MF42

Yep, I figured that out. It's actually kind of frustrating now. I've eaten all the other critters, my microbe is long, hairy, and well fed, I've descended to the lowest level and climbed back up to the top. What now? Does this game end? Matt

You da man, turtle. Way to watch out for the rest of us.

Stay away from the orange microbe critter jellyfish thingys, they attack. Cool game. Matt

It would be spectacular, no question about it.

The oft-repeated advice, "Just be yourself", has always puzzled me, since anything you do or want to do is inherently a thing that your self does or desires. Without delving too deeply into the pop psychology gobbledygook of identity, free will, and the possible illusory nature of either, let me just toss this question out there in an effort to relate back to the original point of the thread: Once upon a time, I was deeply in love with a woman. This woman, for reasons known only to her, decided to make me angry. She knew me very well, knew exactly which buttons to push in order to get an angry reaction. She purposefully contrived a situation that pushed all of those buttons at once. In the moment immediately after the button-pushing, I learned a very surprising (to me) fact about myself: I can be tempted to hit a woman. Previous to the button-pushing I had believed that particular impulse was not in me. But I didn't hit her; I yelled at her and hit a nearby inanimate object instead. So, the question: Am I that most reprehensible, worthless excuse for a human being, a man who would beat a woman? Or am I a good, decent man who would never do such a thing, who talks through difficulties in a relationship with love, kindness, and wisdom? If the first is true, then "just being myself" is an extremely bad idea. If the second, then "myself" is a very good person to be. Perhaps more appropriate advice would be something along the lines of, "Know what is good, and be it." Matt

I'm not sure how to take that. You're either suggesting that I'm a nice guy and not an asshole, and that I should stay that way, or you're suggesting that I'm an asshole and would do better to be a nice guy. And of course the truth of the matter is I, like everyone, am both nice guy and asshole at once. The trick is knowing which one to act like at any given moment. That's the hard part. Edit to add: We haven't met, have we? Matt

Good point there. See the "dumbass" thread. Matt

A great deal of truth here. Hair is beautiful, but sometimes it covers up too much of the likewise beautiful neck and ears. Matt

I'd rather do a DZ.com Fear Factor; see who can tolerate the nastiest possible subject matter, attachments, and links. Matt

Nope, I didn't make it past the intro. I'll just wander off and take my country music despising self to other threads rather than launch into a Speaker's-Corner-esque diatribe about everything that's despicable about country music. Matt

Alright, I actually listened to the first few lines. That sucked. Sorry. Matt

Hate to be a wet blanket, but be sure to prepare for leading questions attempting to steer your words into saying bad things about skydiving. Journalists are not to be trusted. Matt

Ok, I clicked on your link and some cowboy in a cowboy hat was looking out of my monitor. shudder That wasn't cool, man. That sort of thing needs a warning or disclaimer or something. shudder Matt

M.F.'s Guide to Style and Relaxation. Edit to add: This is a joke. If you ever meet me it will be abundantly clear that I am hopelessly style-deficient. I am pretty good at relaxing, though.

And I shout a hearty "amen sister" to the suckiness of enforced non-activity. I'm going crazier and crazier here. Matt

[Getting dressed] Grumble...grumble...no fun..... Matt

Turtle, guppie loves you! She said so.

Anyone ever see that Barney commercial, it was cancelled very quickly, went something like, "He's big, he's purple, and he's happy to see you." Matt

Yes, I have PC-doctor. I actually didn't think of that because last time I tried it for a different program, the thing was useless. Worth a shot, though. Matt

You know, that makes sense, because thinking back on it, there have been a few times when I pushed on the tray to close it, and it didn't immediately close the first time. A screwed up sensor could do that. Matt

Yeah, I can't really say the pilot is funny or cool or anything else since he doesn't talk much. He is skilled, though. I went for an observer ride before starting AFF and I was impressed with the smoothness of his stick-and-rudder skills.

Oh yeah, I forgot that part, I've already reinstalled the driver. No difference. Matt

That's a good test. The dogs my family has owned in the past have all been rescues, and some of them I have to admit wouldn't pass all those, they're just too skittish. Matt

Our PAC makes 13,500 in 11 minutes.

Very good looking dogs.