Creamy Arty

This thread was created to suggest the addition of more gender options. Debate over the definition of gender and one's ability to choose it, and whatever distinctions there may be between gender and sex, fall beyond the scope of this thread. Several posts have been removed following SCS' post that weren't conducive to the topic. If anyone has any more suggestions as for what should be added to the list of gender options, please share them.

Generally speaking, I suppose a 7 year-old girl is almost as likely to enjoy a convention about My Little Pony as a 25 year-old guy is to enjoy My Little Pony itself. BronyCon is the only brony convention I've attended. While there in 2012 and 2013, I encountered people of all ages, from those who appeared to be around the age of your girl to around 70. Everyone interacted peaceably and had a good time together regardless, and there was plenty to see and do for everyone. There was a voice actor panel in which they took loads of questions from children, and kids love the dealer's room since it's basically a toy store with some other cool stuff they probably wouldn't have thought of. As for your concern about kids hanging all over the cosplayers, all of the cosplayers I've met were very friendly and would love to hug your kid and pose for pictures. Wouldn't worry about that either. But it is rude of a parent to allow their kids to run up to these people and start climbing on them. Kids tend to overreact when elated though. Help her keep her excitement in check and interact with them respectfully as if they were ordinary humans, because they are. The probability of a little girl enjoying herself, if BUCK is anything like my experiences at BronyCon, is good I'd say. Of course, do keep an eye on her and make sure you know where she is and what she's doing; don't let her wander off on her own. Consider also the temperament of this child and her interests. You should know her well enough to figure out if she'd be interested in what the convention has to offer, and should do some research into what's going to happen beforehand.

First thing I typically do is bid a good morning to my birds. Any further utterances prior to my arrival at work are little more than grunts.

Diet sodas are gross to me. Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, diet anything. Some reduced-calorie sodas are alright, depending on the sweetener used and the type of soda it is. I've had some that were naturally flavored with citrus, flowers, or something and they were fine without the additional sweetness. These days I drink nothing but plain seltzer water. No taste at all, but I still find the carbonation refreshing. If you're looking for the great taste or sweetness of a soda but are concerned about the health ramifications, why not try decreasing the frequency of consumption and drink smaller portions? You don't have to give it up altogether, but exercise some self-control. People drank sodas for many years before obesity and diabetes became "epidemic," but back then people didn't buy cases of 24 12-ounce cans or two 2-liter bottles at a time and drink them in half a week. Restraint is all you need. The dubious effects of aspartame aside, they could also be hooked on the caffeine unless they're buying the caffeine-free variant. People with a caffeine problem often don't realize they have one and mistake their craving for it as genuine enjoyment or acclimation to that which is giving it to them.

Not everyone wants the same things out of life, making this very subjective. For me, I've enjoyed being single more than being in a relationship. It's been some time since I've been in one, and I honestly don't miss it at all, from the emotional support (or baggage, whatever one's case may be) to the sex and anything else. Everything I want anymore is fulfilled through my ordinary friends and the pursuit of my own interests. Admittedly, past experiences of my own as well as some terrible things I had to endure through my parents as a kid have played no small part in this. At any rate, I'm perfectly content with what I currently have and am on my own.

Three times I've been to Weird Al concerts. The first was in 1996, the second was around 2000 (I think?), and the third was in 2008 or 2009. Bronypalooza, a concert that happens annually at BronyCon, I attended at BronyCon last year, but skipped out on in 2012. So I've been to a total of four. I'll be making my annual pilgrimage to BronyCon this year and this Bronypalooza will make my fifth concert. By the way, I've moved this thread to the Media Discussion forum and tagged it as a Music thread.

This thread appears to be some manner of random (but strangely enjoyable) nonsense, or something spammy of the sort. Thus, it has been sentenced to the Forum Lounge section of Cloudsdale Colosseum.

With her ego in check and a desire to use her abilities for the benefit of others regardless of recognition, I can see one of her talents helping to organize something in Ponyville. Perhaps with Twilight, in much the same fashion as when Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie worked together, minus the competitive aspect preceding their cooperation. Trixie returning seems improbable to me, yet certainly within the realm of possibility.

Been about the same for several years. Standing at 6'1" and weighing in at exactly 170 pounds.

Stupid is as stupid does. While Spike makes some really poor and impulsive choices at times, I think he's quite intelligent for being able to keep up with Twilight's OCD and for playing the straight man when other ponies let their own fears and apprehensions get the better of them in what should be simple situations. At times he's the one losing it, but given that this flips back and forth depending on the nature of the situation, I think he's a well balanced individual. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but by no means is he stupid and possesses a wisdom of his own. A dragon's greed is natural, but given that he's demonstrated he can give freely of his possessions, time, and of his own life on several occasions, I don't think that's too bad either. Again, he can go back and forth on this, and seems balanced well enough to me. Besides, good intentions not always executed appropriately doesn't necessarily make one a bad person. I think that's what we have going on with Spike sometimes. I think Spike is the most "human" of that lot. Although flawed, his flaws are often his greatest strengths under the appropriate circumstances.

I doubt Discord would want to join up with Kefka, although Kefka himself would never go for it. Discord's power exceeds that of Kefka. While Kefka demonstrated that he can cause an immense amount of destruction and enjoys killing people, Discord's powers allow him to completely redefine reality as he sees fit. And given that Discord is just out to have some fun, even at the expense of others, he isn't necessarily evil (anymore). Wanton slaughter isn't something he would do. I like to imagine that he wouldn't tolerate it from Kefka either and would kill him or eternally imprison him should they ever meet.

Samurai 7 is my favorite anime... I think. The fights were over the top and at times kind of ridiculous, a blend between samurai and mecha. Still, it's incredible and takes itself fairly seriously.

SolarFox (Full Spectrum) was promoted to mod when I was, so he's got some mileage on him. His decision to depart left me feeling bummed out in a special way, as without him on the team, that would leave me as the last from that round of new recruits. DashForever's decision to return has at least removed that and helped me to feel young again. Even so, it's unfortunate to see our beloved SolarFox hitting the dusty trail. He's been a faithful and fantastic mod, and a good friend to many. I wish him the best in all he pursues. His mod position is still available to him should he ever feel up to returning. "Once a pound puppy, always a pound puppy." Congratulations and felicitations to both Sugar Cube and Wingnut. I've known both of them for ages and are people I've always admired. They're both intelligent and congenial people, and I have great confidence in their abilities. SCS and I first met in his introduction thread. He immediately struck me as a calm, bright, and dedicated individual. From that moment I had a feeling about him one day joining the staff and becoming a moderator. As with the others, I have the utmost confidence in him. DashForever... what can I say? We started this gig together. From day one he was fully committed and has served with distinction throughout his tenure. Having him back on staff is a relief. Since he already knows the ropes, I imagine he'll settle in rather quickly.