When We Was Fab

[Frog]

I watched Densha Otoko the tv version the other day and was amazed at how hilarious, inspirational, and genuine it was. But when it was all over with it got me feeling a bit nostalgic for the days when the internet seemed brand new, exciting, and most of all a community. I missed those days and I miss the magic that the internet brought me. Now at 19, and an almost 11 year veteran of the internet nothing surprises me anymore. Everything seems so boring and time wasting. I remember when everything about the internet and how new it felt to me. It was as though the age of exploration was happening all over again except this time none of had to leave our monitors. God damn I missed those days.

Then it got me thinking to this site, Anime Academy. Before AA I was a casual fan of anime, almost borderline otaku, but once I discovered this place I found a home and for the first time in my life I joined a forum. I started out as a newbie, thinking I knew everything only to be discovered with my fly open at a bar mitzvah. There was MasterBlaster destroying threads and other members (see Isengarde), MechaTurtle, and so much other stuff that I can name but don’t want to seeing as Mechaturtle was the ultimate example of past greatness. Most of all though I remember this place being a great community and even greater when I joined the fun at IRC (which for some reason I have never been able to re-access that channel if anyone wants to pm on that please do!). Unfortunately I feel none of this anymore, and haven’t for roughly a year and a half, not just this website but the internet as a whole. I used to think what separated us from every other site was our members. We used to have such a diverse group of personalitys and even though we still do, its not the same. People will say that this is common throughout forums but I thought we were different. I miss the glory days but what I miss even more is the sense that this place is important.

This site still means a lot to me. I credit it a whole lot for opening me up to anime and a lot of other stuff and it saddens me to feel the lack of community I see on the boards. I more to say but carpal tunnel is kickin in.

[Mana]

Things happen; people change, they move on; new people will come, they will change. It's a kind of cynical way of looking at things, but with as long as I've been on AA, we've been an ever fluctuating community, and every day, every new member, every post... it all brings something new.

It's funny, you speak of MasterBlaster like an old standing member, but he still seems new in my eyes, the same way many of our regulars do. In being with AA as long as I have, I've seen people and groups come and go, and while I still consider myself to be an active member of our community, I can't help but seeing things from a detached point of view, knowing that there are very few people here who I will continue to know for the rest of my life. There are many that I certainly hope do, but in the vastness of the Internet, it's hard to maintain relationships with people you can't see, especially when unforseen circumstances occur.

Just a few years ago, there was a member here on AA whom I had consider to be one of my best friends in the entire world, and then one day he up and disappeared and I haven't heard a word from him since. More likely than not, I'll never know what happened, whether he got poor and couldn't afford Internet anymore, whether he was arrested and is now in jail, whether he had a bad accident and is comatose or dead. It's hard to think about, and I'd like to think that I'll be able to talk to him again, but I doubt it.

The best thing you can think of is to remember that while many people go, many others come, and every new person brings fresh ideas and adds something to our community, be it positive or negative. We get bad new members, we get good new members. It's a cycle and one that I, as a moderator, probably tend to notice more than the average poster, since, well, it's my duty to notice these kinds of things.

Yeah, we had some good days, good members that are now gone. It is sad, and there are quite a few people on here that I remember as miss. But, like any community, it's the new blood that keeps our spirit alive. After all, we can't have all our AA members inbreeding, now, can we?

[Risen Hell Fire]

I get the same feeling as well, same for the internet, most of all for me same for life it's self. Was seemed so great back then has lost it's charm now, I still love the internet and finding new things about it but it just seems to be the same thign after another.

[animanic_critic]

*Ahem* I don't know much about MasterBlaster, Tenshi No Rakumei or MechaTurtle but I did read some of their previous old posts. I have to admit that they seem to be very intriguing members of AA. Yes, I've heard of their "notorious" reputations every now and then, and honestly I wish I was around when they were still around, just to feel the experience.

Seems to me that a handful is claiming AA is at a new low for the moment, and I can't put my finger into it. Personally though, I believe it's always an interesting thing to see when someone does something bad; you know, like how tabloids usually work. The front page is usually portraying negative events (at least in my point of view) because bad things catch people attention more thereby making it more memorable.

I'm not saying that we need more of MasterBlaster's thread destruction or MechaTurtle's wise words, but they did add some spice and color to AA or any forum for that matter. To me, the mood in AA from the moment I came in has always been the same and I hope it can stay that way for a very long time, maybe even better if the atmosphere can be cranked up a little.

As a new blood myself, I and the other new members certainly hope we can make AA more entertaining forum filled with intelligent, interactive and intriguing postings for every topics created... oh, and some bitchin' and dissin' for some kicks ;)

[sohryu]

Most of all though I remember this place being a great community and even greater when I joined the fun at IRC (which for some reason I have never been able to re-access that channel if anyone wants to pm on that please do!).
Like the boards, IRC isn't all it used to be (or so I hear, I haven't been around long enough to know). If you remember the basic jist of it, the server I use is irc2.othersideirc.net, channel name's still #aa. Feel free to PM me if you still need help. :)

As for the community feeling different, ehhh... I think it's just that the people are all new and it isn't really the same "crowd" that I suppose you're used to from way back when. I'm not an old member but I've also noticed that the energy has changed from when I was a more active poster. I think that's partially because the people posting regularly today are different than those that were around when AA was new and shiny to me, but it might also be because of IRC. I mean, who needs the forums when everyone that matters to you is on IRC, all in one nifty channel? May as well discuss things there in real time than post a thread and await replies.

I'll end this post here since I think I'm about to go off on some weird tangent. Well, that and I need sleep.

[ShinoMatrix]

Certainly I've slowed down in my activities here in AA, but that doesn't mean I have abandoned it. I'm here everyday, checking up the latest things, seeing newest recommendations, catching up on the general news about AA and its members. Back before my 1000th post, I actually had purpose. Not graduation specifically, but actually furthering my graphic editing skills by taking sig requests or just general sig stuff in the Art Forum. I was diligently trying to find what new series I should bring up to the discussion table. Creating an entertaining and active RP thread... these were things that I fervently participated in.

Now it's all slowed down, in my opinion because they've lost their novelty for me. And that's they key thing there, me. You can't expect to be forever thrilled by the same thing. Once you've lived through something long enough, original or unique things become hard to come by and in an environment such as this, repetetiveness becomes rampant in your eyes.

What I say to all this is that AA probably isn't in an "all time low" but more that those more vocal are the ones who've just been here long enough to feel their own personal interest dropping. To the new people, I'm betting one or two of them out there are probably wanting to do some of the things you and I have done in the past already, and to them, it's all exciting and brand new.

[Datsun]

Well, when you get a thread "On Opinions" that encourages people to state their opinion on a forum then you probably know somethings not quite right...

I myself still find the lounge as a nice outlet to post my latest thoughts on random anime, and there is still a worthwhile comment posted every now and then. But it's definitely true, that there's both not as much traffic in the forums these days (even when heaps of people are logged in!), and unfortunately a lot of the cooler members seem to have moved on as well.

I almost feel a "When was the golden age of AA?" thread coming on. The main site still seems to be fairly productive however, with the reviews still being a good read. Sometimes I think members forget they're there.

[Kei]

Is this another "I liked AA better in the old days thread" already? We're averaging like 5 a year now.

[Ojisan]

Like the boards, IRC isn't all it used to be (or so I hear, I haven't been around long enough to know).

IRC is dead comparatively.

I think a big factor of that was Edward and his trusty Quote-bot and Stat-bot dissappearing. A lot of the mods stopped showing up too, like Bik and Van, who's running gags spawned most conversation but have now fizzled out. (How I miss you, Pull On!)

You were almost always guaranteed some conversation at any given time, as Stat-bot would confirm. Now, 2 AM, formerly a happening time and my personally most active is just a sea of silence.

All is not lost though, there's still some good breeze shooting from time to time.

[Milkymagic]

Wow, AA sure feels like the Rolling Stones when I hear stuff like this, and every successful artist usually has a career peak and dropping point (when they stop producing hits). In such cases, Greatest Hits compilations seem to be produced to glorify the old days and bring the fans back, helping them remember why they were listening in the first place. And from this success, they decide to form a comeback (but don't be like KISS and keep telling your fans you're quitting for good, have a farewell tour, only to later decide it's alright to keep truckin' the following year!).

But I feel this message board can be more like Van Halen, always looking for new vocalists at some point to compliment the great instrumentation. Or maybe AA's kinda like...Genesis?

I dunno, just figured I'd have some fun with this subject!

[kyubichan]

I shall give some reasons why new members sign up and don't stay:

1. The mods are scary. <== Even I am scared of them. Don't rebutt me with "They're mods, it's their job to enforce the rules." Some people just don't understand such things, maybe because they're new to the 'Net, to forums, or just plain too young or dumb. And it's reall scary when a mod seems to be having a bad day, and you get the bad end of that.

2. Few people like school. <== "Anime Academy" says a lot. I came here for straight-forward reviews and posts, and I was not disappointed. Some people, however, look for a more relaxed atmosphere.

3. Mean members. <== I stay in touch with some of the newer members, and with them I have casual yet smart conversations. It doesn't matter if you're new or old in AA, people should lighten up and be subtle. Try to be more casual at times; if you want to "scold" someone, forget it and leave it to the mods. Or at least be civil about it.

[Frog]

Is this another "I liked AA better in the old days thread" already? We're averaging like 5 a year now.

Maybe instead of blasting this as one of those generic type threads, you should realize that you were part of a website that was special to some many people and that those people care about the future of said site.

[Tremolo]

On the plus side, people don't JUST talk about Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Evangelion, Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, Gundam Wing, Outlaw Star and Tenchi anymore. ;)

On the downside, there's loads of samey, boring threads and boring new members. I'd agree that there are far less personalities than there used to be, although I probably wouldn't cite MB and MechaTurtle as the best examples.

I wasn't actively involved in the Good Old Days - I was a bit of a lurker, and I certainly don't pine for days gone by, I just think both IRC and the forums are pretty dull right now. And no, there's nothing I want to do about it either, I'll just sit on my arse and wait for things to be a bit more interesting again.

[Dennis]

You can't expect to be forever thrilled by the same thing. Once you've lived through something long enough, original or unique things become hard to come by and in an environment such as this, repetetiveness becomes rampant in your eyes.
When I first joined Anime Academy I was in an early stage for anime appreciation, searching things out and watching everything in sight; I wanted to find the type of series that I would like. In that earlier time I would follow the reviews tightly and post often in General Anime participating in discussion about current and past shows. But as a I found my niche anime (Ah My Goddess) and became highly content with it I found my activity has dropped off somewhat.

What ShinoMatrix said speaks to myself as well. Through Anime Academy I found what I was looking for anime-wise and I looked at the site with a different eye, one of passing interest and not the fervor of a search. I took part in fewer discussions and absorbed a lot more just through reading.

I am certainly glad and grateful to have met some truly interesting and thought-provoking people and as long as they are still here I'll keep on coming.

[ash_chan]

I shall give some reasons why new members sign up and don't stay:

1. The mods are scary. <== Even I am scared of them. Don't rebutt me with "They're mods, it's their job to enforce the rules." Some people just don't understand such things, maybe because they're new to the 'Net, to forums, or just plain too young or dumb. And it's reall scary when a mod seems to be having a bad day, and you get the bad end of that.


3. Mean members. <== I stay in touch with some of the newer members, and with them I have casual yet smart conversations. It doesn't matter if you're new or old in AA, people should lighten up and be subtle. Try to be more casual at times; if you want to "scold" someone, forget it and leave it to the mods. Or at least be civil about it.

These are the two reasons I found to be most true. When I first joined 2 years ago[-ish], I posted a few times and found my statements sneered at. I understand now why that happened, but it took me a while. The reason for such lame posts back then was that this was my first experience with internet, and chatting, and forums. I was pretty sheltered until then. I posted things like "Who likez Sailor Moonz?" because that's all I knew. When I was repremanded for it, I felt I was being persecuted for being me. So I left. I didn't want to be "yelled" at for posting...and I was truly scared of the Mods. I didn't come back until 8 months later when I had learned on my own why exactly people got mad at my post. "Who likez Sailor Moonz" was an unintelligent question which had no doubt been answered before, again an again. I should've been more intelligent and asked something like "I particularly enjoyed Sailor Moon. It was like the dream every girl had, to secretly be a princess, and have a Prince of her own. I really felt connected to the show. Anyone else have a show they felt connected to as a child?". That probably would've gotten a better response. But, I got over the sheepish feeling after being told off. I feel I've made progress, and although I don't make the most popular threads at AA, I know I'm not being shunned away.

I remember certain people from when I first joined. I thought they were all cool, and were popular, and I wanted to be like them. Or at least, acknowledged by them. Most of those people are either banned now or have up and left. That's just the internet in motion and I realized I probably didn't want to be associated with them anyway.

To me, AA hasn't lost it's shiny newness, it just needs some polish and a bit of elbow grease. :]

[Illjwamh]

As a four-year veteran of a formerly lively mesage board that did die - and was dying for the majority of my time there - I can say I really don't see the same thing happening here. The typical complaints of the forum reaching an "all-time low" are usually directly related to the activity of the posters who were highly active when the person delivering the complaint first arrived. In other words, the people that person "grew up" with aren't posting as much as they used to, or aren't as interesting, and that feeling is transferred to the forum as a whole.

The key difference between a live forum and a dying one is that in a dying forum, new members don't come in to replace the old ones. As the established members leave or decrease their activity, the community becomes smaller and smaller, and infrequent posters tend to post less or stop posting altogether. Thus the community becomes still smaller, and the incentive for new members to join decreases until the community eventually dies.

The community I mentioned at the top has been going through this process for a few years now, and I myself just recently left for good, despite many saying they'd always thought I'd be the last to go. Many of the old-time posters as well as the big posters (members with highest # of posts) are gone, and there aren't any new members joining. The last active newbie we got was half a year ago, and the last before that, I don't even remember.

Here though, we get new people joining us all the time. I look around and I see members with hundreds of posts who only joined a couple of months ago. And a large contingent of 1st or 2nd generation members are still here as well. Basically, we're getting more than we're losing, and if that means we may occasionally have to rehash a topic that a new member wasn't here for at the time, then I say it's an even trade.

[Erigion]

IRC is dead comparatively.

I think a big factor of that was Edward and his trusty Quote-bot and Stat-bot dissappearing. A lot of the mods stopped showing up too, like Bik and Van, who's running gags spawned most conversation but have now fizzled out. (How I miss you, Pull On!)*Edwin *Hiku *Ice-van

[annie14892]

Aww..reading all these replies make me sad for some reason(even though I was never here since the begining)..It gives me the same feeling I get when I realize I'm too old for things that I still do.For example,play with my stuff animals..or when I'm hanging out with little kids and wishing I was young again.

[Roark]

Aww..reading all these replies make me sad for some reason(even though I was never here since the begining)..It gives me the same feeling I get when I realize I'm too old for things that I still do.For example,play with my stuff animals..or when I'm hanging out with little kids and wishing I was young again.
You ARE young.

Now, Kain on the other hand...

[annie14892]

By young,I meant young enough to stay home and take naps all day.I used to despise nap time..but now I want them back~ >.<

[Shadowmage]

By young,I meant young enough to stay home and take naps all day.I used to despise nap time..but now I want them back~ >.<

Trust me, naptime is nothing compared to what you are going to be losing in the future.

[zarahf]

By young,I meant young enough to stay home and take naps all day.I used to despise nap time..but now I want them back~ >.<



Trust me it only gets worse as you age. The older you become and the more time that has to go to things you care little about but are required for basic survival. The more the mere prospect of a lavish nap is heavenly.

[Javer]

Trust me, naptime is nothing compared to what you are going to be losing in the future.


Trust me it only gets worse as you age. The older you become and the more time that has to go to things you care little about but are required for basic survival. The more the mere prospect of a lavish nap is heavenly.

You guys are the best friends ever. I mean it. You just spread good vibes.

Did I ever tell you that?

I THOUGHT I HAD. :suspiciou

[zarahf]

You guys are the best friends ever. I mean it. You just spread good vibes.

Did I ever tell you that?

I THOUGHT I HAD. :suspiciou

Don't let us put you off growing up. There are some definite pay offs. Being in control of your own destiny and all. Hell I'll take a nap any darned time I like. So there! :bik:

[annie14892]

Well..Think about it this way..I'm 14 and soon next year I'll be 15..and then BOOM 3 years will pass by and I'll be 18 and an adult...I'll have to learn how to drive and get a job..2 years later will pass and BOOM I'll be out of my teens and into my twenties..and soon I'll have to get married..Or if no one accepts me I'll grow to be an old lady living with ALOT of smelly cats..I miss my mom hugging me while I sleep..

Anyhoo..Is anyone here going to still be on AA when you're in your 30's-40's?

[zarahf]

Anyhoo..Is anyone here going to still be on AA when you're in your 30's-40's?

Ahem...30? Its not exactly ancient. As long as there is still anime I see no reason to not be around. Besides it suddenly becomes legal to pair it with Sake.

"Or if no one accepts me I'll grow to be an old lady"--Its not about someone accepting you. Its about who you are willing to accept. As the female stay in charge.

[Roark]

Well..Think about it this way..I'm 14 and soon next year I'll be 15..and then BOOM 3 years will pass by and I'll be 18 and an adult...I'll have to learn how to drive and get a job..2 years later will pass and BOOM I'll be out of my teens and into my twenties..and soon I'll have to get married..Or if no one accepts me I'll grow to be an old lady living with ALOT of smelly cats..I miss my mom hugging me while I sleep..

Anyhoo..Is anyone here going to still be on AA when you're in your 30's-40's?
Ask Soundchazer and Mira.

[General Suburbia]

I always thought the personalities that existed a few years ago were gone because AA didn't allow them anymore. Most of the interesting members were either banned or bored because their peers were gone (banned). Most of the interesting people in AA carred certain attitudes with them that often got them in trouble with the mods, but never complied with the rules of "don't be an ass." They probably deserved getting booted, but I always thought that the decline of AA began when the mods actually began enforcing the rules. And that probably began when AA started getting very popular very past, attracting many more members than ever. O wellz. I was always a lurker anyway, even in IRC, which I haven't visited in quite a while.

[animanic_critic]

Somehow, I'm getting the impression that the new members here aren't as entertaining as those in the past, and this is kinda worrisome since I'm a new member myself. The veterans here also claim that all the interesting members have mostly been banned from the forum.

So as a new member, I won't deny when I ask, what makes a forum entertaining and interactive? Better yet, how can AA return to being the old fun and bitchy self it once was? I'm also getting the feeling that AA isn't as fun as before because there aren't as many negative traits as they were, such as no more excessive thread closing or post blasting.

Sincerely, I can't help but feel apologetic on behalf of all new members for not being as interesting as our senior counterparts of the past... really.

[zarahf]

Somehow, I'm getting the impression that the new members here aren't as entertaining as those in the past, and this is kinda worrisome since I'm a new member myself. The veterans here also claim that all the interesting members have mostly been banned from the forum.
So as a new member, I won't deny when I ask, what makes a forum entertaining and interactive? Better yet, how can AA return to being the old fun and bitchy self it once was? I'm also getting the feeling that AA isn't as fun as before because there aren't as many negative traits as they were, such as no more excessive thread closing or post blasting.
Sincerely, I can't help but feel apologetic on behalf of all new members for not being as interesting as our senior counterparts of the past... really.

I tend to agree, But really we newbies should be given a chance. We could be fun and interesting; and catch me on a bad day and I can DEFINITELY do bitchy. If nothing else we can be persistent.

[Frog]

Sincerely, I can't help but feel apologetic on behalf of all new members for not being as interesting as our senior counterparts of the past... really.

Don’t be to hard on yourself there kiddo. Its mostly a combination of me and others idealizing the past coinciding with a lack of strong personalities amongst the newer members.

[General Suburbia]

Don’t be to hard on yourself there kiddo. Its mostly a combination of me and others idealizing the past coinciding with a lack of strong personalities amongst the newer members.
I do wonder why no one has actually stepped up to become a personality. Seems like AA's members as a whole has been dumbed down. Even the idiot noobs aren't as dumb as they used to be.

[annie14892]

Maybe we're too scared of the mods..Roark in particular...*cough* Who said that?I didn't.. >.>

Everytime I go on here,I fear that if I say something wrong some mod might ban me..I love AA too much to be risked being banned.

[zarahf]

I do wonder why no one has actually stepped up to become a personality. Seems like AA's members as a whole has been dumbed down. Even the idiot noobs aren't as dumb as they used to be.

This would appear to be a contradictory statement. If the whole AA had been dumbed down us noobs would be dumber than ever. As opposed to not being as dumb as in the past. Unless, of course, what you were going for is that we don't appear as dumb because the we aren't compared to the intellect of before.

[Frog]

Maybe we're too scared of the mods..Roark in particular...*cough* Who said that?I didn't.. >.>

Everytime I go on here,I fear that if I say something wrong some mod might ban me..I love AA too much to be risked being banned.
You should never be scared to speak your mind, after all thats what your on the forum for, right? Dont censor yourself and write and say what ever you want in here and if you start getting out of line the mods will warn you. I think people have this misconception, especially new people that the mods just want to ban people and thats completely untrue for the most part.

Its the internet, stop taking it so seriously.

*frog is contemplating that last part....

[Javer]

*frog is contemplating that last part....


Yes, mull that over . . .

[animanic_critic]

Maybe we're too scared of the mods..Roark in particular...*cough* Who said that?I didn't.. >.>

Everytime I go on here,I fear that if I say something wrong some mod might ban me..I love AA too much to be risked being banned.
Don't worry about this one; rest assure that almost every new member will undergo this experience at least once during their visit here, including myself. And it's more understandable since you're still at a very tender age, that the mods can be intimidating to you. So far, I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with the mods here and I hope it stays that way.

As Frog put it, don't ever be afraid to speak your mind. A forum is not a forum if people only speaks what others want to hear, instead of speaking what they themselves want to convey. If they don't agree with your speech, so be it. Everyone is entitled to their own words, including you too.

However, this "grey" area is where problems may arise. To what extent is this freedom of speech is enforced within AA? To me, this has always been the big issue in almost every forum I've been to.

[General Suburbia]

This would appear to be a contradictory statement. If the whole AA had been dumbed down us noobs would be dumber than ever. As opposed to not being as dumb as in the past. Unless, of course, what you were going for is that we don't appear as dumb because the we aren't compared to the intellect of before.

I meant "dumbed down" as in there are no members in any extreme part of the spectrum. No extremes, not that people are just dumber.

[Blue Audio]

I've been banned from a forum before. Its not a big deal?

[General Suburbia]

AA is the greatest forum in the world.

[kyubichan]

Well..Think about it this way..I'm 14 and soon next year I'll be 15..and then BOOM 3 years will pass by and I'll be 18 and an adult...I'll have to learn how to drive and get a job..2 years later will pass and BOOM I'll be out of my teens and into my twenties..and soon I'll have to get married..Or if no one accepts me I'll grow to be an old lady living with ALOT of smelly cats..I miss my mom hugging me while I sleep..

I understand your concern since Western culture is different from Eastern. Still, you should have fun when you can. You don't have to be married or anything. Take me for example: I never had a boyfriend until I was 19, and my current bf is my second one. I am not planning to be married any time soon, and I'm already 22. And a job is only required to support yourself (and others, if needed), it shouldn't be a burden. I am still in school to finish a Bachelor's degree, when I graduate I will look for a job, but that is to help my parents and myself, not because I have to. Responsibility, not obligation.

So as a new member, I won't deny when I ask, what makes a forum entertaining and interactive?

Click my siggy. The centered link.

[Dark Lord]

The "Good ol' Days" huh? Pity I wasn't around then... Oh well... Anyway, let's just enjoy AA as it is right now... Let's enjoy the good discussions and friends we may find here because AA will continue to change... No one will remain here forever... Everyone will move on... Let's cherish our time now so that we may have no regrets when we look back...

[Milkymagic]

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/Milkymagic/osaka-shikkari.jpg

"Get it together!"



That's right. I'm saying,"Get it together!" Seriously guys, no need to worry about AA's message boards being a graveyard. I'm still where most of you were years ago, hoping to find my way around and talk about all the things that had yet to be discussed from myself. Of course, every subject has been discussed by this point in time for most of you (who've stuck around over the years), so there is also a genuine concern of mine to keep speech lively around here.

Some threads I noticed that were never made, in which I took the time to construct them:

Favorite Anime Directors
Anime Genre In Need Of A Facelift
Worst Anime Sequelitis
Best Anime Sequels
Coolest Thing You Ever Bought At A Convention
Convention Behavior

Pretty much every other thread I've made was a rehash (or worse). Still, this time of the year is never at an all-time high (everyone's busy with something), still, it's sad to see such low spirits. I don't care about being a n00b, I just care about meeting interesting and/or funny people in an anime-appreciative environment such as this. A lot of you are very interesting, and it's ok if me, or anybody else is dubbed boring. Chances are, all the "What if's" will eventually be surpassed to find conversation ripe for the picking.

At least I hope so.

[Ojisan]

You guys that fear the mods. Check this.

Roark is a pretentious vegan snob with a six foot carrot up his ass. All his bitch Mana does his copy him and closes good threads and deletes good posts cause she has no sense of humour. Rit is a slut who's slept with half of Scandinavia and Eri is a small-dicked Asian boy who has no life. SC's flaws are almost too obvious to mention. Lieg is goth losar who also lacks humour and any overall good qualities. DT is a drunken beaner with poor English (but those can be seen as positives). Kei is a little puss, if you want more insult, go read his Marmalade Boy review.

I could get started on Kain and Mugs, oh god, but stubby Asian boy and Churchy would take way over the character limit.

:D

Edit: Oh yeah, I forgot, we're going to have to reduce that carrot size to about three feet, the six foot one would have a good two feet on him.

[annie14892]

Eh..Maybe its because you're one of the mods and mods don't ban mods..Or you guys know each other really well or something..

Its kind of like you telling your best friend to 'F*** off and go to hell' and telling a stranger the same thing..Different reaction.

[Grasshopper]

Yeah, there's no reason to fear the mods. I don't think any of them are banning machines, but I'm sure there's that definite sense of pleasure when they do ban someone. I think the mods should have a little restraint though.
This is off topic, but why don't we have an AA introductory thread? It seems a lot of the threads being closed are introductions. People would be able to introduce themselves and we could get to know them. It just seems like a much better idea to me.

[Ojisan]

I am no mod. I should be though.

But yeah, I don't know all of them all that well, but I'd say shit anyway.

Really though, you're not going to accidently "slip up" and get banned like some fear. I don't think I've ever seen anyone genuinely interested in being a part of the AA forum get banned unless they were repeatedly beligerent or idiotic. Two things anyone of average intellect can avoid. Sometimes the mods reprimand, and that's fine, it's their job. But for God's sake please don't withraw and hole up because you're scared of getting sneered at. Believe me, I have said DUMB ASS shit before as a "noob", but I'm still here, and I'm fine.

[Kei]

Oji is not a mod, and I approve his post.

[Arkaine Deao]

Yeah, there's no reason to fear the mods. I don't think any of them are banning machines, but I'm sure there's that definite sense of pleasure when they do ban someone. I think the mods should have a little restraint though.
This is off topic, but why don't we have an AA introductory thread? It seems a lot of the threads being closed are introductions. People would be able to introduce themselves and we could get to know them. It just seems like a much better idea to me.

Of course, the fear could spawn from the many descriptions on the mods' profiles which have something to do with ban-sticks, i.e. hitting people with them, beating people with them, sodomizing people with them, etc.

[Mouse]

Everytime I go on here,I fear that if I say something wrong some mod might ban me..I love AA too much to be risked being banned.
If you say something wrong the worst they'll do is delete the offending post. But for that to happen you'd have to be flaming someone, which is really all they ask: that you don't flame fellow members. They won't ban until they've warned several times but the person continues to be belligerent and offensive. I'd say you have nothing to worry about Annie. You're much too sweet to be banned. :3

Is this another "I liked AA better in the old days thread" already? We're averaging like 5 a year now.
On a different note, I think I share Kei's sentiment about these kinds of threads. Reminiscing about the past may be fun times, but in forums you have got to go with the flow; change with the times; accept the present. Sure it’s annoying when you’re looking for interesting threads and all you find are three-year old topics that weren’t good to begin with resurrected for no good reason, or yet another “your favorite---“ thread, but that’s just the way it goes and you either take part or you don’t. Because in the end, you have to create the atmosphere you want and accept the new personalities that have filled the void of old members that have left. If you can’t, then it’s time for you to move on as well (though perhaps you may return some day).

Concerning the mods and mean posters, well, don't fear them. Sure the mods enforce the rules of the board, but is that really a bad thing?! Might as well have no mods at all and let spam bots overrun the place with advertisments, or let trollers double, triple post with incoherent drivel making it impossible to have any discussion whatsoever. The active mods are some of the most sensible and friendliest people on these boards (Mana anyone?) that I can't imagine fearing their wrath. And I honestly have no clue why Roark is so feared. He is firm, but I really don't consider him mean.

Those that are mean, however, should just be ignored altogether. They aren't worth your time! If they persist in harassing you, take it up with the mods. They will ban that person even if it's a friend of theirs. And it's no loss to the community because really, their negativity just brings the place down even more.

Of course, the fear could spawn from the many descriptions on the mods' profiles which have something to do with ban-sticks.
That's just Erig thinking he's funny. Don't take anything he says or has in his profile/sig seriously. He is being facetious 98% of the time.

Frankly, people need to just stop overanalyzing everything. Yeah, yeah the forums were great back in the day, we get it. But this is today, these are the people who post here now, and this is what AA has become. It will continue to change as more people come and go. You can't expect the place to remain frozen in time, unchanging. People grow up and with it their interests change. C'est la vie.

[Le Bread]

Is it just me, or is the fact that half the people who reminisce in these kinds of threads about the good old days in spite of the fact that they weren't even around for them downright funny?

[Javer]

Is it just me, or is the fact that half the people who reminisce in these kinds of threads about the good old days in spite of the fact that they weren't even around for them downright funny?

Part of the problem is that the "good old days" have yet to be clearly defined. :\

[Shadowmage]

Part of the problem is that the "good old days" have yet to be clearly defined. :\

In other words

Le Bread: Five years ago

Newbie #10981: Five days ago

[Erigion]

That's just Erig thinking he's funny. Don't take anything he says or has in his profile/sig seriously. He is being facetious 98% of the time. The only thing that I've said and ever meant is quoted in your sig. mmmmm... donuts....

[Ojisan]

Is it just me, or is the fact that half the people who reminisce in these kinds of threads about the good old days in spite of the fact that they weren't even around for them downright funny?

Heh, while I don't bitch or reminisce about "the good ol' days" as any defined period of time, not being around for the Compendium switch and only seeing the butt-end of the bulk of original members slowly fade, it's still undeniablbe that 03 and 04 were much more lively and active than it is now.

Don't get me wrong, I've been accepting of that for quite sometime now and no longer care or worry about it. I had even left AA for a solid 6 months or so because it got so boring, but eventually found my way back and am comfortable with it as it is now. I'm sure there's still some exciting occurences awaiting AA in the future, and I'll stick around to see it.

[fugupinkeye]

Is it just me, or is the fact that half the people who reminisce in these kinds of threads about the good old days in spite of the fact that they weren't even around for them downright funny?

Ha ha. exactly. I remember when I joined people already lamenting the loss of cool folks, so I suppose it is all a bit subjective. Just like the noobs wonder who master blaster was, or Mechaturtle I remember hearing the stories about 'Trinity', for example. Funny.

[Zushio]

I have a very firm belief we could clean up the board if we simply took a hard line of one kind of infraction.

That infraction is the "I'm New" thread. If we simply ban anyone who is too stupid or arrogent to read the rules first, and breaks one with thier very first post, then the number of idiots filling the board will be reduced substantially.

Also, it should be a warning for anyone who uses "Japanese" in their posts because they think it's cool. Like randomly calling someone chan, or appologizing with goemon or however it is spelt. If it's for a joke or to make a point, fine, but if you're just an idiot fanboy who thinks it makes you cooler, then ban away.

[Javer]

If we simply ban anyone who is too stupid or arrogent to read the rules first, and breaks one with thier very first post, then the number of idiots filling the board will be reduced substantially.

Yes, it will. It will also reduce the number of well-meaning new members who have the audacity to not know how we operate. To zero. Somebody said earlier that a forum only dies when it's losing old members and not getting new ones, and I know if I tried to join a new forum and got banned with my very first post -- well, I'd think, "Aw, screw this. Too much trouble".

Also, it should be a warning for anyone who uses "Japanese" in their posts because they think it's cool. Like randomly calling someone chan, or appologizing with goemon or however it is spelt. If it's for a joke or to make a point, fine, but if you're just an idiot fanboy who thinks it makes you cooler, then ban away.

So you vote to exclude people based on whether or not they're cool? What kind of reasoning is that? Yeah, it's annoying, but it rarely actually impedes the message of the post.

[C0MPL3X]

So you vote to exclude people based on whether or not they're cool?
Zushio's not voting on whether they're cool or not, he's voting on whether they're an idiot/loser or not. You don't have to be cool, but you'll get banned if you are an idiot for not reading faq first, or an arrogant ass for making a thread even after reading it, or a loser for using japanese to sound cooler.

[Javer]

Zushio's not voting on whether they're cool or not, he's voting on whether they're an idiot/loser or not. You don't have to be cool, but you'll get banned if you are an idiot for not reading faq first, or an arrogant ass for making a thread even after reading it, or a loser for using japanese to sound cooler.

Need I remind you that to some degree or another we're all "losers"? Besides, even going back to the FAQ, there are plenty of good reasons why new users wouldn't read it right away. For one thing, hard as the mods try, it's less than prominently displayed. There are only a few tiny text links here and there, which can be awfully easy to miss. For another, hundreds of forums operate by the same basic sets of rules and guidelines, with little variation -- be respectful, don't troll, type legibly, etc. The advanced forumite may be confident enough in their acceptability to forego reading the rules of each and every new forum, at least for a little while.

Also, not everyone who inserts Japanese phrases into English conversation does so "to sound cooler". Some just think it's fun or cute, like Sae. She signs all her posts "Sae-chan". Does that make their content immediately useless? There's a counterexample -- a perfectly competent, well-meaning user, who happens to throw random Japanese words into speech from time to time. Yeah, done in excess it's definite grounds for warning, but what isn't?

[C0MPL3X]

I never agreeded to Zushio's ideals, I merely corrected your obviously flawed interpretation, so don't take your noobie protective zeal on me.

[Milkymagic]

Hey guys, easy now! If there's a misunderstanding to be had, sounds like it can be resolved.

Basically, as long as free speech is allowed in adequate proportions, I'm sure everything will be fine. New people will eventually understand if AA's for them or not. And I won't lie, I never read the FAQ when I first arrived. But then, most message boards I've been on are very lax, this one is much more serious. And seriousness can be a double-edged sword for most people, as long as they realize how to balance fun and discussion.

[Mouse]

But then, most message boards I've been too are very lax, this one is much more serious. And seriousness can be a double-edged sword for most people.
And I think that's probably Frog's point. I can only speak for as far back as 2003, but even then it was considerably more friendly around here, more light-hearted. The biggest change I saw, however, was not the influx of dumb newbies, but the influx of cynical members who took it upon themselves to be pseudo-mods in a mean-spirited manner. But the mods are cracking down on them so hopefully soon this place will become fun for people again.

[Milkymagic]

And I think that's probably Frog's point. I can only speak for as far back as 2003, but even then it was considerably more friendly around here, more light-hearted. The biggest change I saw, however, was not the influx of dumb newbies, but the influx of cynical members who took it upon themselves to be pseudo-mods in a mean-spirited manner. But the mods are cracking down on them so hopefully soon this place will become fun for people again.

That's reassuring, hopefully there isn't too much cynicism plaguing the boards in the future. Thankfully, my first experiences didn't lead to me abandoning AA, but who knows how long that could be?

[Ojisan]

Who the hell did read the FAQ?

I could agree it should be more stressed to read it at this site, or more ideally, in the registration process have a big disclaimer posting the highlights, i.e. No Introduction Threads, No Double Posting, Read FAQ for Avatar and Signature Info, etc. That would save some hassle over post-reprimanding and stating to read the FAQ after the fact, cause it's pretty obvious 90% of people don't read it fully if at all.

[Milkymagic]

Who the hell did read the FAQ?

I could agree it should be more stressed to read it at this site, or more ideally, in the registration process have a big disclaimer posting the highlights, i.e. No Introduction Threads, No Double Posting, Read FAQ for Avatar and Signature Info, etc. That would save some hassle over post-reprimanding and stating to read the FAQ after the fact, cause it's pretty obvious 90% of people don't read it fully if at all.

You should be a mod!

I think that sort of idea would get more new people aware, granted, I don't think I've read the FAQ to any forum I've been on whatsoever. :D

[Mouse]

I read it. >.>



I'm such a square.

[zarahf]

It might also be worth qualifying who is considered new. Me: no doubt, definitely new. But what of 100, 500 posts are they new? What of someone who has been around for years and only has 50 posts. New? At what point is it acceptable to lament the past? Just throwing it out there for consideration.

[Milkymagic]

It might also be worth qualifying who is considered new. Me: no doubt, definitely new. But what of 100, 500 posts are they new? What of someone who has been around for years and only has 50 posts. New? At what point is it acceptable to lament the past? Just throwing it out there for consideration.

Yeah, I'm definitely new, ignore those 400 posts. But I think it's a combination of years and quality of activity. If you've been around for 5 years, interacted in a good number of conversations, it wouldn't matter if you had 300 or 1000 posts. Posts definitely show the activity, but the quality of that activity is another. But with enough activity, there's always the chance to blend in with the crowd too.

The posts themselves remain more as evidence on how new somebody is than their years or post count overall I would think.

[Ojisan]

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3176/cippr5.jpg

Case in point.

Post count doesn't matter. It certainly has more to do with what you've seen and who you've gotten to know.

[Phate]

I read it. >.>



I'm such a square.
YO fellow Forum Rules reader. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-whatup.gif

I read the rules when I joined because AA was my first forum that I joined, and I didn't have any idea of what to do. I think I still broke a rule or two though, but that was back in 2002 and none of my posts from back then are still here. And that's a good thing.

As for all the people singing Yesterday nonsense, the change never really bothered me. Sure, there are a few members that are no longer active that I miss reading the posts of, but it's really not something to get in a fuss over. Change happens.

The new members that kept joining never really got on my nerves as much as older members (some that personally I still considered to be newbies themselves http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-laugh.gif) being cynical little bunnies.

One of the reasons I've been posting more here recently is because the mean-spirited humor wasn't something I found very entertaining, and wanted to plug in some of my own lighthearted stuff. This has included me stealing emoticons from other forums.

AA (or to be more precise in this case, the forums) are still a fabulous place to be, and I don't even have to compare it to the other anime forums out there for it to still be considered that. For every old member that stops posting here, another one joins (or eventually joins) and adds just as much or more to the forums. To knowingly exaggerate a bit, I think some members here just aren't giving them a chance and prefer to condemn for every little thing new members do wrong. I know that when I joined I was pretty dumb, and look at me now! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-woop.gif


And no, I am not a hippie. >_>


I do miss MechaTurtle though, and I'm sure the members older than I am miss Jet.Black or whatever his username was.


EDIT: Oh, and why the hell hasn't anyone joined my club? See sig. :(

[silan]

I read it. >.>



I'm such a square.
:lopoint:

I didn't read the rules when I got here, but then it wasn't my first forum. People just need to use their common sense on here.

I'd still consider myself as new to this place, though, because for sure there are a ton of people that came and went before I got here. As for lamenting about the past.... there are other forums I do that for. AA isn't one, since it's still very healthy in comparison.

( :love: mouse)

[Javer]

I never agreeded to Zushio's ideals, I merely corrected your obviously flawed interpretation, so don't take your noobie protective zeal on me.

>_>

Sir, yes, sir.

[Mana]

I read the rules. I was nervous as hell when I first joined AA.

[Ojisan]

I did read the FAQ at some point, but it wasn't immediately after joining. Hence the fourth try being the charm. But you know. The first three tries I was nervous and an idiot.

Now, as for scoffing at new members, I never really do that unless they prove idiots. And there was one point in time where all the members I was used to started fading away and a certain new group of like 13 year olds started to predominant the forums. It was disenchanting to say the least. So I was mean to them, grew weary of the forums and left. But it's really nothing to bitch at, cause that's the way forums work, and now I am content with them again, liking several new members.

I also kind of forgot where I was going with this post. And Phate may not be a hippie, but he sure is gay.

[Mana]

I think part of it probably has to do with the dynamic of the anime subculture itself. With anime being shown more and more on TV, and DVDs and manga being found in most retail stores, it's made it a lot easier on people to find and enjoy anime.

Back in my day *cough* I had to work for my anime, damnit. It was a very unloved subculture, and the people who went through all the work to find some probably had more in common as a group than the hordes of anime fans today.

Is this a bad thing? Not at all. But the people in the subculture are more varied now.

[Ojisan]

* Ojisan recalls 50 Mb rams from P2Ps and scrounging for 30 dollar VHS with two episodes.,

Ahhh, the good ol' days.

[Milkymagic]

* Ojisan recalls 50 Mb rams from P2Ps and scrounging for 30 dollar VHS with two episodes.,

Ahhh, the good ol' days.

*Used to pay $30 for subtitled tapes with one episode, because Milky's a sucker.


But I did find some greats within all the early $30 VHS goodness (My Dear Marie and The Wings of Honneamise come to mind, which I now own them both on DVD for $16 a piece :moron: ).

[fugupinkeye]

*Used to pay $30 for subtitled tapes with one episode, because Milky's a sucker.


But I did find some greats within all the early $30 VHS goodness (My Dear Marie and The Wings of Honneamise come to mind, which I now own them both on DVD for $16 a piece :moron: ).

yep. A friend of mine used to have the Ghibli stuff (pre mononoke) on vhs, and raw, and we would pass around the downloaded script while watching them. How odd to think of that now.

[Milkymagic]

yep. A friend of mine used to have the Ghibli stuff (pre mononoke) on vhs, and raw, and we would pass around the downloaded script while watching them. How odd to think of that now.

Fansubs were more gratifying for me than domestic spankings (though I didn't have the resources to view a raw vhs, being I was new to anime, but the old days sounded pretty amusing, I almost wanted to do that just to play Policenauts on my Sega Saturn).

An Example: I dished out $30 for each volume of Megami Paradise (and each vhs had one episode, $30 = 30 min), but I also got movies and certain releases generous enough to have an entire ova series on one vhs.

[Ojisan]

Not to bitch, but new reviews used to consistently be posted every two days.

(Eight professors * two a month)/(30 days a month) = one every two days!

AA is full of MIA slackers now too.

[Mana]

Oy, it's not my fault ;_; I sent my next review in to Mugs weeks ago...

[silan]

Oy, it's not my fault ;_; I sent my next review in to Mugs weeks ago...
That's because you're a new professor who's full of vigor and life. All these old timers have become weary of the reviewing scene.

Or something.

[Milkymagic]

Yeah, at least Mana isn't like all those "Old Timers" that sit around mumbling about anime days gone by. xD

I'm j/k! Don't hurt me!

Nah, I'm sure everybody's busy, that's life for ya.

But I think Mana should give them inspiration and concoct a speech, y'know, like all those school dramas with the teacher who tries to motivate the flunky class that doesn't care about their grades or something? I dunno, maybe they just need some hugs, or a cheerleader, or...something!

Just don't start any parades over this, people...

[Mana]

Well, actually.... *scuttles off to make a new sig*

[Milkymagic]

Best sig ever ^

Believe it.

[silan]

Well, actually.... *scuttles off to make a new sig*
LMAO.

You go, Mana. Whip those lazy professors into shape.

[Dark Lord]

Though I wish more interesting lectures appeared on the site. I learned a lot from lectures I read on the site.

[lucky]

Once upon a time, I was a newbie at AA. This was in march of '04. Now, I'm still a god awful newbie. Damn.

I used to be big here, as in I was atleast known and noticed. But, my knack for running away from this site seems to make things fairly difficult. Getting into the site usually involves getting to know your fellow posters and from what I've seen, these are not the same posters I once was chummy with. I remember the big names vaguely, but does that mean I have the right to approach them with questions or to address concerns to them? Better yet, does this mean I should be able to act as though we're friends? Now, I'm not saying this would never happen but what I am saying is it takes time to make aquaintances and it takes even more time to make 'friends', defined as you feel they should be.

So, as the forever newbie, I understand. I understand that things change and people change. Even so, it's this change that seems to bring people back from long hiatias'. I mean, I wouldn't come back everytime just to see the same thing from the same people, no matter how comforting the idea may seem.

[Tyrdium]

Well, actually.... *scuttles off to make a new sig*Heh, nice. What source is that from?

[kyubichan]

@lucky

Fellow forever newbie here too *raises hand* Been here a year and only friends with two people from AA.

[Two-twenty]

In regards to the forums, I've been having fun for the last three years and I can't see what all the fuss is about. I wish some people had stayed, I'm glad some people have left, and yes, there have been lulls in activity, but overall I've never been bored with the AA lounge. But hay! I am entertained easily! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/v.gif

The thing that worries me most is the lack of updates on the front page. Back in the day, I would look foward to serveral updates a week (throw in a few cultural lectures from Madoka :love: ), now we're down to, what, one update every 11 or so days? Less updates = less traffic = less people viewing the forums = less new members = eventually a dead community. I love the front page, the reviews and the work that's put into it, I really do, but somethings got to happen to get it back up to it's former glory. Where the hell are Gatts and Eek? Their reviews are great but I haven't seen anything from them in ages! (Unless there's something personal they're dealing with, in which case, ignore the previous comments). To keep the forums alive, you have to keep the front page alive.

[ash_chan]

Once upon a time, I was a newbie at AA. This was in march of '04. Now, I'm still a god awful newbie. Damn.


Ditto.
:3
I started at the same time as you, and I only have 10 more 'official' posts than you.
Forever newb I be, but it's my own fault.
I lurk too much and don't generally put my opinion out there.

[Two-twenty]

Once upon a time, I was a newbie at AA. This was in march of '04. Now, I'm still a god awful newbie. Damn.

Fellow forever newbie here too *raises hand* Been here a year and only friends with two people from AA.

Ditto.

Tss, Registration date >>>>>>>>>>> post count.

[Dark Lord]

Once upon a time, I was a newbie at AA. This was in march of '04. Now, I'm still a god awful newbie. Damn.

Eh? I probably did the same thing as you... I joined the AA at a similar time as you... Then, I just left the forums for a long time... This year, I returned to posting back here... The difference? You joined a number of months earlier than I did... You returned later than I did... And you have a much higher post count than I do...

*sigh* I hate my life...

[animanic_critic]

Frankly speaking, I don't see what's so important about post counts. I mean, do people really care about how many freakin' posts you contribute in a single day? Like the old saying goes, "Quality, not quantity", post containing interesting and insightful posts mean more than seeing the same person posting the same redundant words.

Like Milkymagic, who is very vocal here in AA as I've seen so far, though he bombards AA with his posts, they all contain something I would spend my precious time to read up. I enjoy seeing this type of people and hope that more of them will come knockin' on AA's doors.

[Mana]

Heh, nice. What source is that from?

When the 1st Phoenix Wright was originally released in Japan, it came with short manga stories about each case. This is a scene featuring Mia and Phoenix from the manga of the first case. ^^

[Milkymagic]

Like Milkymagic, who is very vocal here in AA as I've seen so far, though he bombards AA with his posts, they all contain something I would spend my precious time to read up. I enjoy seeing this type of people and hope that more of them will come knockin' on AA's doors.

:bowing: Thank you most graciously

I think it all comes down to the thread quality and amount of conversation present in the boards. Personally, I bombast conversation in hopes of keeping people social. Granted, I worry about replicating like-threads, but there is always the joy of understanding newer folks (or in my case, a newer folk hoping to understand veterans), along with discussing subjects I've been meaning to ask people. I hope nobody finds my posting annoying, which I'm sure isn't a problem as of late (given it's been rather quiet), but I get pretty talkative every now and again.

Actually, you can ask Raven about that last one...he knows how funny my post quantities can be :D

[kyubichan]

I don't find you annoying at all, Milky. Even when you don't agree with someone, you don't get on their case (a.k.a. act like a mod). Instead, you just state your opinions casually, unlike some people I know.

[Mana]

Oy, I must admit, I take a bit of offence at that statement, Kyubichan ^^;

I don't know what your deal is against the mods, but I don't think the little constant jabs are quite necessary...

Sometimes we may seem a bit harsh, but we're only doing our job, a rather thankless job at that ._.;

[Milkymagic]

I don't find you annoying at all, Milky. Even when you don't agree with someone, you don't get on their case (a.k.a. act like a mod). Instead, you just state your opinions casually, unlike some people I know.

Hey, don't sweat it, the greatest challenge in life is to maintain yourself. People don't know you, and they don't know me. I'm sure some would really like to, but it is ultimately what you put forward in your attitude that maintains your composure, and what kind of person you can be (but aren't limited to). Just understand there's different people, there's stronger people, and there's like people. We may not agree, but we can certainly understand, and possibly be friends in the process.

Just make sure to give people their space, and show them how much you know about being around others. There are times of great restraint I must take (when I meet somebody forceful), but it becomes easier when I realize the power I have to prevent any problems. Respect everyone, and eventually they'll never get on your case (depending on the situation), or learn to understand what it is that makes you yourself. Plus there's always the very human quality of making the occassional mistake, something I do time and time again. But that's another story for another time. Basically, I think we're all trying to be friends, or at least trying to understand each other.

;) I think we're cool on this.

[zarahf]

Milky, that was one powerful motivational speech you just gave.

*wipes eyes with tissue and sniffles*

-can we get back to making fun of each other now?

[Milkymagic]

Milky, that was one powerful motivational speech you just gave.

*wipes eyes with tissue and sniffles*

-can we get back to making fun of each other now?

:3huh: Golly, when you put it like that...I guess it's ok! But no pushing and shoving! :D

^_- Or ask your friendly neighborhood mod!

[Arkaine Deao]

I cannot see this forum dying. Everything anyone needs to know about anime is here, and then some. I mean, how many other anime forums would go out of their way to post about Saddam Hussein and Ed Bradley? This is my favorite forum, and I for one will stay with it until I am dead, which, considering the line of work I am getting into, may not be a very long time.

[lucky]

I'm not so much worried on my post count, nor on what exactly I post since anything pointless I do post is infact posted without receiving credit. My real worry is, oneday I will leave this site without having shown anything really of value to anyone. I did one review back in the day, I've never been the best at witty reparte` and most of all, I started when I was 14-ish. This means half of my posts were assanine and often illegible. Maybe I'm trying to make up for the fact now but I'm not sure I can. ><

Besides now being able to hold conversation, I keep wondering if I'm any different. Heh, this is more self finding I think so I'll end this thought fast.

I'm glad to be back and maybe - just maybe - I'll stick around this time.

[Milkymagic]

I'm not so much worried on my post count, nor on what exactly I post since anything pointless I do post is infact posted without receiving credit. My real worry is, oneday I will leave this site without having shown anything really of value to anyone. I did one review back in the day, I've never been the best at witty reparte` and most of all, I started when I was 14-ish. This means half of my posts were assanine and often illegible. Maybe I'm trying to make up for the fact now but I'm not sure I can. ><

Besides now being able to hold conversation, I keep wondering if I'm any different. Heh, this is more self finding I think so I'll end this thought fast.

I'm glad to be back and maybe - just maybe - I'll stick around this time.

You are the only person I've met so far who loves Darkside Blues, just thought I'd mention that from your profile...

Nice to see you're willing to see everybody, heck, I know I've got some people to meet yet. And conversations to hold...which isn't always easy (some are more complex than others). ^_- Hopefully your return marks something great!

[lucky]

Lol, I'm a big obtuse anime fan. If there is no real purpose to the anime, I tend to fall in love with it. >< Heh, and the studio that did Darkside Blues also was responsible for VHD, VHD:Bloodlust, A Wind Named Amnesia, Demon City Shinjuku, BioHunters, etc. >.>;

And yes, it seems you do enjoy conversing. ^_^ My goodness, you are quite the active participant. But, you're a good user and have actual conversation to add and share with others. No trolling, no spamming from what I've seen.

And.. I like 80's and early 90's anime. >< 'Cause newer anime just gets too much hype and too little unbiased criticism.

[ash_chan]

Sometimes we may seem a bit harsh, but we're only doing our job, a rather thankless job at that ._.;


Thank you Mana and others for keeping AA in tip top posting shape.

We know we can count on you to lay down the law graciously yet firmly.

[Milkymagic]

Lol, I'm a big obtuse anime fan. If there is no real purpose to the anime, I tend to fall in love with it. >< Heh, and the studio that did Darkside Blues also was responsible for VHD, VHD:Bloodlust, A Wind Named Amnesia, Demon City Shinjuku, BioHunters, etc. >.>;

And yes, it seems you do enjoy conversing. ^_^ My goodness, you are quite the active participant. But, you're a good user and have actual conversation to add and share with others. No trolling, no spamming from what I've seen.

And.. I like 80's and early 90's anime. >< 'Cause newer anime just gets too much hype and too little unbiased criticism.

I love Studio Madhouse, and I'm a huge fan of Yoshiaki Kawajiri on top of that! Late 80s and early 90s anime plagued my first year of anime purchases, but I slowly caught on to the late 90s and early 00's soon enough...

Mana does a good job I think too, I think it's just a matter of people trying to understand each other...or...I don't really know the specifics; but I definitely know this sort of thing can be settled with some communication or just some understanding!

[silan]

You are the only person I've met so far who loves Darkside Blues
Chalk me up in that category too. Too bad there's never any real discussion on anime like that, and there's tons of discussion on series that don't really need it.

[Milkymagic]

Chalk me up in that category too. Too bad there's never any real discussion on anime like that, and there's tons of discussion on series that don't really need it.

No kidding!? Interesting! I wasn't much for Darkside Blues per say, but I did like how it was trying to depict a world entirely under one corporation's control. The atmosphere was different as well, it's a shame they didn't expand on it, but still interesting to know two people who now like this anime.

And I take it you like other Madhouse anime?

Demon City Shinjuku was one of my early favorites, the blue-shading effects of Kawajiri's work was breathtaking, especially given much of the great action coreography. Wicked City is still my favorite Kawajiri anime, but I also enjoy Ninja Scroll, Running Man (from the omnibus Neo Tokyo), and Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust.

And on that note, the original VHD was good fun to boot.

But then I remembered you saying you like director Akiyuki Shinbo as well (he made Cossette, Soultaker, Moon Phase, Galaxy Fraulein Yuna Returns, and Twilight of the Dark Master...which is also Madhouse!).

o_0 Y'know something...I suddenly see what you're getting at, I don't think I've talked about anime in this particular grouping very much...

[kyubichan]

@ Mana

Sorry, but like I said in my PM to Milky (and in a previous post in this thread), I have nothing against mods. It's the people who ACT LIKE MODS who get to me. Roark already posted that thing where he says leave the mod-ing to mods/profs, but some people still give it a go. If a mod warns me to watch what I'm saying, it's fine because you guys obviously were given that responsibility because you are capable of dealing with it; but if a fellow member gets on my case, without being even subtle and just goes outright, I'll be hurt and embarrassed because he's no higher than I am.

Again, I'm sorry that I hurt you (and possibly the other mods/profs) with my post. I hope my explanation is enough.

EDIT:
My three reasons (http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23663)

I am truly afraid of mods, but I get where they stand and I respect them and their efforts.

*goes back into shadows*

[Milkymagic]

@ Mana

Sorry, but like I said in my PM to Milky (and in a previous post in this thread), I have nothing against mods. It's the people who ACT LIKE MODS who get to me. Roark already posted that thing where he says leave the mod-ing to mods/profs, but some people still give it a go. If a mod warns me to watch what I'm saying, it's fine because you guys obviously were given that responsibility because you are capable of dealing with it; but if a fellow member gets on my case, without being even subtle and just goes outright, I'll be hurt and embarrassed because he's no higher than I am.

Again, I'm sorry that I hurt you (and possibly the other mods/profs) with my post. I hope my explanation is enough.

EDIT:
My three reasons (http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23663)

I am truly afraid of mods, but I get where they stand and I respect them and their efforts.

*goes back into shadows*

That's a good arguement, great to see there's no problems with the mods, just wanna-be mods (without the title).

^_^ Let's make AA an enjoyable place, come by anytime!

o_o But don't hide in the shadows...Batman lives in there!

[lucky]

Batman is one scary motherf*cker.

I've never had a problem with mods, nor with people who like to play mod. Hell, what do I care what non mods say? Just let it roll off and keep posting, since this is a public forum. When it becomes super elitist, and they make this a private place, may then you worry.

[kyubichan]

*emerges from shadows*

I love Batman! He happens to be my fave superhero! ^^

*returns to shadows, huggling Batman*

[Grasshopper]

a rather thankless job at that ._.;

I laughed.

[silan]

And I take it you like other Madhouse anime?
There are a number of series that Madhouse has been involved in that I really like. Of the ones already mentioned, the VHD movies are good, but I hated Biohunters. Twilight of the Dark Master had sooooooo much potential, but it was completely squandered at the end; the ending for TotDM ranks as one of the worst endings I've ever seen.

[lucky]

BioHunters was not their best. Heh, I've actually still got a copy on VHS since my poor ass isn't willing to restock with the DVDs.

[Milkymagic]

BioHunters was not their best. Heh, I've actually still got a copy on VHS since my poor ass isn't willing to restock with the DVDs.

Y'know something, I've been trying to buy up my anime vhs favorites on dvd for sometime (and I give my sister, friends, or cousins the vhs tapes I don't want). Some I'll keep on vhs because I don't care, and others will recieve the "special edition" treatment because I loved them!

Biohunter wasn't that great, Kawajiri screenwrote it, but that doesn't change a thing about its meaningless nature. Nice visuals at least.

And for Silan, I agree TotDM was a squandered anime, it just didn't make any sense by the end. Didn't like it.

I should make a Madhouse thread! ^_-

[Mana]

@Kyubichan: Don't worry about it. It wasn't like I was deeply insulted or anything. And I can definately respect looking down on minimods, some of your comments have seemed more directed towards the moderation team itself, so it's good to clear that up ^_^

As far as being scared of mods go, well, suffice it to say, it happens. Moderators are like Police, both in their job function and their reaction from the public. Someone has one bad run in with one bad cop, and they hate them for life. Someone gets caught for a crime they actually commit, and they still see it as the police's fault. Some people may never be involved with cops at all, but for some reason just don't like them, whether as a distrust of authority or anything else.

I try to stay as fair, and as least scary, as I can. I can see how some of the other mods might be scary but... *gonk*

[silan]

Don't believe her, Kyubichan. She's the scariest one of all. Just look at her sig, for goodness' sake!

:O

[Milkymagic]

Don't believe her, Kyubichan. She's the scariest one of all. Just look at her sig, for goodness' sake!

:O

Cues "Whip It" from Devo!

[Roark]

I'd prefer if that particular aspect of Mana remained between us. ^_~

[Niner]

I wasn't going to post in this thread at all as I had nothing constructive to say, but Mana merits a post anyway. She's the cuddliest moderator, like evar. She's a care bear next to the slothful Erigion and the Sith-like Roark. :3

<3 Mana.

[kyubichan]

Don't believe her, Kyubichan. She's the scariest one of all. Just look at her sig, for goodness' sake!


XD I am afraid of her just as I am afraid of all the mods/profs. However, it does not stem from fear itself, but rather from respect. (Like, in real life, I'm afraid of teachers.)

[lucky]

I do pilates with one of my teachers twice a week. ;3 No fear, just alot of laughing due to their discomfort.

[Milkymagic]

I used to badmouth one of my teachers as a joke, and we would stem good debates from it. But Lucky's pilate's tale would be impossible for the school I went to...which is why it's so funny xD

But I think the best teacher is the one that establishes an effective lesson for the student, in which case it is always the most firm teachers that probably have given me the strongest lessons when I think about it (my Business Law teacher for example, reaped on me whenever I was late with homework...and it made me punctual just for his class, and that's out of respect), so I understand where Kyubi's coming with this.

[kyubichan]

I have one prof who's a prankster. He pranks just about everyone, sometimes he puts huge stones in my female classmates' tiny purses XD He thinks it's funny. So when he made fun of my height, I pranked him by poking him with a copper wire while he was checking a voltage transformer for current. LOLz

[Milkymagic]

I have one prof who's a prankster. He pranks just about everyone, sometimes he puts huge stones in my female classmates' tiny purses XD He thinks it's funny. So when he made fun of my height, I pranked him by poking him with a copper wire while he was checking a voltage transformer for current. LOLz

Kyubi Fried Class!

xD

That's giving it to him!

[kyubichan]

Kyubi Fried Class!

xD

That's giving it to him!

Before the first sem ended, I poked him with a metal gripper in front of the whole class, and it made him jump. I'm pretty sure he wants to kill me XD

[Milkymagic]

Before the first sem ended, I poked him with a metal gripper in front of the whole class, and it made him jump. I'm pretty sure he wants to kill me XD

Somebody's "Teacher's Pet!"

Or is your teacher "Kyubi's Pet?" xD

[kyubichan]

Somebody's "Teacher's Pet!"

Or is your teacher "Kyubi's Pet?" xD

Teacher's pet? LOLZ. Nahw, I'm the most "serious" kid in our class, thus people tend to not get in my way. Even teachers XD No, seriously. In real life, I emit that "touch-me-and-die" aura, even my friends and my sis steer clear of me. But I'm as nice as a cookie on the 'Net. Huggles, anyone? :lol2:

[Milkymagic]

Teacher's pet? LOLZ. Nahw, I'm the most "serious" kid in our class, thus people tend to not get in my way. Even teachers XD No, seriously. In real life, I emit that "touch-me-and-die" aura, even my friends and my sis steer clear of me. But I'm as nice as a cookie on the 'Net. Huggles, anyone? :lol2:

I'll take one! :D

Will forever remain on your good side, wherever that may be :sweatdrop

[Arkaine Deao]

Yes, yes, huggles...right.
<slips gutting knife back up sleeve>
I love people too!

[lucky]

I used to badmouth one of my teachers as a joke, and we would stem good debates from it. But Lucky's pilate's tale would be impossible for the school I went to...which is why it's so funny xD


Actually, we do this out of school. Like, the classes we take together are funny. We did kick boxing together on accident; then pilates because we both thought it sounded like a good idea. :3

I'm actually headed for college soon enough to become a teacher myself. This teacher was the one to inspire me and with the grades I have and the letters of recommendation I've gotten, I'm set. xD

[Milkymagic]

Actually, we do this out of school. Like, the classes we take together are funny. We did kick boxing together on accident; then pilates because we both thought it sounded like a good idea. :3

I'm actually headed for college soon enough to become a teacher myself. This teacher was the one to inspire me and with the grades I have and the letters of recommendation I've gotten, I'm set. xD

That's awesome, you and your teacher just kinda hanging out after school like two cool folks, nothing that I could imagine my own class bothering to do. But I think the best part is how this teacher inspired you, hope you get to teach your own class and give them the motivation they need to work for their dreams, or at least a better paying job.

xD Imagine if you got to teach inner-city schooling! I remember watching so many movies about those tough teachers that tried to motivate a group of misfits into learning, love that stuff!

Great Teacher Lucky, anyone?

I'm thinking of enrolling at Full Sail in Orlando, FL to study Film, being they teach you how to do many of the positions on the set. This means I wouldn't have to be a director, or a producer, maybe somebody who helps put the set together (or if anything, it will teach me how to screenwrite). ^_^ I'm hoping to jump down there by June if all goes well.

[zarahf]

Imagine if you got to teach inner-city schooling! I remember watching so many movies about those tough teachers that tried to motivate a group of misfits into learning, love that stuff

Its not like in the movies, believe me. Well, except for the metal detectors and guards. They are really there. I don't teach, but I interact with children (and in this case that includes the 17 year old high school students....wouldn't that be many of the people here?) most days. This being in an inner city. I also venture into the strange and foreboding land of the government funded housing projects on a regular basis. Some of them really are as bad as shown in the movies. But by no means all. VERY FEW people seem to reaching for any anything and making any type of noticeable difference is hard. Successes can seem few and far between. However, having said all of that. The only thing that really can make a difference (unless anyone knows how to close the poverty gap or wipe away the drug scene) is the cumulative effects of individual efforts.

Note: maybe I should have put this in Griveton's daunting projects thread.

[Milkymagic]

Its not like in the movies, believe me. Well, except for the metal detectors and guards. They are really there. I don't teach, but I interact with children (and in this case that includes the 17 year old high school students....wouldn't that be many of the people here?) most days. This being in an inner city. I also venture into the strange and foreboding land of the government funded housing projects on a regular basis. Some of them really are as bad as shown in the movies. But by no means all. VERY FEW people seem to reaching for any anything and making any type of noticeable difference is hard. Successes can seem few and far between. However, having said all of that. The only thing that really can make a difference (unless anyone knows how to close the poverty gap or wipe away the drug scene) is the cumulative effects of individual efforts.

Note: maybe I should have put this in Darklord's daunting projects thread.

Ah, a true life perspective, that's interesting. Makes more sense when you put it like that, seems like poverty has an iron grip on certain communities, and the motivations of others. I can't speak in specifics on this subject, but it would be nice if there was something everyone could do to remain positive in such a situation. But I guess the scenery itself is hard to deny with its impact on how people think through their lives.

Of course, I live in a much smaller area, so I'm not entirely keen on the city life (I've been to cities before, but never lived in them) when I try to think about this. The above comment was just a joke I slapped on, but it was very educational commentary from yourself to say the least, thanks for the info (given I could endure certain aspects of city life first hand soon).

Note: Detroit is probably the junkiest place I've been to out of all the cities I've seen, but I can only imagine places in California that rival it. Chicago is where my dad lives, not such a bad place there, but I'm not completely familiar with the city when I say that.

[zarahf]

Sorry to have jumped all over your joke Milky. You want to hear something odd? People who have never spent much time in the inner city sometimes are the best people to work in the areas. Despite what we all think and our ingrained fear, as long as you are respectful people really do tend to just let you about your business without bothering you too much. This said, people who are familiar to the environment are sometimes too keenly aware of the risks while those who grew up in, say, the country or the suburbs tend to use their naiveness to their advantage and just look over the risks and get on with things. Most days better work is done and everyone still goes home unharmed. It should never be forgotten that even in the "worst" areas you can guarantee someone is trying to raise a family. And now I'm starting to preach so I think I'll be stepping out of the pulpit now.

[kyubichan]

Ooh. Teachers. I used to hate teachers back in grade and highschool, because I went to public schools, and there's all types of corruption there. Kids who were related to teachers get the best stuff, and their bratty behaviors are overlooked. Also, I have a tendency to trust people too much. The teachers I had back then, when they say "You can tell me anything, I won't tell anyone else.", they really mean "Want to tell me your secret/problem so me and the others can talk about it during our breaktime?". Yeah, so there. Those teachers, I respected out of fear.

In college, however, I was exposed to a younger generation of teachers. I don't trust them as friends, but as far as I've experienced they have truly earned my respect. My mother is a preschool teacher, and my sister is studying Education, Major in English. As for myself, though I am studying Computer science, I would also like to be a teacher if given the chance. I find that the instructors and professors I have now have a lack of knowledge regarding the latest software and technology. If this keeps up, our city's graduates will be so far behind the computer industry. So I want to help by teaching, I guess >.<

[Dark Lord]

Ooh. Teachers. I used to hate teachers back in grade and highschool, because I went to public schools, and there's all types of corruption there. Kids who were related to teachers get the best stuff, and their bratty behaviors are overlooked. Also, I have a tendency to trust people too much. The teachers I had back then, when they say "You can tell me anything, I won't tell anyone else.", they really mean "Want to tell me your secret/problem so me and the others can talk about it during our breaktime?". Yeah, so there. Those teachers, I respected out of fear.

Those teachers seem to be rather unreliable... I wouldn't want to have a teacher who betrays my trust, would I? But just to be sure, I prefer not to trust my teachers...

As for me, my teachers seem to be pretty decent people... All of them are pretty fun... Though I usually look at my teachers from a neutral standpoint... a couple of teachers managed to inspire me so much that I was compelled to follow their examples... Such teachers don't come around pretty often...

[Milkymagic]

Teachers are people too, and some teachers are good at what they do, and others can be difficult. And some never made the jump from student to teacher apparently. Sorry to hear you guys had some difficult experiences...

Hopefully you find those lessons your teachers taught you to be valuable, I know they were intended to be Darklord. I know I had a teacher that earned my respect by taking my late assignments seriously and giving me crap about it until I gave in and was punctual from then on. It's all about learning!

And it's all good Zarahf, though I'm sure having a different perspective on city life can certainly lead to new beginnings for many. If one side of the world gets sunshine, the other soon does much later.

If you want to teach Kyubi, I'll make sure to attend your chemistry classes! :D

[kyubichan]

If you want to teach Kyubi, I'll make sure to attend your chemistry classes!

Meh, Chemistry. I only know the basic explosives.

I want to teach computer-related subjects. Like, maybe how to make a real walking time bomb XD

[Javer]

Meh, Chemistry. I only know the basic explosives.

I want to teach computer-related subjects. Like, maybe how to make a real walking time bomb XD

And they let you into the civilized world? >_>

[kyubichan]

And they let you into the civilized world? >_>

If they knew what I could do with what I know, they'd lock me up in a cell without internet and cookies.

Today, the local colleges! Tomorrow, the WORLD!

[Neo-Hunter]

i remeber when i first joined aa i was freaked out and had fear but now as a seasoned vet. I have become a man and have the balls to say it. other than that people come and go i mean thats the way you have memories the good bad and funny were a big strange disfunctional family in a good way.