NigaiAmaiYume

This is a strange request, but hopefully someone here in Xisto can help me get started at least. In an episode for Vampyre Hymn (one of my series), the characters end up having to hunt vampires in a mental institution (Don't ask. LOL). This has several consequences because of the world set up in VH, what with some people being able to alter small segments of reality, and then ALTERING some of those people's preception of reality - but that stuff I've already worked out. My problem is I want to portray the actual institute, employees, and general patients both accurately and respectfully. This is not "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" - this is a hospital dedicated to helping good people deal with serious mental problems that have made it difficult to impossible to function in society. Being how this particular episode will be set in the mid 90s, I'm also not entirely certain WHERE to start looking for specifics. Can anyone direct me to research, descriptions, or other background I can use to improve my portrayal? Story specifics: - Time: Mid to late 90s. I haven't worked out the exact year yet, but this decade is necessary for other story reasons. - Place: Anywhere in the United States. I haven't picked a specific state or area yet, so if someone finds me a lot of information about a specific region, I can just set the episode there. - Institute: Treats middle to upper class patients, generally self-admitted or by family members. Range of disorders treated should inclulde schizophrenia, although ideally many different mental disorders should be represented by the patients. Thanks in advance for any help anyone is able to give! ^-^ And appologies for anyone that now thinks ~I~ need to be admitted to such a hospital. ^-^

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The library I've been using to get on-line has been closed until January. Managed to squeeze in this one just long enough to let you guys know I'm planning on being back January 2 when the University comes back to life.Oh, and thanks for Most Creative, I guess... o_O NOONE else was nominated????

http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/h?v=lv4Potdpjhw Not much to look at, but the idea itself is hilarious, and the directions it takes more so. Rick McCallum, Producer: "When you're making a movie on the scale of Lord of the Rings, the first step is to take is keep as untrue to the original novels as possible."

One vote for rvalkass. Call me old fashioned, but I like the scroll and seal. I like Pleno's for the userbar feel, for those that like something smaller.... Could that be made available for those that prefer it, as well? I know everyone likes TeeCee's, and it is definitely crisp, but it just doesn't "speak" to me. I guess I'm just not into the 60's diner feel. Won't be too disappointed when it wins, though. ^-^ The text on Mich's is too hard to read, being the same color as the seal and with drop shadow on only one side. The trophy is a little hard to look at for the resolution, as well, losing even more points. The border's also too busy. Sorry, Mich. I DO like the star burst seal you used, though.

*giggles at everyone complaining about the text*I'm a writer - for me, the render is SUPPOSED to be secondary to the quote! ^-^Sure, no one else likes that, but it's my sig, so my rules. :)Thanks, Avalon, for the text upgrade... How do you do that? Just a feature in Photoshop I don't have in my poor GIMP 2? LOLI've got a few more ideas of what to do with it before it's done (including *gasp!* brushwork! LOL), but I'll work on those when I'm not so tired.

The sig in my signature block was done by Truefusion, as said therein. ^-^ No brushwork involved in this sig... The background is a bit of the wing, stretched, blurred, then sharpened, with a VERY light lens flair to lightned up the area behind the text. And GIMP won't let me make the font bold. I've tried stroking, it just looks... Bizzare. Don't know what GIMP's doing.... If anyone can make the text READABLE, feel free to mess with these... Text: I promised to be good... I never said I would play nice. NigaiAmaiYume

Well, I fell in love with the purple fairy render from over here, so I thought I'd see what I could do with it. Being how it's my second sig, I figured there would be no competition with Bkag's for hotchick2121. ^-^ Version 0.8: I need to figure out how to make the text easier to read - I love the font (Dobkin, downloadable from various sites), but it's not easy to work with. LOL Let alone in GIMP, which is what I'm working with. It also needs a border - I'll add that last. Just getting this up now in the hopes someone will be able to help me balance my text, since Shout lost to Football. ^-^

Interesting... Is that a render, or did you make the flower-thing yourself?Cons:- Bit big for sig standards in my opinion.- The flair in the middle is an interesting effect, but it obscures a lot of detail that can ALMOST be seen, making that area a little hard to look at.- Nice effect with the text. Unfortunately, placing it in such a light corner makes it hard to read. Perhaps darkening the text to improve contrast?Pros:- Color balance is pretty good. The pinks contrast nicely with the blue background, and the flower-thing itself is well shaded and colored.- LOVe the little liney-circle things, and in good balance. Maybe have them match the established lines of the flower more, though? Add a bit of flow?- Like the background, with that textured feel and the gradual fade. The touch of cloud brushes are also a nice touch.

Well, I've been working at Tim Hortons (Canadian Coffee Chain) for 15 months now. Graveyard shift, which involves me being alone (Except the baker) from 12pm until 5am, and responsible for doing all the front cleaning (Sweeping, mopping, plus a few other chores they can't/DON'T do during the day), AND serve customers all by myself.The job is minimum wage, which in Ontario is $7.85 an hour, plus night premium, which is $0.85 an hour.I FINALLY got my 12 month review a few weeks ago (Which is one of the problems...), which involved a pay raise. I don't remember what "average" would be considered (I think you get a 75 if you do everything "to expectations"), but I got an 85% review on the numbered scale.I now get *drumroll* $8.85 an hour for doing the work of pretty much a person and a half (TWO people if you count the NORMAL Tim Hortons teenie worker...) for 8 hours a night, 5 nights a week.In a job that is super-understaffed, moves you around without asking (I did an afternoon shift two weeks ago, just found it on my schedule and had to work out how to change my sleep so I didn't hurt myself), and is 90% staffed by people that JUST DON'T CARE.I'm a Type A perfectionist, by the way, that is actually CONCERNED about the happiness, wellbeing, and health of my customers, when not super-stressed and interupted from cleaning.After finding out all my hard work at trying to keep the place running was worth 20 cents an hour (AND that I would have NOTHING saved up with all my labor with which to pay for school next semester, putting me even FURTHER behind on graduating...), I realize I NEED to get somewhere else. Especially since a few of my customers keep recommending other jobs that are willing to pay better for people willing to work graveyard.Right now, I need this. I need the money, I'm just overstressed from the job, and overall sick of feeling bitter at everything.The problem is, I'm scared. (Oh, and I feel like I'm abandoning the managers when they need all the help they can get, but the bitterness is helping there...) So scared, that I'm currently looking at my resume on the computer, trying to convince myself to update it and print it off so I can drop it off at the first place recommended to me (Which promises to pay $10-$12 starting, with an increase to $15 or so in three months). I haven't even worked up to GOING there yet.Why? Lots of reasons. Low self-esteem, although I'm working on that. Fear of a new situations, which plays on my Clinical Depression and makes it hard for me to deal with stress. Stress is also added by the fact this new job would be night cleaning at a meat production plant, a TOTALLY new setting for me, and one you'd think would have HIGH sanitation standards. And I just plain don't know what will be expected of me: I work best when I know the hows and whys, so either totally structured by them or TOTALLY up to me.But I've got a TON of cleaning experiences in other settings (Hotel as well as Timmies), and honestly ENJOY making a place clean and organized, as well as a SUPER attention to detail. (One of my flaws: I spend too much time on things, making sure they're up to MY standards). I've even worked in a factory before, doing Quality Control for DuPont two summers.I guess right now I just need reassurances that I'm doing the right thing. That MY health and MY needs are more important that loyalty to a place that refuses to treat me well. That I DO have the strength to start over again in a job that honestly can't be any more stressful than making sandwiches to drunks that walk in off the street at four in the morning when I'm an hour behind on getting the store ready for the morning.Wish me luck!

The effect with the Triforce is VERY good, and the render "sits" well in the sig - not terribly blended, but it makes it "pop" a touch with goes with the rest of the effects.Not sure I like the balance of everything, however; too much empty space on the right. Maybe moving the render over a touch?I agree with icemarle, the text could be better. Too thin, and the font doesn't suit the rest of the theme.I DO like that line under it, though. ^-^ How'd you do that?

See topic description. http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ If I had not seen other Japanese commercials in some of my club's fan subs, I would NOT believe this. o_O

Reminds me of the War of 1812.As I understand it, the Americans invaded (what would be) Canada, stayed a weekend, got drunk, got bored, and went home. ^-~Canada's secret of defense: Hospitality and being dull.Of course, that wouldn't work now. NOW, we have all the best comedians.On second thought, maybe we should go strengthen that border....

I like the idea of a streamlined Hide feature, especially for signatures. A good way to have information made available if people are interested, but cutting down on the space for everyone else.But, knowing me, I cringe in horror at what I'd think "necessary" to be in there....Do graphics load while "hidden", or do they only load when shown?

When most Western people think of consol RPGs, they generally think quests, fighting monsters, and set story lines. This makes games that explore the ROLE playing elements of RPGs all the more refreshing when they come along. Cute Knight is a game by Hanako Games, who's mission statement includes "girl games with unicorns instead of prom dresses". Despite the distinctly feminine feel of most of their games, however, their depth and innovation can appeal to everyone. Cute Knight is their most recent, and best, installment. Where to find: A trial version of Cute Knight can be downloaded from Hanako Games. The full version of the game can also be purchased at the site, currently for $19.95 US. Cute Knight is also available at various download sites such as Big Fish Games and Reflexive Arcade. Summary: Cute Knight is based off of the Japanese Princess Maker game series: by attending classes and working at jobs, you develop the character's skills to achieve one of multiple endings. There is an area where enemies can be fought with either weapons or magic as in more traditional RPGs, but combat is a means to specific endings instead of a goal unto itself. The true focus of the game lies in finding the proper balance of jobs to earn gold to pay for classes to build skills to succeed in certain festivals and unlock new endings. The Good: As said, the game play is refreshing in the "choose your fate" goal. While the main character is female and some of the overall feel a little girly, I can't see any but the least confident guys enjoying the game for what it is. There are a many ways to keep busy with this game: a wide range of jobs to pursue, many items that can be made from crafting and potions from brewing, an interesting magic system through the use of "charms", and a randomly generated dungeon to explore if the need for basic "hack and slash" comes. The multiple endings make the game truly addictive, with each ending unlocked adding an image to the gallery accessible at the title screen. Some endings are as simple as building a specific statistic to achieve; others require completing specific tasks and quests. The Bad: Almost NO help is provided in game to explain how to proceed, how specific stats contribute, or even to explain controls. Several resets may be necessary at first as you get a feel for the game. Fortunately, the controls are simple, making the learning curve much easier. Unfortunately, some of these controls then change in the dungeon, requiring more trial and error until mastery is achieved. (Indie Game Worlds Cute Knight Wiki provides some hints and tips that will make playing the first time much easier until a proper help manual can be found. A Beta-tester Fan Site is also a good resource.) The graphics are also highly inconsistent. Some I find amateur to the point of being off-putting, to be honest. The game can be repetitive, particularly once you have achieved the necessary stats for a specific ending and are just trying to advance the game to the completion of the three years. Care must also be taken at this stage to not accidentally set up another ending, ruining your previous work. Controls: Strictly point and click the option for most of the game. You go to an area on the map in the bottom right corner, which triggers one of several options from jobs, purchasing items, attending classes, resting, and a few miscellaneous events such as festivals. Jobs and classes take seven days to complete, with jobs earning gold and classes costing gold. Both jobs and classes build specific stats, although classes are obviously faster means to this end. The dungeon has a separate set of controls, with arrows to navigate (the keyboard can also be used in this area) and options for weapon fighting, using magical charms, or attempting to tame the enemy to leave you alone. Charms and items worn must be selected before battle, and the stat menu cannot be selected while in the dungeon. Options can be selected by clicking the close button on the window, and include saving or loading multiple filesaves, music and sound effects, increasing animation speed, and turning on or off hints, as well as finally exiting or restarting the game. Graphics: As mentioned, the graphics are inconsistent at best, awful at worst, and decent use of sprite and pixel art in between. The look of the game can be seriously helped by either having either a more professional artist draw the ending images, or using the sprites that represent performing jobs instead of the character portraits. Preferably both, to have the game look as good as it is enjoyable. Music and Sound: Not too bad, but neither are they notable. Some of the job tracks, which appear to be randomly selected between several, can even grate on your nerves after a while. The game loses nothing having the music and effects turned off, in my opinion, but then it has never been one of my greatest concerns. Any other areas you think I should address in a review? Any questions to help you decide whether to try the game or not?

I think the emblem is a good touch, adds interest to an otherwise empty corner. Maybe trying a different color for the emblem? Taking out that black part of the background behind it?Nice job with the render. Unfortanetly, since this background is the same color, it blends TOO well in my opinion. You need more contrast to make it "pop".Interesting technique with the background. Maybe not balanced well, but you've got a good beginning.I like how you have the text angle with that one bit of the background - nice touch!

I don't have one, but I do have a list of questions to add to AJ1's...How's the graphic quality? I've been hearing some conflicting reports; I wouldn't mind some eye-witness testimony.How's the launch games? Which ones did you get, which ones are you looking forwards to?How much advancement did they manage over the PS2 that you've noticed?

If you want the glossy/glassy look, renzokuken, be sure you do something dark around the opposite edges. It doesn't have to be as obvious as the light area, but contrast would add to the realism.

One of the reasons the Internet developed was to PREVENT such an occurance. Networks were supposed to prevent a system from being taken down in an attack because all the information was shared among multiple sites. If one bank of computers were destroyed, for example, the others would still have backup. At least, that's what I remember from High School Computers. More info than I currently care to read here. Forgive my mistakes above. That having been said, things have progressed beyond the original intention. Hackers, both individual and in groups, have infinitely more skills that could have been imagined in the days of ARPANET. The danger no longer lies without, but within. Could the internet be taken down? In my naive opinion, yes, but not permentantly. The human condition encourages people to continually strive to both destroy and create, and I can only hope the later will always be at least as strong as the former. As for the fear this thread will encourage such destruction - that's like blaming violence on video games. People are going to do what they want to do within the limits of their knowledge. True, we might have planted the seed in one person that previously hadn't thought about it. We're far from the first to consider it, however, and if they were truly interested, they would have found the idea somewhere else. Ignoring a problem will not make it go away. Those that are concerned MUST discuss it, if only to realise the depth of the threat.

Haven't been frequenting the same forums as you, TeeCee06, but welcome to the Xisto family anyway! You seem well on your way to being a highly productive and successful member! ^-^ Keep it up, and I hope our paths cross more in the future.

The backgrounds of the sigs are very well done. Brushwork? Or did you use filters?Great use of colour for each, it either comes from the render (eg Yoda) or compliments them well and adds a touch of meaning (eg Stormtrooper).You seemed to have used different methods of blending each renders, some more effective than others. Darth Maul, for example, doesn't look blended at all. Padme has a feather transparency from what I can see, and Obi Wan looks just fuzzy.Yoda's the best blended as far as I can tell - focus more on that blending element of a background without it being so obvious as with Obi Wan.The white curve seems a bit much, particularly on Padme, where it cuts right through her eyes. Maybe move it a bit or try different techniques.Are these available for others to use? That would explain why you left them blank... ^-^

For my own amusement, I've been doing a Poem a Day over at the Creativity Forum. I rather like one I just did, and think it's open to a lot of interpretations. I want to see what other people think. Take a look at The Might Ponders, second poem in the post. PM me with what you think it means, and you might earn a few credits. ^-^

http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ I believe that link on it's own should work.

The problem with these situations is both parties interpret things differently.In this situation, the guy seems to be interpeting EVERYTHING as encouragement, which could be for a lot of reasons. The talk with the friend suggests low-self-esteem could be a major factor.Because of this, typically good suggestions (Ignoring, tell him the truth, etc) are misinterpreted and no good came out of them.Fun. Especially since "Just ignore him" was going to be my suggestion.Getting people in authority (Principle, teachers, parents) is usually the best solution, although as any person that went through the peer pressure that is high school recognizes the problems that can also come with it.Glad to hear it helped in this case!As for changing the way you dress etc: I only suggest this if it's making your life unbearable. No person has the right to force you to change who YOU want to be (Except parents and well-meaning friends, but they're just looking for your best interests). ^-^Meeting guys that will look beyond your looks: Try places you already have a common interest in so you can start talking and move beyond first impressions faster.

I would assume there should be some place you add the address of the original image. I'm just not sure where in the code you listed....Would someone be nice enough to clear the matter up for us that are bored and easily amused? ^-^