586 lines
42 KiB
Plaintext
586 lines
42 KiB
Plaintext
|
||
1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
|
||
2 ********************** INSTALLED: 8 NOV 84 ************************
|
||
3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day System operator
|
||
4 ************************************************************
|
||
5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION PLACED ON
|
||
6 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 Kathy: there you go, a nice new clean disk. (Well, almost clean, and maybe
|
||
21 a little used, but it IS servicable. <ahem>)
|
||
22 PAM: Three entries in 4 days! I'm in shock! I feel sorry for the poor guy
|
||
23 at the phone though, I have seen similar actions myself. Indeed, I think
|
||
24 I have probably been the target of such actions myself in the past, as
|
||
25 I am sure we all have at one time or another. The important thing is
|
||
26 how you take it, if you take it in the light of the joke it is, you'll
|
||
27 be a lot happier. If you take it as someone trying to make you look like
|
||
28 a fool, you will feel misserable for being foolish enough to fall for it.
|
||
29 Now what brought that on? Every time I read one of your entries, I seem
|
||
30 to try to relate it to real life. Why is that? Why can't I accept them
|
||
31 for the enjoyable reading that they are? Strange reaction.
|
||
32 Leonard: If I ever find the masters again, I will see if I can answer
|
||
33 some of your questions. It seems they have gone into hiding again. Argh!
|
||
34 ************************ CISTOP MIKEY ********************************
|
||
35 { ^+/* ---------------- ^+/* ---------------- */+^ ---------------- */+^ }
|
||
36 As the 'digit juggler' wended his way back toward his favorite table he
|
||
37 picked up glimpses of several conversations. Both the activity level and the
|
||
38 number of persons had increased. Either some new persons had appeared or some
|
||
39 persons had a new appearance, he wasn't sure which. In any case, the many new
|
||
40 stories and discussions were music to his ears. "Now that's the kind of
|
||
41 atmosphere that made the Inn famous.", he said to himself.
|
||
42
|
||
43 Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a gold coin and placed it on the
|
||
44 table, next to his glass.
|
||
45
|
||
46 "Give those new weavers of fact and fiction their choice of drink, and
|
||
47 {---there was more but it was erased by the duty twit---}
|
||
48 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
|
||
49 Not to worry, Measure #9 will NOT require moving the cemeteries. It says:
|
||
50 "wastes generated.... through industrial or manufacturing processes which
|
||
51 contain only naturally occurring radioactive isotopes." Bodies don't fall
|
||
52 under this heading, but *ALL* industrial garbage DOES! Everything is a BIT
|
||
53 radioactive, but they don't seem to realize this.
|
||
54 The siting requirements look like they will prohibit dumping ANYTHING
|
||
55 ANYWHERE in Oregon! Especially the clause about "...there will be no release of
|
||
56 radioactive materials or radiation from the waste." (note: heat & light are
|
||
57 "radiation", that is why the langauge that measure 9 DELETED had been so
|
||
58 specific about what KINDS of radiation!)
|
||
59 It is PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to meet that "no release" requirement. There is
|
||
60 always going to be some release. It may not be MEASUREABLE, but then they didn't
|
||
61 say "no measureable release", they had to say "no release". Idiots! Why not try
|
||
62 to pass a law saying that no car can be sold unless there is NO chance of a part
|
||
63 failure (not no reasonable chance, NO chance. It would be the same kind of
|
||
64 stupidity)
|
||
65 The real world DOES NOT give you ABSOLUTE certainties.
|
||
66 _________________________________Leonard________________________________________
|
||
67 ----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
68 THE BODY BAGS AND LITTLE RAGS OF CHILDREN TORN IN TWO......
|
||
69 HEY WHO ARE YOU???WHAT'S UP DOC?WHERE ARE YOU FROM ED NULE
|
||
70 NO BETTER NOT SAY THAT,ANYONE WHO ERASES MY ENTERY BEWARE OF THE NIGHT...
|
||
71 {ME} please tell {
|
||
72 mr me
|
||
73 Did you know that if you add up the
|
||
74 number of letters in Reagan's name,
|
||
75 you get 666? Interesting, isn't it?
|
||
76 ------------------------------------
|
||
77 <<: Is that you Andy Rooney? Are you back? Grand D. :>>
|
||
78
|
||
79 Maybe he knows him??????? huh? oh dear oh dear
|
||
80 what have you got into my freind???/Nothing/
|
||
81
|
||
82 ****************JESSE JACKSON RULES*****************************
|
||
83
|
||
84 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
85 HELLO HELLO AGAIN, EVERYBODY. I'M CALLING FROM THE DISMAL PLACE CALLED O.S.U., DISMAL THAT IS AS
|
||
86 FAR AS COMPUTERIZED BULLITIN BOARDS ARE CONCERNED. IT'S CRAZY, I WALK UP TO A COMP SCI MAJOR AND
|
||
87 ASK IF HTHEY KNOW OF ANY, AND THEY LOOK AT ME AND ASK "WHAT'S A BBS SYSTEM?" AARGG. IF ANY ONE
|
||
88 KNOWS OF ANY CORVALLIS NUMBERS, PLEASE DROP ME A LINE, ON CBBS(646-5510), I WAS ONCE KNOWN AS,,,
|
||
89 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++0000000001TED+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
90 save
|
||
91 Backwater /-,woter-,wat/ n (14c) 1 a: water turned back in its course by an obstruction,
|
||
92 an opposing current or the tide b: a body of water turned back
|
||
93 2: an isolated or backward place or condition
|
||
94
|
||
95 --------------------------------------
|
||
96
|
||
97 WHAT IS THE BEEPING I HEARD AFTER I TYPED 'SOMETHING' ON MY SECOND LINE? IS IT ME OR IS IT YOU?
|
||
98
|
||
99 IT DID IT AGAIN AFTER 'YOU'. I AM BUT A NOVICE.
|
||
100 *************************************************ANNETTE*************************STOP
|
||
101
|
||
102 *****************************************************************
|
||
103 ANNETTE: YOU NEED TO HIT THE ENTER (RETURN) KEY AT THE END OF EACH LINE
|
||
104 BWMS CAN ONLY ACCEPT 80 CHARACTERS MAX PER LINE.
|
||
105
|
||
106 L'homme: OK, give me a call sometime. 646-xxxx to discuss the thing.
|
||
107 Our standard is 10% of distributor price.
|
||
108 ******************** CISTOP MIKEY ********************************
|
||
109 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
110 Pam; Please forgive it, it's merely a Commode 64, and NO ONE knows what it means by 'nominal'! Ask L'homme, they're
|
||
111 not the most friendly things to communicate with. I didn't kick it, but I did deprive it of power for a few hours.
|
||
112 ('Go into your room without any dinner!')
|
||
113 Piper; must have missed that, not to worry, your mode of transport does not matter at this point. I was ready for a
|
||
114 final entry on this story a little while back but the 'Blue Demon' entry frotzed part of my storyline. It may turn out
|
||
115 better this way, however. On I go...
|
||
116 ++++++++++++
|
||
117 I guided the group to my home, a small cottage at the edge of the Valley. It was but a stone's throw from the western
|
||
118 Keystone gate, roomy, and quite comfortable. I asked them to leave their mounts and join me for a meal inside. The
|
||
119 fire was out... "Nuxv!", I cried. It flickered to life again, bringing cheer to their gloomy faces. It was quite dark
|
||
120 out now, and a storm was brewing. It was already beginning to rain. "Come in, come in, and lay your friend on the
|
||
121 bed there. That's it. Sit over here, my friends, and I shall tell you some things you should know." Good, I thought
|
||
122 to myself, everything set, now just spring it on them while they're eating...
|
||
123 I made sure everyone had a large portion of the stew I had cooking, and then began:
|
||
124 "Long ago, the Blue Demon was free in all of the Center Realities: He stomped through the Red, splashed through the
|
||
125 Blue, and swept through the Green... The Gold he had no interest in, as no one lives there. The only restriction to
|
||
126 his movement was the timing of the Gates, which, as you know, are only open at certain times. He could not move
|
||
127 directly from one to another, through the Keystone. Ah, but among you, only your sleeping friend knows about that.
|
||
128 I shall try to explain: It is a room of indeterminable size which connects all four quarters of the Center Realities by
|
||
129 means of doors. It has existed since the birth of time, and shall fall at Time's death. Anyway, the Blue Demon was
|
||
130 prevented from crossing there by D - a wizard of such power that realities have suddered with the potence of his words.
|
||
131 D imprisioned him in a chamber deep beneath your very feet, and I am the Keeper. Or rather, I was. If D hears of my
|
||
132 failure to confine Barkahni I shall.. let us not speak of such things."
|
||
133 Their leader, Piper by name, asked me, "If D is so powerful, wouldn't he know of the necklaces, and the location of
|
||
134 all of the pieces?"
|
||
135 I did not hesitate. "Yes, he would. He created them." Now to wait for their reaction. It seemed to be one of
|
||
136 stunned silence. I hoped that was a good sign, for this was my only chance to redeem my error with Barkahni...
|
||
137 "Do you know?", he asked. Bright one, he is. "Yes.", I replied.
|
||
138 "Where? You obviously know us, and our need.", he said.
|
||
139 "Just outside of the Keystone, on the Gold side. But wait, there is a catch." Damn, I hated to pull this on them. D
|
||
140 and hiis bloody projects.
|
||
141 "D left the last quarter of the necklace inside a machine of some sort, to be retrieved when a puzzle was solved."
|
||
142 They groaed. Only one seemed not to care, a Friar who was looking after Milchar.
|
||
143 Piper asked, "Ok, If we do get the last piece, if we complete the necklace, What do we do with it?"
|
||
144 Frotz. Right into classified territory. I had sworn to never reveal that, for reasons of "security". D had said that
|
||
145 if someone deserved to wear the necklace, they would find out on their own. I decided to tell them that. And so I did.
|
||
146 They brooded over the whole story, and I left for a moment to check on those standing orders for the mage. Tome #729...
|
||
147 page 1094, paragraph 5, section 13.87: Milchar is to receive ..... during the duration of the dampening, to prevent
|
||
148 collapse into coma due to his ancestry. But why would a Damper put someone out? Another damn puzzle. I put the tome
|
||
149 back, and offered to guide the group to the machine. If they only succeeded... And were was I to find Argentite
|
||
150 around here?
|
||
151 +++++++++++ Milchar & Novar ++++++++++++++++++++++ 11:05 on 11/08/84 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
152
|
||
153
|
||
154 ***********************************************************************
|
||
155
|
||
156 PHOTOGRAPHS
|
||
157 INTRO: Kathy has just picked up her digital disk player from the shop
|
||
158 that had possestion of it for the past two months. She was slowly driv-
|
||
159 ing up Canyon road with the prized stero component thinking " there is
|
||
160 a empty spot on the shelf waiting for you to come home.."
|
||
161
|
||
162 She sees red and blue flashing lights up ahead, an accident has
|
||
163 just happened. Kathy parks and leaves, camera in hand, disk player
|
||
164 for now replaced by this diversion.
|
||
165
|
||
166 Picture 1
|
||
167 Glass on the road, A young man dressed in a polo shirt and jeans
|
||
168 asking for witnesses and alas finding no set of eyes had been turned their
|
||
169 way to see the real story. A sea of overcoats and well shined shoes.
|
||
170 The firetruck arriving on the scene.
|
||
171
|
||
172 Picture 2
|
||
173 A frightned woman pinned in the drivers seat of her 2 week old
|
||
174 Ford mustang, A concerned fireman peers in the sooth her mind and
|
||
175 survay the damage. A bumper is on the road, the sea of raincoats are\
|
||
176 getting wet.Hmmmmm
|
||
177
|
||
178 Picture 3
|
||
179 Patiently waiting in her demolished sports car, her prison. Her
|
||
180 head spins, her hands are numb.
|
||
181
|
||
182 Picture 4
|
||
183 The sea of overcoats thins, a generator has been started. Huge
|
||
184 jaws rip at the door of the little coupe. A female firefighter com-
|
||
185 forts a now sobbing victem. Red and blue lights send out beckons to
|
||
186 the curious to slow ans stare.
|
||
187
|
||
188
|
||
189 Picture 5
|
||
190 A small face surrounded by helping hands. A twisted body carefully
|
||
191 arranged on the back board of a stretcher. A carriage for our wounded
|
||
192 princess. 200 horses take her away. Red and blue lights scream into the
|
||
193 night.
|
||
194
|
||
195 and more: close the lens cover, lower the flash, stroll off slowly, think
|
||
196 of the cash. think of the time, place, why? Kathy gets in her car and
|
||
197 turns the key, home again, home again, digital disk.
|
||
198 *********************kathy****************happened tonight*****************
|
||
199 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
|
||
200 kathy -- thank you.
|
||
201 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
|
||
202 :::::::::::::::O O::::::::::11/09:::::::08:17::::::::::::O O::::::::::::::
|
||
203 kathy: that was impressive. Your writing is good, but this was great.
|
||
204 Now, if only you ccould find more such instances to write about...
|
||
205 (sorry - morbid). Your ability to Describe seems to outweigh your ability
|
||
206 to Create. Interesting.
|
||
207 :::::::::::::::O O:::::::::::::::::voyeur:::::::::::::::::O O::::::::::::
|
||
208 <(:=========================================================:)>
|
||
209 George: Since it's Friday I figure you must have your modem
|
||
210 hooked up by now. You'll notice that this BBS works differently
|
||
211 than most that you're familiar with. I figure you'll probably
|
||
212 catch onto it fairly quickly. I think it will be worth your
|
||
213 trouble.
|
||
214
|
||
215 From what I heard on the radio it sounds like there was some
|
||
216 excitement in your life. Carrol said your brother saw at least
|
||
217 a dozen cops, a couple of ambulences, and three fire trucks out
|
||
218 near the farm. What's going on? The report on the radio was
|
||
219 real vague.
|
||
220
|
||
221 Bill
|
||
222 <(:=========================================================:)>
|
||
223
|
||
224 { ^+/* ---------------- ^+/* ---------------- */+^ ---------------- */+^ }
|
||
225 ...here's the rest of the entry at the top that was so rudely erased!
|
||
226
|
||
227 "Give those new weavers of fact and fiction their choice of drink, and
|
||
228 please permit me to pay for them. The entertainment is worth ten times the
|
||
229 cost. Oh yes, another for me too please."
|
||
230 { ^+/* --------------- The Mesolithic Mathematician --------------- */+^ }
|
||
231
|
||
232 &'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&@'&'&'&@'&@'&'&'&@'&@&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&'&@''@&@'@'&'&@'&@'&@'&'@'&'&'&@
|
||
233 Greetings all, my first personal message on this system. This is going to be blasted interesting;
|
||
234 Kathy, thanks for the little 'most of it' addendum. I feel somewhat insulted (Yes, I am hoping that you will reassure
|
||
235 me that this isn't so)
|
||
236 Pam, I'm sure you already know it, but you are a top drawer writer. A freind of mine, well noted for reading four
|
||
237 novels a week has commented thusly. If I may be so bold, he says that you are very good but need an editor to come in
|
||
238 and insist on a better finished product.
|
||
239 Although I do understand the reasons for not heavily editing work here; I am only echoing her thoughts on the subject.
|
||
240 Well, that was really easy. Gee, I oughta do this more often. See you all soon.
|
||
241 &'&'&'&'&'&@'&'&@'@'&'@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&'&@'&@'&@'&@'@'&@'&@'&@'&@'&@'& murder consequential &'&'&''&'&'&@'&@'@'@'
|
||
242 <=========================()================================>
|
||
243 Bill:
|
||
244
|
||
245 Boy, did I ever have trouble getting this board figured
|
||
246 out. Once I figured out the replace and delete commands things
|
||
247 got easier. It sure is different than what I'm used to.
|
||
248 Nobody knows what's going on with the police and fire
|
||
249 trucks. We figured we'd check it out on the six O'clock news
|
||
250 rather than go out in the miserable weather. It's just too nice
|
||
251 by the fire.
|
||
252 Gotta go now. I've spent more than my share of time
|
||
253 fooling around with this system. Think I got it figured out
|
||
254 though. Later.
|
||
255
|
||
256 George
|
||
257 <=========================()================================>
|
||
258 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
259 They mumbled for a bit, then nodded assent. The Friar asked, "What about Milchar- he doesn't seem to be getting any
|
||
260 better, and frankly I haven't the foggiest idea why he's out at all... no temperature, pulse normal, he should be
|
||
261 walking about." Remember to leave out most of what you know, Novar. "Leave him here, he'll be fine... It's only a
|
||
262 short walk to the machine. He'll get over it.", I lied. I think I remember a small deposit of Argentium in the
|
||
263 Diamond Vally... hmm, not too far from the machine. My luck was getting better. "All those who wish to stay and rest
|
||
264 here are quite welcome to." No one did.
|
||
265 I strode quickly outside, the adventurers following closely behind. As I expected, the Gate was open before we
|
||
266 arrived. D knew of our coming. What didn't he know?
|
||
267 We entered the Keystone, our footsteps echoing from the granite walls. "Ahh, seekers, healers, and destroyers. But
|
||
268 without knowledge, the last element. I grant you passage to the Diamond Valley. Only one other has found his way this
|
||
269 far, but he has failed. I wish you luck, all of you- including you, Novar." I could tell by his tone that he knew all
|
||
270 about Barkahni. Amazingly, he didn't seem to care. I wondered exactly where I had sent the Blue Beast.
|
||
271 The Diamond door had opened slowly. The valley beyond was beautiful, a sculpture of glass and diamond, twisted into
|
||
272 every imaginable shape until they intertwined in places. The thing that drew the eye even more than the breathtaking
|
||
273 view, however, was the machine.
|
||
274 It wasn't tall. Or big. In fact, it was quite small by planar standards. But I knew what it could do. I shuddered
|
||
275 involuntarily.
|
||
276 "Please, advance and examine the machine. I must go for a moment to find a rare... uh, herb for you friend. I shall
|
||
277 return soon." I was off, half in persual of the Argentium and half in retreat from the machine. Better they work it
|
||
278 alone. I knew what the lettering on it read, and that if they failed they would bring upon them a terrible ordeal.
|
||
279 Some would not survive. I pushed it all out of my mind and hunted for the deposit.
|
||
280 +++++++++++++++++
|
||
281 I felt myself floating in a void. Only my presence existed, not even my body showed itself here. Still, I had this
|
||
282 uneasy feeling of being pressed in upon. By what? I thought it through. The last thing I remembered was seeing some
|
||
283 sort of huge blue creature barrelling toward me a breakneck speed. Was I dead? I could't be sure. I felt as I did
|
||
284 when my soul-self was released, but I could not see anything- as if I was confined, which brings us back to the pressed
|
||
285 in feeling.
|
||
286 Finding a clue in logic, I tried to find the boundries of my prison. Probing about, I discovered I was in a bubble of
|
||
287 some sort, about 7 feet across. Funny- I thought I felt a contraction. I did! Oh, no... at that rate, I will be
|
||
288 squished to nothing in another ten minutes or so... unless I could do something. But what? My powers were gone. My
|
||
289 soul-self couldn't even rely on the Ring, it seemed that my projection had neglected to bring it with me. It was
|
||
290 probably still on the physical body.
|
||
291 Somehow I had to get energy- and a lot of it. Extra-planar links were out, for I had no magic; the Ring was out...
|
||
292 what was left? Me?
|
||
293 Of course! ME! The human body, the source of so much creativeness and emotion and energy... it just might work.
|
||
294 I relaxed. Better to prepare oneself beforehand. Concentrating, I imagined a huge knife cutting through the stuff of
|
||
295 the bubble. Straining harder, I began to sweat. A dim outline of a huge knife formed outside... but lo and behold, I
|
||
296 also saw the substance of the bubble become a little more opaque. It wanted to fight. I found new energy, threw it
|
||
297 lavishly into my concentration...
|
||
298 ++++++++++++ Novar & Milchar ++++++++++++++++++++++ 10:27 on 11/09/84 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
299 THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS FOR THE DAY, THE WEEK, AND FRIDAY NIGHT IN DOWNTOWN.
|
||
300 Phil Collins. Ever listen to him? Can he rattle the skins or not? Is his ability to produce harmonical systems far
|
||
301 beyond his contemporaries? Do you ever REALLY listen to the sounds that permeate the air around you? Does anyone ever
|
||
302 really pay attention to their environment? Why does Miami Vice insist on playing Phil Collins aka Genesis?
|
||
303 Night life. How many of you out there live during the day so you can LIVE during the night? Is it true that night time
|
||
304 brings out the best and the worst in all of us? Have you ever walked down the street alone, contemplating your
|
||
305 position in society with more than a passing thought of self-conscious pity? Have you ever noticed how the city
|
||
306 changes at night? I am not talking about east county haunts or cheap west side dives. I am talking downtown. The city.
|
||
307 Metropolis. The burg. Portland. The rose city. The transit mall. The place where it all happens. The hub of the state.
|
||
308 A place where all the vibrant energy of the area flows and ebbs. Downtown is a place like no other. At night it changes
|
||
309 like the coloring of the sky at sunset. It is a place of mystery and delight. A place of utter horror and unbelievable
|
||
310 excitement. The buildings are like silent sentinels watching down on us with one or more lighted eyes. Their patterns
|
||
311 on the sky form grotesque shapes in the lightless atmosphere. Cars swarm like leaderless insects searhing for a
|
||
312 picnic to raid or an animal to bother. The running lights reflected on the wet pavement double the effect of movement.
|
||
313 The sounds of man-made engines disturb the night air, causing pain to both ear and nose. Their effects are twofold.
|
||
314 They carry passengers from one end of the city to another. Are the people going to some distant locale, or are they
|
||
315 escaping a depressing situation at home? They are drawn from the outer edges of the area like gnats to fruit. The
|
||
316 lure of the city is unfathomable. It can not by fully described, only analyzed in part, but in turn, each part
|
||
317 remains a mystery. The city and its night life. Woe to the person who does not experience it in its true form.
|
||
318 Try it. Experience it. It is like nothing else. We can all be thankful for that.
|
||
319 A bus stop. I arrive on time, hoping to make my stay at the semi-covered artifact of human planning short. Several
|
||
320 others occupy distinct positions in and around the shelter. Times and ETA's flash on a nearby monitor. The numbers
|
||
321 are meaningless. Buses, those huge mechanical beasts with minds driven by men, abide not by numbers on a screen, but
|
||
322 by their own hopes and desires. My wait is not short. My bus is late. Very late. I wait, for I am but a small piece in
|
||
323 a much larger picture. I wonder how the others feel. Do they realize what the 'big' picture is? Or do they hold on the
|
||
324 antiquated notion that they can still control their own destinies? I look at each person, one by one. Thinking, hoping,
|
||
325 wondering, analyzing, and then, not concluding, but merely storing what I have observed. A young male, not much older
|
||
326 than I. He stands, hands plunged in his pockets, backpack hanging from his shoulder, waiting as do the rest of us.
|
||
327 What line? What destination. I will never know. It does not matter. My eyes shift, and a new subject comes into sight.
|
||
328 A women, late 20's, hair still wet, but neatly combed. Penny loafers on her feet. Blue jeans and backpack are other
|
||
329 noticeable things. A worried look crosses her face, as she glances at me and then at the schedule displayed on the
|
||
330 monitor. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting for a bus that will someday come. Always late. Always behind. Where could it be?
|
||
331 Another young women. Quite attractive. Silk stockings, huge earrings, stylish clothes, backpack, and a blank stare.
|
||
332 Where is she going? Most likely a student. Same place as me? Probably not. Shifted eyes. New person. Now a business
|
||
333 man. Brooks Brothers suit. Wall Street Journal. Brief case, no backpack here. Folding umbrella. Off to work. Some office
|
||
334 , some high rise. Big money. BMW at the park and drive. McKormics for lunch. 12 to 1. Maybe see you there sometime.
|
||
335 Others too. Many more to describe. Wait! Movement in the ranks. A noise, motion in the street. Large, white, black,
|
||
336 belching smoke. No smell yet. Gotta get by first. A bus...comes to a stop. Doors open, and people file out. People like
|
||
337 the rest of us, waiting for something, sitting instead of standing. Arriving instead of leaving. On a bus instead of
|
||
338 on the sidewalk, under the shelter. I move forward, let the women get on first. Always the gentleman. I take my seat.
|
||
339 I don't have to stand this time. Such luck. Doors close. Air hisses. Engine roars, and buses move. Destination, does it
|
||
340 matter? As long as I get there in time. Always the clock to watch. Always the schedule to keep. Will it ever end?
|
||
341 MY OBSERVATIONS FOR THE DAY, FRIDAY, A RAINY DAY, BUT A DAY NONETHELESS.
|
||
342 )_*#$_*$_)!*$_)*@_)$*!@+$!@*$_!)*$_!)*$_!+*$!*$_)!*$_*$_)!*$_*$_*$_)$*_)$*#@$
|
||
343 Mikey:I will call. Details go better over the phone. Any problems to report?
|
||
344 Anything I can start working on? I'll wait until I talk to you.
|
||
345 Milchar: Remember Tom? Just kidding. C64 moving along...I'll need to visit sometime soon. I have magazines to return.
|
||
346 Archivers : Re-did the disks. Got 20may83, along with the other two missing files in the original batch. Everything
|
||
347 looks good. Voyeur? Are you out there?
|
||
348 Voyeur: I see the Milwalky Mustangs won a football game. sigh. How go things on
|
||
349 the old homestead? Better there than here I suppose.
|
||
350 *$)_#*$@)_#*$@#)_$_)#@($#_@)*$@# L'homme sans parity *$_#)@*$#_*_)$*@_)*$_#)*
|
||
351 MY OBSERVATIONS FOR THE MESSAGE ABOVE LSP, A SATURDAY, A MSG OF NOTHINGNESS.
|
||
352 Well, I called up BWMS. It rang and rang, then it answered. BEEP. So
|
||
353 I turned on my modem, BEEP. It connected, neet. I started to print all the
|
||
354 lines from the place that I left off at. It was boring. I wished that this
|
||
355 board make it easy to skip a line. I looked at the clock, it was late. Then
|
||
356 this message about observations came up, I was still bored. The many pages
|
||
357 scrolled by as my thumbs twitled a silent twitle. neet, I was having fun. I
|
||
358 started to thing why I was up so late, why I called, why am I reading this
|
||
359 message. It went on and on and on and on and on. get the picture get the
|
||
360 picture get the picture? I saw the end, but it was just the begging. I
|
||
361 started to throw my pencil at the wall hoping it would stick. It didn't.
|
||
362 I picked it up and threw it harder, it didn't stick. I didn't pick it up.
|
||
363 I noticed that the message about observations was still going. I went out for
|
||
364 a snack. A big sandwich sounded good. I got out the mayonaise jar, it was
|
||
365 empty. I reached for the mustard, after I pulled my hand out from the fridge
|
||
366 and saw that I grabbed the chocolate syrup. I put it back. I bent over and
|
||
367 looked into the bread drour, there was no bread. I didn't have a big sandwich
|
||
368 that sounded good. I moped back into my room, the message about observations
|
||
369 was still going. Too bad the death penalty didn't pass. I was bored. I
|
||
370 reached over and picked up my pencil. I was still bored. I turned on the T.V.
|
||
371 It was wrestling. I turned the channel. It was static. I turned the channel.
|
||
372 More static. I turned it again, it was wrestling. I kicked my T.V. Now it
|
||
373 was all static. Too bad. No my foot hurt and I was still bored. I got up
|
||
374 and went over to my window. I opened the curtains and looked outside. It was
|
||
375 dark. I closed my eyes, it was still dark so I opened them. It was still
|
||
376 dark. I sat back down in front of the computer. I was still bored. The
|
||
377 message about the observations was over. I didn't care. It all looked the
|
||
378 same anyway. I turned off my monitor, it was dark. I looked over towards the
|
||
379 window, it was dark too. I turned on the monitor, I liked it better off. I
|
||
380 got up and walked around. I turned on the radio. I couldn't hear anything at
|
||
381 all. I turned up the volume. My foot still hurt, and I'm bored! I looked
|
||
382 outside again, it was still dark. I turned off the radio. My foot still hurt.
|
||
383 I sat infront of the computer again. So I sat infront of the computer again.
|
||
384 I moved my chair back a few feet. I planted one foot firmly to one side and
|
||
385 shoved off. I was spinning in circles and I'm still bored. The chair stopped.
|
||
386 I fell out, I was dissy. I looked up at the screen, it was still. I wondered
|
||
387 why it wasn't doing something. I got back up into the chair. My foot hurt.
|
||
388 I leaned forward to type something and the chair fell apart. I fell off the
|
||
389 chair again. I got up and fixed the chair then sat infront of the computer
|
||
390 again. I tried to type something and I could reach the keyboard. I scooted
|
||
391 forward. The computer wasn't doing much. I turned it off. I took the disk
|
||
392 out of the drive. It got stuck. I gently tugged a little harder. It was
|
||
393 still stuck. I grabbed the end and yanked for all I was worth. The disk came
|
||
394 out. I tried to put it back into the cover but it wouldn't fit. I tried a
|
||
395 little harder. It didn't fit. I grabbed the disk and rammed it into the
|
||
396 cover. There was noplace for me to put my disk. All the room was filled.
|
||
397 I pinned it to the wall. It stuck. I walked into the front hall. My foot
|
||
398 still hurt. I opened the door and walked outside. It was dark. I walked
|
||
399 over to the street lamp, it was tall. There was nobody else around. All
|
||
400 were asleep at home. I went home. I walked in and shut the door. My foot
|
||
401 hurt and I was cold and bored. I walked back down the halway to the
|
||
402 computer. There was nothing to look at. I turned on the light. There was
|
||
403 something to look at. I sat back down infront of the computer. The chair
|
||
404 didn't break. I took the disk off of the wall and put it in the disk drive.
|
||
405 I took the disk out and removed the cover. This time it fit better. I turned
|
||
406 the computer back on and sat there. Nothing happened. I shut the drive door.
|
||
407 This was better. The disk didn't work. I was mad, cold, my foot hurt and
|
||
408 I was still bored. I remembered that I left something outside, it was a disk.
|
||
409 I got up and walked outside. I saw the disk in the middle of the street. I
|
||
410 started to walk towards it. I bent over to grab the disk. I got hit by a
|
||
411 london bus. Double decker that is. I got dragged along for quite a while
|
||
412 before the bus made a sharp turn and I was thrown off a cliff. I plumitted
|
||
413 to a painfull death. My disk was bent. I was sad. I was dead! Too bad,
|
||
414 my foot didn't hurt.
|
||
415 THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS : Cancer is harmfull to your health.
|
||
416
|
||
417 THE END.-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:MAGNUM OPUS:-:-:-:
|
||
418 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
|
||
419 Milchar -- you're doing fine. I wish I could contribute more, but my chance
|
||
420 may come later. Continue, please.
|
||
421 Perhaps it's not traditional to comment on an entire disk, but I feel like
|
||
422 this one shows a few traits that we could all learn from. First, on the subject
|
||
423 of editing -- any would be writer will be tremendously improved by the work of
|
||
424 a conciencious editor. Warning! It hurt's like hell. Although we delude
|
||
425 ourselves that we don't have a particular affection for our own writings, they
|
||
426 still are our creations, and we, in a very real sense, are their parents. There
|
||
427 never was a piece of writing that could not be improved. My first major edit
|
||
428 took nearly two weeks, in two-hour sessions every other day. In that time I
|
||
429 learned more about the english language than in all my previous schooling
|
||
430 (including some college 400 level courses). The relationship you have with your
|
||
431 editor is crucial. You either come out a grateful fast friend, or have made an
|
||
432 enemy for life. (My editor wouln't pass that last sentence, either.) But, what
|
||
433 an editor can do is help you with how you say something -- not with what you say.
|
||
434 An editor gives advice and help on the craft of writing -- how to construct the
|
||
435 basic blocks of communication, how to craft a sentence that says what you want
|
||
436 it to say, a paragraph that "works", and how to put complex and perhaps incoherent
|
||
437 thoughts into some sort of logical organization. The editor cannot help you
|
||
438 with WHAT to say. That is your exclusive provence -- you can ask for advice,
|
||
439 but YOU must decide to abide by it or not.
|
||
440 We've got two entries above -- one a simple pastiche on life at a bus stop,
|
||
441 the other a reaction to it from somone who doesn't seem to care for it. Why
|
||
442 does the one seem alive, the other merely tedious? How could the second author
|
||
443 have used satire to ridicule the first effectively? (or COULD it bee done?)
|
||
444 I feel that a careful look at this disk will show much that is good, some that's
|
||
445 bad, and by asking ourselves "why?" we can improve ourselves.
|
||
446 OK, kiddies, class is over. Sorry for going into a lecture!
|
||
447 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp0pppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
|
||
448
|
||
449 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
|
||
450
|
||
451 I stand upon the Plain Of Jars, where the wind eternally blows hot and
|
||
452 humid, where the only light is that provided by the burning of damned souls
|
||
453 in torment, and once again I attempt to light the fire. For what seems
|
||
454 like days I struggle with stone and flint until I finally achieve a spark,
|
||
455 so small and feeble against the unholy gloom, but still it is a spark that
|
||
456 lands upon the twigs before me to smolder uncertainly. Quickly I fall to
|
||
457 my knees before the tiny trail of smoke, as if in worship of this tiny god
|
||
458 of fire. Cautiously I blow, shielding the ember, nursing and nourishing
|
||
459 and protecting it, until it finally bursts into unsteady flame.
|
||
460
|
||
461 As I continue to feed this fire, inwardly I exult! Perhaps this time
|
||
462 I have won! Could it be possible, can I fan this fire to something
|
||
463 greater? So long, so long, so many years I've waited for just such a
|
||
464 chance, but always in the past all my efforts have been but a sword against
|
||
465 an army. But this time I WILL win, this time I WILL finally arrive at my
|
||
466 goal, this time......
|
||
467
|
||
468 Again the rain begins. The work of days is destroyed, the fire of my
|
||
469 efforts is quickly snuffed, doused as if it were nothing. Ever so slowly I
|
||
470 realize that it was nothing, mere delusion and pride and ego. How could I
|
||
471 think that I could make a difference, that I could bring light to the
|
||
472 darkness or bring warmth to the coldness of a world so much greater than
|
||
473 myself? Here I stand, like Sisyphus, condemned to a task that can never be
|
||
474 accomplished, but knowing that I must continue to try. The pain of knowing
|
||
475 how truly hopeless my mission is drives me down, holds me tighly in the
|
||
476 terrible grasp of despair, and I collapse onto the now muddy Plain Of Jars.
|
||
477
|
||
478 ---------------------------
|
||
479
|
||
480 I awaken suddenly, nearly jumping from the bed in this motel room that
|
||
481 is a clone of so many others in the chain. I'm soaked in cold sweat from
|
||
482 the intensity of my dream, and I feel chilled by the persperation that
|
||
483 clings to me. I don't need to look at my watch to know what time it is, I
|
||
484 always seem to have bad dreams at a specific time of night.
|
||
485
|
||
486 Walking to the bathroom, I turn the heat lamp and fan on, then start
|
||
487 the shower at only slightly less than hot enough to peel skin on touch. I
|
||
488 so wish I was home.
|
||
489
|
||
490 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM-[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
|
||
491
|
||
492
|
||
493 <<============================()=============================>>
|
||
494
|
||
495 Bill:
|
||
496
|
||
497 I can't believe there wasn't anything on the six O'clock
|
||
498 news about the disaster, or whatever it was. My brother said he
|
||
499 saw several television news trucks on the scene. I thought once
|
||
500 those guys showed up it was gauranteed something would be on
|
||
501 the news. It's really strange.
|
||
502 What makes it even stranger is that there wasn't anything
|
||
503 in the Oregonian either. From all the excitement you'd think it
|
||
504 would be a major news story. But nothing. I don't get it.
|
||
505 Carrol drove down the highway and says the road blocks
|
||
506 are down and that she couldn't see anything unusual. Sunday
|
||
507 a bunch of us are going to take the four wheel drive into the
|
||
508 back country to see what we can see. Something is going on
|
||
509 and we're going to figure out what it is.
|
||
510
|
||
511 George
|
||
512 <<========================()============================>>
|
||
513 [=------------------------------------------------------------=]
|
||
514 Well, after a long time away from the Inn it looks in good
|
||
515 shape. The air is clean and the talk is nice. I like it
|
||
516 this way. It is a nice escape from all of the computer talk
|
||
517 on the other boards. Any way, when did Pam return? The last
|
||
518 I heard of her was when every once and a while there was a
|
||
519 message like "Won't you come back Pam?". It's nice to see
|
||
520 your writing again. I better be off. Maybe nobody ever
|
||
521 noticed that I was hear or that I had gone but it is nice to
|
||
522 be back.
|
||
523 [=-------------------------Red-Fox----------------------------=]
|
||
524
|
||
525 *******************************************************************
|
||
526 To writer of observations on a friday night: much too wordy for
|
||
527 my tastes, but ok otherwise.
|
||
528 To writer of the hurt foot and the nonfunctioning disk: quite
|
||
529 humurous I think, also a little wordy but funny, I rarely chuckle
|
||
530 sitting in front of my terminal, what whould people think?
|
||
531 To Pam: Another good piece of work, say Pam, would you ever con-
|
||
532 sider getting in on writing a comic book with me? I know of
|
||
533 at least one decent artist for the drawing part. I have no talent
|
||
534 whatsoever in that department.
|
||
535 ********************************kathy********************************
|
||
536 *********************************************************************
|
||
537 My last entry kinda drained me temporily (I hope) I am also sure
|
||
538 that I will start a new chariter. My best friend Kristy tells me
|
||
539 to use Ontho and have it run off with the trident and have nep-
|
||
540 tune piping mad.. but, who knows?, who cares?
|
||
541 ********************************kathy********************************
|
||
542 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
|
||
543 \\ Consider this: \\
|
||
544 \\ Ronald = 6 letters \\
|
||
545
|
||
546 \\ Wilson = 6 letters \\
|
||
547 \\ Reagan = 6 letters \\
|
||
548 \\ \\
|
||
549 \\ '666'!!!!! What does this \\
|
||
550 \\ mean? Are we DOOMED!!?? \\
|
||
551 \\ \\
|
||
552 \\ Also- if you assign each letter \\
|
||
553 \\ of the alphabet into equivlent \\
|
||
554 \\ value's, (ex- a=1, b=2, c=3 and \\
|
||
555 \\ so forth so that you have equal \\
|
||
556 \\ value's between 1-26) and take \\
|
||
557 \\ Mr. RayGun's full name, \\
|
||
558 \\ ( Ronald Wilson Reagan), and \\
|
||
559 \\ either multiply or add them and \\
|
||
560 \\ you again come up with the \\
|
||
561 \\ mysterious number '666'!!! \\
|
||
562 \\ \\
|
||
563 \\ Beware!!! \\
|
||
564 \\ The BEAST is among us..... \\
|
||
565 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
|
||
566 \\\\\\\\==== The Master ====\\\\\\\\\\\
|
||
567 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
|
||
568
|
||
569 ****************************************************************************
|
||
570 L'homme: Nothing major. I did notice that in terror if you throw the club anyplace other then at the wall, nothing happens.
|
||
571 A bit unnerving since normally there is some kind of response.
|
||
572 The main problem is the BASIC versions won't run on the SANYO. This is
|
||
573 because it doesn't like your BASIC structure. (File control can't be mixed
|
||
574 type like you have, and no nested if's.) Also, need to be able to disable
|
||
575 the color, as the Sanyo goes weird if you try to show color on a black and
|
||
576 white monitor. And finally, the basic versions wouldn't run on my Z150
|
||
577 either. (I was using basica) I assume that you wrote it in GWbasic given
|
||
578 from what I saw of the code. (My GWbasic is on back order, so I can't try
|
||
579 it under that yet.)
|
||
580 ************************ CISTOP MIKEY ****************************************
|
||
581 But of course! Sorry I missed you, but my eye's wouldn't stay open.
|
||
582
|
||
|
||
TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 582
|