Snypiuer

O.K., it's more chocolate than tan, BUT I'm calling it DARK TAN. Still have to find the code for a few places that are still blue (light blue bar below the 'EDITOR' screen for example) and adjust some color contrast (words in some of the bars and headers are hard to read). Used the old tan background in posts and a few other places where I could. May have to lose logo - found picture of Wizard on computer, but couldn't find whether or not it was free to use. There was nothing saying it WASN'T. . . but you never know. Other than that, the old tan background, papyrus and faded yellow paper, I did everything that isn't just a plain, solid color myself (bars, buttons, footer, etc.). I'll fix what I can when I figure it out and, as always, you can go to the bottom of the page and on the left side, select 'IP.Board' from the drop-down menu to change it back to the Blue Board. Let me know what you think and ANY suggestions. HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

Snypiuer stands before James, arms crossed, foot a-tapping, "Listen here - does a pack of Devil Monkeys and/or Monkey Devils APOLOGIZE for ambushing you and dragging your limp carcass away to do UNIMAGINABLE and DISGUSTING acts upon it that are so VILE and DEPRAVED, that they are never, EVER to be so much as CONTEMPLATED, let-alone, SPOKEN of by even the most lowly and vulgar creations of the DARKEST of all Gods!?" James: "Uhhhh. . . ?!" Snypiuer: "That's RIGHT! THUS! Taking this bit of knowledge and applying it here, the OBVIOUS lesson for you is. . . well?!" James: "Uhhh. . . ?!" Snypiuer: "CORRECT AGAIN! I am ASTOUNDED by your insight! The lesson is - YOU WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR GRACING US WITH YOUR WORDS!" James stands, dumbfounded, blinking and staring at Snypiuer and wondering to himself, "Just, EXACTLY, how insane is this guy?!" As James uses his peripheral vision to locate the nearest exit, Snypiuer looks sternly at him and softly, with authority, says, "Do I make myself clear?" ***************************** Well, that's three of us. We need more and someone to run it. . . so, let us know if you want to join! James, your poem was great! I, personally, don't care WHERE you post them, as long as you keep 'em coming!

O.K., been some talk about a game of Werewolf, so: Let's see what kind of response we get. Would need someone to run it and enough players. Leave messages here as to when you can play and if you'd like to run it. For those who do not know of this game, check out the rules at: http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=10823 Also (this will eventually be a topic of its' own), trying to figure out ACTUAL birth date of the site - Member Profile for the site states January 16, 2003. But, first post I was able to find is July 4, 2001. I BELIEVE the January 16, 2003 date was due to a change of some sort since the VAST majority of original members start date is January 15, 2003. So far, we're leaning toward July 4th, 2001 - which would mean THIS July 4th is the 10th Anniversary of the site. PLEASE let us know ANYTHING you may know or your opinion on the matter - the SOONER it's figured out, the sooner we can start to plan what we can do to celebrate it. Like I said, THAT will be a Topic all its' own! Hope you guys liked the Valentine skin, I'm working on an updated Tan skin (building it around the old Tan background - which is all that's left of it), so hopefully I'll have that done before too long (will TRY not to go overboard on it)! I THOUGHT that at least ONE person *coughcough-Degorram-coughcough* would have posted AT LEAST a simple 'Be my Valentine' to the Pen and therefor claim a FREE MIGHTY PEN T-SHIRT as stated in the last News post. But I GUESS no one *coughcough-Degorram-coughcough* had time to do so. Well, I have more to give away, I'm thinking (just to teach a certain someone *coughcough-DEGORRAM-coughcough* a lesson) I'mma just gonna give one away to . . . GILES! It's been pointed out that you are sometimes the ONLY active member for weeks and you DESERVE a shirt (something I FULLY agree with) - SO PM a size and address and it is YOURS! I was ALSO thinking Kikuyu, but I love Degorram too much to be THAT mean! Don't worry, you'll have more chances! We've had more Prodigal Pennites check-in: Check-in Here http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16926 and We want you back http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16813 While Atadiusti gave us: Someplace Better http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17054 and Somebody Save Me! http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17055 Two VERY good pieces that more than complement each other! That's about it. . . a little slow. . . soooooo. . . I'MMA GIVING AWAY ANOTHER FREE MIGHTY PEN T-SHIRT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check-in later to see how YOU can be the one to win it!!!

For those of you who have not had the misfortune of reading some of my previous stuff, rest assured that Snypiuer is FULLY aware of his insanity - not only its' full breadth and depth, but the entirety of its' magnitude. He is KEENLY aware that his delusions of grandeur are nothing more than what they are - delusions. It MIGHT help to know that 'Snypiuer' is the manifestation of my own personal psychosis and, like him, I too am fully aware of this - who better to understand that a God-complex IS a psychosis than an Atheist (that would be me)? But, let us ALL admit the obvious, the fact that I (like 'Snypiuer') understand and accept this, in and of itself, VALIDATES the delusion. I know, it's a burden. ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ I want to be the one For whom the Angels sing When the end has come All on bended knee When each face turns toward the sky When every voice is raised on High When Man stands before his God I want him to see That upon the throne is me It's not enough to never die Or to know each truth and lie To know all that may or may not be Out of all my hopes and dreams To be God is such a small thing At least it is for me. I want to look at time As if it's a book that I might read I want to hold the Universe In my hand, like a small seed I want my voice to fill the sky I want the stars to fill my eyes When Man reaches for the stars I want him to see What he's looking for is me It's not enough to never die Or to know each truth and lie To know all that may or may not be Out of all my hopes and dreams To be God is such a small thing At least it is for me. My one wish for my life: These things will come to be Not just in my head Much more than just a dream I will step outside my mind I will awake and I will find When God goes to bed at night He will finally see His prayers are prayed to me It's not enough to never die Or to know each truth and lie To know all that may or may not be Out of all my hopes and dreams To be God is such a small thing Well, At least it is for me.

Why, thank you very much. This is what happens when I don't sleep for a LONG time and go on a moody music binge - ESPECIALLY 4-NonBlondes. I know, 4-NonBlondes!? Linda Perry. . . is. . . AWESOME! Look her up. Listen to her. Kiss my feet in gratitude at your earliest convenience. This woman could sing the alphabet and you would FEEL it had meaning. It's like she takes a dull knife and eviscerates herself, reaches in and pulls out every last shred of her soul, throws it on the ground before you and as it writhes there, she grabs you by the scruff of your neck, forces you to your knees, shoves your face right up to it, places her lips a hairs breadth from your ear and. . . informs you, "There. That. THAT is the very essences of my being. The whole of what I ever was or will be. Look upon it and tremble at the horror of its' beauty." Don't get me wrong, she's written stuff that, if ANYONE other than her sang it, it'd suck - like 'Dear Mr. President'. I do not know of anyone who could sing that song and I wouldn't think that they were some pretentious, holier-than-thou, well. . . I'll be kind and NOT say it. BUT, when Linda sings it. . . wow. ANYWAYS, that's my rant on my sleep deprived, Linda Perry inspired writing! One last thing, 'Love is a Thing of Evil'. . . frickin' genius, thank YOU for that one!

Just rambling from lack of sleep. I'll see what it looks like after I get some rest. ***************************************************************** They said, "Today, the beatings wont be that bad." And you would think, "Well, that's still sad." But, to me, it kind of makes me. . . Happy. 'Cause, it's still another day of hopes and dreams. And 'neath the cries and sobs and screams. There's that one small chance, the meds will. . . finally kick in. I try to rise, tired of being kept down, of being punched and kicked while on the ground. With only blood and pain and blackened eye, proof, I'm still alive. For now. A constant struggle and fight, just to be knocked back down. Left broken and shattered and pushed around. With naught to look forward to but the end of the day, when I can lay down my burdens, close my eyes and drift away. To rest my weary soul, in my too small bed, to dream of love and comfort and getting ahead. Solaced by the hope that, maybe tomorrow, the meds will kick in and the beatings. . . really wont be that bad.

O.K., that took longer than I thought - on to the update! A couple of Pennites have given us not only some quality reading material, but some quantity as well! James Crow has hit the ground running with some VERY. . . wait, that's not big enough. . . VERY that's better. . . good work. If you DON'T go and read them NOW, I'll be more than happy to document you (on camera) ACTUALLY beating yourself in to a coma with your own tongue and left eyeball when you FINALLY do read them and become so angry with yourself for taking so long to do so, that you come to the ONLY logical conclusion. . . you know. . . that you NEED to beat yourself in to a coma with your own tongue and left eyeball. . . hey, I'M not the one who will have taken so long to read them! Anyways, to (HOPEFULLY) avoid said future scenario, you can check them out here: If Yesterday Didn't Lead to Today http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17036 Time for Games http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17037 An unnamed poem http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17041 Love is a Thing of Evil http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17042 The Order http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17044 Cathedral http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17047 How I Feel About You http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17052 James also added some work in the Muse and Quill Café's new last line poetry challenge. Peredhil lifted our hearts with: New http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17039 Is it just me, or does EVERYONE just feel all warm and fuzzy when you read this? Freyjis Hawkfeather gave us the start of what looks to be a PROMISING tale of swashbuckling GLORY!!!. . . sorry. . . kinda got over excited. Read this and you'll see why: The Gypsy Goddess http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17046 The Big Pointy One burst through the door and shouted, "Honey, I'm home!" Then proceeded to poke everyone in sight with his big pointy stick and. . . wait. . . that sounded kind of. . . never mind, just read: Going Home http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17048 Signe gave us some 'Good' bad news: the bad news is... http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17050 Read it, check out her site and I DEFY you to NOT want to just grab little Tabetha and just eat her ALL UP! To just scoop her up and snuggles her until she can't HARDLY TAKE IT ANYMORE! TO. . . whoa. . . kinda got a little out of hand there. . . check it out and you'll see why. . . you'll just want to pinch those little cheeks and rub her nose with yours and go "WUBBA, WUBBA, WUBBA!" until you BOTH pass out from the pure joy of it all!!! Sorry. . . We've had SEVERAL Pennites check in: We want you back http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16813 and Check-in Here http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16926 And the Muse and Quill Café's new last line poetry challenge continues for those who can see it in the: Banquet Room http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showforum=4 If you haven't noticed, I FINALLY finished the Valentine skin - hope you like it and PLEASE let me know what I could do better (you'll no doubt notice a few problems)! The Teddy Bears, Hug Monster and some flowers came from FeebleMinds http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/ (I can NOT say enough good things about this site!) while the rest of the flowers came from Andy's http://www.willrich.supanet.com/ FINALLY, who won the T-shirt!? I WANT to give EVERYONE one! BUT, there can be only one. . . THIS TIME (don't worry, I have PLENTY and plan to give them ALL away)! Gravia got a LOT of people posting with the NEW last line poetry challenge. Freyjis Hawkfeather and James Crow became NEW members. Degorram posted some NEW work. Signe gave us a NEW site to see our littlest Pennite (as an aside, I have not one, but TWO works which feature Signe that I can NOT finish - DESPITE promising her more than a YEAR ago that they were, in fact, almost done. I am ashamed and unworthy.)! The Big Pointy One gave us a NEW look at an old work. Mardrax consistently gives, not only NEW, but GOOD feedback. Peredhil ACTUALLY wrote about 'NEW'! Each DESERVES to win! BUT. . . I have decided. . . drum roll. . . more drums. . . PEREDHIL! Please PM me shirt size (Small to X-X-Large) and an address for delivery! NOW! Quick contest! I will keep the Valentine skin up until February 21. Log in and give your BEST Valentine wish to the Pen, the best gets a T-shirt!

Well, here it is - still a few things I could not figure out. Hope you like it! As always, you can go to the bottom of the page and (on the left) change: VALENTINE PEN to IP.Board and the BLUE board will appear. Will give an update and announce T-shirt winner later today!

Haven't forgot about T-shirt. STILL working on Valentine skin. Give me a couple days and check back!!!

Thanks! I just didn't think it 'flowed' as smoothly as it should.

O.K., we now have IP Board 3.1.4! Look around and see what has changed or any problems you might find. Those who can, log in to your ACP and check there - I've found some differences, but don't know enough to figure out if there is a problem (dash board missing some things and check 'banned' members). Let us know what you think or any concerns! Hopefully, I'll still be able to get a Valentine skin together in time (had a hard enough time with LAST version)! Also, check out James crows' "If Yesterday Didn't Lead to Today" http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17036 and "Time For Games" http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17037 A VERY great addition to the Mighty Pen family! Don't forget the 'Muse and Quill Café' in the Banquet Room http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showforum=4 AND To post for a chance to win a FREE MIGHTY PEN T-SHIRT! ANY post whose topic/theme is 'NEW' qualifies.

I've been uncreative for a while now and decided to force myself to write to see if I can get that little so-and-so muse of mine to come back. So, here's what I got - and yes, it needs work. So any suggestions will be appreciated! I sing out loud Though I cannot sing For it lets my heart and my soul Take wing I sing so loud That I sometimes cry As I shout what's kept Deep inside To the sky I sing out loud Until I can't go on My voice broken And my tears are gone When there's nothing left I sing out loud

Thanks, I thought about the IP thing, none of the IPs I blacklisted were used by any current members, so I'm HOPING we're covered on that part at least. They were mostly Eastern European with Malaysia, China and Russia about even. Only a couple from USA, Europe and Africa. Some of them led back to a separate server IP, but I could not find an option to ban THAT IP. But, I am confident ALL the IPs I blacklisted WERE compromised. Well, back to it then!

I'm thinking. . . probably? That's why I'm kind of holding back on the Valentine skin. There is a skin generator for 3.1.4 though at IP Board (simple color changes - thought I could use it for our version, but couldn't get it to work!), so we should be good to go if we have IP Board do the upgrade (which is the direction I believe we should go) instead of doing it ourselves - believe it's part of what is paid for.

As Snypiuer comes to and gathers himself, a shadow detaches itself from the ceiling and falls upon him! It is none other than the Legendary. . . NAY! the no-less-then MYTHICAL, Turtle of Realization (who has been stalking Snypiuer for weeks)! As Snypiuer makes a pathetic and futile attempt to defend himself from the turtle's giant bat, a memory flashes through his now swelling brain, "I COMPLETELY forgot about Peredhil's 'Players' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17030 !" Satisfied, the turtle puts away his bat and melts back into the shadows, leaving Snypiuer in a twitching, drooling heap on the floor, with brief coherent thoughts of, "Maybe I forgot because it freaked me out so much!" and "Why can't I come up with something that good?" randomly forming in his rapidly liquefying brain. Trust me, it IS that good - READ IT, LIVE IT! Wait. . .

A beaten, bloody and battered Snypiuer slowly enters, looks around and says, "I think I won. It's been a couple days. . . and no attacks. I think I won!" then passes out. O.K., for those of you unaware of it, we've been having a LOT of bots registering. SO, to be fair, I went through each and every one and found other forums they had joined and read their posts to confirm they were spammers and checked every spam list I could find to see if they were listed. Once I KNEW they were up to no good, I: Banned them. Flagged them as spammers (which reported them to IP Boards). Black listed their: Name, E-mail address and IP address. Then deleted them. I also added a question to the registration window (a simple one, easy to answer, BUT a human has to read it to answer). In the end, 150 - took a while. Most of the ones that were validated, never posted here (but did, either post spam in other forums or turned up on spam lists - multiple times). I'm thinking of going through and checking to see if any other members who have never posted turn out to be bots - 640+ is going to be a while! ANYWAYS, that's what I've been up to and my next project is a Valentine Day skin. BUT, first there is the matter of our boards current version. We are 3.0.5 (I believe) and 3.1.4 is the newest, with 3.2 set to come out later in the year. Our problem is IP Board will STOP support for all 3.0.x versions in a few months. MY thought is to upgrade to 3.1.4 and use that 'till 3.2 gets the bugs worked out. If there is no objections, I'll see what's needed to upgrade and do that in a few days (have a basic idea what to do, just want to make sure I do it right!). NOW, for members, go to the Muse and Quill Café in the Banquet Room http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showforum=4 like Appy did and join in the Poetry Challenge. There are a couple other challenges there you can also try. I have an idea for a new challenge, so keep an eye on the Assembly Room http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showforum=3 and I'll post when I have it worked out. FINALLY, time is running out to post for a chance to win a FREE MIGHTY PEN T-SHIRT! ANY post with the theme of 'NEW' qualifies. Write about a 'NEW': Creature. Love. World. Discovery. Invention. Beginning. ANYTHING 'NEW' and YOU could receive a FREE MIGHTY PEN T-SHIRT! That's it for now and start posting!

So far, Gravia and Peredhil have been tossing some rather good poems back and forth in the Muse and Quill Café located in the Banquet Room http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showforum=4 and Mardrax has been the ONLY one with enough sense to join in on the fun! Yes, that includes myself, but I haven't joined in because on a fundamental level, I'm a Moron (not to mention my Muse has chosen to take a vacation and NEGLECTED to provide a temp replacement!). YET, even with my diminished mental capacity, I am CONFIDENT that the rest of you WILL join in at your earliest convenience! Speaking of Peredhil - 'Players' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17030 go read it. . . ahh, yeah! You're welcome! THEN, there's Degorram. What can I say? I want to hug her and say, "Thank you!" BUT, I also want to spank her and say, "WHY did you keep these from us for so long young Lady!?" While I sort through my emotions, go read: Sound Salad http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17029 Words http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17028 Rain http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17027 Path to Heaven http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17026 Running http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17025 and For the Boy with a Thing about Hats http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17024 Finally, I am giving away another Mighty Pen T-shirt! The Topic is 'New' - in honor of the 'New' year. New: Things Love Beginnings Inventions Words Creatures WHATEVER! As long as it's 'NEW'. So, post a Poem, Story, article, idea, thought, etc. by January 31 and YOU may be the proud winner of a NEW Mighty Pen T-shirt!

Snypiuer stumbles in to find 2 unidentified Pennites. One wears a much too large overcoat, has extremely curly, red hair and carries an old taxi cab horn. The other is wearing a suit that looks like it may be 1 size too small as well as a slightly too small felt hat. Snypiuer stares at them as the first one smiles widely and begins to roughly get the others' attention - this is done with no other sound then that of the horn. P1 (Pennite 1): HONK! HONK! HONK! *Grabs P2's shoulder and shakes it violently, then proceeds to slap said shoulder and point at Snypiuer* P2: *Trying to figure out what's going on* (Thick, obviously fake, Italian accent) What's-a going onna!? Why-a youse-a slapping me arou. . . (Finally seeing who P1 is pointing at) SNYPIUER-a! Where-a youse-a been!? It's-a good-a to sees youse-a back-a! Snypiuer: Ahhhh. . . P2: What's-a matta? Youse-a get-a hit onna the head? P1: *Looks worried* Honk! Honk! Snypiuer: No? Ummm. . . P2: I no-a know, youse-a look-a like youse-a no-a feeling well-a. *Turns to P1* Check-a his vitals! P1: HONK! HONK! *Pulls out a giant stethoscope and places it on Snypiuer's chest, a loud BOOM-BOOM echoes from the stethoscope as it falls to the ground and P1 stumbles around with hands covering ears and eyes rolling wildly* P2: His-a ticka sounds-a pretty good-a! Check-a his blood-a pressure-a! P1: HONK! *Pulls out a blood pressure cuff, struggles a bit with Snypiuer, but finally gets it on his arm (not Snypiuer's, his arm) and begins to manically inflate it 'till it explodes. Once again stumbles around.* P2: That's-a lotta pressure! Check-a his-a temper-a-ture! P1: HONK! HONK! *Snypiuer begins to back away as P1 pulls out a giant thermometer* HONK! *Snypiuer makes a break for it as P1 makes it clear that it is NOT an oral thermometer* HONK! HONK! Snypiuer: ARGHHH!!! P2: Look-a him-a run! Looks-a like-a he's-a late for-a something-a! P1: HONK! O.K. then! Looks like we have a bit of activity. Several Pennites have shared their knowledge in 'Things I have Learned' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=15061 as well as checked in here http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16926 and here http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16813 Hjolnai continued 'Shades of Grey' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16968 and eyeoneblack not only gave some good advice on it, but hinted at a possible story for the Recruiter's office? I know I look forward to that! Those of you who can enter 'The Muse and Quill Café' (membership has it's privileges) GO! NOW! Gravia has started up a new poetry challenge. In fact, check out the other challenges while you're at it! Jomeansme may have finished 'Dreams' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16994 but I hope it's just the beginning of many more. Cryptomancer gave us 'Because i can' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17018 you know why? BECAUSE HE CAN! It just may be ME, but all I can see when I read this is Gene Wilder reciting this with growing tension as he sits in the bow of a paddle boat propelled by little orange men with green hair and white overalls as they race haphazardly through darkened tunnels filled with fleeting glimpses of disturbing images. But, that just may be me. Zariah told us what's going on, what's the deally-o, with 'My life at the moment' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17019 Then I eaves-dropped on Vlad while he had 'Conversations with a Stranger' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17016 Who hasn't read Regel's 'Surprise' in the 'Critic's Corner' of the 'Assembly Room'? http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showforum=3 I would say shame on you for missing out on it, but that would be like waving a chocolate cake in front of a starving third-world child - then punching him. Ozymandias snuck into the 'Library' and left 'Cantankerous' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17020 for us. AND, we were able to get enough money to pay the bills! Not to mention that I finally received a box of Mighty Pen T-shirts and sent Hjolnai his for winning the first giveaway. . . Which brings us to: THE NEXT MIGHTY PEN T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY!!! We have a new year coming up, so our competition will be to write about 'New' things: Beginnings, relationships, life, universes, NEW! The winner (winner-S? May be!? - If enough people write, I just might HAVE to give more than one away!) WILL receive a Mighty Pen T-shirt! Contest starts. . . . . . NOW!!! And will end January 31. I will then select a winner. So. . . START WRITING!!!

O.K., placed a Donate button above the Forum Header and people can just log into their paypal accounts and send a payment to: donations@themightypen.net if they want. Sorry this took so long. I had some computer access problems and NOW there is only a couple days 'till license is due (Dec. 2!) ANY contributions will be APPRECIATED!!! MEANWHILE: Go to the Critics Corner in the Assembly Room and read Regel's 'Surprise'. When you do, you'll LITERALLY kick yourself for not doing so sooner. Regel also has a short poem 'Hunger' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17015 While Vlad has 'Conversations with a Stranger' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17016 and several more Prodigal Pennites have checked in http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16813 Happy that people are checking in and can't wait to read anything they wish to share.

Working on that PayPal donation button - I have NO idea what I'm doing and want to be ABSOLUTELY sure I do NOT mess it up! Will put it up ASAP! Thanks for your patience.

O.K., our license is due ($161.90)! ANY donations will be APPRECIATED. Trying to figure out how PayPal works, will let you know ASAP on how to donate! Other news, I SHOULD have more reliable internet access starting next week AND I'm just waiting for those Mighty Pen shirts to arrive (payment has been sent!) and I'll start a contest or two to give them away!

Hey everyone, still working on my computer situation. Doing what I can. The BIG news is, I will be in possession of several Mighty Pen shirts and will give them away - will let you know when I actually have them. It would be nice if there was some activity until then, but have several ideas for writing contests. I MAY decide that PARTICIPATING on a regular basis deserves a shirt - I don't know, but would it hurt to take the risk? I know real life is probably overwhelming most of you, just remember that we'll always be here for YOU! Drop by when you can and post, even if it's just to let us know you still care.

It was a toss up and I took the EASY way out by randomly picking the winner. The NEXT contest will be more structured. For now, Snypiuer is still having computer problems. Will have more reliable access in a week or so. While Snypiuer has paid for several computers, he has NEVER actually owned one (figures he can use the ones he got his Mom and Sisters - since, you know, he PAID for them!), but computers get old and he has now decided that the next one will be HIS! Thing is, AMD is supposed to be coming out with a new chip (I believe it's called the 'Fusion' chip) next year that is going to ROCKKKKK!!!!!! and. . . I neeeeeeddddd THAT one. Now, there are those of you (cough!)Quincunx(cough!) who will say that computers available today are MORE than adequate for the average user. To them, I say, "FAH!!!" That's right, "FAH!!!" to those of you who are 'anti-newest-biggest-fastest-most shiniest-super-duper-spiffiest-makes me better than YOU 'cause I have it and you DON'T, so "HA!"' and thine 'Socialist-everybody's the same-pie in the sky-let's share and hold hands-capitalist are evil-coombiyah(sp?)' ideology! *This in NO way should be interpreted as Snypiuer disliking Quincunx. In fact, Snypiuer loves Quincunx. But it is (like MANY of his loves) a shameful love. A love to be hidden and denied by ALL who have even the TINIEST shred of morality and/or decency. The kind of love that should NEVER be mentioned or even alluded to - REGARDLESS of the level of depravity of the company in which it may be mentioned. The kind of love that, if it COULD be described with but one word, the most twisted and depraved demon from the lowest pits of the darkest and foulest of ANY imaginable Nether Realm would blush with the shame of even THINKING of just WHISPERING it to a dead and absolutely empty Universe.* So, I'll do the best I can with what I got for now! Hopefully, it wont be too bad. Then again, I don't think ANYONE can tell the difference between lazy, every-day Snypiuer and computer problem Snypiuer! OH WELL!!!

Changed the skin back, sorry took so long - computery problems! Hope everyone liked it! WALK don't run!. . . wait. . .strike that. . . reverse it, to http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17010 and read Peredhil's' 'A CALL TO PENS!' Then START WRITING!!! Finally, after using super secret technology that was reversed engineered from an Ancient Alien base (whose location is known to only 9 individuals) to chose who will receive a T-shirt, a winner has been chosen. I will need to have that individual PM me an address and shirt size (Small to XX-Large). And that person. . . IS. . . . . . . . . (is the suspense killing you yet?). . . DRUM ROLL!!!. . . Hjolnai!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! And sorry for taking so long, I will endeavor to be a BIT more organized in the future!

I set the default skin to 'HALLOWEEN PEN' for the holiday (will change it back on Nov. 1). If you don't want to keep it 'till then, you can change it back to the 'Blue' skin by going to the bottom left hand side of the page and change the setting to 'IP.Board'. Feel free to give your opinion and whether or not a skin for each Holiday is a good idea. To other news, I STILL haven't figured out who will get the T-shirt. I REALLY like everyones' work. Each one is good in it's own way and I can't figure out how to pick which one is best. It's like trying to pick which one of your children you love more (we ALL know it's the boy - but it's not 'socially acceptable' to admit it) - you love them equally for individual reasons. SO, I'm going to figure out a way to randomly pick the winner. I know it's a cowardly way to resolve my dilemma, but I can't bring myself to, basically, say that ANYONES' work is not as good as another's - ESPECIALLY when I like them all so much! I'll make certain that the next contest has a more SPECIFIC goal in order to make it clear who wins. This brings us to: I'm also going to see how many shirts I can afford to get so it will be easier for me to get them to whoever wins one (right now, I need to figure out delivery cost, send a money order and wait for it to get deposited before it's sent - if I have a few on hand, I can just send them out) there is sizes Small to 2X Large available, so I need an idea of what sizes I should stock up on. I'm a 3X Large (at least) and unsure what would be considered an 'average' size for others. Let me know what you think!