Shadow Chaser

Currently, Wal Mart. The past two years have not been kind to me so I took this year and emptied my retirement account, moved, bought a new (to me) car, and I'm just working to get back on my feet. I remember being so nervous when I went in for my first few days. I was so nervous. But after realizing that the Army had sufficiently prepared me for everything, I got over it and relaxed pretty quick. College is... Well, it's something I don't want to do but will probably end up doing. So that's coming along as well.

See if you can get Feld0! I'd love to see some answers from him. Or maybe someone who's made something. Artist, writer, song maker. Something of that nature.

I'm so very glad you added this edit. I thought you were trying to make a Scootaloo joke but I didn't get it. hahaha And yea, definitely loving all of these so far.

I can't speak with conviction on this but I believe they were removed. No one particularly liked that this was done because some of the younger folks had meaningful thoughts and points to bring up in many situations, but when lawsuits are prevalent in society, especially over frivolous things, it's just a safety precaution for the site and those of us on it.

Pretty cool idea. I always like reading direct answers to direct questions like this. Provides a bit more about the person than the average post will. Definitely have to keep an eye on this one.

That's a little too pointed. haha I get where you're coming from but you have to keep it as vague as possible. Don't mention in the status that you got a warning. While you may be angry that you got the warning, that feeling usually becomes disappointment. What I'm saying is just jump to disappointment and just let it roll off your back. Just try not to repeat the mistake. Again though, if you feel like you were wronged, open a ticket about it. I trust in the staff members that, even if they don't like that you're challenging their judgment, they'd happily pass it to another mod for them to judge freely. It's like the judicial system. You can be found guilty at your initial trial, and if you disagree with that ruling you can appeal the decision and the case is given to a different judge who can reverse the ruling or uphold it.

Well, as I said, I won't get paid until the 14th, so you have until then to offer up your measly offerings and see if you can beat me, and then on the 15th is when you will lose. I am joking, of course. I have a set amount I normally donate to charities, so I probably won't win this, but just because you might not win doesn't mean you shouldn't donate!

I am currently very broke but when I get paid on the 14th, I am going to win this contest donate the most for this awesome cause!

I think for that analogy to work you'd have to be PMing people. haha While I agree that status updates are small in comparison to the rest of the board, it's something that sits on the front page, potentially for a good while, until there are enough other statuses to bump it. And while I don't often post statuses or in the boards, I do always scroll to read the statuses. They're small and quick reads. But if they're all about injustices of warning points, it's kinda disheartening. (Mods correct me if I misinterpret this one.) The thing some people don't realize is that you can complain about getting the points, just be vague. For instance, if I were to get some warning points my next status would be something along the lines of, "Well, crap." or "Won't do that one again." And, invariably, someone will ask and you can mention you got a warning but it was accidental or incidental or something you didn't think was that bad. It's all about keeping a cool head and not openly raging about it and causing unnecessary drama. Because if you're really that upset about it, it's probably best to look at a different site. And I don't mean move to a different forum, but find another website that can occupy you and/or calm you down. And then when you come back you can brush off those warning points as just a bad day and then move on and not worry about it.

It's not "kissing up" if you agree with the rules. It's a matter of, people having no problem with the rules that are set down. Like I said, it's way too easy to not break the rules here.

Not sure why there are so many folks up in arms about this. As long as you remain polite you can pretty much still do what you want. The staff is just trying to avoid unnecessary drama from vague status updates about bogus rules and things of that nature. And if you really want to complain about having a warning, just PM your friends. It's stated that PMs are never read so you can go to town complaining there. Or, there are Instant Messagers that can be used. None of the rules stated are really all that harsh. In fact, this is still one of the most relaxed forums I've ever been a part of. Just take a deep breath and if you feel treated unfairly or disagree with a mod, take it up with another mod. With the staff as it is there is a hefty system of checks and balances to work in your favor if you were legitimately wronged. However, if the warning you received was well deserved, don't expect much. The rules are pretty easy to not break around here.

There's a fine line. Be tough and don't cry are ways to teach kids that life will be hard and you need to have thick skin and be able to press on. People just forget to tell them it's okay to cry at the same time. Clearly there's nothing inherently wrong with it, but there is a point where crying doesn't get you anything and you need to suck it up and drive on. Life won't wait. But people cry and you have to let yourself sometimes. Had a friend die while we were in Iraq. Wasn't a dry eye in the entire Battalion. Guys that I looked up to as the most badass of men broke down. My friends that I had trained with and gone through so much terrible shit, and never seen them cry before, here we all were, just breaking down. But at the same time, we had one day to really mourn his passing before we had to carry on with the mission. It hurt the rest of the time we were there and it stills hurts me to this day, but you have to have the strength to press forward even in the wake of tragedy. Crying is not a weakness. It's an emotional reaction and a very natural and acceptable one. However, being able to push past those feelings and move on is a great strength. Never forget the feelings but do not let yourself be overwhelmed.

Well, if we count not being forced to, I'd say a day or two. By forced, I mean when I was in Basic and we had all our platoon mottos and morning PT stuff that we had to do. Things that don't require thought and are really only meaningless repetition of something said previously. Realistically, I talk to myself a lot. So probably not more than a few hours.

**This is the first chapter of a fic idea I had for how Zecora came to rhyme all the time. Posting it for posterity and as a place holder.** Many years after Shadow had finished his work as an agent for Princess Luna, he often found time to just wander through Ponyville and talk to ponies. Really learn about their lives, where they had come from prior to living in Ponyville and exactly how they got there. To be able to simply sit and listen to others talk made Shadow feel at ease after years of being on edge. It was a part of retirement that he did so love. On one such day, Shadow found himself walking the winding and unkept path to Zecora's home in the Everfree Forest. He watched the trees for predators as he walked but today seemed to be a lazy day for everyone. The ponies in town had moved with a slow contentment that was uncommon from the usual hustle and bustle, and the same seemed to be true even in the forest. Twice Shadow happened across creatures nearly twice his size, that he could not readily identify, but they seemed uninterested in him. They would eye him as he walked, but, perceiving no threat from him, they let him pass undisturbed. As Shadow followed the path, he recalled the stories some of his friends had told him. Fluttershy's fall from grace, Pinkie's rock farm family, and even Twilight's first few days in town. He found each story fascinating. Though, not every story he heard was a happy one until the very end. Ponyville seemed to have a magical aura all its own that made the residents thrive. Love and happiness was always around. Shadow was unsure if this was the small town mentality or simply a greater cause of ponies wanting to be a part of something greater, with none of them realizing that they were what made it great. Whatever it was, Shadow liked Ponyville, and, over the years, he had earned many friends. None so strange as the one he now ventured to see. Zecora was a strange pony by nearly any standard. Beyond just being a zebra, she was an earth pony who specialized in a very specific type of magic. Shadow had once called it black magic and she had been quick to correct him. "Just because a horn I lack, does not mean my magic is black," she had said. Shadow had rarely inquired further. Her business was her own and he respected her privacy. Today, however, Shadow would inquire about her past. Although he had never asked her, he was all but certain she had a troubled history. Something about her demeanor made him think she was almost as traveled as he was. And a journey as long as that would undoubtedly have a few bumps. As he reached the clearing that contained her cottage, he smiled. Her home always looked so inviting in the midst of these dreadful woods. Knocking gently on her door, she answered in her usual fashion, "A visitor on this beautiful day? Please come in and have a stay." Her voice was cheery. Zecora had always liked Shadow. He was intelligent, with a mind for the world, and kind hearted. Two traits that she considered paramount among friends. She beckoned him inside and closed the door behind them. Offering him some tea, which he kindly accepted, Zecora sat with her friend. "So what brings you to my home this day? A walk in the woods or are you astray?" Shadow chuckled. Her rhymes always made him laugh. "No, Z, I'm not lost. I came to see you. I just wanted to visit for a while and chat." "Then I'd best brew some more tea for us. And what is it you'd like to discuss?" Zecora rose from her chair and began to gather dishes to make more tea. "Well, I'd like to hear about, if you're willing to share, how you came to live in Ponyville. Or at least on the edge of it." Zecora paused as she made the tea, nodding her head slowly with her back to him. "It is not a story I often share. But I will tell it, if to hear it you care." "I've always cared to hear it, Z. I just haven't always had the time." Shadow sipped at his tea. A surprisingly sweet blend. "It is good that you have extra time. Have you ever wondered why I speak in rhyme?" Zecora sat at the table once more and refilled Shadow's nearly empty cup. Shadow nodded. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't. I just figured it was something that your people did. I never thought it was very strange, though. I find it rather pleasing to the ear, in fact. But I remember a day, years ago, when I didn't hear you speak in rhyme. It was just one sentence but it stuck with me." Zecora smiled faintly. "The day you speak of, I remember well. It was just a week after I finally broke the spell." Shadow furrowed his brow. "Spell? What spell?" Zecora shook her head. "Not just a spell, a horrible curse. That forced me to speak in rhyme and verse. It was cast on me when I was a foal. I made removing it my life's goal." "But you said when you spoke to me that you had broken the spell. If you aren't forced to speak in rhyme anymore, why do you continue to do it?" Zecora sighed. "Early in life we form habits we often never break. It's much more important when you're life is at stake." "Are you saying since you were a child that you were forced to rhyme or you would die?" Zecora nodded, the grief in her face was clear. "So how did it all happen?" After a deep breath Zecora spoke clearly and without rhyme, "I suppose I should start from the beginning..."

That's the plan! I like that but the problem arises when I get to what she really did to get herself banished/cursed. I was thinking some crazy old wizard living on the edge of her town that she upsets by accidentally destroying something precious of his. Afterward he curses her with the rhymes that she has to speak in or she'll become ill and eventually die. And once her people learn of the curse they banish her so as to not upset the wizard fella and Zecora has to travel a great distance to learn the magic required to cure herself. Which is how she ends up in the Everfree Forest. (I wanted to make this a longer adventure but it's seeming like more and more of a one shot.) Edit: If you guys are interested in the first chapter, I threw it up here.

So I had an idea. I want to write a fanfic with Zecora. But I want to cover something I don't think I've ever seen anyone touch on. I want to cover the idea that she doesn't rhyme just because she wants to, but rather because she has to. That some curse that was put on her as a child was what caused her to rhyme or face death. But that's about as far as my idea has gone and I need some help. I'm taking suggestions for how to get to her becoming cursed and how the journey takes her from her homeland of Zebrica, across the vast ocean to Equestria and how she comes to settle in Ponyville after finding a way to lift the curse. So I want this to be sort of a brain storm, if you have an idea, or you read someone else's idea and it gives you an even better idea, don't hesitate to throw it out. I will, of course, put it on FIMFiction and will be sure to credit everyone who helps me with this. So anything you've got I'll be happy to hear! Thanks in advance! (You guys really helped me out when I was planning a LunaMac shipfic so I figured I'd rely on you all once again for some help.) Edit: Also, I have a first chapter written, but it's mostly just fluff to get into the actual story and not anything to do with the actual events of it all. I'll happily post it if you guys want to read it. Posted here.

As cinematics go, it's very pretty. That said, I've seen a lot of games with awesome cinematics and lousy game play. I won't say I'm excited for this, and, in fact, I rolled my eyes when it was mentioned, but if they really polish the game to run smooth and learned from TORs mistake and make a lot of end game content, I could see this being a contender in the MMO world. But I'd definitely like to see some actual gameplay footage rather than just cutscenes.

I know a lot of people don't like rap but the mellow vibes of this song along with the lyrics kinda hit something for me. I encourage you to give it a listen and just let yourself relax and vibe a little bit. Anyway, enjoy. His footprints are fading away from the beach We're not a family to pray or to preach But daddy's best friend took a handful of pills and now he's at a podium making a speech Yesterday night after dark He carefully wrote his remarks but everyone said what he put on his page so he threw it way and went straight from the heart I thought this was a party But all my friends are leaving And I still want to play You wrecked me when you stepped out cause you're the wounded healer And you're supposed to stay A year's bottle in a bucket of trash It'll tip over the more that it stacks Didn't notice it till now but dad's been moving slower every time we play go play catch I'm scared of the day when he'll carry a cane I carry his dream I carry his name And when papa is gone he will never be gone because the sound of our sneeze is the same God bless I hear your voice in mine And I want to stop time Like a carnival ride I don't know what I'm saying but I mean it