That is... to laugh. I laughed so hard I almost re-broke my ribs.

Seriously. How can you be an example for humanity when you aren't human? You're setting an impossible standard here.

I applaud your efforts for trying to be a paragon of virtue, but I share a giggle with the rest of the audience knowing you're just playing at being Humans. The minute PU comes out of the closet and realizes they're no longer who they were, I'd start to respect them.

Untill then, I'll enjoy some completely open sunbathing... after I get out of these bloody casts. I must be fracking pale by now under these flouresecents.

I'll just have to figure out how to do it without any prying eyes...

Do what I do. Strip down, walk along the surf line for a couple of minutes calling out to folks and doing the rounds. Then snuggle into the warm sand and just enjoy the vibe. Don't over complicate it. Unless you're a prude or a fashionista junkie that just has to have clothes so as not to feel naked its no big deal. People aren't checking you out in ways they wouldn't anyway.

On the rest of that post; you ever looked at the logo for Utopia? Its a big ass arrow emerging out of a circle and pointing upwards like the mother of all phallic symbols. Novas (the arrow) pointing the way - please, no rhetoric because I'm making a point - with mankind (the circle) checking out the way they're going.

Gerry and I argue this shit all time but I'm thinking novas are different, not all that different and Project Utopia's lost its way. Its all there in the symbol. The whole thing looks great on paper except mankind isn't a big happy family even if there is a Mom or Dad trying to herd the kids in one way. And novas aren't pointing to just one way and willing to devote their lives to proving some suit's personal theories on what makes up the good life. No shit but I thought Artifax was going take a swing at me just because I told him his shit just doesn't sing. There's no art in his work anymore, if there was ever was, so now he's pissy with me. But he and I are at least speaking the same language even if I'm saying he needs to loosen up, get a blow job and just let the imagination take over.

Novas are different. No big secret there. Even so we're not all that different from baselines, which again is no big fucking secret. We are pointing the way and mankind is checking it out. Now if Project Utopia would just get over itself and maybe get a collective blow job things wouldn't need to get so extreme. The future and the unknown isn't clean or safe.

It isn't suppose to be. Still no big secret there.

I am human, Endeavour-san.

I do, Tarot. By the way, did you know that you are the first person to call me Ro'? Everyone else calls me Rowena, Miss Bainbridge or Synergy.

Then you should get the thing rewritten so it says what it means to you, and isn't a product of a public relations department. Say what's in your heart and you can't be wrong.

Yeah I figured I was one of only a few at best. Dunno why but I get this sympatico vibe whenever I talk to you. You're gorgeous, sexy and smart but something about your personality just makes me feel comfortable talking with you, Ro'.

I believe in the Code with all of my heart, Tarot.

And... thank you. I do not hear that often. I have seen your artworks, and they are quite lovely. I think that you have put your own heart and soul into them.

But that's half the fun.

-.- True.

Although I'm more comfortable if I had privacy... or had someone to share the moment.

I believe you and think you should go with that. Go with the dream in your soul. That I trust. Its honest, heartfelt and sincere. All the things that no PR department can be.

I only paint the window, Ro. What lies beyond is what was there all along. Sometimes all it really takes to see the truth is being willing to look.

Come when you have time and I'll show you exactly what I mean.

Someone might want to administer threadrot antibiotics to this conversation.

Not me though, I enjoy people discussing nude T2M members.

Heh, members.

Sphere No, I'm English you're Cockney Personally I could walk naked down the whole length of the Old Kent Road screaming Mal is my saviour, there is no other. and still not be considered interesting enough to get on the front page. Maybe I should kill more stuff, that seems to work for you.

Jager I think that taint and power are two sides of the same coin and each Nova's relationship to taint and power is individual. Some Novas just naturally seem to get along with them better.

Endeavor I guess a Nova of your, how shall we say it, dimensions get's really fed up with photographers hiding on fishingboats trying to get grainy, blurry, side view shots of said dimensions through a telephoto lens.

Hey man, it ain't arguing. I'm just trying to show you the light is all.

Fact is I can see like everything but I don't consider baselines to be blind.

Utopia is all about seeing that while we are different we are still the same in a lot of ways that count. And since we're still the same in those ways and since we're all on this planet together there is a lot we can do to make this place good for everyone. It's not like only novas are working for the Project. Heck of a lot of baselines are working too, and for the same reasons. A better world.

Any theories on why some of us wrack up so much taint, wether they push or not, and others do not?

Based entirely on my theories on how taint works, I would say that some people's subconscious minds are simply better at sorting out the difference between good and bad (or useless) effects. Much like some people are naturally better at math or english, some people are naturally more resistant to tain. In theory, at least.

Oh well, that makes it all so different then.

Dude I love the mission statement with all the pretty color graphs and cost analysis break downs. Just not as a way of life. Besides can you imagine me at the planning meetings?

Faceless Suit: ... And in closing, we're open to any suggestions for increased productivity. I'll open the floor to you now.

Tarot: (raising hand)

FS: Anyone?

Tarot: (waving hand in the air and subvocalizing "pick me" noises)

FS: Anyone?

*sigh*

Yes, Mr Weiss. Did you have a something you wanted to add?

Tarot: I was wondering if we were talking about a kind of deep and sublime happiness or a chicken in every pot kind of happiness?

FS: We're concerned with the total quality of life in the target area and...

Tarot: So we're actually making it our business how often these folks get laid?

(after pandemonium subsides and the laughter from the Teen Tomorrow group in the back is reduced to the ocassional giggle;)

FS: No, we are NOT indulging in prurient interests in the, ahem, reproductive activities of the target...

Tarot: Oh, I didn't mean reproduction. Babies are cool and all but I was talking about a more general getting their groove on kind of thing. You know, making the two backed beast, slamming the mighty mole man, praying to god between gasps... That sort of thing.

FS: Is there a point to this?

Tarot: You mean in an existential way? As in, is there a point to any of this? Or in us talking about the sex life of a bunch of oyster divers?

(more laughter and, from somewhere in the Teen Tomorrow contingent, comes a muffled female voice commenting that it's her experience that master oyster divers could definitely teach a lot to a bunch of boys.)

Tarot: Hey! I'm serious here!

(The laughter spikes at this point.)

I would suggest that those who have not worked with the Project to give it a try. Not like a "join the cause" kind of thing, but a take them up on a cooperative effort kind of thing. They have people whose job it is to integrate us outsiders to whatever mission we want to contribute on.

Neat huh?