opnet [OpNet] Family & Friends, also an introduction

[Conduit]

Hi all. I'm Conduit. This is my first time to this section of the OpNet. I'm finding it harder and harder to relate to 'normal' people these days so I thought I would immerse myself in some Nova company.

I wanted to know how your relationship with your family and friends has changed/or not changed since your eruption? Do you even maintain those relations now?

I know some of you have kids, others have 'parent' issues. I personally find it difficult to hang around my old friends. My physical form doesn't lend to much to close contact, and I'm always afraid some psycho will hurt my loved ones. They can attack me all day if they want, but I don't know how I would handle a friend dying simply because some moron thought I was the devil.

Any thoughts?

[Wakinyan]

I have had my share of incidents with my old friends and family. It is hard to get in a fight with an old friend like I used to since I could kill him with a punch. (and almost did)

My grandfather is the only close family I have ever had and I still live with him now. (when I am home) The strange thing is out of all the people who treat me differently now he is the only one who doesn't. Luckily getting smacked with a stick these days doesn't sting as much as it used to.

The Church of Michael has attacked me several times now. They know where I live and despite my efforts I know they will try to harm my granddad or one of my friends or neighbors eventually. I recently informed them of the consequence to their actions but in the end I don't think it is going to stop them from doing something stupid. So you might be better off distancing yourself from those you care about. I refuse to divorce myself simply because of what I have become.

[Amped]

Yeah...I guess I'm the one with the parent issues. I don't even remember if I even had any friends before I've erupted. I've had some opportunities to meet some new friendly people though.

Church of Michael will probably be giving me some problems eventually the way things are looking now. In fact I think I want to talk to you a bit Totem so I know what I should be looking out for.

[DigiGeist]

Amped, all I have to say, is that CoMA is dangerous. They have agents everywhere. Most of them are hicks in my opinion, but they play rough. And they never attack unless they have numbers, or they got some zealot "martyr" willing to strap a bomb to themselves and try to take you out with them.

You're dealing with religous fanatics. Think of them as such, and you'll have half the battle won.

[billy Horrorshow]

My parents couldn't be prouder. They don't "get" what I do these days but they still call me every other weekend. In fact, I think my parents are happier now than they were before. Kinda sad actually. I didn't do anything except try to kill myself.....and I won a PRIZE. Life is crazy, isn't it?

(Oh and yeah, I'm cool with my whole suicide thing. I've talked about it and I can honestly suggest that no one out there ever tries to hang themselves. There are so many better ways that don't suck.)

Oh and on the CoMA topic. I don't know if that's who they were but I did have a slight run-in with some rednecks in Vega. I'll talk about it on the "Trip to Chicago" threadie-thing. But I'm pretty sure not all ignorant flaming Christians that Hate Novas are in the CoMA. Ignorance is never only limited to one group, right?

[Walker]

Conduit, welcome, hi and all that sort of stuff.

Let me tell you there's nothing nastier than people trying to get to you through your family. Couple of years back some criminal group, I won't mention any names, tried to get me to work for them by threatening my immediate family. The only way round it was to hide my family up for a while and then make myself a big old target. That way they came for me rather than try and harass my family, coz for a start they couldn't find them. Things got pretty hairy but it all worked out in the end, I made myself a few Nova friends along the way so it wasn't all bad.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, after my run in with S&T's Tech-Reg department my family has disowned me. Don't get me wrong nicer Baselines you couldn't hope to meet, they're pretty laid-back and relaxed but that was the final straw. To be honest things hadn't been right after I got back from my lost-in-space travels. Me glowing orange was one thing but the bulging braincase, (accommodates the node don't cha' know), seemed to proper freak them out.

My theory, coz I've always got to have one, it's not so much the difference in appearance, it's the taint. Don't ask me how but the Baseline can sniff it out. It's the true gulf that separates us from them.

Still, it's probably all for the best coz no one is going to try anything on them to get to me. Still to be on the safe side let me just state publicly and unequivocally.

I have transcended those relationships, my Baseline family mean nothing to me now. I will not run to protect them nor can I be provoked to revenge them.

As to the Church of Michael Archangel. mutters darkly They want workin' on they do.

[billy Horrorshow]

Now wait a second: How many of you out there haven't taken steps to protect your family. The people you see on N! that I back on Turkey Day were NOT my real parents...in fact I only think Golden Steed and Vintage use their real Parents...mainly because they're exes too.

Now Baseline friends are a whole other story. Not sure what to do about that. Any suggestions besides a big "Warning: Person may be a Nova and thereby potentially dangerous to your health" sign hung all McDOnald's style around my neck.

Oh and Conduit...Good form trying to find people you can relate to. Just make sure that quest to find "normal" doesn't stop just because you're in like company.

Oh wait. I'm preaching. Oops.

[kestrel404]

Actually, HS, that's a pretty good point. Never lose your roots, always know where you come from. It's cliche because it's usually right. (Usually. I don't think it applies to Amped, but he's an exception.)

I'm on fairly good terms with my own children. At the moment, they're both excited and annoyed about me being in Interceptor's Chicago project. Annoyed, because I'm in Chicago and I can't see them as much as I used to (wish I could teleport...). Excited because they're dad's finally going to be famous (even if I am the most boring Nova in the world, I'll still be on an Opshow).

My ex-wife is a different matter. Our relationship was never the same after I erupted.

My old friends pretty much didn't change, but mostly they were more colleagues than friends.

So it all depends. If you lead a dangerous life, join one of the bigger groups (Utopia, DeVries, Argus) to help take care of your friends and family. If you've got big and powerful allies, it helps to shield your loved ones. Not perfect protection by a long run, but definitely a step in the right direction. If you don't need to, lucky you.

[Walker]

If I could have things any other way I would do. Wouldn't go so far as to consider myself lucky, sometimes stuff just happens.

[Preston]

Well, I have an extended family that I have maintained a very close relationship with. The fact that the majority of them are police officers and/or family members of police officers gives a whole different dimension to people attacking them.

My wife and I are estranged, but much of that happened before I erupted.

My son is a nova, and while I no longer worry too much about CoMA trying to kill him, I do worry about the novas he associates with.

My father and I have seen our relationship become strained over the past few years. Part of that is Aberrancy Syndrome and part of that is politics.

My cousin married a nova co-worker of mine, and is expecting this winter. Life marches on.

As for attacks on my extended family - well we have discussed it. As a police officer, I would be limited in my involvement in their investigation. I would probably have to take some leave while the investigation was in process.

Then, it is generally agreed, I would hunt the perps to the ends of the earth and exterminate them and anyone I suspected of being associated with them.

Just kidding.

That would be a gross violation of the law.

My suggestion is that you live your life with the cautious understanding that there are people that mean you harm, but don't live in fear. If you do, they win.

[Singularity]

Like many here, I have not spoken to my parents in a long time. I was quite the asshole to them after I erupted. I do not even think they know I am getting married.

[Jager]

It's never too late to try and mend fences, if you want to.

[Wu Tang]

家和日子旺，国和万事兴

Family may see and speak truthfully without fear, it is friends and enemies that must choose their words with care. Without family one is alone.

What is this Church?

[Conduit]

Totem - Seems a bit grim that we should have to avoid our family. Even if it is their best interest.

Singularity - Like Jager said, you can always mend the fence.

Everybody else - I appreciate your comments. As it stands I am usually carefull not to draw attention to people I'm close too. Of course I have been spending less and less time with them. I haven't been a Nova as long as some of you but you would think I would get use to it after 5 years.

[billy Horrorshow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wu Tang:


Family may see and speak truthfully without fear, it is friends and enemies that must choose their words with care. Without family one is alone.

So, is this the whole clan? Or did you get lucky/screwed with the name?

And if this is the clan I'd like to say hi to Inspectah Deck: You are one crazy mother fucker. See you soon.

[Singularity]

Jager, Conduit, you are probably right about it not being too late. The terms I left on were not so good... though I have not reconciled with them since I realized I was the cause. I have quietly taken care of all of their needs but I have yet to feel the need to reenter their lives. Perhaps it is better this way.

[Wu Tang]

Quote:

Originally posted by billy Horrorshow:
So, is this the whole clan? Or did you get lucky/screwed with the name?

Name is concider most propitious in cultured company. Dog barking western gwailo not included in define of cultured. Most apologetic in this. Perhaps next time not be so hurried in wheel of life.

Hellbilly most crazy mother fucker. No understood why choose fat women. Breast large to feed ten babies same time and strike husband when turn too hurry.

画蛇添足

[billy Horrorshow]

Wow. If I wasn't a Charlie Chan fan this would make no sense to me. May I ask if the grammar decisions are for "spice" or are you against using grammar checks?

I mean, if your signature can have objects AND verbs in the sentences, why not your posts?

No offense meant, just curious.

,,

Or if it's some sort of taint thing:

If not Charlie Chan fan would make no sense to me. May ask grammar decisions are "spice" or against grammar checks?

Signature can have objects And Verbs in sentence, not posts?

No offense, most curious.

Fat women most disconcerting and comes from cloud hidden behind moon.

[Wu Tang]

Language of dog most subtle. To other dog. Speak proper language then can converse. Not speak proper language not complain bark sound odd.

Signature written most excellent cousin with deep belief before prison. Belief still deep belief but prison no more. Cousin of most humble self and prison not place for family.

Surprise by feelings fat women. See many in your movies. Most dangerous place America. Most humble self speak of family when speak of cousin. Honorable Hellbilly still speak of family? Can explain thoughts of fat women in family?

Poor thoughts of most humble self not spiced. Make decision. If not let car change thought why let stupid computer change thought? 画蛇添足

Is choice.

[billy Horrorshow]

Is this some Kung-fu Grasshoppa way of saying "Your momma so fat?"

Wow.

[Wu Tang]

Humble self begs pardon for Hellbilly not understand. Honorable Conduit ask question about family. Hellbilly want talk about fat women. Humble self only inquire if Conduit and Hellbilly speak of same.

If not why Hellbilly want speak of fat women, not about family as Honorable Conduit asks?

Most lowly Wu Tang is master of Elixir and Celestial Calligraphy. Not master of kung fu.

[Preston]

--- groan ---

Could you two take this to another thread, if not to private messages?

[Wu Tang]

Most excellent suggestion.