Sabrina

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE]If an opinion is, in fact, foolish and brutish, I see no shame in pointing it out. I would also see no shame in asking someone who believes such horrible things of an opinion [I]why[/I] they do so (after all, there could be serious reasons behind it). But I will leave it up to others to decide whether there is shame, for example, in completely disengaging from the conversation, refusing to offer any points that would speak in one's own favor, and instead accusing one's foe of being "unobjective," "insulting," "careless," "dismissive," and so on.[/QUOTE]Why are you making me point out the fallacy in your original statement? Don't backtrack and attempt to cover it up please. It's simple, you didn't say the theory/opinion was foolish and brutish... you said...[quote] Only a fool could think such an idea is still scientifically acceptable, and only a brute could think that there are no other ways of reading Genesis 1 and 2.[/quote]I'm sure you don't need me to point this out but... [B]Fool[/B] ?noun 1. a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense. 2. a weak-minded or idiotic person. [B]Brute[/B] ?noun 1. a nonhuman creature; beast. 2. a brutal, insensitive, or crude person. 3. not characterized by intelligence or reason; irrational. So where's the objectivity in upfront tell others that if they believe that they must therefore be a fool? That's why I called this a loaded discussion, you've already said from the get go, if you think this... [I]you[/I] are a [I]fool [/I]and a [I]brute[/I]. It's one thing to question the theory or belief, but another to question the intelligence of the person who considers them in the potential light of being truth. So considering what you said in this next part here, and I'm going to paraphrase you on this since I think it's apt:[QUOTE]Thus, please forgive me if I remain deeply skeptical of anyone who claims to have [I]the[/I] reading of the first part of Genesis (which, I think, is one of the most difficult sections the entire bible). Please forgive me if I am even [I]more[/I] skeptical of someone claiming not only to have [I]the[/I] reading, but also that no other interpretations are even [I]possible[/I]. For this, it seems to me, is what I'm hearing (and please correct me if I'm misunderstanding). Forget about the question of whether it agrees with science; forget even about whether it's [I]true[/I]. To hold that the scripture "just says" that the Earth was created by God in exactly seven days (meaning: exactly 168 hours, or 10080 minutes, or 604800 seconds, etc.) some 4,000 years ago, and that that's the only possible way to read the section, seems to me to [I]willfully ignore[/I] all problems of biblical interpretation.[/QUOTE]Then, please forgive me if I remain [I]deeply skeptical[/I] of [I]anyone[/I] who claims upfront that someone's belief in one avenue or potential truth on the matter makes them a fool and a brute because, they themselves think it must be so. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]This has already been addressed but...[quote name='Fasteriskhead][SIZE="1"] Only a fool could think such an idea is still scientifically acceptable, and only a brute could think that there are no other ways of reading Genesis 1 and 2. [/SIZE][/QUOTE]Considering that I made it to this part as well...[QUOTE=Fasteriskhead][SIZE="1"']All right, that's all. If you've read this all the way through, thank you for the effort. I hope I've been reasonably clear, at least; in any case, I don't think I could do very much better.[/SIZE][/quote]I'm a bit disappointed that someone who seems to have taken the time to read up and actually know more about the subject... would fall so far as to knowingly insult others before they've even had a chance to voice their opinion. I do believe this is what's known as a loaded discussion gentleman. My possible opinion and stance has been carelessly dismissed; before I could even make it, for shame really. If you're going to have an [I]open[/I] discussion then you need to be willing to listen instead of summarily and completely dismissing possible avenues of input. Oh and I'm sure that should make it clear that I believe in God, and that's about all I'm interested in covering at this point. :catgirl:[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Drizzt Do'urden]Now that's not even true. Is it true that most of us (men) think about sex quite often? Yes. But does that mean that's al we're after? Not even close. [/QUOTE]I'm of course basing this off of my own experiences and those nice guys who are gentlemen are hard to find. Is that true everywhere? I don't know, I haven't been everywhere. I only know what's true here. And that is the fact that finding someone I would consider a real gentlemen seems to be next to impossible. I know a few, but not very many.[QUOTE=Drizzt Do'urden]The difference was, we weren't afraid to talk about each others expectations before hand. And that's what young people, especially young women, fail to do today. [/QUOTE]You just made the same generalization that I did, the assumption that young women fail to do stuff like that. I've always been upfront about the expectation that I will not be engaging in certain behaviors, period. At least not before I get married that is, old fashioned perhaps, but that's how I prefer things.[QUOTE=Drizzt Do'urden]So many young girls don't realize the "power' they have. They have the power to instantally know whether a guy is worth it or not. All you need to do is say, "Is this about sex? and are you willing to wait?" If the guy can't...then out he goes. There is never a time to be desperate enough to go against your morales. No matter how cute, popular or "special" the person may seem. Something better WILL come along.[/QUOTE]Wait... what? Since when did we gain the power to instantly know if a guy is worth it or not? o_O Not all of them are going to instantly make a move on you and like any other person, male or female, many are smart enough to hide that ulterior motive until later on. And by ulterior I mean those whose only interest is sex and nothing else.[QUOTE=Drizzt Do'urden]Also don't be afraid to hurt their feelings by "leading" them on. If you say yes to someone and they know it could or could not lead to something, they may be hurt by no second date. But so what? they'll find someone they like as well if not better tahn you later. And the same goes for you.[/QUOTE]Now that I just don't agree with. There's no reason to lead someone on, [I]ever[/I]. That's doing not only them wrong but yourself as well. If I know I have no real feelings or desire to be around someone, I'll end it.[QUOTE=Nerdsy][color=deeppink']In my experience, the chivalrous get mocked and insulted.[/color][/quote]And that just makes me sad... seriously. I only know a few guys like that, ones who truly are chivalrous and all they do is make me wish there were more of them around. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I'm sure we all run across jokes online or elsewhere that just make us giggle like mad. And since the last thread I found on this was well over a year ago, I thought I'd start a new one where you can share a joke you enjoyed. I'll start with one I read earlier today. :catgirl: [hr=blue]100[/hr] Eve in the Garden of Eden, said, "[B]God I have a problem. It's a beautiful garden, but I'm lonely and I'm sick of eating apples.[/B]" "[B]Okay,[/B]" God said. "[B]I'll create a man for you.[/B]" Eve said, "[B]What's a man?[/B]" "[B]He's a creature with aggressive tendencies and an enormous ego who doesn't listen and gets lost a lot, but he's big and strong, he can open jars and hunt animals, and he's fun in bed.[/B]" "[B]Sounds great![/B]" said Eve. "[B]There's just one other thing. He's going to want to believe I made him first.[/B]" [hr=blue]100[/hr] Oh did that make me laugh. XD [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='keitaro583']there's this girl thats in my school band and the band was taking a trip to hershey park and what had happened was that she let me feel her up a bit and i we were sorta connecting and then she goes of and makes out with one of my friends dead in my face!!!!! when i saw this i was devastated and betrayed my friend felt even worse he had a girlfriend already and he loves her alot. so while he was freaking out about what happened the girl was like "im sorry , im sorry"to me and i just diddnt want to hear her crap so i stormed off and later on while on the buses she said "you know i still love you right?" i said guess now i dont know what to do should i go out with her or say "SCREW YOU"?:confused::confused::confused:[/QUOTE]I'm equally as confused... just how long have you even known her? Were the two of you a couple in the first place? o_O Also, just how old are you? You make out with a girl, she turns around and makes out with your friend who is already in a relationship... uh... yeah. If you barely even know her... shame on you for immediately feeling her up, that's no better than what she did in my opinion. [quote name='Aceburner']Keep forgetting you don't read Harry Potter.[/quote]o_O And if I ever needed a reason to not bother to finish reading the series... that is it. I'm beginning to think that other than a rare few out there, gentlemen just don't exist anymore.[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]And the second round is closed. :catgirl: I'll have the final round up either later tonight or tomorrow sometime. So be sure to look for it as our final three: Aaryanna_Mom, Allamorph & [COLOR="Indigo"][FONT="Arial"]Indi[/FONT][/COLOR] will be competing in a three way grand finale for the poetry contest. [B]EDIT:[/B] The final thread is up! Sorry for the slight delay. Here is the thread in question for the remaining three contestants. [thread=59056][U]Aaryanna_Mom vs. Indi vs. Allamorph[/U][/thread][/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][CENTER][SIZE="3"][B]Poetry Contest - Final Round [/B][/SIZE] [hr=DarkGreen]100[/hr] [CENTER][SIZE="4"][B]Aaryanna_Mom [/B]vs. [B]Indi[/B] vs. [B]Allamorph[/B][/SIZE] Topic: [B]Contestant's Choice[/B][/CENTER] [hr=DarkGreen]100[/hr] [B]Rondeau Poetry[/B][/CENTER] For the final round each of you are challenged to write a Rondeau Poem. It is a form of French poetry with fifteen lines written on two rhymes. The Rondeau consists of thirteen lines, plus two refrains. It has three stanzas and its rhyme scheme is as follows: (1) A A B B A (2) A A with refrain: C (3) A A B B A with concluding refrain C. The refrain must be identical with the beginning of the first line. An example is [COLOR="DarkGreen"][I]We Wear the Mask[/I][/COLOR] by Paul Laurence Dunbar: [CENTER][COLOR="DarkGreen"]WE wear the mask that grins and lies, (A) It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,— (A) This debt we pay to human guile; (B) With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, (B) And mouth with myriad subtleties. (A) Why should the world be over-wise, (A) In counting all our tears and sighs? (A) Nay, let them only see us, while We wear the mask. (C) We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries (A) To thee from tortured souls arise. (A) We sing, but oh the clay is vile (B) Beneath our feet, and long the mile; (B) But let the world dream otherwise, (A) We wear the mask! (C)[/COLOR][/CENTER] Now something to keep in mind for this challenge, the number of syllables for each line and refrain is irrelevant, just as the rhymes will not strictly follow what you would find in a Rondeau poem. Each individual stanza stands alone in that the rhyme of the first one for say A does not have to rhyme with the A in the other two stanzas. It only has to rhyme with the other ones in that section, make sense? Each contestant has till [B][COLOR="DarkGreen"][U]Tuesday the 27th[/U][/COLOR][/B] to get their poems in. At which time the voting will begin, sooner if all three members submit their poems before the deadline. Now if there are any questions, be sure to direct them to this thread here: [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=58871"][U]Poetry Contest[/U][/URL] Good luck to each of you! :catgirl:[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Morpheus]You mean he knows this guy that has strong opinions, and somehow that reflects on [I]him[/I]?[/QUOTE]Since when did people form an opinion and ignore what's being said by others? Lets do away with the media! Opinions aren't needed! *gasp*[QUOTE=Morpheus]Anyone basing their vote on anything Reverend Wright has said must not be able to actually think for themselves, because that is what they would be assuming about obama.[/QUOTE]Anyone thinking that other opinions don't factor in must not be able to actually think for themselves, because taking it into account and deciding if it should matter or not is part of getting to the core of what someone is about.[QUOTE=Morpheus]Any support for this? Especially the last part.[/QUOTE]Since when did forming an opinion require support? You make no sense, opinions are just that opinions and not fact and therefore do not require support when they are not being presented as facts.[QUOTE=Morpheus]No. No. A million times NO. I have many conservative friends, does that make me conservative in the slightest? Of course not[/QUOTE]It does make you someone who is friends with conservatives... and anyone who doesn't know you personally is going to look at those you associate with to form an initial impression as to what you [I]might[/I] be like. [QUOTE=Morpheus]Not trying to hate, but would Obama saying "Middle Class Americans" somewhere in a speech make your vote a deadlock?[/QUOTE]You're arguing semantics instead of the sentiment behind what the post was saying, saying the term doesn't equal a solid opinion in that direction. [QUOTE=Morpheus]Disassociating yourself from an individual just because you don't have the same political opinions or that person makes statements that you don't agree with is rather childish.[/QUOTE]No, it's one's right to not associate with someone, whatever the reason may be.[QUOTE=Morpheus]People debate in a politics thread. This isn't a new thing.[/QUOTE]No, you're nitpicking and arguing under the guise of claiming that you're debating, commonly known as [I]trolling[/I] I believe.[QUOTE=Morpheus']You're really going to have to come up with something better than "This guy he is friends with said something I don't like." [/quote]No they don't have to come up with a [I]better[/I] reason. I or anyone could chose to not vote for someone because of hair color. [I]Seriously. [/I] [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='James'][font=franklin gothic medium]Yeah that looks fine. I imagine that there would be many materials suppliers involved with the project, although they would probably only handle their specific designs (i.e. they wouldn't know a great deal about the overall design).[/font][/QUOTE]Naturally, I imagine it would be more like putting up contracts where specific materials were listed as being needed instead of any information as to the design of the ship. It would have been more of a case of Ivan merely supplying what was listed as being needed, at least for those things they actually manufacture. I imagine that the actual ship design was and still is a very well guarded secret, we do have that mysterious deck that is off limits after all. :p [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I guess whether or not it would be an insult would depend on the context in which the word was used. I mean people tell me I'm a bit naive, but it's hardly an insult when it's true. >_> My parents were convinced that stuff like the Internet was nothing but perverts and had other very strict notions while I was growing up as well. Then there's the matter of whether or not you even care what others say if their intent is to be rude. I happen to like NOT knowing or learning about certain topics. So if that makes me naive, so be it, I prefer it actually. :p[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]My first time to vote and I'm less than thrilled. >_> Technically I was old enough to vote last time, but a car accident and being in the hospital kind of messed that up. Anyway, I plan on voting democratic, plain and simple really. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I hope that worked for a sign up, I made the picture I had black and white, I just hope it's retro enough to fit what you have in mind. XP Also, I figured that there would be tickets issued to cooperations like Ivan Enterprises that had a part in supplying the necessary materials for even building the ship. o_O At least that seemed like a good idea when I did the sign up. If you want me to alter that a bit, just let me know. :catgirl: [/FONT]

[B]Passenger Name:[/B] Viktor Ivanov [B]Age:[/B] 24 [B]Identification:[/B] [IMG]http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9613/sabavixi1.jpg[/IMG] [B]Occupation & Background:[/B] Viktor is the son of Mikhail Ivanov: founder of Ivan Enterprises, one of the leading global builders of electronics. Some of the components for building the Von Braun came from this corporation situated in the former Russian Federation. As a result of generous contributions in the form equipment and parts being donated to NARA for the Von Braun project, Mikhail Ivanov was invited to take part in the historic first official space voyage. Since leaving the corporation for such a lengthy period of time is something Mikhail feels is unacceptable, Viktor will be taking his place instead. Unlike his father who is well known to the public, Viktor has spent most of his childhood receiving training to one day take his father?s place as the head of Ivan Enterprises. In addition to being his first trip into space, doing so as a representative of Ivan Enterprises will be Viktor?s first official appearance to the public. [SIZE="1"][U]Key Notes:[/U] Just to be clear on his personality a bit, Viktor though well educated and intelligent, is reserved. To put it bluntly, he is a gentleman, in an old fashioned manner.[/SIZE]

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE=Allamorph][FONT=Arial][B]Post Edit:[/B] Quick thought: all members of the Council should probably have extremely rare familiars, if they are indeed Reapers themselves. Degree of power is irrelevant; some will be more so, some less. At present, I can only think of a few rare beasts of mythology: Phoenix, Gryphon, Chimera, and Cerberus. Look for others, we should.[/FONT][/QUOTE]I found some fun pictures though I'm not sure if they would work or not. I just like the colors and the fancy look to the outfits, well other than the woman... the bottom part of the outfit we can just ignore since she's dressed like a ninny in that respect. I think we can also ignore the weapon too if we do decide to use it as a picture for a Council Member. XP [URL="http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs17/f/2007/128/3/b/Anima__Kujaku_by_Wen_M.jpg"][U]First Picture[/U][/URL] [URL="http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs14/f/2007/116/7/2/Anima______no_8_by_Wen_M.jpg"][U]Second Picture[/U][/URL] Now moving on to mythical creatures! I never really think about that but two others that we could use are a Unicorn and a Pegasus. Very magical and probably at this point very rare. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Thank you very much everyone for your poems and participation on all sides. With Aaryanna_Mom receiving 3 votes and Treble 2 votes...[B] Aaryanna_Mom[/B] wins this round. Congratulations! You advance to the final round. :catgirl:[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Thank you very much everyone for your poems and participation on all sides. With Raiha receiving 1 vote and Allamorph 5 votes...[B] Allamorph[/B] wins this round. Congratulations! You advance to the final round. :catgirl:[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Thank you very much everyone for your poems and participation on all sides. With Aaryanna receiving 2 votes and Indi 3 votes...[FONT="Arial"][COLOR="Indigo"][B] Indi[/B][/COLOR][/FONT] wins this round. Congratulations! You advance to the final round. :catgirl:[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]o_O Looks like a tiny bit of a debate got started in here... I think I will comment on just one potential sentiment being expressed though. [quote name='Dagger]So, I don't think this is really what any of you were getting at, but people could definitely interpret it that way... [B]and something rubs me the wrong way about the suggestion that complexity in literature is inherently superior to simplicity, or that adult books are inherently superior to children's books, or that literature with a narrow audience is inherently superior to popular work.[/B'] [/quote]I don't think anyone is saying that here. ^_~ I am familiar with what Beth is referring to for literature programs, where they use series like Harry Potter to encourage reading. I've participated in programs with elementary children and books from that series were added to the curriculum of recommended reading. They were chosen based on several factors, reading comprehension, appeal to the target age group, etc. There was never any argument that different types were better than others. I think what we are seeing here is more of a difference in tastes instead of a mindset that one is better than the other. I'm not a big fan of the series but I don't dislike it either. Anyway... what I am currently reading is the [B]Black Unicorn[/B] by Terry Brooks. It's okay so far, not one of his better books but I'm enjoying it enough that I'll probably finish it. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='chibi-master']OOOOOWWWW!!! Dang it, woman,leggo! I've only got two of these!:animecry: Besides, I lika' da' smackin'!:animesmil Anyway, *rubs ear*, keep up the good, hard work stuff, Ace![/QUOTE]I'd watch it if I were you... She's OB's mom! :p Any disrespect and the rest of us will whack you. Anyway, fun stuff! I'm curious to see if Raiha manages to get out of the crime. Considering her long rap sheet, I say we lock her away for good! Hehe.[I] *shot*[/I][/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Right now I'm playing [B]Tales of the Abyss[/B] since I finally got it. :catgirl: I'm loving it, the voice acting the characters and the storyline, even if Luke's a bit of a jerk at times. I also like how the way one fights is different than Tales of Symphonia. Now I just need to get the new system down since it is slightly confusing. XP [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE=Aceburner]Well, we are all his pawns, except Indi, who is his overt sadist Queen. Sir Allamorph is a psychotic mastermind. Tainting the world with the evils of culture and good taste is his calling.[/QUOTE]O_O I'm almost sorry I mentioned it. I mean... O_O You're making me think I need a lock on my door with [COLOR="Indigo"][FONT="Arial"]Indi[/FONT][/COLOR] as a roommate! Anyway, all of this makes me wonder if I should give writing more of a chance. I'll just have to figure out what to write about. XP[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Rachmaninoff]Or you could translate that into what you do when you are bored. I just never find myself with enough spare time to actually [I]be[/I'] bored. I always have too much that needs to be done it seems. [/quote]I don't have too much to be done... but I never get bored either. :catgirl: When I have extra time there's always something for me to do. Some of my favorites is to read or go hang out with friends. I do like video games, but I save that kind of stuff for when my friends don't have time to do stuff like going to a movie or just hanging out and chatting. Then there's always scrapbooking, hiking, cleaning, yardwork... lots and lots of stuff to do that I enjoy when I have the time. Oh and my absolute favorite is trying out new recipes. I love to cook! [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Darren]Oh, and btw, Sabrina: I was on OB first![/QUOTE]So? He was born first... your move! :D [spoiler]I'm just poking you for fun, you realize that right? ^_~[/spoiler][QUOTE=Allamorph][FONT=Arial]I'm also a musical artist (trained in classical, jazz, rock, whatev) and[B] I've been told I play chess with life.[/B'][/FONT][/quote]Say what? o_O How does one play chess with... O_o Oh and like Aaryanna, when I hear the word author, my first thought is to think of someone who is published. Mainly because when someone says have you heard of this author, they are usually referring to someone whose works they have read. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Rachmaninoff]I'd say that just under three quarters of a million is pretty big and definitely warranted having another reaper called in. That's a lot of people. o_O [/QUOTE]How did I miss that? o_O You realize that translated loosely, based on average stastics for the death rate in the US last year that's approximately fourteen deaths a day to be dealt with? (that's a very rough estimate by the way since people don't move on in such an methodical and orderly manner. No one thinks, [I]oh by the way, too many people have died for today, must wait for tomorrow![/I] XP[QUOTE=Rachmaninoff']Also... post Allamorph! Post! :p[/quote]Yes... remember... [B]You must have tea and cake or you die! [/B] :D So post! I'm already working out the ideas for my post where Phaidra has her own place. I can even see it in my mind no less, what the place will be like. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE=Darren]Please don't do that... It confuses me too much. Anyway, to answer the question at hand: Yes, I would consider myself and artist/author... And like Rach, who is also Darren (confusing), I will have to say that I think just about anyone can called an artist... I'm not so good at computer graphics, but I love to draw.[/QUOTE]What? Stop poking Darren? Never! Hehe! :catgirl: Besides, it's equally as confusing to see someone using his name here, name stealer! (I'm kidding by the way) Though in my mind it's easy to keep the two of you seperate since I know how he's the one who loves classical music. So any other Darren is an imposter! :p I suppose I could use his nick name of Rach, but in my mind, he'll always be Sir Darren. Anyway... out of curosity, what drives many of you to even want to write? Not that I'm complaining since I love to read, I just never feel the urge to make my own story, well one where it's all my idea. [/FONT]