1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask... 2 *************************** INSTALLED: 12 JAN 85 ******************* 3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day system operator 4 ************************************************************ 5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION 6 PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM. 7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privately owned 8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public. 9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is 10 privately owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which 11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be 12 periodically purged of messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved) 13 To leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the 14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the 15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace 16 the line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up. 17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system. 18 ************************************************************ 19 20 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 21 The biggest problem we have in the definition of life, is that everyone 22 wants to apply different qualities to the definition of it. There are 23 those who are wrapped up in defining life with respect human beings. 24 (I.E. When does life start for a human.) Then we have those who wish to 25 draw a line someplace and say, "This is life, and that isn't." Finally, 26 we have those who wish to apply the definition as a continuous scale of 27 changing gray, where everything has some aspect of life to it. Of course 28 there will never be any real agreement between these people, since they 29 whole purpose of the debate is to expose yourself to alternate viewpoints, 30 but there is no expectation that you must accept them. 31 As you have probably deduced, I take the approach that aspects of life can 32 be found in all things. I define life as 'any organized system'. 33 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ fred ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 34 P.S. Oh yes, I gues this means I'm at the top. A first for ol' fred. Yawn... 35 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 36 first time on in quite some time... i tried for an earlier return... but i got held up in stockholm... something about a 37 all allowed... 38 friendly message to receive... at least that is what i always think after an extended period of 'enter only'... anyway... 39 40 gaudy minsky... 41 frightfull... imagine what i would think if it happened to me... 42 chela... 43 sorry indeed for my absence recently... situations contrived themselves... eventually any motion made to a terminal would 44 have resulted in ugliness... 45 guardian... 46 the Lady s has no terminal at the moment... you knew that... and yet you sent a message to her...? 47 sorry for thi message to be done in 126 columns... it was an accident... 48 49 another situation contrived itself only seconds ago... no time for my 50 long awaited reply to the chela (CH-ay-la)... 51 52 {c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{lurk}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{tammy}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{lurk}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c} 53 I had a story to enter but it looks like the Inn has gone into a debate so 54 I'll save it for when the stories are back. I don't want to bother people 55 when they are trying to concentrate on one subject. It needed more work any 56 way. I'd better go. 57 --------------------------------------- 58 ANOTHER DAY IN THE POLICE STATION... 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 60 AS I PATROL THE STREETS I SEE A GUY 61 TRYING TO ROB A 7-ELEVEN STORE. I 62 IMMEDIATELY STOP MY CAR, PULL OUT MY 63 GUN ( A CAP GUN THAT IS ), AND HOLLAR, 64 "THAW, STOP WHERE YOU ARE AT?" THE 65 ROBBER GIVES ME A STRANGE LOOK, AND 66 MY CAR, AND CHASE HIM DOWN, I HAD ONLY 67 ONE CHOICE, TO RUN HIM OVER, SO I 68 HEADED STRAIGHT FOR HIM, SPLUT, BLOOD 69 SQUIRTS FROM HIS SQUIRT GUN. I AM 70 BLINDED, AND LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. 71 I JUMP OUT, AND SEE MY CAR CRASH INTO 72 A NICE SPORTS CAR, I HURRY ON OVER TO 73 HER CAR, SHE IS DEAD, THERE WAS NO 74 PULSE, SO I COULDN'T RESIST, A NICE- 75 LOOKING WOMAN LIKE HER, AND UNDRESSED 76 HER, AND HAD A TIME OF MY LIFE. I ATE 77 HER OUT DRY, I GOT EVERY LAST DROP OF 78 SNAUGHT. THIS WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. 79 911 911 911 911 911 911 911 911 911 80 ------------------------------------ 81 82 THE POLICEMAN 83 911 911 911 911 911 .............. 911 84 85 86 ~~~~~~~~~~%%%%%%%%%%~~~~~~~~~~%%%%%%%%%% 87 TILEAN: It is (chay'-lah) per the dictionary. It is not found in some 88 dictionaries thou. 89 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PaPa ~~~~~~ 90 PROMETHEUS: Good to have seen you again at PorSFiS. You were you usual 91 self. Glad to have met/seen/been introduced (circle one) to the following: 92 Zippy; Mig (after at PC&S); Lady S.; Rich (hummm); and other assorted 93 persons. 94 Hope to see more of you around here in the future. 95 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PaPa Smurf 21:30 12 January 1985 96 P.S. THE POLICEMAN - PLEASE do not waste lines by putting blank 97 lines after every line of text. This is a waste of space and you 98 should be strung up by your toes. This ohever, has been to serve you 99 the notice that the INNFOLKS do not like blank lines used the way that 100 you have been using then, so please stop. I took the liberty of 101 deleting the blank lines only. Your entire text is in tact. 102 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PaPa Smurf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 103 104 -------------------------------------- 105 Debater: ok, I asked you to stop using 106 my boarder. You sent me a rude reply 107 in return. Ok, now I'm telling you to 108 stop using my boarder. I was using it 109 long before you got here so why don't 110 start responding in kind... 111 -------------------------------Mad Max 112 There is a msg of interest to certain parties on CBBS/NW. 113 _________________________________Leonard________________________________ 114 ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ 115 From Zippy; 116 Tammy, On the contrary, I for one would love to see your story, and I'm sure others would too, as the Inn has 117 traditionally been very diverse in it's content, and critical of none but the most twitly. So go ahead! 118 PaPa Smurf, Sondargaard, I must confess that it was a great pleasure to finally make your acquaintences(Oh God,SP) 119 today at the PorSFiS meeting. It's always a thrill seeing th face behind the name for the first time. 120 Mad Actor, I must apologize for my hurried exit today(1/12), and I feel that a proper thanking is in order. Thank you! 121 All, My best wishes for happiness throughout life(I'm just full of goodwill toward humans today). 122 ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZippydalurker 123 124 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (depressed, sorta) 125 Messages abound although some of them are lost. Here are the ones I can remember... 126 a terminal of some other kind, but had forgotten that I had made the entry on a Fri night/Sat morn and that 127 it would be gone before she would be able to get ahold of it. I'm sorry for having made that Time related error. 128 Please take notes and relay the information knowing that you see more of her than I do. Sorry for the confusion. 129 {Tammy}- So, you've returned... I'm not sure if I've already mentioned this but I will (again) anyway. 130 No matter what topic the writing may be on at the current time, it goes through different styles and doesn't mind 131 Peter Davison, it does take getting used to. I think we have a few matters to discuss other than the Doctors. 132 Ian- That definition is suitable. Wouldn't you want to keep up on what's going on with the missle anyway? 133 Prometheus- Hmmmmm- What can I say? I think I told you that I start acting a little strange (as you do) when 134 the crowd starts getting out of control, as it did Saturday. I hope that 135 136 `'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' 137 The conversations at the Inn were up to speed and moving along nicely. 138 A few efficacious patrons but that was to be expected in such a diverse 139 crowd of individuals. "Warped?", exclaimed the practitioner, "Oh yes, you 140 Modern culture seems to have this obsession about renaming things. Does 141 this make people think that something is different when given a different 142 name? Take a neutral example for instance. Many of the present day buildings 143 are made of mud (baked into bricks), but people don't want it said that they 144 live in mud houses. Modern homes are imitations of caves, but no one wants 145 to be known as a cave-dweller so they are called houses. 146 There is an ancient remedy for many forms of deafness that still works 147 wonders today: it is called `praise'. 148 speed of the wind the view crossed the infinite sands. Eventually a Great 149 deep within the structure it stopped in a huge cavern. In the middle of the 150 room was an Emerald Tablet covered with fine gold inscription: 151 `The miracle of unity is to be attained.' 152 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 153 Another thought on the subject of life-forms: 154 Consider the corporation. It most certainly is irritable. Try writing 155 something using the word "Xerox" instead of "copy" and you will (assuming 156 that someone from that fine company reads it and passes it on) get an amusing 157 social and economic stuff in environment), alter that environment, use 158 energy in various forms, and flood the marketplace with their waste products. 159 I could go on, spinning analogies of most of the things we think of as the 160 activities exclusivley in the provence of "life," but I'll leave that 161 extension to you, who read this. 162 are these: 163 (1) Evolution -- (tune out here for all die-hard christian fundamentalists, 164 I have long ago rejected your arguments, and would save that argument 165 for a later date.) 166 The evolution of life-forms tends toward greater and greater complexity. 167 As we understand it now, life appears to have come about via a number of 168 self-replicating chemical reactions. The interplay between the 169 self-replicating reactions and the etropic forces that tend to tear these 170 proto-life forms apart created a continual change in conditions, causing 171 the equilibrium of this mix to tilt toward those self-replicators most 172 resistant to destruction. With early proto-organisms, this problem was 173 go further on that line. 174 I hypothesise that in our present era, intellegence as such, has gone just 175 about as far as it can go. Indeed, we can infer from palentological finds 176 that the early cro-magnon man was little more intellegent than his neanderthal 177 cousin whom he conquered and exterminated. From what evidence that can be 178 recovered, given a shave and a two-piece business suit, the average neanderthal 179 would occasion very little comment in downtown Portland. 180 The whole of human history, on the other hand, seems made up of attempts 181 for groups of humans to survive and perpetuate themselves. This social 182 evolution is a series of battles just as intense as those that were fought 183 in the primordial sea. Can we not look at the corporation as a struggling 184 I feel like I took up too much time on this entry, so have at it, anyone. 185 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 186 ________________Melissa--------------------------------Melissa________________ 187 M A G E N (cont.-3) 188 189 Raza sat gazing across the elegant wood desk toward the large picture 190 window. The huge rectangle of tinted glass gave a marvelous view of the main 191 plant supervisor. The office went with the job. 192 The scene in the window overlooked the plant complex. When he looked 193 carefully, and with a little imagination, he could almost see the bay to the 194 west, between the two stacks that towered above the generator building. At 195 the present moment his eyes saw only empty space. His mind had been dragged 196 away by some force he couldn't identify, to some place that seemed strangely 197 familiar. Meanwhile his seated body continued to lean forward, elbows on the 198 desk supporting his vacant-eyed head. 199 The senses in Raza's near comatose body did not register the opening of 200 the office door. The slinking, sexy walk, reflected in the large window, 201 went unobserved. She came to a stop near the corner of the desk and waited 202 for the smallest of moments, then she stamped her foot into the plush 203 carpet. There was little sound but the floor vibrated with a thud that was 204 felt rather than heard. Raza's attention snapped back to the room so 205 "Raza, are you just going to sit there and ignore me?" 206 "D-D-Dixie! When did you get here? How?" 207 island this afternoon instead of having to take that dreadful ferry tomorrow 208 morning. I was so excited to get here today, we can party tonight at the 209 opening of the new club in town. Imagine, the first island disco. Why the 210 place is getting positively civilized, in a primitive sort of way. Don't 211 just sit there like a lump. Say something." 212 "Oh, excuse me please, I was kind of lost in thought." 213 "Daddy will be pleased that you are here so late on this beautiful day, 214 and thinking up new ideas for the project. This island development is one of 215 his favorite little investments. Now let's get going. We've just got time to 216 get changed and make it to the yacht for the sunset cocktail hour." 217 "I can't go right now. It's still an hour until the end of the work day." 218 "What's that got to do with it? Daddy owns this place, and he said that I 219 should bring you along on my way back from the hotel. I thought why not 220 fetch you on the way into town. We can catch up on old times while I get 221 dressed." A coy little smile crossed her lips. 222 "Really Dixie, there are a few things I've got to do. Why don't you go 223 ahead to the hotel. I'll pick you up there in about an hour." 224 "OK if that's the way you want it. Don't be late now y'hear." 225 Raza found himself standing at the office door reaching for the knob to 226 open it. Dixie put her arms around his neck and gave him a lingering kiss 227 that made his head spin. While his mind was still whirling around Dixie 228 opened the door and swirled out into the lobby. She turned and said over her 229 shoulder, "See what you missed?". Her parting smile and little chuckle 230 burned into Raza's brain as embarrassment rushed into his cheeks. He closed 231 the door quietly and walked slowly back to his chair. His life had taken a 232 sudden complicated twist. He plopped down heavily into his chair. He had to 233 think this out. Things were starting to happen way too fast. 234 No sooner had he relaxed a little than something again grabbed his mind 235 and whisked it away. This time a scene emerged from the void. The sun was 236 setting, casting long golden ripples across the water. There was the sweet 237 smell of frangipanni on the warm breeze. Raza leaped out of the chair. The 238 picture in his mind had been much too familiar. 239 ----------------Melissa________________________________Melissa---------------- 240 241 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (and yet another in the massing crowd...) 242 Melissa: Your entries are marvelous! Just the sort of thing I like to read 243 before I go off to another day's work to entertain others...(ya, Sunday!) 244 Gotta go... Keep 'em going, folks! 245 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian 1143 Hrs 13 Jan 85 246 247 248 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 249 And it's taken many years 250 And it's taken so, so very many tears 251 To be here now. 252 And we're still playing those same old games 253 Lord, you'd think we'd grow tired of those same old games 254 That brought us here now, that left us here. 255 256 Now I know that I'm still who I was. 257 But I feel like something's changed deep down inside. 258 I once had it, but it slipped through my hands, 259 I said "No more!", you closed the door. 260 261 But I know that I'm still who I was 262 (At least I think so!), 263 But, I feel like something's changed deep down inside. 264 I feel like I'm on the outside looking in 265 Through a window, my face against your window. 266 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 267 268  269 ************************************************************************ 270 hope the meeting yesterday was a blast. I'm not sorry I missed it, 271 My first joy is skiing and I made some excellent runs yesterday. 272 And when I crawled into bed last night I called my baby on the phone 273 and said goodnight, I fell asleep before I hung up the receiver and 274 within a couple of minutes was awakened by the phone beeping at me. My 275 legs feel tight and good today, NO pain, I feel so good I won't even 276 toss any stones around. (although it would be too easy to do so) 277 ***********************************************kathy********************* 278 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 279 From Prometheus; Allowed 280 All allowed again, oh what fun. No more ritual apologies after messages, no more annoying errors that can not be gotten 281 rid of. No more undeletable entries (Almost) and very few vandals too! 282 Life just might be perfect, of course, if it is I am oblivious to it. I have never experienced perfection, so how could I 283 know what it felt like? 284 285 Assorted messages follow; 286 Sondargaard; I am not really very sure how I ought to take that. I suppose in stride, but, I really don't know otherwise. 287 Vixen-Mono Corp plans are awaiting us at the planning buildings, shall we? They might be usefull, actually. 288 Man in Gray; I fail to see how Sarah was offended, she made no referrence to what you said. And has probably gotten used 289 to that sort of 'Old Timers' sentiment, from hearing me babble endlessly on it. 290 Bard; Why, thank you. A delightfull song, and it was interesting to hear the referrence. It often seems that others 291 know more about the myth and the context of it than I do. Disconcerting, to say the least. 292 Anyway, thank you for the song, although I do wish it to be replaced by another soon. 293 294 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 295 296 The Former stepped out of the roman baths, and timidly replaced the towel sheets they had given him with his cloak, and a 297 little while later, with other clothing more suitable to the winter environment that was his destination. 298 299 As things were sliding more and more to debates, and all the humans and humanoids started showing their predjudices about 300 what was life and what wasn't the Former decided to visit a calm little planet where a particular leaf grew in abundance. 301 302 The Former had no taste for the times when humans started letting their little basic beleifs shine through. It seemed to 303 the Former that all humans suffered from the very wrong beleif that only huans counted as truly intelligent, or even alive. 304 305 This was obeisely wrong to the Former, who knew many of the animals that man called 'Only Mentational' Which is a nifty 306 word that meansthat they can not initiate a new set of thoughts, at least that is what most humans thought it meant. 307 308 Actually it was only a special word used in a paper on the intelligence of animals. The report used a chart of Mentation 309 levels to represent the differences between wolves and rabbits, and other non terran animals. 310 311 Most humans used it to show how superior they were in respect to other animals. Well, if he ever got up the courage, one 312 of these fine days he would tell them what he thought the truth was about intelligence. 313 314 "All animals are intelligent, most of them have not got the annalysis depths or the memory to come up with the complexity 315 of initiated thoughts that man can. There is no real border where one can say 'To Kill This Is Murder, To Kill This Is Not' " 316 "That is all I have to point out, and I am only willing to defend it if people don't become to insulting in their replies" 317 318 Only after the Former said the last syllables did he reale what he had just done, prepared to leave, and obviously in a 319 good deal of frustration, he had loudly proclaimed an almost totally alien mode of thought than most humans ever suggested. 320 321 Now he had done it. 322 323 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 324 Former: Here is a quote from a book on the bottle-nosed dolphin by David 325 and Melba Caldwell. 326 "Dolphins probably are just exceptionally amiable animals with an 327 intelligence now considered by most workers, on a subjective basis, to be 328 comparable to that of a better-than-average dog. WE THINK THAT THIS IS 329 ABOUT AS COMPLIMENTARY STATEMENT AS CAN BE MADE ABOUT ANY MAMMAL." 330 (emphasis added) 331 Read this statement to people and you'll get to responses: 332 "So?" 333 and 334 "Say what!?" 335 Altogether too many people can't seem to see anything wrong with this 336 statement. (the "So?" reaction) What's worse, even when you point out the 337 key point, most still can't see anything wrong with it. 338 If this kind of idiocy keeps up I have little hope for H. Sapiens. 339 To: all 340 No, I'm *NOT* going to tell you. Try and figure it out yourselves. I 341 _may_ tell you tomorrow. 342 Note the there are FOUR (4) seperate "hedges" in the first sentence of 343 that quote. Note also that the authors had doctorates in Marine Biology 344 and Zoology respectively. Therefore, we must assume that they were trying 345 to be VERY careful to say EXACTLY what they meant. The fact that they made 346 this particular error shows a deep-rooted prejudice. 347 _________________________________Leonard___________________________________ 348 349 ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt 350 351 leonard... it seems obvious... at least the answer i noticed... in that 352 the marine bilogists failed to include themselves in the order of mamals at 353 all... or at least... it seems they failed to place themselves in the order 354 of mammals... maybe the really beleived people were only as intelligent as 355 an above average dog... what around them could contradict this...? 356 357 ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt 358 359 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# 360 L'homme: At last, I've figured out the source of my error in that entry. It can be summed up in one statement: 361 I thought you were INSIDE the room at the time. As Farley didn't know what your name was at the time, you were 362 referred to as 'the prisoner' because I was holding a gun on everyone in the room. Does that explain things to you? 363 #$##$##$##$# (Hmmm.... bit twiddling?) #$##$##$##$##$##$# Farley #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# 01/13/1985 - 06:08pm #$##$# 364 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 365 After weeks of preparation, I was ready to begin the enchantment. Many days had been spent already studying the 366 art of healing. Restoration of vitality to the countryside wasn't going to be easy, here in the battle-torn Ruby 367 Valley. 368 Alas, I was at fault for a good deal of this destruction. Weeks ago I decided to restore what I could as a sort of 369 recompense for the damage. 370 And so, after day upon day of painstaking work, performing each ritual with an exactness that was required of 371 such spell-casting, I was ready to initiate the final steps toward Reconstruction of the Ruby Valley. 372 I grasped a large red ruby from the stand beside me. It pulsed oddly, like the heartbeat of a wounded man. Indeed, 373 it WAS wounded, for after my work this stone had become a small model of the valley itself. Now, following the laws of 374 Sympathy, if I healed the stone... 375 I had repeated the spell countless times in the last few weeks, practicing again and again- nothing could go wrong 376 while I cast the final spell, or I would cause more damage than I cured. I remembered the words in the Healing Tome: 377 'Perfectly it must be said, and three times in succession. Each repitition of the charm is twice as hard as the 378 proceeding recitation: thus, the last time through will be four times harder than the first. The Rule of Three binds 379 things so.' The damage incurred by the valley would be nothing compared to the backlash I would receive, so I repeated 380 the charm once more to be sure. 381 Everything was set. I drove the fear of failure out of my mind, for I had no time for such luxuries. 382 Gently, I sprinkled a bit of earth upon the ruby. The stone reacted, pulsing madly, but still in an irregular pattern. 383 I began the charm. Slowly at first, I enunciated each syllable clearly. Almost before I knew it, I finished the first 384 recital. 385 I began the second. My mouth began to feel as if the air inside of it were gelling, slowing my lips. I forced the 386 last word out of my mouth- and so I finished the second recital. 387 The gel became as a large pillow in the third recital. Each word was a chore to complete, the whole charm was the 388 toil of countless centuries. I did not quaver, although fear of failure came back unbidden to my mind. I was only two 389 syllables away... 390 It seemed that an infinite amount of time passed before the first was complete, and the second seemed four times as 391 long as that. The ruby erupted with a blinding brilliance upon the utterance of the last syllable. 392 Abruptly, the landscape began changing. Black swaths of grass turned green as if vitality swept out from me in a 393 circle. 394 Trees, flowers, even the Gazebo... Yes, a wave of healing swept over all in the valley. A few scars remained, for 395 after all no power in the universe could restore life after it has gone- but the creatures and plants that had been 396 wounded had been restored. 397 I began to see the Valley as I used to: beauty, serentiy, happiness. Everything emitted a healthy glow that was 398 a tangible presence. I smiled broadly. The Valley was restored. 399 Try to tell the creatures HERE that they are not alive. 400 ++++++++++++++++ Milchar ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 06:50 - 1/13/85 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 401 :::::|||||:::::|||||::::::|||||::::::||||||:::::|||||:::::|||||:::::||||| 402 A New Story part 2 403 by John Kingman 404 As ERIK walked toward Zach's cottage he noticed how everyone was going 405 about their everyday chores. Not many knew about Marjot's invasion from 406 the North, for the general populous was not to be alarmed, just yet. 407 Soon they would be told, the vast legion and home guard would be 408 organized and reinforced. 409 The sun played along the lawns and gardens that he walked by. Such 410 beauty here, he thaught. But no time to admire it. As he walked up to 411 Zach's cottage, he read the simple sign which hung off to one side of 412 the door. Zach Dunbar Jabon Elrich 413 Royal Advisor 414 Erik knew that Zach rarly was at council. If his father wanted his 415 advise, he went and sought it. Zach had been Royal Advisor now for 416 8 sovernigns. Longer than anyone can remember. He was the oldest 417 and most respected man in the country. If he decided to give you advise, 418 you had better take it. 419 Erik knocked on the big woodden door. The door opened as if by 420 itself and he stepped in. He saw nothing but darkness. His skin 421 started to crawl with fear. He started to think of a saying he had 422 been taught when he was younger "Fear is the mind killer, I must not 423 Fear. I will allow fear to pass over me." The door shut suddenly 424 behind him, and he was alone in the dark . . . 425 :::::|||||:::::|||||:::::|||||:::::|||||:::::|||||:::::|||||:::::|||||::::: 426 -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> 427 Just a note from a lurker: Writing these stories looks like 428 it would be fun. But how would a person (me) go about writing 429 my own story? Should I just think up a story line and go from 430 there? Well, I'll hang around for a while longer before I stick 431 my nose out into the light. 432 <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- <- 433 TO A LURKER: Yes, just think up a story line and go from there. I can tell a 434 story has been forming in your mind. Don't be afraid to write it. If you want 435 to write it down on paper first, go ahead. But, don't nitpick it to much before 436 you put it up. We might never see it. I'm waiting not very patiantly. 437 **************************************** GROUP DU 438 GROUP DU JOUR 439 Sat 19 EAast ave tavern with Jamie hagerty and Sun 20 PC&S!!!! with Sun Construction........ 440 Cover's cheap 441 Music's great 442 Make it if you can!!!!! 443 New tapes to be released!!!!!!!! 444 **************************************************************Lorac************* 445 (++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++) 446 (++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++) 447 To the Lurker: 448 Please do write up your story 449 line as soon as you will. I am rather 450 new to this whole thing, and am dying 451 to see an example from someone else 452 who hasn't written anything before. 453 454 To All Experienced People: 455 Do you ever have stories that 456 people start, and then contribute to 457 each time? That is what I thought was 458 a major activity here, but I haven't 459 seen much of it here. 460 461 To the Policeman: 462 Your stories are interesting, but 463 thoughrouly disgusting! I mean really, 464 sucking a girl's snot out of her nose? 465 466 To Melissa: 467 Wow! Wonderful stories you are 468 creating! Please carry on... 469 470 BYE ALL!!!! 471 472 (++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++) 473 (++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++) 474 (++) The Jiz /// (++) 475 (++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++) 476 (++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++)(++) 477 478 )-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-. 479 Sysop Mikey: Have you considered acquiring a 1200 Baud modem? At 1200 baud, 480 all us lurker types could set our comm. programs for capture, hit list, and 481 then get out of the way for the writers... I realize that BWMS is costing 482 a great deal of your money already, but have you considered asking for (or 483 allowing) donations? Or have you not done that because it might change 484 (sort of) the ownership of the system? You would get a very good response, 485 I'm sure... "Robin" 486 )-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-)-. 487 07070707070707007007007007007007070707070707070700700700700700700707070707070707070707070700700700700707070707070707 488 MFJEP D[AEE CZADC PPA[V P[[D_ MF\AE DTC]A DYAAL DAEPC YRFET AI[[D _TXSD 489 IXAED FPHBR XXODX LDUXG JDALI [YD_E PFRRD SCFPF LZDMX JDKXE TGCDP XDALP 490 AJD[A EECZA [[HB_ RAXLC JI[N_ TXSDI FIDUX GDRFO ADZCZ ADCLI DNFLI U[YD_ 491 FDSXJ ODSFP TDZCZ ADCPH BVVE[ [D_MC JRAUD FEDEP FRRDT C]FLZ DVJXY RA[E[ 492 [D_TA DFEDC DRXLZ DSCUD XMM[[ HB_FC L[N_P TCLOE DMXJD PTADL ASDZG L[MHB 493 07070707070707070707070707070707070707007007007007007070707070707070707007007007007007070707070070070070070707070707 494 495 !#)%*&_)*_)#@*%_)@!*%_)*+!@*%_+)*%_)$%*_)$#*%_!)*%_)$*%_#)*%_#)*%*#$_%)*@#_%)@_*%_*_%_)%*#_$)*%_)#%*_%*_)%*%$ 496 Slowly he approached the media. A delicate operation dictated the utmost in care. The tools in his hands 497 were like extensions to his fingers. There was no clumsiness as he peeled back the protective coverings. At last, 498 his goal: that precious magnetic medium normally held with the utmost in security, security that had fallen by 499 the wayside before his mighty tools. With even more care now, he swabbed the surface with a special chemical. A 500 chemical with near magical qualities. Now he could do nothing but wait until the chemical did its work, and dried 501 up. A few minutes later, he replaced the priceless surfaces in their respective jackets, and then in turn placed 502 the jackets in the device. The success or failure would soon be known. He keyed the proper commands on the ancient 503 letters, making extra sure no mistakes creeped in. There was a slight pause, and then... 504 the screen came to life! IT WORKED! The old archives were safe. He had done it. Now to tell the others! 505 _*)^_)#$*^_#)*^# 506 Farley: OK...you can have that decoder ring back. And hey...watch out for those sheep droppings... 507 Milch: Remember, anytime you want the royal tour down at school, let me know... Thanks for the graphics stuff. 508 Joshua...as usual...tap tap tap tap... 509 Kathy: I trust you didn't see any of the horrible monsters, the snow snakes. Perhaps you aren't familiar with that 510 particular legend of the mountain. All I can tell you now is that if you see them, it is probably too late. 511 Gaudy Minsky: Never, I repeat NEVER will I play cards with you again when you are wearing those long-sleaves. Folks, 512 maybe I should warn you too. This gal, and I swear to this, managed to lay down more ace of trump than any human being 513 has any right to. Trick after trick, old miss Minsky seemed to come up with the perfect card. It was only a great ending 514 hand that kept me and my partner in the game at the end. Sore loser, maybe, but if you were there, you might say the 515 same thing! (in truth, good game GM!) 516 Alchemist: Your wit does not go un-noticed. I applaud thee. 517 Ian: Send some more. 518 Ada: Ditto to the above. 519 Mad Max:Thanks for giving Leonard a lift. The rest of us didn't leave until 2:30 or so. Merci! 520 !_^*$#_)^*!#_)^*_&^_)!*^#_)^*! L'homme sans Parity *%)_@#*%_)*%@#)_*%_)*%_)*%)_*%)*_)*%_$)#*%@_)%*_#)%*_)*%_#)$%*% 521 522 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (confused and amused) 523 There seems to have been a Border War generated amongst some that take their "creativity" too much to heart. In the 524 case that *I* have just been part of, I say that I don't mind in the least. If it was Bard that has decided upon a 525 different approach, I too am perfectly willing to partner with another that can co-exist peacefuly here at The INN. 526 Although if, Bard, that this was not the case, I still seem not to mind. It is strange indeed since that poem/song 527 has almost the exact flavor of being that I have been experiencing for the last day or two. Quite strange. 528 {ALEX, have you been practicing you psionic abilities via long distance again?} 529 Although not word by word, I shall remember the meaning of "Still who I was", a feeling I often have at times such as these. 530 I am "On the Threshold of a Dream." (The Moody Blues, {c}1969) 531 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 532 On another subject that I have just remembered concerning my self-proclaimed title, a few comments are given. 533 1) No, I am NOT the guardian of this establishment and would not claim the honor unless duely (sp) bestowed from 534 the one currently currently reigning within. I feel that THE Cistop is doing a Fantastic job retaining his system. 535 2) Although I know of others (in England) that are also called by the name of "the Guardian," I do not claim to be 536 the personification of either entity, White or Black. I am not an eternal, and would feel to be too biased to become 537 either. On the other hand, there is another guardian that I would most like to be, even if it is not of the stature I 538 had originaly intended. That is the reason for the lack of the color in my title. I prefer anonimity at times. 539 (there I go blabbering-on again...) I have said my peace and shall go for now. 540 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian 0422 Hrs 14 Dec 85 541 ^^^^^Fog THAT!^^^^^ 542 -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 543 A mist of uncertainty cleared from in front of the many images clouding 544 the kid's mind. As soon as one image could be identified, it faded to become 545 part of a collage of faces that were just beyond his grasp. Some faces were 546 known to him, others were not. 547 "Hey Mister, isn't... isn't your name Floyd?" stammered the kid. 548 "Wait! Don't go... not you too!" There was nothing he could do, the image 549 kept on going as if merely floating. 550 The next image came for it's short yet frustrating stay. A name would not 551 fit with this face for this time it was a woman instead. Women agents were hard 552 to come by these days, or so the kid believed. 553 "Mink... Misty, no... Milky... Minsky... That's it! You're Minsky! 554 "Hold on! Don't leave me!" But it was no use, these things were beyond his 555 control. She, too, was fading. 556 The kid couldn't decide which was more confusing- being able to 557 determine who it was that kept passing him by or not even knowing who the rest 558 were, or why they could not be reached. 559 It was happening again, this time a couple of men were what formed in the 560 image. As they "walked" by, the larger of the two only gave the kid a nod in 561 passing. He knew them this time although they were not as he recalled them 562 from before. Having known them was probably why these two passed him by the 563 quickest. 564 "Aw, come on you guys, I know who you are! You're sans Parity and you're 565 Ian! Where are you going? Why are you doing this to me?" 566 "We must go now," said sans Parity. 567 "The time is almost at hand," said Ian. 568 "I don't understand..." The kid searched his pockets and then looked back 569 at them. "It's the first level, isn't it? Is that what you mean, Level One? 570 "I only need a little more time!" shouted the kid. 571 "Once you have it in its pieces," Ian said almost unheard, "return them 572 to us. You are on your own now..." 573 The images became clouded into obscurity and faded until all that could 574 be seen was the damp, gray cloud. Then that too passed. 575 The kid awoke from what must have been a dream. He awoke in an instant, 576 fully in command of his sences. The next thing he did was to write these 577 memories onto paper so as not to forget them. This was very important to him. 578 "Cola," said the kid aloud, "is not good enough for this. It is time I 579 reflect on these things with a drink more suited for the ocassion." 580 The young man then proceeded to the cooler and removed what was left of 581 his favorite bottle of white wine, and did so with a smile. It's not much, 582 but it would have to do for the time being. 583 "Age," he said to himself, "does have some of it's benifits... I may as 584 well learn to enjoy them..." 585 -------------------- 586 Aren't some dreams just a form of a memory of past events? 587 _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ abacab _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ 588 589 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 590 Couple a thots-- (Above) John Dunne even thought that dreams could be 591 memories of things that had not happened yet. See An Experiment With Time. 592 Did anyone else catch the piece in the paper about the gorilla ,Koko, 593 whose pet kitten was killed by a car? Seems that the gorilla communicates 594 in American Sign Language. When told of the death of her kitten, 595 she cried .... 596 Having raised animals for food, I am perhaps less inclined to deny them 597 sapience then some who have had no contact with them. Pigs in particular are 598 (in general) more intellegent than most inhabitants of our homes for the 599 slightly retarded. (I'd put their average IQ in the 50 to 80 range.) It 600 has, also, reduced my moral objections to cannabalism. The sacrafice of 601 life such that life may continue seems a reasonable trade-off. 602 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 603 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (oh...) 604 Is that a novel or an entry somewhere? Also, I have pondered on that idea before. Have you heard of the Dream Master? 605 Another thing... It sounds like you've come from Aloha A;2 or 3... Have you? Thanks for the reference, Piper. 606 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ---the Guardian 0635 Hrs 14 Jan 85 607 { ^+/* ---------------- ^+/* ---------------- */+^ ---------------- */+^ } 608 For a moment there was hesitation to bring forth yet another perspective on 609 the 'question of LIFE'. Why not? 610 611 Life, it would seem, could be viewed as processes which possess a very low 612 entropy and/or a very high ability to manipulate entropy. There are even some 613 theories around that suggest that use of the mind, and hence creativity, is 614 one of the few, if not only, processes which exhibit a decrease in entropy. 615 If this line of thinking is extrapolated far enough it becomes apparent that 616 the ultimate life form would be the one that had complete ability to modify 617 or manipulate the entropic process. 618 M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M2 619 TO007 YESOF COURS EBYAL LMEAN SBUTF IRSTC ONFFI RMWIT HGHQI NLOND ONENGL 620 UNIVE RSALI NDEX- 621 M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M1M2 622 623 things are getting mighty weird over here on what is now the db X X X 624 ::::::::::__________::::::::::_________ TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 624