Walsingham

You're probably right, Gorgo. I might go into town and pick up some comics later. You reckon this Jeff Smith would be good?

I think you're onto something here. It's been my observation that men are far more likely to hare off in a random direction shouting romantic protestations than women are. But your point makes me wonder if it's just more notceable when they do. I do definitely know many women who operate using a surface layer of romantic flummery, but who are as hard-nosed as Swiss bankers by the fifth date. being as I am, a freelance scientist I don't believe in magic or any of that nonsense. I do believe that due to the labyrinthine and arcane science of attraction it can resemble magic. But the doolally mooning, and fierce courage that love inspires are mechanical processes, which exist in potential because we need as a species to get jiggy.

Transmetropolitan is hard to beat, but can run a little short in each graphic novel. i.e. you don't get a great deal of weight. Preacher was the graphic novel which changed my view of comics forever. As I've siad before, it's like thinking films are for little kids, after twenty years of watching Charlie Chaplin.... then someone shows you Apocalypse Now, redux.

*gives the webserver a shake* Damn thing is coughing up posts from 1934 again.

Up betimes at 0630. Alternated between eating toast, playing NWN2, and trying to hash out two contracts for upcoming work. Alliances may be powerful but they are a pain in the ass. The toast and NWN2 was in the breaks. I think I worked out both contracts, and suddenly realised I was exhausted, before I fell asleep beneath a heap of papers in my library. Woke to find rain lashing the windows. Bath now, before I grab the hottest curry possible. For my lung infection I prescribe fire! And lots of it!

I take your point about deliberate denials, but isn't it the interesting thing that they don't see it as weird?

I'm not really trying to make a case for being a bachelor. I just thought it would make an interesting discussion. I totally accept your point about kids, Hurlshot. And it's something which gives me a great deal of pause for thought since I've always found women in their thirties attractive, and of course having kids is a crunch point for them at that age. But then in the broader sense I've been a teacher, and I'm a mentor in my business and in my unit, and in many ways I've got lots of 'kids' I'm raising. I'm a believer in the idea that what you pass on in memes is as important as genes. And I should stress that while sex is a big part of the adventure in romance, re-reading all the old letters and cards showed me how much mental pollenation was going on. I can credit the women in my life for teaching me about everything from the scientific drama of volcanoes, to zen buddhism, to the artistry in a moth's wing. Never mind all teh things you learn about yourself!

No. Georgia has to put up with the invasion because they FIRST attacked S.Ossetia, they bombed cities with MLRS and howitzers thus trying to impose total control with brute force, too bad for them it backfired, now they're suffering the consequences of their own actions, what goes around comes around.

I should say that I am very happy to support law enforcement when it works. But as everyone here is saying (except Volo) the level of DRM you're going to get on a game is never going to be good enough to do more than annoy paying customers. It's like I have a download version of one of my favourite films (which I own in hardcopy and paid for) because I detest so violently being forced to watch anti-piracy propaganda whenever I fancy enjoying a scene in the background while working. A further point: anti-piracy DRM might stop some low-level pirates, but logically I can only see that pushing piracy customers into the hands of true organised crime. In my opinion the money would be far better spent in targetted prosecution of the kind of criminal syndicates who perpetrate piracy on a large scale.

I for one might actually buy an MMO if it was made by Obsidian. Particularly if it was 40k. However, I'm still of teh opinion that doing a proper job requires active referee involvement to coach good players and reward things like top roleplaying.

The recent discovery of my own time-capsule (sealed 2002) has provoked a lot of soul searching, and a flurry of recontacting exes, with a variety of results. I think the biggest theme has to be what one of my friends calls 'serial monogamy', which is pretty fair. I've long been nervous of settling down, and had always thought it was down to not having found the right woman, but I think the truth is harsher but wortwhile: why settle on one woman when new ones are so much fun? I don't mean having lots at once, although that is fun, but the pure adventure of a new relationship, from wooing to understanding, to fighting to break up. Or to put it another way: just because you love the sea doesn't mean you want to be a fish. I was wondering what views on romance the boards has, especially in light of the regular 'romance is lame' conversations we have in C&C games.

I'm going through loads of random crap I downloaded from Napster without really paying attention. It's disorienting having so much free music. How do you listen to it all? But it has been good for expanding my woefully narrow tastes.

ROFL. I was going to be rude about your explosive diahorrea, but then I remembered my brush with salmonella the other week. Commiserations.

That'd be it. I gave up reading them after I read about someone cutting/digging their way into a fething MOUNTAIN using a lightsaber. It was like that point when you're kids and someone refuses to die after the 'bang bang'. I felt really sorry for the poor stormtroopers. They'd done a proper professional job of securing their fortress and the jedi just get silly.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics...-frontline.html A little UAV with no external rotors, capable of doing surveillance, and droppping off bugs and bombs. How cool is that?

Political solutions take time, even generations. Look at Scotland and England. I can hardly suggest a peace deal knowing so little about the country, but geographically the case looks strong to be part of Georgia. What's the alternative? be part of a country with only one two lane road joining it (a Greater Ossetia)? Be a republic of only 70,000 people? That might work in Europe, where people want a posh tax haven, but I hardly think that is an option. In any case, my point stands. Better jaw jaw than war war, as Churchill said. I'd also like some backup to the notion that the South Ossetians/Russians were totally blameless in the last few years. I've read articles on the BBC suggesting shelling into Georgia before the attack. Sounds to me like both sides were cracking away at each other.

OK. I obviously don't understand. You had bipolar disorder before you went in? Or you developed it during training? Seems a bit harsh for them to court martial you either way. Your officer commanding must be a total tit.

Thanks for the ongoing advice, all. I can't be the only person to be daunted about trying to use mods. I'd have thought a couple of 'set menus' would assist noobs like me. Meaning no disrespect to the modders, but if you want lots of people to play your mod surely you have to make it as accessible as possible. All Iwant to know is: Unique Selling Points Basic selling points What it's compatible with Where it sits in the order of installing.

*puff puff* Man I love this game.

OK. So, barring any further objections I wil go with Easytutu, and the NPC project. Any further packages ? [One important thing is that I'm a mod virgin, and Easytutu looks straightforward.] Level cap: So you're saying there shouldn't be a level cap before entering Baldur's Gate? I don't remember one at all, but it would make sense to ensure the stuff in 'Gate is the right level.

I went back to my history books and dug up a couple of things from Stalin: the Court of the Red Tsar. Georgia was conquered by Russia between 1801 and 1870. It is "closer to Baghdad than Moscow". As for Noerthern Ireland, you've missed my point entirely. I wasn't implying it had to be the same as Uk and Ireland (which is a lot closer than Russia and Georgia), but that a political NOT MILITARY engagement was the civilised option. Do you agree that the principle is sound?

Stackpole... stackpole... what else has he done?

I ate even more at my friend's house. His wife is becoming a very good cook.

It sucks that you've been invalided out. I went out with a girl who had nearly the exact same problem. I think it's really important you understand that simply by sincerely volunteering you've stepped two paces ahead of the crowd. That's not my words, but our sergeant major, a man with plenty of combat and life experience. You can and should be proud of doing so. Full stop.

Kicked off today, after a few beers. All in all quite encouraging. Old hand gamer, but new to WHFRP chose a dwarf, the stats meant he had to be a warrior, and he rolled mercenary on the basic career table. His wife (who is new to gaming) chose to be a wood elf, and had the choice of warrior or academic, and chose academic, rolling scribe. The dwarf chose to be a follower of Khorne to start with, but I eventually persuaded him that while I was prepared to accept any decision, Khorne would be pretty dull. instead he chose Khaine, as allowing for more sneakiness and less glow in the dark tentacles. The female elf chose standard elfishness, but her main hook is that she's incredibly young [ you roll for age in whfrp] at 35. I've got an NPC dwarf mercenary lined up, and some mercenary type shenanigans in the way of bandits, who will be part of something much bigger. I am thinking that I will try to get the female elf involved in some arther provincial but still unsavoury cultist goings on. While the evil dwarf will find himself kiling evildoers just to stay alive. They have the potential to help each other by their complimentary skills and contacts.