2010 Random Chat

[thingirl]

AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Paladin!!! I wish you both a long, successful, happy marriage!

[texlaw1992]

Although I still can't figure out what Paladin "sees" in her (lol).

May you have a long and happy marriage and never be in need of services from those in my profession.

[Young Ned]

Although I still can't figure out what Paladin "sees" in her (lol).

Groooooaan...

Conga-rats and best wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Paladin!

[spencer]

Best Wishes, Congratulations and Heartfelt good sentiments to Paladin on your Marriage!

[paladin]

Thanks. And she being a gamer hopefully I'll be able to get her to join Sryth someday...After she completes Super Mario Galaxy and Final Fantasy IV Advance at any rate. Of course her being employed full time she really has little time for that sort of thing but she takes what she can get.

[Scarbrow]

Most of us (the old ones, at least :p) are employed, and suffer to bring some game (or forum) time into our boring, busy lives. I'm sure she'll manage.

Congratulations, Paladin. A gamer girl is a great asset, but a gamer wife? That's a treasure. And she has good taste too. Final Fantasy... http://serve.mysmiley.net/love/love0031.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)http://serve.mysmiley.net/love/love0031.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)

[paladin]

Most of us (the old ones, at least :p) are employed, and suffer to bring some game (or forum) time into our boring, busy lives. I'm sure she'll manage.

Congratulations, Paladin. A gamer girl is a great asset, but a gamer wife? That's a treasure. And she has good taste too. Final Fantasy... http://serve.mysmiley.net/love/love0031.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)http://serve.mysmiley.net/love/love0031.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)

Well I don't know if she was necessarily a fan before we met but when she picked up Final Fantasy IV she really liked it. Right now she's on her laptop though. LOL.

[scout1idf]

Did anyone else receive a Guest Message from a new member mikereed04 today??
This is what I got...
Hey, Plz chck my site, it's abt weight loss where u can find how to lose weight fast wd unique weight loss program. It's nt lyk traditinol fast weight loss, quick weight loss, weight loss diet type of weight loss programs. I guarantee dat dis program is not only gonna make u lose weight bt also lose weight fast So, wd u like to know how to lose weight?I didn't click on any of the links just in case they were to spam sites, or worse......

I'll let the Mod's and/or Admin's decide if it's a spammer or not...

[Oldschool]

Definitely spamming. Maybe worse - with that in mind Scout I disabled the links in your quote just in case they are malicious.

I've checked the site on the links without going there.

I'm a bit over my head but it seems the links are fake and redirect you to spam, phishing, malware or worse.

However it could be the problem lies with the redirect - like I said I'm in a bit over my head.

Here's the WOT rating (note the url is different due to the redirect).

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/kourl.com

And I checked out the actual url,

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/weightlosswars.com

However McAffee rates it green but the possible redirect is a concern.

http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/weightlosswars.com?premium=false&client_uid=821652531&client_ver=3.1.0.175&client_type=IEPlugin&suite=true&aff_id=530&locale=en_us&os_ver=6.1.0.0&ref=safesearch

However due to the possible concerns I'm banning the user until one of the admins have a chance to look into it. Bans can be reset, lifted or temporary. At minimum even if the links are legit and harmless it's not acceptable use of the forum.

EDIT: Checked all the walls of members active during/since the post (about 30) and about a dozen others at random - no other messages found.

[Oldschool]

Although I checked several walls......

To any other members if you find a similar wall message or PM for that matter report it. If it's an open forum post or PM there will be an exclamation point icon for that function. For wall or guest messages it's the actual word report.

That sends a copy to the mods/admins with the report which asks you why you're reporting it. Of course in the case of PMs you can delete them. I think you can also soft delete (they can't be seen but staff can undelete them) any messages off your own wall but I'm not positive since my mod powers don't differentiate themselves from regular functions. If that's not the case or if it's spam, etc... and you want it physically removed either indicate so in the report or notify one of the staff.

[Lugwy]

For the love of all that is holy please disable the links in the quote, if you're going to quote it in public. Nearly had a scare with my clickhappy finger. :eek:

[Scarbrow]

I think you can also soft delete (they can't be seen but staff can undelete them) any messages off your own wall but I'm not positive since my mod powers don't differentiate themselves from regular functions. If that's not the case or if it's spam, etc... and you want it physically removed either indicate so in the report or notify one of the staff.

All users can soft delete their own visitor messages or general forum posts. PMs must be managed, deleted etc by the user, since staff doesn't have access to them. The extra options to physically delete are your special mod powers, Oldschool. Well done.

[scout1idf]

For the love of all that is holy please disable the links in the quote, if you're going to quote it in public. Nearly had a scare with my clickhappy finger. :eek:
I just got back on and read the posts.

I disabled the links in the QUOTE in my post.

I thought about doing that when I posted it, but thought maybe the Mod's or Admin's would need them active to check them out....

[texlaw1992]

I haven't had the impression that many people on the forum like console games, besides myself, but I bought Fable 3 yesterday (a D&D/Sryth-type RPG). I've played the first two, and the third installment involves overthrowing your evil king brother and seizing the throne (which will take me a while).

What's funny is in the second village, outside this library you have to enter, is a group of children running around playing ... D&D. Yes, they stop you to ask "what level is your character?" or to tell you "my cleric is chaotic evil!" It's funny.

[Scarbrow]

I haven't had the impression that many people on the forum like console games, besides myself, but I bought Fable 3 yesterday (a D&D/Sryth-type RPG). I've played the first two, and the third installment involves overthrowing your evil king brother and seizing the throne (which will take me a while).

What's funny is in the second village, outside this library you have to enter, is a group of children running around playing ... D&D. Yes, they stop you to ask "what level is your character?" or to tell you "my cleric is chaotic evil!" It's funny.

I love console/PC games, specially the RPG genre. I'm currently replaying my old Gothic titles (they also have three parts). I haven't played any of the Fable titles, but I read about them. I'll have to try some of them.

[Oldschool]

Boss: Is that Simon and Garfunkel? Turn it up.

Me: No it's not it's a cover.

Boss: Who is it?

Me: Black Label Society - they're pretty heavy.

Boss: Hmmmm.... never heard of 'em but they don't sound heavy to me - turn it up.

Me: OK as I turn it up a bit louder than probably expected as it was nearing the end and I knew what was up on the play list next......

Needless to say boss was a bit surprised and taken aback when BLS's mellow sounds evolved their more customary fare. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJMSnCWkI8c)

Although it got turned down at least the initial burst covered my snickering. :)

And here's the Simon and Garfunkel cover, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUBNw_nfADA

Incidentally there's a few covers in addition to the one above on that album. Sabbath's Junior's Eyes, Blind Faith's Can't Find My Way Home and Neil Young's Helpless.

[Young Ned]

Boss: Is that Simon and Garfunkel? Turn it up.

Me: No it's not it's a cover.

Boss: Who is it?

Me: Black Label Society - they're pretty heavy.

Boss: Hmmmm.... never heard of 'em but they don't sound heavy to me - turn it up.

Me: OK as I turn it up a bit louder than probably expected as it was nearing the end and I knew what was up on the play list next......

Needless to say boss was a bit surprised and taken aback when BLS's mellow sounds evolved their more customary fare. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJMSnCWkI8c)

Although it got turned down at least the initial burst covered my snickering. :)

And here's the Simon and Garfunkel cover, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUBNw_nfADA

Well, I totally see where your boss was coming from -- that particular song is, indeed, not very heavy. That was mean of you not to turn it down again in between songs! :p

Nice cover, BTW, thanks!

[Oldschool]

You're welcome Young Ned. I figured a few folks might enjoy one song or the other or maybe even both. You and Taleria came to mind with the Simon and Garfunkel cover.

And you probably had to be there but the "they don't sound heavy to me" and the way it was said resulted in me thinking...... "Yeah...? Well we'll see about that, lol."

Queensryche did both an acoustic and "electric" cover of Scarborough Fair and Geoff Tate is one of my favorite vocalists.

Conicidentally Leaves' Eyes who is on my current sig done an acoustic and electric version as well. I'd love to hear Liv Christie and Tate do a version together.

Simon and Garfunkel's stuff have been covered by many other artists covering just about every genre. Puts me in mind of the saying - "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".

[spencer]

Boss: Is that Simon and Garfunkel? Turn it up.

Me: No it's not it's a cover.

Boss: Who is it?

Me: Black Label Society - they're pretty heavy.

Boss: Hmmmm.... never heard of 'em but they don't sound heavy to me - turn it up.

Me: OK as I turn it up a bit louder than probably expected as it was nearing the end and I knew what was up on the play list next......

Needless to say boss was a bit surprised and taken aback when BLS's mellow sounds evolved their more customary fare. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJMSnCWkI8c)

Although it got turned down at least the initial burst covered my snickering. :)

And here's the Simon and Garfunkel cover, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUBNw_nfADA

Incidentally there's a few covers in addition to the one above on that album. Sabbath's Junior's Eyes, Blind Faith's Can't Find My Way Home and Neil Young's Helpless.

Nice links, OS. Have you heard The Lemonheads cover of Mrs. Robinson? I love it.

[Oldschool]

I like it too and iirc it was a very successful version charting pretty good. I know it got a lot of airplay. Good band which have their own stuff but have done several covers representing a bunch of genres including Metallica's Fade to Black.

[scout1idf]

I wasn't going to say anything, but I guess that I'm just in a mood so I will...

I'm a quite disappointed that so far, only Taleria and myself have registered for personal pages on the calculator.

It's easy to do, just register a user name and password then log in. (don't forget it because I have no way to retrieve it for you)

There are a couple of help links if you need it for setting up your pages.

That's all I'll say for now, I'm going to bed.....

[Doolipalally]

I haven't had a lot of time for the last month or so, but your post just prompted me to go and register. However, when I clicked on the link in your signature, my virus checker flashed up a warning about a Trojan Horse called JS:Redirector-DC [Trj]. Can someone clarify?

[Oldschool]

Can't offer any insight Dooli.

I just registered and didn't get the warning though although that's probably because of different software.

Thanks for the reminder Scout. I didn't realize you could register and set up your character info later. It'll be a bit before I get to entering the info.

Nice work and thanks.

[Young Ned]

I haven't had a lot of time for the last month or so, but your post just prompted me to go and register. However, when I clicked on the link in your signature, my virus checker flashed up a warning about a Trojan Horse called JS:Redirector-DC [Trj]. Can someone clarify?

Hmm, my virus checker didn't have a problem with it, and it's the one my company puts on the laptops they send to us work-at-home employees, so it should be pretty good. It does scan websites we visit, too.

Don't have time right now to register, Scout, but I should get to it soon...

[scout1idf]

To start with, I want to say I'm sorry for being grouchy. Kinda been going through some stuff and now I don't feel good (sick).

I haven't had a lot of time for the last month or so, but your post just prompted me to go and register. However, when I clicked on the link in your signature, my virus checker flashed up a warning about a Trojan Horse called JS:Redirector-DC [Trj]. Can someone clarify?

I found a script that got added to both of my sites and I removed them. The host has been having troubles lately and I'm guessing that it's related. The only page to be affected on both sites was the index page.

........
Thanks for the reminder Scout. I didn't realize you could register and set up your character info later. It'll be a bit before I get to entering the info.

Nice work and thanks.

My bad, I should have give a description of how it works.

You can actually make a page with only the character name if you don't have time for the full details then update it later. The update page is broken down into sections so you don't have to enter everything at once.

........
Don't have time right now to register, Scout, but I should get to it soon...
Not a problem.

[Doolipalally]

Sorry to hear you're not feeling so good, Scout - get well soon!

I'm not having any further problems with the site now, so it looks like your fix worked.

[Oldschool]

Mine explosion in New Zealand - 30 miners missing.

Prayers and thoughts welcome.

Hopefully this will have a happy ending like the recent incident in Chile.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/83757/20101119/mine-coal-new-zealand-pike-river-processing-india-gujarat-nre-coke-ltd-saurashtra-fuels-private-ltd.htm

[Badstench]

It's all over the TV this morning... it doesn't look good.

It wasn't a tunnel collapse, it was an explosion. 29 people still unnaccounted for.

Fingers crossed, but all the experts aren't optimistic.

Christchurch earthquake = zero casualties.

This will be our worst disaster in decades.

Rescuers can't enter the mine yet, but they'r already using the term "recovery", rather than "rescue".

[Young Ned]

Oh dear. Fingers crossed for as happy an ending as possible, but you're right, BS, it doesn't sound promising.

[texlaw1992]

Anything Chile can do, New Zealand can do better. Good luck to all.

[scout1idf]

Most users ever online was 144, 9 Hours Ago at 03:51 PM.The number always seems to climb when I'm at work..... (I start at 3:00 PM)

[texlaw1992]

Don't tell Scout we do all the fun stuff when he's not around (lol).

[Scarbrow]

If somebody notices the new SrythGM's reputation level, please forgive the incredibly lame pun (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IncrediblyLamePun)


If I have to make it explicit, then "its funny because... Its Over 9000!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMHTK15Pik)" :D

[scout1idf]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

[spencer]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!




Same to you and yours, Scout. Also the same to all of my other fellow Americans.

[texlaw1992]

I appear to be suffering from a tryptophan overdose, so Happy Thanksgiving and good night to all.

[Young Ned]

And I hope everyone outside the US still had a good day.

If somebody notices the new SrythGM's reputation level, please forgive the incredibly lame pun (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IncrediblyLamePun)


If I have to make it explicit, then "its funny because... Its Over 9000!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMHTK15Pik)" :D


Okay, I'm lost. I get that you raised his reputation to a certain number because "it's over 9000"... but where's the pun? I remember we used to be able to hover our mouse over someone's reputation to see a description or name of which level they were on, but that doesn't seem to work any more, and I haven't come up with any way to find it out. So if that's where you hid the pun, I don't know who's going to be able to see it.

[Doolipalally]

Okay, I'm lost. I get that you raised his reputation to a certain number because "it's over 9000"... but where's the pun? I remember we used to be able to hover our mouse over someone's reputation to see a description or name of which level they were on, but that doesn't seem to work any more, and I haven't come up with any way to find it out. So if that's where you hid the pun, I don't know who's going to be able to see it.

Did you click on Scarbrow's link and watch the video?

(Though I confess that didn't mean a lot to me either - sorry Scarbrow! :))

[scout1idf]

.....I haven't come up with any way to find it out. .....


You can see it here (http://srythforum.com/memberlist.php?&pp=30&order=asc&sort=username&ltr=S&page=2), if this is what you mean..

[Young Ned]

Did you click on Scarbrow's link and watch the video?

(Though I confess that didn't mean a lot to me either - sorry Scarbrow! :))

Yes, but it didn't help much.

You can see it here (http://srythforum.com/memberlist.php?&pp=30&order=asc&sort=username&ltr=S&page=2), if this is what you mean..

All that shows me is the specific number and his title, "Gamemaster", both of which I'd already seen by looking at one of his recent posts, and neither of which seems to involve any sort of pun. Didn't there use to be rank names associated with the reputation levels, like for 100+ rep you had one rank, and for 200+ you had some other rank? That's what I thought Scarbrow must be referring to, that he'd made the rep rank name some sort of pun.

[Scarbrow]

Hmpf... wrong demographic, maybe. I thought that meme had spread to all the corners of the interweb by now.

Over 9000! was originally just a funny video, but then it quickly spiraled out of control and became a widely known and used meme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme).

See for more information
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/its-over-9000
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=over%209000
http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Over_9000 (Warning, this site may be sometimes NSFW, is usually silly and more than a few times offensive. I find it amusing, though, but that may be because I'm not easily offended. Think of it as "juvenile prankster" and browse at your own risk.

Or just Google it, you'll get an idea of the scope of the thing (ok, maybe not so much, it "just" has about 2 million results for "Over 9000"

The practical part, it was such a high number that is unlikely that even Oldschool reaches it "soon" :p. However, I can change it to 9999 or something like that, if there is any problem.

In fact, I thought to hide a message in his Reputation level, but if you remember, I disabled that functionality because it was making some of our fellow screen reader users display repeated messages for the repeated reputation icons. I wasn't going to activate that just to make a poor pun.

[Young Ned]

Ah, I see. Thing is, that's not actually a pun, it's just a reference to a popular meme. I got the reference as soon as I watched your link, although I hadn't encountered that particular meme before. But I was still trying to find a pun, and there wasn't one. There wasn't any wordplay; you didn't change any of the words from the meme. That's a reference, not a pun.

If you'd called it an "incredibly lame pop-culture reference", that would have made all the difference. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/Old_Ned/icon_cool.gif

[texlaw1992]

In light of the mine explosion tragedy, I think it worth noting that three NZ teenagers who were given up for dead after being lost at sea were found alive and in good health some 57 days later. They survived by catching fish and eating a seagull which had landed on their boat. Great perseverance.

[Oldschool]

The Three Word Story thread got me thinking about potential run on sentences which I'm somewhat and unintentionally prone to post. Not to mention long sentences. Which got me thinking about the following doozy from French author Marcel Proust.

Courtesy of the following site http://cac.ophony.org/2008/06/27/a-very-long-sentence/

[Vol. 4 of Remembrance of Things Past (À la Recherche du temps perdu)]
“Their honour precarious, their liberty provisional, lasting only until the discovery of their crime; their position unstable, like that of the poet who one day was feasted at every table, applauded in every theatre in London, and on the next was driven from every lodging, unable to find a pillow upon which to lay his head, turning the mill like Samson and saying like him: “The two sexes shall die, each in a place apart!”; excluded even, save on the days of general disaster when the majority rally round the victim as the Jews rallied round Dreyfus, from the sympathy–at times from the society–of their fellows, in whom they inspire only disgust at seeing themselves as they are, portrayed in a mirror which, ceasing to flatter them, accentuates every blemish that they have refused to observe in themselves, and makes them understand that what they have been calling their love (a thing to which, playing upon the word, they have by association annexed all that poetry, painting, music, chivalry, asceticism have contrived to add to love) springs not from an ideal of beauty which they have chosen but from an incurable malady; like the Jews again (save some who will associate only with others of their race and have always on their lips ritual words and consecrated pleasantries), shunning one another, seeking out those who are most directly their opposite, who do not desire their company, pardoning their rebuffs, moved to ecstasy by their condescension; but also brought into the company of their own kind by the ostracism that strikes them, the opprobrium under which they have fallen, having finally been invested, by a persecution similar to that of Israel, with the physical and moral characteristics of a race, sometimes beautiful, often hideous, finding (in spite of all the mockery with which he who, more closely blended with, better assimilated to the opposing race, is relatively, in appearance, the least inverted, heaps upon him who has remained more so) a relief in frequenting the society of their kind, and even some corroboration of their own life, so much so that, while steadfastly denying that they are a race (the name of which is the vilest of insults), those who succeed in concealing the fact that they belong to it they readily unmask, with a view less to injuring them, though they have no scruple about that, than to excusing themselves; and, going in search (as a doctor seeks cases of appendicitis) of cases of inversion in history, taking pleasure in recalling that Socrates was one of themselves, as the Israelites claim that Jesus was one of them, without reflecting that there were no abnormals when homosexuality was the norm, no anti-Christians before Christ, that the disgrace alone makes the crime because it has allowed to survive only those who remained obdurate to every warning, to every example, to every punishment, by virtue of an innate disposition so peculiar that it is more repugnant to other men (even though it may be accompanied by exalted moral qualities) than certain other vices which exclude those qualities, such as theft, cruelty, breach of faith, vices better understood and so more readily excused by the generality of men; forming a freemasonry far more extensive, more powerful and less suspected than that of the Lodges, for it rests upon an identity of tastes, needs, habits, dangers, apprenticeship, knowledge, traffic, glossary, and one in which the members themselves, who intend not to know one another, recognise one another immediately by natural or conventional, involuntary or deliberate signs which indicate one of his congeners to the beggar in the street, in the great nobleman whose carriage door he is shutting, to the father in the suitor for his daughter’s hand, to him who has sought healing, absolution, defence, in the doctor, the priest, the barrister to whom he has had recourse; all of them obliged to protect their own secret but having their part in a secret shared with the others, which the rest of humanity does not suspect and which means that to them the most wildly improbable tales of adventure seem true, for in this romantic, anachronistic life the ambassador is a bosom friend of the felon, the prince, with a certain independence of action with which his aristocratic breeding has furnished him, and which the trembling little cit would lack, on leaving the duchess’s party goes off to confer in private with the hooligan; a reprobate part of the human whole, but an important part, suspected where it does not exist, flaunting itself, insolent and unpunished, where its existence is never guessed; numbering its adherents everywhere, among the people, in the army, in the church, in the prison, on the throne; living, in short, at least to a great extent, in a playful and perilous intimacy with the men of the other race, provoking them, playing with them by speaking of its vice as of something alien to it; a game that is rendered easy by the blindness or duplicity of the others, a game that may be kept up for years until the day of the scandal, on which these lion-tamers are devoured; until then, obliged to make a secret of their lives, to turn away their eyes from the things on which they would naturally fasten them, to fasten them upon those from which they would naturally turn away, to change the gender of many of the words in their vocabulary, a social constraint, slight in comparison with the inward constraint which their vice, or what is improperly so called, imposes upon them with regard not so much now to others as to themselves, and in such a way that to themselves it does not appear a vice.”

[texlaw1992]

There was an African-American author whose book I read back in high school had the longest run-on sentence in literary history at the time. For some reason, I cannot remember the author or the book. Does anyone know?

Edit: I now remember the author was William Faulkner, but the name of the book still eludes me.

[Young Ned]

The Three Word Story thread got me thinking about potential run on sentences which I'm somewhat and unintentionally prone to post. Not to mention long sentences. Which got me thinking about the following doozy from French author Marcel Proust.

Courtesy of the following site http://cac.ophony.org/2008/06/27/a-very-long-sentence/

Gabriel Garcia Marquez has some very long sentences like that in 100 Years of Solitude. He also has some paragraphs that go on for several pages, but I don't think they were all single-sentence paragraphs. Frankly, I think sentences or paragraphs that long are just the author showing off; they certainly don't improve the reader's comprehension, as they're very difficult to read and understand.

There was an African-American author whose book I read back in high school had the longest run-on sentence in literary history at the time. For some reason, I cannot remember the author or the book. Does anyone know?

Sorry, doesn't ring a bell.

[Oldschool]

Me neither Texlaw and Googling didn't help either.

And I agree with Young Ned about those lengthy sentences that use technically proper syntax so they aren't run on sentences.

[Tetracapillactomist]

Frankly, I think sentences or paragraphs that long are just the author showing off; they certainly don't improve the reader's comprehension, as they're very difficult to read and understand.

Oh, it may be unfair to characterise all such things as attempts by the author to show off. It may be that, at times, as well as something else. It certainly is argued in literary and academic circles, that James Joyce did tend to display his 'literary wherewithal' at any cost, especially at the expense of William Shakespeare, whom - it is also argued - he viewed as his chief (if not his only) literary rival and artistic adversary, chronological considerations notwithstanding; as a writer, he, among all others, but more so, because writing in the same idiom as the Bard and carrying the ambition to claim to top literary status, would incessantly - and unfavourably - be measured against the yardstick that is Shakespeare and his 'creative prowess' (or so he feared, they say...); it then suited him well to take the giant down a peg or two, while also displaying his own proclivity for wanting to dominate the literary landscape in general, the Bard in particular, and make words do, and readers read as he, James Joyce has willed.
Well, in a way he succeeded... in others, he did not - such things can backfire, especially when one sets out to prove one's own superiority... the struggle takes over and the game is forgotten. Then again, many (most?) authors do struggle rather than play - especially lyric ones, because personal feelings are more (de-)pressing and weigh heavier than mere words - and they are costly to bare (think of Sylvia Plath, Nick Drake, &c.)...

But in good literature too, form follows function, in the sense that gratuitous use of form is bereft of meaning and substance and power, and is generally a recipe for "bad literature".

As often as not, such things as overlong sentences and interminable paragraphs are, in my opinion, a simple exhibition of playfulness, of the joy found in words, forms and meanings; also, they are tools in the writer's arsenal, same as metaphors, allegories, hyperbole, meters and rhyme, and are therefore used to suit a particular purpose or a mood (there is more to literature than the telling of a story in the simplest, shortest way - if that weren't so, we may be forced to read the same exact story written in the same words; I'm exaggerating... and speaking of exaggeration: after this reply, I'll be posting single-syllable ones: yes, no, mayb' :D).

Sometimes - contrary to the criticism quoted - long sentences might represent the dissolution or dissolving of the ego, of the self (as opposed to the assertion or imposition of it), in an almost primordial play on words and phrases, somewhat musical in nature and dating back to a time before words even existed... when rhythmically grunting was simply and inexplicably... fun, yet expressive (to be sure, I'm claiming that good writers do not generally employ such tools or "tricks" simply to "show off" and befuddle the reader - they do so because it is the way they envisioned it; or else, the passage just happened to flow onto the page that way and it satisfied their personal vision... well, the writers mentioned by name are definitely among the best)

Perhaps there is no literature without some measure of "fun", however interpreted; like Dada, or the following example, which - although in obvious ways opposite to the lengthy ones above - is, in principle, representing the same willingness to play, use tools, shape and mould life, thoughts and expressions; this particular one does so by condensing one entire life death into a monometer barely over a dozen lines in length, written by Robert Herrick and titled Upon His Departure Hence:

Thus I
Passe by,
And die:
As One,
Unknown,
And gon:
I'm made
A shade,
And laid
I'th grave,
There have
My Cave.
Where tell
I dwell,
Farewell.

So, long sentences are in essence no different from other legitimate forms and tools, and not deserving of being maligned any more than any other instrument of self-expression. (Granted, they can be jawbreakers...)

And let's not forget that literature is, after all, a true art (sometimes, maybe accidentally:)), not bound by the constraints of a "user's manual" (which should indeed be clear and concise... but isn't! :D);
a literary work's primary function is not to be concise, staccato-like and easily digested, nor practical and utilitarian, but to express the writer's thoughts, feelings and experiences in a personal way, regardless of the chosen style.

It is permissible at times to stop trying to understand a work (and through understanding, to possess it), and start to "feel" it instead, letting the words, pauses, rhythms and sometimes conflicting meanings carry the thought as waves would carry the "uncarved block"... in other words, this would imply responding to words in a similar fashion as is often done to music - which may seem difficult and counter-intuitive, but is sometimes unavoidable.

Then again... writers cannot and do not force readers to consume their works, while on the other, they do not usually take requests - especially posthumously... ;)

Well, for no god's sake should you take all this too seriously - in the spirit of endangered and necessary lightness I now apparently contradict the body of the post by saying that maybe you're right, after all, and that writers might be pranksters, in the venerated spirit of Tyl (/Till/ Thijl/ Dyl/etc.) Eulenspiegel (/Ulenspiegel/ Ulenspegel/ ul'n Spegel/etc.).

Posts like this one sometimes "just happen" as well... again wrote a reply while working on something else; I hope it's coherent enough, but am now too tired to check or even care - any minute now, my lights will go out.
Let my sentences run where they may...

[thingirl]

I JUST GOT MY LEARNER'S PERMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm bouncing off the walls... or at least about to break this chair........ :D:D:DD:D::D:D:DD::D:D:D:DD:D::D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D:D:D

[spencer]

I JUST GOT MY LEARNER'S PERMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm bouncing off the walls... or at least about to break this chair........ :D:D:DD:D::D:D:DD::D:D:D:DD:D::D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D:D:D

I was wondering what that email from the Tennessee Highway Patrol that was labeled WARNING!!!
was all about :)

[thingirl]

:p:p:p:p:p

Yeah, yeah, yeah....... I don't live anywhere close to you. It's my church family that should be worried...........

[scout1idf]

I JUST GOT MY LEARNER'S PERMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm bouncing off the walls... or at least about to break this chair........ :D:D:DD:D::D:D:DD::D:D:D:DD:D::D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D:D:D
Congrats!!!!


Also,

Please do us all a favor,

While driving, please keep your cell phone in your pocket at all times and tell your friends to do the same.

That goes for everybody!

Driving while on the phone/texting is going to replace drunk driving as a leading cause of accidents.

(God I'm old)

[texlaw1992]

All other drivers in TN, though: be afraid, be very afraid (lol).

[thingirl]

@ Scout: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, that crap annoys me to no end! HANG UP AND DRIVE, PEOPLE!!!!!! LOOK AT THE ROAD, NOT THE PHONE!!!!!!!! (No, you're not old. I agree with you :))

@ Tex: Only if I'm hyper... Oh, wait.... Agreed :D

[Oldschool]

Poor Thindad (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2494219958_e753586225.jpg?v=0) and Thinmom (http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/3/13/129130261960145759.jpg). ;)

Congrats Thingirl. :)

[Elrond]

Wow, Congrats TG! Keep safe and drive responsibly.

For some reason, it is strange to follow the "growing up" of forum members. Each one seems to have a "static" picture or perception in my mind. But with TG, she seems to be "growing up" in the forum.

Sorry if that's incomprehensible! But that's what popped up right away when reading TG's announcement!

[thingirl]

Well, that's what you get when you've only got a few teenagers on the forum. :) And I followed that.

[Lightwielder]

Wow, Congrats TG! Keep safe and drive responsibly.

For some reason, it is strange to follow the "growing up" of forum members. Each one seems to have a "static" picture or perception in my mind. But with TG, she seems to be "growing up" in the forum.

Sorry if that's incomprehensible! But that's what popped up right away when reading TG's announcement!

Did you get that same feeling from my 18th Birthday?

[Elrond]

Did you get that same feeling from my 18th Birthday?

No, I didn't.

[Scarbrow]

Maybe because TG is both omnipresent and often shows her age. And also, she keep us informed about her RL now and then so we can follow her growing up.

Congratulations, TG. I fear nothing, since you would have to drive really far (not to mention very strange contraptions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_car_%28aircraft%29)) to endanger me... :p

[Oldschool]

Congratulations, TG. I fear nothing, since you would have to drive really far (not to mention very strange contraptions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_car_%28aircraft%29)) to endanger me... :p

Or................ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphicar) ;)

[Young Ned]

Conga-rats, TG! That's a big milestone. :D

[Tetracapillactomist]

Congratulations, TG - watch out for the wandering undead... oh, what the heck, watch for the living too. ;)

@ Young Ned:
Conga-rats, TG!
...almost missed that one, my eyes jumped back to it because of the unexpected hyphen - the image popped into my mind and I keep laughing like The Big Bang Theory's Texan... I imagine a conga-line breaking up in the middle of a road and rodents scampering off it in all directions at the approach of a Sryth-branded vehicle...:)

[Doolipalally]

Congrats, TG!

@Tetra: Good point about needing to consider rhythm and feeling as well as sense and content. I had another thought, which is that just as Joyce set himself up against Shakespeare, writers in earlier centuries were often influenced by the prevailing feeling that literary merit was epitomised by classical authors. You then have a situation where English prose style is trying to emulate Latin, and a great many Roman authors tended to express themselves in long and complex sentences in order to demonstrate their virtuosity. Cicero is a good example.

(The other point about Latin is that as an inflected language it can be manipulated with a lot of flexibility when it comes to the placing of words for emphasis. There's a good example somewhere in Tacitus, where he's describing Roman soldiers being ferried across to the island of Anglesey and the enemy lining the shore waiting for them. He does this great bit of suspense-building in one long sentence, describing the scene and fearsome appearance of the warriors, and then with the very last word he reveals the scariest thing about them - they were women. So there are ways in which long sentences can be effective in Latin which can never really be repeated in English.)

[Oldschool]

I imagine a conga-line breaking up in the middle of a road and rodents...:)

Apt imagninings TC - seems your Divination is spot on. :D





Ned where's that conga line of rats (mice) that I've seen you post before - lol.

You mean this one?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/Old_Ned/conga-rats.gif

[Tetracapillactomist]

Damn! That's all I needed - now my cheeks are frozen into a wide, stupid grin and I can baarely keep on typing! (...help...) :D

@Dooli (Lally? - I like them both):

(Thank you.) Not only that, but of course 'imitation' (now termed plagiarism) was held in high esteem, whereas the opposite is true regarding 'originality', which was considered trivial, superficial, overly 'prideful', lacking respect (for substantive works, masters, traditions, &c.) and suspect, among many other reasons to make such 'self-centered' works generally maligned and mistrusted.
Hm, tempora mutantur...

I sometimes wonder how much is self-imposed and how much is 'immovably factual' of any given idiom's unsuitability for a particular task or literary exercise. English seems to have supported a far greater range of syntactical arrangements throughout its evolution than it allows presently, and colourful and creative regional and literary options can still be found (in current use), which would generally be rejected by 'the mainstream'. So how much of it is in fact a self-imposed 'linguistic poverty' or 'linguistic censorship' with an eye on 'streamlining', 'politically correcting' and such? Granted, 'Latin flexibility' would prove a disappointing mirage when attempted in English - still... universality comes at the expense of variety? But allowing for a 'natural', 'organic' evolution, the opposite is more likely... so perhaps the institutional, concerted, media-driven, politically minded and more or less imposed 'linguistic measures' are responsible for some lack of flexibility and over-simplification. Oh, and the effects of the internet can't be ignored, but the argument rages on - well, I sense an impending tailspin, so I'll just quit before I end up disorientated in a 'debate ditch'...:rolleyes::)

About Tacitus... I never quite achieved sufficient command of Latin to read the classics beyond one passage - one sentence, rather - at a time, so direct comparison is out of the question for me, presently... But I may yet attempt it, because your description made me curious.:)

However, I do recall experiencing that punchline- or whiplash-like gasp of elated surprise - or deflation and 'instant sinking', depending on the implications - while reaching the end of a suspense-building sentence... but I couldn't say whether the material was in English, French, or in one of my two near-forgotten 'secret languages'; also, the length of the sentences left a lghter impression than the final effect... And without seeing the referenced passage from Tacitus, I can't say if they even come close to 'measuring up'.

But jumping back to Latin for one more recollection's worth: there were limitations to it as well, surfacing at times when translations of Greek classical poetry were attempted while trying to preserve the original meters, and I now wonder whether any of those difficulties were syntax-related, because that seems unlikely. What think you? All I can really say is, that Greek meters are a lifetime's worth of study in themselves and I never got a proper handle on them (partly because if my mastery of Latin can be qualified as pitifully inadequate, my knowledge of classical Greek is non-existent) - but they remain intriguing.

[Young Ned]

Damn! That's all I needed - now my cheeks are frozen into a wide, stupid grin and I can baarely keep on typing! (...help...) :D

[six more paragraphs snipped for space]

Hmm, it didn't seem to hinder you too much! ;)

[scout1idf]

Did SMV resign or something?

It will be 2 months (Saturday) since his last post.


(Damn that DDO)

[Oldschool]

I'm guessing he's concentrating on D&D Online along with Wetheril and Racey. I'm in a guild with them but have been inactive for a month or more. I've been meaning to get back into it especially since they've had some major updates. And last I played SMV's character in that guild was pretty inactive as he was concentrating on another one in another guild. Actually everyone else was pretty inactive last I was regular over there but they may have other characters in other guilds like SMV.

I get over there I'll drop 'em all a line. And I recall Racey posting here in the last couple days or so.

[scout1idf]

....... And I recall Racey posting here in the last couple days or so.
I just checked and it was 2 days ago. At least he still stop's by......

[scout1idf]

Remember the good old days of battle.....
Re: The Ruins of Tarramyre« Reply #2272 on Apr 11, 2009, 12:19am »

With final, deafening roar, four broad arcs of black lightning cross the sky as Xarakk, the mighty demon servant of Joloreth, slowly sinks down into the great wreath of flame and smoke that fills the ring of stones.

The bold adventurers positioned at the the edge of the ring swiftly fall back as the towering, black-winged demon topples into the unseen gate in the centre of the stones from which he sprung.

The gruesome battle is at last over, and you can take pride in knowing that it was you who struck the final blow!

XP +256 You've been awarded a total of 256 Experience...
256 xp applied to general...

XP +128 You've been awarded 128 Experience...
128 xp applied to All Skills and Powers...

The Greater Demon Xarakk is no more. The greater demon was valiantly engaged by a brave band of Sryth's most illustrious heroes in a brutal battle that lasted 1 hour(s) and 21 minute(s).

It was ultimately the illustrious adventurer, SCOUT (scout1idf), who brought down Xarakk.

Wielding his trusted weapon (The Demonscourge), the valiant SCOUT ended the menace of Xarakk by dealing out a total of 494 point(s) of damage in his final engagement with the greater demon.

Here are the names of some of the bravest adventurers who stood against Xarakk, and the damage they scored against the greater demon...

Adventurer Damage
1. SCOUT (scout1idf) 36,476(1,536 XP)
2. Mxeptz (molh394) 13,489
3. Chetwyn Ulose (hackler) 336


Killing Blow #41.... Look how long the battle took and the damage vs. the reward.
Scout even needed his Demonscourge for Xarakk back then.......

[Tetracapillactomist]

Hmm, it didn't seem to hinder you too much! ;)

You noticed, huh?:rolleyes: "But seriously", didn't you think it was rather uncharacteristically "short", considering the length of my other 'waxing posts'?:D

Well, really, the spastic giggles subsided after a while - only to start again when I visited the thread Oldschool hot-linked...

And I don't even like rats - or roaches (or mice, since my workshop was at one time overrun by them, courtesy of the idiot occupant of an adjoining shop)... but in spite of all that, your conga-line just makes me laugh.

[Oldschool]

Random pic... :)

http://writerscolumn.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/rabbit-hamster-cat-dog.jpg

[Tetracapillactomist]

What would be the caption?

"The early days of the San Diego Zoo"

"Peace on Earth"

"Early arrivals to the G20 summit" or "G4 leaders relaxing on Mrs. Robinson's porch"

"Leaders commemorate the historic meeting in Yalta"

"Newcomers address the Old Guard - Mammals vs. Dinos: the other "Big Bang"

"We the Furry..."

"Twenty Years Later"/"Vingt Ans Après"

"The Gruesome Foursome" (the "vicious rabbit" et al.)

:)

[Young Ned]

What would be the caption?

"The early days of the San Diego Zoo"

"Peace on Earth"

"Early arrivals to the G20 summit" or "G4 leaders relaxing on Mrs. Robinson's porch"

"Leaders commemorate the historic meeting in Yalta"

"Newcomers address the Old Guard - Mammals vs. Dinos: the other "Big Bang"

"We the Furry..."

"Twenty Years Later"/"Vingt Ans Après"

"The Gruesome Foursome" (the "vicious rabbit" et al.)

:)

"This meeting of the Cute Society will now come to order."

(Followed by "The first item on the agenda is a status report on our Master Plan to take over the world.")

[thingirl]

So, I'm probably gonna disappear for a while, maybe even until after New Years :(.

I've got a church trip tomorrow-the 20th, and then my family leaves town Christmas day and come back Dec. 27. And Dad is taking the last two weeks of the year off (I think), so the chances of me getting on here? well ,we got a new computer, but it doesn't have internet access yet. :( But it might sometime.

All this just to say if I go away for two weeks or so, don't be alarmed, nothing happened. I'm just busy.

[Oldschool]

Have fun and don't forget about the lunar eclipse. (http://www.srythforum.com/showthread.php?p=42318)

[scout1idf]

So, I'm probably gonna disappear for a while, maybe even until after New Years :(.
Enjoy yourself, be safe and have a Merry Christmas.....
.....don't forget about the lunar eclipse. (http://www.srythforum.com/showthread.php?p=42318)
Thanks, I forgot about that...

[spencer]

See you when you get back, TG!! Merry Christmans and Happy New Year!!

[thingirl]

TIA (as opposed to TSA -don't worry, I'm not flying :)) all.

@ Oldschool: THanks, I forget :).

[texlaw1992]

Don't do anything you wouldn't do.

[Young Ned]

Hope you have a fun time, TG! Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and your family. :)

[zmflavius]

Merry Christmas.

[Oldschool]

A Melodic (note my sig) and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or your equivalent (http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/christmas.htm) to our Forum Family. :)

[mahansolo]

Random pic... :)

http://writerscolumn.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/rabbit-hamster-cat-dog.jpg

I'd add a thought balloon over the rabbit: "Yo man, don't be stickin' me in with these soft chumps. First off, I'm cute my whole life. Secondly, these punks wouldn't last a week out in the brush. You ever hear of 'Cat/Dog/Mouse season'? Please!

:rolleyes:

OK, time for my meds again!

EDIT: Happy Holidays, TG. Remember, when praying out loud, it's "Our Father", not All-Father" ;)

[thingirl]

(BTW, we don't leave Church 'till like 5 PM)

Oh, and I forget to say.... It's a ski trip! :cool::cool:

Thanks again, everyone. :)

And Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/"have a good whatever you celebrate" to everyone!

EDIT: Happy Holidays, TG. Remember, when praying out loud, it's "Our Father", not All-Father" ;)

LOL! :rolleyes: Yes, I'll remember..... :)

[thingirl]

I'm leaving in like an hour. Bye everyone!

[Oldschool]

Well I think I just stumbled upon the use for that Jade Key which seems to be connected to our mechanical contraption.

The following came up on my Christmas playlist, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xjjlUbpJ4

Which led to said revelation, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW06TDYk5vA

I just have to wind him with the robot key. And no I haven't been in the egg nog. :cool:;)

[texlaw1992]

Apparently Fort Worth, Texas recently leased ads on the sides of buses to an atheist group (they had allowed churches to do it for years). They caused such a hue and cry that the Fort Worth Transit board voted to ban all religious advertisements, a solution which (strangely enough) was praised by both sides. However:

"The Rev. Kyev Tatum said he thinks a better solution would have been continuing to allow religious advertising while rejecting the atheist ads under the transportation authority's policy that prohibits political, offensive and other types of ads. He said he doesn't understand how atheists could find Christian messages offensive because 'religion is not about divisiveness but about love.'"

How many sentences can you make from: "He said he doesn't understand how ______ could find ________ messages offensive because '______ is not about divisiveness but about love.'"

[Young Ned]

The following came up on my Christmas playlist, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xjjlUbpJ4

Which led to said revelation, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW06TDYk5vA

Both very amusing, Oldschool -- thanks! :D

He said he doesn't understand

To quote a line popularized by fans of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show",

NO SH-T, SHERLOCK!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/Old_Ned/Mr_Angry.gif



And yes, I'm talking to that minister, not you, Texlaw.

[Tetracapillactomist]

[...] a visitor who came from a different country where the values were not the same as mine, or ours.

...hm.
Perhaps you half expect that some might find your understanding extreme.
Perhaps I might be one of them.
Perhaps her "values"... are not.
Perhaps they're not what we should call values
or perhaps they're not so valuable as to be worth consideration.

You're what I consider my Aotearoan friend on this forum, but your post put me in a dark, conflicted, frowning mood - in spite of the fact that what it addresses, are well-known elements of our collectively shared 'humanity': ignorance and bile...

We are the human race - scientifically speaking: one species, one race...
but we'll bash each other's brains in over important matters like...

...which colours are preferable...

...whose mythology is the 'right' (and most righteous) mythology...

...and which end of a boiled egg should be broken first at the breakfast table...

Clearly, these are all excellent and righteous reasons for humanity at large to hate and kill and...

However... perhaps her "values" should not, or cannot be ascribed to her entire "different country" (whichever country that may be) - one might hope.

Well, we are what we are, while we are... I have no definitive answers, or no answers at all - and certainly no solution.

Then again, based on you self-evaluation, and taking that reasoning to its logical - if extreme - conclusion, we might contemplate extending our sympathy and friendship to members of the KKK and of neo-Nazi groups, since the "values" of their respective organizations are simply "different"; and should we fail to be so understanding, would that make bigots of us all?

Don't mind me, Badstench - must be that time of the year... ka mate, ka ora...

[Tetracapillactomist]

He said he doesn't understand

To quote a line popularized by fans of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show",

NO SH-T, SHERLOCK!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/Old_Ned/Mr_Angry.gif

And yes, I'm talking to that minister, not you, Texlaw.

...heh... There never does seem to be a shortage of "the befuddled"...

The mediaeval Crusaders still don't understand how they may be blamed for anything...

Yes, I communicate with the dead...:rolleyes: NO! Of course not.
(Well, if I do, I certainly won't avow it here...;))

Submit me to the auto-da-fé, if you must, for saying so - but I think it safe to surmise that no responsibility would be accepted;

which makes me think of the Nürnberg/Nuremberg trials: they merely "followed orders"... as was most everybody who ever raped, pillaged and depopulated a village, town or region;

and when the order is given by a tyrant, pope, or commander-in-chief - surprise!:( - there's always the supreme 'thought-suggester', 'fervor-inspirer' and 'decree-giver' such a faithful leader, a socio- and psychopath can rely on, "talk to," and "ask for help and answers"... answers like:

"Ka-BOOM, you faithless vermin! - your flesh was seared off your sooty skeletons because 'my zeus' - the only true and righteous one! - has told me so!"

Well... nowhere is it carved in stone that humanity or the human civilization, ten thousand years of blood-soaked toil and unbounded creativity and imagination allhave to survive!...

Humanism was among them that came close, by putting it on paper;

but its values are "out of fashion" now, forgotten mostly, laughed-at sometimes, even outright rejected in favour of such swine-worthy pearls of - porcine, puerile, turpitude-embracing, short-sighted - wisdom as "greed is good", or the much older "might makes right"...

So Humanism sits dejected by the side of the road (there too sit Socrates, Voltaire, and others...), waiting instead for Godot... Humanity... Us... But Godot will never show.

Damn, it makes me want to cry and bellow at the same time when I think of that... all the beautiful thoughts gone to waste, forgotten...

"Wake the bloody hell up and shake off the cobwebs shrouding your brains!"

I'm really sorry in a way to written and be [S]posting imposing this message on the thread - especially at this time of the year...

And I might well be embarrassed by my post next I see it here - but not right now, not yet. I feel a right sob and a proper sap, but can't shake the congested feeling from my nose, eyes, face...

It must be the seasonal 'cheer' getting the better of me.
...aaand here it is... I can't continue. Sorry.

...cheers...

:(:):o

[thingirl]

First off, I am now on my computer. Well, technically, it's not mine, but it's in my room, so...... Yeah.... :D I have a claim to shove the little sisters off. :D

Now.... The trip was awesome! I went skiing. And fell. A lot. Oh well..... And then I went tubing! Awesome! And I'm sore...

Also, has anybody on here read The Ranger's Apprentice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger%27s_Apprentice)? It's awesome. I brought the first 4 books in the car...... and now I'm a third of the way through book 4. :D

[Lightwielder]

Also, has anybody on here read The Ranger's Apprentice? It's awesome. I brought the first 4 books in the car...... and now I'm a third of the way through book 4.

So, she not only types quickly, she reads quickly. It's like time is slowed down for you, isn't it?

[Oldschool]

Lunar eclipse reminder, http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/17dec_solsticeeclipse/

[Elrond]

First off, I am now on my computer. Well, technically, it's not mine, but it's in my room, so...... Yeah.... :D I have a claim to shove the little sisters off. :D

Now.... The trip was awesome! I went skiing. And fell. A lot. Oh well..... And then I went tubing! Awesome! And I'm sore...

Also, has anybody on here read The Ranger's Apprentice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger%27s_Apprentice)? It's awesome. I brought the first 4 books in the car...... and now I'm a third of the way through book 4. :D

Welcome back, TG! Glad you had fun on the trip :)

[scout1idf]

@ Thingirl }---> Welcome back
@ Oldschool }---> Thanks for the reminder, but it's snowing here at the moment so I can't see it.:(

[Young Ned]

Oldschool }---> Thanks for the reminder, but it's snowing here at the moment so I can't see it.:(

Yeah, we've got rainclouds here, so same problem. :(

And yes, welcome back, TG! I thought the trip was going to last until after New Year's?

[Lightwielder]

Missed a total lunar eclipse due to a full blanket of rainclouds across our sky. Been raining for days over here.

I love lunar phenomena, as well as full moons... :(

[Oldschool]

Same here, too cloudy/overcast to see the moon period. Seems it was pretty much the same everywhere except for a few places if the cams I viewed were any indication. The last was 12-21-1638 but wait the next is "closer"...... 12-21-2094.

Actually that's for a full lunar eclipse on the solstice. ;)

Actually the New Year will see a couple of full lunar eclipses, http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEdecade/LEdecade2011.html

And here's a schedule for solar eclipses as well, http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEdecade/SEdecade2011.html

[thingirl]

So, she not only types quickly, she reads quickly. It's like time is slowed down for you, isn't it?

Well, it's a 5 hour drive from Church to the camp, and a hour to an hour and a half drive from camp to the ski place. And we went skiing twice, so that's 14-15 hours in the car. And the RA books are only 200-300 (usually around 250) pages long, so.... And yes, I do read kind of quickly.

And yes, welcome back, TG! I thought the trip was going to last until after New Year's?

Church trip = 17th-20th. Family trip= 25th-27th. Rest of the time= Dad's home, so I can't get on. THe reason is that one computer broke, so we only had two. However, my parents (I love you Daddy ♥:)) surprised me by getting another computer, getting it working, and putting the oldest computer in my room. So it is my (and my little sister's) computer. I have shoving off rights. ;):):p



Time-lapse eclipse video (http://www.vimeo.com/18046748)

I found that on FB. :)

[Young Ned]

Church trip = 17th-20th. Family trip= 25th-27th. Rest of the time= Dad's home, so I can't get on. THe reason is that one computer broke, so we only had two. However, my parents (I love you Daddy ♥:)) surprised me by getting another computer, getting it working, and putting the oldest computer in my room. So it is my (and my little sister's) computer. I have shoving off rights. ;):):p

Aha, that explains it. I just remembered you saying you might not be here until after the 1st; I'd forgotten that all those different things were contributing to the absence. Conga-rats on the replacement computer!

Time-lapse eclipse video (http://www.vimeo.com/18046748)

I found that on FB. :)

Nice! I did get to see the eclipse a few times through holes in the cloud cover, but it was almost over by then. I tried looking for some videos of it on YouTube last night, but I guess it was too soon after the eclipse for the videos to be up yet. I'm sure my wife will be happy to see this -- she's quite the astronomy buff. Thanks! :D

[Oldschool]

For the upcoming New Year I've changed my musical sigs to fit the mood - enjoy.

[Oldschool]

Kudos to Elrond for suggesting one Random Chat thread for the year instead of one for each month.

Such a good idea that I propose we just make this one Random Chat period. So how 'bout it?

[scout1idf]

Kudos to Elrond for suggesting one Random Chat thread for the year instead of one for each month.

Such a good idea that I propose we just make this one Random Chat period. So how 'bout it?
At first I had some concern about finding a certain topic/discussion, but now that I've thought about it, I don't think that would be a problem.

Like looking through the old Questions for the GM, most of the time I couldn't remember what set/month the question in question was in and had to look through all of them for the answer anyhow.

I vote for a title change for this thread to just "Random Chat" or even "Real World Random Chat".

Or, how about "Chatting Among Friends"?:)

Just my $1.50 (inflation don't you know).

[Oldschool]

Good point about finding stuff. Although this is random chat the search thread function works nicely and is a good way to narrow or fine tune searches.

Imo we should just take the 2010 off the front and call this Random Chat.

[Elrond]

Kudos to Elrond for suggesting one Random Chat thread for the year instead of one for each month.

Such a good idea that I propose we just make this one Random Chat period. So how 'bout it?

Nice idea, Oldschool. You've got my vote.

[Scarbrow]

I think we should stick with the yearly idea. This thread is already more than 600 posts long. Right now, if you want to manually search it, it's almost unfeasible. Also, chronological has an advantage: "Tapping" into the past, as we do now with the old forum. If we continue this loooong thread in 2011, it will be difficult to separate periods of time.

Plus, it has already showed to work in the Game Updates threads etc

[Oldschool]

Good point about the length of the thread for search or archival purposes. 2011 thread to be up momentarily and will close this one.