Mr. Blonde

[quote name='Rachmaninoff'][B]What we don't approve of is them using said system to enact laws like prop 8 or any other deal that bans gay marriage[/B]. They are doing this because they don't care what gays think since they see it as wrong. An attitude just as dangerous as your own. [/QUOTE] I have no problem with voting what-so-ever. The right to vote is the backbone of our democracy. My stance this entire time has been against using the system to vote against gay marriage. So right now I'm struggling to see where you and I disagree. Others on here have said they approve of the vote, but like I said dissaprove of the outcome. I'm not quite sure how my attitude is dangerous, I seem to share the same sentiment as you. I don't approve of voting on gay marriage. The reason I "don't care what people think" regarding the matter simply means I don't think a vote should be cast regarding this matter, something you seem to agree with. I never said I don't approve of the system, I said I disapprove of the system being used in this manner. Somewhere along the line my point of view may have gotten misinterpreted. This argument has gone on for so long it's almost completely out of its original context. To be clear: The thing I disagree with is using voting to inhibit gay marriage, that's all.

[quote name='Raiha'][COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I've been in love. I've been out of love. I've been in lust [which I can probably say is what you're in] and I've been out of lust. She's something new. Something new is a nice fuzzy feeling that only lasts for up to three years. Which to you may feel like an eternity, but heck. It's hard to know if you love someone right away. When that feeling stretches on and into the longer and longer periods of time, then you'll know. [/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE] Is that the scientific time span on lust, 3 years? It's a little rash to say the man's not in love simply because he hasn't known the girl for long. I understand where you're coming from, but still. People try too hard to classify love into this great magical feeling. Love is just a word, and we often put too much stock in the word and not enough in the emotion. [B]Whoa, Mann[/B], no one is going to be able to tell you if you're in love. Try not to think of it as "love" but as that feeling you've been missing your whole life. Lust, love... they're all just words invented by man to describe variations of emotions that we don't understand, and never will. Whatever you have, hold onto it for as long as you can, and never be afraid to show that person how much you care. Good luck, buddy.

The gym is all well and good, but even though I've been going for years I can never get past seeing old man penis in the locker room. They just don't care. Disturbing. Besides Tai Kwon Do and Muay Thai which I've been doing since I was 9 and 20, I just began taking Capoeira classes. It's quite interesting. You take turns either playing instruments or sparring. It's more complicated then that but its a Brazilian dance fighting thing, it's the realness. Also I fight Kodiak bears in steel cage death matches. (Okay I lied... it's black bears):animesmil

[quote name='Korey'][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]I feel that the economy, ending the war, lowering tuition rates, making colleges more affordable...etc is more important to me than gay rights.[/FONT][/QUOTE] Those are all great issues that should be addressed by the new administration, but that mindset is the exact reason gay rights have been ignored in this country. Everyone has their own issues and things that affect them in their own lives will most likely be the issues that concern them the most, I understand this. Personally all of the things you listed would have a greater positive impact on my life than the legalization of gay marriage (especially tuition rates, yikes). That is the mindset of most people, but it should not be the mindset of our political leaders (though it most likely is at the moment). This vote came at a bad time for homosexual Americans. With the rest of the countries woes, this issue will most likely be set aside for the foreseeable future.

[quote name='Korey'] [FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]With the current problems in our nation, I'm sure that's a problem that's worth addressing, but not on the top of my political agenda. Equal rights is all well and good, but when our nation is struck with poverty and the masses are losing jobs left and right, I'm sure we'd all be happy we were equal. [/sarcasm][/FONT][/QUOTE] We shouldn't have to pick and choice which issues we want addressed. President Obama will be appointing 7,000 new people under his direct supervision. And then also you have the senate, the house, the governors, mayors. There are more then enough government aids to address all of this country's ills. Maybe if this issue affected you directly you would feel different concerning the matter.

There are no tizzies, Rach. We're A-OK over here. I agree that ranting on a message board is no way to get things done. I didn't mean to imply that people didn't care, and I realize that people may not feel as passionate about the political process as I do, and may not get involved in such matters as I do, so in that respect I can understand what may be construed as a lack of caring may just be a lack of interest in political matters. However people on here have said they agree with the vote, maybe not the result, but the vote. So I'm not pulling this out of thin air. When as I was at my city council meeting last night I was actually one of the more calming members there. When you put someone infused in the political mindset along side people who it doesn't interest as much... I may seem like a raving lunatic, but I'm snuggles the fabric softener bear in a political environment, well maybe not quite. However I still do stand by my previous statement. The only acceptable action is equal rights now. Will it happen? No, I'm aware of reality, but it doesn't mean I won't irritate the hell out of my congressmen and senators until I get an answer out of them. I'm aware concessions must be made ultimately and that it takes a long time to be considered truly equal in the eyes of the government and the people.

[quote name='Korey'][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"] The battles need to be won in Congress, in the Courts....not on the picket lines.[/FONT][/QUOTE] The picket lines are the catalyst for it being fought in Congress and the courts. Nothing would ever be done if people didn't protest the situation. The battle will be won in the courts, but the protest I believe is just as important of a step in the process. This subject matter, and anything dealing with other people's rights is a fickle beast. Everyone has a different opinion on how it should be handled and the steps that are to be taken in that process. Some are more patient than others, but the important thing is that the sentiment is there. However I do believe that it is the people that demand, not ask, not hope, but demand equality in every aspect of law that will make a difference. This battle must ultimately be decided in the courts and in the Congress, but until then we can stand up and say that things are not how they should be, voting on human rights is unacceptable, and that every American should have the same oppurtunities as their brethern.

I'm worried that in passing through the filter from graphic novel to live action film it will have picked up quite a bit of the inevitable "laugh factor" concerning character design. I mean Doctor Manhattan looked pretty "bad-***" but Night Owl... I laughed a little inside. But it happens I suppose. Hopefully the story is still intact.

[quote name='Nathan'][FONT="Arial"]Why would you think skipping an aspect of how legislation is done is somehow twitting one's thumbs? Looking past the road as you put it doesn't change the fact that you still have to [I]travel [/I]on it to get to your destination.[/FONT][/QUOTE] Again I don't see this as a legislative step. And I don't see how voting on prop 8 is a neccesary step to legalizing gay marriage. [quote name='Nathan'][FONT="Arial"] Instant gratification never works, ever. Everyone in here sees this except you. [/FONT][/QUOTE] Of course it never works, but MLK didn't say, "Well we'll just have equal rights in 5-10 years, no problem." You have to work through the system but voting on Prop 8 is NOT working through the system, it's continuing the idea that gay rights is trivial enough of a subject to simply be swept under the rug. You must demand equality now so that in 5-10 years people will be familiar enough the with idea that it seems almost common place. It seems everyone else here would be just happy with this issue getting caught up in the system for another 20 years. [quote name='Nathan'][FONT="Arial"] When those who have tried the quick path that[I] doesn't exist[/I] throw up their hands in disgust and walk away, those who have the patience to battle the system will be the ones to 'make a difference' in the long run.[/FONT][/QUOTE] Did I do this? no. I never once said anything about not "battling the system" but the system is in the courts, in appeals, in passing legislation to prevent such acts of voting on human rights from ever taking place, not voting on Prop 8. Most people on here have ghastly misinterpreted my point of view into some ignorant "give it to me now" stance. That's not the case. I just do not see Prop 8 as a step through the system, it's one of the many road blocks that must be thrown aside to work through the system. The sooner we start getting appauled at Prop 8 the sooner we can start to make a difference.

Well the reason I did compress them was because I know there is a kb limit for sigs and avatars and as you know these files are quite large.

[quote name='Boo'][size=1]I think it's because of the JPEG colour compression. You may want to save files as .PNGs to avoid any of such "fuzziness" (because, frankly, it is there).[/size][/QUOTE] When I compress the file for internet use it switches from png to jpeg I agree the eyes have come out fuzzy, but looking back I realize that was the original image itself. I don't think the image looks bad though. I actually had a hard time finding images that were crisp. A majority of them were unuseable. [URL=http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=runningrt9.jpg][IMG]http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6808/runningrt9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I really used quite a few effects on this one.

Fuzzy? Hmm... Well if you're referring to the second image it may appear fuzzy because of a gradual transparency wipe I applied to it, but otherwise I don't see what you're referring to.

Well since this finally seems to be taking off it seems there are some questions. So fire away.

hmm.. well this has taken a while, but good show gang I'm going to give it another day or two to try and get that 5th spot filled, if not we'll go with what we have and make adjustments. [quote name='Black-Bird90']I'll be number 3! This sounds like fun and yet complicated, how are you planning on working it out?[/QUOTE] I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I'm creating a backstage thread, so any questions can be directed in there. Thanks, everyone.

[quote name='Aaryanna'][COLOR="Sienna"][FONT="Tahoma"]I've already said I don't agree with the bans being enacted. I just see no reason to get in a tizzy and be angry over something when it serves no purpose. [/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE] Why would I focus on the road to get there? How has focusing on the road to get there ever brought about change? I'm aware of the road to get there, but I want to look past that road and try to make a difference, not accept that this is going to be a long and complicated process and twiddle my thumbs. We need to see the finish line and the recognition of civil rights to ever make a change in this country. I don't agree with being able to vote on them, so there it is. I don't believe it's right and I never will no matter how right you think it is. I don't know how many times I need to say that equal rights should not be voted on. I'm washing my hands of this argument because it's going no where. And people weren't given "the right" to vote in the constitution until 1870 (and that was my point, constitutional recognition of American rights, like civil rights... it all comes back around), but good research. There was a progression of voting rights enacted after that date as you've noted, and it's those rights that showed the struggle and time it takes to be considered truly equal. I believe the only way to achieve those rights is to look past the struggle, recognize the struggle... but look past it, and demand equality now. EDIT: Everyone is entitled to their opinion and certainly their vote as an American citizen (in certain respects). I just hate to see that vote go towards the oppression of a group of people, especially on the same day that vote elected the first black president of the United States. It saddens me. I'm done. :mrt:

I have a couple I've worked up if you're interested: [URL=http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jumpcw8.jpg][IMG]http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8046/jumpcw8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=headgb8.jpg][IMG]http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7317/headgb8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eyezo4.jpg][IMG]http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3889/eyezo4.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Enjoy.

[quote name='Sangome'][SIZE="1"]The first step to breaking an addiction is admitting you have a problem, you know. [/SIZE][/QUOTE] We might have to address your Doogie Howser situation while we're at it.

[quote name='Aaryanna'][FONT="Tahoma"][COLOR="Sienna"].The law has [I]always[/I] been about what the people want, its why they bothered to establish a new country in the first place. Because they wanted to have a government that was different than what they grew up under. The process of giving the people a say in policy is all about giving people some measure of control over what types of laws are put into place. [/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE] "The proposition that the people are the best keepers of their own liberties is not true. They are the worst conceivable, they are no keepers at all; they can neither judge, act, think, or will, as a political body." -John Adams People were not even given the right to vote until 1870 because they were deemed unqualified to make such judgements. Enough said about about. [quote name='Aaryanna'][FONT="Tahoma"][COLOR="Sienna"] What you see as civil rights, in this case gay marriage, is something you and many others think shouldn't be decided by the vote of the people. Well so far the majority of the people don't see it as a civil right that they are entitled to. [/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE] I'm just as tired of saying this as I'm sure you are of hearing it, but I don't care what the rest of the people see it as. Gay marriage is equal rights and to vote on it is a ghastly misinterpretation of the constitution and the liberties and freedoms it stands for. Countless times in this country we have deemed such actions of laws "unconstitutional", and it will only be a matter of time before this issue is seen as such. It's insulting to the homosexual population in this country, and to this nation as whole that considers itself "free".

[quote name='TimeChaser']Yeah, like nobody saw that one coming. ;)[/QUOTE] I'm beginning to worry about TC's obsession with Dr. Who. I think it's time for an intervention. We're only here to help. By the way it seems Eva Green and Matt Damon are winning the votes so far.

Well just what I put down there. There would be a place for a fire in the middle of the dwelling to cook food, but thats about it.

[FONT="Book Antiqua"] Ilya runs her hand gently over the statue, feeling every bump and imperfection along the way. There they stood: our three survivors next to one of the last signs of humanity remaining in this city, or in fact… the world. “What are we going to do?” Chiyoko says aloud to herself. “Don’t ask me questions like that! It makes you sound stupid!” Chase snaps at Chiyoko. “I wasn’t asking you!” Chiyoko snaps back. “Well maybe you shouldn’t ask questions if you don’t want people to answer them!” Chase marches up to Chiyoko and points his finger in her face. The woman is taken back a moment but regains her composure and glares back into Chase’s eyes. She’s had quite enough of his malcontent behavior. Chase is infuriated. The fear and uncertainty that he now feels is so unfamiliar, so foreign to him he has no choice but to expel his frustration in anger and contempt for his fellow survivors. While Chiyoka and Chase continue their argument no one seems to notice that Ilya has wondered off. The yelling and fighting has grown to be too much for the young girl. She has to get away. Ilya rounds the side of the laboratory and enters the thick jungle brush. The grass is practically over her head now, scratching at her face and neck. Tears stream down her face as she throws herself deeper and deeper into the wild. Meanwhile back at the statue Chiyoko notices something. “And another thing… can you please but some pants on! I can not argue with a woman without pants! We have to find you--” Chase’s words are muffled by Chiyoko’s hand. Chase won’t be silenced by anyone, and bites down on Chiyoko’s finger. “Ow!” Chiyoko yelps. Chase is quite pleased with himself. Chiyoko is infuriated with this man, but she has something more important on her mind. She turns and runs away from him. “Hey, I didn’t mean to bite you… that hard!” Chase indolently runs after Chiyoko. Chiyoko walks through the tall grass, searching for Ilya. “Ilya! Ilya! Where are you?!” No answer. For moments there is only silence, an uneasy silence. Chiyoko doesn’t like the look of those trees, of the darkness of the bush. Just then a high pitched scream spikes in the distance. With renewed vigor Chiyoko runs into the wilderness after Ilya… and the scream. Chase reluctantly follows close behind her, lighting up a cigarette along the way. “I can’t believe this shit…” Chase strolls along puffing away on his smoke… but then freezes… freezes at the sight before him. Ilya is down on the ground, Chiyoko stands close to the young girl, and a mountain lion crouches idly in the tall grass, mere feet from them both. Its eyes are fixed on Ilya, whom lies motionless, trying as best she can to conceal her tears and muffle her screams. “Holy fuck!” Chase covers his mouth, as if trying to recapture the words he just let slip out. This noise is enough for the lion to make its move. The beast rises from the grass and sprints with all its force at our young survivors. Fear has them frozen. They now try to scream, in the fool’s hope that someone… somewhere can save them in the split second before this beast is upon them, but terror takes the sound before they can make it. Everything is in slow motion now. The lion leaps off of the ground; ascending upon Ilya and Chiyoko. Our survivors are now stricken with tunnel vision; all that exists is the lion before them. Everything else is black; this may be why they could not see the animal that jumped from the bush and took down the mountain lion. The panic breaks, and Chiyoko grabs Ilya, running with the young girl from the tall grass. But curiosity overtakes Chase and he inches closer. What was that creature that jumped out at the lion? He moves further into the brush, and is taken back by what he sees. A lone wolf faces off against the vicious cougar. The two beasts pace around each other, neither one getting close enough to make contact. The tension is thick; Chase is drawn in closer and closer, to his own folly. The lion catches a glimpse of Chase from the corner of his eye and turns from the wolf, leaping into the air. Chase has not a moment to respond and the only thing he thinks to do is shut his eyes tightly before the claws of the lion delve into his flesh. Chase goes down, the lion over him… but the beast is motionless. Chase slowly opens his eyes. He’s covered in blood, but not [I]his[/I] blood. An arrow sticks out of the lion’s neck, and blood gushes from a large wound. Chase rolls the lion off of him and sits up in the grass. He sits wide-eyed, mouth gaped, unable to speak. “So for the first time in his life the great Galileo Chase is without words.” There, standing over the lion is Lon and his wolf Echota. The hunter extends his hand to Chase who hesitantly takes it. Lon pulls the young man up to his feet. “I knew I recognized you before, now I’ve finally got it. I’m Lon Grosvenor.” “Yeah, umm… thanks, for ya know… saving my life,” Chase cringes at the reluctant gratefulness he has to show this man. Chiyoko and Ilya stand a few feet away, their faces painted with mystery and intrigue. “So there [I]are[/I] people here!” Ilya is quite excited at not being the only people alive. “Well hello, ladies. The name is Lon Grosvenor,” Lon removes his coon skin cap and bows to Chiyoko and Ilya. Ilya politely curtsies in response. Chiyoko still seems a bit uneasy around this wild man. “I hate to burst your bubble, young lady but I’m the only one around here. I came out of those ice boxes, same as you three I imagine,” Lon pulls the arrow from the Lion’s neck. Chase grimaces at the splintering sound of bone and the sloshing sound of loose meat as the arrow head dislodges itself from the lion’s muscle. Hopelessness washes back over Ilya’s face as she begins to once again tear up. Chiyoko wraps her arms around the young girl, holding her tight. “So is that your… wolf? Kind of stereotypical of you don’t you think? Maybe you should have had a bear or a hawk as a sidekick instead,” Chase is amused by his own wit. “If you keep your mouth shut, you might live past today.” Lon pulls out his bowie knife and sinks it into the lion’s flesh, carving it up. Chase turns away. This is all a little much for him. Meanwhile Echota makes himself familiar with Chiyoko and Ilya, lapping at their faces and hands. “Is he safe?” Chiyoko asks as the wolf puts his feet up on her knocking her to the ground. “Safe as can be… and he’s not a wolf. He’s a mutt, the bastard child of feral dogs and wolves whom I’m guessing starting mating with each other soon after whatever the Hell happened around here sent the people packing up and moving out. His name's Echota. I hope you’re all hungry, cause this lion is dinner. We’ll take him home and cook him up.” Lon continues to carve up the lion’s flesh. “This is fantastic…” Chase rolls his eyes. “Sarcasm… You’ll be the first one to go.” Lon smiles at Chase, whom doesn’t seem to be too comfortable with anything that’s happening. Minutes later Lon guides our other three survivors through the thick jungle. Chase reluctantly carries an arm full of lion meat wrapped in the animal’s hide, gagging along the way. “This is horrific,” Chase pulls his head away from the stench of the raw meat. “Well you better get used to it, because… oh here we go… home.” Our four survivors stand on the edge of a clearing, there in the middle is the ruins of a brick building. Over it Lon has thatched leaves for a roof and used logs and sticks to fill in the gapes left by the crumbling stone. ”Welcome to the wild”[/FONT]

Interesting, things seem to be heading in the direction I was planning on taking them. It's action time now. EDIT: Well there it is. I believe I handled everyone's character's well, but if anyone doesn't think so, let me know.

[quote name='Matt']I had a blast watching it. I would LOVE to see it again. [/QUOTE] Besides Plan 9 From Outerspace, Glen and Glenda and Batman and Robin, Shoot Em' Up is the worst movie I've ever seen. I know what it was going for: over the top senseless action, but it came off so campy and unneccesary it was its own worst enemy. Horrible. But that's just how [I]I[/I] feel.

[quote name='Vicky'][size=1]My third post will be up tonight soon enough. Now all we have it Kata to come along and someone to slap Chase across the face and shout "we're real, dickface!" then we can go for a little wander around and come up with all these weird solutions and reasons for the downfall of the human race. I have something interesting for next chapter >=). [/size][/QUOTE] Expect my character to do some "shaking up" during my next post. We'll get things rocking and rolling here.

Oh Lunox you stole Eva Green from me! *shakes fist in anger* And I hate to burst your bubble but that's not Rachel Weisz.