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Hehe... 4,250 is not really almost 16,000, Kenneth 

That was sarcasmic Nacho :o! I happen to disagree with the majority of my American brothers on this one. The figure still looks bad even when you compensate for proportion.


I want to move  :'(

And just to prove it's not just the US that has problems, big brother is right:

Homicides   1976     2004      Change
USA          19,000   16,000      -16%
UK                 450        850      +88%

Hmm.

Oh no, don't worry Chris, it's not as bad as it appears, you have to remember the the US has nearly fives times the population of the UK (CIA Factfile, July 2006). Adjusting for proportions, the five Britains needed to match the US would have had a total of  4,250 homicides, which is almost as much as the Unites States' 16,000.

If I had a family (kids and wife) I would have a hand gun in my house.

Why go to all the trouble and danger when, for the price of a handgun (I'm guess A LOT less actually, but admittedly  I am not interested enough to look it up), you could install a state-of the-art home security system for as little as $100-200. They protect against more than just break-ins, like fires and medical alerts. Here, check these sites out:

Protect America
USA Alarm

There are loads of benefits from having something like this over a handgun, just off the top of my head-

*Many available packages have 24 hour monitoring that will automatically notify local authorities.
*You may get a lower homeowners insurance premium.
*There will be no gun for your kids to find and accidentally kill/injure each other with.
*The burglar/psychokiller/rapist would most likely run away at the first sound of such an alarm, and all you would have is a broken window/door rather than being forced into mortal combat and end up with a dead body from either party on your floor.
*You would save on the cost of a safe or a dresser and socks in which to store the gun.
*You could skip the tests and whatever other licensing steps that exist to become a gun owner.
*Let's face it, you probably don't really want one anyways, if you felt you didn't need to have one I mean.

The specific retailer in Bowling for Columbine was K-Mart, which is still a national chain of Wal-martesque stores, but is a lot less visible and many of the stores are closing. The reason for the confrontation at K-Mart headquarters was because the offenders purchased their ammunition there, but Wal-Mart most likely took the event as a cue to pull handguns from their stores.

although i am not 100% sure about this, isn't this the first really bad school shooting in america since Columbine in 1999?

The reports put this as the worst school shooting full stop

I'm of the mind that, yes, some disturbed people will not be stopped from going on a rampage for whatever their reason, but if guns were off the public market, then there is a very good chance a substantial portion of those who may start a massacre would have to look into alternatives. In this case I can see the more extreme nut doing something more diabolical, and the person who is just emotionally unstable or angry having more time to think about what they are doing, rather than having the luxury of impulse with a gun in their dresser. Of course you can never take guns completely out of the picture, you do what Kirk did in the Star Trek: Original Series episode "Arena" (season 1, episode 19) and resort to a length of bamboo, some sulfur and coal, and a huge diamond. However, I cannot accept that the figures of violent deaths in the United States would remain the same ridiculous number with guns or without. I don't buy that.

Personally, I am not worried about having to defend myself. I got an A- in kickboxing (would have been a solid A, but I missed a few days ), so if I had to I can take care of myself. I would not let fear drive me to carry a concealed weapon. I have not, do not, and will never own any guns, and no I am not counting the 2 rifles my idiot father bought me one Christmas  because he desperately wanted me and my brother to be hunters. I only used them (compulsory -_-) for target practice on cans, and eventual had him sell them (to responsible hunters) and I became vegetarian

wonder where he gets the time to do most of what he does. I just see a pale skinny guy chained to his computer whenever I think of Yahtzee.

Most people would think of CJ also. 

...and they would be correct 

I guess I'm in a minority that pretty much ignores his games, somewhat on principle. While 5 Days was one of my first AGS games and it was okay, I have since revoked my support after spending a few minutes on that site you so graciously linked Sinsin

Ah, Yorkdale Mall is the first stop I'll be there then, just a wee wait with Renegade and perhaps Ivy,  and less hassle ^_^

Yes. Provided that it is still in the neighbourhood of 100 CAN then I will be going in the AGS Bus.

I will be arriving in plain old Toronto rather than going straight to Pearson, as for some reason the coach from Saginaw to "Toronto Airport Terminal 1-3" is a 26 hour trip, and going to Toronto is only 14 hours  :o. I arrive at 6:20am on the 20th so there is plenty of time to arrive at Pearson by 4-ish, or hang out with Toronto locals?? 

Perhaps I'll host my own AdventureCon in my bathroom, and call it AwesomeCon.
Then people will give a crap about it. And it's free!

And I'll take pictures!

That wouldn't happen to be a Monkey Island meets Star Wars meets Firefly game, would it? That character looks like you tried to make Malcolm Reynolds out of Guybrush 

o/

I saw and enjoyed it. I was worried at first that is would be too over the top cheesy, but it was okay and I understood the need to have it fully animated rather than live action. Imagi did a great job on the film, the art and animation were first class.

Bit of crazy nostalgia was had beforehand as pre-movie lunch was provided by Pizza Hut. I didn't realise until we got our order that we were having pizza before the film, perhaps it was my subconscious that directed me there. Or maybe that it is a favourite anyways

It didn't matter really as they have dropped the pizza quirk from the Turtles a couple years ago. I can't speak for the new cartoon, but I am a regular reader of the Tales of the TMNT comic books which are pizza-less as was the movie.

So, since I was beaten to the "first clothesless AGSer in the photo thread" title by the spawn of Vince XII, I thought I would take a different angle. How about first to post shower pics?


setting up the camera


You may have seen that vintage video where a monkey washes a cat. Here a monkey washes a dude


Getting a little steamy. I had to stop and start the shower several times during this photo shoot to wipe the lens.


I look perhaps too happy here, or that I'm on drugs because there is no soap around my eyes. I suppose it's just that even I couldn't believe what I was doing.

Anyone scarred for life, feel free to blame Limping_Fish.

I'm still trying to decide whether to take the coach to Pearson or Munroe. Does everyone know where they are flying yet? Do any of you who are taking vehicles from your private collection have plans to meet and greet at either of the airports?

If the bulk of those flying in end up going to Pearson I may choose to go with the Team Munroe. This way the larger group would not have a monopoly on fun

Of course, people who attended last year have built my expectations of Taffs Well to orgasmic proportions.

It better not let me down.

Have you ever heard the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"? It's about Taff's Well.

o/

I've just been checking up on coach options. Any of the Canadians in the London(ish) area? I am interested in carpooling if anyone is coming from there or nearby. I only want to go as far as I have to on the coach, since I will have passed the exit to Bayfield nearly halfway to Toronto . My route also calls at Brantford and Hamilton along the way if that crosses anyone's path. I promise fuel $$ and upbeat shenanigans for any takers.

 :'(

I've budgeted my planned summer on paper, which is much less forgiving than mental budgeting. There is no way I can make this now -_-. A bit depressed, but I am much better off not going and becoming broke just before moving.


I shall upgrade Ingrid instead ^_^

August would not work for me either. I would only be able to come if it was the absolute first week of August, which would tail Mittens by only three days. Also, I would have to skip my side trip 

EDIT- I just did a budget, and unless I happen to get a [good paying] job by the end of the month, I am out . I realised that although all the travel and accomodations can be easily paid, I would have barely any spending money for Brittens and Mittens, so I just have to wait and see what is happening in the next few weeks.

I would like to see AGA graduate . We could all wear matching shirts like groups do on The Price is Right. They could say something like "We're here for Berian!".

I'm fine with whatever dates, though I was planning on a Parisian/Brusselian adventure the 11th/12th to 17th, but I am certain I can work it around whenever Brittens is set.

Late June is best for me, as I will be moving across country straight after Mittens and starting uni August 15.