opnet [OpNet] Name Change....

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Hey there!

I finally got my degree! [Crowds cheering & fireworks going off] (Well, I'm happy). After many years... (weeks?) you are finally talking to the latest PhD Chemical Engineer from Purdue.

[ 07-31-2002: Message edited by: Dr. David Smith ]

[Prof. Sydney 'Photon' Holland]

Congratulations Doctor. Welcome to the fabulous world of the PhD. Mine's in Quantum Theory.

Just a word of advice, remember that despite how smart you think you are, do still remember to check your research. Learnt that one before N-Day, it still applied now.

Have a happy rest of your life. This is great achievement for you

[Guest]

Indeed Doctor, congratulations are in order. I would list all of the degrees which I have been awarded with but the list is a tad too long and is a rather boring read to be frank.

So, you have achieved your first Doctorate, what do you plan to do now? Considering your longer lifespan, a few more Doctorates perhaps? Or will you delve straight into original research?

[Hugin]

I seem to be surrounded by hoards of paper chasers.

Really gentlemen, given your brilliance and capabilities, do you really feel the need for validation from some baseline institute of learning?

While I understand that my own small gifts are neither unique nor spectacular, I still feel confident enough in them to not need the 'stamp of approval' of a few extra letters behind my name.

Jame Meehan, Nova. How could I think anything else could be as meaningful?

Atwight, nice to see you returning to our midst. You've been missed.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by James 'Prodigy' Meehan:
Really gentlemen, given your brilliance and capabilities, do you really feel the need for validation from some baseline institute of learning?

Exactly. James beat me to the punch this time.

Or to put it in different words, why do you feel the need to be measured on a scale which was designed solely for baseline limitations.

Is there any elation involved in such a feat? Do you actually feel a sense of accomplishment?

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Hey, I've been working on that PhD for the better part of 6 years. Maybe the rules have changed a bit, but to come so far and just quit would have been a bit wimpy.

As for what now, currently I'm living on Utopia's charity. My net worth is something like a negative quarter mill. That's about 100K in student loans and the rest in legal bills from knocking over the Chem E building. We Chem E's tend to go into industry. I figure I'm job hunting real soon now.

There doesn't seem to be a lot more this clinic can do for me, I was never in pain from my eruption and my powers are pretty user friendly (on/off). Medically I'm almost too healthy. I figure I'm set after I learn how to pick up eggs with crushing them while I'm green.

[Prof. Sydney 'Photon' Holland]

Quote:

Originally posted by James 'Prodigy' Meehan:
I seem to be surrounded by hoards of paper chasers.

Really gentlemen, given your brilliance and capabilities, do you really feel the need for validation from some baseline institute of learning?

Well, as far as Brilliance goes, I'm still (barely) within Baseline range, but at any rate my PhD was from before I erupted. I also have a Masters in Physics, from when I was a plain Physicist

At any rate, I need it for my job (professors tend to need documentation of knowledge), but the way I figure it, if you already have the knowledge, why not get the piece of paper? At the very least, it looks good on your office wall.

[ 08-01-2002: Message edited by: Prof. Sydney 'Photon' Holland ]

[Guest]

James, Ashnod, It is nice to see that some things have not changed. It pleases me to know that my absence was noticed and that I was missed. Your assumptions about my motivations and beliefs on the Baseline educational system are wrong however.

Dr. Smith, your PhD is not the end but the beginning. If I am correct, your I.Q. should be somewhere between 400 to 600. You are quite capable of mastering multiple disciplines and educational institutes are an excellent way of learning what I prefer to call "the basics."

A note about the destruction of your school building. According to the letter of the law, that incident should fall under the auspices of "Act of God" due to your eruption. As such, by baseline law, you cannot be held accountable for the damages legally or financially.

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Atwight:


A note about the destruction of your school building. According to the letter of the law, that incident should fall under the auspices of "Act of God" due to your eruption. As such, by baseline law, you cannot be held accountable for the damages legally or financially.

Atwight, did you read Dr. Smith's description of the cause of the destruction? A competent lawyer could argue that his rampage was not a direct result of his eruption, thus opening him up to litigation.

That argument alone would take long enough to argue that Dr. Smith is lucky he only accrued a six figure debt. He very likely will not lose, in this you are correct. But sometimes, in my former homeland, you don't have to lose the lawsuit to lose your shirt.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Originally posted by James 'Prodigy' Meehan:
...Dr. Smith's...rampage was not a direct result of his eruption...

Ouch.

Quote:

That argument alone would take long enough to argue that Dr. Smith is lucky he only accrued a six figure debt.

Only six so far. They are showing more interest in suing me than I would have thought, considering my current net worth.

Quote:

you don't have to lose the lawsuit to lose your shirt.

Literally correct and another pun. But unlike in the comics code, I lost my pants that time too.

[Hugin]

Dr. Smith, I only stated that a lawyer *could* argue that your rampage was not a direct result of your eruption. I in no way endorse that viewpoint.

I was merely trying to explain to Atwight that the normally inviolate protection a Nova has against damage caused during eruption was not as airtight in your particular case from a legal standpoint.

I can understand why they are continuing their action against you despite your current poverty stricken state. If they do manage to get a hefty award, your sheer earning potential as a Nova could prevent you from taking bankruptcy as an out. Therefore the money is much more guaranteed than would normally be the case.

However, their case is flimsy and any decent lawyer should be able to protect you. And, Utopia, for all of its faults, does have its own fair share of decent lawyers.

[Jordan]

Quote:

Originally posted by James 'Prodigy' Meehan:
However, their case is flimsy and any decent lawyer should be able to protect you. And, Utopia, for all of its faults, does have its own fair share of decent lawyers.

Hey Dave, I'd be wondering right about now why Utopia's lawyers haven't jumped all over this by now. You need a good lwayer right now and while I'm good (very good), I haven't bothered to pass the bar exam yet. My father however, is an expert on Nova law.

I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of contacting him about this. He'll probably be contacting you in the next couple of days. His name is Enzo Rossi.

I don't like the thought of a new eruptee getting screwed like this so don't worry about the costs, I've got that covered.

Good Luck.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Originally posted by James 'Prodigy' Meehan:
Dr. Smith, I only stated that a lawyer *could* argue that your rampage was not a direct result of your eruption. I in no way endorse that viewpoint.

Hey, I got both levels of that. For everyone else's benefit: "rampage" is what my comic look-a-like would run around doing... walking through walls, leveling buildings, that sort of thing. (Although *I* don't think we look alike. No more than two people who both happen to be green, 10 foot tall mitoids.)

"*Could*" isn't exactly the right word. That is *exactly* what their lawyers are saying (but then you knew that, didn't you? )

Utopia's lawyers are in the process of squishing this lawsuit/shakedown. It should take another 2-3 months to play out. I think it will be resolved before I hit -$400K. So far I haven't been called to court, apparently a nova treatment center counts as a hospital (not really a surprise).

Which I'm sure raises the question, "Why is the Project billing me on this?" Well, they are, and they aren't. I've been told that if I sign up, my various legal bills will fall under the "free legal representation" benefit, which will be applied retroactively. They are also offering to retroactively apply the "free tuition" benefit as well, which would leave me with a net worth of roughly -$4K (credit cards).

I think this is called incentive. Actually it isn't a bad offer. If I don't sign up, they might bill me, and they might not (that part has been a bit vague).

Jordan: Hey, thank you. I look forward to meeting him.

[Vile Bill]

Well hey hey Cherry, its yer ol buddy Bill coming at ya. I told ya before that if you hit the Node Lotto and got real lucky like, you could sign up as an Elite.

Now, while I ain't too sure as to what you can do exactly like, being a big, green strong guy who beats the shit out of buildings sounds like you just might qualify.

Now, pardon my French, but fuck Utopia. Man, they is fucking holding you up! You sign up with DeVryes and you'll be sitting on a pile of green right about as big as you are. One, two missions and you're even steven. A couple more and you've got a line of honeys a block long waiting to screw you silly. A key of blow in your pocket. Little kids putting up pictures of you on the walls. And cash, loads and friggin' loads of cash.

Tell me that don't sound sweet as sugar.

Oh, and congrats on the whole 'Doctor' thing. Trust me though, Elite is a lot better title.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

After I log off here I'm going to go see someone about a job interview. I'm not expected so we'll see what happens.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Well, that went pretty well. We are still working out the details, but it looks like I'm DeVries' newest elite-in-training. It looks like they see some promise in my greener self.

[Fortune's Son]

Welcome to the show, Slick.

I look forward to working with you when you're finished with bootcamp. Of course you're welcome to drop by and say hello in the meantime.

Edit for clarity:

Ask anybody where you can spend your money and they'll point you in the direction of a sweet little hacienda inside the compound where I reside when in residence. Anna frowns on you using either your training pay or school vouchers for betting but otherwise you're golden. Give a shout out on what games you prefer and I'll contact you when the opportunity arises.

Buy-in is 20K regardless of the game. This weekend is Nightmare Chess, five seconds per move, automatically double the pot on redraw.

[ 08-05-2002: Message edited by: Fortune ]

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Fortune:
This weekend is Nightmare Chess, five seconds per move, automatically double the pot on redraw.

[ 08-05-2002: Message edited by: Fortune ]

Really? How fascinating. Are your games limited to Elites or can anyone join in if they have the necessary funds and desire?

It's been awhile since I've played chess against anyone other than Michael, I'd love the opportunity to experience some new opponents.

[Apep]

Gamble with someone called Fortune??? are you nuts?

[Fortune's Son]

Quote:

Apep asked:
Gamble with someone called Fortune??? are you nuts?

shhhhh...

Really, it depends on the game. I don't always play the games and not every game is to my taste. Nightmare Chess for instance.

Prodigy
In its simplest form Nightmare Chess is played with a standard chess set augmented by a deck of card a friend of mine named Sylvie illustrated that modify the value and abilities of the pieces. The shuffle on the cards is where the element of luck comes in but you still have to know when to play it for best advantage. Only a few of the Elite's actually play this game but everybody stops in to watch and play the side action. Options for side action are single engagement, battle or war.

This weekend is an elimination play that culminates in taking on the twin reigning champions Totentanz and Alinsky. 'Tanz has this surgically precise play style that complements his inability to engage in even simple conversation but Alinsky puts a wickedly intuitive spin on the card play.

I'll check it out and get back to you. Nobody's ever asked before.

[Hugin]

Apep, by nature I am not much of a gambler. Even of my guest personalities, very few of them were gamblers either. However, I adore chess. In fact I created an enjoyable little computer chess game, marketed under the name ChessOni. Well, I found it enjoyable. It didn't sell particularly well. One of the few creations I've managed to get out to the public and it was shat on. My luck can be quite amusing sometimes.

So, I am quite willing to drop six figures on an enjoyable afternoon's distraction. I have the money. Why not use it for something worthwhile, like interacting with other Novas?

[Sakurako Hino]

Come on. It's not high stakes unless the GNP of Japan is at stake. At least when you call fun chasing down a wanna-be nova-poseur named "Daemonseed 1337". This hacker who thought he could hide from a nova thought it'd be cute to try to crash Japan's opnet networks. I put the kabosh on that. Yep, sufficing to say, I made the world safe for computer geeks. Now if only I could find out who's been pinging me on my private line...

[ 08-05-2002: Message edited by: Endeavor ]

[Fortune's Son]

The GNP of Japan?

Sure, we have games with those stakes every couple of months. For the newbies that can't muster the wherewithal of the high stakes games. You forget who you're talking with.

Still trying to save the baselines from themselves?

You're on Prodigy. Nightmare Chess, five board rotation, pattern matching across four boards for additional card draws, the pot doubling each redraw. Saturday sound good?

[Sakurako Hino]

True, it sounds like I'm saving the humans from themselves. But I'm sort of bored at the moment, and seeing a poseur who thinks he's a nova realize he ain't what he says he is, makes me a little happy.

A little happiness is hard to come by for the big-E right now. Crap there I go... sounding like Debugger again... I really gotta get that ebonics syntax out of her vocabulary. I swear some Americans are developing a new language...

As for the chess game, I have about 3 million I can lose without worry, and I'm bored as all hell. I'm game. Just don't get weirded by my pink hair, it may throw your game off. I want you guys at top competetive levels. As for raw chance, let the cards fall where they may. Victory, as always, favors the bold.

A little luck never hurt either.

[Fortune's Son]

Quote:

Originally posted by Endeavor:
As for the chess game, I have about 3 million I can lose without worry...

I'll put you down for the next penny ante game then. This one's for the rough riders, kiddo. We drop that much on the side bets.

If you're bored talk with J-man. The node says there's some action being put together in the near future and maybe there's a spot for pink haired fireball. If nothing else I think he gets off on middy blouses and pleated skirts.

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Fortune:

You're on Prodigy. Nightmare Chess, five board rotation, pattern matching across four boards for additional card draws, the pot doubling each redraw. Saturday sound good?

It sounds lovely. I hope that I make a decent showing, I'd hate to shatter my altogether overblown reputation with poor play.

[Fortune's Son]

Looking forward to it. Game start at 1200 noon and we'll arrange for a couple of side plays while the elimination rounds are going. I'll arrange for your first real match to be a couple of hours into elimination play.

Make certain you have the house buy-in in cash or suitable negotiables when you arrive. You're expected to settle on demand with a 5 minute delay considered reasonable. We've got our very own Swiss banker on standby for these things since no one trusts electronic transfers.

[Vile Bill]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. David Smith:
Well, that went pretty well. We are still working out the details, but it looks like I'm DeVries' newest elite-in-training. It looks like they see some promise in my greener self.

Well hey hey baby! Welcome aboard Cherry, welcome to the best band of badass earthstompin wargods there is. You're among brothers now and we are your family.

So, as one brother to another, I'm gonna give you some really really good advice Binky. You gonna get hooked up with this high tone flamer by the name of Bruce Sauvage. Now, fact is, past the music and the tantrums the man is a fuckin genius and a down right nice sonofabitch. So, you be nice, you make no fun and he will hook you up so that when you walk down the street in your new threads and sportin your Name that bad men will tremble and good men will bow.

Like I said earlier Doc, ampwells are on me after you bust yer cherry in the field.

[Fortune's Son]

A word to the wise; do NOT make jokes at Sauvage's expense, nor question his taste in music and volume.

You'd come to regret it.

[Vile Bill]

Quote:

Originally posted by Fortune:
A word to the wise; do NOT make jokes at Sauvage's expense, nor question his taste in music and volume.

You'd come to regret it.

That's true bro. Just ask the last guy who thought he was a smart motherfucker.

His current Elite handle is Captain Stinky.

[Sakurako Hino]

*feels neglected*

Oh well, I tried at least. I got other things I gotta attend to anyway. Running an entire estate on short notice I've learned isn't as easy as it seemed.

[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: Endeavor ]

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Originally posted by Vile Bill:

Like I said earlier Doc, ampwells are on me after you bust yer cherry in the field.

Sounds interesting. If you are both serious and buying, I'd be glad to try to drink you under the table. Be warned, alcohol has almost no effect on me since my eruption.

And thanks for the heads up re:Sauvage. I've been asking around and he seems to have done all the better costumes around.

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. David Smith:

Sounds interesting. If you are both serious and buying, I'd be glad to try to drink you under the table. Be warned, alcohol has almost no effect on me since my eruption.

And thanks for the heads up re:Sauvage. I've been asking around and he seems to have done all the better costumes around.

Ampwells alcohol? My, you truly are a babe in the woods now aren't you?

[Guest]

You should try drinking gasoline.

[Fortune's Son]

And you should try registering.

[Stigmata]

There, are you happy now? What is it some form of bad forum etiquette to not be registered? Sorry, I wasn't sure if I was going to regurlarly frequent this place or not.

[Sakurako Hino]

Who popped open the angry juice? Happy thoughts everyone.

Stigmata: Piece of advice. Posting an unregistered message can be misconstrued as a "troll", especially if it it can be read as especailly inflamitory. I'll give you a second chance. You're on probation with me, after that, I won't even pay you no mind.

[Stigmata]

Looks like I picked a bad time to introduce myself. Not exactly the warmest of welcomes. Well, some other time then.

[Fortune's Son]

Not at all, Slick. Come on in, plop down for a sit and join the fun.

Don't mind the cool welcome. You got mistaken for someone else and since you're not I apologize for jumping on your back right out of the gate. In explanation; there's one or two folks that seem to have multiple personalities squatting in their head and it gets annoying after a while. Hence the response that you should register. Always the nova's call to make, but node sparks that don't will get treated like the imaginary friend they usually are.

Anyway, thanks for making a little effort. Drinks are on me but only if you're in Ibiza at the moment. Otherwise you run your own tab.

[Twist]

Quote:

Originally posted by Fortune:
Not at all, Slick. Come on in, plop down for a sit and join the fun.

Don't mind the cool welcome. You got mistaken for someone else and since you're not I apologize for jumping on your back right out of the gate. In explanation; there's one or two folks that seem to have multiple personalities squatting in their head and it gets annoying after a while. Hence the response that you should register. Always the nova's call to make, but node sparks that don't will get treated like the imaginary friend they usually are.

Anyway, thanks for making a little effort. Drinks are on me but only if you're in Ibiza at the moment. Otherwise you run your own tab.

Well having seen that little gem I finally registered. I sincerely hope no one thought I was a figment of someones imagination.
Oh well.

btw welcome to the board Stigmata... what on earth were you doing drinking gasoline?

Twist