Got this at work today. Can you find the 75 bands in the image below?

Example: The number 20 on the ground is made up with match boxes - band is Matchbox 20.

That's right! We need someone just like you to help us write up new content for the front page. We've been slacking off and it's time to find some creative and motivated writers!

Fear not! The weight of the geekery creativity doesn't have to rest on your shoulders alone! Writers will be given access to a secret forum where they can collaborate on articles, exchange ideas, and walk around nude. If that sounds like a the kind of e-life you want to lead, then you can PM me to discuss it!

What do we write about you ask? Well.. anyting really. If you haven't seen our front page, take a look. You can also find our artical archives here.

In fact, it's been over a year since something was posted in this forum!


My work is done here.  

I figured I would write up a little something since the front page hasn’t been updated for quite sometime. This isn’t going to be long or very entertaining for that mater. “But Judge, why the hell should I read this then?” you may ask. And the answer, my friends, is quite simple. Because it’s important! Oh, you won’t learn anything new. Consider this a little reminder of an important message. Oh and I lied. It is long!

At Christmas time, we tend to be more generous than usual. We give a little bit of our money, a little bit of our time, and we generally try not to be our regular selfish selves. I think that sucks. I think it’s a shame that we need Christmas to remind us how fortunate we are. I think we should be generous all the time. But I suppose we are somewhat greedy by nature. Note that I’m generalizing throughout this article so don’t be offended or pipe up and scream “Hey! Not all people are like that you know!” Yes, I know. I whish I could say I am one of them, but I’m really not. I mean, I look back at the last few years and think of what I have done for other people. Then I look at what I have done for myself. And then it hits me! I’ve always thought of myself as a generous person but… did I give a donation to Tsunami victims? Nope. Did I help out in anyway with the New Orleans disaster? Nope. I just watched it all unfold before my eyes on my 25 inch TV whishing that I actually had a 60 inch widescreen TV. How fucking lame is that?

I travel a lot for work. I usually end up in beautiful Ottawa. And every time I go, I walk the streets and someone will ask me for money, or for food, or a coffee. It’s become so normal for me to see this picture that it doesn’t inspire me anymore. And it’s not just me. It’s a lot of people. Yet there’s nothing funny about living in poverty. I wouldn’t know first hand, but I do know that I never took the time to buy a warm coffee for the poor lady because I was rushing to a meeting, freezing my ass off in my Helly Hanson coat, my winter boots, my gloves and hat, and wanting to get inside where it’s warm. Yet this person, dresses in rags, spends the entire winter outside. Yet it’s all normal…

You know, I really hate myself when I read this back from the top. I’m an ass. And most of you, like me, are asses. Selfish, ludicrous assholes. But I guess it’s normal. On the other hand, it is not the responsibility of a single person to solve world hunger so maybe I’m a little hard on myself and perhaps a bit harsh towards you. But the question remains; what am I going to do about it.

This year, I’ve decided to sponsor a poor family and my wife is doing the same thing through her workplace. We’ll also be visiting our local food banks to see what items they need the most and we’ll go and buy them. And like a lot of people, we’ll do our thing for a day and feel like a million dollars. And then we’ll likely go back to our good old selfish lives. That’s a reality of our society. It’s not a good thing as Martha would put it, but at least it’s something right? In an ideal world, we would behave generously throughout the year, but this isn’t an ideal world is it? I work hard everyday, and that’s mostly because I want to be able to spoil myself. I don’t want the burden of supporting those who perhaps didn’t make the right choices in their lives. But would it kill me to buy someone a coffee once in a while? Or to bring someone to MacDonalds once a month and tell them to pick a combo? Would it really change anything in my lifestyle? Yet I don’t do it. I sit on my ass all day, and walk the streets with my eyes closed, choosing not to see how difficult life really is, ignoring the fact that I am one of the lucky ones who has a place to sleep and plenty to fill my belly and who will likely soon be the proud owner of a big screen TV. I am one of many. We all have the same problem. We are making the wrong choices. Life is about choices. Our choices got us to where we are today. Why can’t we make the obvious choices when it comes to helping out those in needs? Why can’t we shove our pride in a cupboard and take the time to smile at people, to thank people, to give them a hand when they need one? How did we get to the point where it’s normal to walk by a person wrapped up in cardboard in cold winter night and not care?

My dear friends, I urge you to look at your life differently. Stop crying about the things you want and can’t have. Instead, celebrate what you do have and what you have accomplished in your life. And please, take a few minutes to help out someone who sees a mere cup of coffee as something rare, as something they have difficulty of getting on their own. Because for every single thing you take for granted, there’s 10 people out there who struggle every day. That’s actually just a random number, but I’m sure you get the point.

Regardless of your beliefs, whether you celebrate Christmas or you don’t, dig into your pockets a little, spend time with those who live in loneliness, read a book to a kid,  smile at people and watch them smile back at you! Even if it doesn’t last year round, at least make an effort for the rest of this month. In fact, I challenge all who read this to treat a homeless person with a fast food combo by the end of the month. You don’t have to bring them in. Just ask them what they want, go buy it, and bring it back. And if you do, then I want you to post about the experience. I want you to tell me how they reacted and how it made you feel.

Oh FYI, if someone gets shot, stabbed or injured in anyway by attempting this challenge, I’m not responsible!

Merry fucking Christmas everyone!

I just noticed you're about to exceed my post count! And I've been here for about a year before you showed up!  

Be the first to decode this message:

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PM me the answer as to not spoil the game for the others.

I interested, please PM me and we'll pick a couple of people. Please specify why you think you would make a good moderator. We preffer receiving submission from users who visit this place frequently. Also, if you could please specify the time you are usually on-line using EST, that would be great. Thanks!

EDIT: You have until Monday to voice an interest.

I’ve been wanting to write something for the main page for quite a while now. Unfortunately I’ve been busy as hell with work so I was unable to make the time. Today, I concluded that I had been working too hard and therefore took the time to write this short, but related article for your reading pleasure.

I have career aspirations, like most people. I have a plan. And so far, it’s working out pretty well. But work often leads to stress and this in turns affects various facets or your life that are not necessarily work related. Sometimes, I am stressed but I’m not sure exactly why. Sometimes, I can’t sleep well. A lot of people will tell you that exercising helps, and it’s true. But it’s not for me. Exercising is just too much work!

This year, I’ve rediscovered an old passion and I would like to share it with you. It’s something that helps me come with stress and that takes my mind away from the day to day stuff. It completely sets me free and fills me with an inner peace that is barely describable. I’m referring to fly fishing.

When I was in high school and living in the boonies, fishing was an activity I really enjoyed. I would go fish multiple times in a week and I knew of a few isolated spots I could go too. I was never an excellent fisherman, nor was I a terrible one. And frankly, it didn’t matter because I was having fun.

When I graduated from high school, I went to university and moved a few times, finally ending up in Moncton NB. Well, fishing pretty much stopped. I didn’t know any spots in the area and I didn’t know anyone who was into it. Fishing was forgotten. For about 10 years…

This summer, I woke up one day and decided I was going fishing. I had been wanting to do something different for quite some time. Something to break the routine and take my mind off the day to day stress that was starting to affect me. I started crafting some flies, which is also something I hadn’t done in years. Making fishing flies and catching a fish with a fly you’ve invented is something special. So after preparing and taking out my old gear, and consulting some maps of the region, I spent a day driving around a 50 mile radius and identified potential fishing locations. The next day, I woke up and headed to a spot I found the day before.

When I got there, I put on my waders, took out my rod (uh! uh! uh! I said rod. Yeah! Yeah! Uh uh uh!), and I headed in the river. It was a sunny day and it was hot, but the cold water up to my waste kept me very comfortable. I had forgotten how slippery the rocks at the bottom were, but I got used to it fairly quick as I descended down the river, casting my line along the way.

Let me tell you something about fly fishing. When you stand there in the water and cast your line out, you’re not thinking about anything. You forget about all your problems. The only thing that matters to you is keeping an eye on that fly and focusing on its movement. And that’s what you do all day long. Sounds boring doesn’t it? You may think that at first but let me tell you then when you hook your first fish and reel him in, you’ll want to repeat that experience. There’s just nothing like it! I can’t describe it. It’s just a unique rush. It’s not a rush like when you’re driving a motorcycle at high speeds or riding a roller coaster. It’s very different and I don’t even know what to compare it to. All I know is that fishing for a few hours enables you to relax like nothing else can.

Since I enjoyed fishing so much this year, I decided I should rediscover other things from my youth. So I went to the store and purchased some camping gear. It had been about 10 years since my wife and I had spent a night in a tent. So we both agreed this could be fun. And it was. That weekend, we just decided to go camping, with no real preparations or fuss. We got to the campgrounds at nine and ten minutes later, the tent was up, the cooler was out and we were enjoying a refreshing drink. I started a fire. We just sat there, look at it, had some beers, and chatted all night. Then we went to sleep, woke up, packed and returned home.

It was a short trip, but a great trip. Nothing complicated. No preparations that drive you nuts. It was just a get away from daily routine and we enjoyed it so much. We’ll be doing this again very soon!

What about you? Why don’t you share what you enjoy doing to forget about all the unimportant things that tend to drag us down in life?

People who point at their wrist while asking for the time.... I know where my watch is pal, where the hell is yours? Do I point at my crotch when I ask where the toilet is?

OMFGLOL!!11 that cracks me up! (that's not my caption, it really cracks me up).

I was thinking it would be nice to have a good ol' BizB's crack teh case thread. Think that can be arranged?

This has been out for a while, but if you geeks have never seen it, try your luck at defeating Trogdor the Burninator in this hilarious game!

click

This is an exert from my D&D board. I thought some of your hard core RPG lovers would enjoy this little tale. The context it that our adventuring group has just killed an evil druid and his foul minions. The area we are in contains magical druidic circle that this foe tried to currpt with dark magic. My character, Inigo, was slain in the battle but it just occured to the party that this place, called "The circle of death and rebirth" may have some special powers that could bring me back. The druid decides to activate the powers of the circle and finds that he is able to cast the druid reincarnation spell...

Also note that inigo is a bezerker and the party has expressed a desire to get rid of him. I like Inigo, but I've decided to use the opportunity to get rid of my bezerker classes, which means I'll loose two levels.

**********************
You feel the tree-creature's last blow hit home and burst of light blinds your vision. Oddly, no pain accompanies it. The ground is rushing up, sound is drifting away behind you... suddenly, you are above the scene, looking back at it as the blighted treant bursts into flames. A strong pull is drawing you up, but you fight against it. You don't want to leave your friends!


The victory is won! The last of your enemies fall! They approach your fallen body with trepidation and the druid reaches down to close your eyes!

"No, you aren't dead! This isn't fair!" You keep fighting against the upward pull, the world around you becoming less distinct, shady, grey and misty. Suddenly, one of the party does hear your call! Garnash turns to look right at you!

"Hm, Inigo not happy. Garnash help, maybe?" (Garnash is a kobolt character who can speak with spirits)

The Kobold is talking to you? The Kobold? Why is the Kobold talking to you? He certainly is one strange Kobold... and .. eh? What's this? Aramil is casting some sort of spell, and what's that Kobold saying to you? He seems to be emulating the movements of the druid! Hey, be careful Kobold! Don't interfere! I might turn into a Kobold! Hmm.. I wonder what life as a Kobold might be like... Kobold, Kobold.. Kobold..

Kobold..

Kobold..

Kobold..


You awaken suddenly on solid ground. Your friends are all staring down at you with looks of horror on their face. Why do they all look so big?

Moments after the body of Inigo is consumed in fire and then replaced with a small dog-like lizard, a band of lizardfolk move into the circle. The leader, raises his axe over his head and gives a snarling shout. "Victory!"

The lizardfolk of the sharp claw clan have always been companions of the Green Counsel. Their numbers dwindled over the years, however, leaving just the Sharp Claws and their Druidic legacy. The lizardfolk do not know what happened to the last members of the counsel and have been fighting against these shadowy foes for months now. These "blightlords" suceeded in poisoning one circle and used the lizardfolk's own fallen warriors brought back to life to oppose them.

Sysslyth the Shaman foresaw in dreams that a circle of silver would deliver the lizardmen, and when his scouts reported a band of adventurers heading through the forest pursued by the blightlord's undead creations, he immediately rallied his warriors and made his move.

Inigo: "Victory indeed! Do you.... HEY! What the hell's wrong with my voice???"

Inigo looks around... something is different. Something is out of place. "How come everyone got so tall?" He ponders. "And Why is that lizard chick looking at me funny?"

As he reaches for his sword, he shreks! "Hey! My arm... it's... it's green!" He uses his suprisingly heavy sword as a mirror and drops it in disbeleif!

"What happened??? What have you done to me?" (looking at the druid)

"I'M HIDIOUS!!!"

The druid replies: Garnash indicated that your spirit was not ready to rest just yet, so I used the magic of the stones to restore you to life. Come now, Inigo, your body is but the shell that carts your true self around - whether I'm half-elf or brown bear, I'm still Aramil, my essence, my katra* is unchanged. What matters is that you are alive again, to carry on whatever it is you were put on this Oerth to do. Though I doubt you'll be able to keep your hard-earned seat at the bar whose name momentarily escapes my memory. We'll vouch for you though!

Inigo: Well that's just great! Just f***ing great! Garnash here asked me if I wanted to return so I said yes. No one said anything about turning me into a lizard! What the hell is wrong with you people??? What good will karma do for the great warrior that I was? I can barely pick up my own sword now! I can't go back in town like this! They'll kill me! And what about Celeste.... (the love interest)

Oh my God... Celeste... It'll never work out now!

Inigo suddenly reaches for his weapon and looks at you straight in the eye and says "I cannot accept this! You'll jsut have to do it again. And this time, DO IT RIGHT!"

PREPARE TO DIE!!! He screems as he sticks himself in the hearth with his own sword!

Inigo feels the cold blade piercing his heat and burst of light blinds his vision. Oddly, no pain accompanies it. The ground is rushing up, sound is drifting away behind you... suddenly, you are above the scene, looking back at it as the lifeless corpse of a kobolt surrounded by your friends who are apparently engaged in some sort of ethical debate. A strong pull is drawing you up, but you fight against it. You don't want to leave your friends! "Woah! Deja vu" you think...

Your friends approach your fallen lizard body with trepidation and the druid reaches down to close your eyes!

Yep... You're dead again! You think you were perhaps a little impulsive but it's too late to turn back now. You keep fighting against the upward pull, the world around you becoming less distinct, shady, grey and misty.

"Garnash?" you call out... Garnash turns to look right at you!

"Hm, Inigo's one crazzy mutherfella! Garnash help, maybe?"

The Kobold is talking to you again. You reply "Just tell the druid I want skin, not scales! He's so incompetent you'de think he was a gnome!"

This last word resounds in your mind.

Gnome..

Gnome..

Gnome..

You awaken suddenly on solid ground. Your friends are all staring down at you with looks of horror on their face. Why do they all look so big?


Your eyes open... Man... a moment ago you could barely see a thing, then you came back from the dead and you saw clear as day without the colors, and now you're kind of in between. "Woah!" is the first words to come out of Inigo's mouth.

"Hey! I don't sound like a squeeky dog anymore!" He looks himself over and exclaims "And I don't have scale! I have skin! Thank God I have skin!"

He ponders for a moment... "Waitaminute... something is different..." His facial expression changes drasticly as he points his finger at the druid and raises his voice "YOU! What have you done this time??? I'm still small! What the... hey! That's kinda neat!" You're attention is drawn to Inigo's pointy little finger which appears to be on fire. "Cool!" He exclaims! "I wonder..." and as he sticks out his tiny hand, you see the little flame jump from one finger to the next, as if the flame was performing a dance. "Woah! The ladies will dig this trick! You did well my druid friend! You did well! The rage... The insane rage... It's... It's gone! I'm no longer consumed by it! I don't feel like I'm gonna crack any second like I used too..."

"NOW SOMEONE HAND ME A SMALL WEAPON!!" He screems!

"Just kidding! Hehehehe!!! About the anger I mean. I could actually use a small weapon..."

"You over there! Yeah you! The lizard dudes! You got decent lizzy armor I can borrow?"
****************

How fucking funny is that?