Menzoberranzen

I much prefer fantasy to sci-fi, but there is a specific genre of sci-fi that I really do enjoy. Futuristic movies - either Utopian or dystopian - that give insight into the human condition are the only ones I really enjoy. Minority Report is an excellent example, and the more recent Children of Men is another. I think sci-fi, in certain forms, allows for a greater examination of the human psyche than fantasy does. The Giver and the classic 1984 are also examples of sci-fi that I like. Menzo

I dislike being in the same room as smokers, but like Krista, I will make an exception at parties. If you find pipe smoking to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, that is your prerogative, but I don't see how Carl Gustav Jung should have any influence regarding your decision to smoke. Menzo

And interesting article, if not very surprising, but what annoys me is how the author kept equating atheists with anti-religious people. I'm an atheist, and I don't have anything against religion in general. I don't like fanatics any more than the next person, and I resent the sway that some religious groups hold, but that doesn't make me 'anti-religious.' Menzo

<3

I agree, and I am generally offended by things in the 'love triumphs all' vein.

Having been born in Canada and considering I live in London, I want to say colour. Except that four years at an American university has utterly beaten the tendency out of me, so I often write color instead. Menzo

That's the understatment of the century, but I don't judge him for that. Just his obsessive, over-the-top love of Britney. And the fact that he felt that strongly about it. Menzo

Have you, perchance, seen the video of the crazy fan being circulated online?

I love you Kevin You are quite possibly the first non-straight boy/lesbian to agree with me about this! It's frustrating knowing EVERYONE else finds him drop-dead gorgeous. Menzo PS I didn't actually watch the awards

Robert Jordan's concept of magic is the one that most appeals to me, because he gives an excellent framework for why/how it exists in his universe. You can also never go wrong with classic D&D magic [/nerdism] Menzo

I'm not a fan of being on the receiving end of practical jokes, and so I've never pulled one. Not one...how boring was my childhood? Menzo

People are equating 'Muslims' with 'Muslims who want to live by Sharia law.' The two are not one and the same, and to my knowledge it is only the latter with which the Australian government has problems. (Although, re-reading it I must echo Graeme's sentiment that these are not really the words of government officials.) You can't immigrate to a country and refuse to adapt to their laws, and their morals. It's fine to have a distinct culture, but it's not fine for that culture to be in direct opposition to the moral values and laws of that country.

I very much agree with their positions. Why is it that the West (and Australia, by implication ) is always the one giving way, affording more rights to others at the expense of our own?

I thought it was an excellent production of an excellent play. I saw it twice, and both times it was good or better than plays I've seen on Broadway. Menzo

How come? It was actually a very well done production. There was a lot of negative publicity about it because it was Harry Potter, and a naked one at that, but it was easily Broadway caliber. Menzo

No....that's the basic plot line. He has a strange obsession with horses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equus_(play)

If it had anything to do with a quasi-sexual, sadistic obsession with horses, then you were right on the mark.

What an original article It's just the same old crap, rehashed and put into moderately new wording. If you thought that the average, non-evangelical American disliked gays because of what the Bible said, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Menzo

I believe it was a joke. Yes, believe it or not, Dan's assests, wands and other features were not the main attraction of this play. It's a very intense, dark production, with plenty of talent and a phenomenal portrayal of a very troubled human being. Menzo

I saw Equus in London, and it was incredible, although I must say that I'm not particularly enamored of Daniel Radcliffe. Menzo PS He really isn't overly well endowed.

I agree that acceptance and belief (though not necessarily religious) are very important, but to me they are not choices. I didn't wake up one morning and say "Hey, I think I'll accept myself today. And I'll become an atheist while I'm at it." These things happen naturally as your experiences shape the way you view yourself and the rest of the world. As for a partner, people who can't get by in life without a significant other seriously need to obtain some self-respect. Yes, it's lovely to be in a relationship, but life is no more difficult without one. I agree with you Kevin, that it's not all that hard to change professions, but it's harder to do that than to change the others, I think. All in all, there is no one decision/event/thing that shapes who we are. All of the listed 'choices' contribute in some way to the person that we are, and to label a single one as 'the most important' would be overly simplistic. Menzo

I chose profession, because it's the hardest thing to change. You can move, if the place you live doesn't suit, you can easily change partners, and accepting who you are is not a choice so much as a natural progression in your life. Finding yourself in a dead-end job at the age of forty is more frightening to me than being in bad marriage, for example. Menzo

I agress

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEVIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you treated yourself to something nice, and have a great next year~ Menzo PS Sorry for the small text and lack of flashing icons. It's the thought that counts, right?

In no particular order... James Clavell - Shogun, King Rat Robert Jordan - The Wheel of Time Ayn Rand - We the Living, The Fountainhead Friedrich Nietzsche - The Twilight of Idols Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion, Climbing Mount Improbably Dante - The Divine Comedy John Grisham - Everything he's written And lots more. Some books, like Grishams, I like to read on a rainy afternoon at Starbucks and others, like the more heavy intellectual stuff, is a once-in-a-while read that makes me really think about stuff. Menzo