Here it is, at long last. ^_^
-----
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. <G>
This segment of the scrapbook covers December.
I decided to carry some stuff over from the last month, to preserve
continuity.
<John D> 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. ^_^
<Andy> 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 ;)
<John D> 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...
<Andy> 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)
^_^
<Saf> A personal orbital laser complex! Cool! Too bad Andy and I have
already settled things.
[repeated from above]
<John D> 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.
<Saf> *sigh* Oh all right!
* Saf stops shooting arrows and darts and takes Johnd off the
dartboard.
<Saf> Spoilsport!
[again, repeated from above]
<John D>
ps An obedience school implies the target has the intelligence to
understand the training! On this ML, you've got to be joking. ^_^
<Saf> *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.
<Damon> "Saf, you're cu..."
"...c-c--cu..."
* Damon's self-preservation instinct kicks in.
<Damon> "Damn."
;)
[It was the *last* time I ever teased her. Thank God she never
responded to that post.]
<Wing> *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.
^_^ ]
*****
<Wolf> Hey, I've never called you cute, cutie.
<Saf> _Cutie_ is out, too, _Wolfie_ :P
<Wolf> Saphie?
<Saf> *sigh* All right, Wolfie, you can call me Saphie if it makes you
feel special :P
<Wolf> Thanks Saphie, you cutie!
<Saf> 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!
<Damon> Yeah. Be polite to the lady.
* Damon notices the leather. "Err..."
;)
<AlberCrombie> I'm stayin' out of this!
<Saf> And what's wrong with leather? It's durable, supple and looks
cool! ;)
<Damon> "Ladies" don't usually wear leather...but we can always make
an exception, I guess. :)
<Saf> Of _course_, ladies wear leather. Haven't you heard of doeskin
gloves and riding boots?
<Damon> Hadn't thought of that.
<Saf> Besides, a lady is a lady no matter _what_ she wears. ;)
Saf
Always a Lady ;)
<Damon> Okay.
* Damon admires said lady from afar... ;)
<Wolf> 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) and Saf ]
<Saf> This'll be fun! ;)
<Andy> My pleasure :)
<DarkWind> Neat design... does it make coffee too??
<Andy> 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 . . .
<DarkWind> 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 :)
<Saf> Oh, I'm not _that_ violent and I haven't killed anyone yet.
Weapons aren't my forte anyhow.
<Andy> 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.^_^
<DarkWind> God you really get into these things don't ya??
<Andy> 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 . . .
<DarkWind> Ahh I think I'll pass on that - do *I* look that dumb?? -
try it on Damon..
<Andy> 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 . . .
<DarkWind> Well I think I'll leave now...
<Damon> [not DW's last comment] I'll remember that, Brett.
<DarkWind> I expected you would Damon :)
<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.
<DarkWind> Geeze don't you guys ever sleep?? - I'd burn out trying
that...
<Damon> 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.
<Andy> Hey Damon. 72 hours of no sleep last week wasn't enough eh?
<Damon> 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 ;)
<Andy> Yeah ;) One of those good distractions.
<Andy> 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 :)
<Damon> 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 . . .)
<DarkWind> Sorry - gotta go - bye (insert sound like the Enterprise-D
going to warp)
<Andy> Awww shoot. Wow.
* Andy turns to Damon, "Does he know something about Saf's abilities
with high-powered weapons that we don't?"
<DarkWind> A shout heard for several miles away:
"Yes - she tends to be a bit indiscriminate with her
targeting!!!"
<Saf> Great! I need the target practice. ;)
<Andy> ...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?^_^
<Saf> And why should it backfire? The rifle looks fine to me. ;)
<Andy> 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!
<DarkWind> 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.....
<Andy> Sorry Brett. It's outta my hands now. (Have fun Saf but not too
much ^_^)
<DarkWind> Damn - but I'm sure Saf *will* end up having lotsa fun with it
:)
<Andy> 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)
<DarkWind> Hey do I look that stupid (I'll leave that to Crombie and Wolf)
<Andy> Hmm. You really like to tease the fur-bearing members of this list
don't you? ^_^
<DarkWind> Hey I'm don't discriminate - I'll tease *anyone*... :)
<Andy> You still standing there? Here hold this bag of marshmallows . . .
<Saf> I'm having _lots_ of fun with it. :)
* Saf waves the laser rifle around and accidentally shoots out the light.
<Saf> *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]
<Saf> 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. ;)
<Andy> Alright, this Tiger trap got me!!! Andy whispers VERY softly, help
help. Oh darn. No-one can hear me ;)
<Shane> No, we can hear you fine out here. ^_^
<Andy> Hi Shane! Now go away ;) Can't you see I'm in a tiger trap?
Wink, wink, nudge nudge.
*****
* Saf investigates and finds AlberCrombie.
<Saf> I've got you now, you gopher!
* Saf throws her electric net over him and quickly turns it on, zapping
him unconscious.
<Saf> HA! Now you're going to pay!
* Saf gathers her net in....
Saf
"MMmmm...gopher stew!"
<AlberCrombie> AND? AND? (I can't stand the suspense)
*...and...Saf starts going over various nasty plans yet again...* ;)
<Saf> 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!
<Saf> 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?)
<John C> No no no, the *only* way to kill somebody is to force them to
listen to Minmei singing in English. :> <grins evilly>
<DarkWind> John... your being too cruel - even Saf wouldn't resort to
something *that* horrible...
<Saf> Is it really _that_ horrible? I've never heard Minmei sing.
<John C> 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 :>
<DarkWind> Lucky girl - and pray you *never* find out *how* lucky you
are :)
<DaR> Okay, so there are a couple of songs where Reba West got a little
out of hand, but as a whole.... <looks around guiltily> I kinda
like the Minmei songs. <Runs away and hides in shame>.
"I'm Dan Root, and I like the English Minmei songs. It's been
three months since I last listened to one."
<DarkWind> ----And that folks is how you draw a big target on your back
and say 'shoot me'
<John C> Hey Saf, if you see DaR, shoot him too, OK? :>
*****
<AlberCrombie> Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year and haven't caused too many
problems. :)
<Saf> Uh-huh. I really believe this one, AC...NOT! ;)
<AlberCrombie> Come over some saturday night - I'll show you 'good'.
[insert evil leer] :}
<AlberCrombie> I would like for Christmas....
1 4 head hifi VCR
<Bruce> Got.
<Saf> Got that :)
<AlberCrombie> all 5 of A!MG
<Bruce> Nope.
<AlberCrombie> a new Unix box (with Linux)
<Wolf> Got it. Got it. Got it.
<Bruce> New cpu maybe.
<Saf> Nope. Nope.
<AlberCrombie> a Tigress taming kit (batteries not included)
<Wolf> They don't make 'em.
<Bruce> Nope, no need.
<Saf> You won't need that where you're going! *grin*
<AlberCrombie> Damn.
<AlberCrombie> 1 stuffed mughi doll
<Wolf> I want a stuffed P-chan.
<Bruce> Ryo-Ohki.
<Saf> Rather have a stuffed ryo-ohki doll myself :)
<AlberCrombie> I give - who is Ryo-ohki?
<Saf> 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
<Wolf> I want!
<Bruce> $1000 gift certificate to Gunsmith Cats would be better.
<Saf> 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*)
<Saf> 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. :)
<AlberCrombie> my two front teef
<Wolf> Got it.
<Bruce> 1, 2 they're still there.
<Saf> Got those.
<AlberCrombie> So far.
<AlberCrombie> and Nuku-Nuku in a stocking hung by the chimney
with care!
<Wolf> I want!
<Bruce> Akiko Mishima is more to my liking.
Nene Romanova would be unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!
<Saf> I'll pass on this, too.
<AlberCrombie> thank you
AlberCrombie, The Good Little Gopher
:}
* Saf starts to giggle. "Good"? *giggle*
<AlberCrombie> P.S. I'm all out of cookies and milk, so how about ramen
and sake?
<Bruce> Peanut butter sandwiches?
<Saf> Just got some milk and cookies today. How about a pizza,
though? Pizzas are always in season. :)
<AlberCrombie> You buy - I like pepperoni and mushrooms.
<Saf> Sure. I'll just go buy it from Kodachi. ;)
<Aaron> 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 :)
*****
<Saf> 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* :(
<Saf> 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! :) :) :)
<Wing> Hnmm... Damon, betcha left your return address on the box, ne?
*chuckle*
*****
<WindLily> 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!^_^
<Saf> 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"
<WindLily> No really, does anyone know if he's o.k.?
<Damon> 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...)
<Nabiki> Wolf was on the irc today, sez he'll be ging thru his mail later.
Guess Saf didn't kill him, after all :)
<Wolf> 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.
-----
<Saf> 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"
<Andy> 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.
-----
<Ryan> 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.
<John C> 111 messages isn't all that much. I regularly get 50-odd
messages, and I'm on three ML's.
<Ryan> 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. :-)
<John C> Yeah, sounds good, but why? I like it just the way it is (spam
excluded)
<Damon> 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.
<Yeah Me> 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.
<WindLily> 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.
<Robyn> 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!
<Wolf> Ok, you win. I'm not gonna do it.
<Richard> 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 .....
<Wolf> Last time I checked, I was still top poster. (although Damon may
have passed me by.)
<Damon> 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" <COUTUREG@COMM.HQ.AF.MIL>
To: Fanfic mailing list <fanfic@andrew.cais.com>
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 <wwolf@cais.cais.com>
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 . . . <g>]
-----
<AlberCrombie> *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.
??????
<Saf> 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
<Andy> 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 :(
<Aaron> 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.
<Saf> 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.
<<<<<CLANG!!!>>>>>
Saf
"I am NOT a dog!"
* Saf comes out of lurking.
<Saf> 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.
<Andy> 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 ;)
<Saf> 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.
<Saf> 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.
<Saf> Oh, you poor thing!
* Saf untangles the gopher from the net.
<AlberCrombie> .....water...water....*BEER*.....gasp.....*WhiteCastles*....
food....
<Saf> Here's some water.
* Saf gives AC some water.
<Saf> Don't drink too fast now.
* AlberCrombie passes out.
<Saf> 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.
<Saf> 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.
<Andy> 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!"
<Wing> [ 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!"
<Wing> 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.
<Nabiki> (ingredients for MCFSBWW will cost him when he gets better,
ya know!)
<Wing> [ 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]
<AlberCrombie> Yo! DarkWing...er...DarkWind,
<DarkWind> NOTE: The above is a good way to get fitted with a body
cast!!
<AlberCrombie> Ooh. I think I hit a nerve. :)
<DarkWind> Ahh well - I think I've already gone through this with you,
Crombie?? You *know* I don't like that duck....
<AlberCrombie> Watch yer spelling. You kept using 'your' for 'you are'.
Oops.
<DarkWind> Ok.. I'll have a look :)
<Saf> Brett, you do know that you have just set yourself up as the next
victim of this ML, don't you? ;)
<DarkWind> 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.
<Saf> 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. ;)
<DarkWind> 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 :)
<AlberCrombie> that's Mr. Looser to you, pal. ;]
<DarkWind> Oh excuse me!! - MR LOOSER.... :) (shouldn't that be 'Lord
Looser')
<Saf>
Saf
"Heh, at least it's not me this time."
<DarkWind> You know I could have probably gotten away with it if you
hadn't opened your big (but *cute*) mouth :)
<AlberCrombie> You do like living dangerously don't you?
<DarkWind> Hey - she was the one that kept this going :)
<Saf> Am not! I only commented on it once.
<DarkWind> Yup - and that was enough to get Crombie going :)
<DarkWind> Maybe I can turn it back onto her :)
<Saf> No! Don't do that! I'm on spamming vacation (sort of).
Saf
"Still on vacation - hopefully"
<DarkWind> Oh, *sure* you are!!!
:)
<Damon> 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. :)
<DarkWind> Ok - well enough already... Thread over (at least from me :)
<AlberCrombie> [re Saf giving DW a laser rifle] Man, is it ever good to
have friends.
<DarkWind> When did you get a friend Crombie??? :)
<AlberCrombie> BTW: I just got my annual scotchguarding and new laser
reflective fur.
:)
<Saf> Scotchguarding???
<AlberCrombie> 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.
<AlberCrombie> ZOT!
BTW: Hope you're doing better, Saf.
<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 ;) ]
-----
<John Franklin> Does this ML have an FAQ? If so, where can I find it?
<Wolf> Not yet, but funny you should ask. Would anyone be willing to
make one? I do *not* have the time.
<AlberCrombie> 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
<Saf> 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?
<Andy> 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.
<John C> Yeah, I'd like to. It should stop all the dumb questions floating
around on this ML.
<Saf> Thanks, John, but Andy and I seem to have it covered at the moment.
If we need any more help we'll ask. :)
<Saf> 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?
<Andy>
P.S. I just read your "I AM NOT A DOG" post. Even if it's temporary, I'm
glad you decided to 'unlurk'. ;)
<Wolf> The idea is, you dig up the info, I don't have time. ^_^
<Andy> 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?
<Wolf> 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.
<Andy> 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.
-----
<Saf> 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?
<Ben Harrison> 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.
<Damon> Not at all, Saf. I needed a good laugh after a long night of
homework-on-the-brain. *smile*
Good morning.
<AlberCrombie> 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*)
<Ben Harrison> Priss would be livid. And Nene and Linna would be
cracking up.
<AlberCrombie> 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)
<Ben Harrison> Cue the Warners' sequence that has the same man going
"Oh. My. <cue explosion>"
Of course Priss' reaction to the above backing group might come
close.
-----
Dar took up teaching Japanese.
-----
<John D.> 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! :) ]
-----
<AlberCrombie> 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....
<Wing> WOW!! Presents!! Cool.
<AlberCrombie> Saf : a subscription to Better Homes and Bounty Hunting
<Damon> Didn't you know? She's sworn off of bounty hunting for now.
<AlberCrombie> Once a bounty hunter - always a bounty hunter -
everybody needs a hobby!
<Damon> Maybe I should tell him...naah.
You wanna try, Saf? ;)
<Saf> PRESENTS!!! YYAAAAAAYYY!!!
Hmm...now where shall I put them...
* Saf looks around her place.
<Saf> ...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!!!
<Saf> *sigh* Looks like I should have a paper recycling drive in here.
<AlberCrombie> [shaking his lil' Gopher head] Saf, Saf, Saf.......
<AlberCrombie> RR : a case of Baka Pepper (flat)
WWolf : an old 10meg hard drive (every little bit helps)
<Wing> 10meg? Weren't those drives like REAL SLOW and broken down
often? *smile*
<AlberCrombie> Damon : A Sailor Moon blow up doll and patch kit :)
<Wing> *ahem* no comment.
<Damon> You don't know me very well, do you?
*I don't do Sailor Moon!* Or Ranma, or UY, or... :-)
<AlberCrombie> It was all I could think of at the time....
<Damon> Think harder next time. *grin*
<Damon> A plane ticket to California would be nice... (hint, hint)
<AlberCrombie> Keep dreaming - I get one, I keep it.
<Andy> 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) ;)
<Damon> What, you wanna go see Saf too? What, you have a death wish
or something?
<AlberCrombie> 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
<Wing> NANI!!?? What would she do with those? Hmmm...?
<AlberCrombie> Wing : A box of Neosporin for Nagisa's abuse...er...
affections.
<Wing> Neosporin, eh? -_- I think I've already built up tolerance...
<Damon> You don't know *them* very well, do you? They're more
friendly than that. (I talk to lotsa people, don't I?)
<AlberCrombie> Only what I know from their posts - and some of them
looked painful.
<Damon> I've survived the company of both, so I should know. *grin*
<AlberCrombie> Nabiki: 1 CD of Minmei's Greatest Country Hits
(in response to those bloody bagels of yours!)
<Damon> *chuckle* You realize she'll get you for that...
<AlberCrombie> I'll live. :)
<Damon> We'll see... Heheheh.
<Nabiki> Minmei? MINMEI?!?!?!??!? WWWAAHHH I WASN'T THAT
BAD! What do you have against bagels anyways? (Who needs
santa? I've got parents!) ^_^
<AlberCrombie> Yes, you were - trying to heal an innocent (well, mostly
innocent) dying gopher with a bloody BAGEL.
<Nabiki> One question: does the santa gopher go down chimneys? I'll have
a pot waiting.. x-mas dinner!
(MCFSBWW's will eat Minmei)
<AlberCrombie> ...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.
<Damon> 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!!* ;)
<AlberCrombie> 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 <g>)]
<Wing> Eww...
<Andy> 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]
<AlberCrombie> Windlilly: A small stuffed Totoro for Templeton's
dashboard
<Wing> Probably the only "Normal" gift... ^_^
<AlberCrombie> To everybody else : A candy cane from a box that I found
in the back of the freezer dated 1977.
Enjoy!!!
AlberCrombie - The XmasGopher
<Wing> 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. ]
<Andy> 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).
<Andy> 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! ^_^
<AlberCrombie> Cool - this does work for blue kitties, too, doesn't it?
<Andy> 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]
<AlberCrombie> 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 <g>]
<Andy> Hmmm. Sounds kinda cool, but what does it mean?
Just Andy (Until I find out what Panda-kun means) ;^)
<Wing> 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. ;)
<Andy> 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
<Damon> Saf...Nabiki...allow me.
<Saf> Be my guest, Damon :)
* Damon wields the bagel mace of doom...
**THWAP!!**
<Damon> Hehe.
<Saf> Thank you. *grin*
<Nabiki> 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.
<Panda> 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?"
<AlberCrombie> 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.
:)
<Saf> Who's an 'ungrateful _human_', *Panda Boy*?
<Panda> Umm, that guy (points) and that one over there
(points again).
<AlberCrombie> Good call.
<Panda> You mean 'Safe' call ;)
* Saf starts to wonder about Panda IQ.
<Saf> 'Tiger traps'! Yeah, right!
* Saf rolls around laughing.
<Panda> 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).
<Saf> Hmm...I've never tried a panda dish before...too bad they're on the
endangered species list.
<Panda> Tastes like chicken ;) ;) ;)
<AlberCrombie> So what doesn't?
<Panda> Chicken.
Panda (somewhere in an airport wondering how he got there)
<sigh>
<AlberCrombie> 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> 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]
<AlberCrombie> Don't worry, Saf - It'll go in the den, next to the stuffed
Coca-Cola Polar Bear.
<Damon> You do realize that I was merely protecting my lady's fair name.
The bloody gopher deserved it! ;)
<Panda> 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).
<Damon> 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> 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? ;)
<Damon> Hm. I'll let *you* handle this one, Saf... (he called you cute!!)
<Panda> Snitch!
(I didn't call HER cute!!!)^_^
<Panda>
Panda (still undergoing therapy for IRC addiction) :)
<Damon> Um, Saf can help you with that. No, really...
<Panda> 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! ;)
<Saf> Now, what to give the ML....
AlberCrombie: a nice, shiny new badge saying "Unhuntable for one
year" ;)
<AlberCrombie> Arigato!
<Saf> WWolf: A HUGE banner saying "THANK YOU WWOLF FOR ALL
YOUR TECHNICAL HELP", a certificate for a new ___<insert
computer component or computer type here>___, and a BIG hug
<AlberCrombie> WW - remember no asking for Crays - try to stay within 5
zeros on the total bill. :)
<Wolf> Wow! Cool, I needed another 8 megs of memory... ^_^ But I like
the hug better.
<Saf> 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
<AlberCrombie> That's it - I'm getting armor!
<Saf> 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 <g>]
<AlberCrombie> 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"
<AlberCrombie> I agree.
<Wing> 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*
<AlberCrombie> Thank you for the Cookie Nagisa - now where do I find a
glass of chocolate milk.....
<Wing> Nagisa smiles. Ever heard of "Quick"?
<AlberCrombie> Here, chocolate cow! Here girl!
<Wing> Nagisa smiles as she points out on over there... just beyond the
second rainbow.
<AlberCrombie>
AlberCrombie (looking for the Chocolate cow)
<Wing> 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> 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]
<Saf> Nagisa: A nifty new katana with a monomolecular edge
<Wing> 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]
<Saf> 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> 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!!!!
<WindLily> 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
<Damon> Nah. Saf doesn't do catnip, I'm pretty sure. How about a new
dartboard? She's nicked up the last one pretty bad... :)
<WindLily> Albie- a portable hole to jump in when the Blue one is hunting
<Damon> *chuckle*
<WindLily> Wing- a personal force shield
<Wing> *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.
<WindLily> Nagisa- a padded mallet so you can beat on Wing as much as
you want without hurting him too badly
<Wing> 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]
<Damon> Ooo. Kinky. 8)
<Wing> *ahem, Wing peeks from behind a potted plant* Damon,... kinky is
when you aren't permanently injured. *smile*
<Damon> I know that. So as I said. KINKY!! B)
<AlberCrombie> Let me remind you the difference between perverted and
kinky:
Kinky uses the feather.....
Perverted uses the whole chicken.
<Wing> 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.
<Wing> [ 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
<Wing> [From off in another room, Nagisa's voice can be heard along with
some soft padded footfalls]
EEP!
<Damon> Heh.
<WindLily> Damon- an angst free year
<Damon> But I *like* angst! In my fanfics, that is...
In RL, no angst to speak about. So thank you.
<Wing> *chuckle* Angst... Just read "Dragons of Summer Flame"... nice
little bit of Angst in that... ;)
<Damon> Huh? Wazzat?
<Wing> *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... ^_^) ]
<Damon> 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!
<Wing> In case I don't get back soon, Merry Christmas to all, and have a
safe New Year.
W&N
<Damon> Much appreciated.
<WindLily> Bruce- the mis-speller's dictionary I've been promising forever
Nabiki- a box of Alkaseltzer for all those 'interesting' bagel
combos
<Damon> *smile*
<WindLily> 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?
<Panda> 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 ^_^
<WindLily> 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 <dc56+@andrew.cmu.edu>
To: Outbound News <outnews+netnews.rec.arts.anime@andrew.cmu.edu>
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.
-----
<Wolf> (Where's that orbital satellite control thingy... I'm going
PunKnight hunting.)
<SkyKnight> 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.
<Wolf> HE DID IT AGAIN!!!!
<SkyKnight> And my hardsuit has ECM stuff in it, so you can't hit me with
that satellite anyway. ;P
<Wolf> 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?
<Panda> Set your latitude first for 43.45 deg West, then 80.51 deg
longitude North. (Get out your atlas' folks ;)
<Wolf> Hold on, where is that damn thing anyway....
<Panda> The remote for the Orbital Particle Beam Satellite is under the
left cushion on the couch. That's where my room-mate keeps ours
;)
<Wolf> Say, thanks! It was there.
<Panda> Of course it was! Just call Information ;)
<Panda> 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!) ^_^
<Wolf> HEY!!!!!!
<SkyKnight> What's wrong WW? Beefing because he gave you a bum
steer?
<Wolf> You will die painfully. But quickly.
Activate Orbital Defense Laser!
Setting: Maximum Strength!
<Wing> 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
<Chan Wei Lik> It's a beam cannon. It keeps firing until you release the
trigger.
<Wing> 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...
<Panda> 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) ;)
<Wolf> That's okay. I'm just gonna nuke all of Tolyo. That'll get him.
<Panda> DAMON!!!??? Where are those marshmallows???? <sigh>
Maybe I could try bamboo shoots? Yeah, that's the ticket!^_^
<Panda> 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!!
<Damon> I've been restraining myself from spamming. I'll be restraining
myself from marshmallowing too. :)
<Panda> <sigh> Yes I suppose you're right. Although I didn't know that
mars had hams that could be llowinged ;)
Panda (smart ass)^_^
<Damon> Is the rest of you as intelligent? 8-)
<Panda> (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 ;)
<AlberCrombie> Better a smart ass than a dumb ass.
<Panda> No truer words have been spoken ^_^
<Firehawke> 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> Panda smiles wryly at John, "I kinda like my brain where it is.
Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the term *brain-storm* ."
<Damon> 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.
<Bentley> Hrmmmmms.....I say we start hunting people down who come up with
some really bad puns.
<Saf> I'll go along with hunting people who make bad puns. :)
<Bentley> 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...)
<Saf> Sorry, Bents, I work for myself :P
Bents (who's waiting for the blizzard to hit! yay!)
<Saf> Snow *sigh* I really miss it. :(
<Panda> 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.
<Saf> Hmmm...looks more like water to me. Nice try, Panda-kun. :)
<Jeanne> 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 <g>
<Panda> 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?
<Saf> 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.
<Panda> 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.
-----
<Saf> 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!!!"
<Wolf> TWO WEEKS???? I can't live without the internet for 2 *days*...
<Panda> Two weeks without The Blue Tigress . . .
The HORROR of it all!!! <sniff>
<sigh> Have a good one Saf ^_^
-----
And so ends the December installment of the scrapbook. I hope you enjoyed
it. ^_^
Damon Casale, scyth@andrew.cmu.edu
* Love *
Between two people, there is nothing that
can draw them closer together