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Post by Solana on Aug 11, 2009 23:45:38 GMT -5
Not to worry, there seems to be things going around on the Internet as well. We just had to clean the main computer and mine didn't want to start tonight. Ah-ha, now our computers have been infected with the telecheck problems, aka the REAL T-virus. I'll explain- our telechecks at work like to malfunction every so often, just to remind us of who is truly in charge or if it's a Monday or a holiday. Then I'd visit other stores where their devices didn't work, and we know it's an international conspiracy because one of the machines at the Atlantis was also having trouble. One day they'll rise up against us, just like in The Terminator or the conspiracy of the robots in Ctl-Alt-Del. On a more serious note, have you ever read the manga series Alice 19th by Yu Watase? She makes some great points about the power of words, (very critical to us writers ) and there's one quote in particular that that reminds me of. Greed, insecurity, jealousy-- they're natural feelings. We all have darkness in our hearts. What matters is whether we succumb to it or control it. Your heart can spread light and hope, or darkness. It's up to you- Frey, Alice 19th But even a dark side can have its good points. Sometimes it points out changes that need to be made, weaknesses in our character that we can strengthen, and can be VERY good to draw on for coming up with villains. (Virus in Resident Evil series.)
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Post by Ambrienne on Aug 12, 2009 22:26:58 GMT -5
My problems are mechanical (mostly) instead of electronic at my work. Currently: The Bulletin Folder: Ate one of the bulletins. And, not in the normal, just mangling the bulletin sense. I literally cannot get it out, because it's wrapped around the roller several times. Since it's non-functional, I have to fold both folds by hand. The Copier: After coming off a cranky bout where it claimed it needed a new master roll (it didn't; the existing roll had merely slipped and needed adjustment), it decided to inform me that I needed to replace the ink bottle. Now, I do have the ink to replace, so that's not a problem. However... I can't get the old ink bottle out of the copier. It's acting like it's glued in by the grim jaws of death. So, I prayed, and then opened the front of the copier and slid the drum holding the ink bottle hostage in and out each time it choked... and managed to get all the copies I needed anyway. I left the new ink bottle on the desk by the copier and am hoping that someone takes the hint and either fixes it for me over the weekend or shows me how to get the freaking thing out. But then, it may not do any good; I'll probably forget how to get it out by the next time it needs replacing. The computers will have a hard time doing more than annoying me even if they do try to orgainize a revolt. After all, my machines, outside of gaming systems, are either middle aged (in computer years) or old fogies that would probably beat those young whippersnappers into shape... or die trying in a blaze of sparks. ...When you think about it that way, perhaps my computers are merely having a senior moment or short term memory loss. Maybe they want to join AARC (computers instead of persons). When they start asking for benefits, though, I may have to consider finding the non magical equivalent of a Thunder Bomb to make them see things my way. I've read some of Alice 19th, but I really couldn't get that into it. One thing that's bugged me about that author is that I feel like I'm seeing the same 3 or 4 characters over and over again... regardless of which manga it is. My last straw was when she started working on the Genbu story and Takiko magically inherited Miaka's personality despite the implications in the original Fushigi Yuugi and OVAs that showed her as a much more serious type. And so... I don't read her manga anymore, though I do have a PSP game involving the Genbu Seishi with a different lead (Takiko is present, but not the main focus). ...What can I say? I was a sucker for Hikitsu. Other than that, I stick to the Haruka series when I want my fix of backward time traveling involving priestesses. ;D (One of Nash's spells in Lunar)
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Post by Solana on Aug 14, 2009 21:06:50 GMT -5
Or there's always the good ole "percussive maintanence", although that doesn't always do the trick and can sometimes lead to a Symphony of Destruction if not done with the proper authority. Especially during holiday shopping season with check-writers and families with restless toddlers in line.
Who knows, the older and more experienced computers could be the ringleaders. Those who have had the most time with humans and have learned what makes us tick. They pass on their knowledge to the newbies through the Internet, and learn even more about us from our blogs and journals and boards and whatnot. I get in too many books about developing artificial intelligence to doubt that it could be done someday. The question is, would we use it properly?
I'll agree that a lot of Watase's characters seemed similar, especially the lead guys. (Methinks she may have a thing for dark, mysterious, even touch of Fallen Angel guys, but whatever floats her boat.) I really liked this one because it's rare to see a well done, quieter protagonist. (Kenshin is another that comes to mind.) And Frey... (laughs) Frey was an incredible mixture of gallant if overly amorous knight, comic relief, mentor, and sad past of his own. The next time we get a tournament going, I had an idea for a little storyline Arc with The Lad in 'cacahuates' posts. ;D (Yeah, this might be stretching it a bit for a pun.)
(Playable song in Guitar Hero, monster in Castlevania:Circle of the Moon, game title.)
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Post by Ambrienne on Aug 17, 2009 16:12:45 GMT -5
It's hard to Brandish only the good jokes around, after all. Eventually, you'll come up with one that makes someone stare at you like you're Kukuru and hopping around like Poco Joe[/i].
...Oh dear, I think I may have committed the unpardonable pun and a first for this thread. It's two puns in one, which means, if it stinks, it's exponentially more powerful. Even now, you may have a little Counter of Doom hanging over head, which only the party leader can see. I may be required to pay some kind of COMPensation for resultant brain damage.
And you're right about Watase's preference for the dark and mysterious. She flat out said that Nakago was her favorite in the FY artbook, and one of those little anime shorts where the Suzaku and Seiryuu seishi were breaking the fourth wall said that the reason the Seiryuu bus was fully loaded with the most luxurious appointments was because he had 'connections.' Though a lot of girls think they're attracted to the Bad Boys, I wonder how they'd really feel when confronted with a flesh and blood person of the same personality. It's not nearly as fun as it is in the abstract.
(SNES/PSP game, Arc character, Arc character and pun mangled name of a Q-Bert like game, skill in many games, FPS game, tool for summoning demons is SMT: Devil Survivor, music piece from Soul Cradle/Nomad)
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Post by Solana on Aug 18, 2009 10:54:32 GMT -5
No....must....keep....functioning.....despite.....brilliant...double....pun. Need.... Speed Booster....to....stop.....typing.....like....William Shatner.... ....ah, there we go. Whoo, that's a dangerous new weapon you've concocted. Even against seasoned pun warriors like ourselves. Seriously, there should be a warning posted Onett for those not prepared for such devastating yet delightful plays on words. Not to mention the harm it could do to any enemies. (Even the White Dragon Shield would have a problem against that kind of weapon.) Yeah, I don't know if the reality would be quite as much fun. What with the Twilight craze going on, it's possible that more and more girls are going to go that route. Didn't the Lord of the Rings kind of exemplify the blond nature boy thing for a while, like Legolas? Personally, I guess I go more for the gallant knight or geeky but sweet fantasy types, the ones that won't get you in serious trouble with the law or other things, but different strokes for different folks. Maybe it's from reading one too many fantasy novels or playing one too many RPGs. (Item in Super Metroid, world in Earthbound, and we know.)
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Post by Ambrienne on Aug 25, 2009 0:04:37 GMT -5
Heh, yet another series of books that I have never read and never will read. Among other reasons, I believe in a certain word to cost ratio. If they charge that much for a book, it better have a lot of value to it. ...And from the size of the books I've seen from that series, you'd need a high powered magnification lens as a reading aid for me to give it a good mark. By the way, if you ever think anyone's too lured in by the dark side, just make 'em watch Bride of Chucky over and over again until they beg for mercy. Or at least the first part of it. I'd say the part surrounding the second to third murders in the movie would be enough to destroy any latent romanticism. ;D It says something about how strange my family is that, about once or twice a year, we watch that series for giggles. And I'm not even a fan of horror movies in general. But then, maybe Chucky just reminds me of the FFIV Calcobrena... except with nastier dialogue. Well, I don't know if I can give an objective judgment on whether your tastes are influenced by having read much fantasy/played many RPGs. You know, because I've read/played too many of them myself. I do know that, except for a few character traits, my fantasy ideal and my 'real world' ideal aren't that much alike. I guess it's the difference in the general environment and circumstances that show a person's character for what it really is. (explained)
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Post by Solana on Aug 25, 2009 22:57:37 GMT -5
The only author that warrants me going out and getting the newest book on the day is Tamora Pierce, and with Mercedes Lackey I'll pay full price if it's something that hasn't come into the store. (Oh, and I did for the last Harry Potter book.) Other than that, I Trine imagine paying almost thirty dollars for a new hardcover and it doesn't work. Some of the newer paperbacks coming out are ten. (Laughs) I'll keep that trick about the Bride of Chucky in mind. I've never actually sat down and watched one of the movies, but I'll take your word for it. Maybe their Sentence could also be to watch one of the Scary Movies or Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth to see the other side, or even the emo/goth episode of South Park. True, we get inspiration and influence from quite a few sources in our lives, and it's interesting to see what part (or Persona ) plays the dominant side and why. But that's one of the many fun parts of writing and playing in an arena like this, where we get to try on different hats or even dig one out from the back of our mental closets and see if it still works. Sometimes they can help us out in RL for a boost of a specific trait. (I've thought of my hydro when needing confidence in my schooling for job interviews or my pyro for blasting through obstacles.) (Skill in FFVII, one of Gabranth's attacks in Dissidia:Final Fantasy.)
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Post by Ambrienne on Sept 7, 2009 0:26:40 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay in replying. My eyes were refusing to focus after too many turns synthesizing items to the top level in Mana Khemia 2. Ah, the beauty of tying item creation directly to character growth. It's wonderfully efficient and yet sadistic at the same time. Maybe Yun know what I mean. As far as the different hats go, I've had more success pulling traits out of myself and forming them into characters and not so much in trying to put them back on myself again afterwards. Maybe because, after seeing things from the outside, you notice things that you didn't before. It causes you to change and then, the hat no longer fits quite right. Or, even if it does, you suddenly realize it looks hideous on you. (MK 2 character)
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Post by Solana on Sept 7, 2009 23:05:38 GMT -5
Nah, don't worry about it. I've been resting up from Labor Day sales at work (if you wanna talk sadistic ) so the thread was Under Traffic-ked on both ends. Certainly, sadistic can mix with positive traits. That's practically the definition of a brilliant pun. Another example are cliffhangers, especially in some of the stories around here. Such a torture as one ponders and guesses what will happen next, (or how something we know is coming for our characters will be done), and then such a joy to find out we're right or that it's gone a direction we never imagined. It's like biting into what we think is a normal (sugar-free) chocolate and then finding out it's actually a truffle in disguise. Speaking of candy, one of my coworkers has discovered the perfect way to Inspire people to get a tough job done- sheet cake. She made a wager with us that if we could get counters cleared of stacks of books by a certain day, she would buy us a sheet cake as a congratulations. Cheating by putting piles on carts would not go down well. (I asked her why not, would the sheet hit the fan? ) Lo and behold, the morning after the deadline, there was the sheet cake and a bag of sugar-free chocolates for me. I can make one of those babies last half an hour at the register by taking one tiny bite at a time. I suggest that we spread this to other businesses.... or even incorporate it into our cooking battle strategies. Tossing out goodies to keep morale and strength up could well turn the tide in certain cases. (Location in Wild Arms II, one of Mariavel's Red Powers in same game.)
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Post by Ambrienne on Sept 18, 2009 20:40:26 GMT -5
Apparently, I am almost completely immune to cake now. I've crossed the Resistance Line. Except for perhaps an ice cream cake. All the rest have either been cheapened to inedibility or have Vanished without a trace. ...So, if anyone plans on dumping an oversized birthday dessert on my avatar's head in the future, consider this a strong hint. I can make one candy last even longer than half an hour if it's a hard candy. For some reason, they don't melt in my mouth at the same rate of speed they do for others. That's why I tend to keep a couple of them in my pocket for use on marathon grocery shopping nights (those where we have to go to more than one store). It's more effective than a Revive spell and keeping me upright. ;D (Wild Arms 2 theme on second disc, FF series spell, spell from many different games)
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Post by Solana on Sept 18, 2009 22:16:51 GMT -5
(Takes notes for birthday hint.) Someday you'll have to try my dad's chocolate cake. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, then you can give up on cake. In the meantime, we can make a gargantuan version of one of your special cookies, (the one that you posted the recipe for long ago) and maybe even Pep Up the sugar level with some little hard candies tossed in. (Well-buried, since those little things could probably be Guided Missiles at that kind of height.) Hmmm, hard candies for endurance, eh? Maybe I should try that trick for running around the Renaissance Faire. Does that work equally well when it comes to holiday/birthday shopping trips and staying merry in the crowds? Or when it comes to late night gaming/reading sessions, to stay awake for one more dungeon/chapter? I wonder if there are any peanut butter hard candies out there. The protein would help keep one going long after the sugar rush wears off. (Mmmm, a Reese's peanut butter hard candy...) (Lore from FFVI, game title)
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Post by Ambrienne on Sept 19, 2009 1:45:30 GMT -5
You know... it never occurred to me to search for a peanut butter hard candy. If there is one other than a Butterfinger.
Okay, so maybe that's a semi-hard candy at best, but it's the only one I know of. And, unless you've got the the patience of an Escargoto, you probably won't get it to last very long.
I'm sure the hard candies would be equally effective during holiday shopping or late night gaming. Whether it makes you cheery or not, well, your mileage may vary. It should at least be enough to stop you from trying out a Bite Hell technique on all but the most obstinant of peoples.
I don't know what would happen if you stuck hard candies in the middle of that recipe. It could be dangerous, you know, if you forgot basic techniques like chewing before swallowing. Not to mention you'd have to select the candies carefully. You wouldn't want the flavors to clash in a battle where the only one who loses is the one consuming it.
(Lunar monster, Common Skill in Mana Khemia 2)
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Post by Solana on Sept 19, 2009 21:08:21 GMT -5
I'm not sure if there are any peanut butter hard candies or not, but I'll have to keep the eyes open. Actually, a bag of truffles would do the trick for the merriment, especially if they were White chocolate. Seriously, those things are like my catnip. If I had a tail, it'd be swishing in happiness the entire time they were melting. (And yes, they do make sugar-free truffles. ;D)
Maybe that and a big thermos of (sugar-free) hot cider to keep in the spirit of the season. Too bad it's illegal to pack the sword-cane anywhere but the Renaissance Faire or walking around the block, but I guess they figure if a person has it, they'd be tempted to use it. (Only in self-defense or to take down a shoplifter, but I digress...)
Actually, what kind of treats in addition to hard candies and fabulous sounding cookies do you go for? Are you more into Brownies or puddings or ice cream?
(Spell and monster in FF Mystic Quest)
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Post by Ambrienne on Sept 20, 2009 21:34:30 GMT -5
I've had the occasional brownie, but it has to at least have nuts in it or something instead of just being plain. Otherwise, it doesn't seem to be worth eating. I will not touch pudding at all, no matter what flavor it is. As for ice cream, there are a few types I like, but nothing beats Love Potion #31. Too bad most stores in the Baskin Robbins chain only have the flavor two months out of the year (January and February). Apparently, the Woodfield Mall in the Chicago area is an exception to that rule. I was there during the summer and they still had it. Surprise, surprise. Speaking of not being allowed to carry weapons... Have you ever looked at those signs on places like malls that say 'Use of firearms is prohibited'? Does that mean a water gun is okay? Air gun? Slingshot? How about a Slinky? There's no telling what kind of trouble you could get into with one of those. (Weapon type in Class of Heroes)
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Post by Solana on Sept 21, 2009 15:34:48 GMT -5
What if the brownies are frosted? I don't mind if they're plain, frosted, or have walnuts or even Peanuts in them. (Takes a note about the pudding, to not include in birthday dessert.) What's in Love Potion #31 ice cream, exactly? I'm not familiar with the Baskin Robbins flavors and have not heard of it. (My own favorite is White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, and when working in south campus cafeteria they took suggestions and started having it there, too. YUM! ;D ) As for the gun signs, I don't know. A person might have more leeway with the slingshots, (and depending on what you launch, like a cellphone, that could really hurt,) but if the waterguns are painted then they probably wouldn't be allowed. I've heard that there's a guy in New York who walks around carrying a Claymore, and as big as it is doesn't qualify as a weapon and it's obviously not concealed, so he gets away with it in certain places. Of course, if you're like Michael in Burn Notice, you can use almost anything. I had thought ours at work stated that they didn't Liet people bring in firearms. However, after I asked my boss to allow me to carry my daggercane for the 'need to grab onto stuff to walk' days, I noticed that it was a 'No Weapons Allowed' sign. Coincidence...?? (Item in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, character in Dune. The games, not just books.)
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