darth_ender

^LOL!

By the way, funny joke!

OMYGOSHOMYGOSHOMYGOSHOMYGOSHOMYGOSHOMYGOSH!!!

Happy Cesar Chavez Day! ;)

God doesn't need our praise.  We need to praise him...I believe ;)

Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

God isn't a Jets fan.  Although that might change.  He wasn't a 49ers fan for a while, but now he seems to be.

He was a HUGE fan of the 49ers till Steve Young retired.  He is a little biased towards the Mormons, you know? ;)

Chillax

Well Frink, things like this make me sick, but...in a case like this I'll get away with it.

Warbler said:

CP3S said:Warbler is a talented signer, clearly.

How do you know that?  You've never heard me sing.

With a name like Warbler, of course you can sing, probably with great talent!

I knew someone would call DOUBLE STANDARDS on that one. :)

Try to see it how I see it.

A: "I believe in God because of such and such."

B: "That wasn't God.  That was a purely a natural phenomenon."

Shoe on the other foot.

B: "I don't believe in God because of such and such."

A: "That was God who created that phenomenon."

I don't believe I ever phrase it that way.  Bingo raised a point and I offered a counter point.  Look at my phrasing, which can be summarized thusly:

B: "I don't believe in God because of such and such."

A: "I think that God created that phenomenon

That is the exact phrasing I ask of you:

A: "I believe in God because of such and such."

B: "I think that wasn't God, but rather a natural phenomenon."

Reread my last post and you will see my attempted sensitive phrasing.  But to be clear, I truthfully enjoy these conversations, and I don't even mind the phrasing in itself.  It's likely misinterpretation on my part, but what bugs me is the intent of comments.  Is that intent to challenge ideas, perhaps get a little more thinking, and at minimum just sharing a different perspective?  Or is it intended to just say I'm dumb for believing in God, and if I could wrap my around the facts, I'd know the truth.  When phrased without the "I thinks," it appears I'm more likely to interpret things differently.  That is the inherent disadvantage of electronic communication and the sensitive tendencies of those (like myself) who feel that sometimes others are indeed slapping our God in the face.  I believe I am better getting where Leo is coming from, I know that (usually) Bingo is just trying to point out some historical or cultural influence and wants to be a bit of a smarty pants ;), I know you are very scientific in your thought process and therefore do not feel God fits in the equation.  But take Boost's most recent comment.  He too may have meant it merely as a point to think about, but in context, and with several similar comments already being made, I became annoyed because I felt like the intent was, "Look here, ignoramus..."  That is why I am advocating slightly more cautious phrasing.  I apologize if I am coming off as pushy.

Check your PMs.

I was trying to do more of this a couple of years ago, and I got really irritated with the judder that most converters produced when going from PAL to NTSC.  I'm not very technically savvy and couldn't follow that complex guide from Doctor M.  I preferred the cheating method with IFOedit, as at least my video was smooth when watched on a proper player, and it was easy for my little brain to do.  But I just now did a little more research, and it appears this little program might work miracles...and it's freeware!

http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/CD-DVD-Rip-Other-Tools/D2MP.shtml

Everything I read about it says that it perfectly converts and brings the menus along for the ride!  I'll have to check it out for a few of those videos that I had to cheat with.

Funny stuff!

What a pleasant fellow.  I love seeing that someone responded in this thread and realizing that it was vbangle supplying more of his omniscient wisdom.

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Insider-Bradley-Snyder/dp/B006N1IQHO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364836441&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+insider+41

That's if you want to purchase your own copy of course.  There are other ways to get ahold of it.

I look to you, how you carry on when all hope is gone.  Can't you see?!?!

thejediknighthusezni said:

            You know people who try to sound pretentious? :P

Indeed no, sir, but rather I find myself disadvantageously impotent when essaying to minimize my lexicon with picayune utterances.

In all seriousness, though I admit to probably coming off as pretentious, it's just the way I like to write.  I tend to use a moderately larger vocabulary than others when speaking, but I can't imagine I am anywhere in the same league as Bingowings, who usually motivates me to look up at least one word or reference when reading his comments.  But I try to ensure I use my words correctly, and I honestly make an effort not to resort too much to cliches.  You'll find that I actually tend to modify my idioms so they don't come off as just another overused phrase.

But there are those who continually use the same stupid words over and over trying to sound smart, especially in the news and politics.  Words like:

rhetoric
warmongering
optics
diversity
micro- (look on your shampoo bottles, nutritional supplements, lotions, etc.--they're all filled with micro-somethings!)
epic
war on...(drugs, women, minorities, Christians, Muslims)
fiscal cliff

I'll try to think of some more.

Bingowings said:

When I was young LOL meant 'lots of love' (a bit like SWALK being 'sealed with a loving kiss'). 

That's funny.  I recently heard a story from a coworker who told us of a friend who thought that in modern electronic discourse that is exactly what it meant.  So when this friend heard that another friend had lost her husband, she sent a mass email to the friend and all else involved in the discussion that said, "So sorry for your loss. LOL."  Oops.

Bingowings said:

Who the hell is that Nordic superman in contravention of Exodus 20:4 supposed to be, James Hetfield?

It's a Jewish superman with a European model, no doubt.  And the interpretation of Exodus 20:4 is extremely varied, and many commentators have spoken on that point.  Muslims will not have any paintings of any animals or people in their possession, while Catholics have statues of saints and Christ himself.  Protestants will usually have paintings, at least of Christ on earth.  Usually the common consensus is that it is a commandment forbidding the construction of idols in place of worshiping the true God.

BTW, for one who doesn't believe in the devil, you sure spend a lot of time playing as his advocate ;)

To clarify, my comment was directed at Leo.  I was trying to determine what made a comment seem more bothersome or less, and I do think it comes down to simple phrasing.  When one says, "I think maybe God wasn't helping you," or, "Maybe you just have more natural talent than you realize," I guess I don't don't see it as condescending, but merely expressing a different point of view.  But when one says, "No, you did that completely on your own," with simple matter-of-factness, it seems more demeaning.  Really, I guess it comes down to whether one precedes his comment with a phrase noting the subjectivity of his perspective.  When Leo made his comment, I don't believe he made any such note, which is why I commented as I did.  But I do believe he meant it in genuine kindness.

I want to be clear, I like everyone I've disagreed with in here: Leonardo, CP3S, Bingowings, TV's Frink, TheBoost, and even walkingdork, despite a few previous run-ins.  I appreciate it when you guys are willing to accept the validity of our points of view, which really does include not simply stating yours as the only perspective worth considering.

That said, I feel your comments are quite valid, Puggo.  It certainly is difficult to think that God helps us poor, wealthy Americans who misplace our Ipods, while others in this world suffer.  I saw this picture once, and it is a firm reminder of appropriate perspective:

I think people sometimes forget that God answers prayers in various manners.  Even we can be answers to prayers.  We can serve others, send money to or volunteer in poor countries, etc.  There are people in need, but often they are far more appreciative of the little God gives them than the affluent are of his far more abundant blessings.  In the end, God can do anything, but he seldom chooses to directly intervene when others make poor choices.  People starve in Africa because of evil dictators who misuse the generous donations of wealthier nations.  God will not take away the agency of this evil men, but he can influence others for good.  Sometimes even the toppling of a regime is an answer to many prayers.

Okay, I'll stop before my religious point drifts too far into the political.

As for your thoughts, Bingo, clearly God wants us to be proud of ourselves.  It's when our pride in our own achievement exceeds our humility for his blessings that he becomes annoyed.

SilverWook said:

Presumably, George and or Lucasfilm is making his early story material available to Dark Horse, so why would anyone be bitching about this project?

As with Splinter of the Mind's Eye, this is a glimpse into the Star Wars that might have been.

Ditto.

Bingowings said:

Palpatine in baby scan

What on earth?!?!?  ALLOL!

Ah, c'mon Frink.  Let me see you fully covered up to your receding hairline.

Can we mention words that are generally used correctly, but end being overused by people attempting to sound pretentious?  If so, I've got a few of those I've been hanging on to.

I can't keep up with this guy!

No, I'd never found that site.  I hate you for finding it ;)  It means I have more to download, which is fine.  I already have almost every picture, but these are higher quality than many.  While I tease about hating you, in all seriousness thanks for the good find :)

EDIT: In reality, it's not a ton more pictures to download, as I'm only getting the ones that could have been in the film.  Again, thanks for pointing me to this site.

McFlabbergasty said:

Thank you all for your input.

Through a combination of therapy and anti-depressant medication, I've recovered a great deal in the past few months. I'm only intending to continue the meds for as long as I can work through the counseling process. If you have suffered a broken leg, you only wear crutches or a leg cast for as long as necessary for the limb to properly heal. Likewise, I'm going through a healing process for my mind.

 

Writing Star Wars fan fic and other fiction has helped me cope. It's given me a creative outlet for all these years. I don't know where I would be if I never wrote. I'm hoping to get back to updating my Revenge of the Jedi outline soon, as I have many astounding events planned for Jeni.

I'm glad to hear you're doing well.  Let me give you a couple of recommendations.  First, don't ever stop the anti-depressants cold turkey.  It can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.  Also, when it comes time to stop, make sure you do so at the recommendation of your prescriber.  Many think, "Oh, I'm better now," and discontinue on their own before having quite as firm a grip on their emotions.  Your prescriber and your therapist will be able to discuss your readiness and the former will be able to reduce the medication at the appropriate rate.

I applaud you for having a creative outlet.  It's important to have a stress-reducing activity and have something to give purpose.  Fan fiction is certainly a good way to find both, and perhaps you are developing skills that could lead to a fruitful career in the future.  Or perhaps it will always remain an enjoyable hobby.  Either way, good for you :)

I'll add that I like Trooperman in spite of some interesting ideas.

I should have included this Uncle Sam quote, apparently in response to someone else's complaints about his previous brags: