The Portrait of Zool

That 70's show - with substance.

Ack! How did I miss this!? http://www.themightypen.net/public/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif *Zool beats on his portrait with a dried paint brush.* "WAKE UP!" Yeesh. Happy very belated.

Don't forget that big drool gland in their head... well, later on it's good for something else, but in the beginning....

I will have to see what Netflix has of Ghibli's - some do look very interesting! Yes, I would agree that coherance was it's biggest problem, becoming most evident in the end. Still, IMO it's a quantum leap ahead of most of the dreck gracing the cinema these days. ;p

Durring the weekend I managed to watch 'Howl's Moving Castle' in bits and pieces on some cable movie channel. It's not the newly released dubbed version, but the subtitled version. I REALLY enjoyed it. This movie is animated japanese, and takes full advantage of the medium. The movie is very imaginative, mythically rich, with excellent characterization, and a very moving story. The unexpected occurs regularly. The backgrounds and visuals are often stunning. I wish I had more time to go into more detail about this movie, but suffice it to say that I really enjoyed it. There are many themes covered, some very dark, though of course all turns out all right in the end. In fact, I would say the only weakness in this movie is the end, that it seems a bit abrupt and leaves a few ends hanging - but it is really, after all, a fairy tale, so some things must be taken on faith. I can't wait to see the dubbed version in the theater now!

Sssup Dude? Pearl Harbor? You %@$#@! I'm Jellous! http://www.themightypen.net/public/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif

Breath is the frame of life. As they count a person's last breath as the time of death, they count his first as his beginning.

Zool smiles a wistful, reminiscent smile. "Yeah, I remember. I remember that, and so much more." With that, Zool's gaze turns outward, and somehow inward at the same time. So much time has gone by, and so many events. Others also have their recollections, which he never argues with - but he remembers, and it is always sweet - even the bitter. "I remember Wyv," he murmurs, and fades to the background again, the small smile and wistful expression never leaving his painted visage. "I remember. I remember... "

Congratulations on the promotions, and thank you Gyr and Wyv for a very entertaining announcement!

A bit stringy for me, but hey, when you're hungry... tastes like chicken!

One of my favorite songs: George, George, George of the Jungle, Strong as he can be. (Ahhhhhhhh!) Watch out for that tree! George, George, George of the Jungle, Lives a life that’s free. (Ahhhhhhhh!) Watch out for that tree! When he gets in a scrape, he makes his escape With the help of his friend, an ape named Ape. Then away he’ll schlep on his elephant Shep While Stella and Ursula stay in step. Welll . . . George, George, George of the Jungle, Friend to you and me. Watch out for that . . . tree! (Lyrics & music by Stan Worth and Sheldon Altman Original Air Dates: 1967 - 1970 (ABC) )

"Non semper ea sunt quae videntur." (Things are not always what they seem). ~Phaedrus, A.D. 8~

Speculative non-fiction: 'The Second Cryptographic Shakespeare', By Thomas 'Penn' Leary. That's right; Speculative non-fiction. I really don't know what else to call it. It's pretty much along the lines of 'The Da-Vinci Code', except far less dramatised or speculative, and concerns real coding. If you appreciate history, a mystery, and what might be termed 'intellectual archeology', this book is for you. I'm sure most people here have heard the speculation that Shakespeare didn't actually write all those plays and sonnets attributed to him, and reading all the 'evidence' around that is interesting enough, but the author of this book, an amateur crytpographer and adventurer, takes the investigation in a whole new, and compelling, direction. Bardolaters beware! You may come away quite disillusioned! Though the manuscript does tend to wander in places, it is still a fascinating read, revealling the true genius behind Shakespeare, and arguably behind much that we take for granted today in our 'modern' culture. It's a relatively thin book, plus it's free! available entirely online. The rest of the website is pretty fun too, with lots of additional information.

OMG JOAT! http://www.themightypen.net/public/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif I thought you'd dropped off the face of the earth! http://www.themightypen.net/public/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif Shows what I know. Good to see you around.

You were born on a Friday. Your star sign is Cancer. The season was Summer. You are 43 years, 1 month, 21 days old.* It is 314 days until your next Birthday.* You are 15,757 days old.* You are approximately 378,190 hours old.* You are approximately 1,361,485,622 seconds old.*

Done already!?! Sweet!

“Remember, America started with armed conflict. It’s called the Revolutionary War, not the Revolutionary Let’s All Sit Down And Talk About Our Feelings. Still I bet we’d have won that one also!" Stephen Colbert

A very dusty and cobweb covered Portrait of Zool slowly lowers his gaze to read the notice recently tacked to the wall. "So what's the opposite of spam.... maps? Anywho... A free drink? Now that's the kind of add I like!" Zool jots down a quick reply contact and sends Blob over to post it up. It reads: Dear Dana, Glad to hear you haven't any problems with money - I don't either, as it's hard to have a problem with something I don't have any of. A drink I could certainly use, though a portrait of one I would find much more refreshing. Unfortunately, I'm not real keen on chats by the lake with the moon shining above, nor being near any water of any kind, and it's very hard to appreciate my composition in just moonlight, so you can see what a poor combination that would be for me. If, however, you are a lover of the arts and you are free next weekend, I would love to go out to the art gallery, though my manservant Grimmael seems to have gotten himself lost again so you will have to carry me there yourself. I apologise in advance for any undue hernias this may cause. In all honesty I can say that I'm really not overweight - I've been framed. ( ) Looking forward to my trip (though you'll forgive me for hoping you don't (trip, that is)), -The Portrait of Zool

I'm sorry Sweet, if it appears that I am not involved. Believe me, I am following this with much interest - most of the Elders are. My own feeling on this at this point (and others, I'd wager) is simply to lurk and LISTEN to what the membership has to say. We asked you, and we are listening. The Eldership has been discussing this, as you guessed, and has been discussing it for a while. We are very interested in how you feel about the site, what expectations you have, and where you have been disappointed, as well as any improvements or other suggestions moving forward. Of course, we also look forward to discussing your comments and eventually putting the strongest forward for vote!

Welcome back Psimon! 80's - YEAH! ...though Crowded House broke up. (and they said 'Don't dream it's over', and I believed them...) ;p

That's strange, even guests have that post option. I will have to check that out when I get time this weekend (I've got to be going somewhere this morning). Yes Dauna, I found the test in your blog from your sig link. Welcome to the Pen.

*Bows to Zadown* "I'm not worthy!" http://www.themightypen.net/public/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif (You have to enable HTML, which you can do on the 'Post Options' of the add reply page. Select the 'HTML ON - Raw Linebreak Mode' dropdown option.)

Yeesh, I have a lot of work to do. How evil are you? How about you?

(To the photographer) "There's a bloated seagull hovering over your head..."

sweet