Yoshi

I always thought it was interesting that the Santa creature has purple robes.

The Null and The Void
  The Void is calling, whispering silent screams for me. Do I let them be, or do I give in to the falling?
  I cannot surely ignore the beckon, for I am afraid that I am weak. Do I only take a peek, for it would merely be a second?
  A wonder to stare into its depth, only to be consumed. Would I eventually be exhumed, or left without breath?
  Seconds turn to hours, and with time it all grows larger. Would I be able to departure, or be trapped in all the flowers?
  Perhaps to master the Void, one must be a Null. But before I try to cull, must I not be undestroyed?
  To be a Null would be an achievement, to be something not important. But is something so forgotten, even truly worth attainment?
  If in the end the Void cares not for me, I fear I would not care about myself. Is it worth losing sight of yourself, only for a taste of impossibility?
  I must learn to preserve myself, especially in darkest times. Can I walk between the lines, and put the fear up on the shelf?
  I feel I must remain steadfast, and not be coerced to either side. But how long can I run and hide, from the dead hand of the past?
  I will refrain today from looking, for the Void will not be winning. But will tomorrows bringing, make it all again alluring?
  The Void is calling, whispering silent screams for me. Do I let them be, or do I give in to the falling?

Welcome one, welcome all! I invite you to join the parade and write your opinion on the idea of pacifism on a societal (or bigger, or smaller, your choice in the end) scale. Write me your thoughts for or against or both or neither, but don't hold back! If anyone finds this is far too open ended then make your voice heard, and I'll shout back some prompts for everybody to hear. Please do remember to write your entries to me privately though as anything otherwise may affect the ideas of others, though I wouldn't dare stop anyone from their private discussion. All that being said, entries will be judged on
x/10 Well reasoned
x/10 Meaningful but concise (not too long not too short, use your judgement)
x/5 Interesting
Paraders may find an anniversary creature as reward at the end, and maybe some other prizes too. (Firmed rewards TBD)
(Entries due by the end of the Anniv, and the parade theme is just a theme, I have no real intention of trying to wrangle all participants in the same place at the same time! Though if they spontaneously organized into a parade, that could be very cool! Much cooler than spontaneous combustion, though that's cool too.)
Good luck folks!

The Null and The Void
  The Void is calling, whispering silent screams for me. Do I let them be, or do I give in to the falling?
  I cannot surely ignore the beckon, for I am afraid that I am weak. Do I only take a peek, for it would merely be a second?
  A wonder to stare into its depth, only to be consumed. Would I eventually be exhumed, or left without breath?
  Seconds turn to hours, and with time it all grows larger. Would I be able to departure, or be trapped in all the flowers?
  Perhaps to master the Void, one must be a Null. But before I try to cull, must I not be undestroyed?
  To be a Null would be an achievement, to be something not important. But is something so forgotten, even truly worth attainment?
  If in the end the Void cares not for me, I fear I would not care about myself. Is it worth losing sight of yourself, only for a taste of impossibility?
  I must learn to preserve myself, especially in darkest times. Can I walk between the lines, and put the fear up on the shelf?
  I feel I must remain steadfast, and not be coerced to either side. But how long can I run and hide, from the dead hand of the past?
  I will refrain today from looking, for the Void will not be winning. But will tomorrows bringing, make it all again alluring?
  The Void is calling, whispering silent screams for me. Do I let them be, or do I give in to the falling?

To Adam's family and friends:
Everything went well, with only a single, minor complication. The anesthetic started wearing off too soon, and Adam started snoring slightly halfway through, which started vibrating the equipment. It was quickly remedied however, and the surgury carried on as normal. They were able to do a complete removal through endoscopic endonasal surgery. He is currently resting, and will be out of commission for the next few days.

Pre-written message from Adam:
Thank you all for the prayers and support I've received through this difficult time. I tried doing it with just God and I, but found out, albeit a little late, that a larger support system is more beneficial. I came to realise that by not utilizing those people around me that God had placed for me, it was really just me trying to get through on my own. Next time, and I hope it never comes, I will do things differently. Thank you all again, you guys are amazing, and I praise God for getting me through this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36reZ9-3VK0

To Adam's family and friends:
Everything went well, with only a single, minor complication. The anesthetic started wearing off too soon, and Adam started snoring slightly halfway through, which started vibrating the equipment. It was quickly remedied however, and the surgury carried on as normal. They were able to do a complete removal through endoscopic endonasal surgery. He is currently resting, and will be out of commission for the next few days.

Pre-written message from Adam:
Thank you all for the prayers and support I've received through this difficult time. I tried doing it with just God and I, but found out, albeit a little late, that a larger support system is more beneficial. I came to realise that by not utilizing those people around me that God had placed for me, it was really just me trying to get through on my own. Next time, and I hope it never comes, I will do things differently. Thank you all again, you guys are amazing, and I praise God for getting me through this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36reZ9-3VK0

*yawns* Well, they come to get me any minute now. Thank you to everyone I've known here. You guys have always been a fantastic community, and I wish you all the best. Everything's going to be fine, and I'll be back here before you or I know it.

Also, can this be merged with the other birthday topic? Thanks.

To Adam's family and friends:
Everything went well, with only a single, minor complication. The anesthetic started wearing off too soon, and Adam started snoring slightly halfway through, which started vibrating the equipment. It was quickly remedied however, and the surgury carried on as normal. They were able to do a complete removal through endoscopic endonasal surgery. He is currently resting, and will be out of commission for the next few days.

Pre-written message from Adam:
Thank you all for the prayers and support I've received through this difficult time. I tried doing it with just God and I, but found out, albeit a little late, that a larger support system is more beneficial. I came to realise that by not utilizing those people around me that God had placed for me, it was really just me trying to get through on my own. Next time, and I hope it never comes, I will do things differently. Thank you all again, you guys are amazing, and I praise God for getting me through this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36reZ9-3VK0

To Adam's family and friends:
Everything went well, with only a single, minor complication. The anesthetic started wearing off too soon, and Adam started snoring slightly halfway through, which started vibrating the equipment. It was quickly remedied however, and the surgury carried on as normal. They were able to do a complete removal through endoscopic endonasal surgery. He is currently resting, and will be out of commission for the next few days.

Pre-written message from Adam:
Thank you all for the prayers and support I've received through this difficult time. I tried doing it with just God and I, but found out, albeit a little late, that a larger support system is more beneficial. I came to realise that by not utilizing those people around me that God had placed for me, it was really just me trying to get through on my own. Next time, and I hope it never comes, I will do things differently. Thank you all again, you guys are amazing, and I praise God for getting me through this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36reZ9-3VK0

To Adam's family and friends:
Everything went well, with only a single, minor complication. The anesthetic started wearing off too soon, and Adam started snoring slightly halfway through, which started vibrating the equipment. It was quickly remedied however, and the surgury carried on as normal. They were able to do a complete removal through endoscopic endonasal surgery. He is currently resting, and will be out of commission for the next few days.

Pre-written message from Adam:
Thank you all for the prayers and support I've received through this difficult time. I tried doing it with just God and I, but found out, albeit a little late, that a larger support system is more beneficial. I came to realise that by not utilizing those people around me that God had placed for me, it was really just me trying to get through on my own. Next time, and I hope it never comes, I will do things differently. Thank you all again, you guys are amazing, and I praise God for getting me through this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36reZ9-3VK0

To Adam's family and friends:
Everything went well, with only a single, minor complication. The anesthetic started wearing off too soon, and Adam started snoring slightly halfway through, which started vibrating the equipment. It was quickly remedied however, and the surgury carried on as normal. They were able to do a complete removal through endoscopic endonasal surgery. He is currently resting, and will be out of commission for the next few days.

Pre-written message from Adam:
Thank you all for the prayers and support I've received through this difficult time. I tried doing it with just God and I, but found out, albeit a little late, that a larger support system is more beneficial. I came to realise that by not utilizing those people around me that God had placed for me, it was really just me trying to get through on my own. Next time, and I hope it never comes, I will do things differently. Thank you all again, you guys are amazing, and I praise God for getting me through this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36reZ9-3VK0

To Adam's family and friends:
Everything went well, with only a single, minor complication. The anesthetic started wearing off too soon, and Adam started snoring slightly halfway through, which started vibrating the equipment. It was quickly remedied however, and the surgury carried on as normal. They were able to do a complete removal through endoscopic endonasal surgery. He is currently resting, and will be out of commission for the next few days.

Pre-written message from Adam:
Thank you all for the prayers and support I've received through this difficult time. I tried doing it with just God and I, but found out, albeit a little late, that a larger support system is more beneficial. I came to realise that by not utilizing those people around me that God had placed for me, it was really just me trying to get through on my own. Next time, and I hope it never comes, I will do things differently. Thank you all again, you guys are amazing, and I praise God for getting me through this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36reZ9-3VK0

So, earlier today I cut off my 3 year old hair for cancer donation:

Pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154228034990727.1073741829.603690726&type=1&l=f91d6c436a
 
Videos:
Cutting: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228061315727&l=8776203504897455816 Grieving: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228136890727&l=8024233853917274386 Final Thoughts: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228156725727&l=4859258542358085861
It's been an interesting 3 years.  Would I do it again?  Yes, but only if I didn't have to take care of the hair for all 3 years of it's life. Will I be doing it again?  Probably not.

So, earlier today I cut off my 3 year old hair for cancer donation:

Pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154228034990727.1073741829.603690726&type=1&l=f91d6c436a
 
Videos:
Cutting: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228061315727&l=8776203504897455816 Grieving: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228136890727&l=8024233853917274386 Final Thoughts: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228156725727&l=4859258542358085861
It's been an interesting 3 years.  Would I do it again?  Yes, but only if I didn't have to take care of the hair for all 3 years of it's life. Will I be doing it again?  Probably not.

So, earlier today I cut off my 3 year old hair for cancer donation:

Pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154228034990727.1073741829.603690726&type=1&l=f91d6c436a
 
Videos:
Cutting: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228061315727&l=8776203504897455816 Grieving: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228136890727&l=8024233853917274386 Final Thoughts: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154228156725727&l=4859258542358085861
It's been an interesting 3 years.  Would I do it again?  Yes, but only if I didn't have to take care of the hair for all 3 years of it's life. Will I be doing it again?  Probably not.

I'm quite familiar with that charity - One of the organizations I worked with donated to them regularly, and their work is good so I am happy to help.
 
I've shared your story as well on Facebook.

I shared it! I hope you meet your goal. If I have any money left over, I'll donate.
You, sir, are awesome. So awesome.

It's a little bit early for this, but might as well start this now.  If you could contribute, or at least share this through any means, that would be pretty awesome and I thank you.

http://my.charitywater.org/PigtailsforCancer

Do de-motivationals count?

http://storenow.net/my/?f=6352b6ef002d2a338bebb8c17c045a39

Alright, so this may or may not be my last group activity/quest in MD.   The rules are simple..ish...    You have to write a coherent, factual, and grammatically correct strip of words pertaining to MD, WITHOUT USING A SINGLE WORD TWICE.  However, you do not have to post it quite yet.  All you do initially is post the number of words that you have in your sentence/paragraph/essay/book.  When someone makes another longer group of words, they will then post their number, and knock you out of the lead.  But here's the catch: You can lie.  You can say that you wrote down 40 words, but in actuality, you only wrote 20.  Which is perfectly fine, you may even win if nobody challenges you on it.  BUT, if somebody does challenge you on it, and you did indeed lie, you will be disqualified.  If somebody challenges you and you were not lying, the challenger gets disqualified.  If the challenger is successful, they will overtake the lead with the previous leaders word count. If a challenger gets challenged, the person that they took over for needs to show proof of their word count.  If they are also lying, the latest challenger will take over yet again the previous leader, with the lying person being disqualified.  If you are challenged, you MUST post your set of words within 24 hours of the challenge. Meaning you CAN, if you do lie, make up something within 24 hours.  Be careful though, because it has to have the exact number of words that you say it does. If you say you have 40 words, and you in fact have 42, and someone challenges you, that is still considered a lie, even if it's a typo.  So count carefully.   Do you have the guts to participate?
EDIT:
PRIZE: A silver coin for every unique person that is involved.
  This will end on April 30th, 00:00 server time

I'll start it, but I will not participate further.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 words.