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darth_ender

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Join date
26-Apr-2011
Last activity
11-Jun-2025
Posts
8,815

Post History

Post
#542505
Topic
The old Star Wars comics - general discussion thread
Time

xhonzi said:

darth_ender said:

 I recently bought 246 Star Wars comic books for a great price at thrift store. 

Wow, that's some haul!  What series mostly did you get?  Late 70s stuff, mid 90s stuff, or PT era stuff?

 Most of it is the more recent stuff, to be honest, meaning Dark Empire and later.  I don't think there was a lot of the Marvel stuff, which right now interests me more.  I've lost a lot of my former interest in the EU because of its stringent requirements and all efforts to make it fit together.  I know I've said it many times, but I like the idea of a looser canon, and I'm not offended if things don't all line up.  To me I just picture it as alternate posisbilities, and therefore the old comics are more fun.  Still, I may get into the new stuff, as Tobar (who really is largely responsible for me recent interest in the comics) has made some recommendations to me :)

Post
#541299
Topic
The old Star Wars comics - general discussion thread
Time

So after forever disavowing any knowledge of the comics, I have had a change of heart.  I recently bought 246 Star Wars comic books for a great price at thrift store.  I am saving these in their plastic envelopes, and decided to download the comics for actual reading to preserve the good copies.

I have to say, I really enjoy some of the old stuff.  It was different and cheesy, but I really enjoy it.  I honestly have come to hate the restrictions of the EU with the requirement that everything must fit together.  Those were the days when we could read Star Wars stories that could have been, but weren't required to be considered equally canonical.  As has been stated in other threads by myself and others, it is nice to simply pay attention to what I like when I like to, and thereafter disregard it if I prefer.  If I like the story of Luke and Leia as little flirts on Mimban with no Solo competing for affection, I like reading that story as a "could have been" story instead of being required to consider it part of a huge, overinflated storyline.  I am now finding a new appreciation for the comics I once wrote off forever for that same reason.

Post
#540824
Topic
"The Ewoks Project - Animated TV Series" DVD set (now on myspleen) (Released)
Time

pittrek said:

darth_ender said:

I don't have much to provide for help except more encouragement.  Thanks for all your hard work on this project.  You're doing everyone a huge service.

Oh I'm sure you CAN provide something :-)

If nothing else I'm searching for suggestions for some cool "project title" - I'm currently calling it "The Ewoks Project" which does sound pretty lame

 "Fuzzy Memories: Bringing back the Ewoks"

Or something like that.  Take it or leave it, or perhaps tweak it, but it's a thought :)

Post
#538759
Topic
OA (OT.comoholics Anonymous) for darth_ender AKA darth_ender's self-imposed rules for managing his time
Time

DoubleKO, (I think it was you, I remember it was one of the Lego avatar guys), you've kept good tabs on me.  Thanks for the constant harassment, even if I could not respond because I was conserving my posts or already out.

I think the time has come to further limit my activities here.  I think I cannot come to this site except on weekends.  This is very hard for me, but things are cranking up in intensity in the nursing program.  If you guys see me posting any day but on a weekend, tell me to go away, or simply don't respond.  I've got to focus more and more.  I love writing and posting and conversing, but I must tend to these important duties.  Thanks for your friendship, and hopefully this ain't the game ender for darth_ender.

Post
#536616
Topic
Last movie seen
Time

2.  Just saw Temple Grandin.  It really did my heart some good.  I've worked a great deal with children and adults with special needs, and it sure was neat to see someone overcome the limitations that come with those needs.  It really was a well done film, and I'm glad it is so highly rated on IMDB as well.  Since I don't fully understand the rating system here, I will give it 8.5 moos out of 10.

I have a second comment to make.  I was looking at the IMDB forums and noticed a humorous exchange between some of the commenters there, particularly the postings of EsconcingCloakSwaddler.  It kind of gave me deja vu, you know...just a little bit...images really, feelings.  I wish I could remember more, but I think there is some sort of memory blocking going on there.  I can only reconstruct about 2/4 of my fractional memory in this instance.  But this seems like some sort of doppleganger.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1278469/board/nest/167159288?p=1

 

Post
#535078
Topic
Let's all say something nice about George Lucas. No insults allowed.
Time

2. I have to say that I appreciate his attitude towards the many fan editors of his films.  There is no doubt that he's well aware of this site and fanedit.org.  In fact it was through fanedits that I found this site.  Other producers and directors have gotten very offended about people touching their films.  But he turns a blind eye towards those who tamper with his films though I'm sure he's aware that everyone on this site, editor or edit watcher, criticisizes his every decision.  I don't like a lot of what he's done myself, but the fact that he allows so many of you to do what you do so well speaks volumes about his character to me.

Post
#533335
Topic
Are the Jedi so good?
Time
3.

The amazing darth_ender once said:

You know, I suspect that if these movies came out in sequential order rather than OT, then PT, people would see them as inferior but still decent films.  The passion on this board amuses me.  I certainly don't like the PT nearly as much, but I can still watch and enjoy them.  In my mind, I can incorporate them into my personal Star Wars canon or disregard them, depending on my mood.

To keep with the point of the thread, I would like to comment on one particular aspect which I know has been criticized, but seems logical to me, especially in light of the EU and reality.  As we know, power corrupts.  Any power like the force would be so tempting as to be truly corrupting.  In the Star Wars universe, I suspect that when the force was first discovered, most wielders found themselves utilizing it for evil.  As Yoda said, the dark side is quicker, easier, more seductive.  But it is not more powerful.  As those who learned to use the force become more aware of its capabilities, they also realized that great discipline must accompany its mastery, else the user would fall to the dark side.

So now we get to the PT.  The Jedi are an extremely rigid and disciplined group.  They are indeed powerful force users, but only because they are willing to take years to master the good rather than days to master the evil.  But at the same time, their rigidity contributed to Anakin's fall, their inability to detect Palpatine's growing influence, and it ultimately led to their downfall.

To sum up, I know most do not like the portrayal of the Jedi Order, but to me, it is actually a logical system for security that simultaneously leads to their demise.  I like this idea.  The dark side is not stronger, but the light is so difficult to master.

 

I said this elsewhere which actually prompted you to quote yourself once before, Tyrph, though you only included one of those quotes.  I think you say it so well, however.  This parallels many of our aspirations today.  We have a wonderful system in place (none in specific, but I'm sure you could fill in your own).  It contributes greatly to the benefit of many people.  Then one day, a single person is harmed or defects or something like this.  We order an expensive and thorough investigation into what caused this problem in order to appease the masses.  We then restructure the system so it is stricter, less enjoyable, more unwieldly, more beauracratic, more time-consuming.  The employees are less happy and are now faced with greater responsibility and fewer resources at their disposal than before.  This all holds up for a time, but barely.  But to the outside observer it appears that the problem has been fixed.  Ultimately, the new system fails drastically and self-destructs.  Everybody ends up wondering what happened.

I'm actually venting a little, because the Jedi Order and my last job have a lot in common.  They have restructured behavioral health in my little corner of the state in order to "fix" some problems, but ultimately it has created an unsustainable system that is supposed to be perfect.  When you deal with humans, you have to take into account their needs.  The Jedi Order failed to do this and resultantly are largely responsible for the creation of Darth Vader.  So is the phantom menace known as Cenpatico, the Grand Moff of behavioral health in parts of AZ and other states.

But let me refer again to your post Tyrphanax as a reason that I enjoy the PT.  As I've said time and again, it is clearly inferior to the OT, but on the other hand, it has supplemented and enriched my enjoyment of many aspects of the OT, including my understanding of the flaws of the old Jedi and my hopes for Luke's new Jedi Order.

Post
#533285
Topic
OA (OT.comoholics Anonymous) for darth_ender AKA darth_ender's self-imposed rules for managing his time
Time

2. It's fun to confess at OA , isn't it, Zig?  Thanks for the support, Bingo.  You're dragging me in deeper!  And Frink, this really requires no more effort than you already give out.  Just harass me like you do every day to everyone.  I'm just giving an excuse.  In all seriousness, little enforcement should be needed.  There is a psychological principle, though the name of it escapes me, where an individual puts out his intentions or opinions, and once out in the public's awareness, he is more likely to stick to that principle.  Think of politicians.  We call them flip-floppers if they change their mind on anything, but how often do we little people change our minds?  It's because we don't have the social pressure to stick to our guns.  But now that I've made you all aware of my plan, I'm more likely to follow through.  Also bear in mind that this is simply good fun to help keep me on task.

Post
#533262
Topic
OA (OT.comoholics Anonymous) for darth_ender AKA darth_ender's self-imposed rules for managing his time
Time

Hello, my name is darth_ender and I'm an OT.comoholic.  I've been addicted to OT.com for about 6 months now.  At first I was a recreational user, but lately I find I can't get enough.  There are times where I have numerous responsibilities to attend to, and I instead find myself turning to this site.  I am powerless over OT.com.

I don't mean to be disrespectful towards anyone working through their own addictions (believe me, I've worked with many going through this).  While making a joke, I do feel I spend far too much time here and make unwise decisions with my time.  I am a nursing student in an intense program, a part-time employee, a husband, a father, a teacher at church, and a nerd.  Unfortunately, in order to balance out all these aspects of my life, I need to reduce my involvement in all nerdy things.

I find that the times I am most addicted to OT.com are when I begin to make comments, particularly in the sections where I'm most interested or passionate (things related to religion and politics).  If I simply come to check in for a few minutes, I can get back to work with little difficulty.  Therefore, in order to break the chain I have to reduce my commenting drastically.

So what I'm going to ask for is a little INTERVENTION.  If you feel any inclination to support me (yes, I know I'm not the most popular guy here, and I'm not trying to be the center of attention, I'm just asking for help from those who want to), I need you to help me obey these rules that I am laying down for myself.

darth_ender's rules:
1) On Mondays through Fridays, darth_ender will post no more than 3 times a day.  Therefore, if he wishes to comment, he must choose his posts carefully.
2) Darth_ender must number his posts each day.  Nothing too obvious or distracting.  Just a 1, 2, or 3 at the beginning of the post.
3) If you find darth_ender posting a number 1, 2 or 3 more than once for the day, call him out on it.  If he posts a fourth post, tell him to get off the Internet and spend time on work, school, family, or church.  Then ignore him for the rest of the day.
4) On weekends, no numbering is necessary.  However, darth_ender still has responsibilities to take care of, so if you think he's been on long enough, a friendly reminder that he has a social life beyond a bunch of electronic avatars and that he should go focus on what's important.

Thanks for your help, guys.  I know this is silly, but it should keep me better focused.

The important rule to remember regarding darth_ender's posting:
"Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three (okay, there will probably be days with zero, one, or two posts, but still...). Five is right out! Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then shalt darth_ender sign off of originaltrilogy.com, not to return to that wicked site, till the Lord cometh, or until tomorrow, whichever cometh first.  Amen."

Post
#532791
Topic
Whatever happened to <whatshisface>?
Time

Whatever happened to darth_ender?

Well, he pretty much bombed a test because he spent too much time on this site and not enough time studying, so now he's spending his time doing more important things.

At least, if I don't get off of here now, that will be an accurate statement around 9:30 tomorrow (MST for those who really want to monitor my life)

I love it here, but I think desperate times call for desperate measures.  I need you all to chastize me if you see me commenting here.  I make one exception: I may comment on weekends, but if you see me commenting more than an hour, please politely tell me to sign off and do more important things like study.