Snypiuer

Thanks! Not only for liking the skin, but for the quote - which allowed me to figure out another piece of code! Now, if I can only figure out the rest! Thanks, again!

ARGHHH! O.K., brain hurts! Snypiuers' two natural states of being are comatose and oblivious. NOW I have to start looking into ALL of this - yes, I HAVE to (just have to make room in my busy schedule of short naps, long naps and sleep, to actually do it)! I'm debating whether I should be thanking you or shaking my fist, in anger, in your general direction! Leaning towards 'thanks', just to let you know!

Thanks! Glad you like the skin. I BROKE DEGORRAMS' EYES!!! I mean. . . nooooo, I broke Degorrams' eyes! I'm thinking I should make a few that are just simple, different color schemes (less eye-breaky). If I set the Halloween Skin as the default skin for the holiday, you can still change back to the IP.Board skin. Any ideas for skins will be appreciated! Thanks, again! Oh yeah, I STILL don't like 'The Last Exorcism'!

Now THAT is a very interesting observation. Personally, I have absolutely no knowledge on the subject and its been a VERY long time since I have read about the Tower of Babel. BUT, I think I'll have to give it a look-see. Can't wait too see what anyone else has to say about this. You've sparked my curiosity, THANKS!!!

Sorry it's been so long since last update. I've finished (as much as I can) the Halloween skin. There are a few sections I was unable to figure out - so if anyone knows how to fix anything they find wrong, let me know. Also, let me know what you think. It's available to everyone, just go to the bottom of the page and, on the left hand side, change 'IP. Board' to 'HALLOWEEN PEN'. It's my very first skin, so be as BRUTAL as possible with your views (I may cry uncontrollably for a while, but that's the ONLY way I'll learn!) Thinking of making it the default skin from Oct. 27 - Nov. 1. I want to make one for each major holiday (this is NOT going to be right away) and maybe a few alternative all purpose skins. Let me know what you guys think. Now, when it comes to giving away a T-shirt, I asked on Sept. 30 for about 3 more DIFFERENT people to post something new within the next 2 weeks or so. . . I got 1: Two poems by Xaious, Master of Time - 'Rencontre or Inevitability' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17002 I like them, they're for a creative writing class, so read them and give your opinion to help Xaious out. Hjolnai has added to 'Shades of Grey' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16968 and my ONLY complaint is that I want MORE! By all rights, I should NOT give a shirt away. BUT, I really want to do something for those who DO post. So, I'm going to count Peredhil's post of a link to 'A Steel Bookshelf' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17003 as someone DIFFERENT, since it's to a site by someone else. AND, the posts in the ChatBox. THANK Peredhil and the CBox people! I'll wait while you do so. . . feel better now, don't you?! So, NOW I have have to figure out WHO gets it! (Starting to think I shouldn't be such a push over ) Give me about a week or so. If anyone does NOT want to be considered, let me know. Maybe an impassioned speech as to why YOU deserve one. . . WAIT! Let me know who, OTHER THEN YOU, you think deserves one and why! ANYONE want to help me out with deciding, PLEASE! It WILL be APPRECIATED!!!

THANKS!!! Actually, been working on my Halloween Skin by changing html code and seeing what happens by clicking through the site. This was to change the poll screen, can't figure out how to change the Title of the poll still. Other then that, about finished. . . I THINK! Still can't find a LOT of sections for some code or code for some sections. I have no idea what I'm doing, so I made it available for anyone who wants, to see what I've got so far, can go to the bottom of the page and change the view from 'IP.Board' to 'HALLOWEEN PEN'. ANY suggestions will be APPRECIATED! THANKS!!!

TEST POST

I considered that it was just a link to work by someone else. I included it because it created a response (participation). That's the entire reason behind this - getting people to participate more. I'm looking for ANY post that gets people writing! Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I'm TRYING (and I do stress 'TRYING') to teach myself how to do skins and have been kinda' ignoring everything else. ANYWAYS. . . Hjolnai continues to expand his tale of institutionalized intrigue in 'Shades of Grey': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16968 While Degorram gave us three really good works with: 'You Words': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16998 'Path to Heaven': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16999 and 'Witch': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17000 I'll wait while you go take a look. . . I KNOW!!! You are welcome! There has been SOME increase in posting since I announced I might give away a T-shirt. So, IF in the next 2 weeks (give or take a couple days) about 3 DIFFERENT members post something new, I WILL pick someone and send them a T-shirt. At this point in time, these are the members who have posted (in no particular order): Hjolnai 'Shades of Grey': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16968 Aardvark 'Rejuvenation': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16976 Peredhil 'Living the Defeated Life': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16975 'writerisms-and-other-sins-a-writers-shortcut-to-stronger-writing': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16980 Quincunx 'Appellation': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16971 Corwin 'Is it Shiny? Does it Jangle?': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16954 Degorram 'Witch': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=17000 'Path to Heaven': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16999 'You Words': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16998 Jomeansme 'Dreams': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16994 'Freaking Out': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16981 'Musings on a Friendship': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16790 'Tomorrow': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16978 Kikuyu Black Paws 'Rain': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16970 'Two Poems ('Strings' and 'Saturnian Giraffe')': http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16969 I THINK I got them all, let me know if I missed anyone! Still, that's only a couple a week. 3 more in the next 2 weeks or so isn't too much to ask for. Also, I'm thinking if I can ACTUALLY teach myself how to do skins, I'll pick someone and make one based on their character and favorite colors and we'll use that as the default skin for a set period of time - it'll be a while though! So, get to posting!

A lot of birthdays this time of year (Giles must have carpel tunnel by now! THANKS for caring Giles!) - let's see. . . 9 months ago. . . HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! Seeing more people checking in. I've seen Merelas, Phoenix and Appy (Appy Appy Joy Joy!) and look forward to whatever they may post! Jomeansme has given us FOUR really good pieces: Tomorrow http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16978 Musings on a Friendship http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16790 Freaking Out http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16981 Dreams http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16994 Check them out, you will NOT be disappointed! Peredhil has made available some good advice with: writerisms-and-other-sins-a-writers-shortcut-to-stronger-writing http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16980 and COMPLETELY creeped me out by giving me an Eliza Doolittle moment where she finds out Henry Higgins is writing down everything she says ("I ain't done nothing' wrong by speaking to the gentleman. I've a right to sell flowers if I keep off the curb. I'm a respectable girl: so help me, I never spoke to him 'cept so far as to buy a flower off me.") with 'Living the Defeated Life' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16975 - I will neither confirm nor deny spending several hours curled up in a ball, naked in a corner of a darkened room muttering, "I'm a good girl, I am!" over and over after reading this! Aardvark smiles as the greatest gift of your life takes everything from you in 'Rejuvenation' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16976 Reminds me of the SNL skit with the airline stewardess, "Thank You, Buh-Bye!" If you can see the Critic's Corner Forum, I recommend reading "Kind Heart's Story" by Sparhawk. Quincunx unpacks some moving boxes and finds herself as she continues relating her transitional adventure in 'Appellation' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16971 While Hjolnai keeps us wondering if 'Shades of Grey' http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16968 is a love story or a story of back stabbing and social maneuvering. Freya and WrenWind made an appearance by the Hug Bin™ - HUGS FOR EVERYONE!!! Pretty sure I've covered everything! Finally, I like what I've been reading, a free Mighty Pen T-shirt just might be on the way to a lucky Pennite! A bit more participation from a few more members and it will be worth it. There's been more postings, but not enough to induce me into giving away a shirt - YET! 'Till next time!

I was going to post this over the weekend, but my cinema misadventure left me too upset to. First, NASA has a two-part contest to: A. Pick the wake up song for the last 2 shuttle missions by voting on a list of songs. and B. Pick 2 original songs. The second part may be of interest to the musically inclined Pennites. There is still plenty of time to send in a submission - wouldn't it be great to have the work of one of our members played in space!? Here's the website: https://songcontest.nasa.gov/home.aspx Now, there has been some new, interesting posts: Hjolnai has written (in my opinion) a VERY promising beginning to what looks to be a tale of intrigue, read "Shades of Grey": http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16968 and tell me what you think! The Pen Keep's Resident Ninja (that would be Kikuyu Black Paws for the 'uncool' among you) has given us three new poems, "Strings" and "Saturnian Giraffe" here: http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16969 and "Rain": http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16970 - they say "A picture paints a thousand words", what do they say about words that create a picture? What can I say about Quincunx? Frankly, the fact that I BELIEVE I understand and can follow her writing, kind of scares me. Her work has always been on a different level. When I compare what I write to her work, I always feel like I'm in a dirt lot, on one side of a fence that I can NOT climb over or get around and there is a carnival on the other side and I can hear the excitement, smell the hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy and see glimpses of it through tiny knot holes and cracks in and between the planks of the fence. "Appellation" is just another helium filled balloon floating above that fence. Buy a ticket and take a ride here: http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16971 Oh yeah! Regel has been spotted making the rounds! Why not put on your P.I. or Ninja outfit and see what topics have caught his attention! Finally, as mentioned in the last News post, I have contacted Smeagol and he still has a few Mighty Pen T-shirts from long ago, PM me for info AND. . . (notice how big that 'and' is?!) since I was going to buy one for myself, but he doesn't have one my size (Snypiuer is NOT a tiny person - I START at 3X and hope they don't shrink!), IF (once again, notice size) there is an upturn in posts over the next month or so, I was planning on picking my favorite post and sending the author the T-Shirt I would have bought for myself. SO, if traffic picks up and a greater number of members start to post, I'll give away a Mighty Pen T-Shirt to the author of the best post. Hopefully, there will be so many post, I'll HAVE to ask for help picking one! If it REALLY picks up, MAYBE there will be more give aways - it would have to be worth it though! If only a few people post, I'm just going to buy a shirt for my niece.

I KNOW! Anyone can love a woman who: A. Does NOT take their 6 year old child to see "The Exorcist" (especially in a day and age when there wasn't such a saturation of violence and horror so readily available in the main stream, public domain - T.V., movies, games, etc.) or B. When their 6 year old child is scared and frightened, late at night, and looking for comfort and reassurance, takes that child in their arms and says, "It's just a movie, it's not real. Everything is O.K." THAT woman can be loved by ANYONE. BUT, a woman who: A. Not only takes her 6 year old child to see "The Exorcist", but THEN decides it's a GOOD idea to ADD to his fear by VALIDATING it to the point that that child doesn't scream or run in terror, but simply ACCEPTS it with the silent thought, "O.K., that explains a lot." or B. Makes it a POINT to wake up at 1 A.M. or 2 A.M. just to go outside and tap on her children's' window in order to scare the living BEJEEZUS out of them. THAT woman you HAVE to love!!! I LOVE MY MOM!!! Oh yeah, "The Last Exorcism" STILL has me upset!

I was going to place this in Movie Reviews, but the 'movie' I saw does NOT deserve that level of remarks. I believe I can now claim, with NO reservation, that I FULLY understand why Carly Simon has never revealed who the song "You're So Vain" is about - to do so would give a level of recognition to the individual that he does NOT deserve. I WISH that I could talk about this WASTE of my useless time (yes, USELESS time) WITHOUT naming it. I COULD have spent the time I wasted watching this 'movie' doing ANYTHING else and it would have been a BETTER use of my time. For example, I could have spent the time seeing how many Habanero chili peppers I could pack into my sinus cavities while inflicting massive amounts of physical trauma to my cranium with an air hammer and dull, rusty spikes and THAT would have been a BETTER use of my time by UNQUANTIFIABLE orders of magnitude. The 'so-called' movie of which I speak? "The Last Exorcism". What REALLY upsets me about this movie is that it has so much potential to be good. There were SO many times throughout the movie that I thought, "Right here, this is where it's going to come together." Right up to the sad, disappointing end - and it NEVER delivered. It was like going out to your back yard thinking, "If an Apache Helicopter (something POSSIBLE, but rarely seen) shows up in my back yard, THAT would be AWESOME!" only to find the neighbors cat ONCE AGAIN dropping a deuce on your porch. The movie is supposed to look like a documentary and tried so hard to be 'realistic', that it ended up throwing away EVERY opportunity it had to ACTUALLY be an EXCELLENT horror movie. Maybe I'm jaded. Maybe the fact that I grew up watching horror movies has numbed me to what is supposed to be scary. Maybe the fact that the first horror movie I saw was "The Exorcist" at 6 years old and my mother (who TOOK me to see it and whom I repeatedly tell myself I love with ALL my heart) sat up with me that night, because I couldn't sleep, and as we watched the test pattern on the T.V. (for distraction - and yes, there actually was a time when T.V. programming STOPPED for the night!) I asked her, "Mom, can that REALLY happen?", she slowly turned to me, eyes wide, evil look on her face, and said in a low, guttural voice, "Yessss." (I love my Mom. I LOVE my Mom!) - MAYBE, that has caused me to expect MORE! NO! The simple fact is this movie just wasn't ANY good. WORSE? I stayed to watch it because it was constantly on the VERGE of being GREAT! AARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here we go, been out of town for a while now (still am, trying to log on more though). I see Corwin has added to "Is it Shiny? Does it Jangle?" http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=16954 and I'd like to say two things: 1. Thank You! and 2. READ IT PEOPLE! Also, according to his post in Literature News http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=14684 GeldrinHor has writers' block Now, I'm not one to say, "ANYONE who has the ability to find GeldrinHor, should do so and poke him with a stick 'till he's no longer blocked." BUT, if you LOVE him. . . . . . . . . Finally, I've been able to contact Smeagol, who still has about 40 Pen T-shirts and is willing to sell them at $13.00+shipping each. Anyone interested, PM me and I'll send you the contact info and images. That's it for now, will ATTEMPT to update things more often!

Ohhh. . . Kayyy. . . absorbing it. Finding it. . . ummmmm. . . is it about feeling someone up while they sleep?! I'm shallow and dense, so it could be about the uncertain nature of human interaction between two people as they test the boundaries of their relationship or the slow disintegration of a relationship as one individual slowly losses the desire to stay in said relationship and the other desperately clings to it. Or, it could be that I am COMPLETELY oblivious to it's true meaning - this would, in NO way, be your fault. I have NO real critique skills and even LESS knowledge of how poems should be structured - so ANYTHING I say can be viewed on the same level as if a monkey with massive head trauma and sever emotional problems had some how managed to type it! Still, my immature nature prefers the 'trying to feel up a sleeping individual' hypothesis! All that being said, I liked it!

I like it, has a 'classic' feel to it. Need to write more myself, will do as soon as I get back home!

Slowly. Nonchalantly. AND as innocently as possible. . . Begins making his way out of the room. . . HOPEFULLY, before anyone realizes it.

(Ominous music) DA. . . DA. . . DAAAHHHHH!!!!!! The plot thickens. Ohhh MANNNN!!!! Now I REALLY want to, no. . . HAVE to get 'One Piece'! (Is it me, or did that sound vaguely. . . never mind.) I'll look up the publishing dates and find out which was published first (when I can) - ANY idea at what point Luffy gets the Afro?

Looking around Snypiuer is suddenly, viciously and inexplicably attacked about his head and neck area by a turtle wielding a rather large baseball bat - WHACK! SHMACK!! THUDDD!!! (the last having an alarmingly meaty, wet ring to it). It seems the legendary, NAY! the no-less-then MYTHICAL Turtle of Realization has once AGAIN managed to sneak up on him! Snypiuer realizes that Degorram is NOT in the office! He ALSO realizes that (at least it SEEMS that) Tzimfemme believes HE is filling in for Wyvern! AND he further realizes that there is a fresh NEW mark member whom he can swindle! assist in joining the Pen! With a nod of satisfaction, the turtle melts into the shadows and is gone. Snypiuer quickly rifles through the desk and finds the ACCEPTED stamp, lift's the cats' tail and stamps him APPROVED! (I KNOW it's an 'ACCEPTED' stamp!) "Very good application! Please pay Tzimfemme ALL application fees, processing fees, judicial use of Official stamps fees, various and sundry atmospheric and geological arbitrary fees along with local, provincial and statutory taxes and levies. We take cash only and have a very consumer friendly (54% daily-compounded interest rate, plus ALL applicable fees, paperwork and handling charges) payment plan if you are short on cash!" He says with a wide, INNOCENT, warm smile - sweat (and blood - you know, from the beating!) starting to trickle down his neck as he silently hopes to get the cash and run before Degorram returns. "Welcome to the Pen!" *********************************** OOC: Degorram is the OFFICIAL recruiter, BUT the situation does fit MY agenda! Once again, I LIKED the story and would like to read more!

You'll learn that my critique skills are not much more then "I like" and "I don't like". I like! Someone should be along shortly to review your recruitment post. Don't hesitate to ask ANY questions you may have! Except THAT question! If you must ask THAT question, please reword it for the protection of the innocent.

Appy, MAYBE! I haven't read or seen any episodes of 'One Piece' (It's a BIG series and I HATE not experiencing a series in order - living in a small armpit of a town with NO access to ANYTHING has kept me from starting 'One Piece'), the series I'm referring to makes reference to A LOT of others and pop culture. I know Funimation does the English dub of both, but I believe the American Manga are done by different publishers: 'One Piece' is Shonen Jump (VIZ Media) and the series I reference is Shonen Ace (Tokyopop). Could be the Afro is a homage, without knowledge of 'One Piece', I can not say either way! Have a mug and a seat and we'll chat about it! *A chair appears as Appy is invited to join the group* "So, Brute, Tell us about this 'other' girl!"

"BRUTE!!!" Snypiuer steps forward, mug in hand. Brute looks at mug. Snypiuer quickly puts mug in other hand and shakes Brute - not his hand. . . him! "How ya' doing!? Where've you been buried!? Come! Sit! Pour!" Suddenly, three chairs arranged themselves in a semicircle - and the mug is back. Snypiuer continues, "Always good to see you! Plan to stay long?" as he smiles and holds out mug.

OHHHH!!! Forgot about Ice Pirates and the afro that grows really big at the end! BUT, no. Neither does it have anything to do with Hip-Hop or the cartoon Afro Samurai - YET it is a cartoon reference (also called a combat afro - another hint: Afro is one of two passwords)!!

O.K., Roll Call OFFICIALLY over, not that that seems too important. Ever have one of those lives where it feels like EVERYONE is just taking turns kicking you? Wellllll. . . NOT me! NOT the Kid! I has me buckets (that's right BUCKETS!) full o' lemons and I'm fixing to chuck 'em at random passer-bys! So the timing of the Roll Call was off (THAT'S the story I'M sticking to!)! WHO CARES!!! People ARE checking in (they're not signing in or posting - NOTHING more than details baby! DETAILS I tells ya'!) We are STILL going to continue doing WHATEVER is necessary to revive the Pen! While I, personally, don't have the knowledge of HOW to do some of the things (actually, NONE of them) that have been discussed in Super Secret Illuminati Rule the Universe Over the Top Deny They EVER Took Place Meetings (which NEVER took place - you know, just in CASE you were wondering), I can figure it out (sure, it may take a while 'cause I am slow and, well, lazy) OR find someone who does, and when I DO. . . I don't want to hear any lip from ANYONE! Unless, of course, it is helpful and cogent to what is being attempted ('cause, you KNOW, the Pen is YOUR home and your thoughts and views ARE important and WANTED) - BUT, other than that, NO LIP!!! Going to leave the Roll Call post open, just in case ANYONE wants to continue with them. Do ANY of you realize how long it's going to take me to do the Weenie list!? I'm NOT kidding when I say I'm slow (not to mention LAZY)! There's a LONG hard fight ahead for me. . . I need to find my Battle Afro (a tip o' the hat and a hearty 'kudos' to anyone who gets that reference)!

Degorram suddenly found herself in a field filled with Spring flowers and a crisp warm wind softly blowing her hair. It was all very beautiful and tranquil. She realized that she was once again a child and the sound of girlish giggling floated on the breeze. She smiled with the sheer wonder of it all when a bright light began to slowly descend from the cloudless sky above. An Angelic being of pure love and blinding beauty hovered, arms held wide, before her and spoke with a voice that held hints and echoes of crystal and silver bells within it, "My poor, silly child. You have made the worst possible mistake you could EVER make!" Degorram replied, bewildered, " I do not understand! Is it because I grabbed the Nimball™?" A glistening tear ran down the Divine face as the being continued, "No child, that is not it. The Nimball™ has an attraction that negates ANY sin of covetousness from the desire to posses it (had Degorram been able to, she would have seen that very same desire within the Holy eyes that looked upon her). Possessing, or DESIRING to posses, the Nimball™ is NOT a mistake. Neither is forgetting to speak of it with a *™* (though there HAS been problems in the past with the failure to do so), nor actually BELIEVING one could EVER know the rules." Degorram: "Then, what mistake HAVE I made!?" Divine Being: "The Nimball™, itself, is a Demigod and do you not see the pure horror it endures? Have you not seen the punishment (somehow even GREATER then the Nimball™ - the Heavenly Host STILL can't figure that out) Snypiuer, a Demi-God, goes through? All for a GAME!? Here, let me tell you the origin of the Nimball™, and perhaps you'll understand." (OOC: Go here to read) http://www.patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?showtopic=7428&st=0&p=52330&hl=nimball&fromsearch=1entry52330 Degorram stood trembling. Over taken with pity for her, the Divine Being held her close, gently smoothing her hair and whispered to her, "Now you see my poor little child, the mistake you made was NOT TO RUN!!!" Instantly, Degorram found herself back at the Keep, Nimball™ tightly in hand, as she realized there was absolutely NO escape from the rush of people that surrounded her. . .