Not me, don't panic, fanboys.

It's a question I asked on a different thread that perhaps I should have expanded upon.

I should not have asked if it was possible for Novas to have "normal" lives. What I should ask is if it is possible for Novas to have quiet lives?

Well, that depends, I guess. I certainly, if things had turned out differently, could be leading a quiet life at least half the time, things split between Roxy and Vixen.

But exceptional circumstances aside - no, quiet seems out of our reach unless we decide to take off for parts of the solar system that are unknown - and even then there's people wondering what we're doing way out there. Quiet implies that people leave us be for a while, and novas are, it seems, born to be famous.

As an example, Endeavor, I was just contacted by a company that wants to make plush dolls out of my likeness. I really don't know what to say about that. A mini-me with suction cups on her paws hanging out the back window of a Chevy is a little surreal.

So it's possible, I guess, in the same way that lead can theoretically take on the properties of air instantly - what we call a nonzero change in the scientific community. But I guess you don't really hear about the quiet ones, 'cause they're being quiet...

So, what you're saying Vix, is that the only way for a nova to really have a comfortable life without prying eyes and everyone gunning for you is to pretty much isolate yourself?

Endeavor.

I know you can't see it, but I'm raising my hand.

Honest.

.ronin

When you get right down to it, no one's life is 100% private and quiet - we get caught on security cameras an average of 17 times a day and you'd be surprised how much of a data trail you accumulate in the course of an afternoon.

But novas get a lot MORE of it. The Directive, I'm told, keeps pretty extensive files on all of us. We get hangers-on and groupies wherever we go. Hell, they worship people like us in your native Japan, and that probably goes double for someone who bears a striking resemblance to a kami spirit. The only way to get a really quiet life would be to get a nice, isolated island in the middle of nowhere, and continually rent out the airspace as a no-fly zone and have a spaceworthy friend up in space standing in the way of any sattelite taking pictures. And even then, you're just living your life in defiance of the noise, so you're still not fully isolated from it.

If you were lucky enough to be able to cover up your eruption, though, and luckier still that you can either dorm down or you just look normal and average, though, then yes, you could keep a quiet life. Assuming you don't succumb to the temptation of lots of money, fame, and power, and you only have to succumb once...

Endeavor, you couldn't lead a quiet life. It isn't in your makeup.

Could another nova, willing to make those kinds of sacrifices? Yes, but as I said, I don't see you all that willing to lead that kind of life.

As for the question, a nova can lead a quiet life. Evading normal surveillance means isn't all that difficult, if you are willing to go into that kind of mindset. After all, we can clean up the air and the oceans; fly to distant star systems, and close two points in space. Why couldn't we live a quiet life?

Vixen is correct in that no one has a completely private life, but it isn't that hard to lead a 'normal' life. I've travelled all across the U.S. and to some countries abroad and I have never been mobbed by throngs of groupies or hounded by popperiazi; And my access to a sizable income has never drawn any unwanted attention. And as for groups like the directive, following you and knowing who you are are two seperate things.

I guess I'm trying to say that you can be a Nova and still lead a fairly 'normal' lifestyle.

Heh. Too true. Whenever I have the node on at work, well, you should hear all the compliments I get when I walk in.

Me, I could live on the darkside of the moon.Maybe take a trip out to alpa prox.. It would nlt take a few favors....

Fuck...
All I'd need are a small habitat, enough tech to reclaim O2 and water, and enough agricultural space, and I'd live anywhere in the big black...

One problem, you see, my cute little meatbod, dosen't like vacuum. In fact, it tends to go splat very easy.

I almost bought it at Europa, Sandy.

Space isn't the final frontier, it's the largest graveyard.

But what a way to go...

BTW, is there any Real-Estate I could by near the Sea of Tranquility? I'm getting the urge...

Nah.

Never liked the dirt.

But, if anyone is planning on a quick port, I did fix my spacesuit. I've always wanted to take a snapshot of the earth from luna's surface. Not to mention place a few mementos.

Anyone game?

You'd also need an audience or substantial entertainment diversion to distract you from the isolation, E.

Without either, probability analysis indicates the emergence of neurotic dysfunction within 21 days and projects a complete psychotic break in no less than 45 but no greater than 62 days.

Being isolated and alone is something you're unlikely to deal with very well.

<font face="Times New Roman" size="5" color="#BC47ED">W</font><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><font color="#D673FF">idget,</font><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="1">

Endeavor, if you want a to go a step beyond and make it a quick tour of the system, I'd be glad to lend a hand.

My sentiments entirely, star ashes to ashes, space dust to dust.

When ever you fancy another space trip just drop me a line.

And hey it wasn't that bad on Europa, you didn't get mauled by a thirty foot long squid/nova/squid thing.

Anomie,

I take it you are a space faring Nova as well? That also happens to be one of my talents/hobbies, it's always a pleasure to speak to a fellow traveler. If you're planning a trip round the solar system I recommend taking in the cryo volcanoes on Triton, they are quite spectacular at this time of year.

Endeavor.

Pity you've already had plenty of offers. I'd love to get the comets-eye view of the Great Wall with you sometime, myself.

Wouldn't even need the suit. Or the shuttle.

.ronin

For those who don't fly, or 'port, or pinch space together, the Final Frontier can be a bit scary ... to the point of boredom.

Be careful, all of you.

Space. That is so fuckin' cool. Here's a question, I don't sleep, eat or breath no more (the ladies like that last one. Booyah!) That mean I could take the tip toes through the big black inky place?

Walker
A pleasure to make your aquaintence. The view on triton is spectacular isn't it, but my personal favorite so far has been seeing the veil nebula upclose.

Lemmy
It depends. You many not need to eat or breath, but what about the other extremes in space. First you need to survive a vacuum, otherwise your trip will be a short one. And then there is the blazing heat in the direct sun or the freezing cold in the darkness. If you can surive in such conditions, than nothing is stopping you, if you can't, get some gear before you make your first step.

And how the fuck am I supposed to know I can survive in space if I ain't never been to space?

Lemmy:

I know we have gotten off on a bad foot, so I'll give you some advice. It's better to be safe than sorry. So, if you EVER take a trip to space, cover your butt. You don't eat sleep or breathe, that's good. But I doubt you should step out of an airlock unprotected anytime soon.

As for me, I still need those irritating things called air and water. Although I only sleep when I want to, or my node is out of juice.
Everyone Else:

Thanks for all the invites... almost too many. Tell you what, I'll start a space thread, and you guys make yourselves known and we can plan a trip. You especially, Walker. But this time, I'm shooting for the moon. I could have swore that some novas here have already scoped the place. So, it should be easier. And I promise, I won't go nuts this time.

I don't breathe.. I mean I just don't breathe..I do sleep from time to time.I eat.. But you know what.. In space the sun tastes good.If you have no idea what I mean.. well that is fine.

I am thinking of building a bio-dome on Titon.Land is cheep and the supper photonic telly is almost ready for feild testing.

Are you aware of the consequences you may bring on our heads by sucking solar matter? Simply put, you're going to shorten our lovely nuclear furnace that gives us all some light and the occasional flare. I wonder how many years you shaved off?
Please Sandy, if you're hungry for star stuff, do it on a star we aren't orbiting. I'm sure someone can give you a warp to a star that we won't miss...

You flew into the sun?

You managed to fly back OUT of the sun? How in the hell did you escape the gravity field?

And did you run into Stormwatch Agent Winter while you were in there? (Old comics joke.)

One I did not fly into the sun.I flew closse to the sun.Two by eating it the sun raps, as in what it was sending out of it's body already, like what plants do.I just happened to be a bit closser to to the sun,,around 6 L.M. closser.Three if I was taking engery way from the sun it was on a scalle so small that the life of the sun wouldnn't notice it.It would be like emptying one of the great lake with an eye droper,

And how did I get out of the gravity well, for starts I was millioins of mmiles away from it, and welll, the closser I got the stronger I feelt.I sound like that boy in blue from those comics books, don't I?