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*looks around*

I did something today that will finally make some of you consider calling the men in the white coats on me.

I bought one of those display katanas from the mall, and am attempting to put an edge on it. I'm just grinding a basic 30 degree angle on it right now (it came out of the package blunt), and the upper end of the sword is getting sharper faster than the first half. The edge on the upper end is fairly sharp, and chopping at a cardboard box I have, the edge didn't just automatically fold over or go dull... so I guess it's not a complete piece of junk.

I'm doing this because I had an epiphany yesterday on how I can sharpen a sword. This is a test run, and if all works well... I may take a crack at sharpening that WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword I've got.

At 4/29/09 07:27 PM, Proteas wrote: *looks around*

I did something today that will finally make some of you consider calling the men in the white coats on me.

No, that just confirms even more of the kind of insanity I said earlier.

Though why a cheap one is beyond me. At least get a halfway decent one.

At 4/29/09 07:33 PM, BrianEtrius wrote: Though why a cheap one is beyond me. At least get a halfway decent one.

It's something I learned back at the music store; practice on the cheap stuff before moving on to the fine instruments... that way if you mess up, no big loss.

At 4/29/09 12:34 AM, Proteas wrote: I just think she could rock the green leotard just as hard as she did the leaf bikini and NOT have to worry about pervy fan boys to boot.

Prot, dear, I have to deal with pervy fanboys when I'm wearing a hoodie and baggy jeans. It comes with the territory of being a geek chick. Nothing will stop them from perving on me.

I wish. The pictures she posts are to small to blow up really well without being grainy.

Higher res photos available here...

At 4/29/09 07:50 PM, SkunkyFluffy wrote: Higher res photos available here...

Twas a joke, dear. ;-D

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Explanation for Brian; I used to work in a music shop, working on stringed instruments. And by "working on them" I mean restringing, doing general setup/fine tuning work, and doing minor repairs and hardware replacement. The best way to learn something like that is to practice on the cheapest, junkiest stuff you can find, that way when something of REAL value comes your way, you know what to do and what not to do with it.

At 4/29/09 08:00 PM, Proteas wrote: Twas a joke, dear. ;-D

Which is why I posted a link rather than be really creeped out.

At 4/29/09 07:45 PM, Proteas wrote:

At 4/29/09 07:33 PM, BrianEtrius wrote: Though why a cheap one is beyond me. At least get a halfway decent one.

It's something I learned back at the music store; practice on the cheap stuff before moving on to the fine instruments... that way if you mess up, no big loss.

On time worp James from Metallica was smashing some 20,000 dollar guitar for the high speed cameras. I thought about you having fits when I saw that.

At 4/29/09 04:42 PM, Ravariel wrote: My opinion of the swine flu "pandemic" that has killed a whole 100 or so people in countries with poor health care...

haha, win. saw "Fatbeard" by accident, good fun.

At 4/29/09 08:20 PM, stafffighter wrote: On time worp James from Metallica was smashing some 20,000 dollar guitar for the high speed cameras. I thought about you having fits when I saw that.

Didn't see it. I just found a bunch of preview clips on youtube of it, though. Was that REALLY a $20k guitar? Because it looked like a cheapo Firs Act to me.

Musicians are extremely neurotic about their instruments, to be honest. Case in point being Kurt Cobain; he was famous for smashing the guitar he played at the end of the set, but what people don't realize is that he had a case of guitar necks backstage as replacements. A roadie would bring the body of the guitar backstage, a tech would set it up, and the next night he'd be on stage with the same guitar.

I know about that Pro. But, if you're going to practice, you should also sound pretty damn good with a good instrument, unless you're a beginner because then no one wants to hear you.

At 4/29/09 09:33 PM, BrianEtrius wrote: But, if you're going to practice, you should also sound pretty damn good with a good instrument, unless you're a beginner because then no one wants to hear you.

I'm referring to repairs, not play.

At 4/29/09 09:39 PM, Proteas wrote: I'm referring to repairs, not play.

Blegh... I just realized how much of a dick I sounded for saying that.

My whole points is that if you don't know what you're doing, don't go get the most expensive piece of equipment you can your hands on. You're going to screw up, so why screw up the expensive piece that's difficult to replace?

So... anybody see any good movies lately?

At 4/29/09 10:25 PM, Proteas wrote: So... anybody see any good movies lately?

Right now I can't egt enough of Jim Carrey's Yes Man. The man is a genius.

At 4/29/09 10:06 PM, Proteas wrote:

At 4/29/09 09:39 PM, Proteas wrote: I'm referring to repairs, not play.

Blegh... I just realized how much of a dick I sounded for saying that.

My whole points is that if you don't know what you're doing, don't go get the most expensive piece of equipment you can your hands on. You're going to screw up, so why screw up the expensive piece that's difficult to replace?

Yeah, I understand. I got things mixed up, don't worry.

At 4/29/09 10:25 PM, Proteas wrote: So... anybody see any good movies lately?

I've been enjoying Ocean's Series again. Great ensemble casting, and good humor to boot.

man, nothing big and exciting hits where I live. I guss because I choose to live in the middle of no where.

So you remember how I took a hike around the land around my condo? Well, I brough Heather out today and we took one of our cats with us on a halter and leash. Cats suck on leashes. why did we do that?

either way, the cat had to be dragged or carried the entire time and whenever I set him down he would find a dirt clod and vigorously roll around in it. At times he would violently roll around on the dirt clod. He got so damn dirty. We hiked down to the river and the cat would have none of that (it's a pretty large river and it's moving pretty fast with snow-melt swell (I want a whitewater kayak now...) and we hiked up the backside of the hill to the property (it looks flat from our condo, but it's a steep drop to the river. Well, we climbed up that. I had the cat and the leash, and he kept going under logs and stuff to get up and dragging me with him.

Either way...have you ever tried giving a cat a bath? Not. Fun. This particular cat is VERY large, he's like..I don't know a rot reiler of cats. all muscle. he could bench press me. he didn't like the bath, but he was so dirty after the walk that he shook off in the living room and a cloud of dust surrounded him.

And to be fair, obivously I had to wash the retard cat (blue point siamese). So there are two very wet very pissed of cats hanging around. And the house smells like wet dog, because that cat shampoo didn't make them smell good.

At 4/29/09 09:29 PM, SevenSeize wrote: Our principal came around today and said we need to distribute germx or purel several times a day and make sure the rooms are disinfected daily.

I usually do this anyway because I have no immune system.

but lol

Look at the bright side, you being able to get sick off of ANYTHING has now made you look like a genius at your job.

Glad you didn't have to lie about anything Dante (because lying to these people I'm sure would have bit you in the ass), I am a bit disturbed to hear that the United States military feels it's based on "religious principles" which I tend to think means "Christian Principles". Hey guys, there's a little thing called the first amendment! That supposed to be part of what you're defending! Yet another reason I would not make it in the military.

At 4/29/09 11:14 PM, RydiaLockheart wrote: Great. First there was the possible case of swine flu in Columbus. Now there's a possible outbreak of whooping cough here in town after three kids at the same school got it. Wonder if it's just that school though. I'm having no luck in the contagious diseases department over here.

Leave now, the crystal ball says a wave of bubonic plague is next.

At 4/30/09 12:40 AM, RydiaLockheart wrote: I have actually been reading a lot from atheist recruits who allege pressure and intimidation from Christians, so I'm not too surprised.

Oh, I'm in no way surprised about this my dear. It's damn obvious that many many organizations (especially anything that might be pre-disposed to a conservative bent) seem to think that America's natural state is that of a "Christian Nation" and anybody who disagrees with that idea is at best simply WRONG, and at worst is the enemy and will try to take away everything we love. It's a ridiculous and stupid notion because of the fact that the Constitution guarantees us freedom of religion and some of the authors of said document expressed open contempt for religion. But even if they were devout Christians, they wrote into the law of the land that religion should be free, which to me says that no government institution should accept one religion as "official" or even "unofficial".

Crap...I'm doing politics in the lounge aren't I?

At 4/30/09 12:29 AM, aviewaskewed wrote: Leave now, the crystal ball says a wave of bubonic plague is next.

NOT FUNNY. The meds I'm on now for my ear infection are supposedly designed to fight bubonic plague anyway (although research indicates that my doc had it wrong, I think he meant Typhoid). And I was reading last night that supposedly there's been a case of Swine Flu found in Tennessee to boot. So YAY!!!

At 4/30/09 02:19 AM, aviewaskewed wrote: as "official" or even "unofficial".

Nobody forced him to listen to or say "God" in "So help me," remember? In fact, they pulled him off into a different room so he wouldn't have to listen to the other guy say it. I'd say that's pretty respectful to his dis/belief.

Crap...I'm doing politics in the lounge aren't I?

Yes, you are.

Personally, the connection of religious values to the military doesn't surprise me. I'm not sure WHY though, but it just doesn't. I've got a great Uncle who served in Korea, and he found God during his tour of duty there... no atheists in fox-holes as it were, or at least that's what I joked with him about (I think it was something to the effect of "no better place to find God.")

But you'll find any field that forces you to deal with your own mortality is typically going to have religious overtones to it. Just look at the medical industry.

------

I've been looking at videos of Gothic/Symphonic Metal here lately, and I found videos of my favorite band, Nightwish. I was somewhat aware that Tarja Turunen (the original vocalist) had been replaced, but I hadn't heard any of the new material.

Nightwish "Nemo" with Tarja Turunen
Nightwish "Bye Bye Beautiful" with Anette Olzon

What say you?

At 4/30/09 04:28 AM, Dante-Son-Of-Sparda wrote: well actually yes the Captain who swore me in said the milltary was based on religious grounds

:::
I am not in the least surprised.
The Military kills more people than Cancer ! They might as well indoctrinate you into their sanctioned religious groups...Why not put down Satan Worshipper, or Believer in Sol (the sun god) in the 'religious affilation' line of your forms.

Who knows you might get a pay raise,

I don't think the military as an institution is going to force religion down your throat, afterall they are even going to start putting pentagrams on gravestones for wiccans (sure, they are being forced, but they are going to do it).

I think the captain was more worried about songs/chants that they may learn in basic training will probably have religious/christian words and phrases in it. I mean, I was surprised when at summer camp we sang prayers at meal times...but it didn't mean we were being pushed to a certain religion, it was just the traditions of the camp and I think it's better to give fair warning that a few things are going to be based on religion and you are going to hear things or do things that you might find religious in nature but isn't intended to convert you, it's just part of the drill.

At 4/29/09 11:42 PM, Malachy wrote: And to be fair, obivously I had to wash the retard cat (blue point siamese). So there are two very wet very pissed of cats hanging around. And the house smells like wet dog, because that cat shampoo didn't make them smell good.

Next time my cat refuses to go outside, use his litter tray correctly or eat his food in a casual enough manner to not make himself throw it back up again, I'm going to recite your story to him. Apart from a documentary my Mum saw on TV a bit back about this guy's house that was was filled with dead cats, I can imagine your tale being the scariest thing he'll ever hear. It would be a nightmare for him. He doesn't like his privacy to be invaded, so getting a leash on would be hard enough. In addition to that, he does his own thing when he's outside, which usually involves eating grass, emptying his bladder and snarling at other local cats.

He's not got a sense of adventure, and should you force that upon him, he will pay you back with a series of scratches and bites. I'm not sure he's so much pissed off, like your cats, as he is scared: after my Dad once tried to brush his fur down, the next time my Dad tried to stroke him, his head lowered to such a degree as my Dad's hand came down. He basically wouldn't let him touch him. He's a silly thing.

I've got cats and dogs, and... I like the cats better. I don't have any psycho-tempermental siamese cats like Malachy does, but still. Cats don't require your constant attention and focus the way a dog will, they're content to do their own thing after they're done getting attention from you.

And mal? Wash the cat in the toilet next time. Just set him in, close the lid, and start jiggling the handle. He'll get clean.

====

Somebody has used the Mission Architect in City of Heroes/Villains to creat a storyarc themed around Mystery Science Theater 3000. Basic Preimse; Tom and Crow have gotten a hold of a cloning machine, and made dozens of clones of themselves, and they've somehow taken Joel clones hostage to boot. You're mission; defeat the cloned robots, and free the Joels.

*shakes head*

Oh, I meant to post this a moment ago...

At 4/30/09 01:57 PM, Proteas wrote: I've got cats and dogs, and... I like the cats better. I don't have any psycho-tempermental siamese cats like Malachy does, but still. Cats don't require your constant attention and focus the way a dog will, they're content to do their own thing after they're done getting attention from you.

they aren't temperamental at all. The bigger one doesn't have front claws and is a bit aloof. We took him from a friend who couldn't keep him (she was moving and nobody was letting pets). She was sort of inattentive as a pet owner and he had been pushed around to a bunch of different people's homes before so he is very independant, but he doesn't attack. He'll only chomp down on you if you are playing..or for love bites. he gives really hard love bites. But, he's a nice cat.

The saimese is just stupid. He's a very stupid cat. He jumped into screens or windows if he sees a bird outside or gets himself stuck behind book cases. He's still a bit young so he runs around a lot. But they both sleep on our laps at night in bed and sometimes they'll purr or something cute like that. They lived together a few years ago when our friend was our roommate, so they are chill with each other.

I like cats, and I like dogs too. But i agree, cats are way easier to take care of.

And mal? Wash the cat in the toilet next time. Just set him in, close the lid, and start jiggling the handle. He'll get clean.

At 4/30/09 01:58 PM, Proteas wrote: Oh, I meant to post this a moment ago...

Haha, that is so darn cute. Reminds me of my own cat. He was a stubborn bastard too. I looked into his eyes once, and I could have sworn that I heard "Eye of the Tiger" somewhere in the background. Sometimes I doubt the cat´s status as a domesticated animal. Incorporated in your daily life and routine? Yes. Tame and cuddly? Errmmm...

Cats - the modern, knee-high alternative to a life among the wilderness.

Geez, I visited the gay marriage thread today, and I got so miserably trolled I don´t know how to describe it. You know that guy in general? "The beast awakens"? He ain´t got shit on me when I rage.

I have taken courses in psychology, so trust me when I say this. I. Need. Help. Like, now. One of those beating bags simply won´t cut it, give me a zombie-outbreak simulator and a chainsaw, and some sedatives to stop me from getting REALLY violent. UNdead? Yes. UNperson? No.