Nom

I wouldn't pass up the chance to write a script, for a film or a serial drama. That would be incredibly fun. I find it easier to think of examples of bad movies than bad books, though there are bad appples in both forms. I think that movies are more easily corrupted by the money, and there are less writers and producers and directors focused on making a quality film than there are writers making a quality book. But then, films don't have to try that hard, since the moviegoing crowd is a lot larger than the book-reading one. Given the chance, though, film can do a lot and be just as good as paper. I've seen some really outstanding movies, and read some really outstanding books. And whoever asked about Eragon, the third book will be released in September, and there will be a fourth now. Also, the Eragon movie sucked balls.

Hm, well, regarding the time it takes to read, I started WoT about a month ago and I'm halfway through book 8 now. Although I had two 17-hour car rides for the first two books. I'll finish the series (minus book 12 of course) in the next few weeks, in all likelihood. If you started now, you would probably be able to make it through most of the books before school starts, and any you have left might be a good thing to take slower so you won't have a humongous wait for the last one. Then again, you could drag them all out, but I personally dislike that even if it makes waiting for the next book shorter.

For those wanting to start EU books, you can look in the front pages of the newest ones (New Jedi Order and Legacy of the Force) to find a timeline of all the current novels. The best place to start, I would think, would be with the Thrawn Trilogy, detailing Grand Admiral Thrawn's attempts to subjugate the galaxy with the Imperial Remnant. That's ~8 years ABY (After the Battle of Yavin) or 4 years after events in RotJ.

So it's over then? The Legacy of the Force series? I haven't been keeping up on them, I read 1-3 and 5, skipped four since I couldn't find it at the time. I have 4, 6 and 7 sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. So are the last two books out?

The Yuuzhan Vong invasion is probably the most epic story arc known to science fiction. I loved the whole NJO series, and own nearly all of them. That seems to have been a pinnacle, though. The Dark Nest books were decent, but the new Legacy of the Force with Jacen going all Darth Vader redux seems to be a bit lacking. And MARA DIED. Dammit. I wonder how long before someone decides that Luke Skywalker is an old man. He's still kicking [wagon], which is cool, but these books are taking place 40 years after A New Hope. He's sixty years old. Eventually he's going to have to end up like Yoda; wise old counselor and last resort superweapon. Which he sort of already is, I guess. Of the movies, it's between III and V as a favorite for me.

Ahh, I'm on book 8 of WoT. . . I can't stop. . . I read the Assimov short story about the cotton-candy aliens. Very weird. I'm not sure if he wrote Flowers for Algernon, but that's another great read.

I yell at my brother sometimes. Why? Oh, because life in general sucks. Maybe I was brooding over something and wanted to be left alone, and the last thing I needed was his chubby, stupidly grinning face popping up on me with some equally stupid thing to say. Maybe poor Jake just got rejected, or something. Wanted to lose himself in a game. Whatever he had going on, the game was the trigger, not the entire cause.

Dial-up sucks. We moved in February, and our new house in half a mile down a private lane with no underground cable, so it's dial-up or satellite, and I've been stuck with dial-up on one computer since then. It's infuriatingly slow, and I thought I would never have to worry about tying up the phone lines again. . . I usually have to shuffle over to my grandparents' house or something if I need to use real internet. That's why I haven't been around TIF much, though it works better than most things on dial-up. Right now, I'm actually on my laptop with an AT&T card my mom borrowed from her boss. This is what we need to suck up and get. I'm sick of sitting for fifteen minutes to wait for a freakin' page with two minutes worth of reading to load.

Lol. I still can't believe it took you that long. I have it 4-starred, can probably 5-star it if I got lucky, but an FC is amazing. Speaking of FC's, I've brought my count up to eleven with Mississippi Queen, Story of My Life, Sabotage, Ruby, and Miss Murder. Also had a -3 run on Avalancha, which I should be able to FC soon in my days home alone. Along with the five or six other songs that are within reach. I'll put pics of the FC's up soon, along with a 475K One score that I am quite proud of. I nailed all five of those rapid B-O in the bridges :D .

Speaking of the donkey wheel, I wonder if the Dharma Initiative knew about that little chamber, or just built near it coincidentally in order to tap into whatever force moves the island. Considering the fact that Ben had to blow the back wall to pieces to access it, maybe they didn't know. On the other hand, it would be hard to miss while digging the foundation for the station.

I finished the first two books of The Wheel of Time on my canoe trip this past week, and I'm reading the third one now. The Great Hunt was amazing, I look forward to the next ten books if they are half as awesome as that one was.

All three Spider-Man movies in a row. It was the first time I had ever seen number 3. On the whole, I thought that the second one was the best. The first had the right idea about how to approach the story, with explaining the origins of Spider-Man and presenting personal conflicts, but there was a pervading awkwardness that made the whole thing less than it could have been. The second one backed off on that kind of thing slightly, and did it better. Plus Doc Ock is awesome. Still a bit awkward, and the acting is more wooden than the infamous Star Wars throughout all three. The third one, meh. Too may villains, their appearances too episodic, and Emo Peter = not cool. Although he showed a bit more acting talent when he was acting that version of Peter, it was still entirely stupid and unnecessary.

Wow, that was the first time I ever got to see last year's pic. Too bad I can't be in this one.

Parts II3 & II4 ---------------- How do you know his name? Julian looked slightly surprised as he said this, but it was clear to Lyra that he was simply using the emotion as a cover to gather as much information as he could. She, in her turn, was trying her best to remain silent and unnoticeable as she got over the pain of being shocked. She was already working on a plan to get them out of the cell, and the next few minutes were crucial if they were to ever have a chance. They couldnt count on the door opening under the same circumstances again, if at all. As I say, Doctor, Kelvin is very important to us, repeated the man in the lab coat. Naturally, we would know his name. I daresay we know more about him than you do. Then why do you have questions about him? probed Julian. For the same reasons you are so brashly demanding answers of me, countered the other smoothly. No doubt Julian would know what that meant. Lyra didnt, nor did she care. Her purpose on the team was security and protection, and she was being paid well for it. Right now, the priority was to make sure she lived to receive that pay, and Julian survived to bequeath it to her. The man standing a few feet away from and over her was obstructing the way out, and getting out was certainly a desirable course of action. He had to get out of the way, preferably without bringing more of his ilk running. Julian seemed eager, beneath his concealing mask of more appropriate emotions, to keep talking, which conveniently provided Lyra with time to work. She tuned out to the professors dogged questions and the other mans equally persistent dodges. However seriously they claimed to take their security, the crew in this facility obviously had issues with women. They hadnt bothered to search Lyra thoroughly, probably out of nerves or awkwardness. Idiots. Very unprofessional. Although it was better than the opposite extreme, on all counts. Under the pretext of groaning piteously, Lyra rolled onto her side, facing away from the two men. She moved her arms up, away from their clutch at her stomach, taking it slow. Her hands reached her neck with nary a disturbance in her overall posture, curled halfway into the fetal position. With the voices of the two men masking the sound, she unzipped her jumpsuit nearly the length of her sternum. Nestled there were medical swabs, compressed as much as possible, and three small plastic packages no larger than her thumb. One contained antibiotic, one painkiller, and the third sedative. The sedative was the fluid of choice now. Her syringe was gone with the rest of the contents of her utility belt, so she would have to improvise. She extracted one of the swabs and fluffed it as much as she could, then ripped open the plastic of the sedative with care. She let the fluid soak the pad, being careful not to let any dribble onto her or the floor. She was as ready as she ever would be. With a slight movement, Lyra repositioned herself, trying to get as much leverage as she could before making her move. She would only have one chance. She tensed, and waited for the visitor to speak. As soon as she heard the first words from his mouth, she sprang her body straight and swept her leg under the mans, sending him crashing to the floor. Even before he landed she was diving towards him. He hit the floor with a grunt of pain that escalated into a sharp cry as Lyras fingernails raked his neck. She slapped the swab to the bleeding wounds and pressed, cutting off his shout with her other hand. Within seconds the sedative had done its work. The mans eyes closed and his breathing slowed into a peaceful rhythm. Lyra didnt relax. She leapt to her feet and darted out the door, ready to counter any blow that came her way. She was surprised to see that there was no one else. Outside their cell was a corridor that stretched a short distance to either side, with a few metal doors similar to the one she had just come out of along the walls and at one end. The corridor was brightly lit by fluorescent tubes along the ceiling, and Lyra could make out some sort of symbol carved or painted on the end of the hall that lacked a door. She didnt stop to investigate, however. She had no idea what kind of security this place had, and it would not be prudent to waste time finding out now. The element of surprise could disappear at any moment. She hurried back into the cell to find Julian kneeling next to the lab coat man, searching him. At least he wasnt completely clueless when it came to situations like these. He was pretty tricky to get information out of, said the professor as he rummaged in the large pockets of the white coat, but even vague hints that he thought would mean nothing to us were very helpful. From one of the pockets he pulled two plastic cards. One came with a neat little clip that was clearly meant to be worn on the lapel or somewhere similar, and the other was plain white with one corner cut off and a bar code lining one edge. Key card, announced Julian as he held the white one up to examine it. Lyra nodded. Thank you, Mr. Arzman, he said as he stood up, glancing at the other card. He looked at it more closely and read, Louis Arzman, Researcher. We need to move, Lyra said curtly, brushing past him. The professors information could wait until they were no longer under threat of discovery. She picked up the taser that Arzman had dropped and tucked it into her leather belt, along with the remaining swabs and plastic pouches. As soon as we find a safe place, we can think of a plan of action, but until then we have to keep moving. She passed Julian again, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him towards the door that was most likely the exit. Wait! he exclaimed. The cells, there may be other prisoners. He tugged his arm away from Lyra, much to her annoyance and impatience. Hurry up! she hissed at him. She reached the door as the professor ran the other way, checking the cell doors as he went. She didnt want to open the door until he was right next to her, so she turned and waited, watching as he reached the opposite end of the corridor. There he stopped dead, staring at the symbol on the wall that Lyra had glimpsed briefly before. She couldnt make it out from this distance, and Julian was blocking it, but whatever it was held him mesmerized. Get moving! she said as loud as she dared. The professor reluctantly pulled away from the wall and hurried back to her, looking all sorts excited. We are most definitely in the Stratagem, he said, breathing hard with excitement. Thats nice to know, remarked Lyra with a hint of sarcasm. She swiped the key card in the slot next to the door, and with a click it unlocked. Readying herself, with Julian safe behind her, she pushed it open. End of Part II3 Part II4 The first thing Lyra saw when she opened the door was a desk. It was dull stainless steel, and it was covered in the usual paraphernalia that could be found on most desks. Sitting behind it in a worn swivel chair was a man with his back turned to them, reading from a piece of paper that he had removed from a manila folder. When he heard the door squeak open, he began to turn. Lyra ducked back inside quickly, hiding herself. Is that you, Arzman? Finished already? called the guard. Lyra heard the chair screech as he rolled it back, apparently getting up to greet what he believed to be the researcher. Lyra shot a look at Julian, attempting to communicate to him silently what he should be doing. Its me, he said in a passable imitation of Arzmans voice. Im bringing the prisoner. He had caught on. Good. Lyra beckoned at the man still lying on the floor in the doorway behind him, urging the professor to take the coat. He hurried over to the body as footsteps began approaching the door from the other side. Bringing which one? the guard asked. He was getting closer. Lyra pointed at herself as Julian hurried back with the white garment. He understood, shrugged the coat on as he called back, The girl. Lyra passed him the taser and faced forward, raising her hands in the universal gesture. You coming out or not? asked the guard. He had reached the door. Lyra stumbled out of it, leaving it half-closed, and Julians white-robed arm followed behind her, holding the taser to her back. My, my, the guard whistled, eyeing Lyra. She rolled her eyes. The guard leaned round her to address Arzman, A.K.A. Julian. You sure its necessary to hold that on her? Shes unarmed He didnt get the chance to finish his sentence. Lyras elbow smashed into the side of his head with enough force to knock him senseless. He fell sideways and slumped on the cold floor, unmoving. Good job, professor, acknowledged Lyra. He was proving to be a passable partner. At least he wouldnt get them killed. She took the taser back from him and instructed, Drag him back over to his chair. Make him look asleep or something. Im going to look for my equipment. She left the unconscious guard to Julian and observed the room. It was small and bare of decoration, the only furniture being the guards desk and chair. There was a single door opposite the one they had just come through that led elsewhere. She wasnt going to open it just yet, but it didnt look like her weapons and equipment were anywhere in this room. She helped Julian drag the guard over to the desk, then searched it while he arranged the unconscious man like some gruesomely realistic Halloween dummy. She found nothing of real interest in the desk. It was mainly full of records of previous prisoners, which she rifled through quickly before throwing aside, barely looking at them. There was, however, a schematic of the immediate area. It was not complete, only showing the guard room, cells, and a large room outside of them with several doors branching off, but it was a start. Next she searched the guard. She was pleased to find that he had a gun belted on his hip, as well as another small taser identical to the one they had lifted off Arzman. They would do until she could find her own utility belt. Here, she said, attempting to hand the first taser to Julian while she continued to pat down the guard. He didnt take it. She looked up impatiently and found him staring at one of the files that she had thrown aside, eyes wide. What? she demanded, still trying to hand him the taser. Julian looked up at her, thinking hard. He brandished the paper in front of her face. In the corner was a circular logo with some sort of design in the center, but the paper was waving so fast she couldnt make it out, much less read anything. What? she repeated, unmoving, growing in impatience. Here, on the file! Julian burst out excitedly. Kelvins name is on here! It says hes being held prisoner as well! I cant believe I didnt find him before, he continued, looking down at the paper again, but. . . Julian trailed off, frowning at the paper. A look of utter consternation stole across his face. Whatever it is, it can wait, Lyra interjected before he could say anything. We have to keep moving. Now. She grabbed his arm and once again dragged him to the door. Repeating the ritual that they had gone through before, she held the gun at the ready. After a brief hesitation, she flipped the safety on. It probably wasnt a good idea to start shooting while they were under armed and in the middle of enemy territory. This door didnt have a key card slot. She simply turned the handle and pushed it open. The door opened, as the schematic had shown, into a very large room. There was a row of computer terminals down the center, and a few tanks lined the walls. But the thing that Lyra immediately noticed was that the room was full of people. Lots of them. And they noticed her. A group of three men near the end of the row of terminals looked up as the door opened and stared in surprise. They seemed too stunned to move for a moment. Lyra couldnt blame them. An extremely fit young woman in a form-hugging jumpsuit with the top still unzipped indecently far had just burst into the room. She had a momentary advantage, but it would be fleeting. Going on pure memory, Lyra dashed to the side, heading for a door that had been shown on the map. She threw it open, and slammed it shut just as Julian dove in after her. They were in trouble now. End of Part II4 To Be Continued ---------------------------- Well, that's those back up. I guess most people have already read them, but meh. I'll be leaving early tomorrow for a week, so nothing new unless I stir myself to do something tonight. Which probably won't happen.

And it's not going to be me this time, as I'm leaving early tomorrow morning ;) . Any volunteers?

Bah, I had some stuff to post, but I got an error message when I clicked submit and can't be bothered to type it again. I'll just say that my hair is dark blond, has been long for the last two to three years, and is not all that hard to manage. Wash, towel-dry, wait a few minutes to air-dry, brush. I don't mind if others have long hair, as long as it's not a pseudo-fro that you never wash and looks all nasty and matted.

Bah, I went and forgot about tons of stuff that I read and enjoy. The Bartimaeus Trilogy, His Dark Materials, The entire Star Wars EU, LOTR, Harry Potter, Castaways of the Flying Dutchman + The Angel's Command, the Redwall books, The Dragonlance Chronicles, A Series of Unfortunate Events, the Inkheart books were okay, the Chronicles of Narnia, The Wind on Fire Trilogy. . . I just picked up the first four books of The Wheel of Time. I'm getting into the first one, it is very good :D .

Cool Beans. The tourny shall survive, which officially makes this thread > all the other ones. Preparation FTW.

Bahhhhh, lost a few parts. I have them saved though. And it's on the first page again. Maybe I'll get back to it.

Ha! That's nothing. I traded a Beldum from Ruby to LG andf got it from 5 to 65 Metagross in two days. Pwned. [/pompous] But in all seriousness, I ditched my Dugtrio because it was turning out to have horrid growths - level 56 and only like two stats over 100. So I decided to replace it with either Metagross or Tyranitar, and Metagross turned out amazing - level 65 with an attack of 240+ and all other stats 150+ except speed. I'm still going to level up Larvitar in the interest of completing the Pokedex, but unless it turns out better than Metagross I'm keeping the blue metal thingy. My high-level team (original with some modifications): Blastoise Lv 60: Bite, Strength, Surf, Protect Raichu Lv 62: Thunderbolt, Agility, Thunder, Flash Primeape Lv 61: Seismic Toss, Aerial Ace, Brick Break, Cross Chop Metagross Lv 65: Meteor Mash, Scary Face, Psychic, Pursuit Ninetails Lv 66: Flamethrower, Safeguard, Fire Spin, Roar Pidgeot Lv 65: Fly, Wing Attack, Quick Attack, Mirror Move New team, more competetive, still in the works: Kabutops Lv 44: Slash, Giga Drain, Surf, Endure Magmar Lv 40: [TBD] Gengar? [TBD] Tyranitar? [TBD] [TBD] [TBD]

I just hung a huge flippin' 8'x4' chalkboard over my bed yesterday to use as a storyboard for mine, lol. If you have a chalkboard, they're great for mapping out character arcs and plotlines.

Nope, that was book 8. Book 9, Raven Rise, was released May 20, 2008. Go read it. Right now :P

Hey, the more I use this, which hasn't been a lot, the more it grows on me. In the time since I posted this, the subforums have been restored, and like someone else said it works fine technically. Hasn't taken me long to get used to the new look either, and I like a lot of the new features. I still think the biggest problem is the loss of posts, but if people like Indy care enough about them they'll find their way back (: And I just realized that I only lost about 100 posts. Dial-up FTL.

Actually, if Diesel managed to keep the scores updated on the Tour Group forum they should be intact. They better be, because I hadn't even entered the tourny at this point lol. Closer, you say? I'll see what I can do. I have a FC, but lately my disc has been messed up and I can't manage to even finish a song before it errors. . .

Tell me someone here besides Dadieseldude and I reads Pendragon. Ninth book just came out last month, second to last in the series. I'm going to have a hard time getting it out of my head for a while. This summer is looking to be really good for book releases. The next Artemis Fowl, Keys to the Kingdom, and others that I can't remember right now. Pendragon last month already, and in September the third book in the renamed Inheritance Cycle, Brinsingr. For anyone who doesn't know, Inheritance was originally intended to be a trilogy, starting with Eragon, but during the writing of book 3 Paolini decided to split it into two books because it was getting too long. So now we have a four-book cycle.