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One more thing
Gside: that was a joke about ctrl-r. Us mac users use command-r 8-). I wonder what a fae named command-r would look like...hmmm...
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, US of A
Saturday, February 24, 2001 03:28:29 AM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

Todd and Greg: Thanks for the explanations about Coyote and the answers to my questions about 2198.

Daniel: So nice to see another mac user in here! Any other mac users?

Aingeal: please don't torch me bald. I'd rather not look like my father. And I irritate too. ::Growls and eyes light up::

Gunjack: I look forward to our debates on morality and ethics. Imzadi is, well, read the Star Trek book by Peter David titled "Imzadi" for a clear definition.
The suit. SOLD. Don't worry, I'll wear the helmet. I won't be much good at free advertising for you if I'm a corpse. But if you only multiply my pitiful strength by a factor of eight, I'll barely be strong enough to lift a small car. Can we do any better? I'd gladly sacrifice some speed for more strength. The rifle is a nice idea, but I don't plan on carrying extra weaponry. I'd like to have my hands free. That's what the built in wrist cannon and "plasmafaust" are for. Under an overcoat, yes. But what about under a suit? Or a pair of jeans?
I love weaponry too. That is a great description. Do you have any drawings online that I could see?
I sincerely hope that Skippy can do other things well besides dress himself up as a klingon. Otherwise I will have him shipped to Pluto when I take over the world, along with all the other people who have no useful skills.

Gside/Lynati: I wasn't actually being piggish when I said that I'd have to meet with Warpmind. I just worry that he might do something like restrict trade and immigration to/from his chosen domain. Why would people want to move to Scandavia? Because there's a bunch of beautiful blond-haired, blue-eyed people there. So we can't have Warpmind being a total dick about that stuff. Comprende?

Gunjack: well here's some RED for ya!
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, US of A
Saturday, February 24, 2001 03:22:53 AM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

Gside><<You need a friend for that?>> Why do you think they call it "riding shotgun?" ; )

My word, just LOOK at all that green!
Gunjack "Doc" Valentine
Saturday, February 24, 2001 03:17:10 AM
IP: 216-146-183-1.bwn.net

Imzadi> <<ctrl-r, huh? I've never heard of that particular child of Oberon>>: Just the shortcut key for reloading most browsers.

Gunjack> <<Subtly, thy name is Gside>>: What do you want? I'm an engineer.
<<I'd STILL say it's nicer than EN, though>>: I'd say the art tends towards that direction more often, but EN's subject matter is more ribald than SMT. Though THL has them both beat in both areas ("Whay didn't you tell me my sister was here?").
<<the reference was to the large stag pic you used>>: I never actually noticed that until you said it. They haven't featured Buck in a couple weeks ("Hey is that Miss Kiwi behind her?"). Though just be glad there isn't a pic featuring two canids.
<>: It seems that you're in charge of the semi-conventional division, while Fire Storm heads the strange matter/energy department.
<<Gunjack "Higgeldy-Piggledy" Valentine>>: Read the Breathed interview?

Warpmind> <>: I wasn't really talking to you, just completing your thought to others who were interested.

Imzadi> <<We might need to have a meeting about that one>>: I'd think exports can be arranged. Warpind probably wouldn't handle a harem that large, and Lynati would get angry anyway.

Lynati> <<No. you won't. ...pig>>: What'd I say.

Taleweaver> <<Down hear in Cal Poly its seems there are more female Civs than MEs>>: I thought all the females were concentrated in ChemE.

Lady Corax> <<That joke was from the ASME handbook?>>: Not really, but it was from an official ASME T-shirt.

Calíope> <<You dont sniff it man!>>: You sure about that?
<<Oh! Right!...whats that?>>: I just like giving names like that to recurring items. Like all the FTCs I have from Calc 3. It helps to think of formulae for naming bad horror sequels. Ever notice how horror sequels inevitable tendwards porn?

Imzadi> <<Its so nice being in a room full of people who actually know what "Imzadi" is/means>>: Le premiere.

Aaron> <<So, CR updates are like a second coming?>>: Essentially. Happens about the same frequency. Though I did forget an o.

Daniel Johnson> <<Guess I'm gonna have to start thinking about upgrading>>: Just please don't stop over to ask to borrow a bucket of ice. (ref: Penny Arcade)

CtB> Enjoy the water.

<<Somebody better post something obscene and/or off-topic soon, or I will scream>>: I've been watching Flame of Recca, and there are some scenes that are just so incredibly wrong. Such as when they are registering for the tournament. Wang. Moi island! Does anyone have any opinions on the state of porn today? Clown wig is good. Nin-nin get no respect. I could use a download site for LBG. Have you seen the big, orange...

Mary Flanders> <<Probably because he's about as tall as them and he doesn't intimidate them like the rest of us do>>: i think it's a statistic that women go for taller guys.
<>: You need a friend for that?

Gunjack> <<SCOTTISH DWARVES ROCK>>: Lali ho?
<<Do multiple personalities count as friends?>>: I'd say so. And so do we.
<<What the HECK is an Imzadi?>>: It's a Betazed concept.
<<Better not say that in front of Skippy>>: Doesn't he have other skills?
<>: I wouldn't have guessed.

Na zdorov'ya.
Gside - [gside@eden.rutgers.edu]
Piscatway, NJ
Saturday, February 24, 2001 01:36:54 AM
IP: gside.resnet.rutgers.edu

Oops, forgot one other thing I needed to say today...

Josh - Enhanced strength, Check. The suit should multiply your strength by a factor of eight or so. High speed flight, check, though I don't suggest flying at these speeds without the use of a good helmet. The system is a miniturized fusion air-ram, and this version maxes out somewhere around 350-400 kmh. At that speed, a good-sized grasshopper could ruin your WHOLE day. Also, there's a set of collapsable quick-detatch wings. They'll increase your fuel economy and stability, and can be used for carrying extra ordinance.
For built-in weaponry, we can do the laser and "brainfryer". Might I also suggest a good HVK rifle? Much handier for armored vehicles and the occasional animated Statue of Liberty. Also, I've taken the liberty of adding a plasmafaust to your left gauntlet. On impact, it will discharge a massive plasma burst directly into your target. Armor penetration is extreme, but be sure to change your gauntlets every 20-30 shots to avoid... *ahem* ...Backwash.
The armor is a rather nice composite that the labs have worked up; it should keep you safe from all smallarms and support weapons fire up to, say, a direct hit from a 80mm+ shaped charge. If you need better, talk to Wilek; he usually handles the forcefields. Again, the helmet won't protect your head if you leave it at home.

And yes, the whole thing DOES fit under a good overcoat, provided you remove the helmet and gauntlets.

I LOVE gunnery.
Gunjack "Pop Goes the Weasel" Valentine
Saturday, February 24, 2001 01:20:15 AM
IP: 216-146-183-1.bwn.net

Played FF9 all afternoon. All I can say is... SCOTTISH DWARVES ROCK!!!!
8D

*ahem* ...And I got the Laser Pistol design of to my collegue, and am now awaiting his reply. And Mere still isn't home.

Mary><<BTW, anyone of you have a friend who says something along the lines of, "I feel like going on a Tri-State killing spree. Anyone care to join me?"? :)>> I myself say that on many occasions. And the scary part is, there isn't anyone else in the room. Do multiple personalities count as friends?

Imzadi - Apparently, I came in late. What the HECK is an Imzadi? <<Sorry if it offended you, but expect to see more of it in the future 8-).>> At least yer honest, Laddie... <<When I used it at Virtual World, no one had a clue.>> *sighs* ...I SO hate to be a disapointment... ; ) <<Is it just me, or is this a lot like that, but the people are slightly better looking and generally have some talent besides dressing themselves up like klingons?>> Better not say that in front of Skippy... *chuckles*
<<This is what I get for taking a Philosophy class on Morality and Ethics, neither of which I possess.>> Heh. I think we're gonna end up Debating, sooner or later...

Taleweaver><<My big bugaboo is the crazed robot convention. You know any android, robot or supercomputer will eventually turn on their human masters and become a homicidal maniac.>> I haven't seen this that often since "2001"... Maybe it's just that I've been lucky enough to miss all the trash. The two examples that come to mind are the Terminator series and the Matrix; In both, it wasn't psychosis that pushed the AIs over the edge, it was self-preservation. Also, Asimov's "Three Laws" are rather laughable. One of the most likely areas for autonomous robots to emerge is in the military, and they aren't going to be acting only to preserve life. If humanity itself can't follow those three laws, why should our creations do so?
And time travel cliches don't bother me that much; I subscribe to the "multiple realities" thoery of scifi, so I assume that they aren't really messing with one timeline, but rather moving themselves around between MULTIPLE timelines. Keeping this view firmly in mind makes the "Back to the Future" movies almost watchable...
And what bugs me? Well, for starters...
"Yep he got taken out. One round, right through the vest. Yep, one of those Teflon-Coated Sniper Bullets (tm), pierces any armor. Yeah, poor guy never had a chance..."
Not to authors: if you don't have a freaking clue about weapons, PLEASE don't try to sound like you do. It's embaressing.
And second, I put a vote in for the "Lethal Force Complaint". Why is it that the good guys never can seem to bring themselves to actually KILL? *winks at the TGS writers* ...Yeah, I know, it's a kiddie show to some extent (shirtless Elisa+Goliath Romance Novel pics!), but them stone-crunching talons ain't there just for show. And do you guys have ANY idea how much firepower a Garg could pack if he put his mind to it? And it'd solve SO MANY PROBLEMS... *sighs* ...Ah, well... ; )

Anyway, that's all for now. Must go and mentally prepare for tearing down the car's engine tomorrow... ; P
Gunjack "Kerthunk" Valentine
Saturday, February 24, 2001 12:59:22 AM
IP: 216-146-183-1.bwn.net

*enters*

Hehe...you know, I have this friend in my group at school. He's a junior and he can be a real pain in the ass. I like to think that his middle name is Foot In Mouth. We violent girls have to constantly beat him up to keep him in line. :) The funny thing about him is that the girls at our sister school in Japan LOVE him. A year ago when they came over for our exchange program, quite a few of the girls hung out with my friend A LOT. When they went back to Japan, they sent him letters asking him to come live with them(individually). They sent him letters, anime drawings they did, and I think(though not sure) several Valentines. All this when he had a girlfriend! And when we talked to them on Thursday through the computer, my friend was very hesitant to let himself be shown on the computer camera. But once he did, the girls kept trying to get him back on. God, it's so funny. My friend has his own fan club/harem in Japan! ;P Probably because he's about as tall as them and he doesn't intimidate them like the rest of us do. :)

YIPEEE!!! I got the second volume of InuYasha today!!! Now I have 12 mangas total now. ^_^ My friend Beth, on the other hand, has 96 mangas. O.o She brags about it a bit sometimes. :P

BTW, anyone of you have a friend who says something along the lines of, "I feel like going on a Tri-State killing spree. Anyone care to join me?"? :)
Mary Flanders
Saturday, February 24, 2001 12:06:42 AM
IP: adsl-63-195-144-108.dsl.scrm01.pacbell.net

Christ, this CR is beginning to look more and more like the regular Station 8 gargoyle CR. And that scares the hell out of me.

Somebody better post something obscene and/or off-topic soon, or I will scream.

Grammy outfits: Sort of a disappointment for me. I mean, I suppose most of them were nice. Toni Braxton, thankfully, wore something that looked like it was made out of toilet paper. But God bless her. For all people talk about Jennifer Lopez last year, I have to say--and I mean no slight to J-Lo--that Lopez does not have the body that the lovely Ms. Braxton does. I'm sorry, call me chauvinistic, but the big ass is not necessarily a turn on for me.

Madonna looked like....well, an O.W. I wish she would conveniently fall off the face of the planet.

Christina Aguilera was a vision, at least to me. I didn't know what was up with her hair, or the outfit, but at least she was prominently displaying her "cleavagio". That's why I like Christina more than I do Britney; Britney is more "wholesome" and "girl-next-door". Unfortunately, I don't dig that. Give me the naughty girl anyday. (Who wants to start the old "Demona is better cause she's a bad girl!" debate? ;)

Destiny's Child looked good. But they always do. Those are 3 of the best looking women in all of music today.

Macy Gray....okay, she looked like the result of the Big Bang in her closet. As if a huge explosion went off in her clothing collection, and her ensemble randomly came together. She was a mess, but at least she didn't have the afro!

I thought Shelby Lynne was kind of cute, but she should have stopped picking that cold sore as she was accepting her award.

And as for Faith Hill.....her marriage to Tim McGraw boggles me. I mean, he's a good-looking guy and all....but she is unfreakin'believable. He better wake up every morning and thank God that she's the first thing he sets his eyes on.
Sevarius Jr. - [SevariusJr@excite.com]
Friday, February 23, 2001 11:14:27 PM
IP: cache-2.lnh.md.webcache.rcn.net

Still no heat, too. But they're separate things ... we have a water heater *and* a water-boiling furnace.
Coyote the Bando
Friday, February 23, 2001 10:45:45 PM
IP: 216.28.101.58

Coyote: Does that mean no heat or is your boiler and water heater different systems?
FS and LM, PDQ, ISO and CD-ROM
Friday, February 23, 2001 10:42:26 PM
IP: 64.109.143.22

Coyoti X? he battles alongside his friend zeroyena against the evil Sigmatos and his army of steel clan reploids 8 at a time
shogun raptor
Friday, February 23, 2001 10:41:49 PM
IP: user-38ldcqr.dialup.mindspring.com

FS: Not quite yet. The pilot on the water heater went out ... so no *hot* water yet. :(

But at least we *got* water. :)
Coyote the Bando
Algonac, Michigan
Friday, February 23, 2001 10:33:22 PM
IP: 216.28.101.58

Coyote: Congrats! You have WATER!
So... did you take that multi-hour shower like you talked about? :)

Imagine: You can LET THE FAUCET RUN!

You can water the (frozen) lawn!

AND, (this is the most important part), you don't have to worry about your neighbors calling ya in!
Fire Storm and Lady Mystic
Friday, February 23, 2001 10:31:25 PM
IP: 64.109.143.22

::rae from stunned position:: uhm... Imzadi not wise.... ::shakes off stun and turns dragon form, torching him bald:: don do that... I irritate ::smiles a lil:: and eyes Archwolf's tail:: (Dont ask).

::returns to normal falcon form, and perches to watch people again::
Aingeal - [aingealkelly@yahoo.com]
Hades, Frozen
Friday, February 23, 2001 10:03:22 PM
IP: 207.42.162.193

**enters kind of numbly**

A little odd feeling tonight ... think I'm having the start of a slight ear infection coming on ... ah well. On the plus side, WE FINALLY HAVE WATER!! Oh, Lord, after three bloody months, it feels so wonderful! I'll never take the sound of a toilet flushing for granted for the rest of my life!!!

**composes self**

Sorry. But I'm excited. Can't be helped. My winter-long nightmare is nearly over.

Well now, what's happening ...

XenaTrek: Like everyone else said, you definitely count for Engineering Week. And as far as the costumes go ... Gloria Estefan's was basically a blue evening gown but the top was just three straps of fabric crossing her boobs. Macy Gray ... think "slob chic" and add a mink stole, and you have her getup. :P **hugs**

Milady Corax: **hugs for her too**

Kyryn: Actually ... check the date I said before. My aunt sent an e-mail asking for info, and Bill Gullickson (the new Packard's developer) sent a line back stating they're not going to production for another couple of years. But it'll be coming!! :)
Oh, and I definitely know about Packard's lineage of customer satisfaction and quality ... I can think of no other car company in history who needed simple word-of-mouth to advertise and succeeded (and as I'm sure Okami knows, Packard's slogan was and hopefully still will be "Ask the man who owns one.").

Milady Corax: **hugs again ... d'you sense a pattern here?**

Gathering 2K+1: As of right now I'm still planning on attending, depending on how inexpensively I'll be able to get down to LA. But I *am* workin' on it. Unfortunatley it has to wait until I get my poor ailing Caddy back on the road.

Milady Corax: **hugs again** Hey, you're gone all weekend, I gotta make it up *somehow.* ;)

Robby: So I picked up a book from AP called "MangaEX" today ... they have a thing in the back regarding submissions ... any way I can get the gears greased for that sort of thing? **wink wink nudge nudge say no more**

Milady Corax: Oops ... this must be getting old ... **pulls a screen over them both, keeps it there for a few minutes, then pulls it away again** There. ;)

Daniel Johnson: As far as computer games I'm interested in goes, I just need to track down some cheat codes for Army Men: Toys in Space ... I *hate* gettin' killed so dang easily!!

'Sall for me, then ... we leave you this evening with this poignant little poem left at the makeshift memorial for Dale Earnhardt outside DEI's headquarters. I read it at ESPN.com, thought it was really cute and sad, so I wanted to share it. (Incidentally ... Kevin Harvick will be driving a *white* GM/Goodwrench car bearing #29 Sunday)

**clears throat**

When God made you, He knew what you would be
You would be the driver of the black #3
Now you're in Heaven racing for the Lord
I just hope God didn't put you in a Ford.
--Unknown author

**leaves the room after hugging Lady Corax one more time for good measure**
Coyote the Bando - [gathering_motor_city_2004@hotmail.com]
Algonac, Michigan
Friday, February 23, 2001 09:48:41 PM
IP: 216.28.101.58

Arg! Take two...

Well, being as I've been conspicuous by my absence, I thought I'd just drop in for a moment. RL, my new dog especially, has been occupying much of my time. Fortunately, we're establishing a routine, and I should be around more next week. If it's not already obvious, I'm crazy about this mutt. ;) I never realized just how much I missed having a dog.

If anyone's interested in computer games, check out the screen shots linked to my name. Doom 3, as demonstrated at MacWorld Tokyo a couple of days ago. Whoa! The real time lighting and shading effects are incredible. These shots were from Doom 3 on a Power Mac G4 with a GeForce 3 card. The GeForce 3 will be a BTO option on the G4 next month. Guess I'm gonna have to start thinking about upgrading. :)
----
lain:
Ooof! Gee, thanks. ;P

Hopefully more replies this weekend.
Daniel Johnson - [danielj7@mac.com]
Ocean Grove, NJ, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 09:43:34 PM
IP: adsl-138-89-70-193.nnj.adsl.bellatlantic.net

Well, being as I've been conspicuous by my absence, I thought I'd just drop in for a moment. RL, my new dog especially, has been occupying much of my time. Fortunately, we're establishing a routine, and I should be around more next week. If it's not already obvious, I'm crazy about this mutt. ;) I never realized just how much
Daniel Johnson - [danielj7@mac.com]
Ocean Grove, NJ, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 09:32:58 PM
IP: adsl-138-89-70-193.nnj.adsl.bellatlantic.net

Imzadi> TGS started out with the intent of following Greg Weisman's Master Plan. But understand that we originally only knew about the spin-offs and a few minor things. Greg planned on Oberon being Merlin's father, we didn't know that and had already planned our universe. We really liked what we had done and it was too late to change it, so we don't follow exaxtly what Greg Weisman would have done.

TGS is more accuratly loosly inspired by Greg Weisman's Master Plan, with a few similarities, but mostly everything is worlds apart. I like it that way, it keeps both universes fresher.
Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky - [Madoc55@hotmail.com]
Friday, February 23, 2001 09:07:31 PM
IP: dialin-1562-tnt.nyc.bestweb.net

IMZADI - Madoc is Merlin's father in TGS, but Oberon is Merlin's father in the Masterplan. (The Madoc notion was developed before Greg Weisman revealed that Oberon was Merlin's father in his own plans).

As for the "Gargoyles 2198" questions, I'm afraid that Greg Weisman isn't going to be answering them for a while yet (just in case he gets to make that series and wants to ensure some surprises for the audience).
Todd Jensen - [merlyn@ninenet.com]
St. Louis, MO
Friday, February 23, 2001 09:05:04 PM
IP: 216.87.46.156.dialup-stl.primary.net

Daphne: thanks for the kind words about my site. I'm so proud of it. I add to it as often as I can. It does take some time to fully take in all that's there, I'll admit that. A cabinet member, huh? Like, the door or the hinge? I haven't really mastered any transmutation spells, and flesh to wood is really tough (consults Grimorum)...hmmm...

Todd: I just checked out your Guide to the Gargoyles Universe. Most impressive. I've read all of TGS and all of the spinoffs that have been written to date, and I just didn't know some of that stuff. I guess I just wasn't paying close enough attention. But your timeline confused me. Pendragon suggested that Madoc fathered Merlin, not Oberon. Or is that just the TGS staff and not really part of Mr. Weisman's "master plan"?

Greg/Todd: Who builds Coyotes 5-9? If it was Xanatos, then why on Earth is he doing this? And how is Alexander Xanatos still alive in 2198? Did his fae heritage make him immortal? If so, is Fox immortal? And where's Merlin when the space spawn attack? Just sitting around with his thumb up his butt? So many questions...I hope Weisman isn't the only one with the answers.
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, US of A
Friday, February 23, 2001 08:53:46 PM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

Imazadi> Coyote-X is the Coyote robot of 2198 in Greg Weisman's Master Plan. Todd Jensen wrote down what we currently know about it in his excellent "Complete Guide to the Gargoyles Universe" that is up on my site, which you can see if you click on my name. As for Coyote-X, and other upcoming Coyote robots, here's an excerpt from the Guide. Hope you don't mind Todd.

[In the immediate future, three more Coyote robots, at least, will be built. Coyote 5.0 will be connected in some way to Coldsteel, although how is as yet unknown. Coyote 6.0 will set up the Ultra-Pack - whether on its own initiative, or upon instructions for somebody else, is also as yet unknown - and Coyote 7.0 will actually lead the Ultra-Pack into battle.

By 2198, the line of Coyote robots has culminated in the figure of Coyote-X. The exact identity of Coyote-X’s builder is unknown, but the 2198 edition of this robot has become a very cunning and ambitious figure with designs to take over the world. After the Space-Spawn invade Earth, however, he expands his ambition to the conquest of the entire galaxy.]
Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky - [Madoc55@hotmail.com]
Croton on Hudson, NY, U.S.A.
Friday, February 23, 2001 08:23:03 PM
IP: dialin-1562-tnt.nyc.bestweb.net

[on a quest for the hampsterdance song]

Josh/Imz>> hey. awesome website. I'm gonna have to take some time to wander around the place. I myself have no goals of world domination... although I kind of see myself as a cabinet member :)

***warning-- mini-rant***

"All philadelphia public and parochial schools are closed". except they never bothered to tell us that "philadelphia parochial" means distict, not achdiocese.

***end mini-rant***

happiness!
Daphne
the suburban bubble
Friday, February 23, 2001 08:15:27 PM
IP: dialup-63.214.207.148.philadelphia1.level3.net

Aingeal: I'm neither. ::Stuns with a phaser:: Dodge THAT, smartass!

I, too, have a problem with the whole "renegade robot" deal, but not the same reason that Todd does. The problem with robots is that morality is impossible to program. Since they know only what's in their programming, its impossible to call them "renegade". A robot could follow you around your entire life and never fully duplicate your moral code.
But if you were an artificial intelligence, imagine looking at the scenario on earth. Humans are fscking everything up. We destroy the earth, wage wars for no good reason, blah blah blah.
Any robot with a basic self-preservation program worth its salt would figure out that they would be much safer if there were no stupid humans around mucking everything up. And that's not even an AI. So its really easy to imagine a robot wanting to destroy humanity, if for no other reason than it found the earth "pretty". It wouldn't have the moral qualms with killing everyone to protect its goals.

This is what I get for taking a Philosophy class on Morality and Ethics, neither of which I possess.

Oh yeah, and WHO'S COYOTE-X? Where can I read something about him? I always loved the Coyote robots, cuz they were so damn funny. His "first stab at cliched villainy". Hehe, I loved that line.

You’re going to die very badly.
-The bad guy, "No Escape"
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, US of A
Friday, February 23, 2001 08:12:06 PM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

GREG - I don't feel qualified to talk about Coyote-X as yet, since we don't have the whole story on him so far. Maybe when the "Gargoyles 2198" contest is over (it's drawing close to the end, since there are only three blanks left to be filled) I'll ask Greg Weisman about him.

Truth to tell, my own opinion on robots is pretty much the same as that of Goliath at the end of "Outfoxed"; they do merely what they are programmed to do, and it is living beings (such as humans and gargoyles) who have the ability to make choices and decisions, real ones.
Todd Jensen - [merlyn@ninenet.com]
St. Louis, MO
Friday, February 23, 2001 07:32:21 PM
IP: 216.87.46.187.dialup-stl.primary.net

Todd> Interesting comments on robots. What do you think of Coyote-X btw?

Also, depends on the robot. The second "Terminator" movie explores some of this.
Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky - [Madoc55@hotmail.com]
Friday, February 23, 2001 07:25:26 PM
IP: dialin-1562-tnt.nyc.bestweb.net

I'll admit that I'm one person who feels skeptical about the whole "renegade robot" business (though I've mentioned this before), largely because I have troubles imagining robots, computers, and other forms of artificial intelligences wanting to take over the world, destroy humanity, or anything like that. Such urges would have to come through emotions (greed, power-hunger, hatred, vengefulness, etc.) which I can't imagine a robot having. I believe that it takes an organic being to be a genuine villain or antagonist (although a computer or robot could be being an enemy because it has been programmed by its creator to be one and has to follow its orders - though that would make it more a slave to be pitied than an enemy to be feared).

Admittedly, the Matrix in "Walkabout" did work very well, because it was acting out of a misinterpretation of its programming objectives and believed itself to be obeying their logical conclusion, and because Goliath and Dingo were able to reason with it.
Todd Jensen - [merlyn@ninenet.com]
St. Louis, MO
Friday, February 23, 2001 07:09:04 PM
IP: 216.87.46.187.dialup-stl.primary.net

Heylo again... I'm being forced to delurk to pester Imzyboy :D

::grins over at Imzy:: (don't ya just hate the nicnames?) so... what's up? and btw... which one are you? Riker or Deanna? ;)

::ducks any incipitent attacks::

::flies off to lurk over Archwolf's shouder again::
Aingeal - [aingealkelly@yahoo.com]
Hades, Frozen section
Friday, February 23, 2001 06:59:45 PM
IP: 207.42.162.198

Wanders in wearing a Marilyn Manson Holywood T-shirt.

Christine> Glad you had a good weekend. Good luck with the publisher.

Warpy> <<What's so interesting about federal prison?>> Don't watch OZ, do you? Seriously, the group interaction. Gangstas, Aryans, Muslims, and all the others. And the contestants have to navigate the maze of group and individual dynamics, decide what group, if any, to join, and yes, they have to avoid becoming someone's b!itch. Unless that's their strategy.

Lain> (Hugs) I wish I could find something to say to you that would make it better... but I can't. I can't promise things will improve, and if I did, I'd be a lyin' sack of sh!t. But good things do happen sometimes. I had kind of a similar conversation with my dad recently, about how I'm a good guy when I relax, but I shouldn't try so hard to be "dark" and "angstful". I wanted to scream at him. The dark person *is* me. The relaxed guy he likes is nothing but a persona I put on to please him. If you feel like you need to hit him, go for it. It might be cathartic. I'd like to do the same, but I work for my dad, something I hate to admit, and if I did that I'd be out of a job. And, "Fired for punching out the boss" doesn't make for a great reference.

Revel> <> Hmm, maybe you, Jenna, and Mike could share. The room for people who have to avoid their rooms. ;)

Todd> Turnips> Are you sure you're still sane? It looks like this place is finally getting to you. ;)

Guandalug> Those new features do sound nifty.

Josh> I'm going to the Gathering, even if I have to walk there. As for what it's like, it's indescribable. All I can say is: There's magic in the air.

Dreamie> <<If you like that, you should see my car's seat covers. ^_~ >> You got the seat covers?!? Boss! The most I could ever find was a steering wheel cover.

Gside> <<Probably won't be for a god while>> So, CR updates are like a second coming? ;)

I think that's it. Oh, yeah, one last thing...

Eimenim was robbed!

Aaron - [JCarnage@Yahoo.com]
San Antonio, TX, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 05:17:47 PM
IP: 209.33.140.102

::Imzadi calmly struts into CR::

For all you Bay Area Dwellers, tonight is the infamous "Josh and Mike's Movie Night" hosted by none other than me and my roommate (no, not "my roommate and I"). Tonight is an "Ahnold" night, and we'll be showing T2, Predator, and Total Recall. For info on the next movie night, drop me a line.

I love fridays. Does anyone else have class schedules where they're packed Mon-Thurs, but have almost nothing on Friday? It rules, doesn't it?

Lynati: I didn't mean the kind of meeting where I slip a knife in Warp's back. He really can have scandanavia. And you can be his queen or whatever if that's what floats your boat. I just want to meet with him to establish what he intends to do with the area and how he plans on using his resources. Yes, I am a bit piggish at times. Sorry if it offended you, but expect to see more of it in the future 8-).

Re layout of castle wyvern: there is no way we saw enough of the castle in the show to draw a floor plan. Even back and forth between scenes in New York and scenes in Scotland, you have to remember that Castle Wyvern is HUGE. Its walls, if they didn't enclose the village, were more than ample to protect the villagers and keep enough food for all of them during a seige. But if you happen across the plans, email them to me PLEASE...I'll need to design my headquarters for world domination soon. Maybe we should just ask Mr. Weissman himself.

DPH: I would love mutant powers, but I have none aside from immortality. So I'll have to settle for the artificial stuff.

Re Avalon Mists: WOO HOO! Avmists rules. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing artwork by The Barracuda. I don't know if you guys have read any of his fanfic, but he's got some cool characters in there.

XenaTrek: a fitting pic for your handle. A woman warrior who happens to appear on the worlds greatest sci-fi show. You are definitely an engineer. These days, being an engineer is so trendy these days that anyone can stick it to their job title. Garbage men are now called "Sanitation Engineers". Though they work hard and do an important job, I don't really think they get to be included in Engineers week.
By the way, from your description, you have the coolest job in the world. I aspire to be you.

Taleweaver: Are you at Cal Poly SLO? Do you have an overabundance of female CivE's? Could you stuff them all in your car and bring them to Gathering?
I think most schools have more female CivE's than female MechE's, because Civil has Environmental Engineering, which appeals more to women than to men (tree huggin' hippies!).

LadyCorax: Congrats on holding back on ripping that moron e-mailers throat out. When someone sends me stupid stuff, I am usually not so disciplined. I often "reply all" and send the response not just to them, but to their family, co-workers, etc. making them look like a total fool for sending it (God, I'm sadistic). Glad the engineering jokes lifted your mood. While everyone is laughing at our expense, we'll be laughing our way to the bank! BUWAHAHAHAHA! Ah the joys of being an engineer.

Lain: <Imzy, or something> hey! I recognize that line! 8-) Its so nice being in a room full of people who actually know what "Imzadi" is/means. When I used it at Virtual World, no one had a clue.

Well, that's all for now. Gotta go to my second and last class for the day, a measly 50-minute physics lecture. Bring on the relativity!

Windows© 98(n) - 32-bit extensions and graphical shell for a
16-bit patch to an 8-bit operating system originally coded for a 4-bit microprocessor, written by a 2-bit company that can't stand 1 bit of competition.
-Unknown (yes, I do a lot of M$ bashing)
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, US of A
Friday, February 23, 2001 04:24:07 PM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

Caliope>(hugged)
James Birdsong - [LennexMacDuff@yahoo.com]
San Diego, CA, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 04:16:43 PM
IP: adsl-63-207-129-173.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net

*lain wanders in, rather chuffed about the list of English Sayings she has been collecting for the past few days*

Still.. I think my favourite has to be "Jeez mate, yer a 24 karat plonker".. heh heh... oh dear, my relies crack me up.. ;D

Imzy.. or something.. ;)>> Hija and welcome.. I will have more to say to you when I have more than five seconds of computer time...

Warpmind>> *tickles warpmind telepathically from across the room.. hey.. Illuminati you say?? EEEEeeeeeexcellent..

Lynati>> Grabs Lynati in a bear hug.. just cause she is great.. :D
22 hours on a bus you say??? hmmmm..... *ponders a delicious ponder*

Daniel J>> No worries my dear. I be OK.. *grabs Daniel J in a big hug and donates a noogie ;P*
I'm not.. er.. "hittin the skids" yet, mate ;)

Gunjack>> jeez yer goin barmy with them typos, hecky fumps.. you reckon it's still that time I switched them keys??

anyway.. sorry that's all the time I have..
I'm gonna be doin a bunk for the next few days but I shall return as soon as I am able, and post Blackpool Rock to all of you whose addresses I have :D:D

cheers,
(and love)
lain, keepin 'er kecks on ;)
the Land of Faraway
Friday, February 23, 2001 03:34:48 PM
IP: 63.99.105.163

Hi!!!!

Sorry i've been away for so long, but its been a buisy week! I had to do this EVIL perspective drawing of the hallways at the bell tower....eeeeeevil.... :P But I've missed you all truly my darlings!!! * ^_~ *

Winterwolf the quiet one> *starts tickling the wolf* You wont be quiet for long!!! Hahahahaha*tickle tickle tickle* :P Oh! Did you see roswell!? Neet, huh??? Michael has some family of his own now, and arent Michael and Maria so special, lazing about in the lap of luxury :P And those Vegas previews are QUITE interesting...lets see who's gonna get hitched! :P

Gunjack> <<maybe so, but I enjoy the series quite a bit more now that I understand what the heck is going on.>> lol yeah, it always helps to know whats goin' on :P <<There's a big difference. The teddybear PJs actually had CLASS... >>....riiiight....*shudders* :P

Gside> <<That's gotta mess with your sinuses.>> You dont sniff it man! You eat it!!! Raw!!! Goes stright to your head!!! :P <<<<well intentioned good boys>>: Do those even exist?>> lol sure they do! they just go around pretending to be naughty evil boys just like therest of 'em :P <<Bride of evil laugh. >> Oh! Right!...whats that? :P

Wilek> <<If he was, he's now a little pile of cinders with little piteously blinking eyes on top>> *blinx* Like anouncer 1.0!!!....Nevermind, BunnyWars reference :P *hands Wilek a broom* :P

Emambu> <<The Art of Happiness: WEEEEEEEEEEEE!" by Caliope.>> LOL Can it be illustrated you think? I'm better at those then the actual writing :P

Mary> <> ...ok, I CAN see the Ranma guys doing a strip tease, but Kenshin?!...I just cant picture it as well forsome reason. But I supose it made the situation all the funnier :P

I gotta get! I'll see ya guys!!! *HUGZ all and scrambles out*
Caliope
Friday, February 23, 2001 03:20:32 PM
IP: 136.145.70.210

I very much like that picture!
Janine Renard
Friday, February 23, 2001 03:15:51 PM
IP: phx-207.treknet.net

**LC walks in, growling** Okay...some idiot had the nerve to send me one of those stupid e-mail forwards, except this one *really* bothered me...it was about how people shouldn't be so worried about spending time mourning Earnhardt, because he was a rich racing guy. Okay, now tell me if that isn't totally inappropriate to send to someone like me at this point? **growls again** I *just barely* stopped myself from replying to the sender with a fairly not-so-nice note...I just blocked her address instead. **growls**

On the bright side, though...I love the engineering jokes, everyone. Great way to lift my mood a bit. :)

Patrick> Sorry if I offended ya with my silly civil/mechanical engineering joke. I didn't mean any harm by it! :) Let me just tell ya that I truly appreciate a well-built road...especially if it's level and straight for at least a quarter mile...:)

Gside> That joke was from the ASME handbook? Coolies...a friend of mine told it to me, now I know where he got it. :)

XenaTrek> **hugs** Hey, you're definitely included in engineering week! :) **hugs some more** ;P

And hey, if anyone out there (lain, Sorow, or anybody else) ever wants to talk or whatever, drop me a line on IM...my screen name there is webbedwarriors :)

**sighs** Well, I guess I'd better drag myself back outta here...have a nice weekend, y'all, and I'll be back around again soon. :)
Lady Corax
Friday, February 23, 2001 03:15:15 PM
IP: manzy-mo-1-226.rescomp.arizona.edu

I definately like this pic.

Death and Rebirth> I believe in the cycle. My favorite piece from Fantasia 2000 was the Firebird Suite, but comics and by extension sci-fi/fantasy take too many liberties with it.

Here's another question to keep everyone talking. What other cliches have been done to death? My big bugaboo is the crazed robot convention. You know any android, robot or supercomputer will eventually turn on their human masters and become a homicidal maniac. Like no one's ever heard of Asmiov's Three rules of Robotics. That and time travel cliches, but I don't want get into that. But what pus a burr in your saddle?

National Engineer's Week> Hey I have a healthy respect for Civil Engineers. I'm sort of jealous. Down hear in Cal Poly its seems there are more female Civs than MEs. But I'll add another engineering joke.

The time and place is the French Revolution outside of Paris. A priest, a thief and an engineer are taking out to the guillotine. The priest is first to be beheaded.

He asks. "Let me meet my fate looking up toward heaven."

The mob complies. The blade is let go and it stops halfway down. The mob was perplexed, but they figure God intervened ad the priest was to be set free.

The thief seeing this also asked to die facing skyward. And again the blade stopped halfway. The mob set the thief free as well.

Not wanting to die the engineer asked for similar treatment. And just as the mob was about to let the blade fall, the Engineer exclaimed "Wait, I see your problem..."

Bonne Weekend
Taleweaver - [taleweaver@usa.net]
Friday, February 23, 2001 01:48:09 PM
IP: hal5000.engineering.csupomona.edu

*delurks from days (or is it weeks?) of absent*
Anyone miss me?

Eek! New picies to play with... hmmm. So far I haven't seen anyone use this one, guess I will. :oP

Imzadi: Welcome to the room. Coyote and I use to go the a few Star Trek conventions in our college days. However the last one we went to I was extremely disappointed. They finally provided sign language interpreters for the con, but no one bothered to 'man' the handicapper section where the signers were placed. And we had a group of people who has no use for a signer nor am I convinced they were really 'disable' sat in front of me, Coyote and a few profoundly deaf individuals.

LC: Giving out hugs are we? Where's mine? :oP j/k *hugs*

Re: DVD Players >> What was the question again LC? I'm spending way too much time on the computer to see clearly. I have the one on my home computer. There's a very long story to go w/ it on how it got set up and the cost that went into it. Coyote knows it, or at least he should. I'll be on IM tonite, if you're on I'll tell you about it.

Re: Gathering '01 >> I'm still gonna try providing I have enough to cover that trip and SIGGRAPH in August. I should, but we'll have to see. *hints out to the con set-up people* Hopefully there will be signers this time unlike the last year.

Lain and Sorrow: Sorry I don't know the whole story other than people telling you to hang in there. So hang in there kiddos, and if you need someone to listen, feel free to drop me an email or an IM. (My screen name is EllisL007).

Re: 2000 Grammy's: D'oh! W/ all the 'juices' I've heard about this years show, I knew I should have taped it. Decided to turn in early that night. Coyote, I really want to know what is you are talking about w/ some of the outfits. BTW I did see Toni Braxton (sp?) outfit... its outta here!

Speaking of Disney (of course no one mentioned it), I did see Beau Bridges and his family in my area last weekend. It took me like 5 minutes to figure it out it was him too. Eek! Also, w/ Rosie O'Donnell here this week and part of next, I wonder who I will see this weekend. *big grin* Oh Coyote... I mentioned Meatloaf to a fellow castmember (at Tower) and they said he did come thru here awhile ago. Also the actors who way Xander and Tara on Buffy will be in town for a con next weekend, wouldn't surprise me if they manage to sneak some time at Disney. (Tho I did see Brandon years ago somewhere before he became an actor)

LC: Thanks for letting me know about Engineer's Week. My job titles states that I'm an engineer, so I guess I'm included huh?

*thinks* Let see anything else? I know I'm forgetting something. Then again I should get back to this redundant task that I swear is not cooperating. Grrr... silly software. For those who were and/or are wondering, I'm work for a defense firm where we make software in a 3D virtual reality environment for military training. Essentially a giant/life size video game.

Gotta run. *hugs to everyone* Later.

XenaTrek - [ellislis@yahoo.com]
Orlando, FL, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 01:27:38 PM
IP: proxy2a.lmco.com

Avalon Mists > just a reminder, the deadline for the Spring 2001 issue is next Wednesday, Feb. 28th. Still eagerly looking for fics, character spotlights, crossovers, and of course entries for the Challenge! E-mail submissions to christine@sabledrake.com

Survivor > aaaaaaa! I can't wait a whole week to see what happens! They sure do make it look like someone gets chomped into gator bait, and it would just totally stand to reason that it's Mike, but those guys are tricksy, my precious, tricksy indeed, and it might turn out to be something different ... But what a tremendous relief that Kimmi is gone; I can even imagine the rest of Kucha, on their hot winning streak, saying to one another "let's throw the next immunity challenge just so we can get her the hell out of here!" I also wouldn't have been surprised if she'd done something really idiotic like letting the chickens go "by accident" ... watch, she'll probably get an award from PETA or something for standing up for her beliefs :P

Christine - [christine@sabledrake.com]
Friday, February 23, 2001 12:58:54 PM
IP: 14-108.075.popsite.net

I don't care if multiple people try to take over your universe, as long as no outsiders try to take over the BFTS universe.

Imzadi - hahahaha. I am running for president of the unknown for the year 2002. The best part is no will dare challenge ballot results. Who needs a suit of armor when mutant powers can more than make up for it?

**WORK RELATED**
I am being doing the same unskilled task for the past 3 days. I wanted to do something different, something new. Oh well. More delays. I don't have a electronic key to get into the door of my workplace yet, so I have to rely on others to let me in the door. There are as many full-time employees in my area on 1st shift as there are temps in the same area on 2nd shift.
**END WORK RELATED**

**RP RELATED**
I have thinking about taking into my main RP character into my fictional workplace, Xelom. That way, I could get away with telling some of the stuff and let the reader figure out what is real and what is not, without giving away any secrets.
**END RP RELATED**

Hear ye, here ye, over here 3+4>2+5<1+6, too to two

Sorry about I had to let my insanity loose to make up for having a new sane person in the CR room. Wait a minute, does trying to take over the world qualify one for being sane?

**BFTS RP continues**
"Doctor, there has been only 2 cases similiar to DPH's mental condition," replied the telepath.

"You mean . . ." ,replied the squire.

"The experimental headmaster transformers," continued the telepath.

"So are you suggesting that we treat DPH like we treated Lunatic and Lunacy's problems," continued the squire.
**END BFTS RP for now**
How/what are Lunatic and Lunacy? Read next time for answers.
DPH - [dph_of_rules@yahoo.com]
AR, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 11:56:44 AM
IP: max1-25.cwy.cei.net

*Lynati pokes her head in*

Imzadi: <Warpmind: You can have scandanavia. I mean, who wants a bunch of beautiful, blue-eyed, blond-haired...oh. We might need to have a meeting about that one.>
*Wraps arms possessively around warpmind* No. you won't.
...pig. :P

Gunjack: I believe that that is a "deep thought", by Jack Handey.

ALSO: I remember someone delurking in here a while back and asking for comprehensive plans for the layout of castle Wyvern. I, too, have been looking for a site/ book that has them. Please, if anyone knows where they are, let me know. THANK YOU.

*Grins, and drags Warps off into IM...err, the mistetoe room*
Lynati - [Lynati_1@hotmail.com]
Friday, February 23, 2001 11:52:00 AM
IP: kcx-ks18a-143.rasserver.net

Gunjack: Performance parameters? Maneuverable flight, preferrably at speeds of over 50 m/s (that's about 100 mph to you non-engineers). It needs to make up for the fact that I'm a scrawny 50 kg weakling by enhancing my strength somehow. A few built-in weapons would be nice (laser cannon, that cool Coyote distortion ray thingy), as well as some communications equipment. If you want to top Xanatos' Goliath-armor, how about something that I can wear under my clothes? Now THAT would be cool. And it needs all kinds of Inspector gadget tools, like lighters in the fingertips and stuff. I'm sure I could go on and on...

Warpmind: You can have scandanavia. I mean, who wants a bunch of beautiful, blue-eyed, blond-haired...oh. We might need to have a meeting about that one.

Patrick: Thank you for the encouraging words for us civil engineers. To often people forget that we are just as valuable as programmers. Although we've learned that there's no money in building things for the long haul. You think those Roman engineers are getting bonuses for not having to repair their stuff? NO! The money is in fixing things, so civil engineers have learned to put bugs into their projects, just like programmers.

A word about Gathering '01: Once, when I was twelve, I attended a Star Trek convention. Is it just me, or is this a lot like that, but the people are slightly better looking and generally have some talent besides dressing themselves up like klingons?

Friends don't let friends use Windows.
-Unknown
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 11:14:28 AM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

The Gathering 2001 is getting closer than you think... just four months from today until convention weekend, and even lest time left to pre-register. Don't be left out of the money-saving benefits of pre-registration or miss your chance to dine with the stars... pre-register or reserve your seat at the dinner before May 15, 2001!

http://gathering.gargoyles-fans.org/

Greetings to all my fellow engineers. Here's a neat site with a pretty nice collection of engineer jokes

http://www.virtualengineer.com/

All you mechanical, electrical, and computer engineers out there, just remember next time you're about to crack on us civil engineers... if it wasn't for a civil engineer, you wouldn't have a road to drive that high-powered car with the fancy new engine on, a nice solid building to protect your cubicle from the weather. Civil engineers might not be making the most high-tech things, but we're building stuff for the long haul (there's stuff all over Europe that was built by Roman civil engineers 2000 years ago that is still in use today). Civil engineers don't build targets... we build landmarks. >:)
Patrick Toman
Friday, February 23, 2001 06:25:15 AM
IP: ac8b7232.ipt.aol.com

*Warpmind enters, looking grim.*
Overslept. Missed several buses. No IM with Lynati this morning. WAAAAAAAAAAAH. :( And to top it off, Gunjack Valentine almost made me worry about his mental health, too... ];)

Lain: *Grin* Always a pleasure, ma'am. ;)

SJ: Comic deaths? Hear ye, hear ye... either death ought to be treated with some reverence and respect, or with none at all. But NEVER EVER with an excessive amount of resurrections. (Either a low bodycount with heaps of emotion involved, or an extremely high one without emotions, IMNSHO.)

Howdy, Imzadi. A word of advice: trying to seize control of Scandinavia will be met with heavy resistance. True, I'm emigrating, but when the Nereus Project takes effect, I've got dibs on that sector. (I was the first to ask; that simple.)

Dreamie: You're attending G'01, right? You, and most of the others there will probably recieve a rather... substantial surprise. ]:) *Leans over to plot with Lynati.*

Gside: I know, I know - I keep myself updated on the webcomics I've so far been addicted to... ]:)

Gunjack Valentine: You didn't really creep me out. Your efforts were commendable, but they didn't work. *THUNK* *THUNK* ];) (Love the quote, by the way.)

Well, that's about it. I've just gotta finish FTP'ing stuff from work to my website, for retrieval when I get home...
Warpmind de InzanE - [warpmind@usa.net]
Middle, Nowhere, Norway
Friday, February 23, 2001 05:34:51 AM
IP: spock.ti.telenor.net

Gah. LOOK at all those typos. Just horrible. Betcha all think I'm an illiterate hayseed by now... : P

*looks at fingers*

That's it, chums, ya'll are FIRED. Now, where'd I leave that Ka-Bar...
Gunjack "Higgeldy-Piggledy" Valentine
Friday, February 23, 2001 04:27:59 AM
IP: 216-146-184-225.bwn.net

Gside - ....... ; P *slaps face* ...Subtly, thy name is Gside. "Yer dead weight, Marty..." You managed to explain EVERYTHING but what I asked you to.
And SMT isn't softcore porn, it's... It's.. Ok, maybe it is. I'd STILL say it's nicer than EN, though.

Aaaaaanyway. Kit, the reference was to the large stag pic you used. Reading an issue or to of SMT and then looking at the pics of the England clans causes... Unusual mental corolations.

Firestorm - You do weapons to!? What the HECK!? I thought *I* was in charge of Weps R&D! I didn't even know you were part of the project! Why don't people tell me these things!? 8 P ...Well, good to be workin' with ya, 'Mano. Yet another reason to get around to that Mk23 H+ drawing...

Josh><<Well if you can build me a Xanatos-style exo-frame, the cosmos is yours.>> Between FS and I, I'm sure we can do considerably better than that. What performance perameters did you have in mind?

Well, it appears that tonight was NOT, in fact, the day Lain got home. And since Lyn and Warps are both absent, I guess that means I'd better get to bed.

.....Right after I creep the HECK out of Warps. INCOOOOMMIIIINGGGGG!!!!! Get down, Healthy! Down, dangit! Mouthy's hit!
; )
That was more fun than I've had in WEEKS. And no, I don't really need more sleep.

Real replies at a latter date, though with precisely whom has yet to be detirmined. Duenan still hasn't answered that large sack of letters I sent...

"Sometimes, I picture a world of peace and happiness, were strife is unknown and guile is unneeded. And then I think how easy it'd be to attack 'em, cause they'd never see it coming..."
-Anonymous
Gunjack "Pies" Valentine - [miphsingleton@hotmail.com]
Friday, February 23, 2001 04:25:02 AM
IP: 216-146-184-225.bwn.net

Kaioto: Yes, kicktothenuts.com is the ultimate domain name. Best investment I ever made (note: I still hate forking over hard-earned $$ to those Nazis at register.com). And the coolest part is that since I own the site, people can email ANYTHING@kicktothenuts.com and it comes right to me.

Stay tuned for kicktothenuts.com, an emerging e-card business, due in a couple months (buwahahahaha!)

Gside:Good joke. I'm more familiar with the version where the CompSci dude is a microsoft employee and he says "close all the windows, shut down the car, and start it up again." 8-) I always love making fun of micro$haft. Thanks for the welcoming words. ctrl-r, huh? I've never heard of that particular child of Oberon.

The trick is not to die for your country, but to make the other poor bastard die for his.
-General George S. Patton
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 01:56:58 AM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

Fire Storm> I'm sorry, but I spent a good part of the evening killing your children, or at least your relatives. I am fully convinced Dave is nigh a diety, and CPS2 emulation is a good thing.

Gunjack> <<Well said, 'mano>>: Thank you.
<<Gside, wanna handle the SMT explanation for Kit?>>: Why not. SMT is an acronym for Supermegatopia, a city invented by and a domain name registered by the Brothers Grinn. They are comics artists that have two sagas going at this time. That of the city of Supermegatopia (a city full of super heros), and that of Crushed and her comanions. Just about everything they do could be considered softcore porn. I am not sure which is more wrong, the transition between Deviations 2 and 3, or how Crushed managed to escaped the minotaur.
<<Gunjack "Curvy" Valentine>>: Must obey silky curves. Wait, where'd the silky come from?

Todd Jensen> <<The turnips flee in terror, with the pigs in hot pursuit>>: Are you sure you still have your sanity?

Sev. Jr.> <<in comics, death is at best transitory>>: You'd like Supermegatopia.

Kyryn> <<Your mother is a clarinet?>>: And my father smelt of formaldehyde. But it's just a standard way of referring to musicians. Just as I am multiple saxes (so far S, A, T, and b).

Hyperion> <<Someone set us up the bomb>>: I thought is was "...set up us...."
<<Sorry, it had to be done>>: I know.
<<we've never been able to map the process of human thought>>: I think we have parts of it.

Warpmind> <<just click my name>>: And then check out the current storyline ("Do you see any scars?" "No, they look real").

Welcome, Imzadi.

Monkey> <<anyone know for certain how to pronounce that?>>: According to pantheon.org, {lee'-thee}, though I personally say "lease" with a lisp.

And why does lisp have an s?

Imzadi> <<How'd you know I was going to take over the world?>>: It's on your site.
<>: The Nereus Project absorbs all competition. Though it does ensure a good life for those who join quickly.

Dreamie> <<Though I especially enjoyed the topics concerning gargoyle anatomy and genetics>>: Did you catch my theory on the technology needed for massive genetic restructuring, and its implications for nigh immortality?
<<I’m looking forward to the new Dr. Dolittle where... he gets his arm bitten off>>: You might want to check out the current storyline at Shinku... It's at yamcha.keenspace.com

Imzadi> <<Wilek just promise you these things for no good reason?>>: Wilek is just.
<<do you guys have some magical fae that sits by your computer that tells you when the CR's been updated?>>: I just press ctrl-r if I want to check.

Lady Corax> <<Happy National Engineering Week>>: Thank you.
<<what's the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers?>>: Straight from the ASME handbook (actually, a shirt).

Imzadi> <<until something way damn cooler comes out>>: Probably won't be for a god while. The CR just got updated, and that's a biyearly or so occurrance.

Might as well pull out an engineer joke: A mechE, EE, and CompSci were driving down a deserted highway when their car breaks down. The mechE says he knows how to fix it, just tighten a couple screws on the carburator and they can get going. The EE disagrees, they need to clean the contacts on the battery and it'll work. The CompSci ways they're both completely wrong, they need to get out of the car, close all the doors, get back in, and try again.
For more, see http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~borkodin/engjokes.html

Toku Kai> <<Who’s in charge of Deuce’s old machine anyway?>>: Wilek, but I believe he created some autonomous devices based on the same technology.

Na zdorov'ya.
Gside - [gside@eden.rutgers.edu]
Piscatway, NJ
Friday, February 23, 2001 01:19:58 AM
IP: gside.resnet.rutgers.edu

Lain>> ::Hugs:: I’m glad your friends here have helped you. Sometimes we just need to let things out, and let those who care about us know what’s going on inside. I wish I could’ve been some help to you, but there are some pies I’d better keep my fingers from. I’m not as good a baker as many in this room.

Imz>> Nice talking with you on IM. Welcome to the room. I’ll be at the Gathering in LA myself. Dang, kicktothenuts.com. I’ve got email address envy now.

::looks around:: Who’s in charge of Deuce’s old machine anyway? We’ve got a live one here.

Dreamie>> Looks like that one might be a keeper, eh? ;-)

Killing off characters>> I’m actually a big fan of mortality. I’ve found some off beat comics to be rather diverting actually. Astro City is fast becoming a favorite of mine. They haven’t abused the “Come back to life” clauses too much yet from what I’ve read. That really turned me off to Superman and X-men and a lot of the other strong labels of modern comics years ago. I’m in SJ’s camp on this one. I think more off-camera deaths and the “never found the body” situations should be the ones that have consideration for dodging the bullet. If you want character death to be meaningful, you can’t take away the meaning of death as often as comics try and get away with.

Although, I DO think that some death should be senseless. That’s the backdrop of mortality that gives the world some grit. There is something profound yet ironic about a superhero being killed in a plane crash or a soccer riot. Perhaps a simple real-world horror like AIDS would take its toll on one of the elite. After all, not everyone has a hyper-healing factor or the like. Main characters lives aren’t throw-away, certainly, but neither are the lives of “normals” in our real world. Perhaps the more realistic presence of death would give fantasy characters a richer presence of life.

Maybe the real problem is that writers change so often that a long-range arc for a character’s life really never gets played out. In that case, devising a useful life to death arc is nearly impossible, so death isn’t used as it could be in literature (like a Tragic Hero) but is instead bent only towards the ratings grab during Sweeps. ::shrugs:: Hey, I guess they’ve got franchises to worry about and money to make. Don’t kill the Golden Goose you know … at least not useless you are ready to resurrect it tomorrow to get your eggs again, huh?

Ah well, I need to go so I can sleep. I must sleep so I can work. I must work so I can get paid. I must get paid so I can spend money. I must spend money to obtain yet more building-blocks for my master plan. I must get the building blocks so I can set my plan in motion. I must set my plan in motion so it can reach fruition. It needs to reach fruition so I can um … er … live happily ever after or something …

Ah well … romantic notions can be gratifying in and of themselves, I suppose.

Night all,
Kaioto - [kaioto@yahoo.com]
Boston, MA, USA
Friday, February 23, 2001 12:22:32 AM
IP: 141.133.147.152

Milady Corax: I certainly don't mind at all, my lovely lady ... **hugs her back as much as she hugged him, and then some**
Coyote the Bando
Algonac, Michigan
Friday, February 23, 2001 12:14:42 AM
IP: 216.28.101.33

Josh, Firestorm> Thanks for the DVD info! I really, really appreciate it. :)

Josh> Sexual favors, eh? Hm...maybe I'll move to Canada. ;) Just kidding. Anyway, it's nice to see another engineer 'round these parts...and heck yeah, we deserve our own week. :) As for the LA Gathering...well, I don't know yet...but I'm working on it. Can't promise anything, though. :)

Later, y'all! :)
Lady Corax
Thursday, February 22, 2001 11:58:56 PM
IP: manzy-mo-1-226.rescomp.arizona.edu

If you guys are wondering why I'm responding so often, its because I don't feel like doing any homework and its pouring outside in the Bay Area so I'm not shleping anywhere (read as: I'm bored to tears). I've finally decided on this pic permanently, until something way damn cooler comes out. I know its the sigil of all that is evil, but I like it anyway.

I had no idea it was National Engineers Week. I'm a civil engineer (though I plan on demolishing targets, not building them) and god darn it, we deserve a week 8-).

Here's another engineer joke:
Two engineering students were walking across campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?"
The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want."
The second engineer nodded approvingly, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn’t have fit."

For more engineering jokes, email me and ask for my engineer jokes file! What can I say, I'm one of the few engineers with a sense of humor about my profession.

I'm curious as to how people who are going to the Gathering are planning on getting there.

LadyCorax: Glad you liked the website. On DVD players: My roommate and I split a Phillips DVD711 player. It was about $200 and it works great. We're both pretty tech-savvy but had no interest in a million and two features. It has an intuitive interface and the remote control doesn't have a billion buttons.
On Arizona: I already promised the US of A to my best friend (I will retain total control from a stronghold in Switzerland). I suppose he might let you have Arizona in exchange for sexual favors, but you'll have to take it up with him. Email me for more info.
On Scotland: provided you can demonstrate that you have a resource that I will need for total domination, I will be happy to give it to you. Otherwise, I'm sorry but I can't help you.
You live in AZ, will you be attending Gathering in Los Angeles?

Fire Storm: Weapons, huh? Well if you can build me a Xanatos-style exo-frame, the cosmos is yours. Oh, and if you need tips on becoming an immortal, I'll be happy to share.

People on AOL Instant Messenger or ICQ: Add me. I'm OakleyPosterBoy on both services. Gives me something to do when I don't feel like doing work 8-).
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, USA
Thursday, February 22, 2001 11:25:44 PM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

Wmzadi: <Or do you have some incredibly valuable resource that he needs so much that he was willing to sac 100 years of trade for the entire solar system?>
Weapons. Pure and simple.
I have been attempting to design some weapons based on what is seen in movies, and I have figured out how to make a few.
GIVEN, my prototypes are not yet functional, but given a little time, I can get some of them working.
And Wilek really just wants to rule the world. I want to rule the cosmos! :)
THAT... and Wilek, at least I think, is not too interested in commerse.
And besides... what is 100 years to someone who plans on becoming an immortal?

Lady Corax: <And no, before anyone says anything, I am NOT a guy...I just love the Prince Ravyn pic>
Well, I am a guy, but that dosn't stop me from using the Valkyre and Flit pics.
<BTW, anybody out there have a DVD player?>
Ya can't go wrong with Sony. Personal Preferance? Their 200 DVD changer. GIVEN it is $500 and not really available retail, it is orderable. It is truly the only DVD changer I would buy.
Other than that... Hell, even the little $99 POS I have has decent features. Not a brand name, a little noise mechanically, but it works and has a 5.1 output.
Currently the market has made it so even the cheapest one is of decent quality.
Fire Storm - [Night-Flame@usa.net]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 11:16:42 PM
IP: 64.109.143.22

And no, before anyone says anything, I am NOT a guy...I just love the Prince Ravyn pic. :)

Survivor> Oh my dear goodness...I saw that preview for the next "Survivor" also...man, I'm going to *have* to see that. Dude. That poor, insane Michigander...**winks at the various posters from MI** And thank everything that is good in the universe that Kimmi got booted off...although I would have liked to see that one scary bodybuilding chick beat her up...:) Colby's still my man in this whole thing.

Coyote> **hugs tight** Hey there. :)

Dreamie> I will be sure to take care of myself out there...thanks for thinking of me! :) I really appreciate it. :)

Although just for the record, I *do* race with the same open-faced helmet...**shrugs** I also race with a fireproof jacket, 5-point harness, full 10 point roll cage, etc...the rules for my bracket have only required the helmet and some sort of lapbelt. *Way* too little for my tastes when you're rockin' at 110 miles an hour plus next to some weirdo fishtailing down the track...;)

Oh, yeah...Happy National Engineering Week, everyone (especially all you other engineers out there). Sorry that the week's almost over...I kinda just found out myself. :) And now for a silly non-funny engineering joke from a mechanical engineer...

...what's the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers? Well, mechanical engineers build weapons--civil engineers build targets. :)

Josh> Welcome! :) Loved the website, by the way. And when ya do take over the world...can I keep Arizona? ;) Or at least make a deal for Scotland...:)

Coyote again> **hugs again** Hey some more. :)

BTW, anybody out there have a DVD player? Anyone have any advice on good brands, good features of the little things, bad stuff, etc? I know absolutely nothing about the darn things. :)

monkey> Well, my old English teacher used to pronounce "lethe" like "leth" (rhymes with "meth")...I could be wrong, though.

BTW, everyone, let me just say that Ben Stein is one AWESOME dude. :)

Oh, yeah...anyone in here see "Highlander: Endgame" when it first came out? I was just at a test screening of a "new" version with new scenes and a new ending...the new scenes all worked really well (mainly more action scenes), but let me tell ya that I was upset with the new ending. If anyone wants to know, just let me know and I'll post it up in spoiler warnings or send ya an e-mail or something. :)

Coyote again> **hugs some more** Sorry, dude, I'm in a huggy mood tonight...;)

Well, that's it for me...have a nice weekend, everyone! :)
Lady Corax
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:57:25 PM
IP: manzy-mo-1-226.rescomp.arizona.edu

Damn Disney. I watch Toon Disney every day. I've seen every gargoyles episode at least three times. I know them by heart. I crave new material! When I take over the world, Greg Weissman will be back in business.

Fire Storm: Did Wilek just promise you these things for no good reason? Or do you have some incredibly valuable resource that he needs so much that he was willing to sac 100 years of trade for the entire solar system?

Dreamie: Same thing I do every night, Pinky, watch Gargoyles, then TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD! Okay, this joke is getting old.

m.o.n.k.e.y.: according to dictionary.com, its prounounced lee-thee, stress on the first syllable.

Hey, do you guys have some magical fae that sits by your computer that tells you when the CR's been updated? Is there a program I can get (for the Mac)? On the other hand, if you do have a magical fae, could you send him/her my way?
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, USA
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:49:59 PM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

FS: Ten bucks says the DM was makin' his weekly visit. ;)
Coyote the Bando
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:19:52 PM
IP: 216.28.101.33

Imzadi: <How'd you know I was going to take over the world?>
Know thy enemy! :)
Well, Wilek promised me Mars and the shipping rights for the entire solar system for 100 years with an option to extend that.
I forget the web site that explains his world domination plans in detail.

Coyote: Odd thing happened to me today: I went into the Murrys by my house and met not one but *THREE* knowledgeable sales people that were WILLING to help me!
Is hell freezing over? *Checks the Weather Channel*
Yep. Hell, MI is pretty cold! :)
Fire Storm - [Night-Flame@usa.net]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:02:24 PM
IP: 64.109.143.22

:::runs into the CR, tripping on the door jam and falling on her face:::
Hey all!

As I waited for the CR update.. I idly went into the archives and started reading. :::laughs::: Do you all realize just how entertaining you are? Though I especially enjoyed the topics concerning gargoyle anatomy and genetics.

Gside:<<Ah, yes, you wouldn't want any of the instruments falling off, would you?>> No.. that would be bad...lord knows if you’d be able to recover them then.

Warps:<<No speculations, please. It wasn't at all like *that*. ];) >> Oh c’mon.. I’m all about speculation.. and... suuuuuuuure it wasn’t. ];)

<<Crocodile Hunter in Manhattan>> I’m looking forward to the new Dr. Dolittle where (as far as I can tell from the previews), he gets his arm bitten off. Mmmm.. Chubby Aussie Arms....:::evil grin:::

Congrats on the job, Stephen!

Aaron:<<Mmmm, leopard print.... >> If you like that, you should see my car’s seat covers. ^_~

Coyote:<<**reads Love's Dreamie's post** wow ... now *that's* romantic. :) >> :::swoons and nods:::

Emambu:<> As far as I'm concerned, the most wonderful man to grace the planet. ^_^ <<@_@ That's it... I'm bringing my scissors. No net shall hold me! >> :::smirks::: We shall see... :::evil laugh:::

Cali:<<lol I think its everyones answer then, really, you feel like wearing a pretty dress and sudenly your in love! :P>> In situations such as those, I simply proclaim “Sugar!” and skip away.

Imzadi:<<Who else is planning on coming to Gathering this year? >> :::grins and raises her hand::: Oh and... What do you want to do tonight, Brain? :::giggles::: Welcome to the CR.

Winterwolf:<<<fish>Is something fishy going on here?>> I swear I heard the ever so faint sounds of spawning. <<<pew> Well with all the fish it is bound to smell bad at some point! **laughs**>> See next comment ~~~> <<<swats him> Okay I’ll be good now!>>

<<<Shadowrider> Hopefully he’ll be here this weekend.>> Damn! I missed him again! :::hands on hips::: Well doesn’t that beat all :::huff:::

Shadowrider:<<Jokes apart, nice to see you after a while! >> It’s good to *read* you at least! ^_^

<<Dale Earnhardt>> Wow.. my condolences to the family.. and Lady Corax, you be sure to take care of yourself, m‘kay?

<<<picture> Wow that’s a fantastic work! ^_^ >> Wilek<<It's really cool. Weird, but cool. 8) >> Hey Thanks! ^_^

:::Thrusts her arms in the air::: Ok, who wants a GLOMP!

Mary: I once received balloons on valentine's day years ago.. and never figured out who they were from. So I feel your...:::cough::: pain. :::chuckles::: Though you know sometimes the mystery is alluring ^_^

Lain and Sorow: Ladies, you are special, and never...eeeeeeeeeever let anyone convince you otherwise! We all love you here (as we realize how amazing it is to know and interact with you), and will always be here if you need us. ^_^ :::grins and hugs both Lain and Sorrow:::

Ironwolf:<<Do you wanna hear a neat story? Love at first sight really dose exist I saw it happen to two friends of mine.>> You’re absolutely right, it’s true! it happened to me and I didn’t even realize it at the time. :::pauses with a slightly confused expression::: Eh...yeah.

:::turns on her heel and smacks into the CR wall:::
Aw hell...
:::Crawls out:::

Dreamie - [Dreamie09@aol.com]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:02:07 PM
IP: aca9707d.ipt.aol.com

Firestorm: How'd you know I was going to take over the world? That secret information is only publicly available on my website 8-)
Wilek: if you've got the same goal, we should start the plotting and stuff. I could use allies...but I've already told certain friends and family that they could rule countries as my puppet heads of state (Italy, USA, Switzerland, France, England, Canada)...hope we don't need to do battle over that 8-)
Josh "Imzadi" Wurzel - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, USA
Thursday, February 22, 2001 09:41:59 PM
IP: adsl-64-170-152-74.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

just curious....
i was looking back at old tgs episodes + i saw that you have an old episode called lethe: the mythological river of forgetfulness.
anyone know for certain how to pronounce that?
m.o.n.k.e.y.
Thursday, February 22, 2001 09:31:15 PM
IP: ppp0155.connect.ab.ca

Wilek: Watch out! Imzadi wants to take over the world too!
Better take care of him before he gets popular! :)

Imzadi: Welcome to the room! :)
Fire Storm - [Night-Flame@usa.net]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 09:21:50 PM
IP: 64.109.143.22

SJ, re: death in comics: I guess it all depends on the sort of methods you use in storytelling whether you resurrect or keep a character dead. To use Alan Moore as an example, he's actually done both. In the resurrection department ... the longest continuous storyline thus far to run in "Tom Strong" involved the title character having to face down past villains, including his by-all-accounts-dead arch foe Paul Saveen and a Nazi superwoman he'd faced in WWII Berlin. As an explanation for the superwoman (who hadn't aged a day since 1945 and survived a burning bunker collapsing on her), it was just explained that she was genetically engineered to be ultimately perfect. Whereas Saveen's resurrection wasn't as it appeared ... it turned out his death in 1986 *was* indeed real, and the current "Saveen" facing Strong was a villain in a similar mold as Clayface named Denby Jilks. (of course the highlight of the story was Tom's very black and *very pissed off* wife Dhalua kick the Nazi chick's butt royally)

In the "staying dead" department, on the other hand, you have Girl One's death in "Top Ten." That one definitely looks permanent, not only because of the damage incurred (she had a huge hole ripped in her torso by an enraged junkie goddess demanding her smack) but also because of the tone of the book itself, being sort of like NYPD Blue with superheroes as the characters.

So there ya have both sides of the fence. And I've been talkin' *way* too much. :)
Coyote the Bando
Algonac, Michigan
Thursday, February 22, 2001 09:01:47 PM
IP: 216.28.101.33

Okay I've been reading your chats back and forth for the past few weeks, and since you're all b*tching about how the room is dead this week, I'll introduce myself. My name's Josh (Imzadi is my callsign). I'm a gargoyles addict (duh!) and a second year student at UC Berkeley. Yes, those are my actual email and website addresses.
Okay, enough about me. Its cool being in here amongst so many other gargoyles fans and writers. Who else is planning on coming to Gathering this year?
Imzadi - [josh@kicktothenuts.com]
Berkeley, CA, USA
Thursday, February 22, 2001 08:57:29 PM
IP: adsl-64-161-24-165.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net

SJ> Agreed on all points. So that's why Collosus died. I gave up comics a few months ago, but I'll have to pick up a copy of that issue. Also a nice "Gargoyles" reference to death is the death of the Magus.

Also I like to think that TGS handled death quite well. The deaths of George Harrison and Madoc come to mind, and even though we didn't show Renard die, it's affects were handled quite well. Deborah had a good death, and "Requiem", well I think it was magnificent.
Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky
Thursday, February 22, 2001 08:38:21 PM
IP: dialin-1562-tnt.nyc.bestweb.net

Holy sh!t...Okay, I just watched Survivor, and from what I've seen of next week's episode, Mike of the Kucha tribe gets TAKEN OUT by a crocodile!

Sweet! Finally, after almost a season and a half of relatively easy "surviving", someone gets their ass handed to them by Mother Nature! Whoooo!

DISCLAIMER: Of course, I really hope that Mike is okay. Don't want him permanently injured, obviously.
Sevarius Jr.
Thursday, February 22, 2001 08:34:15 PM
IP: cache-2.lnh.md.webcache.rcn.net

Damn this CR is dead this week.

Taleweaver: To make a somewhat general statement, I think that death in comics should be used to add something meaningful to the story. For instance, the hero dies sacrificing themselves to save the life of another, as Colossus did recently in the X-Men. I didn't want him to die, cause I liked the character, but his exit was very dramatic and helped the overall story. If you aren't familiar with his particular death, the X-Men were looking for a cure for the Legacy Virus, the mutant version of AIDS, and found one when the late Moira MacTaggart gave them a formula, but the cure itself was only a partial solution; it would kill the person who took it. So, Colossus, remembering how his sister died from the virus and knowing that even though he couldn't bring her back, he could save the lives of millions of others, he injected himself with the cure, and died as a result. But his blood was used to form a real antidote, and poof, no more Legacy Virus. It added some punch to the story. This is what I call a "good" death.
Another death I find acceptable is, for example, that of a villain who falls prety to his own nefarious schemes or who finally faces punishment for his crimes. A recent example--Ultron. In the Avengers recently, Ultron just went totally apesh!t and destroyed an entire nation. Literally. It just wasn't there anymore. So, after fighting him almost to a standstill, the Avengers ultimately get the upper hand, and Hank Pym, aka Goliath aka Giant Man aka the original Ant Man, otherwise known as the guy who first created Ultron, he got all bad-ass and killed the damn robot. Now, one could argue that it was "okay" to kill Ultron because Ultron was not human, but I think that death is "good" because it shows a truly vile villain getting his just punishment. To use a gargoyle example: Hakon dying with the Captain of the Guard. The Captain's death was poignant too, because it was both his attempt to redeem himself by saving the Princess as well as his inevitable punishment for his part in the betrayal.

Death shouldn't just be senseless, without thought, unless you are trying to establish that the villain is truly evil (like with Ultron), or that the hero walks an ultra-thin line between sanity and madness (such as *the* anti-hero of all comics, the Punisher). Likewise, you shouldn't just kill villains or heros left and right, without a purpose. And the purpose should be a damn good one.

As for bringing characters back from the dead.....maybe every now and again. The "oh, you didn't really kill me! It was my cloned twin brother from a parallel dimension!" thing only works every so often. And if you do bring someone back, you had better make sure it's a damn good explanation as to why they aren't pushing up daisies. Here's a scenario that I sort of like: Hero / Villain gets in a fight, knocked on head, is thought dead, but in reality just had amnesia and, unable to remember who they are, lives a totally different life, until one day they remember who they are. I like that scenario....the problem is, even that has been done to death. I say, you should only be allowed to bring back one character you "killed" for every, oh, let's say, 50 characters you killed. And also, if you're gonna bring someone back, only do it for a short time. Don't let them linger, because...well, they should be dead.

Very few of the "back from the dead" stories work. How many times has Xena been resurrected? God, I lost count. I think the best "BFTD" story has to be Captain America's, but then again, he didn't really ever die, he was just a popsicle for a few decades. I think that the best BFTD stories, the ones that work and are the most plausible, are the ones in which the original character comes back as a new character. Take DC Comics and Hal Jordan, for instance. Hal was Green Lantern, he goes a little crazy and just happens to kill the rest of the Corps, then he sacrifices himself to save the Earth. Now he's the new Spectre. Some fans find this blasphemous, but I say at least if they are going to bring back an old character, they've thought of a new and interesting way to repackage them.

Personally, I wish that comics would shy away from this vicious cycle of death-rebirth. I say, make the deaths for real, but obviously, comic companies will never do that as long as the death angles sell comics (I mean, how many copies of Superman's death issue sold? Millions!).

Anyway, just my thoughts on it.
Sevarius Jr. - [bpoole@mailexcite.com]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 08:25:55 PM
IP: cache-2.lnh.md.webcache.rcn.net

Doug>> lucky! ever since 7th grade (when a bunch of kids circualted an anti-favoritism petition), we've been told are rights are non-existant. In fact, last year, during a leadership conference, we did a workshop on the constitution in school... we were told to bear in mind that what was covered only applied to public school, not catholic school.
<the snothead Bishop > ooh... what diocese? we have cardinal bevilaqua (sp?), who rocks.

ok, I fixed up my best (female) friend with an ex (who I remained friends with). they are now getting along almost disturbingly well. so well, in fact, that he got farther with her in one date than he did with me the entire time he and i were together (admittedly not very far, that). Now, he thinks he owes me, so he's setting me up with one of his friends... or trying to,at least. Steve (the setup) has yet to respond to my mail.

*****WARNIng BFTS RP*****

[THE REALM]

Jason looks surprised. "what do you mean, they dress like me?"
Daphne shrugs. "Sturdy blue or tan trousers, basic shirts, little ornamentation, timepieces strapped to the wrist. Do you think they're coming from your Realm?"
Jason pauses, then smiles. "Do you want to go find out?"
Daphne agrees, and they head to the park.

***** END BFTS*****

Happiness!
Daphne
Thursday, February 22, 2001 08:07:38 PM
IP: dialup-209.246.214.218.philadelphia1.level3.net

*enters*

Hey people! I got to do something totemo (totemo=very) cool today. Some of my friends and fellow Japanese student classmates got to talk to our sister school in Japan over the computer! They gave us a presentation on food, music, movies, and anime that are popular in Japan right now. :) I was nervous about talking to them, since I'm only in Japanese 1 and I didn't want to sound dumb in front of a whole classroom of people. ;P I only spoke briefly. I'll wait till my Japanese is better in college before I'll try talking to a Japanese native again (who doesn't already know English really well like my teacher. ;P).

But it was loads of fun. We also got to show them some American junk food that we like to eat. We had to explain Twinkies to them! Hmmm...I just hope they don't think that's all we eat for snacks. ;P

Must go now. talk to you guys later!

*GONE*
Mary Flanders
Thursday, February 22, 2001 07:31:54 PM
IP: adsl-63-195-144-108.dsl.scrm01.pacbell.net

*Sees Lain's latest post, and promptly starts breathing again*

heh... Good to hear things approach normal. Now, let's see what we can do to IMPROVE on that... *heads for the sketchpad*
<<why do you always have to be RIGHT..?????...>> *deadpan* ...It's our job, ma'am. ; ) *hugs* <> Oh, but THESE are ALWAYS fun. Looking forward to it. 8 ) When do you get back, anyway? o.O

Just got done writing my letters, and now I gotta do some art. maybe THEN I'll have time for replies, and maybe a little more FF9... :D ....Life is GOOD!

*boogies out to Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire"*
Gunjack "Rolaids" Valentine - [miphsingleton@hotmail.com]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 07:17:29 PM
IP: 216-146-184-220.bwn.net

Warpmind>> SIR!!! yes SIR!!!
:P

yeah yeah yeah.. :P
bunch o jerks you guys are.. being RIGHT..

why do you always have to be RIGHT..?????...

yeah.. I still love you..

yeah, I'll be fine, I am buff, no wirries.. or.. wOrries.. or whatever.. *shakes fist at typo demon*

I just needed to have a .. shall we say.. rather one-sided shouting match.. *winks at Gunjack* and now I am in the land of DEALING with STUFF once again.

so yeah..
must go bed..
have monster headache.. as per usual :P

*hands out HUGS to all.. accompanied by THANKS and LOVE*

love (extra love.. ;)),

lain - [sanchinwalker@hotmail.com]
Still the Land of Faraway
Thursday, February 22, 2001 06:38:48 PM
IP: 63.99.105.163

Just checking in.

Rooms have been dead today.
Fire Storm - [Night-Flame@usa.net]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 06:30:54 PM
IP: 64.109.143.22

Hi Everyone.

Unfortunately my connection difficulties haven't gotten any better and I just don't have the time to catch up at work these days. I'm hoping to get back to being a regular poster soon.

To those going through tough times be strong. I wish you the best. Go out and have a good time if possible. Just let out what you are holding in and that should be one step to feeling better. **HUGS**

I'll be back. Until then I'll be Winterwolf the quiet one.
Winterwolf
Bronx, NY
Thursday, February 22, 2001 04:05:29 PM
IP: ice.greyinteractive.com

Comics and death> Hey all, you know this has been a subject I've been kicking around in my stories. Under what circumstances is death good for the story and is there any case where bringing someone back from the dead is a good thing?

What killed my interest in Xena was the numerous resurrections. It was like, what's the point? Death is just a tease to yank on my heartstrings. Death had no meaning.

Or maybe it's just that there doesn't seem a price added to coming back from the land beyond the mists. I'd like to know what others think. It's really makes me wonder. Why some resurrections are permitted and why others are considered terrible.
Taleweaver - [taleweaver@usa.net]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 02:46:00 PM
IP: hal5000.engineering.csupomona.edu

*Warpmind enters, looking weary.*
Well, now I'm near finished packing down the stash in the apartment... and near finished, myself, as well...

Lain: *Grandiose hug.* You are heading home, you are cheering up, and you are receiving a package in the mail sometime over the next couple of weeks. That's an order. You got that? :) (Oh, and if you were planning to get the Illuminatus! Trilogy, don't bother, eh?) Oh, and next time we meet on IM, I might have found someone that could counsel you? (Y'know, 'bout the stuff you've mentioned there.)

Revel: And you are? Oh, right, that rumored third roomie... ];) But really, we won't mind your presence much, I think. We'll act like you're not even there, right, Lynati? ];)

Jannie: Thank you for your recommendations prior to my emigration. ;)

Comic Deaths: Well... just click my name... ];)

Well, that's about it. Ciao, everyone.
Warpmind de InzanE - [warpmind@usa.net]
Middle, Nowhere, Norway
Thursday, February 22, 2001 01:57:48 PM
IP: hume.ti.telenor.net

Lain, you are describing how I felt my last semester at a certain college (before I graduated at a different college). Just hang in there.

**PERSONAL**
While I was cleaning my room up an looking through things, I started to wonder how I got from a certain point to where I am now. Then, I stopped to think: how long before I 'can' get back on the track of things I WANTED to do. Then, I remembered things I wanted to do when I was hired full time and realized that I have kept my long term career option in focus: being a computer programmer. But, one new thing have come up since then: my back problem. If I was forced to use a wheel chair for the rest of my life or completely unharmed by the accident, things would be better. Collecting an insurance settlement would not be so . . . difficult. I feel I am NOT handicapped enough to get a special parking sticker, but handicapped enough to warrant special attention. Maybe it's my feelings. Being able to walk for short lengths of time without severe pain is just unique and frustrating. Someone on 1st shift (ranked just above regular employee) told me I should not even be working there because of my back problem. If only she realized what I was up against. Given my college degree (which has not helped me get a job), I would be expected to find work rather easily, except that is not the case. If I lose this job, oh well, I am very stuck. Thank goodness for the Americans with Disablities Act.
**END PERSONAL**

**BFTS RP continues**
A telepath tries to enter DPH's mind and within 1 second leaves. "Damn, it's like his amazing unnatural mental defenses have been turned from Warning-intruder-alert mode into die-here-without-escaping mode. I can't tell you a thing about what is going on inside of his mind."
**END BFTS RP for now**
What is the secret of DPH's mental defenses?
DPH - [dph_of_rules@yahoo.com]
AR, USA
Thursday, February 22, 2001 12:57:11 PM
IP: max1-59.cwy.cei.net

*with a resunding crash, Hyperion drops through the ceiling, a blazing white with six, vast, glowing, blue-white wings spread. He strides over to Gside, drawing his massive shimmering crystal-bright longsword and puts his face just inches away*
Gside> Someone set us up the bomb
*He turned and wanders back into the CR, sheathing his sword and dimming slightly*
Sorry, it had to be done...
You know, I'm sure there was something else I had to do here...
*produces large scroll and reads down it*
Oh, right...
lain> Although I, personally, am morally opposed to any type of drug that changes the way one thinks or feels, I agree with most everyone else. There is a time of seeking professional help and you are at it. And, no offense to any registered psychologists here, this ain't the place to find it.
I think from reading your posts, you're in college. If so, there should be some counseling services on your campus. At least talk to someone who understands the workings of the human mind. They will be able to help you more than we can.
A mind is a most wonderful instrument. We, as a people, have traveled to the moon, explored the workings of the atom and even peeked into the beginings of the universe itself, but we've never been able to map the process of human thought.
Somewhere in the three pounds of grey matter is everything that makes you, throughts, memories and emotions, a fantastic interplay of chemicals and electricity that defies explaination...it's magnificent, and it is worth your time to make sure that it is working as best it can.
please find someone to help you, you owe it, both to yourself and to everyone you know...
*Hyperion glares up at the hole on the ceiling and leaps through it, chucnks of the roof falling upward behind him to secure in place
*******
and remember, never mix drugs and invocations. It is vitally important to know which gibbering monstrosity to throw holy water at and which guibbering monstroisyt which will got away in a few hours with a hot bath and some B vitamin complex.
*********
hyperion - [hyperion@justice.com]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 12:44:32 PM
IP: ba-148.adsl.stargate.net

****Kyryn steps in.****

Gside><Don't be. It's just a problem with me. I'm taking an inaccurate representation of the form of a clarinet too personally. Probably becase my mother's one, and as a bando, I have been surrounded by them a good number of times.> Your mother is a clarinet?!? LOL!

Coyote> It's all your fault. I showed that link on the Packards to Okami and now he's busy figuring out how to raise $100,000 in the next year or so. *grin* However, his main comment was -- "I'll really agree that it's a Packard if it has the reliability of one, since that was one of the hallmarks of a Packard."

Comic Deaths> Hmmm. I seem to remember Marvel kicking themselves for a number of years since they killed off Dracula (even issued a death certificate in the back of a Dr. Strange issue) by dispelling the curse/spell that allowed vampires to exist. This was just before vampires got hugely popular again. I got many a chuckle out of that one because they really couldn't figure a way out of that hole for a long time.

Lain> <<<hugs>>> You do have friends who worry about you. I understand. I'm fighting my own periodic bouts of depression and burnout.

SOROW> <<<hugs>>> The same goes for you.

Later, All!

****Kyryn steps out.****

Kyryn
Denton, TX
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:42:15 AM
IP: exofw.aicpa.org

Sevarius Jr> I agree with you on comic deaths. And very often, the explanations for why they've come back are completely ludicrous.

"What you saw die was not me, but rather a clone of me."

"The formula that gave me my super strength also granted me an advanced healing factor."

"Oh, I never died at all, rather I [Insert impossible escape here]."

"That wasn't me, that was an alternate timeline version of me."

And my personal favorite, after this character's body was filled with bullets...

"I wasn't dead. I was miraculously able to slow down my metabolism, so I merely appeared dead."

Looking back at these, they're kind of funny. But they're so stupid.
Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky - [Madoc55@hotmail.com]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:17:13 AM
IP: dialin-1562-tnt.nyc.bestweb.net

Todd: Both. I mean, in comics, death is at best transitory. People come back from the dead in comics quicker than Kenny does on South Park. Marvel is maybe the worst perpetrator. I can't tell you how many heros / villains die in that particular universe that pop up again, literally, just a few issues later. (The one that really pissed me off was back when Kevin Smith did a run on Daredevil--he killed off the Spider-Man villain, Mysterio, and lo and behold, Spidey was fighting Mysterio just a few issues later. They explained it away as "not the *real* Mysterio" or some rubbish like that, but still, if they killed the guy--any version of him--than they should just have a moratorium on using the character for quite some time afterward).

The Cyclops thing annoys me for two reasons: Yes, I don't like Cyclops. He's always been a fairly uninteresting character to me, at best (which is amazing, considering the high soap opera drama that is his life. For God's sake, his brother is trapped in a parallel universe, his dad is the captain of a spaceship, and he may or may not have a half-human/alien half-brother! Plus his son, Nathan aka Cable, is a warrior from thousands of years in the future....his life is high drama, and STILL he has the personality of a vegetable). I get upset that Colossus dies, even if it was well-written, because I like that character more than Cyclops.

The other thing that pisses me off, though, is that the way they handled this whole thing, his death, it was not good-storytelling, it was just a cheap ploy to sell some comics. They killed him off just long enough to add a little suspense, and bam! Now you have a miniseries where it shows that he never really died, he just merged with Apocalypse, and now he's Scott again. Blecch. It was just crummy. If you're gonna do something like that, make sure he's gone for at least a few *years*. He was gone maybe one year, tops, which is nothing in comics.

Thank God for Bucky and Uncle Ben. Without them, I would have no rock to lean on for salvation.
Sevarius Jr. - [bpoole@mailexcite.com]
Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:06:33 AM
IP: cache-2.lnh.md.webcache.rcn.net

<-- This is what I feel like right now. :)

Survived another night of working, have to work again tonight. So big post will be tomorrow, on my day off, after which things should and had better get back to normal. <fingers crossed>

Daphne: I went to a Catholic high school, and they gave the students lots of rights, going stag to prom among them. Of course, the liberal, caring, and very cool principal left the same year I graduated and after that the snothead Bishop did his best to turn everything around. <sigh>

Lady Mystic: Didn't I thank you and Firestorm too? I'm pretty sure I did. <shrugs> In any case, thanks now, for all the hard work you both did. It is very much appreciated. :)

Jannie: <laughs> How about "Officer, I'm only trying to escape the maniac trying to run me off the road. I had just gotten away when you showed up and pulled me over." Jim (Jammer) used that line once and I will never forget the look he got in reply. Needless to say, the officer was not amused or forgiving. <shakes head>

Must sleep now. Later.
Doug
Thursday, February 22, 2001 08:28:12 AM
IP: pool-63.52.168.148.dlls.grid.net

*once again appears in a flash of bright light*

Another short visit from work. Just two things:

a) A big sorry to all of you who tried to look at my fanfic-archive yesterday and found naught but problems.... some quick changes seem to have blown up my code. I fixed that - everything should be back to normal by now.

b) I've got some new features: Direct linking into an author's story-page. No direct linking of stories (this would bypass the security-checks as well as some internal counters) but