears on, these tons of shit will be rearranged again and again, as new collectors come to exist and old ones fade. I feel like there must be incredible waste in this system. And if I were Imperator of the state, and had statistics that this activity was significantly damaging humanity's potential for survival or the environment, I might be inclined to deeply regulate it or centralize the market. Ditto if everyone wished to be an actor or game designer. Someone has to be the garbageman. This ethical concern is always in the back of my mind.
It's reminded me that I don't really buy into the "pursuit of happiness" as a paradigm for structuring society. Some would argue that the Western definition of happiness is a sick psychological trick, anyhow. I feel for the optimum human state to exist, humanism itself must be the perfect prism through which everything is focused. That would include the humanities, of course. But in a world as threatened as this, in the beginning, it would primarily consist of redirecting efforts to improving society and working out the frailties, whether eliminating poverty or constructing a defense system against errant asteroids. Only then, with the human continuum assured, could the other pursuits be allowed to freely proliferate.
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So...the government should be allowed to tell people what career you should have?
Even if that is what you're arguing, capitalism does that already. Not everyone does become a self-sustaining actor or video game designer. It takes people with an enormous amount of skill, intellect and dedication, and the ones that don't have that will be weeded out over the course of their employment. Those people eventually become the garbagemen, or what have you, as the need for a practical job begins to outweigh their dream job(if it is even that, rather than a flight of fancy).
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Agreed except for the problem of psychology. This Western definition of happiness depends on "doing what makes you happy", and it's expressly impossible for everyone to do that. But the illusion of that is deeply ingrained in our society (and also keeps the advice industry afloat).
Part of it for me is feeling as if I want to invest in humanity. I have no idea if being an accountant, actuary, writer, or translator will speed humanity along in some way. Being a scientist and curing cancer would of course, but outside science, it gets so nebulous for me. I could more easily stand to work in jobs that aren't my passion if I knew that they were part of the grand endeavor or really contributing to earth (as opposed to, say, working for Ebay and just helping to move useless collectible shit around). Oh, I could always go off and do what I want, and try to be successful at it, but my ethical conscience demands I at least know whether or not I'm doing something for the common weal.
Even non-profits, like the Peace Corps. or charities, have very questionable efficacy. Many just apply a salve to a broken system that enables the system to keep hobbling along, whereas allowing the problems to continue might finally spark a rebellion or some kind of serious change. Feeding the hungry in some African nations might just keep the situation going, whereas complete starvation may prompt armed struggle or reform. Medical non-profit research is the same. While there is a correlation between the scope of a medical problem and the amount of its funding, the direction of research towards solving human disease should not be determined in part by the skill of one's marketing department. An enlightened government should triage human afflictions and direct research accordingly to bring about the most efficacy.
Of course, a system that could keep track of everything and direct things towards a single humanistic focus would probably be so deeply totalitarian as to be impossible with humanity as it is.
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It doesn't have to be totalitarian, Z. Although I do sense a bit of Cynicism in your voice.
Tell you what. Write down a list of "problems and goals" in which way you'd like to help the society. Sometimes those goals are abstract and need to be refined or looked at from another angle to find a way to achieve them. We'll discuss "how" when you're finished, and I think I'd like to write my humanitarian goals down too. You could use the earlier "how I'd change the world" thread.
How about a Compendium-wide brainstorming? :D
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@Z: The answer to your quandary is more obvious than you seem to think. What are the things that inspired you to become a better person? Those things won't be uniquely yours; the same things, in various ways, inspire many.
You run a website dedicated to a video game series. The answer is right here at home.
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Hmm. Interesting points, all.
Speaking of happiness, I stumbledupon this this morning.
http://photomis.com/the-executive-coloring-book/
It made me think about the "happiness" you brought up, as well as most people's attachment to money and material things.
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Even if that is what you're arguing, capitalism does that already. Not everyone does become a self-sustaining actor or video game designer. It takes people with an enormous amount of skill, intellect and dedication, and the ones that don't have that will be weeded out over the course of their employment. Those people eventually become the garbagemen, or what have you, as the need for a practical job begins to outweigh their dream job (if it is even that, rather than a flight of fancy).
I'm sure you didn't mean it this way Truth, but it's dangerous to take a person's status as a garbage collector, wait staff, store clerk, or burger flipper as evidence of that person's intrinsic level of skill, intellect, or dedication. Downright luck plays a huge role. Maybe the right millionaire with an idea just didn't pass through a great starving artist's Deviant Art page; maybe the hardest freakin' worker on earth was born into a family too poor to support them if they took an unpaid internship. Maybe that garbage collector down the street could have been the next Richard Branson if they didn't pass up an opportunity so they could care for a sick family member instead. I don't believe these situations are as rare as we like to think.
Moreover, in today's economy, with its super niche specialization, just getting matched to anything other than a "practical" job is becoming about as rare as striking it rich in the humanities. It sure feels that way -- I can only suspect this frustration is what unites and fuels the Occupy movement.
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I picked the word "garbageman" to use because Zeality explicitly mentioned them in his post. I also felt it worked with the point I was making: being a garbageman is a very practical job that you can sustain yourself on; it's just that no one dreams of becoming one.
My point wasn't really much different from yours, FW; I just didn't include the "luck" factor, mostly because people tend to make their own luck through effort. Plus I really didn't want to push that particular point because I remember Zeality ranting about it at one point.
Here's another point: Why can't the garbageman go on to get his dream job? Several of the all time "great" artists were garbagemen(not literally) at some point. Most of them understood the practicality of getting a "real" job before they could flourish in their art. It only follows that once you get a solid foundation and money flow, you can do more than you would being a starving artist. And as popular as the image of the "starving artist" seems to be, it hasn't been a sustainable occupation for generations(I realize how stupid that sounded, but bear with me please). The whole patronage system that Shakespeare grew up in hasn't existed for a while, and it's not like 1700's England where you could write a novel then pay the bills on it. The entire artist scene has closed a bit outside of the new media. And for good reason: the nation isn't saturated with utter crap(outside of post-modernism, that is) and within the New Media, things have opened up. How many webcomic artists and bloggers have been able to support themselves just on their writing? And most of them started with day jobs. There's too much of this anti-white collar impulse nowadays, and that was the case even before the job market when shit on everyone. There's absolutely no reason why people have to suffer for their art. And I hate it when people who take care of finances before art are called "sell-outs."
Honestly, there are times when I envy the garbageman. While I, being the scholar, am cramped in a classroom or my room most the time studying, gaining massive gobs of debt and not being able to work full-time, he's outside most days, working, getting paid, and doing a job that people are thankful for, even if they don't appreciate it all the time. It's only because I'm passionate about what I'm doing that I keep on, and if I have to be a garbageman at some point down the line I'll do it and make sure I can pursue my dream.
Now obviously these last bits weren't directed solely at you, FW, or even to the many starving artists here at the Compendium. These are "artistic" attitudes I've been disgruntled with for a while up here at Collegeville State. People seem to have the idea that being practical is being a "sell-out" and that frustrates me.
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Ideally, I think, a person should be able to pursue a main paying job while engaging in art after-hours. So it doesn't have to be a sequential thing. Most indie game developers I've met in my travels aren't doing it full time, and many will continue for the sake of art even if they don't strike it big. Whichever way you choose to organize an economy, it seems a humanizing compromise: the economy gets you for a certain number of hours each day, and then the real freedom comes at night. Or day, depending on what the job is!
Damn, I wish we didn't need sleep! I know ZeaLitY's had some interesting posts on this before, but now I totally get it. Even if I'm dizzy as hell, I can still get so much more accomplished when I've completely forgone sleep than when I take a good eight hours. Sleep can be a freakin' ridiculous time waster. Obviously, if you drive, work with knives, or operate heavy machinery, please disregard my commentary on this! :)
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Too many people take no responsibility for their words, or the ideas behind them, and will go to seemingly preposterous lengths to defend positions they would not have staked out to begin with had they but simply put a bit of thought into it beforehand.
The rest of that particular frustration is not fit to write here.
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Well said, Josh. Although, my frustration is similar but opposite:
Too many people attack something or the other carelessly, or the ideas behind them, and will go to seemingly preposterous lengths to eradicate what troubles them. It is only when they pull the trigger in such haste that they realize their actual target was something else entirely, and what was lost could have been more beneficial.
In the end, you lose a bullet and you lose something potential, and your chance and efforts are wasted.
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Your English is improving, tush. However, I object to your choice of the word "opposite."
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Your English is improving, tush. However, I object to your choice of the word "opposite."
Thanks! But I still think there's a lot more for me to learn. Language and me aren't really "good friends". Also, what could I have substituted "opposite" with?
In light of that, here's another frustration: When I first joined the Compendium, I spoke like a friggin ten-year-old. I'd blame Mary for that (she was the one who introduced me to "Internet Forums" and how to speak there -- she insisted that talking that way was charming), but then again if it wasn't for her I wouldn't even have been here at the Compendium, so I shouldn't complain.
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I inferred that you perceived my frustration as directed at you--correctly, for what it is worth, and something you could only have done if indeed your English has improved, hence the compliment--and thus set up your own frustration in contradiction to it. But there is nothing opposing about our two frustrations, except for your stylistic choice to copy some of my phrasing and diction. I denounced a harmful and ill-considered blanket statement you made, one which, if enacted, would promote abuse and sexism, and you spent a lot of energy defending your statement without really stopping to consider the merits of my criticism--which is a characteristic problem with you--as evidenced not least by the fact that your subsequent framing of what constitutes acceptable practical joking bears little resemblance to your original statement, which was quite sweeping and indiscriminate. Ergo, my frustration.
You found my criticism overly serious, careless, insulting, and so forth. Ergo, your frustration.
They are not opposites, but quite different. As for what word I would suggest in place of "opposite," perhaps I will recommend "petulantly petty," which is really quite fun to pronounce out loud even though it is not very flattering.
I think you should be reminded, if perhaps you have forgotten our PM correspondence, that my criticisms, though they came at your expense, were not directed at you. I have generally been refraining from interacting with you, lest I succumb to petulance (and spoil other Compendiumites' enjoyment of the forum). I made those criticisms only because your comments about practical joking were unusually foolish and harmful. You don't seem to have any perspective at all as to where I am coming from when my criticisms pass in your direction, other than to assume that I am out to get you. Perhaps it would behoove you to become more contemplative when you are criticized, and not defensive. I am not out to get you.
Separately, I have been in mourning since last night, when I learned that Dippin' Dots (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-dippin-dots-20111105,0,6940970.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29) is filing for bankruptcy. How can there be a future without the ice cream of the future? I am quite dismayed!
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Reading the quote thread has made me start thinking about gender norms, and here's one that almost always gets people riled up: shaving. Specifically, females shaving. I see pictures of women who choose not to shave their armpits or their legs and said pictures receive the most disgusting sexist backlash. People are simply shocked when women don't shave, and condemn them as "gross" or "un-womanly" and throw out the ever-lovely "dyke". Personally, I shave. Partly because I'm used to it and partly because I've been conditioned to think that it's the "right" and "lady-like" thing to do. And it bothers me that if I wear a skirt without shaving my legs I'll be hailed as "gross". It's just hair. It's just a gender norm. Women aren't disgusting or "not real women" if they don't shave.
I'm curious how this will be received, since this site is mostly made up of men.
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Sajainta, I'll just add that if men want to shave everywhere women are expected to, it's trendy and "metrosexual," at least as far as I've understood. That makes the shaving norm even more effed up. Men can kinda do whatever they please, whereas women are pigeonholed into a very specific (and not to mention, time consuming!) behavior. Men have a real choice, whereas women could probably lose a job interview over the whole thing!
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I envy other people whose parents didn't really care about them, who gave them free rein. I've had helicopter parents my entire life. No matter how far I go, the reach follows me.
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And those people who had parents that didn't care would love to have parents that did. I've had friends whose parents didn't care about them and let them do whatever they wanted to do. They may have had "free rein", but they grew up feeling very unwanted and unloved.
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Reading the quote thread has made me start thinking about gender norms, and here's one that almost always gets people riled up: shaving. Specifically, females shaving. I see pictures of women who choose not to shave their armpits or their legs and said pictures receive the most disgusting sexist backlash. People are simply shocked when women don't shave, and condemn them as "gross" or "un-womanly" and throw out the ever-lovely "dyke". Personally, I shave. Partly because I'm used to it and partly because I've been conditioned to think that it's the "right" and "lady-like" thing to do. And it bothers me that if I wear a skirt without shaving my legs I'll be hailed as "gross". It's just hair. It's just a gender norm. Women aren't disgusting or "not real women" if they don't shave.
I'm curious how this will be received, since this site is mostly made up of men.
I am a male, not a "man," so if you're looking for a masculine view then mine doesn't count. Otherwise...
My response is perhaps the most predictable among likely responders: People can shave or not shave whatever they want, and I resent the insinuation among many in our society that females should conform to popular standards of beauty. Like all matters of physical attractiveness, a person's hairiness is a matter for them, their partner(s), and no one else.
So perhaps more interesting would be my broader and personal thoughts on the subject...
Hairlessness has been admired or downplayed in both sexes at various times throughout history. In our time, I learned relatively early in my adulthood that it was the razor blade companies, acting about a century ago, who popularized the notion of clean-shaved females. We can thank the persistence of their successful campaign for a portion of the framing in our culture that females should shave. Where females are concerned, much like the taboo on being fat, being hairy is simply not acknowledged (except for the purpose of mockery) in our entertainment industry. Hairy females don't exist except as a joke.
I admit that it had an effect on me. Unlike my lifelong affinity for fat on a partner, I never held a strong biological orientation toward or against hair. So, having not really thought about it, I assumed that I would prefer a hairless, clean-shaved partner. That turned out not to be the case for me. It was one of those interesting moments where a single, introductory experience taught me that my preconceptions had been mistaken. Sexual activity taught me that I do prefer a hairless body overall, but that my preference is only trivial, and that when it comes to a partner's sexual hair (on the crotch and armpits) I actually prefer it to be present and unshaved. That fits in with my overall preferences, which tend to be strongly anti-neotenic. For most American males, it's the other way around. We glorify neoteny in the female form, which is to say that many of our popular beauty standards involve females looking like juveniles: no hair, no smell, no fat, no height, no assertiveness, no strength. The only exception is the popular fixation on large breasts. For me, all of this is the other way around.
As for my own body, I've always been hairier than I would prefer. I don't mind the sexual hair on me, either, but I'm pretty hirsute overall and I don't like it. It makes me hotter, increases the work of maintaining good hygiene, and isn't aesthetically pleasing. (After all, males in popular culture are usually hairless too.) The kick in the teeth is that I'm getting my very own thin spot on the top of my head. The one place on my body that isn't growing hair profligately is the one part of my body where I most enjoy being hairy! =(
Those are my thoughts.
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ZeaLitY, have a heart-to-heart conversation with them and give them a reasonable ultimatum. If they don't grant you the rein you want, cut them off. I've been over this too many times to see such a tragedy repeated. Cut them off. Get on with your life. They will either respect your choices or they will not. You're not responsible for their lives. You don't owe them anything anymore if they are not willing to make an honest effort to respect your most important wishes.
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I inferred that you perceived my frustration as directed at you
To be honest, I didn't consider that statement of yours to be directed against me. If it was, should I be offended?
I had an argument with a person in my area. He liked jumping the gun for no apparent reason. I warned him, he didn't listen. But when he somehow hurt those people close to him and screamed, "OH SHIT!" Well yeah, you have every right to be mad at the world, but if you want to change something then find the right target rather than blindly firing at will.
The reason I followed up with a contradicting frustration was because there was intersecting "link" between your "defending" theme and my "attacking" one. :P And it's hardly a blanket statement. But please tell me how it would "promote" abuse and sexism.
and you spent a lot of energy defending your statement without really stopping to consider the merits of my criticism
Oh, I did consider your criticism, but I also noticed that your statements had similar currency as fear of respectful flirting in social environs. How am I supposed to listen to a man who can't differentiate between "abuse" and "flirting", or between "playfulness" and "disruptiveness", or even "praise" and "flattery"? How am I to listen to someone who doesn't even know me and is yet quick to judge me discriminatively? Also, knowing you, when it comes to arguments one ought to prepare to defend his views, because I don't think you're the kind to pool empathetic opinions with substantial justification and/or guide people; you seem more like the "bossy" kind, who likes to win any and every argument. If it was anybody else, I either would have had a hearty conversation with them or may have backed out entirely, but that's not the case with you -- with you, it's always a battle. So why shouldn't I try to defend my statement from someone who knows nearly nothing about me or my cultural heritage? Why shouldn't I speak for myself against a xenophobic person who thinks he knows what's the right way?
You found my criticism overly serious, careless, insulting, and so forth. Ergo, your frustration.
I won't repeat myself. Read my first two passages in this post.
I made those criticisms only because your comments about practical joking were unusually foolish and harmful
I take it you aren't good at socializing with every kind of person? I realize I was born brain-handicapped and yet tried my best to come to the level of a "normal person", but seriously, Josh. I didn't expect that of you.
You don't seem to have any perspective at all as to where I am coming from when my criticisms pass in your direction, other than to assume that I am out to get you. Perhaps it would behoove you to become more contemplative when you are criticized
Ah, pretend contemplative is something I just don't do. Then again "pretend anything" is just not my style. Even when I do indulge in prolonged thought I rarely tell people about it, and I certainly won't fib by saying, "I'll think about it" when I know that I won't due to circumstances. No, I try to achieve absolute honesty here, and I want nothing else.
As for perspective, I could "guess" where you're coming from (hence my earlier rant about "shortcomings of civility"). Anyway, I'd like to know your story (note: Story, not "Bossy Statements"). Do tell: where do you come from? I'm all ears. It would help establish some form of communication.
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@Saj: I might be the "manly" bloke who's perspective you might like, but I'm certainly not the best of men around. But being a romantic bugger, I actually feel your pain there.
Both J and FW are right, though, that "shaving" is usually a metro-sexual phenomenon. I like keeping a stubble, because I think it's "sexy", but I also have alopecia on my beard (a bald spot) which makes me "gross". Now, I've only met people asking me about it out of goodwill, because I live in a civilized place where "public rudeness" is frowned upon, but even though many don't say much about it with me and are ready to accept me as I am, I do find that in human nature there's always a perception that alopecia isn't considered beautiful. So I shave. I constantly, obsessively shave. Once, however, I forgot when I had gone to a job interview. Was rejected simply because of my alopecia. (http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/m/i/miseryplz.gif?1)
As for females, yes, no matter how dark or hairy/hairless they are, in Pune they're all still welcome (unless some uncultured bugger wants to make fun of someone in public). One of my friends is extremely dark and has bad skin, which is much less beautiful compared to hairy ones, but she's still respected as much as anyone else. We never judge people by how they look (well, subconsciously we all do, but never say it or act upon it), because the majority of our population cannot afford cosmetics. Unless you have money, of course, and belong to a High Class family, where you need to spend time trying to look your best even if it means plastic surgery, whether you're male of female.
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Hmm, a girly perspective is needed, I think...though of course these are just my opinions/experiences!
I got teased a lot when I was younger because I have really dark hair, so my leg hair stood out a lot more, so I started shaving my legs, and now if I stop, my legs start itching from the stubble. XD
...and armpit hair just itches if I don't shave so of course that has to go. And to be honest I really don't like armpit hair on anyone, guys or girls, so...
But to be honest,
I really don't pay any attention to the legs, so I likely wouldn't notice if they didn't shave.
It makes me hotter, increases the work of maintaining good hygiene...
That's another reason.
On guys, well, hmm. Having a lot of body hair kind of intimidates me. :shock: Stubble is okay...I'm not really a fan of full-blown beards. Red's beard is really funny because it grows really quickly at first (to about 1/4 an inch), and then just gets thicker without getting longer. And he's one of the few people in my class who could actually pull off a full beard if he wanted to, since most people just have scraggly uneven or thin beards. Though he doesn't want an actual beard either. XD
If I don't stop now, I'm just gonna go off on a tangent about how cool Red is, so I'mma stop now.
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I think you left out a closing quote!
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I don't know what you're talking about.
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=P
Me neither. Must've been a butterfly floating across my screen.
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Having a beard is great; I pity males who can't grow them. I keep it clean and well groomed, and thus have no regrets. I don't maintain it out of some silly notion of manliness; I enjoy having it.
It doesn't make a big difference to me whether women shave their legs/armpits; the truth is I rarely notice these things. Generally, it's only if I'm in a relationship with a woman that I'll be aware if she stops shaving. In those cases, I don't weigh in on that decision. After all, my beard isn't going anywhere. That said, it's worked out that I've not dated a woman who allowed her leg/armpit hair to grow to a length that bothers me, so I can't say where that threshold is.
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You have an awesome beard. My goatee is nice, but it's a goatee. Petite and commonplace. You are friggin' Jeremiah Jedediah Dreamer.
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I find it interesting how much I get away with regarding hair and shaving. I never shave my upper legs and have never received any kind of flak for that. That may be because it's not noticeable -- I have fine, blonde hair, and I'm pretty sure it's virtually invisible-- but I've never received comments when I haven't shaved my armpit hair for a week or so, either. I think that's evidence at how much privilege we allow people who are at least partially in step with beauty standards. I'm not a "Hollywood pretty" type, but I am small and blonde and white and female, and people are willing to forgive a lot from me because of that...
The looks a woman gets when she doesn't shave her legs are generally very nasty, though; a couple of times I've gone to the gym without shaving my lower legs for awhile, and people have been rather contemptuous. On the male side of things, a friend of mine, with an awesome full beard and slightly long hair, has gotten grief from many a job for being 'unkempt' (even though he is not -- he trims and takes good care of his hair). And my brother -- who has amazing shoulder-length curly Jim Morrisson hair that girls swoon over and touch wherever he goes -- is criticized constantly for his hair being too long and 'feminine'.
I'm bi, and I'm having a hard time deciding if my personal standards conform to beauty standards or not. I tend to favor, in the abstract, men and women without a lot of hair, but in practice I haven't minded it at all on the people I've involved myself with. I'm glad I can prioritize individual aesthetics when it comes to real people to some degree -- even if abstractly I am influenced by normative beauty standards.
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After all, my beard isn't going anywhere.
Radical Dreamer knows what's important.
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And my brother -- who has amazing shoulder-length curly Jim Morrisson hair that girls swoon over and touch wherever he goes -- is criticized constantly for his hair being too long and 'feminine'.
Blimey, ya know it! A friend of mine's a victim of the same. He was raised in Jamaica, so he doesn't find it weird to have long, feminine hair (though, frankly, he looks like a puppy -- not in a bad way, rather adorably, because I'm quite fond of his unique way to present himself). However, here he is criticized too often for having long hair -- not by strangers, but some close to him -- and some strangers even confuse him for a girl.
I think the perception depends on most cultural norms: if the culture is used to a gender having long hair then having short cut is simply "unnatural" and thus gross, but in another culture it's the opposite wherein shorter hair is preferred to longer ones. In Capitalist nations it stands to reason (by which I mean, "the reason according to Capitalists", not mine) that people have no excuse to not look good because they can afford cosmetics, shaving and good clothes. But of course, the "aesthetic grade" is universal.
Syna, your post triggered a chain of reasoning in my head, an extensive unbiased psycho-analysis regarding the Whats, Whys and Hows of human "aesthetic grade". However, whenever I'm in my analysis mode I tend to be straightforward, and thus I ask: would it be appropriate to share it?
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There won't be a proper left-handed mode in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Therefore, I am declaring that game to be excluded from the series cannon. I'm also invading Japan.
This seriously dampens my enthusiasm for the game. I may not even buy it. I've passed over various Zelda titles. It's easy enough to do so with this one.
Also, while my complaint is primarily aesthetic, the controls for this game are reported to be so precise that it sounds as if it might be genuinely difficult for left-handers to play.
I am really, really disappointed...
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There won't be a proper left-handed mode in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Therefore, I am declaring that game to be excluded from the series cannon. I'm also invading Japan.
This seriously dampens my enthusiasm for the game. I may not even buy it. I've passed over various Zelda titles. It's easy enough to do so with this one.
Also, while my complaint is primarily aesthetic, the controls for this game are reported to be so precise that it sounds as if it might be genuinely difficult for left-handers to play.
I am really, really disappointed...
????
Why would they do that? Is it seriously that much trouble to try and accommodate one tenth of their audience?
That's rubbish. D was rather excited to play the game, and now he'll probably have a hard time if he tries. Bah.
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I could not tell you why they wouldn't go to the trivial effort of including a mirroring function. Maybe it wasn't trivial.
More than any other trait, physical or mental, cultural or philosophical, artistic or scientific, left-handedness is the trait I most strongly identify with. You show me a left-handed character in a story, and I'll drool. Link has always been left-handed, until Twilight Princess for the Wii came along and test players started reporting that, being right-handed, they couldn't handle a left-handed Link. So Nintendo mirrored the entire Wii version of the game. (That version has also been struck from series canon, as far as I'm concerned.) And now with Skyward Sword there won't be any left-handed version at all.
Link is just about Nintendo's only prominent left-handed game icon. You could make a non-watertight argument for Samus Aran, and they occasionally show up as less-iconic characters (like Crono and Frog!), but, really, Link is pretty much the only top star.
I know most people don't really care, beyond the left-handers who complain about once again being made to play right-handed, which is a poorly addressed problem in the industry. But I care for narrative reasons. I like to identify with people in stories--I think we all do--and, whether or not it makes sense to others, I really identify with left-handedness. It aggrieves me that Nintendo would turn a left-handed character, and essentially its only left-handed star, at that, into a right-handed character without any consideration given of the narrative impact or the practical one.
It really bums me out.
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My browser is littered with Psychological Science links regarding Human Interpretation, Sexism, Chronic Depression, Perception, etc. AND THE LINKS BEG ME TO READ THEM.
(http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/o/m/omgwtfbbqplz.gif)
This is weird. Whenever my friends here "Psychology" they turn tail and run away, because studying is boring, right? And here I am, glued to every scientific knowledge that comes my way, addicted to the grandeur of researches and critical thinking. Does that make me a "Book Worm" or "Screen Worm"?
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You have an awesome beard. My goatee is nice, but it's a goatee. Petite and commonplace. You are friggin' Jeremiah Jedediah Dreamer.
Thank you, sir. I had a goatee for a time, but it wasn't enough. I don't regret keeping my jawline covered.
I share your disappointment in Skyward Sword. I purchased the GameCube version of Twilight Princess over the Wii version because, as it portrayed Link as left handed, it was clearly the legitimate version of the game. Hopefully future systems will revert to portraying Link as he ought to be.
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While I'm also kinda disappointed about Link being right-handed in Skyward Sword (I'm left-handed as well), and even got the GameCube version of Twilight Princess over the Wii one, but isn't the whole 'right handedness being not canon' a little extreme?
One thing you guys should be aware is that Link is actually ambidextrous, mostly since Shigeru Miyamoto is ambidextrous himself. The only reason we've seen left-handed Links so far has been because, as stated by Miyamoto, they've all favored the left.
However, Link is not strictly left-handed. Indeed, I remember that for A Link to the Past, I think the Manual stated Link would switch hands when he had Death Mountain to his left because of the superstition that all evil came from there, and so would have his shield on the left in-between the mountain and him. Gameplay-wise this is just because the sprite was mirrored when facing the other way, but why have this big of an explanation then?
So him switching to right, even if it's because of the controls out-universe, is not unreasonable in-universe either. Sure, doesn't stop me from being slightly disappointed of not being able to actually played it with the controls properly, but the right-handedness is not out of place to merit the criticism.
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To note, Link's handedness is rarely consistent even within a game. He swings his sword with his left hand, yes, but which hand does he use to operate the hookshot, to pull the string on his bow, or to push objects? His right. What hand does he used to throw the boomerang? His left.
Ambidexterity really is the only explanation.
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As a right-handed person I am completely okay with a right-favoring control scheme, though I realize that it may cause problems for left-handers. At least half of my nerdy friends are left-handed, though, and none of them have yet expressed any dismay...
...and excluding an official Zelda game from canon is just silly, in my opinion, and I don't feel the need to back that opinion up, so don't bother challenging me on it.
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To note, Link's handedness is rarely consistent even within a game. He swings his sword with his left hand, yes, but which hand does he use to operate the hookshot, to pull the string on his bow, or to push objects? His right. What hand does he used to throw the boomerang? His left.
Ambidexterity really is the only explanation.
I notice this in a lot of supposedly left-handed characters in anime-- Sephiroth and Utena come to mind. Good point!
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My frustration: In the attempt to squash pseudoscientific alternative medicine, sometimes we accidentally lump in the real doctors too!
https://www.burzynskimovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126
This clinic treats cancer patients by running a genetic profile of the patient and using the medicine they think will work best with the individual's genome. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am extremely anti-alternative medicine, but this guy does NOT fall into that category. He's a real medical doctor, and his methods have cured a lot of patients who had cancer, and they're living years later cancer free! That's really amazing. His medicine is in Stage 3 FDA trials right now for approval for cancer treatment, the final stage before approval!
Now the Texas Board of Health is suing to take away his medical license because he was unable to cure two of his cancer patients. One had an extremely rare cancer that has less than a thousand recorded cases in history, and the other was triple negative breast cancer. I don't understand the logic here... I don't know of any oncologists who have only lost two cancer patients in the course of their career!
The video explains it in more detail, but the possible outcome is very distressing. If he loses his license, his clinic will shut down and all his patients will find themselves without treatment. And also, he's the only guy in the entire United States doing this right now.
It's possible I'm missing some crucial detail here, but I don't know of one. I made a note of this guy a few years ago, and thought he'd be interesting to follow. Alternative medicine nuts may claim to cure cancer, but this guy actually has scores of documented people who have been cured of serious, terminal cancer. That's noteworthy!
People seem to think it's some drug company conspiracy or whatever. I don't really buy into all that, but as for Texas just generally being and doing batshit crazy stuff? Yeah, I believe that!
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While I'm also kinda disappointed about Link being right-handed in Skyward Sword (I'm left-handed as well), and even got the GameCube version of Twilight Princess over the Wii one, but isn't the whole 'right handedness being not canon' a little extreme?
People have different things which matter to them. To me, it's not trivial that they're changing one of Nintendo's only star left-handers to not be left-handed anymore. It's a big disappointment.
But I was joking, which some folks didn't get, about declaring Skyward Sword to be non-canonical. As it turns out, I'm not a Nintendo vice president and don't have the authority to actually do that. Nor, as it turns out, am I actually planning to invade Japan.
Or so you think.
One thing you guys should be aware is that Link is actually ambidextrous, mostly since Shigeru Miyamoto is ambidextrous himself.
I don't know where you got this information, but it isn't correct. He is sometimes described as "ambidextrous," but he clearly prefers his left-handed. Left-handedness and double-handedness are not the same thing. Given his age, and the lingering social stigma of being left-handed in Japan, it's likely that he was raised to be skilled in the use of his right hand because of social factors, not innate handedness.
However, Link is not strictly left-handed. Indeed, I remember that for A Link to the Past, I think the Manual stated Link would switch hands when he had Death Mountain to his left because of the superstition that all evil came from there, and so would have his shield on the left in-between the mountain and him.
Your memory is incorrect--although that would have been a very flavor-rich addition to the manual! To be sure, I reviewed the manual (http://zs.ffshrine.org/link-to-the-past/english-instruction-manual-scans.php).
Gameplay-wise this is just because the sprite was mirrored when facing the other way, but why have this big of an explanation then?
It's correct that the "facing right" sprite set is just a mirror of the "facing left" set, to save space on the cartridge. But there is no in-universe explanation for it.
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To note, Link's handedness is rarely consistent even within a game. He swings his sword with his left hand, yes, but which hand does he use to operate the hookshot, to pull the string on his bow, or to push objects? His right. What hand does he used to throw the boomerang? His left.
It would depend on which games and which item combinations you are talking about, but as something of a left-handed fanatic I pay very close attention to this stuff and I have always been very satisfied to see that the Link in each game has always acted in a fully left-handed manner. It would seem your memory is mistaken. Just to be sure, I checked some YouTube footage of various game actions across the games. Even in A Link to the Past, he operates the bow left-handed, for instance, and the hammer, the bug-catching net, and the boomerang. (The bow is held in the right hand, and the arrow is cocked with the left.)
There are some instances where Link uses exclusively his right hand to operate something. Those are always combination items, where he will remain free to use his left hand on more important equipment, or they are cinematic sequences. And there are not many of them! The designers and artists were remarkably consistent about this throughout the series--just as they will be with a right-handed Link in Skyward Sword.
Many right-handers don't pay attention to this stuff because they don't think of the world as being any other way. Right-handed artists routinely draw characters in left-handed situations when the characters aren't left-handed--especially when the artists use themselves as a reference. The mistake crops up in video games too, but the Zelda series has always been remarkably consistent. (That's why I was so surprised that Ganon from ALttP wielded the Trident in his left hand but subsequent Ganons wielded it in their right--because, after all, each Zelda game has a different Link, but it's always the same Ganon.
(This also applies to Syna's comment.)
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As a right-handed person I am completely okay with a right-favoring control scheme, though I realize that it may cause problems for left-handers. At least half of my nerdy friends are left-handed, though, and none of them have yet expressed any dismay...
Left-handed people tend to get used to living in a world that doesn't cater to them, and sadly many do not even give conscious thought to the prejudices levied against them--which admittedly are often small in comparison to other social prejudices. I do have a complaint to make about shutting left-handed players out of a game which (supposedly) depends very highly on precision hand coordination, but my primarily complaint is aesthetic.
...and excluding an official Zelda game from canon is just silly, in my opinion, and I don't feel the need to back that opinion up, so don't bother challenging me on it.
See, this is why I made that inappropriate comment yesterday, about you not caring about anything. You don't realize it, but it's insulting to be so dismissive of the things that are important to other people. I'm not really going to exclude the game from canon, like I said, but it's a serious disappointment that they won't be offering a left-handed play mode. Your sympathy is not required, but your dismissiveness is not appreciated.
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As for your story about the Texas doctor, rushingwind, that's just plain disgusting. But not surprising. (This assumes that there isn't some big part to the story that I'm missing.) This really ought to teach people not to do conspicuous business in such conservative places. You'll get burned.
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This is a really interesting discussion. I'm a righty living in a righty world, so I don't notice the discriminations (no matter how small) that lefties face. I asked D--my favourite southpaw--about this just now, and he gave me this laundry list::
People assume you can't drive a stick shift.
People assume you can't pitch well (D was in Little League).
People assume you can't be talented at anything artistic or craft-sy, since those tools are mostly for right-handers.
He's searched the world over for a spiral-bound notebook for lefties, but he still hasn't been able to find a single one.
Just walk into Staples as a leftie and you'd understand.
He says that after finding out that the new Zelda game won't be leftie-friendly, he probably won't play it.
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...and excluding an official Zelda game from canon is just silly, in my opinion, and I don't feel the need to back that opinion up, so don't bother challenging me on it.
See, this is why I made that inappropriate comment yesterday, about you not caring about anything. You don't realize it, but it's insulting to be so dismissive of the things that are important to other people...Your sympathy is not required, but your dismissiveness is not appreciated.
Hum...I wasn't dismissing anyone's opinions. I was just stating my own. See, I have a lot of opinions that I hold very strongly, but I rarely feel the need to actually back them up. It's enough that I hold them, and I don't need to justify my reasons or my position to anyone. I'm not asking anyone to agree with me, and if you disagree that's nice and it adds to whatever discussion, I guess...
But I probably won't make any effort to argue back unless for some reason I'm feeling particularly fired up that day.
I have my opinions and beliefs and y'all have yours, and whatever I say isn't likely to change what you think, and it's unlikely that anything you say will change the way I think. This is why I don't join discussions very often...though to be honest, I'm trying to be more active on the CC in general, and these places are the best to do it, so maybe that will change.
I guess, I just want to post my opinion, as in, "here's my opinion guys, this is what I think," but as a general rule I'm not trying to argue with anyone in those cases.
So in this case, I AM being sympathetic. Just because I, personally, am fine with a right-handed control scheme, doesn't mean I don't think it would be BETTER if there were both a right- and left-handed mode or something similar. I am 'dismissing' things that are important to other people only in the sense that they aren't important to me--I don't presume that they aren't important to you or anyone else. I don't consider my worldviews the be-all, end-all and understand that I could be wrong or misguided.
So, I consider my views to be fluid. Just because they're all nicely contained in jars for now doesn't mean that someone might not come along and knock one over or fill one differently, of even upend the table. Just because I hold these opinions now, doesn't mean I'll hold them next year, or even tomorrow. I've changed a lot in my lifetime, and accept that I'll change a lot more. Just because I feel strongly enough NOW about something that I would want to support it...I understand that I may feel differently one day.
And I guess I'm pretty frustrated about being misinterpreted. I try to say things clearly but seemingly always fail in some department...
Also, damnit Texas, stop being so terrible! You're making yourself look bad, and I lived there for 18 years! It's embarrassing!
Also, left-handers should be just fine or better at art since the right side of the brain is the more artistic side and controls the left hand...there's no left-brain interference going through the arm.
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Ah, in review, it would seem that indeed my memory about the bow was indeed incorrect. Still, the other two I noted remain.
Link using the hookshot against the water temple boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R47g-2M-U58)
Link pushing with is right shoulder (note, you do get to see his left-handed use of the bow here) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RxZ5UYPpGw)
Both are particularly interesting. Link is not using the hookshot in combination with his sword: he specifically puts it away when he grabs out his sword, and the reverse is also true. His left hand is right there, he could easily have used it to operate it, but he does not. Nor does he use anything else with the hookshot, insofar as I have been able to find. The fact that I recently moved also means that I am quite familiar with people's tendency to "put their backs into it" with their dominant side: that Link pushes with his right side indicates that his right side is his dominant side.
And then there is the fact that he grabs equipment, such as the ocarina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leY0NMJ-kfk&feature=related), out from behind his back with his right hand. And reaches into big chests (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG2FqsybwaA) with his right hand first. And when he pulls out the Master sword (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xppnhCea8j8)? Right hand is on top. I would also think that if he was left handed that he'd wear the Goron Bracelet on his right hand (just as a left-hander might wear their watch on their right hand), but that is admittedly far more debatable.
Still, that said, there really is no reason for even Wii Twilight Princess to be right-handed only, and much less for Skyward Sword. Being able to mirror the controls, and in turn the appearance of the game, doesn't seem like that complex of a task.
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Both are particularly interesting. Link is not using the hookshot in combination with his sword: he specifically puts it away when he grabs out his sword, and the reverse is also true. His left hand is right there, he could easily have used it to operate it, but he does not.
Um, it's not entirely relevant, but when aiming (with a Nerf Gun) during HvZ, I noticed that I generally held the gun in my left hand and used my right arm to aim it. In the case of the hookshot, he may 'hold' it on his right arm and use his left hand to aim--not that in-game evidence supports this, it was just interesting to me.
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ARGH. One line over a one page book review limit. One line. And the real frustration is the temptation of throwing out the last sentence to cut it down and still make everything sound right. But the problem is that I love that last sentence! It's so well-worded and encompasses everything I think was relevant in the subject!
Alas, I must butcher enough of my other prose to make it fit, or cry and cry and end up cutting it out. To work!
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D and I are going out to Ohio tomorrow through Sunday to visit friends (yay) and attend his sister's wedding (gag). Obviously we can't take Draco with us so we agreed a long time ago to give him to some friends for the weekend. They know that we're dropping him off tomorrow, but they haven't responded to our calls about when tomorrow we're coming to their place. It's beyond frustrating. What if we show up tomorrow and no one's there to take Draco? Ugh. People, either answer your goddamn calls or call back.
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Ah, in review, it would seem that indeed my memory about the bow was indeed incorrect. Still, the other two I noted remain.
Link using the hookshot against the water temple boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R47g-2M-U58)
Link pushing with is right shoulder (note, you do get to see his left-handed use of the bow here) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RxZ5UYPpGw)
Both are particularly interesting. Link is not using the hookshot in combination with his sword: he specifically puts it away when he grabs out his sword, and the reverse is also true. His left hand is right there, he could easily have used it to operate it, but he does not. Nor does he use anything else with the hookshot, insofar as I have been able to find.
Link's use of the Hookshot and Longshot in his right hand in OoT is an interesting quandary. When I first played OoT, this stood out to me because he did almost everything else in the game with his left hand. At the time I concluded that it must be proper left-handed form, since grappling is a context action that enables the dominant hand to undertake more specific actions. For example, one can hold themselves steady on a boat with their non-dominant hand so that they may pilot with their dominant hand.
But you make a good point about the Hookshot not being used in combination with anything in the game. And, more importantly, subsequent Links used the Hookshot (or its equivalent) in their left hands. There are a number of possible explanations for why the OoT Link would hold it in his right hand. The most satisfying to me is that the original intent was for the game to allow grappling and swordplay at the same time. We know that OoT had a number of gameplay aspirations that it wasn't able to meet (such as horseback combat beyond just the archery). This may have been one of those shortfalls. We know that Link uses his shield in his right hand, and in that sense the Hookshot could be a homologue.
But after a quick google I couldn't find any indication that that is what happened. Another possibility is that they made a creative-level decision (rather than a gameplay one) that he would use it with his right-hand so that his left hand would remain free more often. Still another possibility is that they made a different creative-level decision that the Hookshot, a major piece of equipment, wouldn't fit on his person in a way that would facilitate efficient left-handed use.
The developers were very meticulous with their design and this can't be a mistake, yet that Link is clearly left-handed. I'd love to ask the development team what the truth is! They'd roll their eyes and laugh at their crazy fans. Especially if I had it shipped there and back with UPS Express Critical, which apparently would let me charter a private airplane for the fastest possible delivery.
The fact that I recently moved also means that I am quite familiar with people's tendency to "put their backs into it" with their dominant side: that Link pushes with his right side indicates that his right side is his dominant side.
This, on the other hand, has very little merit. Pushing is another context activity, and heavy pushing relies more on leg power--which would come disproportionately from the side of the body opposite to being pushed. I've done enough heavy moving to know that much. And, in Link's case, pushing with his right side leaves his left side free. Given that his enemies are all around him, that's probably just good sense.
What's strange, though, is that in the video you provide, his pulling actually does take a right-legged stance, since it's the closer leg to the object rather than the farther one which provides the most force. What could this be? Is he left-handed but double-legged? Is there something about pulling which causes him to favor a right-dominant approach? Is this a very rare instance of a subtle art mistake by the developers?
And then there is the fact that he grabs equipment, such as the ocarina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leY0NMJ-kfk&feature=related), out from behind his back with his right hand. And reaches into big chests (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG2FqsybwaA) with his right hand first.
Indeed, I covered that when I spoke of scripted sequences. I should have covered a clause about trivial actions, and maybe another one for actions which one deliberately undertakes with their non-dominant hand because of a risk to the hand undertaking the action. He probably takes the ocarina in his right hand because it rests on his right side. Reaching into treasure chests is a trivial enough grabbing action, but one that (in a magic world, anyhow), entails risks. It could also simply be that he is only "merely" left-handed rather than extremely so. Some people will go out of their way to favor their dominant hand. Others will use their non-dominant hand for some actions if it is more convenient to do so.
And when he pulls out the Master sword (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xppnhCea8j8)? Right hand is on top.
The resolution on the video is very poor. It looks first like his right hand is on top, and later the left, and also it looks as though the left hand is wrapped around the right. It's not clear enough for me to say what all is happening, and I must admit I never did catch that particular detail! (Bully to you for noticing something on my pet subject which I did not!)
But if you are correct, and his right hand is on top, then that would be correct left-handed form anyway, because the sword is upside down and the "top" hand is actually closer to the pommel of the sword, which is where the non-dominant hand normally would be in a two-handed sword grip. (Of course, one could easily argue that at that point he was merely retrieving the sword from the stone as an object and not holding it as one would hold a sword.) I'm tempted to call this ambiguous to the point of irrelevance.
I would also think that if he was left handed that he'd wear the Goron Bracelet on his right hand (just as a left-hander might wear their watch on their right hand), but that is admittedly far more debatable.
It grants gripping and lifting strength. It makes perfect sense for him to wear it on his dominant hand. (And, for what it's worth, I wear my wristwatch on my left hand. That does require right-handed operation, but it means left-handed use. And, while I might look at my watch a hundred times in a day, I can go for weeks without having to press one of its buttons.)
Still, that said, there really is no reason for even Wii Twilight Princess to be right-handed only, and much less for Skyward Sword. Being able to mirror the controls, and in turn the appearance of the game, doesn't seem like that complex of a task.
I would rather just Link be mirrored, rather than the entire environment, but, yeah...even if mirroring Link would have been prohibitive, mirroring the environment would not have.
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@ Katie Skyye:
That was thoughtfully said. Thank you for clearing it up. I hope you will not let certain argumentative people whose names entail a letter J spoil your goal of participating more around here.
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@ Truthordeal:
Just condense the wording of sentences throughout your work. No need to cut an entire line. Or, you may find another line elsewhere that can easily be cut.
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Interesting that your heavy lifting experience has been different. As far as I've been able to find evidence for, you are unique in that experience, but admittedly that doesn't mean much: the only "evidence" I've been able to find is anecdotal.
While I disagree on the pushing (and on the pulling! That is clearly a left-handed pull), this would be a silly this to spend time debating, especially when I fully admit that Link should be using his left hand for his sword.
However, I do want to comment on the video, because it brings up an interesting note about the game. I watched a few videos, including one of the 3DS remake, and the right is on top first, then the left slides through it as the camera pans. I can only assume that was a glitch in how the objects were interacting with each other. One of the reasons I remember Link's actions so well ("fairly well," I guess... stupid bow) in OoT was that when I first played it I was very impressed at how often they got positioning smack on. Perhaps you recall Link climbing a ladder (he starts with his left foot)? His feet match up with the rungs all the way! That was unheard of in video games at the time.
One final note, to amuse you: Link uses a left handed ocarina. And now, if you will excuse me, I have a certain golden cartridge to dig out.
<.<
>.>
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Man, why must it be hard to find it. I know it's official Miyamoto stating Link is ambidextrous, but I can't find any reference out of second-hand comments.
But I'll find it somewhere... somewhere... gah...
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I remember in LttP he would always spin attack in the clockwise direction like a left side dominant batter.
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If I were Link, I'd be ambidextrous too. An ambidextrous hero is unstoppable.
Well, since I'm not Link and am a righty, I strive to be ambidextrous anyway. An ambidextrous artist is unstoppable.
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I spent a half hour typing up a story post in another forum, and Shanaya just had to close it.
:picardno
Makes me wanna pinch her cheeks. But she'd only show me the tongue and run away.
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Whenever I get the chance to wake up early in the morn, the first thing I usually do is glance at my room illuminated with the morning sunshine, then glance out and take it the beauty. And by "taking in the beauty" I actually mean "analyzing everything" -- such as the details, colors, contours, geometric shapes, life-forms, rust, dust, smell, sound, wind, chill, reflections, shadows, etc. and with the given data, I proceed to deduce what other stuff could be out there that I'm unable to see (such as the possible locations of bees, termites, pigeon nests, rear brown sparrows, etc.)
The first thing I did today after washing my eyes was observe the sun's rays on my fist, and deduce I could recreate such an image flawlessly on paper / canvas, bu observing the blur, contours, geometry, etc. Apparently midtones are usually more saturated that either highlights or shadows, and the edges of sharper shadows show signs of light-burn.
All this is wonderful, but my biggest frustration is that I'm incapable of remembering details. I can deduce based on the details before me, but once it's gone I can't recall the detail back. In this case, I memorized on how to flawlessly recreate my fist, including the shadows, with geometric data, but immediately forgot all that data when looked out the window. Perhaps it's my innate ability to rely on "full picture" rather than the details therein in order to keep sight of my goals, where I can simply recreate the details via analyses, but I seriously wish I had Photographic memory like Da Vinci or Bill Gates, or even Sajainta for that matter.
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People are still going on about Rick Perry's blunder in the debates the other night, where he forgot that one of the three federal departments he wants to eliminate is the Department of Energy. People in the media are calling it one of the biggest calamities to ever befall a presidential contender.
My foot it is. Human beings forget things sometimes. Apparently to the media, what's newsworthy is not that most of these conservative candidates want to disastrously shut down whole segments of the government. It's that Rick Perry had a brain fart on national television.
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Ohio drivers.
People in Ohio cannot drive.
I've been to over half the states, but Ohio drivers are by far the worst ones I've seen.
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Ohio drivers.
People in Ohio cannot drive.
I've been to over half the states, but Ohio drivers are by far the worst ones I've seen.
That is saying something. I still use the phrase "to pull a texan" when describing vehicular batshittery. Have you been there, and if so, does your judgment still stand?
For example, I've seen people in Texas stop on a busy freeway and back up (not even on the shoulder, mind you), because they missed their exit. I was at a stoplight once. The person behind me, who had been stopped themselves, cut into oncoming traffic in order to go around me so that they could run the red light. These are orders of insanity that I am afraid to hear can be beat.
While Southern California drivers do get a bad wrap for being poor, thus far it largely seems that they are just ungodly rude and stupid, rather than actually bad like in Texas.
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Yup, I've been to Texas multiple times. I've been to Southern California too. Ohioians (is that even a word?) are still the worst.
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Thus so has it been said, thus shall I never dare set foot in Ohio.
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Ohioians
Ohioites
Ohionese
Ohioms
Ohioish
Thus so has it been said, thus shall I never dare set foot in Ohio.
I don't gots no car nor bike. Can I survive there? XD
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http://frankmillerink.com/2011/11/anarchy
Frank Miller and all the right-wing pieces of shit in his comments can go choke on a fucking car transmission.
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FUCK FRANK MILLER
... Ahem. Sorry. He deserves it.
And yes, Texas drivers are just godawful. Part of me is happy I learned to drive here: the experience imparted great survival instincts!
Driving in the Pacific Northwest is quite an experience, in comparison. It's like, "what? Everyone is being polite to each other...??"
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That is saying something. I still use the phrase "to pull a Texan" when describing vehicular batshittery. Have you been there, and if so, does your judgment still stand?
For example, I've seen people in Texas stop on a busy freeway and back up (not even on the shoulder, mind you), because they missed their exit. I was at a stoplight once...
That's where I lived my first 18 years...
...and that's how my second accident happened. >_< Some idiot cow didn't want to go through the toll or something and started backing up and we didn't know because there was a car between us and her who swerved at the last second--but unfortunately, my grandma and I didn't have time to get out of the way. It's so much better here in Redmond ;u;
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Frank Miller and all the right-wing pieces of shit in his comments can go choke on a fucking car transmission.
Even better: throw him in the middle of the Occupy movement. One slip of the tongue, one lousy comment, and he ruins himself. So what'll it be? Broken bones or broken self-esteem?
Today's frustration: I missed my morning. (http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/o/n/onionfailplz.gif?1)
I know I decided to run all the way to the Race Course, but the thing with time is that early morn is usually the best for such task and oxygen is bountiful for the brain. But when six turns half past seven, the traffic gets denser. It's dangerous to run after that. I can't even sleep early, because by the time I reach home from work it's eleven in the night.
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I loathe distractions. I despise any and every distraction when I'm meditating, working, painting, writing, thinking, riding, talking, listening, watching, etc. They hinder you, destroy your concentration, and make sure you never finish what you started.
I don't know why, but I've become a distraction magnet. Especially while meditating, someone just has to annoy you, despite asking them not to disturb. And even when you're already too deep in to be bothered by people's voices or letting any distraction stir your emotions or thought, they notice you not listening and proceed to do the worst things: pull your ear, poke you with a pencil, draw on your face, pour cold water over you, drop a blanket on you and hit you with pillows, or even worse they tickle the hell out of you!
:o I CAN'T LIVE ANYMORE!
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In a moment of carelessness I sat on my glasses. I am not a particularly ample individual, yet nevertheless human flesh is a dense substance and my glasses were no match. So, after rolling my eyes at myself, I bent the glasses back into shape.
On the plus side, they seem to fit better now than they did before. On the minus side, however, and frustratingly, this really eats up the lifespan of the frames--and I just got these things last year.
Oh well. In the old days, frames and lenses would have been totally destroyed.
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Having driven extensively in both Southern California and the Pacific Northwest, I'll take Southern California driving over PNW driving any day. Sure, Southern Californians are hyper-aggressive assholes on the road, but they are predictable and know how to merge. This is in contrast to the passive-aggressive driving exhibited by drivers in the Pacific Northwest, who demonstrate a lack of understanding both of on-ramps and zippers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fn34wfVfZk
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Damn Texas drivers don't know how to use blinkers...
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"Sending your Congressperson a letter in just a few easy clicks" is a sham. It simply does not work. Mass e-mailings in which people participate at the click of a button fall on deaf ears. Congress does not care. Sorry, but you're wasting your time. You're also setting yourself up for disappointment when Congress inevitably ignores you. If you want to change things, you'll have to do better than add your name to a prewritten form letter.
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Since we're on a topic about horrible drivers, I'd like to add something.
I was on my way to a party this evening, wearing my good shirt. Waited for the signal to turn green. Before I moved, some idiot on a motorbike cut in like he owned the road and bumped into me. I fell hard and hit a sideways pole, injuring my left shoulder.
Good thing I delayed my movements by a couple of seconds, otherwise I would have hit the street instead, having my head crushed under a nearby truck. I could have died like my Grandpa did. Also, did I mention the guy was on the phone while he rode his motorbike? And the cellphone was inside his helmet? To top it off, he turned tail and ran.
Also, it's pretty embarrassing to show up to a party with a stain on your good shirt.
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Traffic incidents are scary. I hope you feel better soon. The shirt is replaceable.
On a related note, it frustrates me that many motorists fail to take seriously their mortal responsibility of operating a vehicle. Somebody mentioned preferring Southern Californian "aggressive-aggressive" drivers to the Pacific Northwest's "passive-aggressive" ones. Personally, I disagree. Washington drivers will typically leave you alone; growing up in Southern California, I know very well what a battle it is to use the freeways. However, the fatality statistics don't seem to suggest all that much difference between the states, after adjusting for population.
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Just from my personal experience and the experiences of my family: Texas drivers are kind of insane, but New Jersey drivers are far worse. Where in Texas you have 3-4-car pileups, in good ol NJ you get 6-7-car pileups. My aunt lived there a year for work and said on the highway she "had to go 70 mph or above just to avoid getting run over" even though the speed limit was at that time 60. Who knows what it is now...
Though I know that Houston bus drivers were notorious for being careless and there were like 10 fatalities of people getting hit by buses in X amount of years...
And Washington drivers are awesome. They have no idea what they're doing in parking lots, but on the road they are nearly always considerate. I can't speak for the entire PNW since I haven't been to all of it.
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I think I'm just gonna move to Montana. There's no speed limit because no one ever goes there, so there aren't enough people to make driving too much of an ordeal. Though I remember hearing that Montana has the highest per capita rate of accidents, but, then again, if one person gets into an accident in Montana that accounts for about 45% of the non-bovine population.
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And Washington drivers are awesome. They have no idea what they're doing in parking lots, but on the road they are nearly always considerate. I can't speak for the entire PNW since I haven't been to all of it.
I... take it you've never been to Lakewood, then.
Then again, the jackasses and douchebags always seem to come out whenever I'm driving. Hmmmmm....... :?
The Safeway parking lot in the Town Center is the worst, if you ask me... >_<
Edit: Missed the part about parking lots. Whoops. :P
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Something needs to be done about traffic security -- not from the Government's side, but in the more social one. Why do drivers in some states (or any state for that matter) act like kids "wanting to get their ice cream first"? Traffic fatalities are far worse in such cases. When I went to Mumbai once I was sickened by its density of traffic: the jam went on for miles, and there was no place for movement for a whole forty minutes. An Ambulance nearby had an emergency case, but was stuck in the traffic, incapable of rushing to the Hospital.
Also, some truck-owner's immature drunk driving took the life of my Grandfather, and a half-asleep bus-driver killed two good friends on mine. On the sidewalks I frequently see dogs, cats, birds and other animals crushed under heavily vehicles. Even yesterday I had a similar brush against death. Such horrid events have made me despise vehicles.
...I'd rather buy a horse. It'd be fun to go to work, or movies, or stuff on a horse.
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Fuck companies that don't have the fucking professionalism to tell you if you've gotten a job or not, though they've promised to contact you. I already know I didn't fucking get it, but I'm obligated to confirm. I sent an e-mail to my HR contact yesterday, and they still haven't replied. It's going to be time soon for a righteous indignation phone call. I wish I could verbally abuse them all on the phone.
What a world. I was treasurer at my university's accounting society; have a Master's degree in Accountancy with a focus in audit; 3.8 GPA; Eagle Scout; laundry list of strengths. And I can't get one fucking job in public accounting. Half of all Europeans under 34 live with at least one parent, and much of the Occupy people in the US and the protesters in Europe (like the ones in Madrid) are young people with fucking Master's degrees who can't get a fucking job. We're finally reaping the true outcome of borrowing from the future and using up the fucking earth at a pace technology can't match. We're finally inheriting the wind of a system that demands perpetual growth in a finite world.
I can't wait to see what happens when the bubble of education bursts. Surprise! Go to college, work hard, and enjoy a life of student debt and unemployment, because there are too many fucking people in a world too technologically advanced to require all their labor, based on a system that requires too much growth for this taxed, ailing earth to support (not to mention a patriarchal, avaricious global assembly line)! Welcome to the rest of your life!
It's already such a giant fucking ethical problem for me to accept working in public accounting (although it's balanced by hte fact that auditors—in theory, at least, since at the higher levels it becomes retaining clients and pleasing them—keep the excesses of private firms and their fraud in check). I could not ethically work in marketing, or defense. Or to help manage a hedge fund? Haha. There are some things far too impure to stain one's hands with. May the ghost of Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis descend upon all the corrupt—all the people who interpret "caveat emptor" as a free license to exploit people without regret—and bring them to unrelenting justice. His ghost exacting vengeance is at least more likely than some God or karma doing it.
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FOR THE SAKE OF THE GODS, LIFE
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SLOW DOWN
PLEASE
... waaaaay too much happening at once. I normally thrive when my life is tumultuous and shifting, but after three months of this lord I just need time for a breath or two...
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His ghost exacting vengeance is at least more likely than some God or karma doing it.
Actually, "Karma" is more likely than the ghost (not the Karma most foreigners think about, but the actual definition of Karma). Still, may the fruits of Karma be with you!
Hope you succeed, Z. Hang in there, pal!
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GODS, LIFE
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SLOW DOWN
PLEASE
... waaaaay too much happening at once. I normally thrive when my life is tumultuous and shifting, but after three months of this lord I just need time for a breath or two...
KEEP VIGILANCE! Don't jump off the plane yet, you need this! *hands her oxygen mask and cylinder*
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I've spent much of the last four days doing the author's equivalent of filekeeping, organizing a jumbled old collection of notes into a new file folder family. When the task is complete I will be able to reference my notes much more effectively and quickly.
That's not a frustration; that's a pleasure. And I have enjoyed doing the work itself--a sure sign I have a writer's mind.
No, the frustration is that I get these little spurts of productivity usually because I am procrastinating from doing something even more important. In this case, I have something much more pressing and important to be working on over the next week. That's how it goes with me. If Item A is really pressing, I'll work on Item B. If Item B is really pressing, I'll work on Item A. The best outcome of such a system is to get importance things done by happy coincidence, out of order.
John Perry, of Stanford University, won the 2011 Ig Nobel Prize in Literature (http://improbable.com/ig/ig-pastwinners.html#ig2011) for his Theory of Structured Procrastination, which states that "To be a high achiever, always work on something important, using it as a way to avoid doing something that's even more important."
Oh, what an ignoble perch atop to light! And, yet, it describes me pretty well. :picardno
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(http://i.imgur.com/J3AE5.jpg)
Fucking bullshit. Fuck that cop, and fuck the Chancellor of that university. Fuck the people responsible for the situation that necessitates these protests.
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Indeed. The picture seen 'round the world. It looks so bad for that police officer that I can't help but wonder if the still photo missed some kind of fluid commotion in the situation. If not, then he probably committed a felony.
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From what I've been able to find out, the "police's" side is that the protesters had blocked off the egress of some officers (not sure if the guy in the photo is one or not). The protesters were given a warning to disburse or pepper spray would be used. The time between the warning and the application of the spray was sufficient for most protesters to be able to cover their faces.
If the crowd had indeed encircled the police (evidence of which I have been able to find nowhere except in the justifications of the police themselves), and if they refused to allow the police to exit, then an application of force would be legitimate. And the specific warning steps involved seem to be rather considerate. But that it came down to this, and that using pepper spray is considered the nicest police option, is quite troubling.
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Hmm, so, I've been thinking of starting a topic for advice and discussion. As in, if someone wants advice on something going on in their life or maybe just with something they consider a personal failing then they could post that. It wouldn't be anything like "Hey, I can't math! Halp!" but more of a psychology/personality topic. In addition, maybe you don't want advice and just find something interesting and want to discuss it. For example: "I have a hard time making eye contact. Thoughts?" That sort of thing. A place to discuss facets of each others' personalities.
But maybe that's too touchy-feely or susceptible to insults?
And this is in the frustration thread because I have no idea where else to put it, which is at least mildly frustrating!
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tushantin had a sort of "special requests" thread going for a while, but whether it takes place there or somewhere else in the General Discussion forum, that type of conversation certainly sounds like it could be interesting, and welcome by the community more likely than not.
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Not gonna lie, Faustwolf's approval is enough to make me run of and start this thing. It'll be up soonish.
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To follow up my own post, I was able to get a bit of information from one of the individuals sprayed. First, the police stepped over the sitting, arm-locked protesters in the first place, so the police were not trapped, and willfully put themselves in the position that they then used to justify using the spray. The "warning" seemingly traveled by protesters and onlookers more than the police, and that the use of the spray was quite extensive, with people getting covered again and again. Considering that the police themselves are claiming that pepper spray is the least violent tool that they could employ in that situation, perhaps the officers on sight felt justified, but again, if that is the least violent tool, then there is something fundamentally wrong with that organization.
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And now it's up.
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...but again, if that is the least violent tool, then there is something fundamentally wrong with that organization.
It indeed is. A hostile situation met with more hostility is not only baffling but also unethical, even if the ones in power of the situation (in this case, the police) actually are capable to justify themselves, and especially when the "hostile" ones are acting out of dire desperation.
Not only does this sprinkle more fuel in an engaging fire, but (from the perspective of the protesters) it also shows that the government or law enforcement hardly care about their welfare.
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I'm frustrated for many reasons, but right now my main one is Draco acting like he's on crack and me feeling too sick to chase after him.
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It still has not snowed here. It's halfway through November and it's certainly been cold enough.
Chicago what is wrong with you. Get your act together.
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It still has not snowed here. It's halfway through November and it's certainly been cold enough.
Chicago what is wrong with you. Get your act together.
Now here's a weird thing. An uncle of mine visited us tonight, coming recently from Mumbai for some business trip. Says it's "piping hot" there. But here? In the city right next to Mumbai? It's oh, so cold at night! :shock:
Still, never saw snow in my life... Feels like reality is hollow. If it were to snow now, I'd go out and make a snowman.
A snowman. In the middle of the night. And resurrect it.
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Fuck Walking Dead's second season. It's turned into a misogynist exploitation show. It's like the writers are winking to the camera saying "ARENT WOMEN CRAZY? LOAOLLOLAOLOLZZRTORL"
Too bad everyone's hailing it as featuring gripping drama. The last fucking episode was sympathetic to the anti-choice stance, for fuck's sake. Either drop the sexism or get back to the fucking zombies, because this shit sucks.
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Riots in my area when I'm supposed to be working.
Hope I survive...
Fucking politicians. I despise them...
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Riots in my area when I'm supposed to be working.
Hope I survive...
Fucking politicians. I despise them...
Be safe, Tushantin.... *hugs*
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I'm pretty much homeless right now.
Amazing how quickly your world can change.
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Saj, don't you have relatives there? Where do you live? I'm sure some close-by Compendiumites are willing to aid you.
Thought? Bekkler? Boo?
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Right now I live in the Chicago area. My parents are north of Chicago, and D lives about 15 minutes away from the city.
The situation is complicated with my relatives. I cannot stay there. I know that sounds melodramatic, but where they live is within walking distance to where all the bad stuff in my life when I was 14 and 15 started. Living near them is a constant flashback. I get panic attacks just being in this county. I cannot stay here. I am so scared that I will be driven to do something terrible to myself if I have to stay here. So many awful memories. So many reminders. I love my parents, but this area eats me alive.
I cannot stay here because I need to preserve my sanity in order to become more mentally healthy, and D does not want me to return to our apartment. He has moved on. He spent Wednesday night at a group of friends' house in the city--one of those friends he is interested in and, in return, likes him back. He wants to pursue a relationship with her. I am reeling from all of this. I cannot believe he would do this. This is not the D I know. He has grown so cold and so distant. Wednesday afternoon he threatened to kick me out of the apartment.
I could stay here, but I would lose my sanity. I want to retain my sanity. I do not want to commit suicide. I want to be healthy. I want to find peace and freedom.
I have nowhere else to go.
And I think I'm the only Compendiumite who lives in Chicago. I don't think there is another Compendiumite who lives in the Midwest.
Sorry this is so long. I am just horrified by all of this and I am so scared.
Please forgive any spelling or grammatical errors. I am tired, dizzy from lack of sleep and lack of food (I haven't eaten in over two days because I cannot eat when I am in such immense stress), and it's hard to type coherently when you are in despair.
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Well, I'm in Chattanooga, TN. Thought's a West Coast man, now. And Bekkler is in Virginia.
Saj, I'm so sorry that you're going through all these painful emotions. Breakups are so very difficult and they really do turn one's world on it's end. It's amazing how a friendship can crumble so quickly when there is an intimacy factor. Just be strong and know that there is peace down the road. I tell you from personal experience - the dating game is a fickle bitch but the future holds untold fortune and opportunity for you. Not just in relationships (being single is quite nice, really), but in other ways, too. Emotions tend to compound, and thus you're having to relive both good and bad memories with D, and all the other hurts you've experienced in your life.
Be strong. Stay healthy. Get some sleep, get some food in you. Those things only compound to make your emotions that much more out of whack. (For example, I never cry. I stayed up all night a few weeks ago to edit video's of my baby and all I did was cry because I was so bittersweet about my baby growing up. Once I got some sleep, I realized that it was mostly my body playing nasty tricks on me.)
Please take care of yourself. For us, for your family, for the people in your future that you haven't met yet.
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Sorry this is so long. I am just horrified by all of this and I am so scared.
Oi! No apologizing! We know you're frightened. But you also know that we're always here to hear you out, word for word. What do you take us for? XD
My only regret is that I don't live in the USA, otherwise I'd try to find some way to help. If nothing else, I'd walk up to Dee's house, knock on his door and Falcon Punch him in the face.
Not going back to the area is a wise decision, Saj. But there's also your parents. I know it's hard for you, but don't you want to meet them once before leaving Chicago? Don't you want to talk to them?
And lastly, I'd say: Saj, become a traveler. Throw your misfortunes behind, take a new breath, reborn, and set sail for uncertainty. I guarantee you that, if you feel you're a traveler and that the whole world is an inn, it gets better. Go on a journey, see the world. Find yourself, and redefine yourself -- it's good for your spirit. Just know that the most important thing in this world is your life and health.
And don't commit suicide. Perish that thought! Dee is a nincompoop, and deserves a kick in the gonads. But don't penalize yourself for his mistakes. Every dog has its day, and he'll get his rat-stew eventually. People change, sometimes for the good sometimes for worse. On the plus side, you now know that he simply wasn't good enough for you. You are better than him.
Keep strong, Saj.
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Saj, I'm so sorry that you're going through all these painful emotions. Breakups are so very difficult and they really do turn one's world on it's end. It's amazing how a friendship can crumble so quickly when there is an intimacy factor. Just be strong and know that there is peace down the road. I tell you from personal experience - the dating game is a fickle bitch but the future holds untold fortune and opportunity for you. Not just in relationships (being single is quite nice, really), but in other ways, too. Emotions tend to compound, and thus you're having to relive both good and bad memories with D, and all the other hurts you've experienced in your life.
Be strong. Stay healthy. Get some sleep, get some food in you. Those things only compound to make your emotions that much more out of whack. (For example, I never cry. I stayed up all night a few weeks ago to edit video's of my baby and all I did was cry because I was so bittersweet about my baby growing up. Once I got some sleep, I realized that it was mostly my body playing nasty tricks on me.)
Please take care of yourself. For us, for your family, for the people in your future that you haven't met yet.
Quoting for truth and solidarity.
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We love you Saj. It's almost unbelievable how quickly things change, but my advice is to remember that's a two-sided coin.
If things can go from good to bad so quickly, then they can go from bad to good just as quick.
You don't have to believe it, it's true anyway. The hard part is accepting change and letting that good happen when it comes.
Above all else, know that there are MANY people who care about you and you can talk to any of us (Compendiumites, family, offline friends, etc). We're all just an email/phone/skype call away. Any time.
It doesn't have to be me. But it can be! I'm here for you.
Edit: sent a pm with contact info, didn't include aim name or email, you know those already
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http://www.time.com/time/magazine
Egads, don't burst the Americans' bubble!
Edit: Wow, more:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601070402,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601100920,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601090406,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601081103,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601090928,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601110808,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601111024,00.html
What, are they afraid of being seen as unpatriotic?
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Thank you so, so much for all of your kind words, support, and offers to help. That means more to me than I can articulate. Thank you. <3
I'm able to stay at our D's apartment for a week. After that, I don't know. But I do have a place to stay for now, and so for that I am thankful.
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Frustration: I have many friends and acquaintances who love Chrono Trigger but who had never even heard of the Chrono Compendium, or know about the Compendium but aren't the type to participate on our projects, resources, and forums. Other than Chrono fans I know through the Compendium itself, I only ever encountered one person who is a fan of the site and visits regularly--and he's only a lurker!
We need one of those catchy "Got Milk?" marketing campaigns.
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Couldn't sleep a wink.
Damn it all... I hate you.
><
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I wish I was closer to Chicago but best of luck to you Sajainta. Keep your head up when one door closes another opens... sometimes when life gets you down you get the chance to see who your real friends are! Hope everything works out for you soon!
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(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/53749000/jpg/_53749530_003153932-1.jpg)
I really hope they paid this person a good price, or continue to pay her a continuing royalty, to denigrate her repeatedly on an international scale.
We all know about the "headless fat bodies" that dominate our news stories, an intractable symptom of society's bigotry against human body fat and continued effrontery toward the dignity of the people who dwell in fat bodies. It's so dehumanizing the way media organizations show off a fat person's midsection--never the head, of course--and blather on about how the obese are all a blight upon existence and so forth.
But over the past couple of years I have begun to notice that the people who write these stories are getting too lazy even to go out and show new photos and videos of headless fat people. Instead they're reusing the old ones. I've seen that particular picture on news stories for at least two years now. I can remember because I happen to think that whomever that person is has an attractive figure. Regardless of my reasons for remembering, remember this photo I do, and it frustrates me to see it again and again.
Is there nothing quite so irritating as a lazy bigot? I feel badly for the person in this photo, and all the others like her--male and female--because their bodies have become international symbols of ridicule, their faces have been erased, and their very existence has been labeled a threat to civilization as we know it. It's frustrating.
Oh, and if you're wondering which media organization could commit such poor taste, well, it's none other than the BBC News service, in its gripping, sensational, bombshell story:
BBC News: UK Women Are "Fattest in Europe" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15901351)
I really need to finish work on my Bigotry Vaporizing Ray. It makes a really neat neon pink zap effect.
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The use of that image is incredibly disturbing, J. Not only for its headlessness, but for how downright creepy the angle on a photo which is at least meant to look candid, as though the person was taking a casual stroll. (In short she may well have consented to the photo, but it certainly strikes one as if it were taken clandestinely.) If such a picture had been taken of a thinner woman, many would rightfully call it exploitative and leering, because exploitative and leering it happens to be.
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Yeah, that's why I wonder about whether they even paid her anything. For all I know, people are allowed to go out into the public and secretly shoot video and photos of people, and, if the people are headless, they hold no rights over the material.
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Couldn't sleep a wink today either. What's wrong with me...
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All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.
Ha.
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I've been trying to avoid the whole Conrad Murray story, because I just don't care. He was convicted of killing Michael Jackson--involuntary mateslaughter--and today was sentenced to the maximum penalty of four years.
I suppose the one thing in all this that I do care about is that I have no confidence in Murray's conviction and sentencing. This whole thing seemed like a witch hunt from the beginning. The public wanted someone to blame for the death of Michael Jackson, and Murray provided the drugs that did it. But Jackson was hooked on drugs, and his life was supremely screwed up.
He killed himself.
Putting his doctor in prison for it is a miscarriage of justice.
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Sigh. Got an eProject. When I was supposed to be travelling this month.
The institute has issues. They inform students a day before the project actually starts. They have no schedule, no plans, no support, no nothing.
On the bright side, at least this is the last one (hopefully, unless they change their minds like they always do).
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The Chrono Cross soundtrack doesn't work on my new computer and I still haven't changed the file type to an mp3. Grrr. I need my CC music!
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*twitch*
I love reading Engadget, but this wretched headline of an article put me off: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/stretchy-silicon-circuits-wrap-around-complex-shapes-like-your/
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(http://www.factsfacts.com/EggCups/EggCupEaten.jpg)
Doesn't this leave a bunch of uneaten egg white clinging to the shells? Wasteful as all fuck. I don't care how barbaric it is, I'm going to roll the egg until the shell's cracked enough to peel off in total. It also seems like it'd be annoying as fuck to try and maneuver that tiny spoon in the egg and take fucking tiny bites. Ridiculous, ridiculous practice. I hope I'm never served one of these in a situation where it'd be impolite to eat it my way.
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Oh, that was very good, Z!
You only have two settings. Off, and Thermonuclear Hot. I hope you don't mind my being deliciously amused by your reaction...
Anyhow! As to your actual point: I wish our population and environmental practices were sustainable enough that we could afford to waste food without a guilty conscience--not blatantly, but, rather, in the form such as that described by eating an egg out of its top, leaving (perhaps) something behind uneaten. I wish for that more than I wish that no food would be wasted. We are not robots, and measured waste makes me strangely comfortable. It's one of my complaints about the general liberal aversion to quality of life comforts. They want to make us feel guilty for enjoying ourselves in life through the use and consumption of material things. I don't agree.
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There is a future in cost accounting for those who wish to reduce food waste. That'd be quite a noble application of the trade. Naturally, though, the Japanese would probably do it better than anyone else. Fucking masters of the universe when it comes to total process efficiency.
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that feel when I post to the thread about editing the encyclopedia and it gets ignored o_o
also, I agree with the egg post, although I've never encountered such a foolish way of eating eggs.
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I don't care how barbaric it is, I'm going to roll the egg until the shell's cracked enough to peel off in total.
While it is very possible to get the shell off a soft-boiled egg, rolling it is likely to cause it spill its deliciously runny yolk. It takes a bit of a delicate touch and a lot of practice.
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I don't care how barbaric it is, I'm going to roll the egg until the shell's cracked enough to peel off in total.
While it is very possible to get the shell off a soft-boiled egg, rolling it is likely to cause it spill its deliciously runny yolk. It takes a bit of a delicate touch and a lot of practice.
Softboiled eggs are kind of gross, though, because they're SO EASY to get wrong and have runny egg whites, which is the worst. Over easy any day...
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Ew. Just cook it all the way through like a normal food. Eggs are one thing I do not enjoy wet.
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Sanctions and subterfuge aren't going to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. They may buy us more time, but the Iranians are fundamentally intent on getting a bomb, because they correctly understand that when you have the bomb you get privileges on the world stage. They saw what happened in Libya after Qadaffi gave up his nuclear program and then got ousted by his own people a few years later. They may be fools, but they're not stupid.
We have three choices now. We can destroy the Iranian nuclear weapons program and its support infrastructure. We can replace the Iranian government with a less hostile one. Or we can accept a nuclear-armed Iran.
In all probability the first two choices mean war, and the third choice greatly increases the likelihood of both a nuclear terrorist attack and a nuclear war in this century.
So! What's your policy on this?
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Friends who don't talk with you in a time of crisis are not friends, and were never friends to begin with.
I have accepted that, and now it is time to move on. I am not going to waste any more energy on these people. They don't deserve my time. They never did.
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Friends who don't talk with you in a time of crisis are not friends, and were never friends to begin with.
On the bright side, crisis serve like "tests" for humanity because it filters and shows you who are your best of friends and who aren't. True, some people are unable to help you due to their own limitations, but when those people are not limited and still don't approach empathetically then... well, ya know.
Hopefully this helps you find those truest pals, Saj. :) Cherish each other, and there'll be no problems that can't be solved.
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http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-reasons-money-can-buy-happiness/
First World folks and their problems, I tell ya... While I conform with his idea that a lot of "money can't buy" myth is ridiculous, he's actually complaining about things that only people with money would worry about in the first place. A lot of people who are actually poor often learn to live with it, with their perception earthbound despite the frustration of poverty. Yes, it's horrible, but John's whining is quite insulting.
That's the only thing I'm gonna roll my eyes at, though. Besides that, he's quite right.
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I've also been getting some 503 errors on this site - is that just me?
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I've also been getting some 503 errors on this site - is that just me?
No. It looks like the Bing and Baidu spiders are crawling the site at the same time and hitting up everything, even stuff that's blacklisted in the robots.txt file, and so there's a lot of extra traffic right now. I think they only ignore the contents of directories if you end them with a slash in the robots.txt file, so I modified it and the site seems to be coming back around.
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I've also been getting some 503 errors on this site - is that just me?
No. It looks like the Bing and Baidu spiders are crawling the site at the same time and hitting up everything, even stuff that's blacklisted in the robots.txt file, and so there's a lot of extra traffic right now. I think they only ignore the contents of directories if you end them with a slash in the robots.txt file, so I modified it and the site seems to be coming back around.
I see. That makes sense, thanks.
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Ah, thanks. This had been hitting me for the past few weeks too. I was almost roused enough to actually complain about it!
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Friends who don't talk with you in a time of crisis are not friends, and were never friends to begin with.
I have accepted that, and now it is time to move on. I am not going to waste any more energy on these people. They don't deserve my time. They never did.
You are absolutely correct. This can be a painful process, but it's worth it. There were a number of people who showed their true colors the last time I had a breakup, including some I thought I was very close with. I cut all of them out of my life without remorse, and to the man their absence has enriched my life.
Be confident in knowing that you are acting wisely.
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Two of my beloved roommates, who are a couple, have declared their intention to find a house for themselves, thus splitting up our proud cadre of five. We've lived together for as many years, since 2006, and we all placed such stock in each other, such faith in our friendship together and our times together. They are my second family, and this feels like a breakup, if an amicable one.
These friends intend to buy a house in the neighborhood we're living in, so in some ways, it's like a more permanent foundation for our friendship. Wherever I go in the next years, they will, more than likely, be here in the East End for me to visit. But the spontaneous good times are gone-- the random heart-to-hearts, the easy dinners cooked together, the group parties, the endless in-jokes. We will now have a more conventional friendship where we won't see each other unless we visit. And I can't help but feel a little mortified. My friends are no traditional married couple by any reckoning, but this is a step in the direction of becoming more domestic. Settling down is not in my foreseeable future, and I hope that we can have much in common regardless of the fork in our paths. I hope we can remain close. Friends moving away is a reality for our generation, and some of mine I have remained by my side, but others have definitely drifted away. The thought of the latter happening upsets me.
I try to embrace change. Eulogy in greek is eu logia, a "speech of goodness." When you mourn something's passing, you mourn the beauty of what it was, and so part of embracing change is embracing the sadness it brings wholeheartedly. There is much to come, more wonder and beauty than I could possibly imagine, including moments with these friends, but much is being lost. I'll do my best to experience every aspect of what is happening, for its own sake, and for its own terms.
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I try to embrace change. Eulogy in greek is eu logia, a "speech of goodness." When you mourn something's passing, you mourn the beauty of what it was, and so part of embracing change is embracing the sadness it brings wholeheartedly. There is much to come, more wonder and beauty than I could possibly imagine, including moments with these friends, but much is being lost. I'll do my best to experience every aspect of what is happening, for its own sake, and for its own terms.
And there's no doubt about it. Jubilation is always short-lived, Syna, but when they come, like the gust they sway you along. Sometimes an eternity can feel like mere moments, sometimes the times we take for granted. But when change finally comes we begin to see how precious those moments were, how much we simply can't let go; that's when the truest of bonds shine, and indeed sorrow amplifies it.
But that doesn't mean such times will never return. Of course, they aren't gone! You are bound by the hearts, something that's incredibly difficult to break, and hence the pain -- it's telling you, "Don't let go!"
If anything, this departure only gives us an excuse to make sure the moments count. Sure, they won't be as close as reaching an arm out, but they'll be close nonetheless. Drop by their house un-announced, call them up when there's something to share, invite them for a party, and have a blast! Party hard! We never know of the uncertainty that awaits in the future, so may as well take the cheer and good-will as a good-luck charms and seek the wonders that are yet to come. Let's cherish the "Now", ride the winds.
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Trying to passionately learn other languages has given me a new appreciation of English's simplicity. Fucking bullshit declension and gender. Declension is redundant as all fucking hell in most applications at this stage in the game, and where it's not, it could be solved with much, much, MUCH fucking simpler constructs. Who the FUCK cares if it's DER or DEM or DEN or DES?! IT MEANS THE SAME FUCKING THING: "THE"!!!!
And gender? WHY THE FUCK DOES GENDER IN LANGUAGE EVEN FUCKING EXIST? Destroy that shit. English reigns fucking supreme. Fucking gender-neutral language with simple conjugations. It has its weird cases here and there, but I'll be damned if it has anything like this:
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_verb_conjugation/estar
Holy god, what the fuck?! How many untold painful nights of studying and years of practice would it take to ever achieve that on a natural level? Jesus goddamned fuck, why so much needless ornamentation? Beauty is to be found in the varied synonyms and sounds of a language, not in making it inaccessible as holy mother of shit with complicated, useless fucking rules. For FUCK'S sake, this is totally unnecessary. It's no fucking wonder English became the lingua franca; it's damn easier to pick up than most. Please support your local world federalist chapter so that, even if it's not English, we can finally get one language in this fucking world for common communication, with regional and local languages relegated to traditional, bilingual status. And then I'll build a new Tower of Babel in the shape of a middle finger towards the sky, with "FUCK YOU" in 1000 different languages engraved upon it.
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Trying to passionately learn other languages has given me a new appreciation of English's simplicity. Fucking bullshit declension and gender. Declension is redundant as all fucking hell in most applications at this stage in the game, and where it's not, it could be solved with much, much, MUCH fucking simpler constructs. Who the FUCK cares if it's DER or DEM or DEN or DES?! IT MEANS THE SAME FUCKING THING: "THE"!!!!
And gender? WHY THE FUCK DOES GENDER IN LANGUAGE EVEN FUCKING EXIST? Destroy that shit. English reigns fucking supreme. Fucking gender-neutral language with simple conjugations. It has its weird cases here and there, but I'll be damned if it has anything like this:
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_verb_conjugation/estar
Holy god, what the fuck?! How many untold painful nights of studying and years of practice would it take to ever achieve that on a natural level? Jesus goddamned fuck, why so much needless ornamentation? Beauty is to be found in the varied synonyms and sounds of a language, not in making it inaccessible as holy mother of shit with complicated, useless fucking rules. For FUCK'S sake, this is totally unnecessary. It's no fucking wonder English became the lingua franca; it's damn easier to pick up than most. Please support your local world federalist chapter so that, even if it's not English, we can finally get one language in this fucking world for common communication, with regional and local languages relegated to traditional, bilingual status. And then I'll build a new Tower of Babylon in the shape of a middle finger towards the sky, with "FUCK YOU" in 1000 different languages engraved upon it.
Ahahaha! :) And don't forget! In Spanish, "estar" means "to be." But you also have the verb "ser," which also means "to be." So not only do you have to memorize two different ways of conjugation for verbs that say the same thing, but you must learn all the rules that define which one must be used. Even though they both mean "to be." And then there are all the irregular conjugations to memorize, too!
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It's no fucking wonder English became the lingua franca; it's damn easier to pick up than most.
Um...what. That's completely untrue. English is an extremely difficult language to learn for the vast majority of non-English speakers. I've had friends from all over the world who learned English as a second language, and it was incredibly difficult for them. It is not phonetic (unlike Cebuano, which is completely phonetic), many verbs have irregular conjugations, there is very little consistency, and even though one of its strengths is its vast vocabulary, that makes it very difficult for a non-English speaker.
English is one of the most difficult languages to learn, along with Arabic, Mandarin, Icelandic, Russian, and Japanese. Seeing as most of us are native English speakers, we take this for granted. Most of us don't realize how hard it is to learn English because (obviously), we already know English.
As stated previously, I have friends from all over the world, and as a child I grew up bilingual and around people who didn't speak any English. English was incredibly difficult for them, for the reasons I have stated above. If some non-English speakers pick it up quickly, then that's great for them, but they are in the minority. Most of my friends were highly intelligent, but even an intelligent person can struggle with a difficult language.
/Third culture kid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid) rant.
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And then I'll build a new Tower of Babel in the shape of a middle finger towards the sky, with "FUCK YOU" in 1000 different languages engraved upon it.
Reading that whole post, I literally fell off my chair laughing out loud. (http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/o/n/onionxdplz.gif?1)
I'm actually with Saj on this: in comparison to English, Japanese and Mandarin (oh GOD, Mandarin!), the writing system back here at home, 'Devanagari', is a cinch and is perfectly efficient to use in any language and is incredibly phonetic so it's amazingly simply to learn (even though I still struggle with it because,... you know), though when it comes to Hindi there's separate categories of implementation. Even then, quite a lot of English speakers effortlessly adapt to the language (although I do abjectly admit their pronunciation is HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL hilarious) without much need to attend any class of what sorts. Basically, in terms of simplicity and efficiency, Devanagari can kick English in the butt.
English on the other hand... well, forget it. Dyslexia bound, I couldn't even properly master it until I was 17 (and that's despite learning it since I was 6), but I think I ought to thank the Compendium for helping me through. Sometimes I get sentimental when people complement on my grasp of English. And even then, I believe there's so much I need to learn.
Ah, as for Gender... Language pretty much manipulates the way people think. Try taking them away from their safe haven they're used to and they complain it's not convenient. :wink:
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English substitutes a set of rigid and arbitrary word order constructs for the actively marked German case system (except for the places where we preserve the vestiges of case system markings too—that is, the possessive 's and among the personal pronouns). It's no easier, just different.
As for gender in language, the last time I checked, linguists weren't quite sure what purpose it served, but it pops up often enough that they're pretty sure it has one, and that it has little or nothing to do with real-world gender categories (consider "das Madchen", "die Kartoffel"—the last time I checked, a young woman was female and a potato was not, but German reverses them).
Just because something doesn't match up to your preconceptions doesn't mean that it's "difficult" or "wrong", and someone speaking a language where "ghoti" and "fish" can be pronounced the same way (did you know that it's been calculated that English spelling is 82 times harder than a phonetic system would be?) and "cleave" means both "adhere" and "split" while "flammable" and its apparent negation "inflammable" mean the same thing has no right to comment. ;P
For real fun, check out one of those African languages with twelve different noun classes or anything with an ergative-absolutive case system, and prepare to have your brain stretched. Languages are fascinating.
My frustration of the moment? Snow. We went from bare lawns to three inches in under 72 hours, and it's bloody cold outside. :(
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I was debating this in a humorous way with my roommate just last week. His argument was that English was ugly compared to France and Italian, but then I brought up his love of Gilbert and Sullivan, and inefficient, which I brought up the loan words we have and used the basic economics of advantage and trade to prove him wrong. I win arguments often.
From what I've heard and experienced from non-native English speakers, out "th" sound is especially hard. It usually comes out for them as a hard "t" or a "ch" or "sch," and I guess in that way it's similar to the rolling "r" for us. I don't know if any other languages than English have this sound, but if not then we've made something difficult.
But I'll say this: our written language is probably a good deal easier, if only because we use a simple 26 letter Roman alphabet with no accented or umlauted characters, and because we don't decline our verbs or articles, as Z said.
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Definitely have to agree with Saj. I love English to bits -- it's a wildly fun language -- but easy it ain't. English still has the meanings that are preserved in the declensions of other languages, we have just hidden that meaning in sentence position instead. "Der Mann" tells you that the man is the subject of the sentence (hence, nominative case), always and forever. "The man" could be found in the nominative, genitive, accusative, dative, or ablative case. It thus tells you nothing about what it will mean in a sentence.
TruthOrDeal, the problem with our written language is that we have a lot of unofficial letters. "Ch," "ph," "th," "th" (no, that isn't a repeat), "sh," "kn" and others all used to be a single letter that clearly designated its own unique sound. We got rid of those letters, replaced them with two others, and then moved on to anglimangling the words from other languages. Umlauts and accented letters are strange to me (why not just make a totally new letter instead of modifying a different letter?), but definitely simpler than English's a-doings.
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Seconding Saj, too-- the Spanish you're maligning is, in actuality, one of the easiest languages in the world to learn-- THE easiest, apparently, for English-speakers!-- and vastly easier than English by any rubric.
Americans, for cultural and geographic reasons, don't develop their language-accumulating skills as strongly as people in other countries. I once taught Korean kids ESL. If you think English to Spanish is hard, try Korean to freaking English -- it's insane. Yet they managed it brilliantly and were typically better writers than most English-speakers I've taught-- not only through their insane work ethic, but through early exposure to other languages (and English, through the culture industry).
Language is, furthermore, not a model that merely describes objective reality. It actually actively shapes the reality we see in fascinating ways, as this video about the Himba tribe will show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b71rT9fU-I). "Der" and "dem" and "des", within the broader context of the language, become intricacies that can convey great subtlety. A good way of appreciating this is reading Spanish literature in translation, and then the original thing -- that tends to drive home how much is lost. If we merged all languages to one, this fascinating variety wouldn't exist...
That said, the whole gender thing in language totally wigs me out, too. I've been meaning to see if any studies have been done on the romance languages & gender perception but I haven't managed it yet...
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Language is, furthermore, not a model that merely describes objective reality. It actually actively shapes the reality we see in fascinating ways, as this video about the Himba tribe will show (http://httpwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4b71rT9fU-I&h=vAQER-ZnUAQFJL6lFIqUskbqEHo-mXxo0ksx6oxJqI7rDQA)
Hah, now you're speakin' my *ahem* Language! Except the video seems broken to me. Do you mean this? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b71rT9fU-I)
I do thank you for the video, though. While I already knew this before, I didn't realize that my Dyslexia was actually a boon for me just as it's a curse -- I don't see colors the same way as people, but actually a complex visual navigation. Er, I'll talk about it if anybody's interested; now back to the topic.
As for gender in language, the last time I checked, linguists weren't quite sure what purpose it served, but it pops up often enough that they're pretty sure it has one, and that it has little or nothing to do with real-world gender categories (consider "das Madchen", "die Kartoffel"—the last time I checked, a young woman was female and a potato was not, but German reverses them).
That said, the whole gender thing in language totally wigs me out, too. I've been meaning to see if any studies have been done on the romance languages & gender perception but I haven't managed it yet...
The 'Gender's Game' (yes, I'm awesome) isn't so surprising where I come from, however we haven't put much thought into it either (although many linguists have, though I forget). As I mentioned the last time (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php/topic,9518.msg209685.html#msg209685), while Platonic Duality has existed since forever the personifications of nature and complex / abstracts concepts have are quite a correlation with Language itself, and the ancient languages primarily focused on Duality in essence -- there was always a He or She, but never It -- and this focused the ancient perception on concepts that maybe, just maybe, objects have either masculine or feminine characteristics. This thought evolved and developed further for artistic impressions and progression of language itself. There was also the case of 'Default Gender' but, eh, I'll probably bore you with that sub-topic...
In any case, this duality didn't necessarily mean that an object was alive, or that it had a gender, but was used to mnemonically categorize objects and keep their attributes in mind. For instance, in one language a bridge would be a 'He' because it's strong, and hence focusing on creating stronger bridges, while in another language it could be a 'She' because it looks beautiful, thus leading the natives to focus on aesthetic craft first. But the gender is almost always assigned based on the attributes itself, and it helps in creating strong mnemonic links and creativity (there are other advantages and disadvantages too, but that's a long story). Of course, just because an object (or even people) is assigned by a gender doesn't mean they don't have attributes of the other gender -- in this case, an object could be Masculine, but it also doesn't mean that it can't have Feminine attributes. Observe cats. Cats are awesome!
Besides all that, the story behind genders in languages is pretty cool (and complex), but rather than derail the thread, let's just read em up.
TruthOrDeal, the problem with our written language is that we have a lot of unofficial letters. "Ch," "ph," "th," "th" (no, that isn't a repeat), "sh," "kn" and others all used to be a single letter that clearly designated its own unique sound. We got rid of those letters, replaced them with two others, and then moved on to anglimangling the words from other languages. Umlauts and accented letters are strange to me (why not just make a totally new letter instead of modifying a different letter?), but definitely simpler than English's a-doings.
XD You have no idea how many important phonetic letters / consonants English is missing. While letter combinations may help alleviate that problem, it isn't efficient enough unless you have prior knowledge of other languages.
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all languages have their various, and sometimes arbitrary, forms and constructs. I'd say that english is a great language, but I've often heard that it's comparable to French in difficulty to learn. part of the problem is that English has borrowed from so many sources, which leads to exceptions and irregularities. it's a mongrel tongue.
scholars have created artificial languages like Esperanto in order to get past these difficulties. the grammar and vocabulary are completely logical, with no exceptions or irregular verbs. the goal was to create an easy-to-learn language to act as an international medium. it does have support, but it'll always be challenging to establish a language that didn't spring up naturally.
I was in a conversation about this once... I suggested that Latin could be an international language if you updated the vocabulary, since it's the root of romance languages and it's logical. but they told me that it's very difficult to learn.
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I wish the US taught more than four or six years of a secondary language. It's a damn shame that the vast majority of the world is bilingual or trilingual (and more!) and Americans are for the most part very monolingual. Back home, everyone was bilingual at the very least--they knew their mother tongue from whatever provinces they were from, then Tagalog, then sometimes English. Even in Scotland students were taught French or German around age 8 or 10. And then most people here only know English, and a small spattering of Spanish or French. But the US is weird in that its native language is so important, and that its geography doesn't really require a second language.
But still. I wish more Americans were passionate about exploring other languages.
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I didn't want to learn Spanish because I don't like Spanish. If they'd taught Arabic or Japanese I'd have been all over that. Red could speak passable Chinese for a while but he's since fallen out of habit and lost it. And we plan to learn Japanese soon... especially since it's so hard! Need more time to practice with it before we get into a largely Japanese-dominated industry...!
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Red could speak passable Chinese for a while but he's since fallen out of habit and lost it.
That's interesting. Could he speak Mandarin or Cantonese, and where did he learn it?
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... Latin ...logical.
Whoever told you that Latin is logical lied. While Medieval Latin is ridiculous, even Classical Latin was a tangle of exceptions, idioms, poor grammar, and nonsense.
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*scratches his head*
Cracked. Actively seeking out newer writers. A dozen people request the invite per minute. Over two thousand pages of posts in request thread. The process is cherry picked.
Worked on a finished article. I'd like it published. Don't think I'll even get the access...
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I always thought I was like Ifrit, of limitless fire, who burned the brightest when needed and dispelled gloom at the blink of an eye. Ever cheerful. Ever so zealous.
But it wasn't that I was infallible, I realize; I was like the wind. Always fleeting. From all that sadness. From all that frozen emptiness. And now the bats of sorrow have come for me while I was distracted.
...
Very well. Let's face it boldly. Let's embrace it, and cherish the feeling for what it is. Springtime of Fucking Youth.
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... Latin ...logical.
Whoever told you that Latin is logical lied. While Medieval Latin is ridiculous, even Classical Latin was a tangle of exceptions, idioms, poor grammar, and nonsense.
I knew that medieval latin was messy, but I must've been misled about the classical form. I'd have to study it to form a proper opinion.
I wish the US taught more than four or six years of a secondary language. It's a damn shame that the vast majority of the world is bilingual or trilingual (and more!) and Americans are for the most part very monolingual. Back home, everyone was bilingual at the very least--they knew their mother tongue from whatever provinces they were from, then Tagalog, then sometimes English. Even in Scotland students were taught French or German around age 8 or 10. And then most people here only know English, and a small spattering of Spanish or French. But the US is weird in that its native language is so important, and that its geography doesn't really require a second language.
But still. I wish more Americans were passionate about exploring other languages.
part of the problem is that languages aren't taught sooner than high school, and then it's only french and spanish. you have to wait until college for other languages. I believe that has changed more recently for elementary schools, but the point stands. it's easier to pick up languages when you're younger.
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Wow, I'm glad declension is just rainbows and sunshine for everyone. The need to learn a language is still a terrible one. There is a saying that foreigners should wait until they're elderly to begin studying Japanese, as that way they'll waste less of their lives studying Japanese. It's a gigantic fucking time-suck to learn a language from necessity. How unfortunate that the language I have the least love for is the dominant one in continental Europe. Quintili Vare, legiones redde! Germania delenda est.
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I can't believe we slipped up in the last minute and let the Packers score that field goal. it should've went to overtime.
still a great football game, though. as long as the Giants beat the Cowboys they'll be fine.
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As someone who's been trying to teach herself Spanish for years, both in college and on my own, it is not easy. It is, in fact, not even the easiest language I've ever tried to tackle. A few years ago, I tried to learn Arabic, which was FAR easier to understand and construct correct sentences out of (now the writing system, that was a NIGHTMARE. I could not train my brain to read in the correct direction). And I like Spanish, too! It just gets the best of me, sometimes. I can now hold passable conversations, but I have to ask everyone to slow down constantly (and I always hope no one starts speaking in subjuntive tenses, or I get really confused... but I'm working on it).
But anyway...
My frustration right now is that I had my college orientation yesterday for transfer students. Nearly a thousand students were there, so I spent the day waiting all excited to meet my fellow science geeks. I found out later on that I was the only person going into geology OR physics, and on top of that, there was only one chemistry major. There was one other environmental science major there, a guy going into meteorology. Several were there for engineering, but they were all men... I was the only female! Happily, a few women were there for biology, but I was sad to see no other females going into the hard sciences. :(
Presumably, there are people already enrolled and in the system who are going into these sciences, but it just made me sad to see so few transfer students going into the sciences (and the lack of women just made me feel kind of all alone there).
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I can't believe we slipped up in the last minute and let the Packers score that field goal. it should've went to overtime.
still a great football game, though. as long as the Giants beat the Cowboys they'll be fine.
They must be stopped. There can be no more undefeated seasons. I still fear I'll wake up one day and the Patriots will have gone 19-0, and the Giants win was all just a self-induced comatose dream.
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I can't believe we slipped up in the last minute and let the Packers score that field goal. it should've went to overtime.
still a great football game, though. as long as the Giants beat the Cowboys they'll be fine.
They must be stopped. There can be no more undefeated seasons. I still fear I'll wake up one day and the Patriots will have gone 19-0, and the Giants win was all just a self-induced comatose dream.
Indeed.
And that was one of the most glorious superbowls. I was there for the Giants parade in NYC, and the people were chanting 18 AND 1!
also, Packers defense is lacking, which assures me that they'll lose in the postseason.
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...but I was sad to see no other females going into the hard sciences. :(
On the other hand, you're probably the first to show em what you're capable of. A pioneer! 8) Not only does this give you an advantage to prove yourself but also become a great role-model for your peers, who'll eventually look up to you (either out of admiration or envy, but either way it's a win-win).
Good luck!
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There is a saying that foreigners should wait until they're elderly to begin studying Japanese, as that way they'll waste less of their lives studying Japanese. It's a gigantic fucking time-suck to learn a language from necessity.
That is an awesome saying.
But also, I won't be learning it from necessity...I want to learn it and it just so happens to be potentially useful. (I know you weren't talking specifically to me, but whatever.)
As for frustration: FROST EVERYWHERE THIS MORNING. I have to walk up a hill to my bus stop and almost slipped and fell several times. And I forgot to grab gloves so my hands hurt like crazy and then went numb. ;w; It's a minor frustration, but I have to do this every morning at 7, so it's a good thing school is almost over because that would get really old, really fast...
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Need more time to practice with it before we get into a largely Japanese-dominated industry...!
Which industry?
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As someone who's been trying to teach herself Spanish for years, both in college and on my own, it is not easy. It is, in fact, not even the easiest language I've ever tried to tackle. A few years ago, I tried to learn Arabic, which was FAR easier to understand and construct correct sentences out of (now the writing system, that was a NIGHTMARE. I could not train my brain to read in the correct direction). And I like Spanish, too! It just gets the best of me, sometimes. I can now hold passable conversations, but I have to ask everyone to slow down constantly (and I always hope no one starts speaking in subjuntive tenses, or I get really confused... but I'm working on it).
It ultimately depends on your temperament, of course. One of my roommates can't do Romance languages for the life of him -- he's actually had more success with ridiculously difficult Japanese. But the evidence that most English-speakers find Spanish easiest is pretty compelling. However, Spanish was actually my first language-- even if I've forgotten a great deal-- so I can't talk for myself, I suppose. (I think the subjunctive tense is a bitch, though, and if it helps any I can't understand it well when my relatives talk quickly, either.)
Zeality, you're correct that it is a ginormous time sink, but to me it becomes worthwhile when you consider that you are, in a very literal and direct sense, learning a different way of thinking, and now have an entire culture's worth of thought at your disposal. And language-learning is like anything else; humans are totally capable of managing it quickly and adeptly. Entire human cultures have mastered incredibly difficult skill-sets if the right conditions are present. It's just that America makes acquiring those language-learning abilities really really difficult. The geography issue would be enough but compound that with exceptionalism... I have a much harder a time with language acquisition than my Mexican cousins do, and as I said, English isn't even my first language!
The real culprit here is an isolationist culture that doesn't impart the proper language-speaking skills early enough. This is one of the reasons why I am wholeheartedly pro- Spanish becoming America's second official language, in time. I think everyone will benefit from a situation similar to Canada's relationship with French.
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... worthwhile when you consider that you are, in a very literal and direct sense, learning a different way of thinking...
You saved me the time of saying much the same thing! Thank you very much.
I'd merely add that it isn't just thinking but also experiencing and remembering that changes. One of the reasons why most people can't remember much from early childhood is because they don't have the language to remember (there are, of course, other reasons as well). Our experiences are very much tied to the language we speak, to the point that we remember past events only in the words that we knew at the time (if we remember things and that memory uses words that we didn't learn until later, that is evidence that we're modifying our memory).
In short, the same event will be remembered differently depending on the language one knows.
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... worthwhile when you consider that you are, in a very literal and direct sense, learning a different way of thinking...
I'd merely add that it isn't just thinking but also experiencing and remembering that changes.
Indeed, the modification of memory is a direct factor when it comes to languages, and that's a highly neurological condition. What's interesting is that neuron paths are forged and developed overtime based on our grasp of "tools".
Here's an analogy: a blacksmith himself is capable of immense strength and enduring heat based on the tools he uses, but he can never be at antiquity messenger as he hasn't the stamina of an athlete. A knight, on the other hand, has the skill of survival and swordsmanship, but he grasping the science of forging is difficult. Similar cases can be seen in the vastness of occupation fields, be it art, film-making, accounting, physics, traditional labor, architecture, and while the areas overlap the "specialization" is grafted on temperament.
Language is also a similar skill: depending on how you use a skill your neuron paths forge a similar, efficient way of thinking and evaluating reality itself. Our perception of linearity usually starts from left and extends to right, while those learning Urdu would have the other way around, and the Chinese would have from top to bottom. This linearity affects everything. Languages also alter the structure of thought itself, and if a person isn't bilingual (or is bound by unnecessarily complex language) then they'd have immense difficulty in grasping a different structure of language and thought.
One example is the video Syna showed earlier, and I mentioned how my perception of colors is so different. It's too complex to explain, but I'll leave this here as a mnemonic reference.
One of the reasons behind this is because social communication is always placed in priority, and hence the structure of the mind binds language to perception itself for quicker dispensing of thought; unless you're dyslexic, human beings use this method involuntarily to "Categorize" concepts and place tags to memory links in order to aid their understanding, memory, perception and communication -- this eventually aids in "comparison" of vision for gradual development.
Neurological structure can change, of course, but if the temperament isn't developed earlier on it becomes difficult (hence the saying "Old dog can't learn newer tricks"). This reminds me of study in recent Psychology reports that forgetfulness helps aid in neuro-development and creativity. This also reminds me Sherlock Holmes' belief that the mind is like a "limited closet" where one only needs to put things of use, lest they be lost in chaos at the time of need.
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Need more time to practice with it before we get into a largely Japanese-dominated industry...!
Which industry?
The video game industry. Red wants to be a designer and I want to be an artist.
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Zeality, you're correct that it is a ginormous time sink, but to me it becomes worthwhile when you consider that you are, in a very literal and direct sense, learning a different way of thinking, and now have an entire culture's worth of thought at your disposal. And language-learning is like anything else; humans are totally capable of managing it quickly and adeptly. Entire human cultures have mastered incredibly difficult skill-sets if the right conditions are present. It's just that America makes acquiring those language-learning abilities really really difficult. The geography issue would be enough but compound that with exceptionalism... I have a much harder a time with language acquisition than my Mexican cousins do, and as I said, English isn't even my first language!
Yeah, I take solace that the health of my brain will be greatly benefited by having another language to think in. Honestly, if I had my choice of languages to learn, I'd continue Czech and and start Latin. Those would be labors of pleasure for me. French holds some appeal as well, difficult as it'll be.
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Yeah, I take solace that the health of my brain will be greatly benefited by having another language to think in. Honestly, if I had my choice of languages to learn, I'd continue Czech and and start Latin. Those would be labors of pleasure for me. French holds some appeal as well, difficult as it'll be.
I swear, sometimes I think you're less in the Springtime of Youth and more in the Summer of Fury or something...
Anyway, do you NOT have your choice of languages? Did Czech cease to exist before you could fully learn it? Because if not, there are lots of internet resources and books on the subject so it probably wouldn't even be that hard to pick it up again. If you want to do something, why not do it? Unless, of course, you don't have time because you're busy with all the other things you want to do and are already doing. 0w0
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Thought, that memory stuff is dead fascinating. Do you have references for that on hand, out of curiosity? I'll just look it up myself if no.
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Alas, no. Several years ago I happened to be working with a speech pathologist. At a conference she was presenting her research and that bit on memory was referenced, but I was unable to take note of the articles specific name or journal. I should have done my due diligence and looked up the article before posting about that. I'll continue to see if I can find it in pubmed.
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My own frustration is with the increasing prevalence of "non-winter" decoration lights. Halloween lights aren't particularly new, but this year I saw Thanksgiving Lights. I love looking at houses decorated in festive lights, but if houses are decorated with lights for Thanksgiving or Halloween, then the specialness of the event decreases. I like eggnog, but it wouldn't be a special beverage if I had it regularly in March, July, or September. Likewise with lights.
Also, apparently I'm in the land that Eggnog forgot (not soynog, though).
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If you'd stayed in the Pacific Northwest you could be imbibing Darigold Eggnog at this very moment!
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Need more time to practice with it before we get into a largely Japanese-dominated industry...!
Which industry?
The video game industry. Red wants to be a designer and I want to be an artist.
If you want to learn Japanese, by all means do so. Speaking as a game designer though, the only time that the Japanese language has had any practical value to me was while I was a tourist in Japan, and I've worked for a Japanese game company.
In keeping with the thread, and the recent language theme, my frustration is the lack of a clean non-exclusive self reference in English. When speaking about games I've worked on, I may casually say I made the game, although in actuality every game is a team effort. I don't want to diminish the efforts of my team mates, but I also think "I worked on..." or "I was part of the team that made..." are more awkward phrasings than "I made..." which sadly has the implication that I alone made the game. I want something as concise as "I made..." that's as inclusive as "I was part of the team that made..."
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Thought, that memory stuff is dead fascinating. Do you have references for that on hand, out of curiosity? I'll just look it up myself if no.
I'll continue to see if I can find it in pubmed.
Found something (isn't anyone interested in neurology these days?)
http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?fuseaction=release.view&release=905
http://www.economist.com/node/21008421
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712115058.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=126301
http://www.timothyjpmason.com/WebPages/LangTeach/Licence/CM/OldLectures/L3_ExtremeCircs.htm
http://www.duke.edu/~pk10/language/psych.htm
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/do-you-speak-a-second-or-third-language/
There's a whole lot more in my library, but I'd like to end it with this:
Up equals good, happy, optimistic; down the opposite. Right is honest and trustworthy. Left, not so much. That’s what language and culture tell us. “We use mental metaphors to structure our thinking about abstract things,” says psychologist Daniel Casasanto, “One of those metaphors is space.”
But we don’t all think right is right, Casasanto has found. Rather, “people associate goodness with the side they can act more fluently on.” Right-handed people prefer the product, job applicant, or extraterrestrial positioned to their right. Lefties march to a left-handed drummer. And those linguistic tropes? They probably “enshrine the preferences of the right-handed majority.”
Casasanto, of The New School for Social Research, and Evangelia G. Chrysikou, of the University of Pennsylvania, wanted to find the causes of these correlations. Does motor experience “give rise to these preferences, or are they hardwired in the brain?” If the former, “how flexible are these preferences? How much motor experience does it take” to instill them?
What does it all mean? “People generally believe that their judgments are rational and their concepts are stable,” says Casasanto. “But if a few minutes of gentle training can flip our judgments about what’s good or bad, then perhaps the mind is more malleable than people think.”
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Anyway, do you NOT have your choice of languages? Did Czech cease to exist before you could fully learn it? Because if not, there are lots of internet resources and books on the subject so it probably wouldn't even be that hard to pick it up again. If you want to do something, why not do it? Unless, of course, you don't have time because you're busy with all the other things you want to do and are already doing. 0w0
I have a contingency plan to live in Europe, and given that it would require a job and that a great number of Europeans are multilingual, I have to have an edge. German and French are the reigning languages (under English, of course), and so it would behoove me to learn them to keep my options open.
The reason for the plan... I don't have an optimistic outlook on this world. Overpopulation and resource starvation are revealing the weaknesses of our current system, and putting tremendous pressure on the world. The Eurozone is threatening to break up right now over sovereign debt, with the Euro ceasing to exist as a currency. Supplies of certain elements (like Helium or Copper) are threatening to run out merely a few decades into the future at current consumption. The wealth divide across the world is nearing pre-Great Depression levels. In America, governance is reaching a new nadir.
The truth is that several European countries (especially Scandinavian ones) are outright kicking America's ass at good government and quality of life. The US has plummeted so far on several indices. Education is being ruined by the No Child Left Behind mentality, while several European countries are far ahead of us. The criminal justice system is infected by cancerous for-profit prisons (a booming business, let me tell you) and the continuing Drug War, fueled by unrepentant jingoism. Europe, on the other hand? Portugal and other countries have slashed or totally eliminated "Drug War"-type activities and redirected the money to rehabilitation, with amazing effects. Scandinavian countries suffer an INCREDIBLY lower rate of recidivism compared to ours, as their prisons are focused on rehabilitation as well. (No doubt because of their other social services.)
What else? America still has horribly stunted labor policies. America's Democratic party is the right-wing in Brazil and several European countries, and it shows in how we treat our labor. Our maternity leave rules and laws (where they even exist, because in many places they don't) are barbaric. Corporatism and union-busting, supported by the misguided American notion of being a self-made person, are rampant. America is a nation of down-on-their-luck billionaires. The unemployed and those on welfare are relentlessly demonized and despised, encouraging a cycle of oppression and destitution, rather than one of rehabilitation or encouragement. Overtime and minimum laws? America's are far behind several those of several European countries. And then, there's good old corruption; corporations in America can now make far more campaign contributions after the Supreme Court ruling in their favor for personhood/free speech. And on a different level, well...research the Koch brothers, and what they've been up to. It's 19th century graft. Let's not even get into how fucked up the political system is; our method of voting ensures the prevalence of a two-party system due to game theory, while other systems exist (notably in several European countries) that encourage diverse parties and parliaments.
It's almost easy to speculate the the US survived so long without better governance and laws simply because we had so much prosperity coming our way through latent advantages (plentiful natural resources, being a massive country in the first world sphere, etc.). And now that the inevitable crash of the perpetual growth system is coming, that prosperity is disappearing and the system's flaws are expressing themselves with savage impunity.
I could go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on. Europe has its drawbacks, of course. Sadly, the trend doesn't seem to be reversing. The Democratic party is a confederation of different groups; true progressives are never the majority, and social democrats or (my god) actual socialists? Surely, you jest; it is already a mark of shame to be a progressive in this country, and far more to be a Red. Obama has done little to stem the erosion of our civil liberties, and thanks to the efficacy of the conservative machine, the Democrats always stand to lose again. The Supreme Court is still in a dire position, with several of the oldest members being the most leftist. Their retiring during a Republican presidency would further compound the rise of corporatism and the exploitation of labor and destruction of civil rights. The political field itself in America has become so peurile that this Onion pictorial captures it flawlessly:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/rumors-of-extramarital-affair-end-campaign-of-pres,26801/
Investigative journalism in America is also utterly terrible. Studies have shown that viewers of FOX News are actually less informed than people who don't read the news at all. The major networks appeal to desire for celebrities and shock cases (like Casey Anthony's), with little attention to relevant world news. After all, the American media is a for-profit enterprise; why sell intelligence when stupidity will make you far richer? Things just seem tobe going to fucking hell in this country. Sure, the younger generation is more leftist than the Boomers, and sure, they're also a hell of a lot more atheist, but it's the Boomers and the Xers who will be in charge as the pressures of overpopulation and resource starvation collapse this system of perpetual growth we're in. There will be dark days for America.
Look at the situation as it is. Poor business leadership, obsession with short-term profits, outsourcing of functions and reduction of core competencies, and the general mediocrity of the American people and their entertainment desires has made this a hostile atmosphere to people with true talent. Nowhere is that more evident among my friends and my peers here at the Chrono Compendium. I possess a hellspawn work ethic (for certain causes) and an incinerating desire to improve this world. But to be in politics? No, I'm an atheist and Social Democrat. I would sooner win the lottery than be elected in America. I have a friend in Brazil; she's creative, brilliant, and possesses a total mastery of Portuguese and English. She can't move beyond work at an exploitative translation company at present. I have a friend in Italy, a truly great designer with original ideas who's been featured in magazines like Vogue. She can't work in fashion any longer, as fashion has no interest in truly original things, but simply requires slaves to vary existing designs a tiny bit and ride the wave of obsolescence.
We have FaustWolf, King Diplomat, empathetic to the noblest causes, who was locked out of progressing farther in the political science field and has to fight fiercely just to be able to release his beneficent influence upon earth. We have tushantin, an unstoppably energetic personality who must wade through a sea of worthless people and mediocrity just to get scraps of airtime for his ideas. We have Lord J Esq, whose policy could shape the destiny of humanity towards a bright one, and yet would not achieve that position without considerable guile and hiding away of certain unpalatable positions. We have Syna, whose conversational prose excites me nearly to the point of Keats's poetry in St. Agnes, who must fight a gaming industry in which rehashing war games and ancient franchises is a much surer bet than doing something truly innovative. We have rushingwind, a budding genius geologist who must brave the sea of disappearing funding for the sciences to even hope for a shot at adding to the illuminated sum of human knowledge. We have many others here at the Compendium in the same boat, though I'm not sure enough of their situations to comment.
These are no longer the days of talented people having enough social services and support to pursue their craft. These are no longer the days of talent even being profitable. And since I find it so difficult to betray my own desire to do things I enjoy, such as writing (for which I have few ambitions of actually being published) or helping to change the world and destroy sexism, well—I'd rather have a tolerable job or career in Norway or the Czech Republic and be comfortably secure, than be desperate and destitute in America. I chose accounting as that side career in the US precisely to avoid destitution, and now, even with a Master's degree, 3.8 GPA, and laundry list of honors that other people cannot compensate for, I can't get a job in public accounting. There are many things I don't know about living in Europe. I don't know what it'd be like as a firsthand experience. I don't know if I'd like living in the extreme cold of Scandinavian countries. The destruction of this economy could always reach the best among them, as well. The cultural displacement is severe anywhere. There are daunting challenges to even making it and having enough residency to become a citizen.
But it may be worth it. My genetic components were varied—my namesake came to Virginia as a loyalist, and four generations later, fought the British as Major in the American Revolution. Other pieces came from England, Ireland, and Germany. But now, what came from Europe shall return there.
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Z, thank you very much for responding. I'll give mine shortly when I'm able. However, for now, I think this quote kinda suits the current discussion (it means a lot of things, but it's for everyone to find em):
Consider a recent paper, "The Dark Side of Creativity," led by Modupe Akinola. The setup was very clever: she asked subjects to give a short speech about their dream job. The students were randomly assigned to either a positive or negative feedback condition, in which their speech was greeted with smiles and vertical nods (positive) or frowns and horizontal shakes (negative). After the speech was over, the subjects were given glue, paper and colored felt and told to make a collage using the materials. Professional artists then evaluated each collage according to various metrics of creativity.
Not surprisingly, the feedback impacted the mood of the subjects: Those who received smiles during their speeches reported feeling better than before, while frowns had the opposite effect. What's interesting is what happened next: Subjects in the negative feedback condition created much prettier collages. Their angst led to better art. As Akinola notes, this is largely because the sadness improved their focus, and made them more likely to persist with the creative challenge.
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ZeaLitY, thanks for sizing up the problem immensely well (IMO anyway). So many of us are just hitting this...brick wall in our ambitions, and we'll no doubt have to figure out our own ways of tackling it. In the end, I'm begrudgingly accepting the current situation as an opportunity for growth, but I know in the back of my mind it's all less optimal than I hoped for going in. I'm just glad there's a community where I can see so many talented people who are having similar experiences, because I'd have gone nuts by now if I thought it was happening to just me.
What the hell, we've got relative youth on our side still. There's some time to build this empire yet!
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http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/n52ie/so_i_got_kicked_out_of_gamestop_yesterday/c36apn7
Behold the ethical frailty of this person, and several others in that submission. Apparently, if you get a paycheck for something, it's completely legit and all ethical responsibilities cease.
Fuck salespeople, fuck advertisers, and fuck anyone who willingly takes more value in an transaction than they deserve. Fuck them right into the gutter. And fuck people too fucking ignorant or weak-willed to have a little ethical responsibility in this world, especially if they turn around and complain about it. Assholes like you make the world worse.
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I remember having to push the "blue light" or whatever card when working at K-Mart. I mean, I was working in utilities so I never had to do it, but I thought it was pretty dumb anyways, especially since you could be penalized if you didn't get enough signed up(regardless if you pushed it on every customer or not). But at least that was free.
Still, I wouldn't have any sympathy for anyone who started cursing me and telling me I should be ashamed for doing something like that. Like the OP said, he wasn't wrong, just an asshole.
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I second ToD on this. As much as I share the same sentiments as Z here, the guy at Reddit had an incredibly weird approach to dealing with this. Informing the lady of the wonders of Googling and saving her $30 was a nice thing to do; telling someone they were full of shit is not.
Which reminds me that most of corporate sectors in developed nations (and higher sectors in developing nations) actually have a capitalist-predatory tendency when it comes to pushing sales towards consumers (one example among several: manipulating people's perception and judgement regarding wants and needs) rather than their mythical "demand and supply" approach, and it all comes down to actually surviving in business fields via any means necessary. It's like inciting your prey to eat the delicious apple from the forbidden tree, just so you can reap all the rewards. So yeah, fuck consumerism.
Anywhos, I won't say more than this. Carry on.
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The United States has a strong anti-intellectual culture, stemming from some of the most barbaric elements of the religious radicals who founded the country. While the U.S. is also home to the world’s best traditions of intellectual curiosity—in a testament to its size, diversity, and civil liberties—vast swaths of the country are cultural dead ends whose people fear and despise knowledge.
Less often discussed is the menace of pseudo-intellectualism. I have observed over the years that most people who are not anti-intellectuals are pseudo-intellectuals. They value knowledge, and, more accurately, they value being called smart. Against the anti-intellectuals, pseudo-intellectuals often join us as allies. Indeed, it can be difficult to pick apart intellectuals from pseudo-intellectuals if you aren’t sensitive to the importance of the distinction. Yet it is a most important distinction. Pseudo-intellectuals do not abide by the fruits of the scientific method, and they do not adhere to the demands of logical argument. They often claim to do both, and may even believe their own claims, but their actions belie those words.
The direst consequence of pseudo-intellectualism is not that it further obscures science and logic from society. It is that, the human condition being what it is, and modern life being what it is, a person deprived of science and logic yet persuaded of the value of knowledge will often be compelled to construct a worldview that asserts humanity is weak.
I have watched people go to such lengths to assert what is essentially a misanthropic position, that our lives are defined by what humans cannot know and should not do. These pseudo-intellectuals draw exquisitely and erroneously upon the insights and innovations of the great minds of history—and the not-so-great-but-merely-popular minds—to explain and justify an attitude that is, at its heart, completely self-defeating.
The uncertainty principle, the recursively enumerable language, the incompleteness theorem...pseudo-intellectuals take these concepts and from them generalize that humanity’s attainable knowledge is so puny compared to its unattainable knowledge that the value of the human prerogative is fundamentally diminished. In other words, “We’re not as powerful as we think, we don’t really know what we’re doing, and so we shouldn’t meddle with the world as though we were gods.”
It’s a fundamentally anti-humanistic message. It denies our heritage of learning. It rejects our capacity for judgment. It defies the will. It ridiculously implies that we would be better off if we constrained our ambitions and disavowed our march of progress. It proclaims that ignorance knows best, that we should be a quiet and docile species. Ultimately, it sinks into the same faith-based thinking and disrespect toward knowledge that anti-intellectuals hold, the only difference being that anti-intellectuals take pride in their ignorance while pseudo-intellectuals, if they can be said to take pride in anything, take pride in the mediocrity that ignorance bequeaths unto us.
It does so because the pseudo-intellectual, when confronted with the vast adversities of the world, surrenders to their feelings of powerlessness and dissatisfaction...and submits as a human being.
That’s direst consequence. The second-direst consequence is that I never hear the end of this endless stream of mooks who try to elevate themselves by invoking names like Heisenberg, Chomsky, Gödel...and Aristotle, Jesus, Einstein, Gandhi, Aquinas, Mozart, Caesar...and on, and on, and on...all for the futile sake of proving their absurd claim that humanity is little more than a waste. They could as well invoke the discoveries of the Time Cube guy and, but for the lack of popular obedience to the authority in question, their act would be the same.
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:picardno
Sometimes I feel incredibly fortunate to have very understanding parents. Sometimes I woe for those who are guided by ignorant and incompetent folks who end up destroying their own childrens' lives.
I could elaborate on what I mean, but I don't intend to disclose someone publicly. The summary is that some parents and teachers don't really get the idea of allowing children to nurture their curiosity. In this case, a friend of mine was forbidden to continue her artistic pursuits because it may affect her grades. Now that she actually raised her grades, she's been called "narrow minded" and "incompetent to judge her future well". What is with these mooks? Why do they think that art of any form is a tasteless hindrance of any kind? On top of that, the poor girl's passion has been crushed worse than a cockroach under foot. I simply cannot describe how it feels...
I'd scream and proclaim to the whole world to hear that art is anything but a hindrance. Art is a rare gift blessed upon centain individuals. It is a curiosity that seeks grace. It bolsters intellect. It is a passion that seeks meaning. It is a vision that shows you a clearer picture that most people lack. To grant a child the powers of art is the greatest gift. Take that fire away from them, crush their soul, and you curse them into absurdity.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -- Pablo Picasso
"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." -- Vincent Van Gogh
"There may be a great fire in our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke." -- Vincent Van Gogh
"Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time." -- Rabindranath Tagore
"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him." -- Pablo Picasso
The second-direst consequence is that I never hear the end of this endless stream of mooks who try to elevate themselves by invoking names like Heisenberg, Chomsky, Gödel...and Aristotle, Jesus, Einstein, Gandhi, Aquinas, Mozart, Caesar...and on, and on, and on...all for the futile sake of proving their absurd claim that humanity is little more than a waste.
It is a little more than a waste. And yes, fuck you. I just pissed on your statement with this post.
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It is a little more than a waste.
I'll certainly agree with you that plenty of individual lives end up going to waste. But the waste of individual lives is all the more galling precisely because humanity on the whole is not without value, and indeed is brimming with the potential for greatness. You're not disagreeing with me. You're affirming my point.
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Problem is, you didn't even get my point.
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If I should entertain the thought of what you intended to say, I understand you well enough. But what you intended to say is not what you said.
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Moving on to more cosmic matters, there was a rare lunar eclipse just now that featured the sun and moon visible in the sky at the same time. I presently live in a drought-stricken desert, so I was in an excellent position to watch the spectacle.
I didn't get to, though, because this morning it is overcast.
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"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." -- Vincent Van Gogh
Well of course it was silenced for Van Gogh, he chopped his bloody ear off!
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Almost all of the snow has melted. -__- It seems it's snowing everywhere but the Midwest.
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Fuck skinny jeans. They just look fucking stupid on people. "Hey, look, I have tiny chicken legs!!"
(http://www.interpunk.com/itemimages2/70858.jpg)
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I try not to be too outward about judging people's fashions, because it's only slightly less unproductive than judging people's tastes in music, but my personal aesthetic strongly agrees with you. Skinny jeans don't look good at all, to me. They're very popular among the male hipsters on Capitol Hill in Seattle, so I get to see them far more often than I'd like--except that I am out of Seattle for the time being; perhaps when I return they'll be out of vogue again.
At least they're not insulting, like low-rise jeans for females, which seem designed intentionally to make people look disproportioned and inadequate.
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Hah, my bro loves skinny jeans! Then again, he's quite particular about fashion and makes damn sure he looks his best. I, on the other hand, would prefer a balance between fashion and flexibility.
Yes, I prefer sports shoes to formals. Problemo, fashion geeks?
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Sorry for being alive...
Hmm, I guess I don't really have a problem with either of those when worn by the right people. Some people are just able to pull that look off, in my opinion. Granted, on anyone else it looks pretty dumb, and for myself I prefer loose pants--except when I need them to go inside my boots, in which case the lower portion does need to be pretty narrow... *wanders off in thought*
...sorry for being alive.
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I'm still wearing flared jeans. They're comfortable and I think they're flattering. I don't care if I dress out of style. I love my flared jeans.
I'm frustrated because I don't own a good version of "O Holy Night".
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I'm frustrated because I don't own a good version of "O Holy Night".
Ah, I believe I gave you a Jamendo link last time. Didn't find a good version there?
In any case, Silent Night is also my favorite. In case I find one I'll let ya know.
Sorry for being alive...
No problems! Here, have a nugget. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpRtrkx5dVc)
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Ah, I believe I gave you a Jamendo link last time. Didn't find a good version there?
...Did I post this somewhere already? Is that when you gave me a link? I can't remember; I'm currently drinking. ><
In any case, Silent Night is also my favorite. In case I find one I'll let ya know.
Those are two different songs! Silent Night is German, O Holy Night is French. O Holy Night runs circles around Silent Night. I'm not opinionated at all. They're both from the same century, though.
/Christmas music nut
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Ah! Forgive me, I got confused. Anywhos, while I lost the initial links, here's a treasure-trove of music tagged with "Christmas" (http://www.jamendo.com/en/tag/christmas).
A hundred different artists and their variations. Worth exploring. :wink:
EDIT: Here's a version of O Holy Night (I think): http://www.jamendo.com/en/track/45433
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This is almost trivial, but I tend to use mouthwash when I wake up. However, the chemistry of the mouthwash leaves a stark aftertaste that will alter the flavor of food and drink I consume afterward--especially things like citrus. Thus, the first few bites or swallows of whatever usually wind up tasting rather foreign.
O, the gustatory costs of oral hygiene...
Related: Not quite a frustration per se, but a curiosity borne of bemusement is the fact that many mouthwashes on the market aren't nearly as effective as ones like Listerine. Why do people even use them?
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Related: Not quite a frustration per se, but a curiosity borne of bemusement is the fact that many mouthwashes on the market aren't nearly as effective as ones like Listerine. Why do people even use them?
Perhaps because they might be cheaper? I use Listerine myself, but if the other mouthwashes are cheaper and that's why some people purchase them then well...every penny saved counts.
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Listerine is bafflingly expensive, that's true. I often resort to buying the generic stuff. But the generic stuff is in the same general price range as the generics of the non-Listerine stuff.
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deadmau5 is a stupid, gimmicky piece of shit who can't make good electronica to save his life and can barely type intelligible English.
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:?
Everytime I mention someone that I've watched Heidi at childhood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi,_Girl_of_the_Alps) someone or the other just has to laugh out loud.
What, men can't watch children's drama?
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deadmau5 is a stupid, gimmicky piece of shit who can't make good electronica to save his life and can barely type intelligible English.
Okay, that's something I agree with. He's the Thomas Kinkade of techno...and Red has a roommate who listens to him waaay too much. DX
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I love art. I love animating. I love designing.
But I freakin' loathe documenting every aspect of it... Why is it necessary anyway?
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It's probably intended to prove that you didn't steal someone else's final product and present it as your own. Unfortunately, systems like that tend to take on a life of their own. :(
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FUCKING SHIT! Everytime I want to help someone, everytime I go out of my way to aid someone in need, almost everytime my efforts amount to nothing.
IT'S NOT FAIR!!
:picardno
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelsey_Grammer
He has endorsed Michele Bachmann for the Republican nomination for president in 2012.[52]
Kelsey Grammer is a stupid asshole.
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I liked him in the Christmas Carol musical. Probably my favorite adaptation of that story.
And no, I'm not contributing anything more with this post. 'Cause I don't wanna.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelsey_Grammer
He has endorsed Michele Bachmann for the Republican nomination for president in 2012.[52]
Kelsey Grammer is a stupid asshole.
Ayo i think he wants to toss her salad n scramble her eggs
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Broke my violin string.
For a perfectionist like me, tuning is a pain in the ass...
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Oooh, I was SO MAD!
We went to a show yesterday, and during intermission I bought a lemon bar. Now, it was a small theater, so there wasn't much room to stand, so instead of trying to squeeze into the main lobby we went a little ways up the stairs to the first landing, where to middle-aged women were standing around talking whilst leaning on the balcony. There wasn't much room on either side of them since they were right in the middle of the small balcony area, so my mom asked the one closest if she could please move.
She either didn't hear or just ignored us, so we moved to the other side, which had slightly more room. All was well, and my lemon bar was tasty...
...but then the ushers signaled that we only had five minutes till the show started, and the second woman stepped back into me and knocked my food out of my hands onto the floor. And then proceeded to walk away as if nothing had happened. As my mom said later, "If she had been a little closer, I'd have thrown that lemon bar at her."
Even if she hadn't noticed actually running into me, the fact that I shrieked with dismay immediately afterwards should have gotten their attention, but they simply walked away without even turning, which tells me that she must have known and was feigning innocence...
And the usher said, "Well, you can take it downstairs and have them replace it," but that was the problem!
Mine was the last one!
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...and the second woman stepped back into me and knocked my food out of my hands onto the floor. And then proceeded to walk away as if nothing had happened.
Really hate it when people do that, don't they? Admittedly it was a mistake, but a lotta folks just take advantage of the crowd and anonymity to escape embarrassment of apology by pretending nothin' happened. But that just makes them total nincompoops.
Haha, it's worth remembering their faces, though. The next time you see em it's kinda fun calling out aloud, "Hey, aren't you the one who likes knocking over people's foods? You're quite graceful, I must say!"
And the usher said, "Well, you can take it downstairs and have them replace it," but that was the problem!
Mine was the last one!
Ouch! XD
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My index cards are a mess... I seriously need a method to categorize quickly and efficiently. I hate wasting time categorizing, but it's an essential task.
Also...
WHAT THE HECK!! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BUY THIS?! (http://www.youngsherlock.com/category/latest-news/) Why do First World nations play favourites like that? :o
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FUCK APPLE
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I just noticed a strange trend here...
A lot of feminists, and quite some people with feminine traits, seem hate the idea of "manliness" altogether and especially when someone takes pride in being manly. But, contrary to what we think it means at the surface, this trend is actually a backlash of yet another side-effect. Their anger is usually misdirected because there are quite a bunch of morons who cause damage after proclaiming their manliness.
Don't get the picture? Let me explain: Apparently most people have a warped view of femininity and masculinity, where masculinity seems to mean everything. But a lot of so called "men" are so insecure about their masculinity that they feel the need to be aggressive about it (which completely defeats the meaning of it). But at the same time, just because they think masculinity is an antithesis to femininity they presume that if something isn't masculine it's probably "feminine" and there they give femininity a bad name, often saying "you're a chick" like it's some kind of an insult.
It's deplorable. Masculinity and Femininity are distinguishable and essential traits, not a measure of "who's badass and who's a wuss". Femininity has nothing to do with weak character; socially speaking, femininity has traits that are extremely effective and essential to build strong and mature personality and characteristics. A "perfect individual" would need a harmony of both traits.
In summary:
1) I hate it when so called "men" aggressively proclaim their non-existent "manliness" (bragging is a good sometimes, but don't hurt someone just to satisfy your ego).
2) I hate it when people consider femininity as a weakness.
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(http://i.imgur.com/y90RA.jpg)
I wonder how many people stop and wonder why they have the power, station, and money to travel through the airport, and this man only has the position in life of cleaning its toilets. Right-wingers would have you believe this situation is completely normal, as everyone above this man just tried a little harder in pulling themselves up with their own bootstraps. Many other philosophies and religions would also have you believe this is the natural order. Fuck that shit.
Putting this in my springtime of youth folder. World War III is going to be between the haves and have-nots. Time to fucking win on behalf of Tong Bock Huat. The world was made. It can be re-made.
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Hmm, so...
...just who will clean the toilets? Or should janitors just get paid way more (imo yes)? Or maybe regular employees would have rotating cleaning duties...hmm...
...well, it's intriguing, anyway.
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I think the point is that every individual should be given the chance to climb out of his or her own under-privileged under-payed employment if they are willing to do so. Currently if you're working as a toilet cleaner at one hotel there's a good chance others would simply employ you to do the same everywhere. In a better world, being a good toilet cleaner should have enough experience to progress through plumbing, to house-hold chores and eventually an architect.*
Unfortunately, those with power like to keep them below because, 1) they fear for their own position, and 2) they can cash in on someone else's efforts.
*Just an analogy.
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I desperately need someone to pose for me. Preferably a woman.
Damn, I should really take those cubism lessons...
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XD
I always seem to be regretting my decisions.
I've got an awesome Wordpress blog, but every other artist is on Tumblr!
And they want me to switch to Tumblr so we could have a network!
Dammit, doppelgangers!
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Wow, quadruple post!
*checks watch* Christmas is nearing. And I friggin left my line-art pen at home. I don't have a spare black one, nor the charcoal pencils. Won't be able to finish this in time. Dammit!
*sigh* I guess I'll cheat. Timezones.
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Five posts! Huzzah!
Wait, this ain't a time to celebrate.
*cough* So, went to the party, flirted with a girl, fed chicken to a cat, befriended an advocate, had lasagna, and almost lost my mind with alcohol (because I'm not an alcoholic). Now my family wants me to get married... I'm still young!
As much as I'd like to make mom happy, I think I'd still wait for that one lass worthy of my deepest admiration, that one grace before whom this gent would finally bow and kiss her hand.
That, my friends, might take an eternity. 8)
P.S.: Saj... How in the hell can you stand vodka? o____o" I almost lost myself!
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P.S.: Saj... How in the hell can you stand vodka? o____o" I almost lost myself!
That's part of the appeal. 8)
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PARTY ROCK IS IN THE HOUUUUSE TONIIIIIGHT
Fuck the catchiness of this song. If it didn't have typically sexist lyrics in it, it might actually be appealig.
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http://www.imdb.com/news/ni20384511/
Wow, fuck this. I really live in Dumbfuckistan. You can't change Imagine just because you're not an atheist. I hope Yoko Ono is somehow capable of suing the everliving shit out of him. Cee Lo is an amazing singer and a great R&B artist, but no, no, no, you don't get to excise uncomfortable lyrics by John Lennon.
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Wow, so paid vacation time for your first year of employment is just 5 days.
5 days.
It gets better:
www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922052.html
GOD BLESS AMERICUH
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So here's the thing: I was rejected for yet another potential job offer.
Why? Because I hadn't completed college yet (and Tertiary education has apparently become worthless), and hence didn't deserve the high-pay despite my skills and best personality.
The job went to someone with a Master's degree in arts who's skills were equivalent to a 5 year old's. Mostly because the bloke was recommended by someone who was quite influential in the industry. Me? I'm standing proud without a crutch like the next guy.
So I guess "money" comes to those who have spent it before. In any case, observing the psyche of the seniors in the company I knew that it didn't deserve my talents. Regardless, I figure that for the time being I ought to give up the "Nice Tushantin" self and become a far more predatory cut-throat businessman than anybody of my age can ever strive to be.
Just not yet: I'm taking this rejection as an opportunity to see what happens with my Australian dream. Let's wait patiently until the time ripe.
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Are you sure it was the degree, and not the connections, that got the other guy the job? I don't have a degree, but when I've been recommended internally, no one even asks about that.
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Are you sure it was the degree, and not the connections, that got the other guy the job? I don't have a degree, but when I've been recommended internally, no one even asks about that.
It was a bit of both. For one thing, they were quite impressed with my achievements, answers and skills but for even those who were better than me they refused to go further if the candidates didn't have a reasonable degree mentioned in their resume. One guy, a brilliant pencil artist, had his resume thrown at his face simply because he hadn't finished high school (due to poverty reasons).
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Finally got an office job. Just as planned.
But I checked the Favorites of the woman who had my job before I did (same office/computer). She had three personal favorites. One was an ultraconservative, IRS-loathing asshole talk show host. Another was a 24/7 Deep South conservative talk station. And the third? A Christian music Internet radio station.
Greedy? Religious as fuck? You're a perfect fit!
Goddamnit, the Walking Dead might as well be a fucking documentary on most of the American populace vs. the few intelligent "survivors". I'm going to joke as an expatriate that I'm a refugee from America, at this rate.
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The lifestyle design community has so much promise, but in practice, they are full of the kind of vapid, bulleted self-help that makes American culture look utterly without depth.
(If you don't know what I'm talking about, look up The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris.)
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Short story characters who keep acting up and won't do what I tell them to do.
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Short story characters who keep acting up and won't do what I tell them to do.
That's what happens when you give them free will! :lol:
Also, posting from Hyderabad, thoroughly sleep-deprived.
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When Winston Churchill was in the army in India, he beat the other British army guys in Hyderabad in a high-stakes polo match with one bad arm. I only know this because I was reading a biography today and they mentioned Hyderabad and now you mentioned it, and I love it when those types of things happen.
....Anywho, as you were.
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This is going to be a rambly post, so beware...
What are we worth, as humans? Do our lives intrinsically have worth? Or are we worthless at birth and have to work for our value? Does that mean that some people are less valuable than others? Obviously someone who can sing well is more valuable that someone who can't to a recording studio--but are they also more valuable relative to anyone else?
And in such tiny lifespans--120 years compared to the several billion years the universe has been around--how much value could we possibly accumulate? A theoretical galactic half-penny? Half of that? Half of that? Why bother? Even for the people who will be remembered thousands of years after they've died--will anyone remember them a million years later? Will we even be around a million years from now?
And why should anyone care to be remembered after they're dead? If they cease to exist, then there's no satisfaction to be had from living except what they experience in the brief moment they're alive.
Why care about anyone but yourself if this is the only life you get, and after that you vanish? Why become attached to anything--why live at all, except for our biological programming to do so? There's no reason for me to believe in myself or other people. We're on a planet that we're rapidly exhausting because people take the attitude that they can do what they want because they won't be around to reap the consequences. But why should we take any other attitude--it's true. And if there's no afterlife, then we really are free of any consequences--not only will we not be punished during life, but we won't be punished after we die, or even have the pleasure of watching the world go to pieces because of our actions. We'll just be nothing. So why care about anything? Sure, we instinctively develop attachments, but is there actually a reason to? Why live?
Are there people on this earth who are more valuable than others? Racists think that black men are worth less than white men. Sexists think that women are worth less than men. Religious followers of any religion think that people outside of their religion are worth less than those inside the religion.
Judging by things I've read on this site, it seems some of you also feel that some humans are worth less than others. What makes a child worth something different than an adult? What makes an old man worth something different than an accountant or a bus driver or a young woman or a murderer?
When in the grand scheme of things we're all just multicolored sparks in a fireworks show that lasts only a few seconds, can you honestly say that one spark is more important than another based on its "accomplishments" in it's tiny lifespan? Individually we're practically meaningless, and even in the millions we can only affect our own environment, and each and every one of those millions will be dead in roughly a hundred years, and probably forgotten in a hundred more.
We're growing to fast for this planet to sustain us, so sooner or later a lot of us are going to die out. But that's just a statistic, right? People who haven't been born yet aren't important. And it's necessary for the species as a whole to survive. But isn't each and every death a tragedy? Even in the millions...? Are Russian soldiers worth less than French soldiers? Are Americans worth less than Koreans? Are they worth more? Why? Even necessary deaths are terrible for the person dying. Most people don't want to die, and many that do only want to because living is so terrible that it's more terrifying than the unknown. Isn't death a bad thing? Why? As long as you're not the one dying, why care if everyone else dies?
What gives your life worth? What gives that nanosecond of time any meaning? When the difference in value between your life and the life of everyone else can be equated to the difference between .9-repeating and 1, what makes someone worth more than someone else? Is there a difference? Are we all worth the same thing, and is that value greater than zero?
I hear a lot of people say they've "lost faith in humanity." Do they also lose faith in themselves? Or is it more along the lines of, "I've lost faith in humanity except myself and the people I like"? Do they think they're not human, as well? I know that I hated myself, the world, and everyone on it for a very long time, but I found that when I finally was able to care about myself, I began to care about other people--all of the people. Faith in humanity was restored by having faith in myself, because if I was worth something, then so was everyone else, no matter what.
There are so many things I don't understand... Things that I don't get not for lack of answers, but because even though I know the answers, I can't wrap my head around them! The fact that homosexuals are treated badly--I don't understand it. Even when I was younger and felt that it was a 'sin,' I didn't understand why they were treated differently, and I understand it even less, now that I now there's nothing sinful about it. I don't understand racism or sexism. How can people think that the brief sparks around them are worth more or less than the amount of light they give off? They all look the same from a distance.
I know that any answers you give to any of these questions will be your opinions. You can't really state facts about something like human worth unless you're God--a thing that a lot of you don't believe in anyway--so don't argue with each other over your answers... I'm not trying to start a fight here, just getting that off my chest. I have my own thoughts on these matters, of course...but I want to hear the answers of all of you people from different backgrounds.
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Let me respond with a question. Why is it important to you that human worth be imposed by an external force?
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I hear a lot of people say they've "lost faith in humanity." Do they also lose faith in themselves? Or is it more along the lines of, "I've lost faith in humanity except myself and the people I like"? Do they think they're not human, as well? I know that I hated myself, the world, and everyone on it for a very long time, but I found that when I finally was able to care about myself, I began to care about other people--all of the people. Faith in humanity was restored by having faith in myself, because if I was worth something, then so was everyone else, no matter what.
No faith in humanity =/= human beings have no worth. Don't mistake misanthrophy for the belief that humans have no value, or that Human A is worth more than Human B. They're not the same. Neither is misanthrophy and lacking healthy self-esteem.
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Let me respond with a question. Why is it important to you that human worth be imposed by an external force?
It's not. I just want to hear what people have to say.
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1
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My mp3 player broke. It seems like it's just one goddamn thing after another.
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Over 12 hours worth powercuts. Now isn't that bad for business...
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Aww, man, so much to read! I've planned on finishing some classics (some French) this January, but I'm falling behind. :roll:
And I'm just starting to like this dynamic character too (then again, there's no way I can't like him)!
HOLY SHIT, MANNEY'S SHUTTING DOWN! I need to buy myself some books before they do!
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Three posts! Woohoo!
*ahem* Why on earth people keep misinterpreting what I say? When I'm straightforward, people accuse me of being sarcastic even if I'm not. When I mean well, people think I'm mocking them. When I try to comfort someone, they think I'm crazy. When I'm talking philosophy, they think I'm speaking science. When I give a compliment, they think I'm rude! And when I share something fascinating with someone, suddenly their feelings are hurt, someone's crying, and I don't even know what just happened.
... Chu head hurts... (http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/o/n/onichewplz.gif?1)
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Fourth post. Where is everybody?
Gahh! Somebody put bits and pieces of egg in my rice, I shoulda known! And I thought it was chicken all along! Hell, I was even told it was chicken! And I ate it. How naive...
...EGG!! Goddammit, I'm dying!
Farewell, cruel world...
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Don't like eggs, huh? Or do you mean the eggshell?
~~~
My frustration: idiot drivers. Almost got creamed today by someone who I'm quite sure was either drunk or high.
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This stupid, piece of shit country. I'm exempted by the Fair Labor Standards Act from having a right to overtime pay, and was informed today I have to work every Saturday until tax season concludes. I've already been told by other employees to expect all-nighters.
Or, you know, accounting firms could hire enough people to comfortably do all the returns instead of having to exploit the living shit out of the small pool they have. But then it wouldn't be American™!
Holy FUCK am I getting the living fucking Christ out of this country. I'd rather be lower-middle class in Europe, living humbly, with guaranteed health care and necessary social services, provided education, more vacation time, and a higher quality of life. America is a nation of down-on-their-luck billionaires who willingly present themselves as slaves. Fuck knows that if I didn't need some "capital" to ensure passage to Europe and EU citizenship down the line, I wouldn't be prostituting myself to help high-wealth individuals fuck over the government on their tax returns.
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I had a paid Megaupload account, FBI. That's not cool.
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Don't like eggs, huh? Or do you mean the eggshell?
Nah, it's eggs that don't like me. I'm allergic to em (hence why I prefer vegetarianism). Even a small strip of egg wrecks havoc in my body.
Having eggs as "food" is a crime against humanity, I tell ya!
...I wouldn't be prostituting myself to help high-wealth individuals fuck over the government on their tax returns.
Between you and me, Z, whether or not I get citizenship anywhere, I still wouldn't be "prostituting myself to help high-wealth individuals fuck over the government on their tax returns" -- even if that ends me in poverty or being blacklisted in any sort of proper employment. As much as it's impractical, I have my honor.
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The Compendium's acting up agaaaaaaaaaaaaaaainnnn
In any case, if any of you need me you know where to find me.
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Today would have been my five year anniversary with D. There aren't any words to convey how angry at myself I am, and how unhappy I am, and how much I miss him.
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I bit my mouth. Three freakin' times in a single half-hour. And it's bleeding.
In India, there's a superstition saying that when this happens it's probably because someone's remembering you affectionately.
If that's true, just wait till I found out who's remembering me so affectionately; I'll pinch their cheeks twice as hard.
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I bit my tongue in my sleep last night—don't ask me how. The pain woke me up, and it took me ~5 minutes to stop the bleeding after I patted the displaced chunk of flesh back into place. If that was someone remembering me affectionately, that person must be quite the sadist.
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I bit my tongue in my sleep last night—don't ask me how. The pain woke me up, and it took me ~5 minutes to stop the bleeding after I patted the displaced chunk of flesh back into place. If that was someone remembering me affectionately, that person must be quite the sadist.
DISPLACED! Now that was quite frightening. Was it as bad as I'm imagining?
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I managed to bite through the edge and leave a piece maybe a quarter the size of a pencil eraser dangling half off. Not life-threatening or anything, but startling, painful, and unpleasant. Still, I'm more grumpy about the loss of sleep than anything else.
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:(
That sucks. I only bite my tongue while eating I guess.
I guess you dreamt eating some mouse.
BTW, do you grind your teeth while sleeping(unlikely, otherwise your wife may have already noticed)? If so you may need to see a doctor.
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I know I was dreaming of something, but I can't remember what it actually was. Probably not nearly so pleasant as chowing down on a nice juicy mouse, though. (http://s3.postimage.org/mgb8sh9zz/icon_alfador.gif)
To the best of my knowledge, I don't grind my teeth in my sleep (although I'm told that I do occasionally talk). You must be confusing me with someone else, though: I'm not married. In fact, I identify as not only asexual but also aromantic: not in a relationship, not interested in looking for one, and often just a little confused as to why other people think it's so important to be paired up.
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I'm sorry, I think I confused you with Boo.
:oops:
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Hahaha! Yes, the Boo-meister is married and has a baby. As far as I know, Thought is the only other married Compendium-ite.
Also, Alfadorredux, I thought I read aromantic as aromatic for a split second. :D
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Lance VII is married too. He's a newlywed.
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Also, Alfadorredux, I thought I read aromantic as aromatic for a split second. :D
Really, sir! I assure you that, like all cats, I am self-cleaning and do not smell! (http://s3.postimage.org/mgb8sh9zz/icon_alfador.gif)
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I'm sorry, I think I confused you with Boo.
That is understandable, I think. Isn't Boo on all our minds, all the time? I mean, he's so dreamy...
Lance VII is married too. He's a newlywed.
Haven't they been married for around a year by now? Or is that still newlywedded?
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I'm sorry, I think I confused you with Boo.
That is understandable, I think. Isn't Boo on all our minds, all the time? I mean, he's so dreamy...
(http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/o/n/onionpanicplz.gif?1)
....WAIT TILL I TELL YOUR WIFE ABOUT THIS!
Lance VII is married too. He's a newlywed.
Haven't they been married for around a year by now? Or is that still newlywedded?
Still newlywedded, because we haven't seen a baby yet! :)
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Man, Boo has a kid? Time flies, I remember hearing about your marriage and that must be years ago. Congrats dude.
On another note, I've been having really weird palpitations lately, and even after a physician's confirmation that I'm healthy and it's just stress I still can't stop focusing on them. I had several panic attacks at first, luckily I managed to calm myself down before I called an ambulance the first time. It's not frightening so much now as it is just annoying; I can never stop feeling and hearing that "buhbump" all the time. I haven't had a panic episode since Saturday but I just wish I could focus on things without forcing myself to ignore my heartbeat.
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Man, Boo has a kid? Time flies, I remember hearing about your marriage and that must be years ago. Congrats dude.
On another note, I've been having really weird palpitations lately, and even after a physician's confirmation that I'm healthy and it's just stress I still can't stop focusing on them. I had several panic attacks at first, luckily I managed to calm myself down before I called an ambulance the first time. It's not frightening so much now as it is just annoying; I can never stop feeling and hearing that "buhbump" all the time. I haven't had a panic episode since Saturday but I just wish I could focus on things without forcing myself to ignore my heartbeat.
Went through that last year after having a couple palpitations in March. My mom had a couple benign conditions, so I went ahead and got a full battery of testing, since I tend to exert myself pretty hard playing racquetball. Nothing. It still freaks me out when I have one, and I can always tell when I miss a beat, but it's pretty rare, and missing a beat every now and then is apparently totally normal. Maybe I've had like 2 palpitations over the entire last year.
Anyway, feels good to have gone through the tests, at least.
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Still newlywedded, because we haven't seen a baby yet! :)
Hah, then I guess my parents were newlyweds for nine years and if I ever get married I'll be a newlywed my whole life.
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I fucking hate sexist men. But even more than that, I hate otherwise normal males who deny that women are oppressed, or think that oppression is something that only happens in third world countries. I want to hurt them. I want bad things to happen to them. I want their tires slashed and their cars set on fire. I want their noses bloodied and their possessions hammered to pieces. I want them to taste oppression. I so dearly want them to taste oppression. Fucking worthless pieces of shit excuses for life.
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FUCKING WRITER'S BLOCK.
That is all.
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Z's Post
Shouldn't that be in the stuff you hate thread? Or are you frustrated by them more than you hate them, as impossible as that seems...
In other news, my art isn't good enough. Gotta step it up. I didn't get a good mark in class on Tuesday GRR!
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I fucking hate sexist men. But even more than that, I hate otherwise normal males who deny that women are oppressed, or think that oppression is something that only happens in third world countries. I want to hurt them. I want bad things to happen to them. I want their tires slashed and their cars set on fire. I want their noses bloodied and their possessions hammered to pieces. I want them to taste oppression. I so dearly want them to taste oppression. Fucking worthless pieces of shit excuses for life.
Might I ask a reason for this hate? Personally I have no problem with ignorance unless it's willful ignorance. You can't hate a baby for not knowing the world kinda sucks, you know?
Specifically, is it people who make an uninformed claim who deserve your hate, or people who are informed yet choose to believe and even defend the statement that women are not oppressed (these are the people who can be proven wrong but "know" that they're right and to whom proof isn't good enough)?
The reason I ask is that if they are truly just ignorant, one can assume they really don't know any better. They can be directed toward better information and taught why such a claim is so wrong. If they choose to ignore the facts, then, well, yeah, fuck those people.
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FUCKING WRITER'S BLOCK.
FUCKING LACK OF TIME TO WRITE!
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FUCKING WRITER'S BLOCK.
FUCKING LACK OF TIME TO WRITE!
FUCKING HAVING BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS.
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FUCKING WRITER'S BLOCK.
FUCKING LACK OF TIME TO WRITE!
FUCKING HAVING BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS.
I almost never have writer's block, so I'll go with
WHEN TUSHANTIN IS LATE, TIME BETTER SLOW DOWN!
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(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1wnhJ7ns1qd5rnf.gif)
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I fucking hate sexist men. But even more than that, I hate otherwise normal males who deny that women are oppressed, or think that oppression is something that only happens in third world countries. I want to hurt them. I want bad things to happen to them. I want their tires slashed and their cars set on fire. I want their noses bloodied and their possessions hammered to pieces. I want them to taste oppression. I so dearly want them to taste oppression. Fucking worthless pieces of shit excuses for life.
Women aren't oppressed.
Come at me, bro.
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Spent the entire afternoon working on a shot for Polar Detective. Since my UPS has gone for repair, I made sure to save frequently. Thankfully, I separate shots into several files.
In the midst of saving, powercuts. By the time I logged back in, file corrupted. Hours worth of efforts gone down the drain.
FML. I think I'll wait till my UPS returns... Until then, I'm happy finishing my novel on my netbook. In either case, I'll now have to wait till next Sunday...
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I fucking hate sexist men. But even more than that, I hate otherwise normal males who deny that women are oppressed, or think that oppression is something that only happens in third world countries. I want to hurt them. I want bad things to happen to them. I want their tires slashed and their cars set on fire. I want their noses bloodied and their possessions hammered to pieces. I want them to taste oppression. I so dearly want them to taste oppression. Fucking worthless pieces of shit excuses for life.
Women aren't oppressed.
Come at me, bro.
You really believe that? Well then again, your avatar and post reek of 4chan/reddit...
Also you're clearly just being confrontational for the sake of it.
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You really believe that? Well then again, your avatar and post reek of 4chan/reddit...
Hi, nice to introduce myself. My name is Truthordeal. I've been on this site for about 3 years now, and back when I was active I said plenty of stupid things and argued with the admins a lot on this feminist issue. Over the course of that 3 years I began realizing that the feminists on here were right about many things that I did not realize at the time. One thing I never came to in that time was the idea that women were "oppressed," though I should probably qualify that with "In North America and Europe," as I realize that in many South American, East and South Asian and Middle Eastern countries, women are still de jure subjugated to men. Yes, I really do believe that, as I haven't been given any evidence that the word "oppression" fits the current situation of females. I do not think that it is an appropriate word to use, and while you may argue that I'm being pedantic and semantic here, I think the fact that people are so easily willing to throw that word around shows that it's not just a matter of it being a synonym. The word "oppression" notwithstanding, I'm as much devoted to the cause of feminism as most people here, and have lost a few friends because I take a serious stance on misogyny and misogynistic humor.
As for my avatar, that is a picture of the character Twilight Sparkle from the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. While I understand that this show gained popularity on 4chan, I did not hear about it there, and I never go to 4chan or reddit as I don't particularly care for those Anonymous people and reddit is just kinda...boring. And Zeality brought a post up in the Sexism thread showing some sexist tendencies there, so yeah. Also, unlike the people of 4chan and reddit I genuinely enjoy the show and often watch it with my niece. I like the bright colors and the good morals it teaches. So, I take umbrage with your implication that I have to be a part of either of those communities based on my avatar. As for the phrase "Come at me, bro," I happen to like it and make no excuses for that.
Also you're clearly just being confrontational for the sake of it.
I'm hoping you didn't take the time to read the post Zeality made, otherwise I don't see how you could say that I'm just being confrontational for the sake of it. I don't normally like confrontation and, even if I did, I have better things to do with my time than antagonize people on the Internet. I'm not being confrontational for shits and giggles, I'm being confrontational because Zeality expressed a desire to hurt people, and when Mr. Bekkler asked him to elaborate, Z seems to have ignored him. I was hoping to get some explanation on that, because the thread seems to have moved on from it, and yes, I did use a confrontational style as it seems to be the only way to get a response.
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Now, Compendium, in light of this situation, I have a serious question to ask: Is this community really so extremist that people don't have a problem with someone saying that they want to hurt others for not towing a certain line, or are the lot of you just ignoring his outbursts at this point? This is the second time I've seen Zeality say something on here that's perturbed me more than his usual fiery rhetoric, and I've been the only one to call him out on it both times(though Mr. Bekkler did at least ask him to elaborate this time). Are you guys really ok with what's being said here? Because I can't tolerate that sort of hate, and I don't want to have any part in a community where the general reaction to it is apathy or acceptance.
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Tbh my eyes kind of glaze over when most people say they want [insert large group of anonymous people] to be hurt. Because it's talk. More importantly, I'd wager it's talk that everyone's done. Who can honestly say that they've never expressed something like that to someone? "Ugh, I can't stand that guy! I wish someone would punch him in the face." "I hate Neo-Nazis. They deserve to have their teeth knocked out." "I wish every rapist would have their dick cut off." "[Insert band] sucks. I hope the lead singer loses their voice for all of eternity." You get the gist of it.
I sincerely doubt Z is going to go to every misogynist's house and bash their face in with a wrench. I sincerely doubt there would be anything more than heated words if he had an encounter with someone who didn't believe that women were oppressed. If I had reason to believe that he was a violent person and that he would literally act on what he's saying then yes, I would be concerned.
But as it stands, I'm not concerned. I've raged about how I wish I could hurt someone. Would I actually do it if given the chance? Highly doubtful.
I don't pay much attention to people on the internet saying they want to hurt a group of people. That's the internet for you. That's what almost everyone does on the internet. Call me extreme or apathetic or callous or whatever you want, but unless it's someone who I think will act on their claims, it doesn't phase me.
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Tbh my eyes kind of glaze over when most people say they want [insert large group of anonymous people] to be hurt. Because it's talk. More importantly, I'd wager it's talk that everyone's done.
Two things. The first being, "Becareful what you wish for." Second, the quote I posted from the book "Les Miserables". I think you'll understand what I mean there, but here's hoping you wouldn't judge me out of that understanding either.
Call me crazy, but when an annoying customer of hours crossed the limit, my boss requested me to not offer any future services to him. He went beyond "annoying" in such a way that I expressed my anger with my friend that I wanted bad things to happen to the ignorant prick. The next day, I heard the news that he met with an accident and passed away. Call it coincidence or superstition, but since then I lost my ability to desire misfortune for anyone -- even if it was just a coincidence, it brought the corruption of my temperament to light, and I worked hard to correct it from that very day. Now all I desire good things to happen to people, and even if it doesn't happen I make sure it does with my own actions.
But on that regard, I still agree with you. In the words of Blake, "I was angry at me friend; I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry at my foe; I told him not, my wrath did grow." Sometimes it's simply a good thing to vent, and Z is welcome to do so here.
Are you guys really ok with what's being said here? Because I can't tolerate that sort of hate, and I don't want to have any part in a community where the general reaction to it is apathy or acceptance.
I think I'll second Saj's stand on this. Firstly, let me ask you one thing: How did you expect Z to react to Beck's response? Do you think he'd simply come out clean, saying, "Oh, I don't really go about bashing people's faces, I'm just venting!" He posted his frustration under the assumption that it was all understood. And besides, just because the majority aren't violent doesn't mean they don't secretly wish something that extreme in wrath. And if he did wish it, even if he has no intention of soiling his hands with blood, why would he go back on his words?
One of the reasons Z may not have replied to Beck, I think, is because Beck had a point there. But in that case, even Beck admits that wilful ignorance is simply wrong, and eventually this becomes central to the point of Z's frustration with ignorance.
The reason I've never said anything to him (besides my lack of time) yet is because, while I admit I used to get quite involved into vehement arguments with Z (and that I still don't agree with some of his beliefs), I'm starting to understand the guy better. And I think even you'd agree that the fellow isn't as impulsive as he comes off on the net, but then again the Compendium is one of the few places he can safely vent. It's not that we agree with Z's, but the fact that we're aware of the situations that cause such sentiments in him. And I think even you'd agree that he's far more calculative to stay out of trouble for the sake of pursuing greater justice (otherwise, in his own words, he wouldn't be "prostituting himself for the wealthy's selfish concerns" because seriously, he hates those trolls -- and I do too).
No, mate, he's simply waiting for that one golden opportunity to make a miracle.
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Now, Compendium, in light of this situation, I have a serious question to ask: Is this community really so extremist that people don't have a problem with someone saying that they want to hurt others for not towing a certain line, or are the lot of you just ignoring his outbursts at this point? This is the second time I've seen Zeality say something on here that's perturbed me more than his usual fiery rhetoric, and I've been the only one to call him out on it both times(though Mr. Bekkler did at least ask him to elaborate this time). Are you guys really ok with what's being said here? Because I can't tolerate that sort of hate, and I don't want to have any part in a community where the general reaction to it is apathy or acceptance.
This is his place to rant, as much as it is for anyone else. ZeaLitY is passionate about this subject too, more than most people I know. As for whether or not I accept his outrages, Mr Bekkler's statement rings true to me.
...if they are truly just ignorant, one can assume they really don't know any better. They can be directed toward better information and taught why such a claim is so wrong. If they choose to ignore the facts, then, well, yeah, fuck those people.
Would I ever go so far as harming these people? No. That would be just talk. There are probably better ways of handling them.
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Are you guys really ok with what's being said here? Because I can't tolerate that sort of hate, and I don't want to have any part in a community where the general reaction to it is apathy or acceptance.
Generally, I try to ignore Z. It isn't because I don't have a problem with what he says, but it is a question of what good a response would do. There are three potential targets for such a response: Z himself, the community at large, and random passer-byes. Nothing of value would come if I were to respond and Z was my targeted audience: he's rejected censure by forumers that he's respected, how much less will he listen to me? If I were to reply with the commpendium as my targeted audience, what would I add? As you can see, no one takes him seriously (though at least in part I think this is because western society gives words too little weight). As for random passer-byes, Bekkler's comment served well enough as a compendium's rejection of uncaring violence.
There is another reason why I try to ignore these sorts of outbursts: some compendiumites that I respect, such as Faustwolf, find him to be a good fellow. To draw from Harry Potter, Z seems like Snape, with the Dumbledore's of the compendium telling me to trust him. I have faith in these Dumbledores, so I try to hold back until such a time as I can see what they see.
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I fucking hate sexist men. But even more than that, I hate otherwise normal males who deny that women are oppressed, or think that oppression is something that only happens in third world countries. I want to hurt them. I want bad things to happen to them. I want their tires slashed and their cars set on fire. I want their noses bloodied and their possessions hammered to pieces. I want them to taste oppression. I so dearly want them to taste oppression. Fucking worthless pieces of shit excuses for life.
Might I ask a reason for this hate? Personally I have no problem with ignorance unless it's willful ignorance. You can't hate a baby for not knowing the world kinda sucks, you know?
Specifically, is it people who make an uninformed claim who deserve your hate, or people who are informed yet choose to believe and even defend the statement that women are not oppressed (these are the people who can be proven wrong but "know" that they're right and to whom proof isn't good enough)?
The reason I ask is that if they are truly just ignorant, one can assume they really don't know any better. They can be directed toward better information and taught why such a claim is so wrong. If they choose to ignore the facts, then, well, yeah, fuck those people.
Yeah, it was sparked by a conversation a friend was having with a guy on OKCupid. This guy professed to care about women's rights, etc., but then revealed a serious ignorance of what that really meant. She prodded about some issues like reproductive rights or subtle sexism in advertising, male gaze, etc., brought up some statistics, remained cordial, etc. and ultimately, he just said something like "sorry, but it's just reality that women aren't oppressed in the US anymore" despite being fucked sideways with hard scientific data to the contrary. Stupid asshole. It's just that smug attitude; you feel like saying, "oh, you would know if they are oppressed or not, being a patriarchal piece of shit yourself."
It's this stupid disconnect responsible for my ambition to try and make something that keeps track of and hammers hard scientific data and studies about gender inequality, so that there's always an easy to find online reference somewhere. There's too many fucking anecdotes in the way of arguing most of the time. "Oh, my male friend got sexually harassed at work once!" Yeah, that's exactly the same as when a woman gets sexually harassed, sure. I'm sure your male friend also has to worry about being raped when walking alone in the city at night. For fuck's sake. There's printed material, and there are feminist 101 essays, but there needs to be a fucking nexus of feminist data that can be brought out and fucking slammed down like http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/list.html .
To the others: oh please. I'm working 6 days a week on individual and business tax returns because in order to finance my dreams, I have to prostitute my labor. I get precious few legally-mandated paid vacation days (5 this year). God Bless 'Merica! I'm also resisting the temptation to become an unhealthy, sleepless fucker like most of working class America (i.e. get only 6-7 hours of sleep per night), so I sleep 8-9 hours each night still. I don't exactly have much free time right now. The American Dream is a conduit for duping wage slaves into working harder.
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To the others: oh please. I'm working 6 days a week on individual and business tax returns because in order to finance my dreams, I have to prostitute my labor. I get precious few legally-mandated paid vacation days (5 this year). God Bless 'Merica! I'm also resisting the temptation to become an unhealthy, sleepless fucker like most of working class America (i.e. get only 6-7 hours of sleep per night), so I sleep 8-9 hours each night still. I don't exactly have much free time right now. The American Dream is a conduit for duping wage slaves into working harder.
Bada Bing!
Okay, now that that's over, so who wants ice cream?
New frustration: I've always mentored those youths who have what it takes to be a miracle, and always helped nurture their passion and skills to their greatest esteems. I have an eye at spotting the best talents within those minds, and I never miss a chance to help.
But why do I go out of my way to help? Because apparently nobody else seems to do so. The orphans are simply unfortunate and alone, so that's a pain, but even those children that actually have parents and guardians are often guided by the lines of ignorance that suppress and destroy the greatest divine gifts that they possess. Agreed, the adults of old have sufficient experience for deciding the best for their children, but often their ignorance gets in the way of allowing them to grow to their highest potential.
My only regret is that helping those unfortunate is the only thing I can do, rather than directly attacking the ignorant. Because if I wished ill for these kinds of ignorants, I'm afraid 60% of the population will simply vanish. And besides, most of them still have some good in them, so why this kolaveri di?
Ah, yes, the children...
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Over a month of waking at 7 AM and preserving my sleep hours (8-10 per night), and I'm still very tired by the end of the afternoon and just shattered by the end of the day. I'm calling it. DSPS. I hate to self-diagnose myself with anything, but everything, fucking everything rings true on this one. Fuck this world's inane, antiquated morning schedule.
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Fuck this world's inane, antiquated morning schedule.
What's the solution? I mean for you, personally. Is it just waking up later and going to bed later? Or getting more sleep? I'm just curious, since personally I feel like crap when I first wake up but feel fine after about an hour provided I actually start doing something (and not just sitting/lying around, which will put me back to sleep obviously).
So yeah, would there be a schedule that works for you? An actual schedule, of course, and not just, "whenever I feel like working, for as long as I feel like it."
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Obeying my sleep schedule is the solution, and it seems to be rigidly coded to going to sleep at 3-4 AM and waking at 12-1 PM. I've always naturally gravitated towards this; I...I don't know how I got through high school, because I was shattered most days. But this schedule feels the best. I sleep contiguously; the quality is good; I wake refreshed; I'm attentive and very awake through pretty much all of the day.
A study confirmed that people who have later rhythms are more attentive longer throughout their waking period, whereas early birds get tired/more inattentive earlier in their days. Another study found that people who wake up later naturally tend to be more intelligent than early birds. I can totally attest to this. I also feel that I work better at night. The feeling of light night is also very comforting, in some respect; time feels...more suspended; more personally-oriented, less distracted, and more productive.
Unfortunately, the world works on a stupid fucking 6 or 7 AM schedule, and there are some people who have hardwired rhythms that just don't jibe with that and refuse to adjust. I've kept this early schedule since the beginning of this year now, and I'm almost always definitely tired (to the point that I don't want to work on/start personal projects, something rare as fuck with me) by 5 PM, and pretty much shattered by the time I go to bed at 10 (theoretically, since I'm usually going to bed at 9 or 9:30 to try and stop from being even more tired the next day). I've had the fortune of trying modafinil now, and it definitely makes what would be a shattered tired day feel normal. But I don't want to have to be on an expensive prescription the rest of my life, even if it's perfectly safe (and modafinil pretty much is). I don't want to have to devote hours of my life each week to duping my body with light therapy and everything else. Life is better spent being enjoyed and working on grand enterprises.
I'm sure that in a more ideal world not oriented towards a rat-race and economic growth, in which material acquisition was not seen as the ticket to happiness, the work environment would be much more accommodating to DSPS. But no, this is fucking America, and I have to program myself like everyone else to shovel shit and prostitute my labor every day just so I can get the impossible Western idea of "happiness" down the road when I "retire". Most of the wealth I create is shaved off and goes to the person who owns the company/means of production anyway. What a stupid fucking world.
I'm doing my time to earn capital to escape to my optimum venture. I know many people have said that before and have reneged. I won't. I'm good at not compromising.
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yea most have it backwards. no matter what, old age is a bitch. I'd rather make the most of my prime years, not slaving away.
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I'm sure that in a more ideal world not oriented towards a rat-race and economic growth, in which material acquisition was not seen as the ticket to happiness, the work environment would be much more accommodating to DSPS. But no, this is fucking America, and I have to program myself like everyone else to shovel shit and prostitute my labor every day just so I can get the impossible Western idea of "happiness" down the road when I "retire". Most of the wealth I create is shaved off and goes to the person who owns the company/means of production anyway. What a stupid fucking world.
Maybe this is a conversation for a different thread, but I am going through the same daily motions/frustrations, as you, Z. At this point, I'm ready to give up on first world society altogether.
But I digress. I know little of your personal worldview beyond your frustrations. What do you really love (and not just euro-techno-disco fat beats)? What do you value? What does happiness look like to you? What would your world look like to be defined as "happy"? You can answer any combination of those questions or none at all. They came out a bit stream of consciousness.
I ask because, although we disagree on certain beliefs, I don't know if there's anyone here (or here) that I identify with in recognizing the horrors of first world society and the dominance of "slave labor". Shoot, I feel like starting a thread elsewhere for this.
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But I digress. I know little of your personal worldview beyond your frustrations. What do you really love (and not just euro-techno-disco fat beats)? What do you value? What does happiness look like to you? What would your world look like to be defined as "happy"? You can answer any combination of those questions or none at all. They came out a bit stream of consciousness.
I have a naturalistic worldview. It's tempting to devolve that to "seek as much pleasure and avoid as much pain as you can," yes. But pleasure should be sought without restricting the ability of others to find it as well, and pleasures can range from the base physical to the refined intellectual, like the pleasures of stimulating conversation. Intelligence should be a keystone in a pleasurable world. Epicurus is definitely one to check out.
I don't believe in souls, and so I don't believe that a person can change their mind absolutely 100%, or absolutely 100% transcend pain or suffering, or the common human condition—at least without damaging their psyche. I think that Buddhist monks capable of immolation without showing pain fall into the latter category; they've achieved that by having very restricted, mind-warping lives. But I think life should be more oriented towards just enjoyment. The Western ideal of "happiness" is something that one works to earn, and once one has it, one feels good all the time! Because one is "happy" when you get happiness, and until you have it, you aren't happy. That's completely fucked up, of course. Happiness is being content and enjoying life. It is not a constant endorphin rush, something that's biologically impossible anyway, since our mind is designed to get used to always regress to a baseline of neutrality. Old pains diminish in time, and extreme pleasures and joys fade with time as well.
So life is a challenge of two balances—balancing physical and intellectual pleasure (either in the extreme causes unrest or diminishing returns with time), and balancing instantaneous pleasure with delaying pleasure in expectation of greater reward. Epicurus cautioned against working your guts out for years in expectation of some better pleasure; he said be realistic, and reminded that life is here to be lived right now—don't trade your entire youth for some future dream, since it may not be as rewarding as you expect, or you may have regrets, or god forbid, you may die before you get the future dream, and you'll have spent the last time of your life working your guts out. It's a very tough balance to find, especially since humans are imperfect. We can't know the future, and we are living in a world in which unimaginably complex systems (like the global economy) which we can't hope to completely keep up with are determining our fate by the second. It gets even harder when basic pleasures like food have to be metered for some people, or aren't available to enjoy. Life's harder in a society in which food is of lower quality and makes you fatter faster; you can't enjoy the pleasure of food as much. And it's harder in a sex-negative society as well. Then there are extremes of pleasure or addiction, like being addicted to a MMORPG. Epicurus warned against satiating pleasures to their maximum extent, since too much of a good thing will tire it out and make it not fun anymore over time.
So I guess it's a rather classical approach. I blend it with Stoicism to handle the bad parts. Life throws you a curveball? Well, as Epictetus said, "be cautious in what you can control; be courageous in what you cannot." Try to steer things so things don't turn to shit. But if they do, be courageous, since it's not like you have a choice about it anyway. And above all else, as long as we're human, we can't "break" out of the human condition. We'll never be completely satisfied with life or anything. And that's part of living! That's what we are. We'll wake up everyday and have some new desire or something to do. It's the name of the game. To seek anything else is to warp oneself. Enjoy the ride and do something meaningful in a meaningless world.
I would nonetheless try to make everyone have the highest possible ethical awareness. I'm always trying to be more ethical myself. Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis is my favorite human. There is stuff we're doing, like the environment or overpopulation, that will seriously fuck up the ability of future generations to enjoy themselves. But it's a long, hard road to reach the level of ethical maturity necessary to recognize things like that. Instead, you could be selfish and no one would care. A lot of people would probably accept you even more. There's a lot of hate for activists, environmentalists, feminists, and everything else. In the same token, in my world, I would remind of a need for humanity to keep progressing and learning, and learning. To pierce the mysteries of the universe...that's a pleasurable pursuit in itself.
It'd make me happy to write and be a feminist activist as a career. That pretty much limits me to being a professor, of if I'm lucky, someone who landed a job in a non-profit. No other movements inspire such zeal within me as ending the patriarchy. But overall, in a perfect world, I'd just like to enjoy myself. Go places, make friends, enjoy life...a Tom Petty, Jeffrey Lebowski lifestyle. I'd still be a productive son of a bitch, but it'd all be pleasurable intellectual pursuits. Even feminism is tinged with sadness, because being passionate about it is being reminded constantly that the world sucks. Anyway, to live in that kind of lifestyle right now, one needs to either have passive income (which is unethical to me), or just be poor. Not for me. I'm glad there's at least something I enjoy that can pay, although I'm not currently doing it right now.
Sometimes I really wish I were a Captain Ahab, though. Life would be so much easier if I had some obsessive productive desire to the point of monomania. Decisions become really easy then.
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Sometimes I really wish I were a Captain Ahab, though. Life would be so much easier if I had some obsessive productive desire to the point of monomania. Decisions become really easy then.
Then why can't you? 8)
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Sometimes I really wish I were a Captain Ahab, though. Life would be so much easier if I had some obsessive productive desire to the point of monomania. Decisions become really easy then.
Then why can't you? 8)
Read Moby Dick.
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Sometimes I really wish I were a Captain Ahab, though. Life would be so much easier if I had some obsessive productive desire to the point of monomania. Decisions become really easy then.
Then why can't you? 8)
Read Moby Dick.
I have. Although your own detailed opinion would actually be more beneficial than the simplest suggestion of "Read Moby Dick".
I ask again: why can't you/he?
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cuz the whales all be dead yo.
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Because down that path lies madness. Immortality is impossible. While I have every hope that humanity can find a way to perpetuate the glory of sentience longer than the lifespan of this universe, entropy's going to get our lives right now in the end. To be an Ahab is to have an obsessive desire fixed upon something with absolute meaning—a recipe for unhappiness in a universe without any inherent absolute meaning.
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I hope the Greeks effect a revolution. Fuck the IMF, fuck the World Bank, and fuck "austerity" measures and all the bullshit economics behind it. Fucking red star rising.
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a nihilistic rather than teleological viewpoint on the universe mayhap?
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@ZeaLitY: I was going to say something contrary to what you just mentioned, just to be a goof that I am, but changed my mind because despite my intentions you weren't really "wrong" about it. XD Anywho, hope you don't mind me slipping off.
Back to today's frustration: ARGH, DRAWING PAGES! Y U SO FLIMSY?!
I swear! One of the reasons I hate underpainting (and even though I love underpainting / shadow-marking) is because each time I do so my good pages become frail and start peeling off slowly (and bend horribly); this leads me to glue the bottom to yet another page. Then again, I'm using an art-pad meant for non-water medium, meaning they work best with graphite. This means I'll have to buy a separate pad of water-color pages. This means I'll also have to buy more color tubes to match with it. D:
I also became so frustrated with my ink pen (which goes horribly with water colors) that I threw it out the window, hence vowing to use the nuanced tones of 2H to 4B Graphite instead (higher B's if I need darker tones). B Pencil, though, works fine on its own to give "structure" for underpainting (the lines need to disappear anyway).
But you know what I love? White Acrylic. Even if I'm working with water colors, oil paints or anything non-acrylic, this White Acrylic always comes to my rescue like a Holy Messaiah! (Hey, anything's fair in art!)
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Despite my stress-driven life, I feel like... the happiest person alive today.
Thank you so much. Yes, even you guys. Thank you... so much...
For some reason I want to announce to the world about how happy I am. For some strange reason I want to hug everyone.
Well you know what? I've been melancholy, depressed, stressed, anxious, frustrated and downright miserable for the last few days and I don't know why! Everything is frustrating or disappointing or difficult, it seems, and even good things aren't satisfying. I got a new tablet! Whoop-de-frikken-doo! D':<
Why???
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katie I went through that right at mid january, lasted pretty hard for a good 2 weeks. now I've never been happier. I kinda realized happiness is a choice, and I guess my brain and body chemistry is excellent as now I can just decide to be happy and voila. I really don't know what was wrong with me, but now I can instantly be happier than ever.it's almost like I'm on X or coke or something, maybe I'm suddenly producing a bunch of serotonin and dopamine, but the happiness feels weird as it's 'unearned', as though I simply snorted blow and then I'm happy. It's a cool superpower to have, and I think I may have stumbled upon nirvana or whatever those monks always talk about. I can say this, I think what may have kickstarted it was I met this person, but I couldn't be with them so it made me sad. A lot of introspection ensued, and I think it may be a matter of doing things to make you like yourself better and give you more esteem and confidence, not putting yourself down but turning negative things into positive. I just listened to a lot of sad music during those 2 weeks and attempted to better myself, which I'm always doing and always improving at.
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For some reason I'm feeling kind of melancholy today, even though I felt really good earlier in the week. There is no rational explanation for this, and the only proven cure is to go to bed.
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Despite my stress-driven life, I feel like... the happiest person alive today.
Thank you so much. Yes, even you guys. Thank you... so much...
For some reason I want to announce to the world about how happy I am. For some strange reason I want to hug everyone.
Well you know what? I've been melancholy, depressed, stressed, anxious, frustrated and downright miserable for the last few days and I don't know why! Everything is frustrating or disappointing or difficult, it seems, and even good things aren't satisfying. I got a new tablet! Whoop-de-frikken-doo! D':<
Why???
XDDD Goodluck with that, then. Although I must say, you are also one of the reasons I'm happy. *hugs*
I really don't know what was wrong with me, but now I can instantly be happier than ever.it's almost like I'm on X or coke or something, maybe I'm suddenly producing a bunch of serotonin and dopamine, but the happiness feels weird as it's 'unearned', as though I simply snorted blow and then I'm happy. It's a cool superpower to have, and I think I may have stumbled upon nirvana or whatever those monks always talk about.
I think I've heard of that: "Break the chains of suffering and you've achieved Nirvan"? (I refuse to add the last "a" after that word because the west has a weird way of pronouncing it) That was one of the branched beliefs from Buddhism, not exact, but something a lot of people could relate with. I guess the "unearned" factor may be your conscience, especially since "happiness" has always been considered to be earned via strange circumstances even when it shouldn't be. In either case, I think you're one person I can relate to at the moment.
8) *fistbump*
For some reason I'm feeling kind of melancholy today, even though I felt really good earlier in the week. There is no rational explanation for this, and the only proven cure is to go to bed.
OR drop everything that's making you sad and go have fun. OR go out and help somebody! OR just listen to your heart and ask it what it honestly wants.
Being happy is easy, and it's actually far easier than being depressed (though less easier than being frustrated). You just need to know where and how to find it -- it's not much of a treasure-hunt either. My current condition is quite stressful, due to lack of money, time and resources, and yet I feel incredibly euphoric. Perhaps it's because of my own perception of being able to find "purpose" or "treasures" in every bad and ugly garbage heap we come across; perhaps it's my knack of finding potential in people that may otherwise get buried by the ruthless world. Or perhaps it's just the effects of my meditation. I guess I just love myself and my artistic perception too much, and hence I love people, animals and everything even more so; then again, art has given me so much that nothing else ever could. Now, it's my turn to give. More than anything, I feel like an Angel today.
Albeit, I'm sure this euphoric moment won't last, so I'll make this the best one. Then again, I'm actually looking forward to melancholy again; sometimes depression can be incredibly inspiring for artistic endeavours. Then again, Lennis, you're a writer. I think you already know that. ;)
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sometimes depression can be incredibly inspiring for artistic endeavours.
Yyyyyup! Quoted for truth.
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Being happy is easy, and it's actually far easier than being depressed (though less easier than being frustrated). You just need to know where and how to find it
Tell that to someone with clinical depression. It is incredibly difficult to find happiness when you have a serious mental disorder. I know how to find happiness. I know where to find it. That does not erase the fact that I have a mental disorder that leaves me feeling empty, listless, and often unable to find enjoyment in the things I love. No matter how hard I try to be happy, or surround myself with things I love, it most often doesn't work because I have depression. I wish it were easy to be happy. But if you are mentally ill, then it isn't.
I kinda realized happiness is a choice, and I guess my brain and body chemistry is excellent as now I can just decide to be happy and voila. I really don't know what was wrong with me, but now I can instantly be happier than ever.
That's great for you, but if happiness were a choice then those of us who suffer from depression would never be depressed. Believe me, if I could choose to be happy, I would in a heartbeat. And I've tried. I've tried to just "be happy", but when you have a mental disorder it doesn't work. It's akin to telling someone with bipolar disorder "you can choose to control your mood swings" or telling someone with schizophrenia "you can choose to not be paranoid."
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Tell that to someone with clinical depression.
I used to think that way too, until I found what it was that I was doing wrong. "Looking for happiness" by choice rarely works.
But even so, I won't say more than the fact that I've suffered from Clinical Depression for three whole years in the past.
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Albeit, I'm sure this euphoric moment won't last, so I'll make this the best one. Then again, I'm actually looking forward to melancholy again; sometimes depression can be incredibly inspiring for artistic endeavours. Then again, Lennis, you're a writer. I think you already know that. ;)
Don't I ever. :lol:
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I guess this explains my current frustration quite well. :picardno
(http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvw1viYVL61qhtl9zo1_400.jpg)
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I am frustrated by how lame some naming traditions are. When nearly all the female names are just derived from male forms, it is boring. Sure, have your Alexanders and your Alexandras, but give me a bit of variety, too. And if you can, thrown in a Susanthony every now and then. But mostly, just be creative.
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Which gender does it evoke in you to hear the name Argamosee?
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From someone who was almost Gwyncara, Aerin, and Nile/Niall...yeah my actual name is kinda boring...nah, really boring. I think I have the third-most generic first and last name ever irl...
Though my middle name is Rowan, which is awesome.
Argamosee: Sounds like a guy.
I knew an Addison in middle school, he was totally a guy. But later I found out that it was a girl's name? I've got a cousin Addison who is a girl...I think she's my cousin, anyway... It's got "SON" on the end of it! It makes no sense to meee~!
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Aye, I'd go with male as well, but that might just be because I'm already familiar with Mossee being a male name.
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Addison is probably a repurposed surname, which makes it kind of unpredictable, genderwise. And then there's the phenomenon of gender creep: names that were originally male shifting over to being female. Examples include Hilary, Marion, and Leslie.
Creativity isn't always desirable either. Helengwach, Jamesina, Vagina, and Misericordia-Adulterina (I kid you not) are all on record as having been used for at least one unfortunate girl in either Britain or the US.
For an extreme case of non-creativity, though, consider a patrician nursery in Ancient Rome: the boys might all have the same praenomen, or personal name (there were only twenty-odd of them in use, and some were restricted to specific families), and the girls might have no real personal names at all (at various times, they would have been assigned a nickname or a form of their father's name). The modern world is a font of nominal creativity by comparison.
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Addison! Hahaha. Of all the names to choose with loose gender identity, you had to choose mine. And alf's right, at least in my case, it's a repurposed surname. So's my middle name. My family's weird with naming.
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I knew an Addison in middle school, he was totally a guy. But later I found out that it was a girl's name? I've got a cousin Addison who is a girl...I think she's my cousin, anyway... It's got "SON" on the end of it! It makes no sense to meee~!
So if AddiSON is a guy's name, a female version would be...
...AddiDAUGHTER?
DON'T BLAME ME, BEKKLER INFLUENCED ME WITH THOSE PUNS! *runs*
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So if AddiSON is a guy's name, a female version would be...
...AddiDAUGHTER?
Actually, yes. It started out as a patronymic name, so Addisdaughter would be a legitimate variant.
Anywho, I feel that I should point out that I am not criticizing all naming traditions, just those that almost exclusively (or entirely exclusively) have female names derived from male names. There is some of this in every language I am aware of, but the criticism is in the degree. The Romans are a wonderful example: daughters were supposed to always be named after their fathers! To be fair, the Romans were famous for being unimaginative (and for oppressing women), but that doesn't make their names less lame.
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DON'T BLAME ME, BEKKLER INFLUENCED ME WITH THOSE PUNS! *runs*
Where'd you find my puns? I been lookin for those.
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I just wish people would be more creative and stop giving their children the same six "trendy" names like Madison, Mackenzie, and Aiden or Aidan. Those are all fine names by themselves, but in two years there are going to be four Mackenzies and three Aidans to a classroom, just like there were a million and a half Jessicas in my age group.
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@Bekkler: Your puns? Nope, haven't seen 'em. This box I'm sitting on? It's full of...prawns. Yup, just wholesome nutritious seafood here, no puns whatsoever. ::Moves tail to cover box label::
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...just like there were a million and a half Jessicas in my age group.
So my real name is Jessica Parker. In my graduating class, for half a semester, there was another Jessica Parker. -________________-
Siiigh~at least I get to change my last name when I marry Red~<3
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Yup. I know four people named David Kim, and three Matthew Smiths (although one is an actor, so that probably doesn't count).
I'm really glad I have a first name that's pronounceable, recognizable, and also relatively uncommon. I wouldn't want to live life being "Saj #2" or "Saj M."
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People give me a weird look when they hear me say my name in person the first time meeting them. I just tell them my parents are hilarous. I plan to give my kids weird names if I ever have any. Not like alien weird or fanboy weird (for example, I know a guy who named his kid Tron) but a strong, distinct first name (for example, my nephew's name is Lennon, which I find awesome :D ). I could live with it, they can too. Still an if!
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In the extremely unlikely event that I have kids, I want to name them Ophelia and Seth. Unique enough names so they aren't lost in a sea of Johns or Jennifers, but (hopefully) recognizable enough so they won't get bullied.
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Hey you guys, what's wrong with having common names? :o
Well, okay, my name is a very common one. Though, despite so, rarely did I ever encountered similar-named people in school. Even so, it is usually followed with a second name so there are actually combination pairs so chances of mixing them up are slim.
Not that it helps me, since I was named after my paternal granddad. Haha, even to this day it still is amusing when my grandma wants to talk to one, and we both turn to face her. :lol:
But anyway, I guess I just never had it hard to be distinguished, since it was either by my full name or using either of my last names. So I don't know... :?
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...for example, I know a guy who named his kid Tron...
That... is... awesome!
Anyway, while I would never give a child an embarrassing name, like... oh, I don't know, something that sounds like a pet's name or food (Coco comes to mind...), I am all about unusual names.
Sajainta, I used to love the name "Aiden" as a boy's name, until I noticed that apparently all the other women my age liked the name, too, and gave it to their kids. It soured me on the name, so now I kind of don't like it anymore. *sigh* Something a little more rare can be cool, but when it's so extremely commonplace it loses its luster.
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Hey you guys, what's wrong with having common names? :o
There's nothing wrong with it, just that many of the people I know with very common names don't like it and wish their names were more unique. It's frustrating to them to be known as "Emily who? Which one? Oh yeah, that Emily." They also don't like being mixed up with all the other people who share their name (which can be a common occurrence). If people don't mind their common names, that's great, but I wouldn't want to give my children a popular name because of the chance that they'll dislike being the fourth or fifth Katie in their grade.
Sajainta, I used to love the name "Aiden" as a boy's name, until I noticed that apparently all the other women my age liked the name, too, and gave it to their kids. It soured me on the name, so now I kind of don't like it anymore. *sigh* Something a little more rare can be cool, but when it's so extremely commonplace it loses its luster.
I used to like it too. I saw the English version of The Ring shortly after it came out and the kid's name was Aiden (or Aidan) and that was the first time I had ever heard the name and I thought it was a lovely. And then everyone started naming their kids Aiden / Aidan and it lost its appeal.
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I'm so glad my name's a unique one. 8) And after a Synesthete mentioned what it signifies, I've begun to love it even more! (Save for the fact no westerner can pronounce it right)
Common names, though common, are almost always a safe bet among the commoners, because they're common (the names, not the commoners), and statistics show that the rare a name is (or feels) there is a strong chance of feeling alienated, in turn making those individuals... well, let's just say, "radical" (for the want of better word). Ones with the most common names tend to get accepted by the society quite easily.
(Also, being a fan of Psychological Thrillers, I also know that a thief with a common name is incredibly difficult to trace. :P)
Although, my cousin's cat conceived four kids yesterday. I named them: Cyril, Arawn, Isaac and Goban. There's a hidden reason for each one of them. xD
DON'T BLAME ME, BEKKLER INFLUENCED ME WITH THOSE PUNS! *runs*
Where'd you find my puns? I been lookin for those.
"That's why I thought combining the two would be a good climax-reveal point. Both are unknown, and one is in the Doctor's head while the other is capable of entering peoples' minds. To me it's a natural connection that was almost spelled out. The Doctor wouldn't pick up on it right away because he is (leave the room if you hate a good pun! ) absent-minded?" -- Mr Bekkler
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My real name is quite a common, traditional one (in general, my parents followed the "father's family tree" scheme of child-naming). I was still the only kid in my grade with it, and I hate it because it's obviously gendered and because the fact that it's common didn't save me from being insulted over it. My middle name is even worse for my purposes.
The best solution I've come across to the naming problem is to give the kid an assortment of different middle names to go along with the first one and have them all pulling in different directions (one traditional, one unusual, one obviously gendered, one not...) and then let them decide which of their names they're going to use, instead of trying to predict what's going to matter to them, namewise. I don't think it ever occurred to my parents that "obviously gendered" was going to be a problem for me, but it is.
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I hate my name because of Jean-Luc Picard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX8NsJn_KpM) and the glory of a brother with a cellphone. /sarcasm
I actually like my name, really.
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Thinking about Compendiumites with names other than their screen names is really amusing. Other than Josh and people whom I've talked to outside of the forums, I don't know anyone's real name and it's really amusing that Kodokami, for instance, would be called anything other than Kodokami. XP
Frustration--my hair is at a really awkward phase where the bangs are long enough to get in my eyes, but too short to tuck behind my ears.
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People can be inquisitive, and I don't blame them.
Yet, when they (especially the First World folks) ask about my life, how I live, where I sleep, etc. I try my dang best not to tell them. Why? Because then I would feel incredibly guilty. Why? Because merely saying it, as honestly as I possibly can, somehow makes them sympathize with me, or pity me, or feel as if they have the need to help me.
Now, I'm not an ungrateful prick; I very much appreciate the help and concern I receive. But I'm an independent fellow, and I prefer to fight my own battles. That said, I was born in this lifestyle I'm living, so saying I've become "used to it" is a bit of an understatement.
It's amusing how people are baffled when you tell them how people in the Third World live their lives. Of course, those in the First World would find it incredibly inconvenient and uncomfortable. And they look down upon me. I hate it when they look down upon me like that. Sometimes I feel that rather than trying to "help" me I should force those people to live my life, at least for a month. But that's just me and my bias speaking.
And I was offered a bed by someone. They said they'd buy it for me, and I wouldn't have to pay for it.
But pardon me: even if I had a bed I would rather sleep on the floor like I always do. There are those sheer beauties and miseries of it that I would rather not forget, even if I strike it rich. My past is important to me.
P.S.: Just to make my point clear, in case someone has missed it, feeling sorry for the way I live is downright insulting for me.
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Adobe's handing over Flash development to Google apparently. Google's only going to support it in Chrome and I f-ing hate Chrome. It's so simple it's difficult! The ad blocking extensions are junk, there's no menu bar which has been a part of web browsers since the internet went global in 1988. And ad blocking isn't a minor convenience. No. I need it because Google's ad servers executed a damned trojan on my computer once!
If Chrome really is the most popular browser today, it implies most internet users are so damned lazy, it should be surprising that many don't regard locking their doors at night as a major pain in the ass chore. I'm a 'prosumer' and to be forced to subject my online use to Chrome makes me want to beat them silly with the rubber dildo they have stuck up their arses.
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Adobe's handing over Flash development to Google apparently.
Note really. Adobe is still going to develop Flash, but they've dropped the support on the Linux platform. The only reason Chrome is still supporting Flash natively is because of its in-built "Pepper API" which tries to update and fix issues within the Flash plugin.
And the reason behind other browsers not supporting it is that Mozilla and other developers have no plans for similar API.
As for Chrome and menubars... I actually have that! 8) Ubuntu's Unity and Global Menu seem to detect it anyway, and I use it always.
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Fuck people who have a love-on for capitalism. And fuck people who think that "caveat emptor" is the highest moral standard, and that the user has no responsibility for using the used.
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Apparently some anti-gaming conspiracy is out to get me.
Deciding to bust out the old GBA to play with it once more, and turns out the charge cable is missing. Already searched it throughout the house with no results. It'll be hard trying to find a replacement over here. Well, I'll still be on the lookout for it. Which is weird since I always kept them together, so it's a mystery how the cable was no longer there.
And well, as previously told in the amusement thread about this, so I went and picked up the Wii. Thankfully the disc-reader only had to be cleaned, so it didn't cost much. So then I'm all too ready to use it... and turns out the TV is busted, no longer works.
Sigh... alright world, I get the picture! :?
Edit: Alright, got a stroke of good luck in the end. I manage to find the cable. Turns out, it was at my grandparent's. Looks like my mom moved it... sigh, and all those times telling me to not displace my things...
Well, I can't expect the TV situation to get better like that, but oh well. At least the glass is half-full now...
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Deciding to bust out the old GBA to play with it once more, and turns out the charge cable is missing. Already searched it throughout the house with no results. It'll be hard trying to find a replacement over here. Well, I'll still be on the lookout for it. Which is weird since I always kept them together, so it's a mystery how the cable was no longer there.
Ninja thieves. Ninjas, I tell ya!
And well, as previously told in the amusement thread about this, so I went and picked up the Wii. Thankfully the disc-reader only had to be cleaned, so it didn't cost much. So then I'm all too ready to use it... and turns out the TV is busted, no longer works.
Gremlins of misfortune. Gremlins, I tell ya!
Edit: Alright, got a stroke of good luck in the end. I manage to find the cable. Turns out, it was at my grandparent's. Looks like my mom moved it... sigh, and all those times telling me to not displace my things...
...Your mom's a ninja?!
At least the glass is half-full now...
Correction: At least the glass is half-empty now, giving you a chance to put some Scotch into that Coca Cola! 8)
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Adobe's handing over Flash development to Google apparently.
Note really. Adobe is still going to develop Flash, but they've dropped the support on the Linux platform. The only reason Chrome is still supporting Flash natively is because of its in-built "Pepper API" which tries to update and fix issues within the Flash plugin.
And the reason behind other browsers not supporting it is that Mozilla and other developers have no plans for similar API.
As for Chrome and menubars... I actually have that! 8) Ubuntu's Unity and Global Menu seem to detect it anyway, and I use it always.
I tried Chrome again recently and the contextual menus are pretty buggy...
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It turns out a friend of mine played a game I made years ago when she was a freshman in high school. I feel ancient.
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I find I'm bored with real life job recently. I know most kinds of job will end up like that eventually, so I'm not determined whether to find a new one.
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You know what, Mr Stress? You and your despair can go screw yourselves. You can't keep the Magician down forever.
(http://th04.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2011/303/d/9/d9b5e8823e8d59564f903f2d0578e367-d4efy25.jpg)
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THIS SUCKS!
It's Holi! And I'm struck with a fever!
Oh, well... Happy Holi, everyone! *splashes the Compendium members with digitally colored digital water*
(http://davidrager.org/blog/images/holi02.jpg)
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Not even going to lie, from what I've heard from friends from India, Holi sounds like the coolest festival ever.
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Don't you just hate it when you need someone RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW they usually aren't available, but when you don't need em at the time they're always there for you?
...
Really need another eye to critique my work at the moment...
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http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/rejad/i_have_lived_in_two_countries_one_has_what_you/
Sad.
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In game art:
(http://lpix.org/images/DarkHamsterlord/7acfb910870475becc34dbfbd05430fc/SS9_004.png)
Official art:
(http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kiel_5063.png)
The owl... Where did it come from...?
WHY IS IT NOT IN THE GAME???
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You don't have permission to access /images/DarkHamsterlord/7acfb910870475becc34dbfbd05430fc/SS9_004.png on this server.
Edit*
Oh, saw it.
Edit 2*
Something from Final Fantasy IX may explain your * Burp* question.
Bryan Rootrunner: "Sis! Ah'm hungert!"
Darcy Skywatcher: "But ye just ate a boiled owl, did ye no?"
Bryan Rootrunner: "Ah did, but it didnae satisfy me voracious
appetite! Ah have tae eat somethin' wi' more
punch, likesay... Eh?"
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Images gone again? :o
Bryan Rootrunner: "Sis! Ah'm hungert!"
Darcy Skywatcher: "But ye just ate a boiled owl, did ye no?"
Bryan Rootrunner: "Ah did, but it didnae satisfy me voracious
appetite! Ah have tae eat somethin' wi' more
punch, likesay... Eh?"
Noooo! Not the owl! :cry:
It's so cool that Kiel was supposed to have a pet owl though. Should have been in Radiant Historia.
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I can't seem to understand or visualize what the word "premise" means; DESPITE HAVING A DICTIONARY!
:x
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I can't seem to understand or visualize what the word "premise" means; DESPITE HAVING A DICTIONARY!
That's no wonder, because the dictionary definitions seem confusing IMO. Now that I look at it some more, I may have been using it wrong all this time too! It looks like a premise is officially (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/premise) an argument made in support of a conclusion.
That's quite a bit different from the way I've been using it. I always thought of "premise" as related to the term "high concept (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_concept)" -- distill a piece of media into its essence and that is the "premise." For example, I would have thought the premise of the movie Snape's on a Plane (http://weheartit.com/entry/7931076) is "Severus Snape gets on a plane and causes havoc with magic." The closer the premise is to the title, the more high concept it is. That's the way I've always thought of it anyway.
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Don't worry, Faust, you're near enough the right of it. You are just looking at the matter more abstractly than the dictionary is.
A premise is just that which was said before. However, we've come to usually take it as being specifically "that which was said first." What was probably the first important thing that was said during the development of Snapes on a Plane? "What if Severus Snape got on a plane and caused havoc with magic?" That's your high concept, and that is also the starting point.
Look at a standard 5 paragraph essay. The last paragraph should be the conclusion. The premise of paragraph 5, then, is paragraph 1-4 (since, in comparison, those paragraphs all came first). But that is different than the premise of the essay itself (which is in paragraph 1, the thesis statement [more or less]).
Tush, it might be useful to think of the original Latin. "Premise" is derived from the word "mittere." The word "missive" is derived from the same. A missive is a letter, a recording of your thoughts. A "pre-missive" is a letter before that, recording what you thought before.
Thus a "mise" is what you are saying now, with a "premise" being what you said before. Does that help?
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I'm not going to lie, if I had no idea what the word "premise" meant I would be even more confused after reading both of your responses!
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Ah, sorry. But I guess if I can't be productive, then being counterproductive is better than being unproductive. Or something like that.
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Your (initial) reply sounded so much like something my father would say that I burst your laughing. He is always going on about the Latin or Greek root of a word to try and explain its meaning, or just because he wants to talk about Latin or Ancient Greek in the first place. XD
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For what you're (probably) doing, tush, premise means "the basic idea" or "gist".
For example, the above sentence is the premise of the word premise. :D
The pronunciation is weird too, it's like "PREH - miss" (not "preem eyes").
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primiss
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I majored in English, I have a fairly large vocabulary, I am a voracious reader, I constantly write, I know when to use "whom" and when to use semi-colons, but I still don't know how to use the word "nuance" properly. D: I know what it means, I just don't know how to use it in a sentence. Annoyance!
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So, in essence the nuances of "nuance" escape you?
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So, in essence the nuances of "nuance" escape you?
Pretty much! =(
I also had to ask someone yesterday what "lucrative" meant. I feel silly.
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I also had to ask someone yesterday what "lucrative" meant. I feel silly.
Where does the circle begin?
I'll tell you, I've seen it, I've been!
It is born in the sound of the voice of the ground
and the moon and the stars
and the sky that is ours
and the compulsion to ask!
Ah, sorry. But I guess if I can't be productive, then being counterproductive is better than being unproductive. Or something like that.
Haha, exactly my thoughts!
Thing about Premises these days is that I was under the assumption I could create a fantastic tale that can follow the basic idea. Everyone knows how I suck at elaborating what I mean, but I always thought I could explain it as a story -- unfortunately, I can't seem to do that either (poetry is a lot simpler than that, but most people don't get poetry). When writing my novel, the basic premise or concept keeps morphing at the face of adversarial philosophies and sciences, resulting in my rewriting of the story (you've no idea how many times my first story has changed and evolved, so much now that it has become a genre called "Epic" from the previous "Thriller").
I can't seem to finish my book. :(
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Okay, so I simply commented on Youtube that the viewcounter has frozen. And I'm being flooded with A HUNDRED RESPONSES TO MY COMMENT WITHIN THE PAST HOUR telling me nearly the same thing each time: "Wow, you must be new here!"
.....is there a union of trolls or something?
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So, in essence the nuances of "nuance" escape you?
Beat me to it. Well played, sir.
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How about this: one way of adding interest in music is to add the nuance of changing which instrument plays the main theme once it comes back, think of scar's of time where the violin and piccolo flute switch off. in their respective high ranges, they sound pretty similar, a lot of people may not even pick up on it, but it's a little something that gives the piece depth since the melody itself isn't varied too much. When you think nuance, think of a subtle change to something that, overall keeps it the same in broad strokes, but perhaps changes the shade down or up by a single RGB point. Also, in footy, you might see a guy make a very similar goal twice, as in the path the team took to get the ball to the goal was pretty much the same....but perhaps his teammate fooled the opposition using two different techniques to get the ball to him. This nuance of using two different techniques in the same play is representative of proper usage of the word imo, rather than just saying 'the subtle nuances of blah blah'.
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OH SHIT!!
.....
Okay, maybe the sixth post from here will actually catch the real thing. :lol:
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The hell is with some people on dating sites? :x I was getting along so well with a gal I met on a dating site. She lives near me, and we were hitting it off pretty well. This morning, I got some unpleasant news, and told her about it. I forgot to tell her good morning, and she seems to be holding it against me. :( I don't know if this is the right thread to put this on, but I needed to tell somebody other than family. Have a good weekend, everyone! 8)
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I don't think that's limited to people on dating sites. Some people, regardless of where you meet them, just get upset over petty bullshit. Hopefully you're just misreading her but if not...yeah that seems pretty damn petty and immature.
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I don't think that's limited to people on dating sites. Some people, regardless of where you meet them, just get upset over petty bullshit. Hopefully you're just misreading her but if not...yeah that seems pretty damn petty and immature.
I REALLY hope I'm misreading it. I like her a lot, and it would really hurt if she was going to judge me on something like that. And by the way, thank you!
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Yeah, if she really is getting mad at you for not saying good morning while distracted by your own bad news, she's being selfish. She needs to know that not everything revolves around her.
:lol:
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Yeah, if she really is getting mad at you for not saying good morning while distracted by your own bad news, she's being selfish. She needs to know that not everything revolves around her.
:lol:
:) Well, I got an answer from her just now. She said she didn't want to talk to me anymore. She said she thought I was annoying. :( I'm NOT letting this get me down though! She's just one person, and if sending her ONE message asking why she's mad at me is going to annoy her, then I don't need that kind of drama in my life right now. I'm trying to get a farm that is in my families name, and I found out yesterday that some folks around where I live are trying to butt in. That's what I was upset about. I actually met someone else that understands what I'm going through. And she even ageed to go out with me when I settle this business! :D
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:shock: Oookaay. I just had one heck of a scare today. I've been talking with what I THOUGHT was a nice gal about my age on that dating site I mentioned before. Well, today we both realized that we didn't have much in common, so I told her I felt that it would be best to go our separate ways. The next thing I know, she's claiming I'm some guy she knows, and starts to harass me. I informed the site admins of what was going on, and so far she hasn't tried to contact me again. I haven't let this get me scared of talking to strangers though. I did become friends with her on facebook, but blocked her after what happened. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. :)
I've been talking to another gal on the site, and we have a lot in common. BUT, the first sign that something fishy, and I'm deleting my account with the site. What really frustrates me is that I didn't even realize it until afterwords, but anytime I had to go do something, she would want to know why I even bothered talking to her. I'm going to be more cautious about who I talk to, that's for sure!
EDIT: Yeah, yeah, I know! No jokes about the number, okay?
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Uppity people who take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator too seriously and go around on the internet, read one page of a blog, and then inform the person that they aren't a "real" [insert MB type].
Oh yes, because reading someone's blog (let alone one page) can obviously tell you everything about a person. You're not that astute, sweetheart.
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I don't think it's that much of a big deal to talk to strangers, but the question is how do you relate with them? How do you respect them? How much do you appreciate them as they are?
Because the very root of a good relationship is sensitivity and appreciation. If one cannot accept another complete with their goods and bads, then how can they imagine spending their lives together?
P.S.: James, you've caught the quad-six! Not that anybody cares (except for me, because I do), but that's quite awesome.
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I don't think it's that much of a big deal to talk to strangers, but the question is how do you relate with them? How do you respect them? How much do you appreciate them as they are?
Because the very root of a good relationship is sensitivity and appreciation. If one cannot accept another complete with their goods and bads, then how can they imagine spending their lives together?
P.S.: James, you've caught the quad-six! Not that anybody cares (except for me, because I do), but that's quite awesome.
:? Quad-six? Sorry, I don't really know what that means. :)
Okay, back to the main topic! Anyone else besides me getting REALLY ticked off at Sonys Media Go program? I swear, almost every time I try and download something I've already bought, it flat out refuses to let me! Have they changed their policies again?
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Quad-six? Sorry, I don't really know what that means...
Ha, you had reply number 6666 in this thread. It's like Satan, but times four. And it's also Magus' boss HP, which should be good luck around here. Welcome aboard!
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Quad-six? Sorry, I don't really know what that means...
Ha, you had reply number 6666 in this thread. It's like Satan, but times four. And it's also Magus' boss HP, which should be good luck around here. Welcome aboard!
OH! :oops: Don't I feel silly. And I'm glad to be here. This has got to be one of the BEST fansites on the internet. :D
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Hate to bring this up again, but what is it with some people loving to toy with others feelings? I'm pretty sick of some gals on dating sites acting like they can flirt with a guy, and then tell them they were just messing with them. I seriously think some people go on those sites just to see how much pain they can cause. :x And I know it's all over the internet, but do people really get a kick out of toying with peoples feelings? Don't they know that nobody wants to be around people like that? Or do they even care? :cry: Oh, and f*** Sony. I'm STILL wishing they'd put Lunar 2 on PSN. That was one of my favorite games when I was a teen. And Suikoden 2. Never could find a cheap copy of it, so I never got to play it. Is it really that good a game?
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Hah, I'd hate to break it to ya, James, but that's the internet for ya. I know that dating-sites founders do their best to extend social connections at a wider range than reality, but one of the reasons I don't go there is because of identity issues. Without going into people's "character and personality" in depth or calling names, I think most of the issue lies in "identity" of who you speak to, and because they're not really standing close to you (and hence can't see your face or see how you react) they're often free to subconsciously assume (whether they want to or not) that you aren't really a "person" -- that you're just one of the thousands of guys or girls looking for love, and let's see how they can poke some sentiments here and there. And because "dating sites" offer that freedom, they're free to flirt around without risking their personal life and reputation, doing anything to satisfy their unchecked amusement.
And I'm not just talking about womyn her; men do it at a pretty large scale too.
Having a face and personality shows that you exist, and being a "self" help create a circumstance where people are least likely to do something like that. The one difference that you need to make is strike a balance between compassion and respect, while at the same time not allowing people to walk over you (self-respect and self-worth are quite important here, but along with self-control too). It pays to be cautious about certain things, and always be "slightly" sceptical enough about things (but not so much that it'll ruin yours or someone else's fun).
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That's not just an internet thing; plenty of people offline do that shit all the time. I've met a tonne of people like that, and most of them were face-to-face interactions, not over the computer. It really sucks. I'm sorry you're having to deal with that.
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Tushantin and Sajainta, thank you. :) I'm not going to let a few trolls, or whatever you want to call them, stop me from finding love. I'm still mad about what happened with the PSN, but was it all Sony's fault? Or are there others who are as much, if not more, to blame? I keep getting sites that put the blame all on Sony, but I'm not sure if they're the only ones at fault on this. Does anyone know of a site that isn't biased about this subject?
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I had this message sent to me anonymously on a website I use:
do you think if [Jeff] hadn't of killed your daughter she would have grown up to be like him since he was her dad and start raping people?
Bad grammar aside (which is a frustration in and of itself), I'm just really disgusted and became badly triggered. I don't know what gives people the right to think they can tell people such horrific and painful things.
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Let me chuckle on it a bit. (By "it", I mean the person's ridiculousness, not your sentiments.)
If they think that sons and daughters of murderers and rapists turn out to be even worse murderers and rapists, then it's likely that the world would be filled with nothing but murderers and rapists. And since neither we nor the anonymous friend of ours is a murderer or rapist, then it only means that the anonymous friend probably thinks that "murderers and rapists" can be classified under a breed called "tooth fairy" or "Gremlin".
If that's so, then the reason this anonymous friend is sending out hurtful messages anonymously is because even their parents are those anonymous-hurtful-message-senders, which means that even their grandparents would be anonymous-hurtful-message-senders (probably sending hurtful messages via a letter but actually dropping it in the house, knocking their doors, and running off like those bell-ringing brats who annoy the grandpa screaming, "Get off my lawn!"), until we realize that their whole family has been sending insensitive messages for generations now, and this could probably link to a whole conspiracy of hurtful-message-sending, that must have resulted in.... oh, I'm too afraid to even think it!
They probably hold torches and go around chanting, "Let there be hate! But wait a second... didn't we hate the ones who let there be hate? But if we hate to hate, then why do WE hate? Oshit, we hate ourselves..."
And there you go! They feel bad about all this already!
Beyond that point, I do think that children are magnificent beings -- they hold no truth yet, but they hold no evil either, and the things they are capable of doing no adult could even comprehend. I just wish your child had the opportunity to live longer; I'd have liked to see the miracles he / she could perform. :)
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Hey Saj, you know what's better than anonymous assholes asking stupid questions? These ferrets.
(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2884/ferret1500.jpg)
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In Europe, you can easily take your car and cross from Poland / Austria to Germany to Belgium to France, to England and eventually to Wales all in a single day's time with no trouble between nations.
In India, you can't even take your car from Maharashtra to Delhi. (Private roads are restricted)
Then again, I do realize how troublesome it can be in a car, when people here prefer to travel by train or flights. It's still a pathetic image, though...
(P.S.: The distance between Maharashtra to Delhi equals that of Austria to Wales. Take the route to Scotland, and just maybe it's longer.)
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You can't drive from Austria to Wales; they are on different land masses. There might be a tunnel for that, but as far as I know, the only tunnel is for rail only.
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RD's right--the only way to get from France to the British Isles is through the Channel Tunnel, which is a rail tunnel.
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You can't drive from Austria to Wales; they are on different land masses. There might be a tunnel for that, but as far as I know, the only tunnel is for rail only.
RD's right--the only way to get from France to the British Isles is through the Channel Tunnel, which is a rail tunnel.
Actually, no. While the rail tunnel is available (I think), there are methods of going between land masses. Suppose from Austria: You cross the border past Passau, entering Germany, then past Frankfurt and Cologne to enter Belgium. Then once again you'll need to enter norther France to get to one of two different channels. Now, you can take the voyage from either Dunkirk or Calais (charges vary) where a Ferry will transport your car to the shores of Dover in UK.
Then from Dover to Cardiff, London or Manchester is simple (though I wonder of the complexities of going to Glasgow or Shetlands...)
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Ah, but you said nothing of taking a ferry in your first comment. So no, technically you still can't drive from Austria to Wales. You'd still have to use two different means of transport.
And I have no idea what you're talking about regarding "complexities" of going to Glasgow; that's an easy drive from anywhere in England. It's only about a seven hour drive from London. And there's definitely no way you can drive to the Shetlands. We had to take a ferry from Aberdeen.
Edit: just realized it takes longer to drive from Chicago to Pennsylvania than it does to drive from London to Glasgow. Blech... I miss the UK.
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Ah, but you said nothing of taking a ferry in your first comment.
I know I didn't, because "ferry" wasn't the issue here, and you'd still be travelling via car (notice how I don't get on "technical"). My implication was the the European nations enjoy "free-roam" within and beyond native territories, whereas other nations treat it as a crime. (Try going to Pakistan from Kutch, and you're bound to be arrested)
This says a lot of things regarding the continents themselves, and the laws and humanities within.
And I have no idea what you're talking about regarding "complexities" of going to Glasgow; that's an easy drive from anywhere in England. It's only about a seven hour drive from London. And there's definitely no way you can drive to the Shetlands. We had to take a ferry from Aberdeen.
I know it might be difficult to go to Shetland, hence the "complexities". XD As for Glasgow, I was actually wondering if some roads may be restricted.
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Going between nations you're still likely going to need to show your passport. I've never crossed a European border by car though, so I can't say with certainty. Trains and ferries do require you to show the passport, and potentially go through customs.
Travel between states/provinces/territories in the US or Canada is probably a better analogy. Those borders are unmanned and unrestricted. I've driven across state lines in the US on a number of occasions and have never been stopped.
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Going between nations you're still likely going to need to show your passport. I've never crossed a European border by car though, so I can't say with certainty.
On a visit to France my family and I drove into Germany from Alsace and we had to show our passports, but there was little more than that. I'm not sure about other countries, though. I know passing through Scotland to England is hassle-free, but they're both part of the United Kingdom so that makes sense, even though they're different countries.
As for Glasgow, I was actually wondering if some roads may be restricted.
I sincerely doubt it. There'd be no reason why roads would be restricted. I've been driven from a town in England into Glasgow, on route to Edinburgh.
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The Last Story getting pushed back...
My lack of focus keeping me from doing more than I have with my Sea of Dreams story cause I just have to listen to game music for hours on end before playing just 30 minutes of old games before getting new ones, and bllggrrphhaaaaaaggg~ (rant)
Coming back here when interest of the series is at its lowest, causing another blow to my story-writing morale...
Having to type all this crap on an iPad when it's so much easier to take notes on a normal computer and I don't have to share the damn thing with the rest of the household...
Having both in-home computers blow out, resulting in the need for said iPad...
Sitting in a house when it's 95 FUCKING DEGREES OUTSIDE!!!!
.....okay, I think I'm done...
Oh! *ahem*
The Republican Party in general.
Okay, now I'm done...
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Really good books.
They're so hard to put down when there are other, very important (or so I'm told) things to do.
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Drop me a note when something cool happens around here again. I guess I just miss the good old days...
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Maybe somebody should start up a new RP or something...
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That would sure be nice. I kinda miss participating in one here, it was fun when the interest got revived but now it's dead again. Hmm, that reminds me, I once considered the idea of starting one of my own but then my time got very busy. I still have the stuff, but I guess it'll never take off. :roll:
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Not a bad idea, actually. I wouldn't know where to begin, however, since I never participated in the RP here before.
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Not even sure myself if it counts as a frustration... but in a way I kinda am so...
So today was finally the day our new President takes charge.
...
We're doomed... :o
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Not even sure myself if it counts as a frustration... but in a way I kinda am so...
So today was finally the day our new President takes charge.
...
We're doomed... :o
You're in.....Egypt?
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You're in.....Egypt?
No, I live in México. However, let's say he isn't (or wasn't? Maybe they are no longer THAT vocal about it) quite well liked by good portion of the populace. Unfortunately not enough to not win the elections back in July. I didn't vote for him either.
It's not even about being disliked. For example, during an interview, he was asked about 3 books he has read. He had nothing for an answer. :picardno
Amusing to see when others poke fun at that (heck, even the now ex-President laughed when he was asked that same question some time later before answering), but now this same guy will be our President for the next 6 years. Don't know of others, but I certainly don't look forward to it.
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Six years? Ouch..... As it is, I'm fearful of going into Mexico. I hear the drug cartels target tourists to murder as examples to their affront.
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Drop me a note when something cool happens around here again. I guess I just miss the good old days...
Something "cool" just doesn't happen usually because of THAT attitude. XD
If things need to get cool, you gotta return and BE cool.
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Ah, memory cache error again.
When did that happen last time?
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Six years? Ouch..... As it is, I'm fearful of going into Mexico. I hear the drug cartels target tourists to murder as examples to their affront.
Maybe it's because I don't watch the news enough, or maybe I have watched enough but... that's the first time I'm hearing that.
Ah, memory cache error again.
When did that happen last time?
I think it was a few months ago, don't remember exactly. What I'd like to know is what makes one able to log in or not during them, since I know some can.
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Not sure if this should go here, but I'm frustrated with myself.
I'm frustrated because despite my cynical attitude, deep down I have unrealistic expectations, goals, and dreams. Yet both my skillset and my knowledge-set are so completely bankrupt, and my aptitude for learning is minimal.
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...deep down I have unrealistic expectations, goals, and dreams. Yet both my skillset and my knowledge-set are so completely bankrupt, and my aptitude for learning is minimal.
I think the great dreamers all share feelings like this at some point in their lives. I'm glad you chose the word "aptitude" and not "will." I've always found that the former can come in time, as long as I had the latter. It's also helpful to find a community that's willing to nurture your interests even though you're just learning the ropes of whatever skillset you're trying to acquire -- that is invaluable.
Besides, if you made those CT-style Terra and Locke sprites, I'd say you're hardly at a loss for skills. I'm so envious! :cry:
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Frustrated with countless things.
1) My Hard Drive just crashed, and I can't afford a new one because I left my current job (why did I leave it? It's been five years, and it's time to move on with something I "love" rather than something I "have to do" and destroy my mind for money's sake). Thankfully, Ubuntu sets my filesystem on constant Read Only. But unfortunately, if my Hard Drive starts falling apart and I can't back up, this also means that all my hard-worked data and art... will be gone, lost in oblivion.
This also means I'll have start to start working on Polar Detective and the others ALL OVER AGAIN FROM SCRATCH... (and all those who are already aware of the countless months of work put into these projects know exactly how I feel; I'd rather jump off a cliff than re-do those tedious amounts of work all over again)
On the other hand, this means that my "digital past" will be dead, and I'll be reborn as a newer Neo-Artist.
2) I knew it would be difficult to move on after I've left my job at the cafe, so I'm taking things in Stride. Fortunately for me, my parents still support me (unlike most others my age, who have a hard time coping up without such support). But unfortunately for me, Pune is just no place for a striving artist or animator. I can't find a suitable job, and even if I know exactly when, where and how to look, I CAN'T do so because my cousin is getting married at January -- meaning, no jobs till February for me. And I'm still broke.
3) I NEED someone to discuss my dreams, goals, work, inspirations, etc. and have lengthy conversations with them to keep myself feeling motivated and energetic. But I have no body at the moment, and especially none in Real Life -- nobody cares what I'm up to currently, the details of my work, the stories I envision (they'd be more interested what's on Reality Shows and Anime and Movies, etc. and even if somebody DOES care about my work they don't have the necessary artistic capacity to help me out). I feel alone, as if my work and energy are of no consequence.
And this essentially makes me toss all my dreams into a bin and just play games or watch Youtube videos. And then I realize that I'm not even a "person" without my dreams and ambitions.
Oh, and people's advises? They're all "Just do this", and "You should be doing that", as if it's the easiest thing in the world. The only good that does is disrupt someone's cognition.
Being the only artist in your world is the worst thing of all.
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I NEED someone to discuss my dreams, goals, work, inspirations, etc. and have lengthy conversations with them to keep myself feeling motivated and energetic. But I have no body at the moment, and especially none in Real Life -- nobody cares what I'm up to currently, the details of my work, the stories I envision (they'd be more interested what's on Reality Shows and Anime and Movies, etc. and even if somebody DOES care about my work they don't have the necessary artistic capacity to help me out). I feel alone, as if my work and energy are of no consequence.
Yeah, that is one of the reason why real life sometimes sucks. You should feel lucky since you are much younger than me. My real life friends are usually too busy to discuss dreams. Besides, everyone has their own goals and things they have to do, making it even harder to find someone that can help you out. Just a few months ago a friend of mine had a long conversation with me about doing something really cool. But soon I found it's not easy at all, neither of us seems to have enough time. Now we are planning to make a tower defence game for android, but he has not finished drawing a usable character so far so I'm getting bored and begin to use sprites from Chrono Trigger to test my functions. LOL I have a bad feeling that it won't get finished.
And internet communities are usually just too loose, there could be decent places to learn basic skills, but when it comes to lengthy conversations and other time consuming actions, few are interested. Instant messaging tools are worse that forums, people tend to talk about their little hobbies, complain about real life, posting random pictures, etc.
1) My Hard Drive just crashed
Hmm, I never experienced that. Perhaps electrical supply is not stable in your place?
It is easier for me to back up things because my works are usually in code format, I just toss a package into my mail box periodically. But if you have gigabytes of data, you'd better buy a removable device. Though they are usually less safe than your hard drive.
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But I still believe that part of the dream-sharing scenario is where you end up having companions to tackle a mutual goal. If not exactly lending a hand, an ear usually suffices to help. It's all about meeting the "right people".
At least pertaining to my experience: I've always helped in keeping my folks motivated, but there doesn't seem one for me... Hell, if not a "person", then at least a "thing" would count. If I'm supposed to take on my dreams alone, then I better get clever and think of something or I'm going to fall apart into oblivion...
1) My Hard Drive just crashed
Hmm, I never experienced that. Perhaps electrical supply is not stable in your place?
In India, it never is stable, counting all the countless unannounced power cuts either for few minutes or long hours. Of course, it's worst in villages. Though, looking back at the past years, I think it's getting better.
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Unexpected power cut is the most infamous hard drive killer. Perhaps you need to find a ups device if that still happens too often.
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I have a battery backup that lasts about 40 minutes, with surge (and maybe Serge?) protection
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Every data I had on the HDD... all my files, my art, my hard-worked videos, my games (not the ones I play, but the ones I MAKE), the project files for AEHU, Fleabane, my novels, portfolio, even Polar Detective that I worked so hard on....
... are gone....
*gets a heart attack*
Why... why are things for a poor man so damn hard? My years of work are gone... I'm back where I started, on ground zero, and need to work up all the way. Hell, even the voices that most people gave me for Polar Detective are GONE... Thankfully, my novels still are synced via Ubuntu One, so it's not a total loss...
*breaks everything around him, runs around vengefully and starts swearing at random people, vents, whines, cries, then returns*
......Okay, I feel better now.
Unexpected power cut is the most infamous hard drive killer. Perhaps you need to find a ups device if that still happens too often.
That's the thing: I HAVE a UPS. UPS is always important here, because power cuts are too frequent, and being a working from a hardware store I've known that.
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The last hope is find a local hard drive data recovery service (I'm afraid you have tried consider the situation you are having).
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Ugh, in a combination of a little carelessness and some very competent thief, my laptop and 3DS were stolen. :picardno
If I can't get them back it'll be at least July for a replacement 3DS. Sigh, such is life I'm afraid...
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...I think I just wrote a novel's worth of fanfiction, but couldn't write a novel's worth of actual novel? There must be something wrong with me...
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Fanfiction is an entirely legitimate genre. Just look at all the Star Trek/Star Wars novels out there.
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Fanfiction is an entirely legitimate genre. Just look at all the Star Trek/Star Wars novels out there.
*rimshot*
.........
Oh wait, were you serious? :oops:
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Yup, I was serious. I believe it is Michael Stackpole who is the best paid fiction writer out there, has the chops to write whatever might please you, and he's written dozens of Star Wars novels. What would be the big difference between writing Star Wars fan fic vs historical fiction? In both cases you are working with pre-established worlds, people, etc.
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Just one difference: I'm broke, and the fiction I just wrote was for the pleasure of my readers, but based on the per-established world created by that one company who doesn't care about its customer base.
I just wrote for pleasure knowing, though my readers only seem to be two people, they found it a splendidly amusing read. But because that doesn't seem to qualify as "serious" art for strange reasons that might qualify my progress...
...I need to finish that Clueless now...
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They say humanity has free will*, especially with the growth of civilizations. And the Indian politicians seem to attest to it!
But we can't be what we wanna be (which completely ruins that "Bacardi" advert soundtrack). We can't do what we wanna do. We can't go where we wanna go (even if it means having to deal with the wilderness with our lives). We can't believe what we wanna believe. We (mostly women) can't even drive with helmets, have chowmein (mostly men), or even be "liberated" from strange politics and cross-firings. Heck, I can't even take photos of the Kolkatta underground metro railways (aka, "Subway Railways")! (I was let off with a warning, with all pictures deleted, otherwise and next time I'd get a criminal record by being locked up in prison)
Oh, humanity...
* Not the Christian Free Will, but the "Agency" thingy. You know.
P.S.: Yes, I'm trigger happy. I take pictures for art's sake, not to defame people by uploading it to I Can Haz Cheezburger (although I should start doing that now... or maybe, later...)
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Now my netbook is dead...
...
*sigh*
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I sense some evil force is trying to delay your "plan", tushantin.
:(
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What frustrates me currently, which might carry for my whole life, are narrow minded backwards-thinking parents who have deluded notions of child nurturing, refusing to listen to reason and are always ready to justify.
Now, these parents aren't necessary bad people, and there's no reason to spoil good friendship by attacking them, when you can do it gently so. Thing is, even if changing one mind is possible, it's still difficult, and there are thousands out there who still believe authoritative parenting is the only way.
Can't they see they are crushing their children's curiosity, creativity and self-compassion?
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Upon hearing I was to be involved in Chrono Crisis' storyline, even saw that there was a sprite of me for the game, I immediately set out to try and find it. Everywhere I turned seemed to point to a dead Imageshack link or Japanese 404 page....urg.
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People telling abuse survivors that they should let go of their anger.
People telling abuse survivors that they need to forgive.
People telling abuse survivors that they should not be bitter.
People telling abuse survivors that their coping mechanism of using gallows humour is offensive.
People thinking there is one magical way to deal with trauma.
Fuck this never-ending bullshit.
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People telling abuse survivors that they should let go of their anger.
People telling abuse survivors that they need to forgive.
People telling abuse survivors that they should not be bitter.
People telling abuse survivors that their coping mechanism of using gallows humour is offensive.
People thinking there is one magical way to deal with trauma.
Fuck this never-ending bullshit.
Well, you do. When you dwell on shit, it causes a lot more damage to you and everyone else around you. It's not easy and people who have been through it know this, but it is better to let go and move on than it is to let it drag you down for who-knows-how-long.
I am an abuse survivor and I spent a long time caught up in anger and everything else. I tried moving past it too fast and kept repeating a cycle that was destroying me mentally and emotionally.
There is not an answer that encompasses everything. Each person must find who they are and deal with their problems, as long as that takes. You can't avoid people getting impatient with you, though; because you have to try to work through it and see the other side. Nobody in their right mind is going to want to stick around you if you're negative all the time, whether it's reasonable or not, because then you're abusing them just as much as you were abused.
I find peoples ignorance to be amazing, though. I was thrown out of a community for having a certain shade of humor. I was banned from their IRC without warning for it and when I was let back in, I apologized for it and told them I would try not to let it happen again, because I was understanding that their circle did not appreciate shit like that. They wanted to force me to admit that there was never a right time or place for that humor, basically wanting to force me to think exactly like them instead of accepting that everything does have it's time and place and we wound up arguing. It was forum where people prided themselves on their moral superiority, so I called them out on that. I wound up getting banned from their IRC and forums a second time.
The thing is, you have to give in to bitterness and anger and let it have its due, because it's been built up inside of you and needs to be released. Your cup has to empty before it can refill again. The only person who can help you is you and that's the only person whose input matters. A lot of people don't like dealing with their problems, they internalize the hate and rage and that's what they become. They'll tell you to shut up and deal with it, because it's what they felt they had to do, and instead of rising above it all, they fall prey to it and it will always be their mission to drag others down to their level.
I mean, here's the bottom line and it's pretty blunt: People are going to be people no matter what you do. Fuck them. Not literally, obviously, unless you want to fuck them literally, then go right ahead. Take care of yourself and work toward getting yourself into a happier place. It won't magically happen overnight and you won't be able to stay in that happy place every second of every minute of every day, but it's worth it when you're able to get there. It will be something you have to keep fighting for, because after so long, as Gotye says, people become addicted to a certain kind of sadness.
Anyway, best of luck in dealing with things; try not to let other people get to you; and don't worry about how long it takes to get over things. It's your journey and story and nobody elses.
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Nobody in their right mind is going to want to stick around you if you're negative all the time
That'd be a perfect ending for me actually.
you're abusing them just as much as you were abused.
Yeah I don't think so. Being a negative person =/= raping and selling children to be raped. I have never abused anyone "just as much as I was abused."
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not in the same fashion, but to the same degree you have been just as cruel and cold to someone, somewhere; unfair. You may as well be a child-rapist or slaver if you ruin a kid, or someone else, for life with your negativity. But, you seem keen on blaming everyone except yourself; eventually you'll have to accept that what happens in life simply happens and is not bad or good, but just 'is'. You can't change other people and you can't stop them from doing what they do. You may lead a horse to water, so you've heard, but you can not make them drink. All you can do is take care of yourself and get yourself in a better place.
Everyone suffers and everyone does the best they can to live based on what they've been taught by others and what they have learned from doing based on what they've been taught by others. You can either hate them for doing something you may have done if you had been through what they had been through and you can perpetuate a cycle of insanity that stems from hate and bitterness and regret, or you can try to rise above it and teach people a better way, if you can, in the hopes that they might just start changing themselves. It really is that simple of a choice and you can make it at any time.
Quite frankly, I didn't find myself that charming when I was suffering and I don't find you all that charming, either. Sadly, no one can help you if you don't want to be helped, even yourself. You want to start recognizing your own faults, then that's a start; it will make it a lot harder to hate other people and yourself. You act like you're the only one who's gotten a bum rap in life. It can't rain all the time, though.
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Wow. I am astounded. And you completely misread the first part of my second post; I wasn't praising negativity, I was saying I would rather be left alone in life because I do not like people and they frighten me.
You presume to know so much about me from two very short posts. You know nothing about me. I have literally never even spoken to you on this website before today. You have no idea if I am currently getting help. You have no idea whether or not I have reached out to others and have allowed them to help me (I have). You have no idea how much I have healed from my traumas. You have no idea if I want to be helped or not. You have no idea that I blame everyone but myself (the thought is laughable; I take responsibility for my actions and do you have any idea how much I hate myself and blame myself for what happened?). You have no idea if I don't recognize my faults. I am the first person to admit my faults and anyone in my life knows that and thinks it admirable that I'm able to be honest about who I am, about both the good and the bad.
I absolutely do NOT think I am the only person who has suffered in life and anyone who knows me would laugh and be disgusted by that assumption. I am a negative person and can be very unempathetic and cold and I avoid people for a myriad of reasons, but I have never "ruined someone for life," especially not a child.
I love how a post of mine being annoyed at people trying to tell me how to deal with my own crap turns into a response comparing me being an occasionally unpleasant person to my rapists and traffickers, the people who tortured me and almost killed me and enjoyed it, the people who murdered my daughter. How dare you say that to me. How dare you put me in the same category as those people.
I honestly feel sick.
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...I would rather be left alone in life because I do not like people and they frighten me.
That's something you'd have in common with Dr Seuss! Not sure if you regard that would be a good thing or bad thing. The bad news is that it may have harmful effects to your psycho-physiology. Good news is that it might actually make you more productive / creative! (And of course, making you cautious about strangers with candy in a van. Or probably one with a blue box. And stuff.)
But do you really believe that escaping fear, pain and annoyance is the best way to actually conquer them? Just curious. Because so far in your development, at least based on what I observed, your strength of nature depended on your disposition of actively (consciously or not) flinging yourself into horrors time and again. I'm not sure if that would be because the self-controlled flinging appears to be safer than the forceful flinging by other people (well, in a way, it actually is safer because we have full agency to learn from it and device against it; I've done so many times myself, so I can relate to that). I could say that these strengths influencing your instincts are actually trying to prepare you for similar situations in the future; but your active first resort seems to be simply avoiding the hassle altogether, even if there's just a small percent chance that things may go wrong. This appears to be coming from your lack of trust in humanity altogether, and hence giving you an appearance that nobody, none at all, can ever be trusted (not "trust" in general terms, but "trust" as in your personal openness... er... I can't seem to explain it well, but you can take it either way, and feel free to judge me for it if you feel the need; in any case, you did mention you've allowed others to help you which has helped you get better, so my connotation of "trust" here is a bit different).
But beyond all that, beyond all the things you air here and elsewhere, the fact that you still do take the chance to give someone else a chance in your life still speaks of an undying virtue. Even if that chance is small. That, for me, is your triumph nonetheless.
You know nothing about me.
I concur. Despite the fact we've spoken a lot of times here and elsewhere, despite all the things you've told me and all the things I've known about you without you telling me anything, I'm not quite sure if I -- or anyone, even idioticidioms -- knows you well enough. We know what you've been through, but we can seldom comprehend it. We know what you've lost, but we can seldom feel it or empathize it, even if some of us want to. That some of us would like to share that pain with you.
But all the same, there are more things you've gained too, though I'm not sure if you realize that you have. One of the many things, of course, is perspective. :wink:
(P.S.: I have no idea what the discussion between you and idioticidioms was about. I haven't read it, so I'm probably missing context.)
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My current frustration is for being gone for so long. So much to catch up on here! Forgive me if I jump into some of these topics too hastily.
@Saj and tush
You know nothing about me.
I concur. Despite the fact we've spoken a lot of times here and elsewhere, despite all the things you've told me and all the things I've known about you without you telling me anything, I'm not quite sure if I -- or anyone, even idioticidioms -- knows you well enough. We know what you've been through, but we can seldom comprehend it. We know what you've lost, but we can seldom feel it or empathize it, even if some of us want to. That some of us would like to share that pain with you.
You hit the nail on the head with this one, tush.
@idioticidioms: Each person deals with their trauma and pain in their own way. We have no right to judge unless we too have experienced such trauma, and even then, pushing one method of recovery over another is still wrong. As is comparing one person's negativity to the actions of traffickers and rapists. I hope you will consider this before writing a reply to this topic, if you do.
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not in the same fashion, but to the same degree you have been just as cruel and cold to someone, somewhere; unfair. You may as well be a child-rapist or slaver if you ruin a kid, or someone else, for life with your negativity. But, you seem keen on blaming everyone except yourself; eventually you'll have to accept that what happens in life simply happens and is not bad or good, but just 'is'. You can't change other people and you can't stop them from doing what they do. You may lead a horse to water, so you've heard, but you can not make them drink. All you can do is take care of yourself and get yourself in a better place.
Everyone suffers and everyone does the best they can to live based on what they've been taught by others and what they have learned from doing based on what they've been taught by others. You can either hate them for doing something you may have done if you had been through what they had been through and you can perpetuate a cycle of insanity that stems from hate and bitterness and regret, or you can try to rise above it and teach people a better way, if you can, in the hopes that they might just start changing themselves. It really is that simple of a choice and you can make it at any time.
Quite frankly, I didn't find myself that charming when I was suffering and I don't find you all that charming, either. Sadly, no one can help you if you don't want to be helped, even yourself. You want to start recognizing your own faults, then that's a start; it will make it a lot harder to hate other people and yourself. You act like you're the only one who's gotten a bum rap in life. It can't rain all the time, though.
What an offensive post. I get what you're trying to say, but dude, wrong place, wrong time, wrong way, wrong person. You can't project your own issues onto someone else and expect them to take kindly. Combine that with your seeming tendency to hyperbolize and the results are... bad.
Sajainta, don't listen to a word. You're right. He doesn't know you and probably knows very little to nothing about your past.
I'm at work and can't write much at the moment, but I'll definitely be back for some discussion later.
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not in the same fashion, but to the same degree you have been just as cruel and cold to someone, somewhere; unfair. You may as well be a child-rapist or slaver if you ruin a kid, or someone else, for life with your negativity. But, you seem keen on blaming everyone except yourself; eventually you'll have to accept that what happens in life simply happens and is not bad or good, but just 'is'. You can't change other people and you can't stop them from doing what they do. You may lead a horse to water, so you've heard, but you can not make them drink. All you can do is take care of yourself and get yourself in a better place.
Everyone suffers and everyone does the best they can to live based on what they've been taught by others and what they have learned from doing based on what they've been taught by others. You can either hate them for doing something you may have done if you had been through what they had been through and you can perpetuate a cycle of insanity that stems from hate and bitterness and regret, or you can try to rise above it and teach people a better way, if you can, in the hopes that they might just start changing themselves. It really is that simple of a choice and you can make it at any time.
Quite frankly, I didn't find myself that charming when I was suffering and I don't find you all that charming, either. Sadly, no one can help you if you don't want to be helped, even yourself. You want to start recognizing your own faults, then that's a start; it will make it a lot harder to hate other people and yourself. You act like you're the only one who's gotten a bum rap in life. It can't rain all the time, though.
What an offensive post. I get what you're trying to say, but dude, wrong place, wrong time, wrong way, wrong person. You can't project your own issues onto someone else and expect them to take kindly. Combine that with your seeming tendency to hyperbolize and the results are... bad.
Sajainta, don't listen to a word. You're right. He doesn't know you and probably knows very little to nothing about your past.
I'm at work and can't write much at the moment, but I'll definitely be back for some discussion later.
I don't need to know individual people to know that all people are similar to some degree; and through her pain, she has lashed out at people who have not deserved it. She can lay her blame on the people that affected her in such a way, but then she'd have to lay blame on herself for every person she's affected in the same way, albeit not the same fashion.
I understand she's your friend and you view what I said to be harsh, but it's not a lie. Unless you're somehow God, you have not managed to avoid the big mistakes in life; you have not been able to avoid the fallacies of being human entirely. There are no perfect people, no matter what it may look on the outside. I don't care if it's offensive or not; I'm not going to sit here and lie to someone when the lie will hurt them infinitely more in the long run than the truth, which only hurts at first.
You can't blame people, because everyone is a victim just as much as they are a victimizer and after a while; for so many people; it becomes it's own self-fulfilling prophecy, because their actions begin to affect the actions of others to the point where what you receive is what you expect to receive, so you keep putting out the same and receiving the same. You can't really blame anybody, because it's all varying degrees of being lost without proper guidance and being made to suffer more than is necessary.
You're right; I don't know her past; I don't need to if the emotions are the same, because the same elements always lead to the same results, though it doesn't always look like the same elements because it seems like an entirely different scenario. What's it matter what you go through if it affects you the same; makes you feel the same emotions; drags you down to the same dark pit?
At some point in her past, she had to have a person or a couple of people that instilled good in her, otherwise she wouldn't even lament the bad things that happened to her, she would just accept them as they come and act the same; because that's what wild animals do. Only animals who have been shown love reach for love, so if she had not the love in her life given to her by others, she would be just as bad as those she hates, because she would see nothing wrong with any of it, but would accept it as it came.
And honestly, it's not offensive to say that somebody needs to get to know themselves to move on; it's entirely true. get to know the monster inside of you; get to know the good part; get to know what you're capable of doing and who you view yourself to be. You have no right to judge anyone else, or to sit there all petulant and act hurt just because life has been unfair to you. Odds are; being human; you've caused a lot of your own problems in life without even realizing it. Maybe not every single problem; but definitely a lot; all based on how you moved on and what you learned and what you put out for others.
You can either start accepting personal responsibility in the fullest and seeking to fix yourself to the point where you're happy with who you are, or you can't. That's what it boils down to. Is it wrong that people do the things they do? of course, but then, too, is it wrong for you to act the way you do at times. Is it wrong to say that? I don't think so. Too many people say the wrong things and are loved for them. I would rather say the right thing even if it means being hated for it.
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Sajainta, don't listen to a word. You're right. He doesn't know you and probably knows very little to nothing about your past.
Good advice. I'm not going to. I've said my piece (which he seems to not have read) and am not going to pursue this further, even if he does respond. I'm sure I'll be labeled cowardly or "not facing the issue" or "not accepting responsibility" or "not facing up to the truth" or whatever rubbish, but I know a lost cause when I see one and I don't need that kind of stress in my life. I deserve better than that. Over the past few months I've come to like and accept myself a whole lot more and I am nothing like them. And no random stranger on the internet is going to have that sway over me and undo that healing.
@idioticidioms, it's been super fun but I'm done talking with you. The preservation of my mental health and avoiding having flashbacks because of being compared to my abusers trumps arguing with someone on a forum. Make of that what you will. Good day to you, sir.
@tush, I will probably respond later, right now I am seriously sleep-deprived.
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So, you've already chosen to run from your problems instead of confronting them. Then, I have nothing further to say.
for the record, that's MY frustration.
As a human, you only think you deserve better than that, but that's simple folly and arrogance. You think you're better than all other life on this planet that you should be free from hardship where they are not? If only life were that simple. If only.
Yes, Mr. Bekkler; I know. I'm an asshole and a piece of shit and should not say such things to other people because it hurts their delicate sensitivities. Spare me.
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not in the same fashion, but to the same degree you have been just as cruel and cold to someone, somewhere; unfair. You may as well be a child-rapist or slaver if you ruin a kid, or someone else, for life with your negativity. But, you seem keen on blaming everyone except yourself; eventually you'll have to accept that what happens in life simply happens and is not bad or good, but just 'is'. You can't change other people and you can't stop them from doing what they do. You may lead a horse to water, so you've heard, but you can not make them drink. All you can do is take care of yourself and get yourself in a better place.
Everyone suffers and everyone does the best they can to live based on what they've been taught by others and what they have learned from doing based on what they've been taught by others. You can either hate them for doing something you may have done if you had been through what they had been through and you can perpetuate a cycle of insanity that stems from hate and bitterness and regret, or you can try to rise above it and teach people a better way, if you can, in the hopes that they might just start changing themselves. It really is that simple of a choice and you can make it at any time.
Quite frankly, I didn't find myself that charming when I was suffering and I don't find you all that charming, either. Sadly, no one can help you if you don't want to be helped, even yourself. You want to start recognizing your own faults, then that's a start; it will make it a lot harder to hate other people and yourself. You act like you're the only one who's gotten a bum rap in life. It can't rain all the time, though.
What an offensive post. I get what you're trying to say, but dude, wrong place, wrong time, wrong way, wrong person. You can't project your own issues onto someone else and expect them to take kindly. Combine that with your seeming tendency to hyperbolize and the results are... bad.
Sajainta, don't listen to a word. You're right. He doesn't know you and probably knows very little to nothing about your past.
I'm at work and can't write much at the moment, but I'll definitely be back for some discussion later.
I don't need to know individual people to know that all people are similar to some degree; and through her pain, she has lashed out at people who have not deserved it. She can lay her blame on the people that affected her in such a way, but then she'd have to lay blame on herself for every person she's affected in the same way, albeit not the same fashion.
I understand she's your friend and you view what I said to be harsh, but it's not a lie. Unless you're somehow God, you have not managed to avoid the big mistakes in life; you have not been able to avoid the fallacies of being human entirely. There are no perfect people, no matter what it may look on the outside. I don't care if it's offensive or not; I'm not going to sit here and lie to someone when the lie will hurt them infinitely more in the long run than the truth, which only hurts at first.
You can't blame people, because everyone is a victim just as much as they are a victimizer and after a while; for so many people; it becomes it's own self-fulfilling prophecy, because their actions begin to affect the actions of others to the point where what you receive is what you expect to receive, so you keep putting out the same and receiving the same. You can't really blame anybody, because it's all varying degrees of being lost without proper guidance and being made to suffer more than is necessary.
You're right; I don't know her past; I don't need to if the emotions are the same, because the same elements always lead to the same results, though it doesn't always look like the same elements because it seems like an entirely different scenario. What's it matter what you go through if it affects you the same; makes you feel the same emotions; drags you down to the same dark pit?
At some point in her past, she had to have a person or a couple of people that instilled good in her, otherwise she wouldn't even lament the bad things that happened to her, she would just accept them as they come and act the same; because that's what wild animals do. Only animals who have been shown love reach for love, so if she had not the love in her life given to her by others, she would be just as bad as those she hates, because she would see nothing wrong with any of it, but would accept it as it came.
And honestly, it's not offensive to say that somebody needs to get to know themselves to move on; it's entirely true. get to know the monster inside of you; get to know the good part; get to know what you're capable of doing and who you view yourself to be. You have no right to judge anyone else, or to sit there all petulant and act hurt just because life has been unfair to you. Odds are; being human; you've caused a lot of your own problems in life without even realizing it. Maybe not every single problem; but definitely a lot; all based on how you moved on and what you learned and what you put out for others.
You can either start accepting personal responsibility in the fullest and seeking to fix yourself to the point where you're happy with who you are, or you can't. That's what it boils down to. Is it wrong that people do the things they do? of course, but then, too, is it wrong for you to act the way you do at times. Is it wrong to say that? I don't think so. Too many people say the wrong things and are loved for them. I would rather say the right thing even if it means being hated for it.
It's not about saying the right thing or the wrong thing, it's about getting your real message out the right way, in other words, in a way that does more good than harm, in a way that is paid attention to and can resonate as good advice.
You're being far more negative than you're accusing Sajainta of being, and whether you think so or not, whether your facts are accurate or not, you're in the wrong.
On top of that, you never know how you will impact others. You might think you can see patterns in behavior and thinking and actions and that you have a formula in your head telling you how everyone is, has been and will be. But even if you're a total true-to-life genius, you can't be right 100% of the time. And if you're not 100% sure, then you really are guessing. Thus, you can't really know how you affect others.
No two people or situations are the same. You can only know what they tell you, and make the logical connections and come to your own conclusions. I agree with some of what you said, but I really wanted to just not read it because of the way you have presented previous opinions.
Lighten up your approach. You might make someone's day, and they might return the favor. You never know.
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So, you've already chosen to run from your problems instead of confronting them. Then, I have nothing further to say.
for the record, that's MY frustration.
As a human, you only think you deserve better than that, but that's simple folly and arrogance. You think you're better than all other life on this planet that you should be free from hardship where they are not? If only life were that simple. If only.
Yes, Mr. Bekkler; I know. I'm an asshole and a piece of shit and should not say such things to other people because it hurts their delicate sensitivities. Spare me.
Sorry for the double post everyone else. But yes, you predicted my response correctly. Asshole.
Can't even take a hint.
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No, it is your perception that I'm being negative. You should question why you perceive me to be negative when I'm just sitting here calmly and relating to you simple truths. I see how she's reacting to this now; and how you're reacting to it and how others are reacting to it; but you all will think about and consider the full weight of my words in the days, years, decades to come that you live your lives. As time goes on, they will stick in your subconscious and grow until you forget who originally said them to you; you will begin to see wisdom in them as you live and experience more of life and you will be able to make use of what I said, because your subconscious will have constantly been working on it in the background, without you even noticing.
In 5; maybe 10 years time; some of the people here, their lives will be different than they would have been if I had never been here. Some peoples lives may be worse, having taken the wrong things from what I said; but some will be better, having taken the right things. I'm not negative, I'm just blunt and to the point.
And, I know I'm not right 100% of the time. I'm just like any other human. Unlike other humans, though; I have been given exorbitant amounts of time to think and I have allowed myself to indulge in thought quite often; I have made a similar journey as that of Sajainta in my own life and through my own indulgence of thought, have worked my way through to a far better place. I know it's the only path through the darkness and that many won't find it or will turn back instead of following through; that's what makes it so important to sit here and cut through the bullshit and to tell them to keep fighting no matter what. And, if I have to make people angry at me to put a blaze to those embers again, I will. I will relight that inner fire so that they may learn through fighting me how to fight the demons that won't give them a chance to rest.
You think I'm going to stop giving good advice to people just because they lash out at me for doing so? Naw, been down that path; seen what people are like when they just want to avoid their problems instead of feeling things as they should. Had people straight up tear me apart because, like you, they thought I was being negative and attacking them when I wasn't attacking them at all.
"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act." ~George Orwell
I can take hints just fine. I don't always choose to do so.
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Fuck off, you're not wanted here.
And you're completely wrong. You've devolved into a parody of House MD.
Your words have no weight anymore. You have lost your good will. Give up.
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Fuck off, you're not wanted here.
And you're completely wrong. You've devolved into a parody of House MD.
Your words have no weight anymore. You have lost your good will. Give up.
Attaboy. Shoot the messenger. Why do my words trouble you so much if they carry no weight and if they are completely wrong? You feel it inside, don't you. Hide from it, pretend it's not there; that shame that all humans should feel. You're no better than anyone else. But don't twist my words; neither am I.
You've acted hastily and without thought and have issued words that were purposefully designed to be hurtful to defend against words that were issued and designed to be helpful and only accidentally became hurtful because of your reaction to them. Be ashamed of that.
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You've acted hastily and without thought and have issued words that were purposefully designed to be hurtful to defend against words that were issued and designed to be helpful and only accidentally became hurtful because of your reaction to them.
Nah man, your words became hurtful when I threw up because of violent flashbacks early this morning. You intended to be helpful but what you said involuntarily riled up my PTSD* and reminded me of some terrible shit my abusers have said to me.
Why do my words trouble you so much if they carry no weight and if they are completely wrong?
Maybe because Bekkler is my friend and he's mad that something you said hurt his friend?
* Technically C-PTSD but not a lot of people know what that is, but since I'm a persnickety bitch I have to include this addendum even if no one cares.
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I understand PTSD a good amount and I am truly sorry my words came off as hurtful. PTSD and so many other disorders can be fought against and you can win ground. It's a bitch and I'm not saying any differently. You're afraid, which is entirely natural, but you may not even be aware that you're afraid anymore, because you're not afraid of what you used to be; now you're afraid of life without the baggage. You're afraid that you will never be free from it, so what's the point of fighting?
It's all in your head, as much as people hate to hear that. We will probably bear the scars on our souls from the wounds we've received our entire lives. Like a physical wound, long after it's made, it will come back as a ghost pain. It's not really there any more, but you still feel it. It's the moments in between those moments that are worth fighting for.
I love people; even the ones I don't know. I love you and Mr. Bekkler, too. Come tomorrow, if you were to come to me as a friend, you would be received as one without hard feelings for the words of today or yesterday. I've learned to let go of pain and not to dwell on things I shouldn't, though I'm not perfect at it. It takes repetition and a lot of work that I put in over the past 8 years; almost a decade. People are just people; words are just words. You're both upset and angry right now and it's not really at me or what I'm saying; it's at the things in your own lives that you keep bottled up instead of expressing them and moving on.
Would you still wish to be my friend tomorrow, or would you still hate me for what I said today, even though it wasn't said with ill intent? That's what it boils down to. I don't have many friends, but the ones I do have are all able to be honest with themselves. If we were sitting side by side in real life, I probably would have found a better way to phrase all of this; a way you would have been more likely to receive pleasantly. That's due to the body language you put off in real life that isn't so apparent here. I catch brief snippets of emotions, whereas in real life, they're pretty vibrant and tangible as soon as I enter a room.
When it comes down to it; will you still be there when all the words have been said, or will you turn inward and curl up like a dying flower whose beauty has shined on the world and whose time has passed. Live while you're alive. Let go of the shit that don't matter; and honey, the past don't matter anymore. What matters is the present and what you intend to make of the future.
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Fuck off, you're not wanted here.
And you're completely wrong. You've devolved into a parody of House MD.
Your words have no weight anymore. You have lost your good will. Give up.
Attaboy. Shoot the messenger. Why do my words trouble you so much if they carry no weight and if they are completely wrong? You feel it inside, don't you. Hide from it, pretend it's not there; that shame that all humans should feel. You're no better than anyone else. But don't twist my words; neither am I.
You've acted hastily and without thought and have issued words that were purposefully designed to be hurtful to defend against words that were issued and designed to be helpful and only accidentally became hurtful because of your reaction to them. Be ashamed of that.
Me? Ashamed? Take your own advice and look at yourself. I have nothing to feel ashamed for. I haven't hurt anyone without provocation. Sajainta is not only completely innocent, but also has enough problems to worry about without you deciding to make yourself one of them.
From my perspective you are projecting your feelings about yourself onto Sajainta undeservedly and giving advice to her that you yourself won't take, all fo some misguided idea that you're the same. Each of your replies has been less and less helpful, which shows this faux "good samaritan/good advice" persona to be a total farce.
You do NOT blame the victim for the crime. And right now, NO, you are NOT helping anyone, you're no messenger, and you are NOT right.
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Fuck off, you're not wanted here.
And you're completely wrong. You've devolved into a parody of House MD.
Your words have no weight anymore. You have lost your good will. Give up.
Attaboy. Shoot the messenger. Why do my words trouble you so much if they carry no weight and if they are completely wrong? You feel it inside, don't you. Hide from it, pretend it's not there; that shame that all humans should feel. You're no better than anyone else. But don't twist my words; neither am I.
You've acted hastily and without thought and have issued words that were purposefully designed to be hurtful to defend against words that were issued and designed to be helpful and only accidentally became hurtful because of your reaction to them. Be ashamed of that.
Me? Ashamed? Take your own advice and look at yourself. I have nothing to feel ashamed for. I haven't hurt anyone without provocation. Sajainta is not only completely innocent, but also has enough problems to worry about without you deciding to make yourself one of them.
From my perspective you are projecting your feelings about yourself onto Sajainta undeservedly and giving advice to her that you yourself won't take, all fo some misguided idea that you're the same. Each of your replies has been less and less helpful, which shows this faux "good samaritan/good advice" persona to be a total farce.
You do NOT blame the victim for the crime. And right now, NO, you are NOT helping anyone, you're no messenger, and you are NOT right.
Son, nobody is completely innocent; I am not blaming the victim for what was done to them; I am blaming them for what they have done to others because of what was done to them; because that was their choice, nobody elses.
You can think what you want to think, but it doesn't make it any more right than what you view me to be saying, does it. If you actually took time to consider the full weight of my words instead of posting in a heat of irrational anger, you may actually see the value of what I'm saying. But then again, you may not. People have been so indoctrinated to this faulty method of thinking that you and others perpetuate without even realizing you perpetuate it that I've learned not to expect too much from other people.
You have a lot to be ashamed about and you know it. I may not know it, but you definitely do. I'll feel ashamed for the things that give me cause to be ashamed. I have said or done nothing here that I should be ashamed of. When you calm down, you will probably realize this, but I don't expect an apology for it. Too few people are willing to give an apology or admit that they were wrong at all. Convince me that I'm wrong and I will feel shame for it; I will apologize more than I have already done.
Now, I'm pretty sure we're done here. Another mountain made out of a molehill due to peoples skewed perceptions and I probably am partly to blame for that, but at least I accept responsibility for the mere possibility of it instead of saying things without thought or heedence toward that possibility. I'm prepared to be wrong; are you?
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I don't hate you. I never said I did. I see you as neither a friend nor an enemy. You're a random person whom I do not know and that's the entire extent of it and that's how it will remain. Please don't refer to me with terms of affection like "honey"; I find that unnerving and creepy from strangers and it is triggering.
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Idioticidioms, I'm done. If I'm not getting through then it's not worth talking to you anymore.
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You're getting through to me, Bekkler; I understand you just fine. You're the one who's not understanding what I'm saying, because it's so completely different from the lines you think on.
And Sajainta, I find it very sad that you think that way; because people should be able to trust strangers. That's why I endeavor to make the world a better place by speaking my mind, being as honest as I can and helping other people when and where I can. Of course, I can't help everyone and I realize that, but I'm still going to try. The world is a scary place and is only getting scarier the more people stay in negative frames of thought. That is why I can not afford to be like you or like Mr. Bekkler there. I was, once, like that. There is no room for self in me; there is no room to allow bad things to have control over me; because so many people do so and think only of themselves.
This world is bigger than my problems; bigger than your problems. Our problems are the problems of the rest of the humanity, so if we can solve our own problems, then we stand a chance of fixing what's wrong with society so nobody else has to go through what we went through in our lives. Do you understand? Do YOU understand, Bekkler? Obviously, the majorities' way of doing things isn't working that great. As long as we keep doing the same things over and over, nothing is going to change. I've decided to be that change. You can, too. You can be anything you want to be; so why be sad or angry?
and it's so nice that you're done after I was done, so you could get that last parting shot in. I know it makes you feel better about yourself, so after this post, I'll let you do so.
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;)
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Hey guys, I'm locking this thread for a day because it looks like a cooldown period might be worthwhile. I've only briefly glanced over the last few pages and won't weigh in until I get a better look. In the meantime, if a sounding board would be of help to anyone, please feel free to reach out to me over PM.
--
Okay, thread unlocked.
After reading through the last few pages here, and the fallout of this discussion elsewhere, I'd like to raise an issue that I hope everyone will consider going forward. This goes to the core of what it means to be a community.
I think it's important to recognize a difference between "comfort" and "safety."
Comfort is, like, what happens when everyone's politically correct on every issue, and we mind our Ps and Qs to an insane level for fear that we're going to offend each other. We sit on heavenly clouds and play harps and generally agree how cool Magus is. It may not be particularly conducive to discussion that's intellectually fulfilling. Comfort, then, is kind of expected to go out the window once some debate starts up on an Internet forum.
Safety is freedom from being harassed, both in the sense of repetitive pot-shots and in the sense of being repeatedly confronted with something you've indicated is deeply disturbing. I think of safety kind of like, there's this big green button you can push to make a painful situation stop. Or maybe the big green button buys you the breathing room you need. There's the "logoff" button, true, but if that's all we're relying on, I don't think we're a community in any meaningful sense. Safety is every community member's right, and something we all need to respect.
I know I haven't gone into the depth this facet of online community life deserves, so I hope we can develop it further, and clarify it. In a well functioning community, safety is something we should be able to maintain spontaneously by just backing off once the line's been crossed. Sometimes it's hard to see in the heat of the moment, and sometimes we stumble across that line completely by accident. It happens. But once it's pretty clear that it's happened, the person who stepped over that line needs to put the breaks on and give the other community member some room. Even if this idea makes some members uncomfortable, I think them's just got to be the rules.
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A very close friend is in a terrible, terrible situation and I hate that I can't do more to help her. She lives hundreds of miles away and I've sent her money to help her escape her current situation, but that's all the money I can give. And all that I can do other than that is be there for her as best I can. I would offer her to come stay with me for the rest of the summer but this place has become dangerous and I won't see any of my friends needlessly put in harm's way. It is so frustrating that she is hurting and that I cannot do more.
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I don't mean to pry (especially since it might be private between you two), but what kind of situation is she in? (I don't want to assume anything here)
Because it sounds incredibly familiar...
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I want to respect her privacy as much as possible, but suffice to say she's in a very precarious living situation at the moment and does not have the means to escape. Why does it sound familiar?
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I want to respect her privacy as much as possible, but suffice to say she's in a very precarious living situation at the moment and does not have the means to escape. Why does it sound familiar?
Well, because that somehow sounds like a state of poverty to me, where it's not just the lack of finance that becomes problematic but also the environment which negatively influences both the physiology and the psychology of the person living there. Hence the need to escape.
I'm sure there may be other reasons, perhaps more or less grave than this, but that's all that struck my mind for now. The reason it sounded familiar was because some of my close relatives -- and friends -- went through these situations. The only ways they actually survived was, not exactly "getting a job" (as most people complain), but thanks to their will to move to newer locations and with help from those who they knew and/or befriended. Employments are all well and good, but you'd always need a helping hand to make it easier to climb back up without bruising yourself.
And hence I can only sympathize that she's so far away, and that you can't help her currently.
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I would wager that she'd be considered poor by American standards. The reason she needs to escape is that the person she's living with is abusive.
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The reason she needs to escape is that the person she's living with is abusive.
There's only one logical solution to that, and it's almost always the right one:
RUN! NOW!! CALL THE POLICE!! Get help from family! Get an army of friends!
Living with abusive blokes is so not cool!
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"Almost always."
Yes, you're right. Not always. I don't want to go into detail about why her contacting the authorities before having a safe place to stay is a bad idea, because that would be disrespecting her privacy.
Edit: Ahhh, that's not to say one shouldn't contact the police in cases of domestic abuse, that is obviously the most logical solution in most cases and is the easiest way to get help. I'm just saying that in this specific situation it's not a good idea, but I can't go into more detail than that. If I knew the police would help I would have called them already.
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Yep, I totally understand the almost. This is India, after all. People trust the police even less than criminals here.
And hence why I mentioned getting support from family and building an army of friends (after all, there's strength in numbers). I also found this video to be quite enlightening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwNr0eQmmuI), and I think you'd benefit from it in some way, if not entirely. (These guys and girls do their research quite thoroughly in order to ensure we get the best advise possible, especially in desperate situations.)
But assuming that one of the reasons she can't leave her environs or do something about her situation quickly is that she hasn't any support from family and friends (or worst case scenario, she hasn't any family or friend):
Does America have NGOs that help abuse victims? They basically provide urgent refuge for these victims while ensuring that the authorities take this case seriously; heck, they'd shake heaven and earth to ensure that justice is served. India has these NGOs (though admittedly not available at every place) and they've managed to save countless women from the obviously rising cases of misogyny in the backward sectors in the country. So I think in a First World country such as America you might have something equivalent to that too.
But in case you don't, then WellCast's suggestions for 911 or National Domestic Violence Hotline could help too.
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There are shelters for domestic abuse victims here in America, which sounds similar to NGOs. They provide shelter and safety from the abuser and offer legal services. D (who is also a friend of hers) and I have looked for ones in her area and I really hope she takes advantage of those resources. But I can't make any decisions for her (especially since I'm hundreds of miles away), I can only be there to listen and try to help her through this as best I can, when I can.
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Just recently, the Pakistani student Malala Yousafzai has become by hero (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/12/malala-yousafzai-un-taliban-militants-speech) for defying Taliban's laws of forbidding education for females. She was shot in the head, survived, and still continued to defy the Taliban as a public figure, all for the sake of global education.
However, the person responsible for the assassination attempt on her said something that quite disturbed me...
"If you were shot [by] Americans in a drone attack, would [the] world have ever heard updates on your medical status? … Would you were called to UN? Would a Malala day be announced?"
And strangely? I think (with the emphasis on "think")... that he might be right. At least in light of Edward Snowden's explanation on the U.S. Government's information control, and the collateral damage at Afghanistan and other areas.
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WHY are nice shoes for girls so goddamn painful?! Is it too much to ask for some dress shoes that don't slice into your feet like knives? I have never been able to find a set of heeled shoes or even fancy flats that didn't cut up my feet and make me hobble around and look like I was crippled after taking them off.
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WHY are nice shoes for girls so goddamn painful?! Is it too much to ask for some dress shoes that don't slice into your feet like knives?
I think that's why they call them Stilettos (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiletto).
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I'm not even talking about stilettos. I have never owned a pair of stilettos. I'm talking about plain old shoes that you wear with a skirt or a nice pair of pants. Even the most flat and mundane skirt-worthy shoes will kill your feet. It's one of the incredibly shitty things that come with being a girl.
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Blame the Kings of France. Everything screwy about fashion that can't be blamed on Queen Victoria was their fault. Well, except the 1970s, but I've always been of the opinion they were a mass hallucination anyway. ;P
My frustration? Picked up a cold at work, despite it being the middle of summer. Two weeks now, and I'm still coughing.
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I do apologize, I meant it a... weird joke. XD
Strangely enough, I'm not sure if other women in India (or Europe) have had that problem... *Gets out and asks people about it, probably knocking at their doors in the middle of the night, grabbing their collars and demanding answers*
Blame the Kings of France.
Or the traditional Chinese. That's where I last heard of the "break your feet to look good" idea for women.
Anywho, my frustration: multiple, actually.
Warning! Emotional baggage coming ahead.
1) Being in India SUCKS! Constant power-outages nearly made me miss my demo-date (which is today, and I managed so finish it a mere hour before the presentation.... it's freaking half-past-six in the morning, and I haven't caught a wink yet). They KNOW that frequent long-drawn power cuts is a problem here, but nobody bothers to do a damn about it. (Half a city across, if such a problem occurs, they fix it permanently IMMEDIATELY.) I wonder why.
2) A politician in India (again) says that "a person can have a full meal for Rs. 12". And he intends to support the dropping of poverty line to such a level that even slum-dwellers would seem "rich" and wouldn't be able to benefit from the welfare.
....yeah. I really wonder where these people, considering they can afford private jets to fly them everywhere, get their statistics.
3) My PC, which I hand-picked almost seven years ago, has served me well so far but is already beginning to show its age. Especially when rendering. It's no longer suitable for production work, apparently, but works "just fine" for everything else (even gaming). And I have no money to buy a new PC.
4) My phone... Touchscreen barely works, and I've just got Rs. 2 left in my wallet. So repair costs, let alone "buying a new phone", is out of the question.
5) I freaking miss my girlfriend. I can't even hug her due to the vast spacetime gap between us.
But hey, on the bright-side, I'm not dead! At least I'm not in the Uttarkhand area, where countless people have suffered floods and landslides, completely forsaken by the leaders of our nations. So I guess that's something, huh? Guess I should be thankful for my chance.
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Blame the Kings of France. Everything screwy about fashion that can't be blamed on Queen Victoria was their fault.
This makes me happy I decided to wear my "Committee of Public Safety: Established 1793" shirt today.
Edit: Ahh I am at my Day of Lavos post!
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11:34 :30:10: error 17
Hell of ejturity
A-1 Human image
c-14 character feind : eye, mouth, nose, ear, nail, hair
E-3 error - 47 tease fly free , deaf and speak 64
C-14 Dream - 17 fly knocker
C-14 light- 0 spiritual item
C-14 shadow- 0 box so item
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Edit: Ahh I am at my Day of Lavos post!
And now you've just survived the darkness!
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Monster audition today. Felt great going in. Needless to say, it wound up like this.
[youtube]jVjgY427qW8[/youtube]
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I'm getting paid to edit my father's doctoral student's essays for grammar and clarity and oh are they painful to read!
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There are not enough hours in the day.
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There are not enough hours in the day.
I feel yea. But strangely, when we were kids, we used to think "There are TOO MANY hours in a day". XD
We might need to do something about it.
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Jim Ross retired today. You may or may not know that I love me some pro graps. And "Good Ol' JR" was a voice that carried a lot of my youth. And eventually morphed into a homage-like constant impression of the man. He called matches that were defining moments of my youth. And it's sad to see him step away, maybe on his terms but not going out like he should. Yah it's tough to do and can get convoluted (and asinine) but there is a throughline of a story told every single Monday going back to January 1993 and still continues now. Jim Ross was a big part of that.
Silly? No doubt about it. But it's a reminder of the constant motion of life. We get older and things change. But we'll have the memories.
Well, before I get all emotional and existential over a wrestling announcer...thanks Jim. By Gawd he's been broken in half!!!!
(http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/superstar_bio/public/talent/bio/2012/02/jim_ross_bio.png)
So good, his voice is used for anything monster related in sports.
[youtube]aCRZteu1H4w[/youtube]
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Aaaaand we're done
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In something more serious
Just found out the girl I've been seeing for a few months used to be a webcam girl for a fetish site. And it sucks. Because I'm pretty sure I'm not getting the whole story. I had lots of red flags from the get go, which subsided. Only now they're stronger than ever after this. I'm pretty sure I haven't gotten the whole story at all from her.
Obviously she wasn't thrilled to tell me. And I'm far from perfect, but this can't be someone I share my life with in long term. Or short term really, for that matter.
And it sucks.
A man must have a code.
Yikes! That's certainly a bummer. And yes, a man must have a code. (A woman must too, in that sense.)
But I'm sure you talked to her about it? Was her reason behind her last trade something due to desperation, or equivalent? As in, financial burden of some kind, or something?
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Aaaand we're done.
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So after more discussion she said it wasn't for the money and that she really enjoyed it.
Good riddance.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-24/swiss-voters-reject-strictest-executive-pay-limits.html
Idiots. The Swiss choose to stay owned. It's tragic when people vote against their own interests in democracies.
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My greatest fear... is not being given a chance to explain myself. Not being forgiven for making a mistake. Not being understood.
Don't get me wrong, I encourage criticism towards me. I ENCOURAGE reasonable antagonisms. Sure, sometimes I just bat it away at first, but eventually I grow to realize it and value it, even though the realization may be much more than what the criticism was in its original stage. It takes time, but I get there. And such instances, especially here at the Compendium, has helped me grow and become more aware of the world I live in. That, and books which challenged my thoughts time and again, compassionately and gently. (I don't respond well to aggressive means; they do more damage than good.)
But that's not the point. My point is that, ever since a child, I've always been punished for failing at anything, as if failing itself is a great sin. It's not, though; failing is a friend from which we always learn, but nobody else seems to understand that. They worship those who have succeeded, and look down upon those who have failed. Not to mention that, as a child, I was far too underdeveloped compared to others my age, and they took me for being inhuman. So likely chances are that I'll screw up with something, and I want to feel sorry for it and apologize... but I'm never given a chance to do so.
But even if now that I have developed sufficiently to make the least amount of mistakes possible, now that I "can" create my own opportunities to apologize and still rebel for the right to express when I need... Strangely, nobody gives a damn.
It's hard being an artist. That's because, even though I write stories for myself -- for the sake of building my own creative playground -- I want to tell somebody these stories. I want to entertain someone. I want to sweep people off their feed with ideas they couldn't ever imagine. I want to make them feel the speed and energy of the stars while remaining in their comfy chairs, while I prance around on top of tables and chairs, talking poetically about things "that could have been, and still are where we never notice". Some people enjoy these stories, and others... don't actually give a damn because I'm a nobody and they don't have the time.
And if I haven't succeeded in sweeping them off their feet, then it only means that I'm just not good enough as an artist. I need to work harder to hone my craft.
Not to mention that I'm a nerd. Nobody finds us nerds "cool". In fact, not even fellow nerds would appreciate me, because of my eccentricities.
Sometimes when I write a story that I really WANT to write, I question: does it really even matter? Nobody's interested in them anyway.
But that was the same thing Neil Gaiman thought when he was writing Sandman, and it wasn't until the book was published that he gained people to appreciate his art, giving him even more encouragement.
Art is hard. Inherently difficult. It's like being born out of "nothing", springing out energetically from the void.
But I need to keep moving. After publishing I may either succeed or fail. But if I don't work towards it I will INEVITABLY fail.
I'll be going to a poetry slam tomorrow, to hopefully become a part of a bigger community of like-minded poets in our city. This should, hopefully, also popularize the art of Spoken Word (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoken_word) in our country. And I'd be proud to be one of those few who started it all.
If you don't know what that is.... are you REALLY living in America, that you don't know what's going on in your backyard? Blimey, Spoken Word is THE neo-American culture one can always get behind! What's wrong with you?!
[youtube]gu_PQBmk-6c[/youtube]
[youtube]S2Ks06Al8c0[/youtube]
[youtube]GAx845QaOck[/youtube]
[youtube]NW4VvIhhCIM[/youtube]
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When I cook the most elaborate dish I've made in weeks, and from the very first taste I can tell it doesn't agree with me, and now I've got like 90 pounds of leftovers that I have almost no desire to eat.
#WhyMe
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Drive down to Chattanooga and you can dine at my table! What'd you make?!?!
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Sad that Samsung DeX can't handle NTFS external HDDs. Looks like I'll just have to get a tiny PC to take with me to work, since I basically live in the office these days. Work laptop can't write to external media.
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Drive down to Chattanooga and you can dine at my table! What'd you make?!?!
Chicken tarragon. Usually it comes out well, but this time...I dunno. Just not digging it. Might be more of a Fickle Tummy thing than anything wrong with the dish. Maybe there's something I got subtly wrong with the seasoning.
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Sounds good!
I grilled out yesterday for Memorial Day (or rather, grilled in, since it was raining). Roasted carrots, homemade french fries, green beans, deviled eggs, the whole shebang. If you're still hungry, we have leftovers! :D
And I ended up saving some of the ground beef, so we're doing tacos tonight or tomorrow!
I love cooking. It's therapeutic for me. :)
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Ugh, I'd say, it sucks having a class where pretty much every other guy but you has pretty much decided to walk out of it (as in, they are no longer going to attend). Admitedly, they have no chances to pass which is why they're doing it; but still, that's not a reason to pretty much leave me alone in there. Considering the work at this point is now stuff to be done in teams. Well, the whole class is a single team.
Worst of all, they don't even want to tell the teacher about it! They just plan to no longer attend the class or even explain so. I'd feel more frustrated about it if it wasn't that they are pouring effot into the other classes, which also have class-wide work to do.
Man, it's too stressful... at least it's the last classes of my career...
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Man, it's too stressful... at least it's the last classes of my career...
Hang in there! What are you studying?
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Hang in there! What are you studying?
Mechatronics Engineering. This year is my last, hopefully; and I can finally place the struggle of 7 years behind me (not all were in Mechatronics, though, I took Aerospatial Engineering fresh out of High School, but ultimately failed after 4 years). Overall, I can't really say I've liked the 2010's much...
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Hang in there! Almost done!
I studied Communications in college. I did two years in Biochem, hated all the math in chemistry, and opted for Communication because of a girl I thought was cute, hahaha... I regret it. Communications was mostly worthless. I hate marketing, I did a stint in an advertising firm and it all felt so fake.
I am lucky I fell into what I'm doing now, which is information management. I've been able to do a little bit of business analysis work, some development work, Agile leadership work, and now I'm fully into the project management side.
I wish I had done something more focused like you're doing. :)
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My computer won't start. Fuck.
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Uh oh. Unplug everything from the motherboard and try again. I've had it happen once or twice and for some reason just resetting all the wires seemed to get me going again.
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From what I can tell, it's a Windows issue and I'll have to reinstall it.
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Reinstalling Windows worked, but now I have to restore everything else. Fuck.
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:(
That sucks. I'm sorry. Do you partition your harddrives to avoiding losing stuff? Or have multiple hard drives or something else?
Hopefully it's just the inconvenience of reinstalling and losing settings.
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No data loss, but I lost all my programs. I do have multiple drives, but they aren't mirrored or anything. Drive 2 is all my video for streaming through Plex.
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No data loss, but I lost all my programs. I do have multiple drives, but they aren't mirrored or anything. Drive 2 is all my video for streaming through Plex.
I guess that means it'll take awhile before you examine those unused sounds.
j/k
technical difficulties suck, hopefully this will get worked out. redundancy is key, and it's easier than ever to make backups with the cloud, flash drives, etc.
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I had forgotten that little bit.
Most of my key programs are back. Still missing a few, but they can wait.
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Ugh, Mauron, I'm sorry. I hate computer issues, they suck ass! I'm sorry you had to go through so much. Reinstalling an operating system is soooo time consuming.
I've been having computer issues all week at work. For 2 days I wasn't able to be on the phone for 45 minutes each day due to system issues. Then yesterday my left monitor was flashing black. I'm hoping it's fixed now. If it's not the IT guy told me to tell him and he'll give me a new one. Computer issues suck!
I hope today is going better for you Mauron!
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I haven't had any luck getting Geiger's SNES9x working again, which is a pain. I'll have to switch to BSNES+.
Apart from that, things are running pretty smoothly now, apart from needing to reinstall stuff still.
At least with work computers there's someone handy to fix everything. :P
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Current bitching from Boo:
So I'm a contractor. I have been for about 4 years at a Fortune 500 company. Up until about a year and a half ago, I worked in a part of Information Management that is 90% contractors, with an abysmal contractor-to-FTE conversion rate. The pay was good, I had flexibility in changing job roles / orgs / different projects, so if things got stagnant or icky I could move on with minimal effort in regards to applying and interviewing.
All in all, I built a solid reputation and 1.5 years ago was headhunted to go to a non-IM org and bring in some of my expertise with project management. They offered to eventually convert me to FTE when they were able, one year max, and we had a handshake agreement for a nice bump in pay and hefty bonuses. I had a friend in that org who loved it, loved the management, and she couldn't sing enough praises for it. So... I went for it.
A year and a half later I have no FTE. None of it was in writing, so there's no really any recourse on my end. We have been undergoing a reorg for about four months, and there's been a ton of unease all around. There are no open positions, no budget, and no way to convert me. They keep asking me to stay, they promise they will when they are able.
To be honest, I'll definitely be making more money if I get converted. I'll also have that nice bonus (which, even at the lowest amount due to tenure, is like 5%+ of base salary). My benefits will also be cheaper.
But I'm getting frustrated. It's like a carrot dangled in front of me and I have no actual timeline to believe in.
I really like the people and the work. But I know I could be making more as an FTE employee, whether here or elsewhere (the contractor versus FTE argument is not always true; contractors don't usually make more money unless you have a very specific skill set, and oftentimes we're treated as second-rate citizens). There's also been another opportunity knocking, but I don't really trust it. It would mean more money, but more than likely more stress and less work-life balance. And it's in a different industry (manufacturing), which is a shrinking industry.
Do I take this random opportunity with good pay and potentially more unhappiness, or do I stay where I am and continue to hold on to hope that they will finally make the conversion happen?
I feel lost and unsure of the right path. It's frustrating.
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It's very unfortunate that you seem stuck in this situation. What is your end game? What do you want to be doing in ten years? Does it work well with your family life? Always think long term; also stress/unhappiness is never a good choice because it makes you.... well..... stressed and unhappy :P
I have taken this advice to heart. I don't work in the most well-paying industry: Hospitality. But my hours are great (7-3) and I have job security with some alright benefits. I get to see my family for a nice amount of my day, and it works well for me. I'm not saying this is for everybody but I talk with a lot of high powered execs with tons of money that travel a lot and the one thing they all agree on is that they wished they spent more time with their family and less time with their careers because in the end their careers became just another thing in their life.
I hope this helps. Whatyever you choose, make sure it's what you want, not what you THINK you want, or what society TELLS you that you want.
Good luck.
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I'm in a similar position Boo. I mean, I was technically converted but I'm on part-time status so it's really not much different. I did get insurance through my husband but it's costing us so much money. Also, his boss is being a jerk lately and my husband is getting fed up with it, which I don't blame him. For me, I really like my job and the people I work with. I'm pretty happy here, I just hate that I'm working all these hours and it's not going towards anything. For me also, it's difficult because I'm told I'm high on the list to be made FT but my boss is always talking about how he has too many full-time people. So like you, there's no timeline. I understand the frustration. I like the company and the coworkers so I stay.
So this is my thought: have you thought of using this opportunity you have as a bargaining chip? I mean, maybe if they know someone else is interested in you maybe they'll convert you. Anyway it's just an idea. I'm in a similar boat and I've been burned so much by work over the past couple of years I'm content to be at a place I'm happy at, even if it means I wait. How long I will wait... that I don't know.
I wish you the best of luck, please keep us updated!
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Just from the way you describe the situation, Boo (i.e., I could be super wrong), it sounds like there's actually a correct answer here: You should keep the current job. The few percentage points of pay increase are nothing compared to a job you like and coworkers you like. Could it be that what's troubling you deep-down is the sense that you're missing out on something better? Because if so, the solution for that is a lot more complicated than whatever choice you make in this case.
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You know what the psychologists and whoever that study this consistently say? After around 75k a year... probably depends on cost of living where you are, etc... Happiness doesn't really go up. It's like, once you're comfortable, no worry about the bill collectors, you can, within reason, do what you want, buy what you want, in the day-to-day sense of things... people don't get any happier.
So, forward momentum is good, but in my opinion, not at the cost of work-life balance, to use a trendy phrase. For me, the only job I'd want to do more than 40 hrs a week (30 or 20, if we're being honest), is the kind of thing I do even without getting paid. So, I'm working on that, but in the meantime, I do what I must without going insane.
Now, if everything I just wrote makes your upper lip curl slightly and your nose wrinkle, this isn't the path for you. But! If you found your head slightly nodding as you read it, maybe your focus sharpened as the words became images in your mind... well, think about it.
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A year and a half later I have no FTE. None of it was in writing, so there's no really any recourse on my end. We have been undergoing a reorg for about four months, and there's been a ton of unease all around. There are no open positions, no budget, and no way to convert me. They keep asking me to stay, they promise they will when they are able.
To be honest, I'll definitely be making more money if I get converted. I'll also have that nice bonus (which, even at the lowest amount due to tenure, is like 5%+ of base salary). My benefits will also be cheaper.
But I'm getting frustrated. It's like a carrot dangled in front of me and I have no actual timeline to believe in.
Speaking strictly from a business point of view, and not knowing ANYTHING about your situation or company except what you've posted, I would be extremely cautious of this company.
I've seen it time and time again, big companies promising benefits and pay raises, then they milk someone dry all the while promising it's coming down the pipeline until they finally let you go and say it just didn't work out. Now, I'm not saying that this is your situation, but if they are unwilling to put anything in writing, then that's a huge red flag in my book.
If it were me, and I loved the potential job, I would be willing to be a bit flexible and willing to give them some more time on the condition that they put in writing their intentions and a timeline for converting me to the position we initially agreed on. If they refuse to do that I would seriously consider moving on.
Just my two cents!
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Yeah, so update from Boo:
I pretty much decided to stay up. I love the current org I'm in, even if they haven't converted me in the time they originally promised. I get to work from home, I'm really good at the work, and have a very positive reputation. They've even offered to transfer me to a BPE role so they can convert me faster when they are able (since this switches where my contractor budget comes from).
There was an email on Friday to managers that "Boo is next in line for FTE. End of story." in response to other managers starting to push for their people to get FTE conversions (which snowballed because my boss raised the issue).
I did do a final interview at the second company that is trying to recruit me, but even if they offer it, I'm not going to take it. It's a 45 minute one-way drive. I've done that before, and it sucks. Plus that's an hour and a half of unpaid time away from my children 5 days a week. And the upward mobility doesn't seem to be there due to it being a smaller manufacturing company.
In the long run, the pay is equivalent, it's just a matter of now versus later. I can hold out another six months or so, and if I still don't have FTE in my current job role, I can split without burning any bridges (given the circumstances of them having still not converted me) and can go to another job and make the money I should be working.
Six months is allI will continue to wait for, though.
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Yeah, so update from Boo:
I pretty much decided to stay up. I love the current org I'm in, even if they haven't converted me in the time they originally promised. I get to work from home, I'm really good at the work, and have a very positive reputation. They've even offered to transfer me to a BPE role so they can convert me faster when they are able (since this switches where my contractor budget comes from).
There was an email on Friday to managers that "Boo is next in line for FTE. End of story." in response to other managers starting to push for their people to get FTE conversions (which snowballed because my boss raised the issue).
I did do a final interview at the second company that is trying to recruit me, but even if they offer it, I'm not going to take it. It's a 45 minute one-way drive. I've done that before, and it sucks. Plus that's an hour and a half of unpaid time away from my children 5 days a week. And the upward mobility doesn't seem to be there due to it being a smaller manufacturing company.
In the long run, the pay is equivalent, it's just a matter of now versus later. I can hold out another six months or so, and if I still don't have FTE in my current job role, I can split without burning any bridges (given the circumstances of them having still not converted me) and can go to another job and make the money I should be working.
Six months is allI will continue to wait for, though.
Sounds like you've thought it through and have a solid plan! If the pay is the same and yoyou can leave whenever on good terms, it sounds like you're making a good decision! Best of luck!
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Well, the pay won't be the same NOW. Just after the contractor-to-FTE conversion. That could be another six months, which sucks.
But long-term it's the better path. Less immediate benefit, but from a mental health headspace, it's the better of the two options.
I still wish I found that "special something" I was really passionate about and could flip that into a career.
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I get that. It's important to have your job be at least bearable. haha Honestly, there really isn't that "special something" where work is always fun...at least not in my experience.
I love what I do, and would consider it my dream job, but there are still days where I would rather do ANYTHING else then to go sit at my computer and compose.
Either way, I hope the conversion comes sooner than later for you. Having that extra pay boost can really reinvigorate a person!
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Yeah, so update from Boo:
I pretty much decided to stay up. I love the current org I'm in, even if they haven't converted me in the time they originally promised. I get to work from home, I'm really good at the work, and have a very positive reputation. They've even offered to transfer me to a BPE role so they can convert me faster when they are able (since this switches where my contractor budget comes from).
There was an email on Friday to managers that "Boo is next in line for FTE. End of story." in response to other managers starting to push for their people to get FTE conversions (which snowballed because my boss raised the issue).
I did do a final interview at the second company that is trying to recruit me, but even if they offer it, I'm not going to take it. It's a 45 minute one-way drive. I've done that before, and it sucks. Plus that's an hour and a half of unpaid time away from my children 5 days a week. And the upward mobility doesn't seem to be there due to it being a smaller manufacturing company.
In the long run, the pay is equivalent, it's just a matter of now versus later. I can hold out another six months or so, and if I still don't have FTE in my current job role, I can split without burning any bridges (given the circumstances of them having still not converted me) and can go to another job and make the money I should be working.
Six months is allI will continue to wait for, though.
That sounds like a good, solid plan. I don't blame you for wanting to wait no longer than 6 months, I wouldn't want to either. However, that email sounds promising, so hopefully it'll happen soon for you. Please keep us posted!
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Sorry for the double post, but I need to post something I'm frustrated about today.
So for those who don't know, I work in a call center. I've been having computer issues on and off for the last week. Well today my phone isn't ringing. I've missed calls because I was helping someone else and wasn't watching my screen when my call came in. I emailed the right people but haven't heard back. this is super frustrating and it's MONDAY which is our busy day!
Argh!! :o
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I know call centers can have insane metrics to meet (length of call, buzzwords, etc)... Surely you wouldn't be held liable for a malfunctioning computer (when you have a ticket in), would you?
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Not at where I work. Also, here I meet or exceed all goals so they know I wouldn't be doing it on purpose. There's also emails. So I'm good! I do have to say, this is the first call center where I'm BELOW handle time. It feels sooooo good! Honestly, the only "mark" I have against me is my attendance. If I never got sick, all my metrics would be perfect! Damn sickness!
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Welp, I don't really have many other people to talk to about this right now, so I'll share it with my old friends here. Turns out i'm getting evicted, despite paying rent and doing everything I was supposed to do (but hey, it happens to all of us at least once). I've been living in a spare bedroom with an elderly aunt, and I pay rent monthly, along with doing household duties, like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and any errands my aunt needs done.
However, she got a boyfriend a week and a half ago, so now I've been informed I have to leave so he can move in. It's her house, so I don't hold it against her, but it really puts me in a pickle. I just took a hefty pay cut three months ago at work, and because of that, my savings are now nil. At least I have until October to figure something out, but ugh, what timing...
Not to mention, I'm kind of worried about my aunt. She's kinda wealthy, and her boyfriend of 1.5 weeks that she's so in love with (and him, her, reportedly) does not inspire confidence in me that he'll actually take care of her.
Such is life, I guess.
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That's a shitty situation to be in. It sucks for you (did she give you until October to move out) and is quite unfair. You probably have legal standing regarding proper notification for "eviction" in your state, but of course one doesn't normally want to do that to their family.
That all being said, I would lay some groundwork with her regarding your relationship with your aunt and her expectations. For example - if they break up after you move out, it's very likely she'll ask you to move in again. Or even with this boyfriend, if they're both elderly, she may be asking for lots of help for the both of them (without moving back in). One can't have their cake and eat it, too, and it's not fair to whip you around (should it come to that; I'm hoping it doesn't).
I'd lay some groundwork when you realistically can to make sure you are protected from her screwing you over again. Not meaning that to be mean to her; she may not realize that she's doing it, but at the end of the day, you gotta do what's best for rushingwind, too.
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I'm just fucking frustrated that I couldn't finish a single artsy Dream Splash (let alone the animated one, for which I asked for the category of). That being said, live generally comes first, and I've been trying my best to become the only supporting financial pillar they'll ever need, and I finally got an opportunity to prove myself (interestingly, they were the ones who found me).
Still, so many personal things remain undone, especially the pitch I sent to Tapas, for which I haven't received a response for. But hell, if I can't get my own stuff off the ground, at the very least I'm going to help lift somebody else's stuff.
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Yeah, she lives in quite a rural place, some distance away from where I work. I sat her down and told her that once I move, I will have a lease wherever I'll be at and won't be moving back in. Also, it will be difficult for me to come check on her often.
But she's in lovey dovey mode, and thinks her new boyfriend will be forever. I guess it's not just teenagers who can go boy crazy, heh. Still, it's very irritating that she is pushing me out to move in her new boyfriend, especially with all I've done for her. It's her house, so like I said before, I totally understand she has the right. I'm just stressing out about the situation.
That's a shitty situation to be in. It sucks for you (did she give you until October to move out) and is quite unfair. You probably have legal standing regarding proper notification for "eviction" in your state, but of course one doesn't normally want to do that to their family.
That all being said, I would lay some groundwork with her regarding your relationship with your aunt and her expectations. For example - if they break up after you move out, it's very likely she'll ask you to move in again. Or even with this boyfriend, if they're both elderly, she may be asking for lots of help for the both of them (without moving back in). One can't have their cake and eat it, too, and it's not fair to whip you around (should it come to that; I'm hoping it doesn't).
I'd lay some groundwork when you realistically can to make sure you are protected from her screwing you over again. Not meaning that to be mean to her; she may not realize that she's doing it, but at the end of the day, you gotta do what's best for rushingwind, too.
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Well I have a frustration to share. I found out this week that basically I'm never going to be able to get full-time status at my job. My hours were cut again and I can't live off of what I'm making, plus I need and deserve the benefits! So now I'm job hunting. I'm hoping to have something new by the end of the month, I just sent my resume out yesterday. I really love where I work but if there's no chance of full-time it's just not worth staying here. Just sooo frustrating. Ugh. Also, I haven't been here as much lately because work has been so busy. Oh and I forgot to mention, the really frustrating part about all of this... there are people that got hired after me that have gotten full-time status, yet... here I am. They keep telling me I'm doing a great job, but actions are showing otherwise. I mean all my stats meet or exceed goal, so I don't understand. Anyway, I just had to share. One day things will calm down for me.
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Being a contractor sucks. You and I are having similar issues. The only difference in mine is that no one is getting FTE status, so I can feel confident that it's not a performance or conversion issue.
It's a crappy situation to be in, especially when medical benefits are involved. The whole carrot dangle gets so old after a while. Hang in there.
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My frustration is that I keep meaning to spend more time here and contribute to the GLORIOUS CHRONO-SSANCE, but I'm so darn busy that I just haven't been able to make it stick. And the thing is, I think that's a cop-out. I hate it when people use being busy as an excuse. Makes me wanna slap 'em upside the head and say "You fool! If something's important you make the time!!!" But the fact remains that I am just ridiculously busy. Which makes me a hypocrite! Which I don't like being. Ergo frustration! RAWR!!!
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Same here. This probably sounds silly, but I'm tired of the constraints of the day/night cycle. Life is so much easier when I can free-run up to 24-hour long periods of wakefulness, without interruption, where I can work, exercise, do everything I need to -- after which sure, maybe I'd sleep 16 hours. This would be an optimal schedule for me, but the human body, and our world, is just not entrainable/conducive to this. My ability to get through all-nighters is severely dropping off, too; the urgency has to come from an external stimulus at this point, as I can't will myself through them as much as I used to.
Hope everyone's had a decent week, though. The dream of Zeal is alive.
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I've been a user of the "too busy" excuse for far too long. Just yesterday I heard that when we say we're too busy, what we really mean is that we're not in control of our life. I'm certainly not saying this is the case with either of you, but I find it's definitely so for me. I'm using it as a wake-up call to find what's really important to me, and to make plans around those important things or people.
ZeaLitY, I've heard your frustrations with day/night schedules many times. Have you found anything that works best? If not, I truly hope you can find a situation that meets your needs. I can't imagine how difficult having a circadian rhythm like yours must be in this society.
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Haha, I'm with ya'll! I wish the human body was better optimized -- I'd personally love to require zero sleeps. I tend to be the type to get by with little sleep -- I normally get between four and give hours of sleep a night and function normally. In fact, I'm so locked into this cycle that if I sleep too long (say, eight or nine hours), I have a massive headache the next day. All in all, I'd love to require no sleep; I could accomplish so much more!
As for the busy excuse -- it's easy to feel busy and buy into the notion of it. I think everyone is guilty of it to a degree.
For example... We own three cars. One of which is an old Jeep with a ton of problems. I keep saying that I'm going to just scrap it. It functions (but I have to manually hook up the battery each time I drive, otherwise the battery will die as it's connected to the non-running car), I pay insurance on it, but I don't drive it. I would save myself so much money if I just unloaded it, but I keep saying that I've been "too busy" to take care of it! Twenty minutes of phone calls could save me both the headache of looking at it and several hundred dollars a year.
I'm an idiot.
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Haha, I'm with ya'll! I wish the human body was better optimized -- I'd personally love to require zero sleeps. I tend to be the type to get by with little sleep -- I normally get between four and give hours of sleep a night and function normally. In fact, I'm so locked into this cycle that if I sleep too long (say, eight or nine hours), I have a massive headache the next day. All in all, I'd love to require no sleep; I could accomplish so much more!
Same here, right down to the 4-5 hours thing. I despise sleeping. It's like being dead for a significant portion of each day. If you sleep the recommended eight hours per day, you're missing out on a third of your life!
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Unfortunately haven't, for two reasons I guess:
1) I've come to worship the ideal of always chasing some new dream/ambition so much that I'm afraid that finding a flexible work arrangement would be "cashing in the chips". My career power right now is waxing at maximum and I hesitate to do anything that would limit that. (God, this sounds like will to power nonsense, but...)
2) I also feel like it's human destiny to bite off more than one can chew. I have more goals than I can meaningfully accomplish at the moment, due to real life obligations and everything else. But I won't let them be lost...they remain goals, and I remain committed to becoming more efficacious in life until I can achieve them, too.
But I need to find some kind of arrangement. I'm deeply damaging by health by living asynchronous with my circadian rhythm (which is more of a breakbeat).
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So this is my rant...
The last few years, my back has gotten a bit touchy (don't get old-it's a trap!) and I'm usually careful with it but when I don't have an episode for awhile I forget until I hurt it again. this happened to me on Tuesday.
I was bringing some stuff into the house that I wanted to go through, and I lifted too much at one time. I really hurt my back and abdomen; I went home after only being at work for an hour on Tuesday and had to take off Wednesday and Thursday. It was hard to for me to sleep or do anything really.
So yes, I'm at work today but it still hurts. I really pulled it bad this time because my abdomen even hurts too. I haven't hurt myself this bad in a really long time and it sucks!!!
Of course, this happens when my husband is away for a week because he's up at his mom's putting up a fence for her. Ugh. Just taking it easy and hoping to feel better soon!
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Ugh, why must days like this have to have people setting off a bunch of fireworks and all kinds of firecrackers and stuff.
It gets on my nevers so much...
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Yeah, it was strange. People were shooting off fireworks here at like 12:15AM on Christmas Eve. I get the celebratory factor, but it gets dark at like 5:30PM -- do we really need to wait until all the kids are in bed before going crazy with the fireworks?!
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Fuck roundabouts, fuck one way traffic in areas that have enough space for 2 way traffic, fuck Steam, fuck trigger happy cops, fuck flaming athiests who look down and sarcastically treat people who have any faith that ignore that most of the world believes in a higher power, fuck celebrities who think they have to influence people on the SOLE basis that they are popular, fuck hyperliberals who use hate to fight hate, fuck Kristopher's mom, fuck yo couch, fuck hillary, fuck html 5, fuck google, fuck people who spend over 4 hours a day on twitter, fuck blue balls, fuck square's cease and desist letter, fuck chryslers, fuck copyright laws while fucking chinese knockoffs at the same time, fuck 78s, fuck self righteous overly pretentious douchebags who wait in like for 6 hours to spend 1000$ on a new apple product, fuck racism, fuck fascism, fuck bruce jenner, fuck casey anthony, fuck the franchise owner of the local mcdonalds for taking 52 minutes to get my food, fuck sticky plastic, fuck new coke, fuck shitty dubs, fuck voice actors who voice their opposite gender when theres 7 billion people on earth and you can find a female to voice a female character, fuck alan head sockets that strip, fuck balsa wood, fuck political correctness twice, fuck the color mauve, fuck paypal, fuck C cell batteries, fuck virtual keyboards, fuck lesbian porn movies with one girl who has on a strapon and the other one is sucking it but she moans like she can feel it but she can't, fuck the prius, fuck the epa, fuck the fcc, fuck pelosi, fuck feinstein, fuck liars, fuck your trial, fuck acorns, fuck duplo, fuck voting machines, fuck car seats with wide greased tracks and cushions that aren't wide enough to touch the center console so when you drop the keys in someone else's coupe you're driving they fall in the track and you have to slide your hand down and they fall into the floor and you have to slide the seat forward but its broken so you have to go into the passenger's seat and recline it because its a 2 seater and you can't get your hand under the seat because the keyring is stuck on the frame rail and its got a rear rail so you can't get the damn keys out you stupid porsche, fuck humidity, fuck the french, fuck the canadian post office, fuck drunk drivers, fuck california, fuck the caps on 2 liter bottles, fuck the letter k, fuck ghostbusters on NES, fuck brembo, fuck vinegar and fuck minidiscs
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fuck C cell batteries
fuck car seats with wide greased tracks and cushions that aren't wide enough to touch the center console so when you drop the keys in someone else's coupe you're driving they fall in the track and you have to slide your hand down and they fall into the floor and you have to slide the seat forward but its broken so you have to go into the passenger's seat and recline it because its a 2 seater and you can't get your hand under the seat because the keyring is stuck on the frame rail and its got a rear rail so you can't get the damn keys out you stupid porsche,
I agree, screw you C batteries! :twisted:
And WOA the specificity about the car seats! :cry:
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How many threads do we have where we rant about stuff we hate?
Not enough.
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What frustrates me is the amount of projects I've been given in the past week. 7. 7 projects.
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Damn right. 7 projects, that sucks hugely, you need an assistant.
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Damn right. 7 projects, that sucks hugely, you need an assistant.
Well, one of my study hall teachers is kinda my assistant. He helps me out a lot.
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Redline57 needs to write for Letterkenny.
edit: fuck data caps