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Vehicles in Cambridge, MA.

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I just saw this today with my three little ones; uniformly, we enjoyed it immensely.

I'm very close to saying that it may be the best animated film I've ever seen, if not in terms of style and technique (though the trip through Abstract Thought was entirely original and spectacularly well-done!), then certainly in terms of progression and execution. Even standard Pixar/Disney/genre clichés are beautifully rendered, think the self-sacrifice of Bing-Bong or Riley's emotional collapse and resolution when she returns home and unloads on her parents.

Admittedly, the film is also the most heart-wrenching Pixar release to-date: I think this is due to the real-world nature of the story--there are no monsters, faeries, talking toys or really anything supernatural at all; rather, the entire story is superbly grounded in reality, and the denizens of Riley's psychology are patently representative.

With no singing (not a chorus to be had), catchy tunes (nary the Let-It-Go to be heard), or flummoxing flippity-flappity sidekicks (Olaf Carrotnose, begone!), Inside Out is decidedly cerebral and completely worthwhile.

Indeed. Seriously, the answer is not so very complicated.

Well...at this point arguing whether or not climate change is occurring is a little like arguing whether or not water is wet. Is the change solely the result of human activity? Partially? Is it wholly natural (cyclic)? I suppose this is still largely unproved (the ultimate cause), but to logically and reasonably argue that it's simply not happening at all...hmmm.

What is the thought process for folks wanting to talk politics...on an RPG site

Some of the best political arguments I've ever had were had here at Paizo. I value and respect the opinions of the Paizo community; and as gamers we share a common ground that many of us find particularly absent in our normal daily interactions.

I’ve never forgotten my children anywhere, car, shop, park—you name it.

Nonetheless, when the first one was an infant she would often fall asleep in her carseat and the sudden, blessed quiet would allow me to momentarily (fractionally, mind you, we’re talking something like seconds here) forget about her.

I can recall any number of times, once this vehicle-motion-induced serenity had ensued, remarking to my wife that we should eat at such-and-such restaurant for dinner, or go shopping at so-and-so’s store, only to be gently reminded that the baby made that too problematic—in those moments, after I would sigh out a resigned, “Oh, yeah…” with the slightest click of my tongue as I self-admonished, I realized I had actually forgotten about the small and absolutely helpless being strapped in behind me.

On any occasion, and with absolutely no hyperbole, I can tell you I would have scooped out my own eyes with a rusty spoon rather than see any harm come to her. Even still I can’t deny the wretched and dissonant fact that while she was always on my mind, sometimes she wasn’t.

As to memory and anyone’s ability to multitask and organize, I can recall any number of times, after weeks of three-to-four hour’s sleep a night and a full time job on top, when I changed the baby’s diaper twice because I forgot I had just done it, or warmed two bottles of milk because the first one was inexplicably set down in the cabinet with the glasses, or placed in the freezer, or sat at the foot of her crib, only to be discovered hours later.

Rather than recriminate and decry the tragically unfortunate parents for whom a second’s memory lapse turned into an hour or a day, for whom the daily, incessant routine built a false room in that ephemeral memory palace we all roam, I weep for them and their loss.

There is literally nothing anyone can do to these parents to cause them greater agony or sorrow; their pain is already permanent and thorough.

What's more likely: supposed alien encounters are actual aliens; or just human time travelers?

I have to remember to read these boards with the lights on-- my eyes rolled so hard that one of them popped out, bounced off the bed, and slipped under some piece of furniture. Now I'm wandering around a cyclops; probably for life.

What's new about this anyway? Vulcans have always been in the White House...

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed all three films. I think they added positively to the book. The finale fight scenes of TBOTFA were spectacular. I did think the battle scenes were very close-quarters and some of the scale was lost (intellectually); but I imagine it's a nice way to ensure the battle didn't too-closely resemble LOTR.

Admittedly, it's a little bit of a letdown (or slow-down) once you hit level 20; progression with Light is (to me, at least) very, very slow. But I was so worried about future missions off-Earth (the difficulty level, that is) that I spent a great deal of time patrolling the Cosmodrome and replaying missions at increasingly difficult levels--I hit 20 before ever getting to Venus. So, even though level progression is titanically slow, I've got the vast majority of the campaign left to play; and I really can't get over how enjoyable the small public events can be!

Yes, definitely, a huge draw for me is that I can sit down and get something done in 20-30 minutes. I'm a husband and father of three, with a career, and I'm 40: finding time to finish awesome, immersive games with huge backstory and long cutscenes, bosses that require 10 playthroughs, puzzle rooms that take 15 minutes just to figure out it's a puzzle room...I love these games, but rarely have the time (and that's why I can take a year to finish one).

Wow: I want to favorite every comment! I want to favorite this awesome thread!

My experience with police forces in the US follows.

My opinion:

When you're polite to an officer, they're polite to you. 1% of the time this isn't true.

When you're belligerent with an officer, they're belligerent with you. 99% of the time this is true.

What some Americans (and internationals) are calling fear of the police, I call respect for authority (which I have).

Simple rules, from my point of view:

If an officer engages you, be polite and respectful.

If an officer issues a directive, follow it.

When an officer says, "Hands up!" don't start walking toward them! Put you hands up and be quiet.

When an officer asks for ID, don't invoke the Constitution or Patrick Henry, just show them your ID.

When you've broken the law, no matter how trivial or what circumstances you believe mitigate your offense, be contrite and respectful--that doesn't mean you have to admit you did or didn't do anything, but don't be deliberately stupid.

When an officer tells you to calm down, or stop cursing at them, calm down and shut up: the officer's demand was explicit and black-and-white; there is absolutely zero chance that they actually meant for you to teach them all the profanities you know, and in as loud a voice as possible.

Money allows people like me, with no hunter-gatherer skills, no craftsman skills, and no manual skills (I can't hunt or fish; I can't grow a garden to save my life; I can't build anything; and I'm not physically awesome enough to labor at a task), to exist without being royalty or indigent. I'm able to trade my soft skills (writing and programming) for credits (called dollars in my country), which I can then give to someone else who has the products of hard skills (the frying pan I need to cook my dinner).

My skills aren't easily bartered to my inter-local group, but they are very easily bartered through a middleman to an extra-local or remote group. Without money and the system thereof, people like me would die off.

Official Trailer

The above link takes you to Apple Trailers, so this is the real one.

For the extreme brevity of it; holy smoke, but it looks great!

As I watched it, well..hairs standing on end, goosebumps, eyes gradually widened, ridiculous, enormous face-splitting grin, spontaneous clapping: yes, I'm excited.

Here's a nice quick Endgaget article about the game (trailer).

So...apparently, in this game, you play as a mentally disturbed (nay, insane) former elite operator on a killing spree. According to the developer, there is no logic, rationale, or motivation of any kind prompting the events in the game; it is purely, simply, mass-murder insanity.

Just my opinion, but what sane, emotionally-stable person would even remotely enjoy this?

I sense a community-wide hesitancy to answer...potential hurt feelings...sad-faces...thread-lockage...

...at the time of your very first post your 10-year-old was only an 18-month-old...

I find it hard to believe any game would train you to shoot at people.

I think someone who's had basic gun training in basic training probably is better at that than someone who's only played a game. AT least the person in basic has an idea of how to actually hold, carry, load their own weapon, and shoot properly.

I find it very hard to believe any game could teach those basics, much less more advanced gun training....

The US Army requires everyone to go through an EST (Engagement Skills Trainer) before actually firing on a range.

The EST is essentially PS Move or Xbox Kinect with a real firearm.

The Army has found a 100% increase in qualifications when exercising with the EST before range firing.

Fallout 3. I've been playing it since 2009.

"Yew gotta purty mouth. boy. Squeal lahk a pig."?

Oh, Good Lord, no. Just... no!!

Amusingly enough, my mother-in-law gave my wife this precise advice (verbatim) when we married. I hope that it was tongue-in-cheek. But she's an Anglophile, so it's no surprise...

I can think of similar phrases, but none with such a spectacular connotation. I'd just use it. Everyone with a decent imagination will know what it means.

I think 'Merikans are terrified of the subject in general, and hence have no such associated phrases.

The scariest thing is, I've been thinking about it for 5 minutes now and I'm beginning to think Squealer has the right of it...

It speaks volumes (about me) that I thought it meant to have grace under fire...until I read your post. I'm not sure whether I should be embarrassed by this...

I hope you will seek out professional advice.

Nonetheless, you might try to channel your stronger emotions through art or writing. If you're more of a physical rather than cerebral type, running or hiking might suit you.

It's not entirely clear when your sister went to college or exactly what the stipend/tuition break came from. I had a good chunk of grad school paid for by my employer until I was laid off. Pretty much killed that plan.

Joining the military is a traditional way to pay for college. Of course these days, you're much more likely to see active combat and either get injured or have other troubles adjusting back to civilian life.
It also seems like you stayed in government jobs afterwards, or perhaps in the Army itself?

Things have changed. Even the 90s were ~20 years ago. Costs have risen and job prospects after graduation have fallen. It's easy for us to look back at our college experiences and assume they apply today, but in many ways they really don't.

[chagrin]Thanks for the reality check. [/chagrin]

She went back right after 9/11 (Wow! That's over a decade ago!--the fog of time clouds an elderly mind). A lot of PhD programs are fully funded and pay small stipends, especially at the bigger schools.

I'm retiring from the Army in about a year.

Wow...20 years ago. And, essentially, my employer has been footing my bills. I guess I'm too far removed to really remark on the current state of education. :-/

Looks like some kind of pie to me. I guess I'm in the 84% not affected.

I'm a little surprised at the turn this thread made. Nonetheless, I haven't read any posts that were trollish.

We say things like 'because of magic' when playing an RPG, well, because it's fantasy. I think it's safe to say that the great majority of the Paizonians here are stable, well-adjusted people; none of us are likely to believe we're Pardu.

Taking the Noah myth as fact--fact as presented-- is simply indefensible, unless, that is, you willfully choose to disregard actual facts like some of those presented by commenters in several of the above posts.

That said, I have every intention and desire to see this movie because I appreciate several of the actors and the trailer looks absolutely phenomenal.

Noah with an all-star cast.

I'm an atheist, so the story is fantasy/mythology to me.

Nonetheless, this trailer is awesome.

Wow. No offense but for me that takes away a lot of fun. Would be the same if it were a board game. Total dealbreaker even it was a great campaign.

No-one's ever complained...but it might be like saying no-one in North Korea has ever complained about the Starbucks salted caramel latte they've never had.

I thought the end was the best part; a wonderful message for kids and adults alike.

Do you read Sutter Cane?!?

Started to read your post...too many words. Also, it's time for my favourite tv programme.

Religions, regardless of their veracity, are belief systems perpetuated by believers. Without a belief system, you have no religion. With a belief system, you have claims being made based on those beliefs -- again, regardless of their veracity.

And this is where I have trouble seeing atheism as not a belief system. A very small one, mind you, consisting of "gods don't exist" and ending there, but a belief system just the same...

I might--a bit simply, mind you--argue that atheism is a "proofs" system rather than a "beliefs" system.

I'd argue that atheists (generally) require 'proof' of a thing in order to accept it.

If you tell me that a red 2014 four-door Honda Civic is parked in the driveway outside my house, and I then go outside and stand in my empty driveway, I can safely conclude that you are incorrect. I don't 'believe' that you are incorrect, I accept the concrete, repeatable, measurable, observable fact that a car as you described it is not in my driveway.

Naturally, you can go all Sagan's-Neighbor on me and proceed to fabricate a tale describing a red 2014 four-door Honda Civic that I simply can't measure or observe, but when you tell me that you 'believe' it's there, I can still tell you that it is not by virtue of all manner by which such a thing can be demonstrated, and not because I don't 'believe' that's it's there.

Laughing my ass off at being called a bigot by a bunch of interwebz conservatives who didn't see the irony in demanding a bit of 'e pluribus unum' with regard to the Coke commercial of recent, or that they were so specifically hateful of the gay couple featured in the ad, the song of which was written by a gay woman. This is why the world thinks America's full of idiots.

Where's Kirth? We need his input to really get this thread going. Samnel, too.

If I were to convert to a religion (I'm atheist, by the way), I'd choose Buddhism; I'd be the kind of Buddhist I've routinely met over my lifetime, philosophical about the whole thing.

I thought it might be helpful to list some concerns, with regard to religion. These are things that would keep me away:

-Believers are so fanatical they are willing to murder a person for disagreeing or not believing.

::By this I mean that a faith's followers are so indoctrinated that they are certain all others not of their faith are literally not worthy of living; that they are literally to be murdered, or at least that murdering them is in accordance with the belief system, and so even if not required such an action is perfectly laudable.

-Religious beliefs are key in developing laws, which are strictly subjectively moral in nature rather than communally necessary for the maintenance of good order.

::For example, I would steer away from a religion that disallowed scientific research into the nature of the universe. That's broad, I know, so let's be very precise--I'd steer away from a religion that ascribed such worth to human remains as to make illegal scientific and medical research of stem cells.

A couple of concerns I have with regard to the complex of religion:

-Followers actual espoused beliefs are not in-line with the religion's specific doctrine.

::For example, the average Christian on the street in the USA, when asked to describe Heaven, unfolds a picture of absolute earthly beauty and magnificence. They will describe streets of gold, mansions for everyone, eternal sunshine, perfect weather, all the food and drink anyone could ever want, and, of course, reunion with loved ones. In fact, the Bible very specifically disabuses this when Christ describes Heaven--it is simply existing in the presence of God; there are no manifestations or phantasms of the material world, and you will not, per se, meet your loved ones; you will not recognize your loved ones and they will not recognize you. Furthermore, the Bible tells the reader that only a handful of humans have immediately ascended to Heaven upon death, most of them the Patrons and prophets; so little Susan, who tragically died at the age of 9, according to Scripture, is not in heaven with the angels. Rather, she's buried in the ground and awaiting the return of Christ, whereupon she will be risen from the dead to fight the 'Final Battle of Heaven', etc. etc.

-Religion provides strictures for the conduct of ones life, wherein such rules are not logical for the reasonable conduct of ones life.

::For example, men may not shave, or women must cover their heads, or you can't eat bacon on Thursday, or wear cotton and wool at the same time.

Intelligent people under 50 still smoke? Seriously?

Sometimes the blokes round here seem determined to be contrary.

He's also enormously funny. Ultimately, when every kid in the theatre is laughing, I call that success.

I've been posting here since 2005. I once posted several times a day. Now I post a few times a month.

My opinion, and why I'm not around here too much these days:

The Paizo Boards were once a refuge for free discussion on the internet, whether it was about the newest RPG or the nature of Free Will. Now this place is simply too regulated.

I like chocolate milk.

Just don't read their posts; skip down to the next one.

Awesome interview--probably the best ever--with Matt Smith.

I, for one, welcome our new Formicidae Overlords.

Rather than preventing births deemed unnecessary, we could instead cull the obnoxiously opinionated and overbearing.

Not sure who would be left here to post, but ...

Just the two of us, man...just the two of us...

I totally agree! People are having too many babies! In my hometown, the population has increased by almost 2,000 blokes in the last 24 years! If only the State would step in and stop letting so many people have babies!

Except for me, that is. My wife I and, I mean to say. We have three kids...but we're different! I make a bunch of money and I'm really highly educated! I went to an Ivy League school; I drive a Jeep, fully kitted (buy American!...made in Canada from parts fabricated in Mexico...), and my wife drives a BMW--Christ, it has a holographic heads-up and shows pedestrians at night; the car's a f#*#ing Schwarzenegger-hunting Predator! I live in a huge 5-bedroom house and I drink lattes from Starbucks every day--every day! So...you know...I get a bye. You do, too...right?

I love this movie! Beautiful cinematic effects, and a great JD srtory-line.

We just discovered this show for ourselves: this is our new favorite program. I can't believe I've been missing this. We're having a marathon viewing of the first four seasons this weekend.

Based on the thread title, completely not what I expected.

Fresh hot French fries with a vanilla shake. I dip the fries in the shake.

Also, I watch Spongebob marathons with my kids and enjoy it. Sometimes I watch all by myself.

I've been hard wired over the last 12 years: unattended bags might be bombs. Call the cops right away and don't let the case out of sight until the authorities arrive and they release you.