Randimaxis

The Goddess is pleased; keep vibrating, and she shall come. *wiggles eyebrows*

Yeah, if your idea of 'fun' is being blinded by the light; racked up like a deuce, another runner in the night. Give me 80's-tastic neon ANY day. ... except Thursdays; I could never get the hang of Thursdays.

Hypothetical gravy and mash always tastes much better with a pinch of Existential Blues:

I have lived for a current total of 42 revolutions around the sun on the dirtball, and I have asked this particular question many, many, MANY times to myself. There have been dark times. There has been the slog of existing day-to-day, the pain of heartbreak and hopelessness, and the shame of all my personal sins that I've had to endure. There have been beatings, betrayals and other little pains that add up as time marches inexorably forward. There have been moments clouded with angry and lonely thoughts. And on multiple occasions, I have even contemplated rushing my journey into the void. But... in the interest of being fair, I also have to contemplate the other side, as well. There has been great joy in my life. There have been celebrations that not only would have been sorely missed if I didn't attend, but even one or two that I helped to make better. There has been applause, wonderful moments I wouldn't trade for the world, and times of quiet harmony that the world shared with me. There have been loyal friends, kind strangers and even the occasional single meetings that proved to be for the best, both for them and myself. On rare occasion, there has even been a moment or two of pure happiness. In all, the entirety of one's existence is ultimately what one experiences... and what one feels of them. See, anyone could look at my life and say 'boy, that poor bastard is suffering something fiercely,' while others could look at the same life and say, 'wow, what a great time he's having!' Essentially, both would be right AND wrong, because Life is not made up of black and white experiences; I've found it to consist of everything one goes through, good or ill, and is a mishmashed conglomerate of the results. Another way to put it would be that Life isn't worth NOT living. What would it be like to have never existed? Well, that's a simple answer - NOTHING. Because not existing means never having to even think... of anything, ever. To me, Life isn't anything that people who are in their 20's, their 40's, their 80's or even beyond truly could ever accurately define, except maybe in a scientific manner. The metaphysical part, the fun part, the hard part is so very different for each single human being that it would be somewhat silly to try to put it into direct definition or terminology. Not that it keeps folks from trying, but they have their points as well, I suppose. To answer your original question, I think there is. I can't claim to know or define it, because all I know is what's worth it for myself; what YOU might find worthwhile isn't exactly always going to agree with MY view, and vice-versa. But I would much rather exist than not exist, and the reason I feel that way is because Life is so random. Which means that, even if all good things must come to an end someday, it also means that nothing is forever - including pain and misery. SEEK what gives you happiness and fun, because it's out there somewhere... or maybe it's closer than you think. It's hard not to fall into that pit of existential despair, but the best rope you'll ever have to climb out with is the assurance that whatever you experience in Life is YOURS, completely and totally, and that because of that fact, you can change it as you please. You know that whole 'when you stare into the void, the void stares back' thing? Just keep reminding yourself that, if you choose, you don't have to stare at it in the first place. Look to the horizon instead; it yields more colors and reminds us that, even as we all whirl through the cosmos on a huge ball of dirt, we get to decide for ourselves what's worth living for.

Dax felt glad he'd been on the right track; though Oglevy had just torn a part of the tail and folded it upward, Dax still wasn't exactly certain how it could be easier to translate into a mechanical form - after all, it's not as though they could simply tear a piece of steel... although, being Troy, he wouldn't be surprised to find out they actually could. He gave Wind a nudge. "Watching a brother helps a lot, right?" he said with a grin. They said something on the radio about it? Wow, maybe more folks know than Illiad even knows about! Maybe we should swing by that radio... tower... place, and say hello? The thought ruminated in his mind as he looked at Lift. "Yeah, I'm... just filling in, I guess you could say." He smiled. "Besides, anyone who'd partner up with someone like your brother here would really benefit; he's excited about what you do, and it helps ME to be more excited as well!" Compliments always help, he thought as he tossed a grin at Wind. "Archback? Wow, that's..." He tried to calculate the distance, but couldn't quite figure it out. "... a long ways from here! My family actually lives in the Crystal Mountains; chances are, if you folks ever used emeralds in Equestria to hold enchantments, then it was probably from my father's quarry! I don't think there's really very many in Troy yet, but if they do show up, I'm sure you'll be able to tell the quality right off the bat!" He pondered a moment, then looked at the device again. "You're still designing a tail fin? I don't know about the mechanics of it, but couldn't you just turn a wing on its' side, shorten it and find a way to move it from side to side? I mean, if the wing flaps can lift, couldn't they do the same thing sideways?" He then gave a bit of a blush. "N-not that I'm trying to be a smarty-pants or anything like that; for all I know, what I described might be too basic for this superior design. I was just thinking about it, is all... we have a handimare back home who does a LOT of mechanical work, and I sometimes watch. I might not know the actual nuts-and-bolts stuff, but I kinda get it." He released one of his sheepish smiles. "Kinda."

... I need a few days to come up with the right stuff, but as you wish. *nods* I know what I have to do.

He didn't bother the scientist with any more words... but Dax's smile said that he was glad he'd been complimented... and perhaps had just a touch of pride at having been so successful. Dax was a bit disappointed that Lift was shooed along in his explanation; the Blackwater had been following what he was talking about, and was a bit crestfallen that he didn't get to go on. However, he was eager to see what they were going to be shown, so he didn't wonder too much more over it. When he saw the device, at first he just stared at it; he'd never seen anything like it before, and even if he didn't understand it, he was fascinated with the idea that it was a scientific design that had been brought to life. "Cooooooooool..." he marveled to Wind, smiling as he now started to try to look it over and figure out how it worked. Luckily, an explanation was forthcoming. Dax saw it; it was pretty much like one of the paper darts that Oglevy used to make to simulate flying. When his kid brother threw it, it had sailed along and came to land on its' own because a throw could only go so far - this device kept a constant force pushing wind from behind, while also having the ability to raise and lower parts of the wings to point the craft either up or down, or turn it if they worked in opposing directions. All the intelligence and acumen of the green-striped pony was most certainly being put to good use as he envisioned what sort of things the device was capable of doing; that, combined with his time helping Oglevy to improve his airspeed, were now coming into full play in this place of science and learning. Maybe someday, even Dax could find a way to work with TrUST... if they were willing to take him, of course. He was certain he wasn't in the same league as the big brains here, but he might someday prove to be good enough to help out. If he ever found himself in Troy again, that was. Daxter Blackwater, the colt of a rock miner, slowly raised a hoof as he looked at Lift. He didn't want to interrupt, but he did notice something that Oglevy's flying darts always had, but this device didn't seem to... and naturally, he thought he might be foolish to mention it, but it seemed as though he might just bring it up; maybe the machine wasn't actually done being built yet, and the part he had in mind was to be added... but then again, he wondered if asking about it would allow Lift to talk more about the device. "Uhm, isn't there a... t-tail-fin? When my brother made paper darts, he'd fold up a fin in the back to help keep it stable. I see the flaps for lift, and understand that, when used opposite of each other, they can turn the device, but... a vertical flap would help stabilize it and make it easier to keep it from capsizing in midair, right? So, I was wondering where it might be? Is it being cleaned or maybe repaired?"

The nuzzle she gave him made him give a strange, wobbly-mouthed smile that said he was both embarrassed and pleased for the display. Poor Dax; so happy to have someone care about him the way she was, and yet so clueless as to how to handle such a thing. Obviously, especially by what his emotions were giving off, he most certainly wanted such a relationship - he just had zero experience with anything like it. Still, he didn't shoo her off or try to deny anything - just that endearing smile that said he was enjoying the attention. "Hunh, what?" he blurted, somewhat shocked out of what feelings he'd been lost in. Then... He turned and only had enough time to say one thing... "Bli-" Okay, part of one thing. >WHAM!< The little filly hit Dax like a miniature battering ram, and he tumbled end over end with her until they landed, the Blackwater on the ground, looking up at the rambunctious filly who was practically vibrating with excitement, gripping his barrel on top of him. Chuck took one look, and began to laugh as if he'd just heard the best joke in all of Equestria. "Blitz!" Silver stepped up, finally catching up to the little dynamo, and was caught somewhere between panting and laughing. "Well, we found Dax, at least!" She looked at them both. "Dax, Blitz here has been beside herself to find you! Well, not so much as actually standing next to herself - because TWO of her might be too much for the world to handle - but more like she's really been looking forward to finding you!" "I... can... tell..." he uttered as he caught the breath she'd knocked out of him. Once he got it back, he looked at Blitz and smiled broadly. "Hiya, Blitz! Has Silver here been showing you around a good bit? From the look on your muzzle, I kinda wonder if she's let you blow anything up! You been having fun?" Silver smiled, then leaned in towards both Chuck and Mystic. "Here it comes," she warned playfully. Echo flushed prettily, and smiled. "Oh, it w-wasn't that - I like mint, and since there was some available, I just thought that I'd t-try to make something minty..." "Umm... no, I d-don't think so. But getting to just be here feels like a holiday to me..." That's when a look crossed her features - one that was either sorrow or shame - but her smile returned rapidly. "I'm really glad you like it! I made another three jars, a-and you're welcome to take one with you when you go into the mines next time; a little something t-to snack on while you work!" She'd been quite thoughtful of him while she'd been here; always doing little things like this for Crescent, as if she were playing the role of a homemaker... and enjoying it completely. "So, um... a-a-anything new in the mines, lately? Anymore fire opals or another vein of emerald?"

It's okay; even if I don't respond to you in this particular block, we can pick up right where we left off if you reply before the next one.

When people say "is is", as in "What it is is"... RRRRRGH! Bad enough I have to deal with folks who don't know how to speak properly, but double-wording like that makes the Grammar Police in my head start their sirens; it's a surefire way to tell if someone isn't as smart as they seem to be.

Dax gave a giggle. "Over your head? That's a good pun!" He then smiled and added, "Well, Silver told me that there was an inherent magic that all pony races have, and that even if it doesn't manifest as, y'know, unicorn-type magic, it's still just as valid! That's why I don't try to tell folks what they can or can't do - nobody knows what magic really is, so there's no telling what could be out there... and what can be accomplished. Maybe magic is more of what you want it to be, if you try hard enough." He then blushed a bit. "Well, heh... that's how I see it, anyway - I could be wrong." Dax followed along amicably enough; he was curious to see what was coming next. He might have felt a bit crestfallen at being ignored, but it didn't last as he almost broke his neck, looking around so much at as many things as he could! He again wondered if Silver would ever come home when she saw what TrUST had to offer... Dax grinned and turned to Wind. "Silver built something like that once... but it wasn't for flying; when one of the generators blew out at the quarry, she rigged up a device that looked a bit like that for the Earth Ponies to be able to use the winch. Normally it wouldn't matter, but there were ponies still down in the mines, and they would've been stuck there for a day or maybe more if she hadn't set it up. This..." he looked carefully at the machine, "looks more complicated than that... but I actually think I kinda understand it." Dax felt a little ball of warmth in his heart; he actually wasn't completely out of his element here, it seemed. He'd have to thank the handimare when he got home - without experience with her works, he'd probably be feeling like an idiot about now. When it came to his turn, Dax (who had been studiously watching the others to see what to do) got inside and settled himself into place. Okay Dax, he thought, you can do this. It's just a big, heavy bicycle; you've got this. Show 'em what a quarry pony can do. He began to push the pedals. It began slowly at first, but he quickly picked up speed as he closed his eyes. He leaned forward over the handles, and put his back into it. You can do it, Stripes, the voice of his brother Harcourt floated through his mind, come on - give 'em a show they'll not soon forget! He didn't even look to see if he'd managed to get the thing off the ground; he was so intent on pedaling that he didn't even consider that he was being watched. He just put his heart into what he was doing, and praise Luna if he managed even an inch off the floor. All those years he'd spent at the quarry came back to him - the time he'd spent kicking rocks in the mines (behind his father's back) came back to him as he struggled, sweated, and grunted with effort. Like quartz, but at a more consistent rate... leg comes up while leg goes down... switching force from side to side, allowing the opposing leg to rest only long enough to reach the apex of the revolution... then increase force... pushing through like a rough mica that gives under enough pressure... steady and stalwart... pressing, not shoving, each leg in turn, like a duet with harmonies... He kept going, his entire being focused like a single arrow, racing to its' destination with zero focus on anything more that achieving the goal. Gotta keep moving... gotta keep... moving... gotta... keep... Even Dax, the son of a seasoned rock-kicker, had his limits however; before long, he knew he was flagging and, rather than risk damaging the machine, he began to ramp down his pedaling, bringing the entire contraption slowly down until he felt it touch down. When it did, he let out a gasp and fell back into the seat, panting for breath. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and looked at the others there. "Did... d-did I do it?" he asked plaintively as he pulled himself off the device, looking at it to make sure he hadn't broken anything.

Maybe 'What My Cutie Mark Is Telling Me'? It has all six, and gives each one a part to play in it.

Troblemaxis!

Oatlando, FL Maneami, FL Haytona Beach, FL

My third grade gym coach... *shudder* And this is..?

Apathy is full of joy! *dies laughing*

Nope; I can't afford them, though there'd be a few folks I'd patronize... and maybe buy their stuff, too. Anyone have this particular lil' gem?

So Long And Thanks For All The Ponies Dungeons & Discords

Because aliens spin the globe to try to practice to join the Harlem Globetrotters. What is the measure of a man?

Hee hee heee... make that MINUS 7.

Duuuuuuude... 9/10! I am DIGGING that!