(Zl-eye-f)-nea

Hey guys, this is my rain collector prototype!
haha, hope i can get a wishpoint and permanent rain collector~

Materials list:
- Softbox w/ bag (main part)
- Transparent lunch box w/ cloth, large & fine gravel, cotton (filter)
- Vacuum cleaner hose, PVC pipe (accessories)
- Carrying bag/backpack (container)

Instead of a normal umbrella, i used a softbox for the main part, softbox is an enclosure designed to fit around an artificial light source, and it is weatherproof ,sturdy, extremely portable just like a good umbrella but inverted already! it also come with a little bag. : P

Btw i forgot my pen so i made it with some grasses on the floor...
MD Sushi June 2018

It is a rectangular softbox, i removed the outer diffuser and taped a tube & vacuum cleaner hose on it

DIY simple water filter - i combined two transparent lunch boxes and filled with some gravel, cotton & cloth for different layers.

Full set equipped, i think the best way to use the rain collector is attach the hose to main part and get water directly, you don't need a water filter in portable version, but it is optional.

Concept art - This is the extended version of my rain collector, i just want to show u another reason to use softbox because it can fit with different attachments easily, like a heavy duty light stand, so you can have bigger or more water filters etc.

Thank you for watching! 

This quest is built of 3 parts. The first person to complete part 1 will cause the reveal of part 2 to everyone when/if they complete part 2. Same with part 3.
Part 1: Build a spider web.
Part 2 revealed by Faceless: Capture an image of a real spider on your web.
You can build it out of any materials you like. No drawings, only builds.
Please take and post a photo of your spider web and ensure there is a piece of paper in the image with your MD name and the date on it.
Prizes depend on how you play.
Part 3 is a live event and will be held sometime from the 28th of October. If nobody reaches part 3 by then...that part won't happen.
Z

You are showing me a cut bottle in a jar and a piece of material ....and thats a rain collector?
I think you...(well not just you but you in general) missed the purpose and overall flavor of this quest
While a bucket is a raincollector, it doesn't mean that its suitable for this quest, when other people put so much effort in their work. Just look at the first entries as a good example.
Please create something nicer, i am sure you have ideas, don't just put a jar in the rain and expect a reward.
The functional purpose of a rain collector is to collect as much rain as possible, and for that you either need a reaaalllyy big bucket, or a larger collecting surface.If your life would have depended on a rain that comes once a month, you wouldnt use a jar , you would do better, so do better please.
 
ps. nice touch with the raining 

Raven's Chill

I call it "Fang goes to Necro."

MD’s dashing overlord, Muratus del Mur
Recently purchased a nice knator fur
He too bought a mirror, for he’s rather vain
Then quickly realized he wore Fang Archbane
 
A pompous old man named Ivorak
Came upon a filthy abandoned shack
It dripped with dust, Pompy made a big fuss
For dirtiness left him nonplussed
 
A froggy sort of man, BFH the White
Nibbled a Christmas cookie, only a bite
The Wookie said it was fine, “Here, take nine!”
But BFH fell ill and died

Some people say that Eon
Should wear some high vis Neon
So that his victims have a chance
To write their obituary in advance
At the pub on a Sunday Mr Sunfire
Has drinking habits quite utterly dire
By drinking vodka he belches flames
Setting fire to people's wigs is all fun and games
dst
She hates the Tree
So I put some glue on her shoe
For when she steps in poo
 
 
Z

Dearest Subjects
I write to you with great mirth, from the kingdom of Shoe-baa. I may be a goat in a wig, but until the actual Queen of Sheeba returns you'll have to make do with me. If you take exception to a goat in a wig, or a man in a dress, you can take that up with Chewett, as this quest is all his fault. Also, if you do take exception to either of those things you're immediately banned from the quest. I can't be wasting good sequinned dresses on grumpy prejudiced participants.
Between now and new year I will randomly be online. I will randomly put a wig on. If my wig is on, I will make demands of you.
If you are in attendance and bow to the Queen, you get one point (only 1 per instance of the Queen appearing, you won't get multiple points for multiple bows). If you take part in a royal demand, you get one point. If, as part of the demand, you come 1st you get 3 points, 2nd 2 and 3rd 1. Unfortunately the decision on these MAY be subjective due to the low playerbase at the moment. However, if anyone wishes to play the part of an honorable scribe and help me with this, please contact me. In festive spirit, I shall reward you 5 silver coins for your services to the Queen. Ungod has added to the scribe's fee, and so if a scribe comes forwards they will now earn 10SC & a mirror rit stone. If you bow to Z and he is not wearing the wig (ie: he is not the Queen) then you lose a point. This includes points at which he may remove the wig to scratch his head, so pay attention before you bow, or check with others who have been there longer then you. If you call Z (ie: no wig) the Queen of Shoe-baa you lose a point. If you call the Queen of Shoe-baa the Queen of Sheeba you lose a point. If, when addressing the Queen, you fail to address her as either 'your honorable majesty' or 'Queen of Shoe-baa'....you lose a point - every time. That includes responding to her. Demands will vary considerably.
My initial demand is for you to make a snowman out of paper. His/her face/arms/hat etc can be made from anything you like, but the 'snow' should be paper. You will get 5 points for taking part. An additional 5 points will be given if you put your snowman into a diarama you made yourself OR create a 3 panel story using your snowman and some action figures and a series of pictures. There will then also be the 3,2,1 points as described in the bullets above. Pictures should be posted on this thread - include your playername in handwriting within the image.
Any questions either post here or PM me.
 
Z/Goat in a wig.
rewards:
1 x WP from Chew
1 x WP from me
1 x GC from Blackshade
Possibly gold coins, silver coins and creatures/totems depending on participation.
 
 
Dst 5
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, 1 participation point, 3 task points
Mallos 0
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, -1point for incorrect address

I'll sponsor 1 gc

LOL.
For the scribe, i sponsor 5sc + 1 mirrorit stone

Dearest Subjects
I write to you with great mirth, from the kingdom of Shoe-baa. I may be a goat in a wig, but until the actual Queen of Sheeba returns you'll have to make do with me. If you take exception to a goat in a wig, or a man in a dress, you can take that up with Chewett, as this quest is all his fault. Also, if you do take exception to either of those things you're immediately banned from the quest. I can't be wasting good sequinned dresses on grumpy prejudiced participants.
Between now and new year I will randomly be online. I will randomly put a wig on. If my wig is on, I will make demands of you.
If you are in attendance and bow to the Queen, you get one point (only 1 per instance of the Queen appearing, you won't get multiple points for multiple bows). If you take part in a royal demand, you get one point. If, as part of the demand, you come 1st you get 3 points, 2nd 2 and 3rd 1. Unfortunately the decision on these MAY be subjective due to the low playerbase at the moment. However, if anyone wishes to play the part of an honorable scribe and help me with this, please contact me. In festive spirit, I shall reward you 5 silver coins for your services to the Queen. Ungod has added to the scribe's fee, and so if a scribe comes forwards they will now earn 10SC & a mirror rit stone. If you bow to Z and he is not wearing the wig (ie: he is not the Queen) then you lose a point. This includes points at which he may remove the wig to scratch his head, so pay attention before you bow, or check with others who have been there longer then you. If you call Z (ie: no wig) the Queen of Shoe-baa you lose a point. If you call the Queen of Shoe-baa the Queen of Sheeba you lose a point. If, when addressing the Queen, you fail to address her as either 'your honorable majesty' or 'Queen of Shoe-baa'....you lose a point - every time. That includes responding to her. Demands will vary considerably.
My initial demand is for you to make a snowman out of paper. His/her face/arms/hat etc can be made from anything you like, but the 'snow' should be paper. You will get 5 points for taking part. An additional 5 points will be given if you put your snowman into a diarama you made yourself OR create a 3 panel story using your snowman and some action figures and a series of pictures. There will then also be the 3,2,1 points as described in the bullets above. Pictures should be posted on this thread - include your playername in handwriting within the image.
Any questions either post here or PM me.
 
Z/Goat in a wig.
rewards:
1 x WP from Chew
1 x WP from me
1 x GC from Blackshade
Possibly gold coins, silver coins and creatures/totems depending on participation.
 
 
Dst 5
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, 1 participation point, 3 task points
Mallos 0
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, -1point for incorrect address

Dearest Subjects
I write to you with great mirth, from the kingdom of Shoe-baa. I may be a goat in a wig, but until the actual Queen of Sheeba returns you'll have to make do with me. If you take exception to a goat in a wig, or a man in a dress, you can take that up with Chewett, as this quest is all his fault. Also, if you do take exception to either of those things you're immediately banned from the quest. I can't be wasting good sequinned dresses on grumpy prejudiced participants.
Between now and new year I will randomly be online. I will randomly put a wig on. If my wig is on, I will make demands of you.
If you are in attendance and bow to the Queen, you get one point (only 1 per instance of the Queen appearing, you won't get multiple points for multiple bows). If you take part in a royal demand, you get one point. If, as part of the demand, you come 1st you get 3 points, 2nd 2 and 3rd 1. Unfortunately the decision on these MAY be subjective due to the low playerbase at the moment. However, if anyone wishes to play the part of an honorable scribe and help me with this, please contact me. In festive spirit, I shall reward you 5 silver coins for your services to the Queen. Ungod has added to the scribe's fee, and so if a scribe comes forwards they will now earn 10SC & a mirror rit stone. If you bow to Z and he is not wearing the wig (ie: he is not the Queen) then you lose a point. This includes points at which he may remove the wig to scratch his head, so pay attention before you bow, or check with others who have been there longer then you. If you call Z (ie: no wig) the Queen of Shoe-baa you lose a point. If you call the Queen of Shoe-baa the Queen of Sheeba you lose a point. If, when addressing the Queen, you fail to address her as either 'your honorable majesty' or 'Queen of Shoe-baa'....you lose a point - every time. That includes responding to her. Demands will vary considerably.
My initial demand is for you to make a snowman out of paper. His/her face/arms/hat etc can be made from anything you like, but the 'snow' should be paper. You will get 5 points for taking part. An additional 5 points will be given if you put your snowman into a diarama you made yourself OR create a 3 panel story using your snowman and some action figures and a series of pictures. There will then also be the 3,2,1 points as described in the bullets above. Pictures should be posted on this thread - include your playername in handwriting within the image.
Any questions either post here or PM me.
 
Z/Goat in a wig.
rewards:
1 x WP from Chew
1 x WP from me
1 x GC from Blackshade
Possibly gold coins, silver coins and creatures/totems depending on participation.
 
 
Dst 5
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, 1 participation point, 3 task points
Mallos 0
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, -1point for incorrect address

Dearest Subjects
I write to you with great mirth, from the kingdom of Shoe-baa. I may be a goat in a wig, but until the actual Queen of Sheeba returns you'll have to make do with me. If you take exception to a goat in a wig, or a man in a dress, you can take that up with Chewett, as this quest is all his fault. Also, if you do take exception to either of those things you're immediately banned from the quest. I can't be wasting good sequinned dresses on grumpy prejudiced participants.
Between now and new year I will randomly be online. I will randomly put a wig on. If my wig is on, I will make demands of you.
If you are in attendance and bow to the Queen, you get one point (only 1 per instance of the Queen appearing, you won't get multiple points for multiple bows). If you take part in a royal demand, you get one point. If, as part of the demand, you come 1st you get 3 points, 2nd 2 and 3rd 1. Unfortunately the decision on these MAY be subjective due to the low playerbase at the moment. However, if anyone wishes to play the part of an honorable scribe and help me with this, please contact me. In festive spirit, I shall reward you 5 silver coins for your services to the Queen. Ungod has added to the scribe's fee, and so if a scribe comes forwards they will now earn 10SC & a mirror rit stone. If you bow to Z and he is not wearing the wig (ie: he is not the Queen) then you lose a point. This includes points at which he may remove the wig to scratch his head, so pay attention before you bow, or check with others who have been there longer then you. If you call Z (ie: no wig) the Queen of Shoe-baa you lose a point. If you call the Queen of Shoe-baa the Queen of Sheeba you lose a point. If, when addressing the Queen, you fail to address her as either 'your honorable majesty' or 'Queen of Shoe-baa'....you lose a point - every time. That includes responding to her. Demands will vary considerably.
My initial demand is for you to make a snowman out of paper. His/her face/arms/hat etc can be made from anything you like, but the 'snow' should be paper. You will get 5 points for taking part. An additional 5 points will be given if you put your snowman into a diarama you made yourself OR create a 3 panel story using your snowman and some action figures and a series of pictures. There will then also be the 3,2,1 points as described in the bullets above. Pictures should be posted on this thread - include your playername in handwriting within the image.
Any questions either post here or PM me.
 
Z/Goat in a wig.
rewards:
1 x WP from Chew
1 x WP from me
1 x GC from Blackshade
Possibly gold coins, silver coins and creatures/totems depending on participation.
 
 
Dst 5
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, 1 participation point, 3 task points
Mallos 0
20/12/17 - 1 Bow Point, -1point for incorrect address

Some people say that Eon
Should wear some high vis Neon
So that his victims have a chance
To write their obituary in advance
At the pub on a Sunday Mr Sunfire
Has drinking habits quite utterly dire
By drinking vodka he belches flames
Setting fire to people's wigs is all fun and games
dst
She hates the Tree
So I put some glue on her shoe
For when she steps in poo
 
 
Z

Some people say that Eon
Should wear some high vis Neon
So that his victims have a chance
To write their obituary in advance
At the pub on a Sunday Mr Sunfire
Has drinking habits quite utterly dire
By drinking vodka he belches flames
Setting fire to people's wigs is all fun and games
dst
She hates the Tree
So I put some glue on her shoe
For when she steps in poo
 
 
Z

Some people say that Eon
Should wear some high vis Neon
So that his victims have a chance
To write their obituary in advance
At the pub on a Sunday Mr Sunfire
Has drinking habits quite utterly dire
By drinking vodka he belches flames
Setting fire to people's wigs is all fun and games
dst
She hates the Tree
So I put some glue on her shoe
For when she steps in poo
 
 
Z

Rendition of Antonio Lauro's "Registro." Thanks for listening!

Fang I try to be a friend so you need to listen and listen well,
Azull has been doing a great number of things with helping on the island, and take it how you'd like but he has done more for the island than you have. Azull may not consider himself a guardian but for right now he his technically filling the role right now. Azull was brought to the island for many good reasons. Magohi and klawdees was also brought to the island for reasons.
You need to understand me and azull have been helping mur so we may not be at the scene one of your friends are. Nor know their name. You also need to understand that if your players do not ask for help in game chat then we can not help them. They should not be limited to using discord to find out what to do. You need to have your players start talking in chat and asking questions there more often. Maybe they would learn what they are trying to learn then. 
If it wasn't for his cursed pride some of these recent updates would likely not be out as he helped mur with a lot of them on his own. Rough language does not break azull, instead he won't deal with it and rather ignore as any player should. To be honest fang sometimes it seems you talk before you think. I feel yoh need to start thinking before you talk.
We get you are recruiting new players and I am sure many of use here in md appreciate it, however there is no need to brag. You need to understand your NOT THE ONLY ONE who is helping revive md. Stop acting like your doing it all. And again with the guardian stuff, azull is on the island because me and mur asked him and a few others to help. Azull was picked for very good reasons and he has proven more than his worth on the island even if he doesn't consider himself a guardian.
This , I don't know if I should even say what I feel on this but I will say this, it's bullsh&@. You know it.
 
To me it seems you are the one getting your emotions in the way fang. You say you care one minute and the next it's different. You need to make up your mind and realize with things like this you are digging yourself a majorly deep hole. He likely called you an a@$hole due to how you were acting and how you responded to him. In doing so azull isn't going to waste his time, nor would I. That is likely why he blocked you.
And the dst thing, *shaking my head* you don't realize it fang but you seem to be becoming another dst, just a dumber version. You are digging your own hole, your own grave. You don't take advice, it seems to go in one ear and out the other. You react before you think every time and every time afterwards you don't like what someone has to say when they point out where you are wrong or if they don't like an idea. Each player has his or her own opinion. Respect that. 
You need to start thinking before you act and speak. You also need to re-read whatg you write before you post it likely. Also this 1k neg rep. I feel I agree with eon on that matter. Don't use the neg rep to try and look like you are not looking bad. Sure you want the highest neg rep, but you can do so while still doing good things and making good posts. Your killing your own good rep and killing yourself as a character. 
Wake the f^%$ up fang
 
Edit: also please know azull had shared your pm. Your words are very aggressive and demanding when you are in no position to do so. Just because you are helping bring in players does NOT MEAN YOU are in charge or able to make demands. I can honestly see why he blocked you. To be honest fang you have a lot of great potential and great ideas but your going in all the wrong ways to do any of it. Your the one making yourself look bad by the actions you are showing. 

In the spirit of Murmas, I wish to run a quest, and seek sponsorship for the quest rewards.

Rewards thus far:
1 Voice stone (donated by Burns)
6 Heat stones (donated by Lintara)
630 Iron Ore (donated by Fang Archbane)
6 gold coins (donated by Treasury - 3 to first, 2 to second, 1 to third place)
1 Petrify stone (donated by Jubaris - for the scariest entry)
As it were that Murmas approacheth, so must good spirits.
Thine quest were so:
Write a Murmas poem, or song, or chant. Thine offering must rhyme, and reference the realm in some way, either of the land, or its beings, or otherwise.
Magic-speak, or archaic-speak, is encouraged, as were wit, and humour, for which further reward should be bestowed.
I seek an offering that may bring mirth and cheer to others this Murmas, which were that which above all must affect the final judgment.
As to the length of thine submission, there remaineth no limit; yet, one must remain entertaining throughout.
 
Of judgment thereof, such were that of each of the following, a score of up to ten points should be given:
1. For magic-speak, or archaic tongue, or other mystical construct
2. For rhyme and prosody
3. For mirth, and wit - and for this, a double scoring.
4. For support of those of the realm, that were not scored of the judges.
I shall accept submissions, within the realm, or within this forum, and they shall be anonymous until they are scored.
 
I would like to have the entries in by Murmas, yet, I know that the other-realm doth pull one away at that time, and so, I shall accept submission if it were late. These may be given to me within the realm of Mur, or within the forum of Mur, afore the great Murmas celebration.
 
Merry Murmas, and may good fortune befall thee.

Wire-frame build with tin-foil bulking and 'mummified' wrap to finish. This was a lot harder to make than I thought it would be XD ...and it's the size of a small dog...oops...
Z

klawdees wrote this in honor of md's birthday and asked me to post it on the forum.
spirit of the madman

he was tempted to keep on walking
or maybe he actually did
and sank down into the road
that silences life and death

and further into the fiery earth
where the spirits draw their peace
where they don’t care for names
where fact is just a disease

lungs drinking thirsty the dust
keeping path, he ignores his distrust
and perceives neither comfort nor wrath

seeing only silence
feeling it master his form
following only his path
awaiting only his birth

passing through time that isn’t time
at a crossroads that is endless

I have two Pimped Grassans chomping at my heels and I want to get rid of them before they infect me with their love of poodle shaped handbags any further...I mean...at all...ahem...anyway...yes so...here is the competition:

Post a sound clip (however you like, youtube (you could even add some sort of drawing/screen shot video with it...), direct upload...whatever) of you singing the 12 days of christmas song...but MD style. So, for example: on the first day of xmas bla bla bla a grassan in a dst...etc etc...Im hoping you get the idea. If you just post here and write the song out I will instantly disqualify you, I'm afraid it HAS to be you (and your friends if you like) singing. The worse the better.

You are allowed to work as a pair if you like for the two rewards, or even in groups but then you need to decide who does and who doesnt get rewarded.

Due to the spirit of Xmas, and of course our most generous creator aka Mr Del Mur, please see below for the current reward set up:
[b]
[u]1st, 2nd and 3rd Places[/u][/b]
Each person will receieve a wish point from me PLUS a choice of one of the following: 1 Reindrachorn, 1 Soulweaver, 1 Rare "Collectible" Creature (up to Mur to decide what). 1st place winner gets to choose first and so on and so forth.

[b][u]Specials: [/u][/b]

1 x Nutcracker ([i]Best Lyrics[/i])
1 x Pimped Grassan ([i]Best screaming of 5 gold rings (or whatever you have adapted that as)[/i])
1 x Santa claus ([i]Best Video submission[/i])
1 x Pimped Grassan ([i]The song most likely to make your ears bleed[/i])

Now go forth and tune your guitars...or learn from your cats...

Z


------

So far...

[b]Asterdai's first draft[/b] - Credit for "unleashing mother", demerit for not singing...
[url="http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz93/Asterdai/?action=view&current=mumandrobertsingingMD.flv"]Asterdai's First Draft[/url]

[b]Asterdai's Submission[/b] Great actions
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp94UmfvdCA"]Asterdai's Submission[/url]

[b]Totenkopf [/b] - Accent - amazing, Like the alternative lyrical twist, SO funny A* on humour
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26hT4jh1-pg&feature=player_embedded"]Totenkopf's Submission[/url]

[b]Sagewoman and Windy[/b] - I like the intro and ending, good work on the actions (Windy, you can put your eyes back in your head now ), nice pitch work girls
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THMFr4oYBe4"]Sagewoman and Windy's Submission[/url]

[b]I am Bored[/b] - I very much enjoyed the fan in the Background and although I couldn't understand nearly all of the lyrics...your singing voice was truely sublime...second submission...i wont link to...but er, yes, your own version of an orchestral piece, lovely, just lovely
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJQYR8oe738"]I am Bored's Submission[/url]

[b]Dante Falcon[/b] - Very impressive word rolling indeed sir! Tuneful and elegant, especially with the lamp
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yyCeXRKfI0"]Dante Falcon's Submission[/url]

[b]MasterB[/b] - Loving the outfit and the dancing, you also get A* on humour...also...your 5 golden coins nearly blew my speakers and made my computer reboot itself, which to be fair is quite impressive!
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLfQBeh7AAk"]MasterB's Submission[/url]

[b]Yoshi[/b] - My favorite bit about this video is how there is almost no emotion on your face whatsoever, apart from being very very serious about it, until 5 when you suddenly become an Italian. Excellent.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2g0usT5uAY"]Yoshi's Submission[/url]

[b]Shadowseeker[/b] - Its cool how the lyrics change very slightly each time like a living picture, the change in tone effectively holds the interest of the listener...
[url="http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T6L074HO"]Download Shadowseeker's Submission Here[/url]

[b]Grim Angel (aka Ledah)[/b] I liked how all the events in this song are actually real events, extra points on the do.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM_EXBBQuYM"]Grim Angel's Entry[/url]

[b]Keith Moon (NOT Tarquinus...definitely not.)[/b] well sung with a fantastic ending
[url="http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/12/23/2700665/12days_keith.wma"]Keith Moon's Submission[/url]

[b]Shantu[/b] what can I say about this, I just love the way you sing it.
[url="http://www.mediafire.com/?3fhwmzydz01"]Shantu's Submission[/url]

[b]Observer[/b] Like the alternative lyrics you've got going on there
[url="http://www.2shared.com/file/10212588/8738020a/11_days_till_murmas.html"]Observer's Submission[/url]

Thought:
Do we know that the problem with our playerbase is because of the login/early gameplay? Have we looked into this? It seems that a lot of work is being put into this part of the game, yet over the past 2-3 years the player base kept decreasing (or at least it feels like it has). It would be useful to have some numbers to illustrate when players leave, at what stage, etc - these numbers might be there, I am unaware and I don't think they've ever been made public.
I don't think that MD's problem is that it's too difficult to register or that it takes too long to go through the tutorial, etc, thus I don't think that making a login via facebook would help. It could be neat, sure, a one-click way to login, but I doubt it would actually help. In other words, I don't think that players leave in the early 0-2 days stage, I think they leave in the middle phase (a few days into the game, before they reach 'end-game')... and that's an entirely different problem altogether. 

@Chewett While I can't speak of blackshade rider specifically (especially as I have not read his blog post), I can tell you that one of the most distressing states (for me at least) is seeing a strong emotion in someone else (whether or not it's real) and not being able to connect to them at that point with a responsible action.  
I would not be surprised if that would lead some to take risks/do explosive things.  For me I tend to just go hide in a corner.
 
@Blackshade Rider looking through your forum activity and not seeing any follow-up to this, I'm going to resurrect.  the forum really is the perfect medium, like chew says...i too encourage you to open up, especially now that some time has passed.

It happens that the day after I wrote this, I spilled coffee on my laptop, dealing it its death blow.  So now I have a different computer.
As a result, I can see the forum.  I am debating whether to re-block it once I set up the filters on the new computer.
Thank you Zleiphneir for posting this.
klaw