Hyperion321

As of update tonight, I will have been in CN for 5 long, brutal, glorious years. Normally I'd say "what the hell am I still doing here" and hover over the delete button for a minute or so before closing the tab like a coward, but tonight is different. I actually [i]like[/i] that I've been here so long. I feel like I have a lot of history in this place, and for the first time in a long time...I'm proud of that. CN has gotten me through a lot in my life. When my brother died and I couldn't face anyone without breaking down, Tulak and his infinite drunk wisdom was there on the other side of my computer offering the friendship I needed. When my girlfriend cheated on me with my best friend, I had the pleasure of organizing a war on GR to distract myself. If I ever have a bad day at work, I have a community of hundreds of people to talk to that helps me relax and take things less seriously. I might not know all of you like I do the people out in the real world, but I consider you all my friends never the less, and I thank you for everything you've given me. I know it might seem weird to some, but I hope there are others out there that share my sentiments that CN has been a surprisingly important part of my life for the last 5 years. As a stupid high school sophomore stepping into a world full of college political science majors and the occasional rocket scientist (hi Pearl), you guys taught me a lot...more that you realize actually. If it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't know how to write essay length walls of text with college level arguments (no seriously, your guys' constant OWF demonstrations on how to write got me through high school English. You have no idea how many times I've stolen Vlad's vocabulary and got A's for it). The OWF taught me how to keep a cool-ish head when dealing with morons, and how to debate with people that were much, much smarter than me. CN gave me a reason to learn statistics, and more importantly keep that knowledge. You taught me excel. You taught me interpersonal communication. You all taught me more about life, education, politics, math, and a myriad of other subjects that school [i]ever[/i] has, and I sincerely thank you all for contributing to the person I am today. Even if CN contributed to less than stellar grades during every war, I truly believe it was this game that gave me a reason to learn. Like it or not, you guys inspired me to try to be smart. To try to be a better person. As a 20 year old man, the teenager in me still strives to be like you guys, and I thank admin every day for giving me this community. Without it, who knows what I would be. So, thanks for the last 5 years, CN. I'm not usually one for shout outs, but I think this occasion warrants them. I've gotten to know a lot of you people since I was 15, so I apologize if I forget some of you. Just know that it's not on purpose. Tulak - My oldest and greatest friend in this game. It's been many, many years since TAG, and I'm grateful for everyone one of them. I know you might get frustrated when I start/almost start a war every few months, but what makes you an awesome person is that no matter what you still have my best interest at heart and you have always had my back. I owe a lot to you man...starting with a few drinks. Darklink - I still remember when you were a brand new nation in Sparta. The fact that you rose through the ranks so quickly is proof of how awesome you are. You're a great Spartan, and even better friend. I'm lucky to know you. Trin/Dave - My political consciences in this game. You guys have no idea how much you have taught me about how to tactfully interact with people to get what I want. I actually applied some of the lessons you've taught me, like disagreeing without actually disagreeing, in my interviews for internships (It worked btw). CN has taught me a lot, and you guys are a huge part of that. OJ/KDL/HisK/Cloud/Kronnn/blueeyes - There were times when I would be on skype calls for literally 8 hours a day with you guys. You provided some of the hardest laughs of my life, and I'm eternally grateful for your friendship. Pearl - Of course the one time I need you to help me with math homework and I get "I don't know managerial statistics" as an answer. What good is a rocket scientist if I can't whore him out to do my homework? Useless... Alexandros - One of the greatest Spartans of all time. Hands down. Bush_84 - One of the best, hardest working men I've ever met. Bush_08 should be proud to have you as a dad. Luka/Wilhelm/KLII - I have lost track of how many hours I've sunk into chats with you guys. You've been among my greatest friends in this game for a long time. o/ all of you! Roquentin - Whether you are on his side or not, he's one of the greatest alliance leaders of one of the greatest alliances in this game. It's hard to quantify how much I respect you. Natan/BJ/Imp - One of the greatest trio of military planners I've had the pleasure of working with. Those 16 hour days on irc, even if they were brutal and made my tendinitis flare up like a volcano, were amazingly fun. That counter blitz on IRON made it all worth it, even if my grades disagreed. Crym/Timb - Nucks take the cup in 5. doesn't matter who they play. Londo/Rsox/Jgoods - SPARTA IS BEST GREECE Delta - I've never seen you lose an argument...mainly because you always do the right thing. You're a good person, and you really do balance out a lot of the "not good" people here. LW/Gambona/Thrawn - You guys are some of the best allies anyone could ever ask for. We really are lucky to know you. All of Fark/MHA/R&R - If I had to list every single one of you, this thread would go on forever. There's a thousand reasons why I love XX, and all of them are you guys. I've never been more proud to be tied to another group of people in my CN career. You're all completely, utterly awesome, and I can't wait to see where our XX adventures take us. Well, that about does it. Thanks for all the good times, CN. Here's to another year.

I'm surprised EB hasn't rejoined you guys yet. What's the hold up?

[quote name='Draztikus' timestamp='1305611600' post='2713507'] TOP/Umbrella/Grëmlins vs fighting on the losing side of a war [/quote] TOP lost against the world, and GRE lost against IRON (I don't care what anyone says, Ram made them lose that one).

[quote name='goldielax25' timestamp='1305609266' post='2713489'] The last time I saw a thread like this, I believe it was Doitzel who came in and ended it with GGA vs. Success. [/quote] Now that you mention it, I do remember that thread. That post still gives me a chuckle.

So, Baltus posted a question in our embassy about who we thought the top 5 greatest alliance rivalries of all time are. I find this to be an interesting topic, so I thought I would share my answers and get your own personal top 5's for discussion's sake. 1. NAAC - NPO 2. NpO - TOP 3. Fark - GOONS 4. MK - NPO 5. TPF - NoR/NoV

Ah, it seems she does. For some reason I thought I remembered her deleting a while back.

Go apply at a large alliance that doesn't give a crap what Gotham wants. They won't be able to PZI you (at this point they probably won't [i]want[/i] to anymore considering the negative PR). They can claim people stopped them from carrying out their will rather than backing down, you will be safe in whatever alliance actually feels like tolerating you, and everyone can move on with their lives.

[quote name='Bob Ilyani' timestamp='1305587400' post='2713178'] A reroll of Peggy Sue. [/quote] This incident didn't make sense until I read that.

Ugh, now this thread is making me sad by pointing out all the awesome people that aren't around anymore.

[quote name='Bob Janova' timestamp='1305583408' post='2713078'] The bunny flag is still around, that covers fluffy. But yeah, much as we love TOP and still have feelings for those other alliances, a bloc tied into all corners of the web is not the way forward. We've been there and seen how that works out. [/quote] Just when I had hopes for "Continuum: Part Deux"

How dare you! [img]http://media.onsugar.com/files/ons1/306/3064574/20_2009/3Kings5.png[/img]

[quote name='Steve Buscemi' timestamp='1305573764' post='2712940'] No, not really. But both MHA and Sparta have a reputation for just joining the winning side and bandwagon'ing in major wars. So this topic isn't really helping that reputation of just joining the party late to be part of the 'winning' side. I'm not saying I agree with your rep, but this isn't a good way to change it, imo. [/quote] Gremlins is a winning side now? It's just a declaration of support (12 minutes after their announcement at that). I'm not sure how supporting the efforts of our good friends to reestablish their old home translates into us bandwagoning on...well...anything. If somebody actually has the sentiment that this announcement means anything beyond what is stated in OP, I invite them to share it, because I honestly am intrigued.

[quote name='+Zeke+' timestamp='1305570213' post='2712913'] Still needs Syzygy. [/quote] Somebody get that guy to reroll. Bob would be a better place for it.

[quote name='Schattenmann' timestamp='1305563309' post='2712872'] Aren't you afraid that GOONS will raid you? [/quote] No alliance is that stupid.

[quote name='Steve Buscemi' timestamp='1305525833' post='2712713'] Now you guys just look like you are bandwagon'ing in. [/quote] We're just trying to be cool. Can you blame us?

[quote name='D34th' timestamp='1305509369' post='2712519'] I have a quick and sincere question to the leaders of MHA, FARK, R&R and Sparta: If in future a group of ex-members of your alliance decide that you are a bad leader and then coup you, will you be ok with that? [/quote] So [i]that[/i] is why Olaf rejoined?

Welcome back GRE. I missed you...or at least the [i]real[/i] you.

I'm so happy to see GRE rise from the ashes. You guys truly are one of a kind. o/ GRE o/ XX

Valhalla had it right last war. If somebody who isn't tied to you starts a war with an alliance you don't give a crap about, why should you have bleed for it, [i]especially[/i] if the main cause of the war is an alliance you don't even like. Fighting for people you would rather kill than die for is stupid, and is the exact reason why non chaining clauses exist.

1 - How did this thread turn into being about Hal. 2 - Why do people care what Hal does in RL. 3 - Happy birthday Hiro.

[quote name='BamaBuc' timestamp='1305003042' post='2709492'] Oh, obviously breaking off in that fashion cuts deeper than picking sides in a war. I'm just saying that it's rather stupid to judge TPF by something done in early 2007 that has virtually no bearing on the composition or character of the alliance today. How many of the TF! founders even rule nations anymore, let alone how many are still in TPF? -Bama [/quote] I think that's the point in that we've all pissed off people in the distant past, whether intentional or not, and that everyone holding on to their grudges is pointless. Nobody in CN is completely innocent, and scolding others while ignoring their own faults is pretty ignorant.

Ah...I love history lessons. Makes me feel young again.

[quote name='SpiderJerusalem' timestamp='1304989389' post='2709373'] Not that I am an expert here... But FARK calling TPF backstabbers may be unrelated to the UjW [/quote] I believe they are referencing Slayer taking a bunch of people from TF to form TPF, but I could be wrong. That was like 4 years ago so my memory is a tad fussy.

[quote name='Vol Navy' timestamp='1304968843' post='2709152'] Post as they will, their latest action was aiding PB/DH in this war. That's what we all have to go on. They've never put themselves on the line yet. Maybe now after most of the non-neutral planet has taken a big beating they will consider flexing some of their muscle. [/quote] So...let me get this straight. It's wrong that we hit an entire bloc without a treaty to help our allies, and yet we have never put ourselves on the line for our friends? I am not sure how those are mutually exclusive. From my point of view, that's putting ourselves pretty far out on the line, especially considering how much crap got dumped on us after our declaration (both politically and militarily). It seems like at this point you will hate us no matter what we do. If we didn't hit NV, you would have called us cowards. If we did hit NV, you would have called us puppets. It doesn't matter what kind of paradoxes you bring up in your points, nothing anyone can say will ever sway you, and that is exactly the problem with people in Bob. Suffice to say that kind of childish grudge holding is [i]exactly[/i] why Pacifica keeps getting rolled. You can't call for people to forget the past and then simultaneously hold on to every single ill feeling for the rest of your CN career. Everyone else has moved on from the past, why can't you. [quote name='Vol Navy' timestamp='1304969191' post='2709156'] They stayed out because staying in would have cost them political capitol and nation strength. But that shouldn't matter. You shouldn't let your friend and eternal ally be pounded to microdust if you can do anything to help. [/quote] Sparta didn't want our allies to get "pounded to microdust" so we hit NV. We didn't care about "cost to political capitol and nation strength". When things went !@#$ up Fark and MHA came to our defense to prevent [i]us[/i] from getting "pounded to microdust" regardless of their own "costs of political capitol and nation strength". How in the [i]hell[/i] can you say any of us never do anything for our allies when all of us [i]just went[/i] head first into over a dozen alliances without even activating a treaty. That's exactly what I mean by your paradoxes. All of us would do anything, and [i]have[/i] done [i]everything[/i] to protect our allies, and yet you still refuse to leave us alone. Fark has charged into alliances larger than themselves for years, taken onslaughts from high NS PB defectors, and survived one of the most brutal CN genocides in history. MHA, even after everything that happened in the last war, still stood up and hit an absolute home run for their friends when they needed it most. R&R has been protecting the likes of LEO, SF, XX, and many an individual ally for over four years and has never, ever [i]once[/i] shied away from a fight. Sparta is proud to be beside the most durable, the most forgiving, and the most courageous bloc mates we have ever had, and if that somehow pisses you off to the point of turning even the most celebratory threads into hate filled pissing contests, then I am truly sorry for you.

[quote name='D34th' timestamp='1304926112' post='2708973'] I fought approximately 16 wars, and with the exception of one nation that I declared in the first round, they were all bigger than me and in the first rounds I was losing almost 200 tech by each nuke: That hurts a lot. [/quote] Yep, that would do it.