Everything depends upon your age or how you collect figures.

If you're going to take 'em out and play with them, don't cry about scratches. Its your fault for playing too rough. If you collect them for the sake of having a set or its your hobby and you have a lot of them, why not insure them? At least set a 'rainy day' fund or 'buy whatever the hell I want to' fund and get another one if one breaks or something. That's a basic rule of thumb for any collector.

Its not the end of the world, really. Just save up and get another one if you're really upset about it. Otherwise, just try to fix it the best you can. Usually when I find a scratch on something I REALLY love, I freak out and think that, "oh crap! everyone can see the dent in that! *tears, hair pulling*". In the end, its not always as bad as you might think it is... its just you overreacting to something you cared about. ^^

Definately.

My parents trust me... with good reason. I don't try to do anything that would hurt them or anyone else in any way, shape, or form. My older sister was the one who got all the praise for her singing/music abilities and extracurricular school activities. I was never all-state... I was never as good as my older sister, nor did I learn to play a dozen instruments. I could only play 5... and somehow, THAT wasn't as awesome as her. Though she did lie, steal, and beat us other kids up for fun... what a role model that everyone loved.

My little brother got in trouble all the time in school. He would hit other kids and get suspended all the time. For his grades and good behavior he got a computer at the end of the year. I always did well with my grades and never would fight in school or anything like that... but never got such a gift. I was always referred to as "the good child." I don't understand how the "good child" never got the privileges that the "bad ones" did for doing what they were supposed to be doing in the first place.

I don't understand how that's fair, but life is life I guess. We, as our parent's children, see things differently. They see themselves doing what they can to parent us the best that they know how. We see others being treated better than we are because of reasons we don't understand.

I don't know if parents realize how much they do end up favoring some kids over others, but there is a discrepency between the way they treat their individual children. Of that, I have NO doubt.

I believe in God and that evolution has occurred over the many years that creatures have been on the earth. Not only do we have empirical evidence to support evolution, but a written history as well (mostly for animals, but I suppose petroglyphs and cave drawings count). I don't believe that we humans are direct decendants from apes, I think there are genetic similarities as well as a break in our family tree and there's always plenty of room for errors.

Quote by Aaragsum mythologies and like u say some religions worshipped animal gods how did they come about like for examplt the egyptians and the Jackel can u explain that Oh what is the scroll to pass to the otherworld about.

I think those mythologies came about the same way as others did. They saw nature and wanted to make a reason for why things happened. They also revered cats and worshipped them. Jackals were worshipped as lords of the dead because they ate the dead. They are all over The Egyption book of The Dead (I think that's what you were asking about) and show how they embalmed their deceased. The Book of the Dead also give instructions to the deseased where to go and what rituals/what to do in the afterlife.

Animals can become sacred to a people because of those animal's qualities. North American Indians peoples worshiped the thunderbird - a beast as big as a plane and is now though to have been some prehistoric bird/pterasaur that survived, the also respected bears, puma, bobcats, eagles, and many other creatures too... (other people's from all over the world had the same beliefs about their local animals). All because of how they respected those animals and they saw the raw power of nature within those creatures. Each animal had different abilities and like most humans, we envy what we do not ourselves posesses. I'm sure that's why many religions have animal/beast like gods and worshipped them.

Not all changes are bad, I know that. I encourage change... for the better. I think what I meant was that the changes from when you were a child to how you are now. The fact that you realize those changes are proof that you've grown. Though, to me... changes from my childhood and how the world is now... those changes still are sad in a way.

Also, with the contellations... in 15 years... they shouldn't change THAT much, right?

((I wanted to put this out as a discussion/lamentation/rant/express your feelings kind of thread...
I hope its okay... since its how I've been feeling lately.))

Okay. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy or something. I've noticed how things have changed since I was a child... I've gone back to places where I spent a lot of time as a child and noticed how things have changed (trees larger, trees gone, places disappeared, the teachers are older, the desks are smaller, etc). I've found it quite depressing if I put too much thought into it. It almost makes me think that those things have changed even though they haven't really... its me who has changed. Know the feeling?

I know we all age and things around us will change too, but doesn't it seem sad? Does anyone feel the same way sometimes?

Another note:
Recently I've noticed that the constellations have moved since I was a child. Are we in a new orbit or something? Now I know the constellations move during different times of the year... and I'm taking that into account. I haven't moved, so why is the big and little dipper (ursa major and minor) in different places than I remember them when I was a child (and I mean seriously different places)? Even the summer triangle has moved too. I asked my dad and he said they seem different to him as well... he said even different than a few years ago. Does anyone know anything about that? Has anyone else noticed that too?

All of us getting older, things changing... does anyone feel like time just passes us by?
Our childhoods, adulthoods... passing us by so fast?
Does anyone else feel like this?

...perhaps I'm getting weirder in my 'old' age... ?

Its easy to engross yourself in a good story or book. So I'd say that its also easy to do the same with an anime or manga. You get swept up in the story (of which some stories can be so amazing that you can daydream/fantasize yourself experiencing the plot with the characters). Because of this, I believe some people are prone to be infactuated with some characters of the story or be enthralled with the concepts of the plot itself so much that it may influence their lives a bit.

I enjoy watching anime. If I watch a good anime late at night I sometimes have interesting/vivid dreams involving the same storyline, plot, or characters. ^^ I can sometimes lose myself in a book, so I have the same tendancy with some manga/novels too. I see no problem with this as it doesn't affect my life in an outward way. My dreams are one thing, but my real life is completely off limits to fantasy. That's kids stuff and pretend games.

Anyways, I think its easy for someone to get into an anime so much that they can "lose themselves" in a sense... but there's nothing wrong with it as long as it doesn't influence their personal lives.

Here's some examples below of why you shouldn't completely lose yourself in anime/manga.

(Examples: Death Note, Jigoku Shoujo)
Don't start believing that this is real or that you are the character... stuff like that is potentially dangerous to yourself and society.

(Examples: DBZ, InuYasha)
If you suddenly get the urge to try to go SSJ4... well, feel free to it... but I'm sure you can't fly... and you're likely to burst a blood vessel.
Or, if you feel like you're the reincarnated guardian of a sacred jewel... you start shooting mutant animals (demons) with a bow, don't blame me for being incarcerated for animal cruelty.

Quote by beyondmeasure

Quote: There is plenty of proof for those who have faith in God and believe.
There is no proof for those who lack faith in God and don't believe.

I'll ignore all others, for this.

The most blatant lying I have ever seen in these forums.

Proof for your God over all other deities? Of the sort which has already been refuted, ad naueam, by various men?

Please don't call me or anyone else a liar. That's unfair, rude, and not true.
I have never attacked you nor called you a liar. I have many times used articles and references to back my statements up. I have always tried to be calm and polite in my statements in the forums and the threads that you have posted. I can clearly see that all of my efforts are in vain. You don't want to even try to see anything from another's point of view. That is why you will continue to make accusations, quick retorts, and not listen to what others are trying to say or explain.

I never said there was more proof of my God over any others in my statements.
I was making an example of my own religion, many similar things can be said for other religions. Those who believe in God or a god see that deity in everyday life. That's the way religion and their basis of their beliefs are and have been for centuries. That's how a religious person see's their world.

I have tried to explain my beliefs and prove them the best I know how in a scientific way throughout the past year that I've been a member here. Why even make a thread if you have a rebuttal or jeer for everything? The thread is pointless if you have already decided that everyone else's opinions aren't worth listening to or contemplating.

Please... if you have a problem with me or my statements, contact me directly by PM.
That would be the most appropriate course of action in this situation.

GodStruct: *sighs* "Lets go then."

Quote by XRW175P6MQ4There is no God. There is no way to prove he/she exists, and there is no way to prove he/she does not exist. There is however proof that if God exists he/she does not care or love you. Go outside and look...or watch the news for 5 seconds. You would think that three religions that supposedly worship the same God could get along, but they don't. Still yet, Christianity has splintered into many different denominations. If there was a God you would think he would make it clear exactly how he wished to be worshipped.

There is plently of proof for those who have faith in God and believe.
There is no proof for those who lack faith in God and don't believe.

A religious person can look outside and see God everywhere while a nonreligious person doesn't see God anywhere. Its all about faith. Like I've said before... some people believe that black holes don't really exist... even though we have scientific evidence that makes us pretty positive that they do. The belief in God is about faith. If you have no faith, you won't believe because of a predetermination made by yourself already; therefore the proof of the existance of God will never happen (for you unless you look again and see things differently). Right?

Here in the U.S. we have many laws to run our government that are written down (The Bill of Rights, The Constitution, etc.) and many unwritten morals that are understood by the public. We still have people who interpret the laws differently and some even manipulate the words into something meaning an entirely different thing. Everyone has their opinions, some are more agreed upon as being more "correct" than other interpretave opinions. Religion can be like that, especially Christianity. The Bible gives rules and laws to follow God and yet many who are Christians interpret God's laws differently. That's why there are many denominations. Even though the laws in the Constiution are written down and plain to see (as are the laws in the Bible), many people still don't take them literally nor the same way. Why do you think we have so many amendments in the constitution? Sometimes I wonder if people use denominations as "amendments" to the Bible. (However, there are people who take the Bible word for word literal translation... so they believe that they are the most correct of all the Christians.) Don't blame God for us not getting along, blame us humans for being weak, pitiful, scared, jealous creatures (originally in God's image, but after sin... we fell into the pit of being so awful). Yes God created us, but it was us humans who were jealous of knowledge, fearful of punishment that caused us to sin. (Please don't get into omnipotence here and blame God for giving us free will because its the wrong thread for that.)

People, whether religious or not don't get along. Its been that way since the beginning of the world. Look in the Bible and see Cain and Abel... fear and jealousy reign supreme down here on earth. We want things that aren't ours... we gripe about not having enough even if we have more than most. We hate, we kill, we steal... all because of fear and jealously for things that aren't ours or because we don't understand. We're lazy as a species. We want the easy way for anything and everything... why not "take candy from a baby" or "steal bread from the bakery" or "rob a bank" or "beat someone of another race"... why do people do that? Because they're jealous and full of fear. You either want something that's not yours or you're scared that they might hurt you first... oh and lazyness too. Humans are horrible, sinful, and disgusting creatures.
I feel blessed that God still loves us even after all of that.

GodStruct: "Who is this creature/humanoid that you're looking for and why are they so important? I must find the bringer of the void... and continue my studies all life here... if it is here, I must stay behind and find out what it is."

*an explosion is hear in the distance*

"Look on the horizon... ! I must investigate to see if the fleet has found the creature I seek. Perhaps afterwards we can see this Aizawa you speak of?"

*he begins to prepare for takeoff towards the explosions on the water*

Okay. I would say that if you look at the amount of scientific data that was proven to be true in accuracy in the Bible (i.e. the mass flood, the genetic bottleneck of a few families surviving and repopulating the whole planet, the stellar knowledge of planetary alignments, constellations that we did not know about nor see until we made telescopes, the history of kings and buildings, empires... etc, ), its difficult to argue that the Bible has incorrect information in it. Its a history book, written over the ages by many people (whom I believe were instructed by God to do so). Its a tool for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training a person how to live. I believe that the Bible is a foundation created by God. To me, all the scientific evidence and the way I've interpreted it, is plently (besides my own faith) for me to see that there is proof that God exists.

Btw, some people believe that black holes don't really exist... even though we have scientific evidence that makes us pretty positive that they do. The belief in God is about faith. If you have no faith, you won't believe because of a predetermination made by yourself already; therefore the proof of the existance of God will never happen (for you unless you look again). Right?

Note: Please do not misinterpret this as an attack. I'm tired of the fighting in this forum.

Also, what would be the point of faith if God just showed Himself plainly?
Even if God showed himself, there would still be people who didn't believe.

"Should we attempt to investigate or shall we just observe?"

((repost, but I think I should...))

name: Cain
age: ?
gender: Male
race: Angel-Qliphoth
title/nickname: Keeper of the Gate
element: Darkness
weapons: Spear of Destiny, SoulReaver - a single bladed bastard sword that sucks the souls out of their human victims... angel victims only suffer severe damage, his telekenitic ability, the thorns of woe (his robe conceals a rope/chain of thorns that he can use against his enemies)
abilities: Can change the molecular structure of objects (he is telekenetic), including chaning himself to look like a human; Angelic form is more powerful and human-esque form; regeneration
flaws: It takes some out of him... concentration and mentally draining to use his telekenisis, regeneration can be slow
personality: Lothes humans, hungers for chaos to reign supreme, wants the world to plumit and perish into the void
appearance:

((If you forget what my character looks like, check my signature and avatar. Its Cain. Completely.))
((Hope we can start this one for real this time. ^^ ))

*a half hour passes*

===

GodStruct stops a quarter of a mile away from Graful (up on a hillside) and gently sets Zinfandel down.

"Can you see them? This is Graful, but they look as if they are preparing for war. Look at fleet... its massive for such a simple society... or so we'd thought... They're ready to attack. This can't be good. If we look like outsiders do you think they'll welcome us? I cannot repair your ankle... but I don't think we will get any help here. The bringer of the void's tracks go to the city. I'm sure that is why they are ready to fight. We need to be on guard, anything can happen."

GodStruct glances away for a moment.

"Yes, you can feel something ominous coming. My people have a saying... as it is said other places too...

'This is the way the world ends,
this is the way the world ends,
not with a bang,
with a whimper.'

The saying is true for many civilizations."

*He glances back with a slight wince*

"This being, the bringer of the void, the sphere, is probably controlled by another... and why its killing or who is directing it may not matter. Saving ourselves may be the only thing that matters... wether we can actually accomplish it or not. The world is crying and dying as we speak and its up to us to save ourselves from destruction. My homeland is gone. It will never be as it was until the darkness is gone."

*As he completes his little speil of hope, he slowly morphs grey/blue wings on his back*

"These will be useful since we must hurry. I think we all know time is running out. We have to go now."

*The boy picks Zinfindel up and looks at Angel with a hurried expression.*

GodStruct: "I am incapable of hate. I don't know what to think right now except we muct find the sphere... before others are destroyed by the void."

A little bit of painting and a tad bit of cloning will work to remove it. ^^
The screen itself might need to stand out more... it blends in with the water a little too well and makes it hard to see and read.

Are you going for realisim... 3-D or what exactly?

Okay. The girl you extracted needs to flow with the background. She needs to be detailed and cleaned... like you already did, but she needs to also be smooth. The colors on her (example: the green in her hair looks like too much gamma exposure) need to be somewhat softer like the colors are in the background. The lines in the wording and on the symbol are bold, defined, yet still smooth... the ones on the girl are rough and need to be softened just a little bit.

Humm... she looks better this time, but she needs to be clear, yet soft/smooth. Does that make sense? I'm terrible at explaining things sometimes... She looks like she doesn't quite meld into the flow of the picture, but if you can soften the tones of the colors on her maybe and use a little brushwork or something I think she'll fit right in.

*dodges into her bomb shelter*
*throws a katana and an apple*

*God-Struct comes running out from the forest (being gone for a little while) and quickly examines the area for danger... finding none, he runs over to the screaming girl and covers her mouth*

"Are you alright?! Calm your person..." *he wafts a calming mix of nerve-relaxing scents in her nose* "I am the only one here... there are many creatures out tonight and others humanoids... they will hear you and might be more than you or I can handle."

((When do you plan to start?))

"Look into my eyes and tell me if you see the little man inside running the controls..."

^banned, being obcessed isn't good for one's health... but I also like TB.

you don't know...
that I feel as if I'm never online anymore.