[Ed. note: This may not be the "canon" version of events that took place during the early months of the FFML. Nevertheless, this may be helpful for those who are currently on the FFML who want to know what the early months were like. All addresses listed are subject to defunct-ness. As this was posted on the ML a long time ago, all rights are reserved to Damon Casale, aka Mouse, aka Kowa, aka the inheritor of the Bastard Taskmaster title...] [...and here we see the fallout of spam for the first time, as well as the first time the Usenet discussion ever came up. Again, OLD topics that do not need rehashing. I'd also like to take the time to apologize for the overabundance of Sapphire references here, but you see, Damon had a crush on her and...] The Japanese Animation Fan Fiction Mailing List Archives Scrapbook (is that title long enough for you? ;) I decided on a whim to put together a slowly lengthening scrapbook of memories, the majority of which come from the FFML. Some are from IRC, but those are harder to keep reasonably edited. This segment of the scrapbook covers December. I decided to carry some stuff over from the last month, to preserve continuity. Saf, Andy's probably been chasing Lum again, and after her response to his advances, your taser is probably just tickling him. Use the Jeriten approach next time. I have a handy dandy mark VIIb flamethrower that you can borrow... And, if that dosen't work, I'll nail him from my personal orbital laser complex for you (6 1000 terrawatt micro-focused lasers - instant crispy critter!). Btw, in order to use any of the above retaliatory weaponry, johnd comes off the dartboard at once - it hurts! I have, at least temporarily, learned my lesson. Humbly yours... johnd ps An obedience school implies the target has the intelligence to understand the training! On this ML, you've got to be joking. ^_^ Hello John. Well, you might like to know that Saf and I have declared a truce and I believe are well on our way to becoming fast friends :) I have completed my spam withdrawal period and am working very hard at posting only Fanfic chapters (3 & 4 of which I posted this morning ;) and the occasional constructive criticism or praise of any fanfics I read^_^ It might also interest you to know that upon the creation of our truce, I presented Saf with a custom-made weapon that might very well put an end to her teasing. But you'll have to ask her ;) Yo Andy, You're no damned fun! If you read my "ps", then you know what my ulterior motive was in sacrificing you. Getting me off the dartboard! I hate diplomatic agreements... Hey John. I'd like to see you off the dartboard too but I learned my lesson and I think I've brought enough mallets upon my head and tasers upon my flesh ^_^ Andy (Mr. No Damned Fun) ^_^ A personal orbital laser complex! Cool! Too bad Andy and I have already settled things. [repeated from above] Btw, in order to use any of the above retaliatory weaponry, johnd comes off the dartboard at once - it hurts! I have, at least temporarily, learned my lesson. *sigh* Oh all right! * Saf stops shooting arrows and darts and takes Johnd off the dartboard. Spoilsport! [again, repeated from above] ps An obedience school implies the target has the intelligence to understand the training! On this ML, you've got to be joking. ^_^ *grin* You're right! ;) Maybe I'll just go Pavlovian and have everyone whack themselves on the head with a mallet or something if they call me cute. "Saf, you're cu..." "...c-c--cu..." * Damon's self-preservation instinct kicks in. "Damn." ;) [It was the *last* time I ever teased her. Thank God she never responded to that post.] *smile* Sure... Oh well,.... On the topic of Saf, Saf, when are you going to visit the #ranma! irc channel? [ Nagisa smiles in a kawaii fashion. ] I'm sure you'll be welcomed. ^_^ Nagisa. [ C'mon!! we need more Kawaii people on the channel. ^_^ ] ***** Hey, I've never called you cute, cutie. _Cutie_ is out, too, _Wolfie_ :P Saphie? *sigh* All right, Wolfie, you can call me Saphie if it makes you feel special :P Thanks Saphie, you cutie! Argh! * Saf takes a bar of soap and washes out WW's mouth with it. Don't call me CUTIE! It's even worse than CUTE! Yeah. Be polite to the lady. * Damon notices the leather. "Err..." ;) I'm stayin' out of this! And what's wrong with leather? It's durable, supple and looks cool! ;) "Ladies" don't usually wear leather...but we can always make an exception, I guess. :) Of _course_, ladies wear leather. Haven't you heard of doeskin gloves and riding boots? Hadn't thought of that. Besides, a lady is a lady no matter _what_ she wears. ;) Saf Always a Lady ;) Okay. * Damon admires said lady from afar... ;) Yuck. Ok, no more cutie. Saphie is so *cute* when she's mad! * Saf whips out the "fully automatic, plasma powered, flux resonating, combination Wolf, Gopher and naive ML subbie attitude alignment laser rifle with over and under mallet launchers" she got from Andy (Thanks, Andy!) and tries it out on WW. [Panda's Notes: While it gave me great pleasure to create and present the aforementioned weapon to the ML's veteran bounty hunter, I had no idea how dangerous it could really be. History Note: The weapon in question now rests in an obscure wing of the Smithsonian Institute that fortunately, no-one is allowed to enter except Foxtrot (you'll meet her later [Ed. note: ...much, *MUCH* later...]) and Saf ] This'll be fun! ;) My pleasure :) Neat design... does it make coffee too?? Easy add-on :) I'm presently working on a Personal Orbital Laser Complex override system for it. Anyone know the email address of the Pentagon? I lost it . . . Ahh right... well maybe you should test your equipment with someone less - well shall we say violent??? or perhaps Homicidal?? or even (I could say 'cute' here but I will restrain myself :) Oh, I'm not _that_ violent and I haven't killed anyone yet. Weapons aren't my forte anyhow. Good thing. Besides johnd devised the POLC. I'm just trying to override it. I've got uplink secured now ( I'll send you the co- ordinates later Saf). Just need to figure out the obscure coding language used in the weapon's systems. Hmmmm.^_^ God you really get into these things don't ya?? Yeah, comes from an overactive imagination. BTW, you see this big 'X' on the ground here? Could you stand here for a minute? I've sent Saf the coordinates for the POLC. She should be testing it aaaannnnnyyyy minute now . . . Ahh I think I'll pass on that - do *I* look that dumb?? - try it on Damon.. No, I gave Damon a hard time a while back there and he was a good sport about it. I don't know if you 'look' dumb but considering Saf's earlier tribulations with her laser rifle I don't think it would be 'smart' to stand around this big 'X' on the ground, talking to me. And there's only room in this blast shack for me so if you start running now . . . Well I think I'll leave now... [not DW's last comment] I'll remember that, Brett. I expected you would Damon :) At the moment, I'm working on Math Methods homework. It's 7 in the morning; I've been up all night. My brain is already fried enough as it is. Geeze don't you guys ever sleep?? - I'd burn out trying that... Besides, Saf and I have reached a sort of unspoken agreement now. (not on the list, so don't bother looking) We don't annoy each other any more. Hey Damon. 72 hours of no sleep last week wasn't enough eh? No choice. I got rather...distracted...last night when I should have been doing my homework. Now I've got to finish it before 12:30. (I didn't mind the distraction overly much, tho ;) Yeah ;) One of those good distractions. See that guy standing on the big 'X' on the ground? Keep your eye on the bag of marshmallows in his mits. Ya got any hot dogs? They might work too :) Nah. I don't like hot dogs, anyway. S'mores will work, though. /me gets a 1000 foot pole and sticks a few marshmallows on the end of it. "* Damon gets a 1000 foot pole and sticks a few marshmallows on the +end of it." /me waits patiently... "* Damon waits patiently..." Hehe... ;) * Andy sits down to wait patiently too. "Anytime now Saf!!" (God I hope she's got the right coordinates punched into that thing . . .) Sorry - gotta go - bye (insert sound like the Enterprise-D going to warp) Awww shoot. Wow. * Andy turns to Damon, "Does he know something about Saf's abilities with high-powered weapons that we don't?" A shout heard for several miles away: "Yes - she tends to be a bit indiscriminate with her targeting!!!" Great! I need the target practice. ;) ...Although I get the feeling this will backfire on me! Sorry you didn't get to eat any Turkey on Turkey day :( Maybe you had a sandwich the next day?^_^ And why should it backfire? The rifle looks fine to me. ;) Hooo, you're tricky, but I'm staying out of that Tiger trap my dear ;) The backfire I was referring to was a possible backlash with our illustrious moderator himself. I just got here and I hope to stick around for a while^_^ BTW the coordinates for johnd's Personal Orbital Laser Complex are 12.567 R.A. and 35.658 Dec. Punch them in on the keypad under the rifle's magazine bay. Have fun! Ahh so you're the designer... hmmm well could ya maybe give her less firepower - holes in the person running the ML might cause a few problems..... Sorry Brett. It's outta my hands now. (Have fun Saf but not too much ^_^) Damn - but I'm sure Saf *will* end up having lotsa fun with it :) Maybe. You'd have to ask her :) Just call her 'you-know-what' and see what happens (though as the weapons designer I'd advise you not to) Hey do I look that stupid (I'll leave that to Crombie and Wolf) Hmm. You really like to tease the fur-bearing members of this list don't you? ^_^ Hey I'm don't discriminate - I'll tease *anyone*... :) You still standing there? Here hold this bag of marshmallows . . . I'm having _lots_ of fun with it. :) * Saf waves the laser rifle around and accidentally shoots out the light. *sigh* Forgot to put the safety catch on again. * Saf leaves the dark room to find a flashlight and another light bulb. [repeated from above] Of _course_, ladies wear leather. Haven't you heard of doeskin gloves and riding boots? Besides, a lady is a lady no matter _what_ she wears. ;) Alright, this Tiger trap got me!!! Andy whispers VERY softly, help help. Oh darn. No-one can hear me ;) No, we can hear you fine out here. ^_^ Hi Shane! Now go away ;) Can't you see I'm in a tiger trap? Wink, wink, nudge nudge. ***** * Saf investigates and finds AlberCrombie. I've got you now, you gopher! * Saf throws her electric net over him and quickly turns it on, zapping him unconscious. HA! Now you're going to pay! * Saf gathers her net in.... Saf "MMmmm...gopher stew!" AND? AND? (I can't stand the suspense) *...and...Saf starts going over various nasty plans yet again...* ;) Racked to death?...Nah... Drawn and quartered?...Already been done too many times... Eaten by sharks?....Too cliche... Staked to live bamboo shoots?...Hmm, maybe... *Saf snaps her fingers as an evil idea hits her! I've got it! Staked to growing bamboo and forced to watch Barney and the O.J. Simpson trial (every tv station live broadcast and analysis and movie and interview, etc.) for the rest of his short life! Yes! Oh, wait, let's just skip the bamboo and go with Barney and O.J. *Saf grins evilly at the thought of watching 'Crombie turn into a mass of cowering jelly as his brain cells die one by one. So, what do you all think of this plan? ;) Saf (Can you tell I really hated those trials?) No no no, the *only* way to kill somebody is to force them to listen to Minmei singing in English. :> John... your being too cruel - even Saf wouldn't resort to something *that* horrible... Is it really _that_ horrible? I've never heard Minmei sing. Yep, it's *really* that bad. (The English version that is, the Japanese original is really quite good) I congratulate you for making it this far without having heard Minmei sing :> Lucky girl - and pray you *never* find out *how* lucky you are :) Okay, so there are a couple of songs where Reba West got a little out of hand, but as a whole.... I kinda like the Minmei songs. . "I'm Dan Root, and I like the English Minmei songs. It's been three months since I last listened to one." ----And that folks is how you draw a big target on your back and say 'shoot me' Hey Saf, if you see DaR, shoot him too, OK? :> ***** Dear Santa, I have been very good this year and haven't caused too many problems. :) Uh-huh. I really believe this one, AC...NOT! ;) Come over some saturday night - I'll show you 'good'. [insert evil leer] :} I would like for Christmas.... 1 4 head hifi VCR Got. Got that :) all 5 of A!MG Nope. a new Unix box (with Linux) Got it. Got it. Got it. New cpu maybe. Nope. Nope. a Tigress taming kit (batteries not included) They don't make 'em. Nope, no need. You won't need that where you're going! *grin* Damn. 1 stuffed mughi doll I want a stuffed P-chan. Ryo-Ohki. Rather have a stuffed ryo-ohki doll myself :) I give - who is Ryo-ohki? Ryo-ohki is from Tenchi Muyou. It's the rabbit that purrs and turns into a ship. I probably spelled the name wrong. < AlberCrombie> A do-it-yourself Bean Bandit Kit - headband - leather jacket - cool car - shoulder pads - 30lbs ribs and a case of bud I want! $1000 gift certificate to Gunsmith Cats would be better. Got a headband. I'm rather attached to my jean jacket. Got a car. (It's good enough for me. * Saf remembers when she was _really_ speeding in the Grapevine and didn't even notice until her passenger started freaking* *grin*) Got a drawer full of shoulder pads. (Why do clothes manufacturers all think that women don't have shoulders? *sigh*) I'll pass on the last. :) my two front teef Got it. 1, 2 they're still there. Got those. So far. and Nuku-Nuku in a stocking hung by the chimney with care! I want! Akiko Mishima is more to my liking. Nene Romanova would be unbelievable!!!!!!!!!! I'll pass on this, too. thank you AlberCrombie, The Good Little Gopher :} * Saf starts to giggle. "Good"? *giggle* P.S. I'm all out of cookies and milk, so how about ramen and sake? Peanut butter sandwiches? Just got some milk and cookies today. How about a pizza, though? Pizzas are always in season. :) You buy - I like pepperoni and mushrooms. Sure. I'll just go buy it from Kodachi. ;) Sounds somthin' like what I'd like :) (especially that last one! here kitty! *giggle*) 'cept I could do without the do-it-yourself Bean Bandit Kit...a nice plasma bazooka would be great tho =) (or the more mundane RAM/HDD/motherboard/hardware/software/whole new computer upgrade if I have to :) ***** Hiya all! Finally getting around to my email tonight. :) Hmmm...only about 300 messages in 5 days? I'm disappointed. Guess a lot of you folks went home for T-Day. Ah well, so did I. * Saf thinks about the turkey dinner she didn't get to eat cuz she was a little sick that night* :( And I helped make most of it, too! *sigh* Now, on to reading the mail! :) Sapphire, The Blue Tigress P.S. And, Damon? I've got the tapes! :) :) :) Hnmm... Damon, betcha left your return address on the box, ne? *chuckle* ***** Does anyone else think that Saf has done the evil deed and killed our resident wolf for target practice? Fess up you leather bound assassin!^_^ Hey, I'm not an assassin! I'm a bounty hunter! I don't kill for pay and I haven't killed anyone yet. ;) Sapphire, The Blue Tigress "Anime Bounty Huntress - for hire" No really, does anyone know if he's o.k.? White Wolf was on IRC last night, on #ranma!. Saf was also on, but much later. They don't seem to have "collided" yet. (feeling a bit depressed; talked someone out of suicide on IRC last night...) Wolf was on the irc today, sez he'll be ging thru his mail later. Guess Saf didn't kill him, after all :) As I write this, Saf is on IRC with me. And she's not talking much. :( ----- One of the sadder moments of the FFML was when Saf decided to stop having fun...err, spamming...so much. ----- Hi everyone, Just a quick note regarding spam. Since many people seem to be getting a little concerned about the level of spam here, I've decided to go on a little "vacation" from bounty hunting and messing with high-powered weapons for a while. So if you're expecting a response to either thread, don't, because I won't be replying to it. Sapphire, The Blue Tigress "Going back to lurking and trying to work on her fanfics for a while" Saf, I'm sorry. And I'd like to apologize to everyone on the list. I thought that I'd cut the spamming down a bit but . . . Please don't sink too far back into the shadows Great Cat :( Andy P.S. Don't even think about responding. Just keep writing :) ----- For a while, people debated turning the ML into an alt. newsgroup. I'm glad it didn't pan out. ----- First off, let me say that, so far, I think this is a pretty cool ML, despite the difficulties as of late. Nevertheless, as much as I like it here, I don't know if I can stick around. This may sound goofy but... I've never received this much mail before, in six years on the Internet. Not even close. Today I had one hundred eleven messages in my box. They weren't all from the list, but most were. 111 messages isn't all that much. I regularly get 50-odd messages, and I'm on three ML's. I've been on as many as three active lists, and never got anywhere near this much stuff. I'm kinda cowed by it all, since mail has always been something I've done quickly at the beginning of each session. If I do stay, I'll probably need to install a better mail package to handle it all, especially considering that the R.A.A Favorites Poll starts up in three weeks, which will flood my mailbox even further. So I thought that, just for the hell of it, I'd toss out the idea: what about turning the ML into an alt. newsgroup? With the amount of daily traffic, there's more than enough justification for one. Creating i would be child's play. Someone who knows how could set up a gateway between the ML and the group, so that the ML could still be used by those unable to receive the group. What do you think? It's just an idea. No flames, please. :-) Yeah, sounds good, but why? I like it just the way it is (spam excluded) An interesting idea. On the other hand, because the ML is restricted to a certain group of people (those who subscribe) as it is now, everybody kinda sorta knows everyone else. A big, if slightly grating at times, family. Changing it into an alt group would ruin that. Witness the friendly play we had with Saf's bounty hunting, the bios, the "my planetoid's better than your Blue Lightning" thread, etc. People would be much more reluctant to be that personal if it were an alt group. I know I would. So, while a *separate* alt group dedicated to fanfic discussion might be interesting, I'd rather leave the ML as it is. Oh, just remembered. The rec.arts.anime.* RFD calls for a fanfic discussion rec group, already. So this would be slightly redundant if that goes through. Hey Damon, have you ever seen/read r.a.c.marvel.xbooks? If they can have geography wars and lutefish bombings, then we can be just as silly, hah even sillier! Oh, weird-never-to-be-but-if-it-did-happen-I-WANT-to-Be-there-for- it-all idea alert!! If this did get turned into an alt. group a we- are-weirder-funnier-have better injokes-know more obscure odd things than you-battle-royale could happen between the two! (sounds of person being slapped out of delusional fantasy) Oops, sorry about that, but people would buy tickets. Please don't do this, Wolf. Let's see, how to phrase this. This is a writers' ML and writers are, by nature, chatty creatures. Some things, like Foxx's debacle and Brian and Dode's little snit yesterday have no place here, but some of the spam, like the Daktari thread, are what I would define as 'spam-fics'. I don't know about the other folk here, but after 3 or 4 hours of working on a story, it's kinda nice to just write a little grins and giggles that some of the other folk enjoy responding to. And if you don't enjoy it, after the first post, read the subject header and delete the thread that you don't want to read. And I agree with Damon in that if you take this into an alt. group, we will loose a lot of the fun and spontaneous chit-chat that just happens. I think this is an integral part of this ML. If you just want to read stories, download them from r.a.a.s and comment straight to the author. We are writers. We write. Sometimes spam, sometimes garbage, sometimes something worth reading, but we write and have found a haven here of similar minded folk who will listen. O.K. My 2 cents worth. I'd rather keep it as a ML... It's smaller, cozier and less likely to be noticed by loonies... well the wrong sort of loonies... and Re: Spam As loon as it's good SPAM (lightly seasoned) it's fine... and and Re: Sort of off threads...: Again o.k. as long as we don't forget why this list is here... I don't see anything wrong with sharing opinions/ viewpoints within a small group as it tends to foster more inner ties and understanding (whoops...it does seem like there is a use for a Psych degree..) Also posting to a newsgroup you are more likely to get your head shot off by someone who does not know where you are coming from and will not be around long enough to. Also (boy, I'm on a roll) if nobody says anything about a story on a ML you can yell at all of us and ask why the hell not...not a likely in an alt.newsgroup. And finally, ya, I know I'm not writing..I'm a reader (right now) maybe over the holidays... boy think of all that mail waiting for those who go away for more than 4 or 5 days mmmmmmmmmm! Ok, you win. I'm not gonna do it. I think this ML could survive if there was a newsgroup because the ML has one advantage over any newsgroup: It allows fanfics to be read before they hit the net. I don't think I would use a fanfic discussion group to post betas of any of my Fan-fic's (to many readers for betas). Besides you would lose the sometimes lovable, slightly funny, and mostly annoying spam that ML members can't get enough of ..... Last time I checked, I was still top poster. (although Damon may have passed me by.) I don't know about that, I've been keeping my posts to a minimum recently. But I'll be careful about the spam, I promise. I'll be a gooood boy. :) ----- A noted poker player joined the list... ----- From: "Couture, George, A1C, SAM-OPTS" To: Fanfic mailing list Subject: Newbie question Date: Sat, 02 Dec 95 15:29:00 PST Hi all! As a rather new member to this mailing list, I have seen references to some fanfics that I would like to read. While some are probably available at ftp.std.com, there have been references to an ftp remailer. What is this thing and how does one use it? Another question: I am considering writing a BGC fanfic. While I have some idea of what the hero's will do, there are problems in developing their opposition. Are there any suggestions you can make? Until the Pentagon floats down the Potomac river........... Fozzy Bear (coutureg@comm.hq.af.mil) ----- I found out later he worked *at* the Pentagon. Strains of "we're from the government, and we're here to help you". 8) Another count of the ML population... [Panda's Notes: It is interesting to note that this count was done just *prior* to the release of the soon-to-be-created FAQ, which upon completion, was distributed to several newsgroups . . . ] ----- Date: Mon, 4 Dec 1995 19:06:04 -0500 (EST) From: White Wolf To: fanfic@andrew.cais.com Subject: Re: A question 121 On Mon, 4 Dec 1995 Windlily@aol.com wrote: > And a boring one at that ^_-. Um, Wolf, just out of curiosity, how many > members are on this ML right now? > > And Hi, Helen! > > Shannon ----- Saf came out of lurking... [Panda's Notes: I knew she couldn't quit cold turkey . . . ] ----- *WHACK* ouch. A thought just struck me : Saf, you were gone for a few days to vacation from the spam, right? Then you get sick. You don't think that you could be...well, *ADDICTED* to spam? I mean, getting sick could have been withdrawal, ya know. ?????? No, I'm not addicted to spam. The fact that I'm posting again has nothing whatsoever to do with my feeling better tonight. So there :P It has been a while, eh? Oh, I suppose it's good that the spam content has come way down but . . . Boy I sure miss Saf :( ahhhhh, SPAM....I was getting afraid that everyone was leaving the ML since I wasn't getting some hundred posts a day (barely 50 in fact)...I was gettin' lonely :) Saffy! Come Home! (I just couldn't resist, pummel at will :) * The Blue Tigress unlurks from the bushes. Grrr!!! I am NOT a dog! I don't respond to commands; I respond to polite requests. Hmpf! * Saf turns around and leaves this arrogant knave to his fate. A few moments later a large anvil drops down. <<<<>>>> Saf "I am NOT a dog!" * Saf comes out of lurking. Hi Andy! I'm still here, just lurking at the moment. Besides, it's only been about 4 days since I last posted. I've been learning about IRC and you might find me on #ranma! every once in a while. I'm also working on my Bubblegum Warners story. Yeah, it's only been four days but your presence has been missed. I'm reading your BG Warners fic now and I noticed you're causing a stir in alt.fan.bgcrisis with it. Looking for an ending eh? Hmmm ;) Oh yes, I just remembered...before I posted that note about my spamming vacation I had just caught AlberCrombie in my net. I seem to have left him in it somewhere. * Saf goes off to look for her net and the gopher. Sorry, AC! I'll have you out of there in a jiffy! :) Sapphire, The Blue Tigress (Wondering what else she forgot to tidy up before she went on vacation.) * Saf comes upon AlberCrombie still trapped in her net. * The Gopher looks malnourished, ill, and - ick - he's shedding. Oh, you poor thing! * Saf untangles the gopher from the net. .....water...water....*BEER*.....gasp.....*WhiteCastles*.... food.... Here's some water. * Saf gives AC some water. Don't drink too fast now. * AlberCrombie passes out. Oh no! * Saf stands up and shouts: "IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? OR EVEN OUT OF THE HOUSE?" She looks back down at the unconscious gopher and sighs. I'm very, very sorry, AC. Next time I go on a spamming vacation, I'll make sure I don't forget to tie up any loose ends. A shimmering outline of a man appears suddenly beside the ill gopher and his concerned companion, then the shimmering clears. "Alright step back miss, I'm a doctor." The 'doctor' digs into his medical kit and produces a small silver cylinder with a blinking green light at one end. With a flick of his index finger the cylinder suddenly emits a high pitched, cycling tone. The doctor passes the cylinder over the still body of the space gopher several times and then deactivates the device. Turning to the Blue Tigress he says solemnly, "I'm sorry, I've done all I can do. I'm just a simple country doctor, not a veterinarian. "One to beam up Mr.Scott!" [ Nagisa appears next to the *ahem* still Space Gopher ] Nagisa: Hi! Ooohh!! Cute gopher... Is he sleeping? ^_^ [ Nagisa prods the gopher a few times with a long wooden stick, trying to get a response out of the critter, seeing no response, she decides to do it the traditional way. Nagisa leaves and returns with a pail of water which she splashes over the Space Gopher... Unfortunately, starvation, dehydration, and now hypothermia setting in... well... the gopher goes into convulsions..] Nagisa: Oops... Sorry Gopher... er... hey! maybe this'll help.... [ Nagisa pulls something out of her pocket and deposits it in the mouth of the convulsing gopher as she runs off, saying something about school work yet to be done... As she vanishes in the distance, we pan back to the still wet and still convulsing Gopher who now has a "Homemade"(tm) Oreo Cookie(tm) in his mouth. Some irc'ers know this brand of cookie... *chuckle* ] * Nabiki walks up too the convulsing space gopher...with a cookie in its mouth... She takes the cookie out and stuffs a whole MCFSBWW (bigger than space-gopher itself) down gopher's throat..."Sugar always helps everything!"....She leaves Mr. Space Gopher convulsing with a sugar rush and covered in marshmallows, coconut, frosting, gobs of sugar, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. The gopher has expanded 3 times and is also choking on the bagel and a homemade oreo cookie. "There! Glad to help! Anytime now!" Nagisa [peeking back at some strange sounds]: Mr. Gopher!! [Nagisa Blushes as she notes that the gopher looks cute enough to eat. ^_^] * Nabiki wanders out, satisfied with a job well done. (ingredients for MCFSBWW will cost him when he gets better, ya know!) [ Nagisa walks off saying something about how those things will kill ya as she hefts the larger than life cherry, beaming as she takes bites out of it. ^_^ *yum* ] ----- [re: OMGod! part 7] Yo! DarkWing...er...DarkWind, NOTE: The above is a good way to get fitted with a body cast!! Ooh. I think I hit a nerve. :) Ahh well - I think I've already gone through this with you, Crombie?? You *know* I don't like that duck.... Watch yer spelling. You kept using 'your' for 'you are'. Oops. Ok.. I'll have a look :) Brett, you do know that you have just set yourself up as the next victim of this ML, don't you? ;) Sigh - your probably right.. but hey - I can take it :) I don't think an IRC session goes by without *someone* mentioning it... * Saf hands Brett a laser rifle. Here. You probably have your own weapons but I just thought you'd appreciate a little gift from one who has already had to deal with this sort of situation. ;) Brett shakes his head and returns it.. never mind Saf - I'll deal with it in my own way - so far it's only one looser annoying me :) that's Mr. Looser to you, pal. ;] Oh excuse me!! - MR LOOSER.... :) (shouldn't that be 'Lord Looser') Saf "Heh, at least it's not me this time." You know I could have probably gotten away with it if you hadn't opened your big (but *cute*) mouth :) You do like living dangerously don't you? Hey - she was the one that kept this going :) Am not! I only commented on it once. Yup - and that was enough to get Crombie going :) Maybe I can turn it back onto her :) No! Don't do that! I'm on spamming vacation (sort of). Saf "Still on vacation - hopefully" Oh, *sure* you are!!! :) I'll jump in here and say that keeping this going is a BAD idea. Yeah, you too, Saf. Don't let him egg you on. :) Ok - well enough already... Thread over (at least from me :) [re Saf giving DW a laser rifle] Man, is it ever good to have friends. When did you get a friend Crombie??? :) BTW: I just got my annual scotchguarding and new laser reflective fur. :) Scotchguarding??? YES! The true marvel of our generation - not only keeps kool-aid off the carpet, but the rain out of your fur. See, water is destructive (see _Wizard of Oz_) so, we must be prepared for it. An annual scotchguarding is very beneficial. ZOT! BTW: Hope you're doing better, Saf. I'm doing better thanks. :) ----- And suddenly, she and Andy were collaborating! But I had not to worry about. *grin* [Panda's Notes: While Damon did *not* have anything to worry about, (it was at this time that I became aware of Saf and Damon's new "level of understanding" and bowed out as a gentle-bear should) my direct messages between Saf and I regarding the FAQ and other topics that came up were lost in what I have dubbed "The Great Mail Purge of '96". I wouldn't be surprised if the recipient of those messages has conveniently lost them somehow herself ;) ] ----- Does this ML have an FAQ? If so, where can I find it? Not yet, but funny you should ask. Would anyone be willing to make one? I do *not* have the time. I *dont* have the time to make one, but I can make a suggestion or two for a FAQ - 1 - post it monthly to the list and to r.a.info (maybe on the second one there) 2 - give instructions to (un)subscribe 3 - explain the remailer (also put the FAQ on the remailer) 4 - list the big ftp sites for stories 5 - explain our heart felt feelings about spam :) 6 - general blah,blah,blah, about netiquette I'd be willing to do it. It won't get done anytime soon though. I don't have net access over winter break. Anyone else want to help? I'd like to help. If you can provide some resource info (ftp sites for stories, netiquette suggestions, fanfic sites, ??? etc.) I could whip up the document with the remailer info, rules, unsubscribe/subscribe info, general explanation, mailer commands, etc. I've read Steve Pearl's FAQs for some of the anime newsgroups and I think they'd make a good guide. Let me know what ya think. Yeah, I'd like to. It should stop all the dumb questions floating around on this ML. Thanks, John, but Andy and I seem to have it covered at the moment. If we need any more help we'll ask. :) How about if we decide what we're going to put in it then splitting up the parts according to what info we each have? P.S. I just read your "I AM NOT A DOG" post. Even if it's temporary, I'm glad you decided to 'unlurk'. ;) The idea is, you dig up the info, I don't have time. ^_^ Well, WW, I was replying to Saf, but while we're on the subject, are there any specific things that you'd like to suggest for the FAQ? Subbing, unsubbing, the remailer, other related lists, related newsgroups, ftp sites... anything you can find on fanfic, the irc channel #ranma!, anything else anyone else thinks of. I've got a good deal of that information already. I'll see what Saf's got. Thanks for the suggestions :) ----- More spam and spamfics! 8) Saf posted another chapter of BubbleGum Warners. ----- Here's the next chapter of my BGC/Animaniacs crossover. For some reason it seems a little flat to me. Probably just the mood I'm in but does anyone see anything majorly wrong with it? Not too bad Lady of the Blue Stripes. I just hope Nene doesn't have too much trouble with them. Of course of all the Sabers I think she could handle them the best. It will be fun when they meet calm cool collected Sylia. Not at all, Saf. I needed a good laugh after a long night of homework-on-the-brain. *smile* Good morning. I think you almost got it. It does seem to be lacking a little more zaniness. Why not have them do something, like take over the Replicants' instruments and 'help out' with the song. (Imagine Konya No Hurricane with Wakko on Drums, Yakko on guitar, and Dot on backup vocals *shiver*) Priss would be livid. And Nene and Linna would be cracking up. Other than something like that, I think it's fine. BTW: You do need to add the most destructive force known to mankind : an excited Runt-bumma (with Rita-bumma) Cue the Warners' sequence that has the same man going "Oh. My. " Of course Priss' reaction to the above backing group might come close. ----- Dar took up teaching Japanese. ----- Can someone tell me the Nihongo for patience, please, and, you're welcome? Btw, has nothing to do with Will, just need the terms for my own use. Arigato. * DaR grins and puts on the Nihongo-no-sensei cap. Please ------ Please depends very much on the situation and the type of sentence it's used in. The most common you'll most likely see is 'onegai-shimasu' which is literally "I make a request of you." This is commonly used when asking someone to do you a favor or asking for something: Kore o onegai-shimasu. This (object) I request. Please do this. It can also be used when ordering in a restaurant: Beeru onegai-shimasu. Beer I request. A beer please. Depending on how familiar the speaker is with his audience, the -shimasu may be dropped, but this is quite informal and would only be with close friends and social equals. The next most likely is 'kudasai' which is often used with other verbs to make a polite request: Kore o yonde kudasai. This (object) read please. Please read this. Kudasai can also be used when ordering in restaurants. 'Dozo' can also be used as please but when one is offering rather than requesting: Otcha o dozo. Tea (obj) please. Please have some tea. Thank you. ---------- There is of course 'arigato'. When speaking to someone social superior (a teacher, parent, upperclassman, etc) it becomes 'arigato gozaimasu'. If the action that you are thanking for is already completed, then that in turn becomes 'arigato gozaimashita'. Domo can also be used as thank you, but be careful, domo has some very subtle differences from just "thank you" in English. In most cases it's just a form of 'domo arigato (gozaimasu)' that's been truncated. But it can also be used in ritual hello greetings or even as "please" in certain situations. In cases where you are accepting a compliment, the most polite thing to do is refuse it and then say thank you. Yoku dekimasu ne? Good proficiency (agreement question) You're very good aren't you? Iya. Arigato gozaimasu. No. Thank you. No, not at all, but thank you. Your Welcome ------------ 'Do Itashimasita' is by far the most common way to say "You're Welcome" outright. However 'kochira koso' in the right context can be used as well: Arigato gozaimashita. Thank you. Iya, kochira koso. No, this side. No, It's me who should thank you. Excuse Me --------- The three you'll hear mostly are 'Sumimasen', 'shitsure-shimasu' and 'gomen-kudasai'. They have slightly different meanings, so pay attention when using them. 'Sumimasen' is about "Pardon me" in English and is often used when about to make a request. It's also a good minor apology. Shitsure-shimasu is most like the English version of "Please excuse me", it's mostly an attention getter like when entering or leaving a room. The feeling here is an apology for (the implied) rudness of entering or leaving someone's company. 'Gomen kudasai' on the other hand is a down right, full-out apology for one's actions. "Please forgive me." is about right in English. 'Gomen' is would be used if you bumped into someone hard or accidentally broke something, where as 'Sumimasen' would be more like if you brush up against someone in the subway. (Aside: Sumimasen can also be used as "Thank you" in the context of "I'm sorry to have caused you any trouble in doing this for me." and matches the situations where one is thanking for a request made with 'onegai-shimasu'. "Sumimasen, domo arigato' is heard quite often.) (As another aside: The actual phrases used to get a person's attention are most likely: 'sumimasen kedo...' and 'chotto ii desu ka?' which are 'I'm sorry to bother you but...' and 'Can I ask you something?') Please Wait ----------- This again depends on the situation. A common thing to say is 'chotto matte' which is about equivalent to "wait a second". The 'matte' can be dropped in most really informal situations, and dropping the 'chotto' makes in more of a command. When leaving someone for a moment (like on the phone, or having to leave the room to get something) the proper phrase is usually 'Sho-sho omachi-kudasai' or "please hold on for a little." When you return the ritual apology is 'omatase itashimashita' which is "I left you waiting". -DaR (Who is avoiding doing his Japanese culture paper quite efficiently) ----- The second round of the Christmas lists. [Panda's Notes: Gifts for everyone! And a nickname for me! :) ] ----- MERRY X-MAS TO ALL AND TO ALL GOOD ANIME! Haf ta give out the presents, now.... Here's what ya get from me this year.... WOW!! Presents!! Cool. Saf : a subscription to Better Homes and Bounty Hunting Didn't you know? She's sworn off of bounty hunting for now. Once a bounty hunter - always a bounty hunter - everybody needs a hobby! Maybe I should tell him...naah. You wanna try, Saf? ;) PRESENTS!!! YYAAAAAAYYY!!! Hmm...now where shall I put them... * Saf looks around her place. ...This place is a mess! I know! I'll clear off this little corner here... * Saf shoves a pile of papers aside and the whole stack falls over. Avalanche!!! *sigh* Looks like I should have a paper recycling drive in here. [shaking his lil' Gopher head] Saf, Saf, Saf....... RR : a case of Baka Pepper (flat) WWolf : an old 10meg hard drive (every little bit helps) 10meg? Weren't those drives like REAL SLOW and broken down often? *smile* Damon : A Sailor Moon blow up doll and patch kit :) *ahem* no comment. You don't know me very well, do you? *I don't do Sailor Moon!* Or Ranma, or UY, or... :-) It was all I could think of at the time.... Think harder next time. *grin* A plane ticket to California would be nice... (hint, hint) Keep dreaming - I get one, I keep it. Hey Gopher, take a look at some of the email addresses of the people on your gift list and see if any of them happen to live or go to school in Cali (hint, hint) ;) What, you wanna go see Saf too? What, you have a death wish or something? Brett : An Aussie/Japanese dictionary to better confuse Urd-sama with. Isabel : A big stick (to whap the next person who says something about your age) Hitomi : A Taxi - to help get her back here soon. Nagisa : A new pair of hand cuffs NANI!!?? What would she do with those? Hmmm...? Wing : A box of Neosporin for Nagisa's abuse...er... affections. Neosporin, eh? -_- I think I've already built up tolerance... You don't know *them* very well, do you? They're more friendly than that. (I talk to lotsa people, don't I?) Only what I know from their posts - and some of them looked painful. I've survived the company of both, so I should know. *grin* Nabiki: 1 CD of Minmei's Greatest Country Hits (in response to those bloody bagels of yours!) *chuckle* You realize she'll get you for that... I'll live. :) We'll see... Heheheh. Minmei? MINMEI?!?!?!??!? WWWAAHHH I WASN'T THAT BAD! What do you have against bagels anyways? (Who needs santa? I've got parents!) ^_^ Yes, you were - trying to heal an innocent (well, mostly innocent) dying gopher with a bloody BAGEL. One question: does the santa gopher go down chimneys? I'll have a pot waiting.. x-mas dinner! (MCFSBWW's will eat Minmei) ...let me sum it up for you in one word. ***** ********** ***** ***** ***** ***** ************* ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** **** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ** ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ***** ***** ***** ********** ***** ***** ***** ** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** **** ***** ***** ***** ************* ***** ***** ***** ***** ********** ***** ***** ***** AlberCrombie BTW: Yes - Santa gophers do go down chimneys - but only to 'borrow' items such as : chocolate chip cookies Baka Pepper and Stereo Equipment. Nabiki, a suggestion. A bagel-mace. A ten pound MCFSBWW on the end of a chain, attached to a four foot long piece of wood. *THWAP!!* ;) Andy: All 4 of the Knight Sabers vinyl kits made from cheese [Panda's Notes: They were actually pretty good. Nene went well with crackers. (Hacker's joke there for ya )] Eww... For me????!!!! Cool!!! Thanks Gopher!!!Ya know I was kinda hopin' for a nickname ;) Maybe a fur-bearing creature of some kind, like how 'bout a panda? Heh :^) [note: continued below] Windlilly: A small stuffed Totoro for Templeton's dashboard Probably the only "Normal" gift... ^_^ To everybody else : A candy cane from a box that I found in the back of the freezer dated 1977. Enjoy!!! AlberCrombie - The XmasGopher The xmas-gopher is SO kind and thoughtful... hehe.. Hey! The gopher didn't get a present... :) Gopher: one of those cages that mice run around in... but much bigger and made of larger pieces of steel to accommodate the extra weight. Merry Christmas everyone!! [ and not for the last time. *beaming smile* ] Wing. [Still looking at the neosporin curiously] Nagisa: Hey Wing! Wanna try out this new present? Hmmm...? *smile" W: er... I... that is... Ah! Look! Jury Duty! Sorry, gotta run. [Wing runs off for Jury duty. Nagisa just stands there, swinging the handcuffs on her finger, a blank look on her face.] N: Oh well... he's gotta come home SOMETIME... hehe.... *sigh* Wing/Nagisa [ Duets are better than solos. ] Wow, what a swell gopher! Here A.C., a little somethin' I picked up in my travels: * Panda- ahem- Andy, wheels in a rather large crate with travel stickers on the outside from Siberia and India. Andy hands A.C. a crowbar and they begin to pry at the wood strapping. The panels finally fall away from the frame revealing a 12' cube of dirt with a large grass and palm leaf covered opening at the top). Gopher, this here is the finest example of a tiger trap you will ever lay eyes on. Handcrafted by the finest Indian and Siberian trap-makers there are. I never got it to work properly but you're pretty clever, maybe you can find a use for it ;) Merry Xmas! ^_^ Cool - this does work for blue kitties, too, doesn't it? Have you ever tried to trap a blue kitty before?!! The most elusive creature known to mankind! I once heard tell of a blue tiger known as Sapphire by the locals that- Hey, is that a grove of tender bamboo shoots over there? (Andy ambles off to munch on bamboo shoots). [revenge on AlberCrombie; see below] HEAR YE!! HEAR YE!! From this day forth - Andy shall now be known as: Panda-kun This is official. [Panda's Notes: I still don't know whether to thank him or not ] Hmmm. Sounds kinda cool, but what does it mean? Just Andy (Until I find out what Panda-kun means) ;^) Panda = Panda *smile* Kun = friend, associate, equal, kinda like san, but it's a little bit closer... Like how one addresses close friends and close co-workers as opposed to new people... I might be wrong. ;) Wow. Thanks Wing! ^_^ Panda-Kun bows deeply to the Gopher. "Domo Arigato" Now, what were we talkin' about? Oh yah! Blue kitties. HEY! There's a few bamboo shoots I missed. (Munch, munch, munch) Panda-Kun Saf...Nabiki...allow me. Be my guest, Damon :) * Damon wields the bagel mace of doom... **THWAP!!** Hehe. Thank you. *grin* Thanks Damon! I have plans for revenge, but they take time (Maniacal laughter) for now, I must be content to use these nifty- o bagel maces! Oh, and my gift to everyone on the ML: A bag of marshmallows (sorry, budget cuts and shipping costs no bagels) and a big hug! Happy holidays all.. oh, and I'll be disappearing for about a week or two soon. A 450 lb. Panda wanders over from his bamboo grove to help the Gopher to his feet. "You need any help here with these ungrateful humans?" Nah - I'm doing fine harassing them myself. Suggestion - try a little salsa with the bamboo. [munch.munch.munch. *ACK* ptooeey!] Sorry - it worked for dog biscuits. :) Who's an 'ungrateful _human_', *Panda Boy*? Umm, that guy (points) and that one over there (points again). Good call. You mean 'Safe' call ;) * Saf starts to wonder about Panda IQ. 'Tiger traps'! Yeah, right! * Saf rolls around laughing. I was just doing a little bamboo grove cleanout ;) AND if you noticed, I never told him how it works (wouldn't matter if I did). Hmm...I've never tried a panda dish before...too bad they're on the endangered species list. Tastes like chicken ;) ;) ;) So what doesn't? Chicken. Panda (somewhere in an airport wondering how he got there) Panda-kun : we gotta talk about this memory thing. Stop drinking the NutraSweet laden drinks, for one. NS saps your memory (proven fact). AlberCrombie (hands Panda a map) Panda stares at the can of Jolt in his paws and then puts it down with a shudder. He spins the map around a few times and then looks at Gopher with moistening eyes, "I don't want to go to Cali anymore! How do I get home?" [re the tiger trap] Don't worry, Saf - It'll go in the den, next to the stuffed Coca-Cola Polar Bear. You do realize that I was merely protecting my lady's fair name. The bloody gopher deserved it! ;) YOUR Lady???!!! GRRRRRRR!!! Panda hails a cab to the airport for the red-eye flight to Cali. As he arrives, he spots a thick patch of bamboo shoots in a garden in the middle of the airport lobby and sits down (munch, munch, munch). Why don't you ask Saf, then? Perhaps you should visit IRC more often. You'd be more up to date on these things. Panda suddenly recalls his early years at the Beijing Zoo and the attempt to cross a Tiger and a Panda. He shudders, remembering the sickeningly cute cubs. We wouldn't want that, would we? ;) Hm. I'll let *you* handle this one, Saf... (he called you cute!!) Snitch! (I didn't call HER cute!!!)^_^ Panda (still undergoing therapy for IRC addiction) :) Um, Saf can help you with that. No, really... WHAT?!! Tell her to get off the Inter-Relay-Chat and take a look at my outline suggestion for the FAQ! Yeesh! Busy for the holidays my butt! ;) Now, what to give the ML.... AlberCrombie: a nice, shiny new badge saying "Unhuntable for one year" ;) Arigato! WWolf: A HUGE banner saying "THANK YOU WWOLF FOR ALL YOUR TECHNICAL HELP", a certificate for a new ______, and a BIG hug WW - remember no asking for Crays - try to stay within 5 zeros on the total bill. :) Wow! Cool, I needed another 8 megs of memory... ^_^ But I like the hug better. DaR: A BIG Thank You for the IRC account ;) and a communicator badge (You haven't been heard from in quite a while. Where are you?) Nagisa: A nifty new katana with a monomolecular edge That's it - I'm getting armor! Wing: A LARGE shield with a diamond shell and mini force field generator (I wonder how long the shield would last against the katana? ;) Firehawke: A large white ostrich plume to wear with his Crystal Knight armor (semi-obscure reference. I wonder if anyone gets this.) Nabiki: A certificate for a year's supply of Marshmallow, Coconut, Chocolate, Whipped Cream...I think I'm missing something here...Bagels. :) Andy: A brochure on "How to avoid being eaten alive in the jungle" and a jungle survival kit that includes flares, ropes, a radio, and a big red PANIC button. ;) [Panda's Notes: Saf, I still have the brochure and kit, but the panic button didn't work ] Hmm...maybe some advice from Genma might help, too. Windlily: A new camera to help her "capture" the elusive 'purple tiger' on film. Damon: A long scarf in varying shades of blue, a little nightlight shaped like a spaceship to keep the nightmares away, and a BIG hug just because ;) To everyone else: Free tickets to AnimeLand - where all your anime dreams come true :) Season's Greetings and have lots of fun! Sapphire, The Blue Tigress "Always a Lady" I agree. Saf, I hope you don't mind me using your xmas list "template". I don't keep active lists... at least not on this program. ;) Saf: Hmm... what do you give a rather large blue feline.... [ Wing rummages through his bag as Nagisa stands by, dressed in a in a cute christmas outfit, ready to shove Wing into his own bag. *smile*] [Wing pulls his head out of the large bag and hands Saf a small blue colored mug with gold lining. ^_^ I just love to give people mugs. Nagisa just shakes her head as she digs through the bag. ] Nagisa: Here ya go, Saf. [ Nagisa hands Saf a single deep red rose in a crystal box.] This is for you to give to someone. *wink* *nudge* AlberCrombie: (aka the gopher) Wing: Hmm... now what shall be give this er... personage... [ Nagisa gives Wing a hug as she pulls out a large homemade oreo cookie wrapped with a single red ribbon. ] Nagisa: Here you go Gopher. *smile* Thank you for the Cookie Nagisa - now where do I find a glass of chocolate milk..... Nagisa smiles. Ever heard of "Quick"? Here, chocolate cow! Here girl! Nagisa smiles as she points out on over there... just beyond the second rainbow. AlberCrombie (looking for the Chocolate cow) Wing smiles as he sneaks up behind Nagisa and wraps her up in his cloak, embracing her from behind. Wing: Keep on looking, Gopher, she's out there... somewhere. *smile* Nagisa[muffled]: Behind the rainbows. Wing: *groan* And I thought you made that for me. :) [Wing digs through his bag again and pulls out a shotgun, but then realizes that that isn't the present. He replaces it into the bag and yanks out a power shovel.] Here ya go, Gopher. This'll dig you a new home in no time, just in case you're on the run for one reason or another. *smile* [ Nagisa gives Wing a whack with a red rose. ] Nagisa: Oh leave the gopher alone... He's already got that badge of protection... *smile* WWolf: Now what do you give the person who RUNS the ML... ^_^ Nagisa: Well... hmmm... can't just toss him a dead or live rabbit to chew on... *smile* [ Nagisa gives WW a warm hug and a light peck on the cheek, whispering to him, "Merry Christmas". Nagisa smiles as she runs back to Wing's side] Wing: Er... Hmmmm.... *cough* *cough* [ Wing digs in his "bag" and pulls out a plaque. Nothing special, just a solid obsidian base with white marble insets and gold lettering. ] The plaque reads: *** Merry Christmas to a wonderful moderator... For you weave the very strands which our very words traverse So as our presence and ideas gild your weave Your weave gives us presence and your presence gilds our thoughts Happy New year to someone who created a place for people to gather A place where we now stand To share ideas and aid one another Through peace and strife. Our blessings and best wishes to White Wolf. Wing and Nagisa. *** Nagisa: Hey! that's a combined gift!! Wing: *smile* I know. Thought it would be nice if it was simple... besides... I wrote that thing. ^_^ Nagisa[giving Wing a light punch]: Whatever... *smile* just wait until later... [repeated from above] Nagisa: A nifty new katana with a monomolecular edge Nagisa: Wow, thanks Saf. *smile* But I doubt I'll use this on Wing... He's too gentle to ever do anything to deserve THAT... *chuckle* Wing: Er... glad you think so, Nagisa. *hug* Let's put that in a /safe/ place... [again, repeated from above] Wing: A LARGE shield with a diamond shell and mini force field generator (I wonder how long the shield would last against the katana? ;) Wing: Thanks Saf, I'll put those to good use. *smile* [ Wing ducks under a sweep from Nagisa's newfound blade. ] Nagisa[chuckle]: Hey! No fair! you ducked!! Wing: AAAHHHH!!!!! *runs off, trying to figure out how to turn the generator on...* Firehawke: (aka the fiery one) Wing&Nagisa: HERE! [ The two hands FH an asbestos suit, a fire-extinguisher, and a few logs for his study. ] W&N: Merry Christmas, FH, and many more. *smile* Nabiki: (aka loan-shark, bagel user...) Nagisa: Here you go, Nab-chan. *hands Nabiki a bag of homemade bagels* They're nice and soft and chewy... *smile* [ Wing's mind seems to drift a bit as he listens to Nagisa. ] *whack* Hey! Wake up!! Wing[quickly waking up]: Oh yeah... *hands Nab-chan* a little badge with super-glue applied to one side while on the other, the words "I LOVE Bagels frosted and coated with sugar..." emblazoned in bright green, a hologram of said bagel floats in the image of the badge. WindLily: (someone who does a good share of commenting...) Nagisa: Hmmm... *smiles* Here's something that's not really for humour, but adds color and vibrance to the gentle lily... [ Nagisa hands WL a small potted African Violet. The flowers almost seem to glow with life. ] Wing: *smile* My present would of course complement another's... [ Wing hands Windlily a tall slender lily, a single white flower is in bloom. In the moonlight, the flower seems to take on a glow that touches the heart. ] Damon: ( The one who talks to many people. ^_-) Wing: Hmmm... I'd give you tickets to CA, but it's not in the fiscal budget. *smile* But here... [ Wing hands Damon a glittering rose... but it's a stunning shade of blue... like the sky when the clouds just hang in clumps... the crystal flower is flecked with white... in fact, it looks like a slice of the sky... The stem is a rich deep green that glows with an inner life... ] That's for you to give to someone, Damon. ^_- * Wing notes that the glowing is from natural elements and not magical in any way except that of the heart. [ Nagisa gives Damon a smile as she hands him a small emerald carved into the likeness of some large feline... *wink* ] Nagisa: For those pauses in life, Damon. [Wing turns to Nagisa, "Hey, I think we've got everyone..." "Yeah", Nagisa replies. "But in case we missed anyone, those not mentioned get a complementary gift." Nagisa opens the bag that they had been rummaging in and opens it wide. Inside, one can see many small gift-wrapped boxes. Wing mentions that they are all the same and one per person. *smile* "Yeah, we've only got enough for the x number of people on this list.", says Nagisa. Wing opens one of the presents to reveal a small crystal book and scroll scene on a pewter base. It's a scene of an open book entwined by the scroll, the pewter base resembles that of a rock ledge. From some source, a hologram is projected floatingly around the crystal piece, wishing a Merry Christmas to the bearer. And yes, the person's name appears as if it was always there... it's Magic. *smile*] N&W: Merry Christmas Everyone!!! And have a happy new year!!!! Hi all! Thanks so much for the sweet thoughts! Here's my list, hope you enjoy it! WW- a life sized Foxx nylabone Saf- a stuffed-toy gopher filled with catnip Nah. Saf doesn't do catnip, I'm pretty sure. How about a new dartboard? She's nicked up the last one pretty bad... :) Albie- a portable hole to jump in when the Blue one is hunting *chuckle* Wing- a personal force shield *sigh* Why does EVERYONE keep giving me these things. :) That's what my legs are for. ^_^ Wing runs as he sees Nagisa approaching him from yon armed with a 'padded' mallet. Nagisa- a padded mallet so you can beat on Wing as much as you want without hurting him too badly Nagisa: Hmmm... _why_ does he keep running... ^_^ He KNOWS I won't hurt him... much... ^_- [ From the distance, echoing "thank you"'s and "Merry Christmas"'s can be heard between occasional muffled *wumps* and the occasional scream of "How DOES this thing work???" amidst the pitter patter of desperate footfalls. Merry X'mas to all, as visions of fanfics dance upon ye heads] Ooo. Kinky. 8) *ahem, Wing peeks from behind a potted plant* Damon,... kinky is when you aren't permanently injured. *smile* I know that. So as I said. KINKY!! B) Let me remind you the difference between perverted and kinky: Kinky uses the feather..... Perverted uses the whole chicken. Hmm... I won't say and I won't ask... *smile* Nagisa: *yawn* Wiinnng... Shoot! She's awake!! * Wing runs off out the door, wishing he had a laptop. [ Nagisa appears and notices the open terminal and types a few choice words.] Nagisa types: "Hello there. ;) Ooh! Look!! it's a gopher. " *sends email and runs off looking for Wing wearing a policewoman's uniform similar to those from Taiho.* W&N [From off in another room, Nagisa's voice can be heard along with some soft padded footfalls] EEP! Heh. Damon- an angst free year But I *like* angst! In my fanfics, that is... In RL, no angst to speak about. So thank you. *chuckle* Angst... Just read "Dragons of Summer Flame"... nice little bit of Angst in that... ;) Huh? Wazzat? *bows* Time for me to return stealthily to my rest... *slinks away* [ Nagisa walks into the room just moments after Wing leaves. She is hefting an "upgraded padded" mallet, walking about wearing littleorange slippers and one of those "long" t-shirts that go down just below the hips... (how do I know this? Well... ^_^) ] Hm. Sounds like the fun is about to start. Well, I'll leave you two to your fun. I'm off to Florida for a month. No, I'm not going on vacation. I'm going home! Three brothers to deal with. *sigh* See you, 'cause I'll *still* be here! In case I don't get back soon, Merry Christmas to all, and have a safe New Year. W&N Much appreciated. Bruce- the mis-speller's dictionary I've been promising forever Nabiki- a box of Alkaseltzer for all those 'interesting' bagel combos *smile* The two J's- a promise to try to keep the next fic all in the same tense Hitomi- a case of double stuff oreo's, but you have to check in and say 'hi' to the list to get them Skynight- a free paint job for his armor, for the next time he trashes it. (You'll have to have Nagisa bang the dents out though) Andy- humm...I have no idea. How about a big hug? How did you know that's exactly what I wanted???!!! (have you been chatting with Saf? ;) ) Thanks Windlily! Here's a big BEAR hug for you! Merry Xmas ^_^ For the lurkers, an invitation to de-lurk and say hello. For everyone else, a wish for a wonderful year that will be full of fanfics too! ----- You know you're an Otaku when... ----- From: Damon Jason Casale To: Outbound News Subject: Re: [Newsweek] "Otaku" Cc: fanfic@andrew.cais.com Excerpts from netnews.rec.arts.anime: 13-Dec-95 Re: [Newsweek] "Otaku" by Dave Asher@delphi.com Might as well... >You know you're an otaku when... >You can recognize and name Japanese seiyuu (voice actors) for >different characters and shows. Not me. >You know the complete timeline of the Gundam universe and where each >of the anime series fits in. Nope. >You own more than 50 anime videotapes/LDs Do fansubs count? >You can identify a particular artists/studio's drawing style as >being different from the rest, yet coherent enough to have it's >own style Think so... >You've driven more than 4 hours to go to an anime convention How about a Greyhound? >You know which episodes of Maison Ikkoku that... >Yagami appears in 52-55, plus more later... >Mitaka makes his first appearance Don't remember, but give me time. > Sakamoto gets Godai to babysit hit cat (and the name of the cat) Depends. Anime? "Kyoko-chan". Translated manga? "Kyoko-baby". Ouchie on the last one... ;) > I could go on forever, but basically, if you could do better in a > "Trivial Pursuit" category of Anime, than any other: you're an otaku. Perhaps...don't think so though. > If you've watched AKIRA more than 15 times, you just might be an > otaku. NEVER seen it. *grin* >If you go to a con to meet women, you just might be an otaku. This might fit me. I'll see you all at Anime Expo in June... 8^) > If you've watched F-cubed more times than you've had sex, you just > might be an otaku Never heard of it. Is it an algebraic function? >If someone says to you: "hi" and your first thought is "'Yes' >what?" you just might be an otaku. Only right after Japanese class... > If your video equipment is worth more than all the furniture in > your house, you just might be an otaku. Count me in here. All the furniture in my apartment is worth less than $100, and just one of my VCRs is worth more than that... > IF YOU ARE READING THIS THREAD, YOU JUST MIGHT BE AN > OTAKU! Okay, ya got me. *wink* ----- A thread of puns turned into threats to use the orbiting laser satellite. ----- (Where's that orbital satellite control thingy... I'm going PunKnight hunting.) Awwww, come on White Wolf! Whatever happened to 'To err is human, to forgive, canine?". Let us paws in contemplation of that for a moment... Here's a pun in keeping with the season: Why are Reindeer associated with Christmas when we usually get snow? Pardon me, I've gotta go sleigh some boomers. HE DID IT AGAIN!!!! And my hardsuit has ECM stuff in it, so you can't hit me with that satellite anyway. ;P I'm sorry, but ECM just isn't enough to stop an orbital defense laser. You don't have the range to affect it. Heh heh... Now... how do I aim this thing again? Set your latitude first for 43.45 deg West, then 80.51 deg longitude North. (Get out your atlas' folks ;) Hold on, where is that damn thing anyway.... The remote for the Orbital Particle Beam Satellite is under the left cushion on the couch. That's where my room-mate keeps ours ;) Say, thanks! It was there. Of course it was! Just call Information ;) Then use the micro-lat and long finder to narrow it down. Yeesh, do I have to explain everything? HEY Damon!? I think we might get to cook those marshmallows now!!! (Aside) (Pssst! Bert! WW doesn't know it but the co-ordinates I gave him were for a meat plant in Kitchener! Get out the Rib sauce! hee hee!) ^_^ HEY!!!!!! What's wrong WW? Beefing because he gave you a bum steer? You will die painfully. But quickly. Activate Orbital Defense Laser! Setting: Maximum Strength! Hmmm... I'd set it to max strength in high speed repeated bursts around the target to form a barrier and a few medium to weak random shots within the "circle" to actually hit the target... so much more interesting that way... *whack* {oh no..} Nagisa: Hey! That's cruel!! And these random whacks on my already softened head isn't, eh? Nagisa[smiling while hefting an unpadded mallet]: Nope. Just some hard facts I think you should learn. :) *groan...* Fine... don't blast the target slowly... why not use a mallet? Nagisa[referring to some diagrams of an orbital Gauss Cannon]: Well... hehe... [Wing screams as he runs from the room, being struck in several places with mini-mallets propelled by a model of an orbital gauss cannon...] W&N It's a beam cannon. It keeps firing until you release the trigger. Ah... ion beam cannon? *nods* But like I said, medium to low strength shots... just holding down a trigger will guarantee a quick death... *smile* but one would like to witness a slow painful one... Sorry! I had a hankering for ribs ;) You were so very kind to comment about my story so . . . I don't know the co-ordinates for Bert's house (and I think Bert would be moderately pissed if I did and gave them out) but if you really want to use the OPBS system on someone who's responsible for a lot of bad puns, I do know the co-ordinates for Henny Youngman's house. 43.65 deg N and 79.42 deg W (I had the lat and long backwards before) ;) That's okay. I'm just gonna nuke all of Tolyo. That'll get him. DAMON!!!??? Where are those marshmallows???? Maybe I could try bamboo shoots? Yeah, that's the ticket!^_^ Co-ordinates: 35 deg N and 139.9 deg E (For real!) DAMONNNNNNNN!!! Where's those damn marshmallows??? Looks like it's gonna be bamboo shoots instead. Fire away WW!! I've been restraining myself from spamming. I'll be restraining myself from marshmallowing too. :) Yes I suppose you're right. Although I didn't know that mars had hams that could be llowinged ;) Panda (smart ass)^_^ Is the rest of you as intelligent? 8-) (Panda cracks up and rolls around his pen at the Beijing Zoo) ^_^ To answer your question, no. That's why Panda's behinds are so big ;) Better a smart ass than a dumb ass. No truer words have been spoken ^_^ Now, at this moment, John comes onto the scene, pushing some heavy equipment. "Hey, Panda! Here's the liposuction machine you ordered. Sign here and we can get all those brains where they belong!". John proceeds to show a clipboard to the surprised Panda. Panda smiles wryly at John, "I kinda like my brain where it is. Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the term *brain-storm* ." I prefer the unintelligent rearends myself. You see, when you have to go at three in the morning, you don't want THEM making up THEIR asses as to whether or not you'll go RIGHT NOW or wait until you reach the bathroom. *grin* Heheh. Hrmmmmms.....I say we start hunting people down who come up with some really bad puns. I'll go along with hunting people who make bad puns. :) The sick part of all this, this idea could be made into a b rated movie....maybe we could hire out Saf? ;) (you're too tired Bent, go to bed...) Sorry, Bents, I work for myself :P Bents (who's waiting for the blizzard to hit! yay!) Snow *sigh* I really miss it. :( Here Saf! I attached some to this post ;) drip, drip, drip :( Panda (Stuck at the Beijing Zoo watching the snow monkeys make humans of themselves)^_^ * Saf looks at the wet post. Hmmm...looks more like water to me. Nice try, Panda-kun. :) Major winter storm is what's happened - my service went down around midnight last night, just came back this afternoon (I think - I was busy chipping an inch of ice off my car), then went down and came back this evening. I've just finished wading thru about 200 messages, many duplicates Ehhh heh. Who knew? ;) Glad you made it okay! (last I heard there was some snow headed this way). An inch thick!!?? Really? And Saf misses this stuff? I said that I miss *snow* not ice. I remember when I came home from school and had to walk up to my house via the lawn since the driveway was frozen over and it sloped *down* to the road from my house. When that happens here (and it often does) we just slap on the skates! ^_^ ----- And *the* sad moment. Saf departed for greener pastures, even if only temporarily. ----- Hello everyone! Just wanted to say "Season's Greetings!" and "Happy New Year!" since I'll be going home tomorrow. I was going to say this on IRC but it seems that that's going to be down during the break. :( See you all next year! Sapphire, The Blue Tigress "TWO WEEKS without internet access?!?!? The HORROR of it all!!!" TWO WEEKS???? I can't live without the internet for 2 *days*... Two weeks without The Blue Tigress . . . The HORROR of it all!!! Have a good one Saf ^_^ ----- And so ends the December installment of the scrapbook. I hope you enjoyed it. ^_^ Damon Casale, [defunct address deleted]