 06:27:39 5 March 2004 |
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Amoki
back with a vengeance
(V.I.P.)
On forum: 07/31/2003
Message edited by:
Amoki
03/05/2004 7:58:17
Messages: 1729
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The verdict
After about 5 weeks of reading almost all of the contest entrees, I finally had my conclusion. It did took some toll on me i.e bad temper, frustration, always complaining about realism and sort like that, but yes, I'm done!
(When I meant almost all, I meant I could have lacked a few stories in the forum. But I have tried my best to download all the stories at the contest. I skipped mine at the contest for fear of bias)
Anyway, this is my method- I download the things into my computer, then convert them into suitable formats and fonts of my chosing that was big enough to let me read without frustration from my PDA. Why? reading directly from teh computer screen is very frustrating, particularly with all those tiny words (7.5, verdana font, I think). PUtting onto my PDA was the only measure to be taken so that I would not feel frustrated too fast and at the mean time ensuring that length will never be an issue to discourage me while I read. But nevertheless, please be warned that they might be bias, again. Please be advice that I was also subjected to human temper while I read (i.e, when I am angry, while I am in the toilet.  , before I sleep etc.) [bold]And that my account wouldn't be necessary true and unbias [/bold]
But enough of talking. Let's get down to business. The following list are stories I find with top-ten quality. Which means there are a big probability they will end up at top ten. They are not arrange according to best to worst or worst to best.
1) a blind dog - now, this is a story you can't find everyday! There is not much about gore or death, instead focusing on the life of a dog. Encore from me!
2) Pilgrimage- excellent story, great action and plot.
3) elena Rudneva- Well descript and also well characterized story.
4) He who dares win series
5) The best laid plans- what do you get when you mix a nutcase and a ambitious stalker together? An excitin story! I like this story very much because not only the focus on the main players are quite even, the writer even gave a nice detailed characterer to the players. Encore from me too!
6) The black squad- although I normaly don't recommend any story with "US" on it, this one managed to tied it up all nicely. US rangers, fast-pace action, death of comrade... I sort of like it although it had certain technical mistake.
7) me and my AK. Another one that stand out from the rest. THe story, as you all had known, is more or less about the loss of a precious AK from teh main character. Well descript, and a lot of thoughts and feelings. Well done.
8)live cargo- very suspenseful, with a nice ending.
10) a new arrival- a short story this is, but the odd thing is the writer manage to squeeze details into the story. Athough the plot is short, it was quite well-descript. I enjoyed it.
11) lonely night- a good story emphasis on feelings, and the like, which until a point eh could not bear the life of The Zone and commited suicude.
12) No time to die.
13) Long way down the hill- another one that stood out from the rest. This story was from a mutant's perspective, and it was quite interesting to read, because this was the kind of story that makes you think about what the writer was writing. very similar to Anthony Burgess's The Clockwork Orange (I was forced to read it at school) usage of Nadsat.
14) deadly misfortune - simple stpry and plot, yet well written and descript, although it did lacked character like most of the story here.
15)true orb- good protrayal.
16) Three hours- good story too- the stry was well written and well descript. The writer too manage to put in background to his characters. Nice touch.
17) Sergey- This story did put in some spooky feeling in it. Another good one.
18) resonance alignment. The story is written with a good mix of science and action. Also a good blend of human elements (thoughts, feelings)
19) The heart of The Zone. Very nice story. I enjoy the plot, because it did have certain depth of realism but also to a level where it became a nice science-fic. I like it too.
20) Kill or be killed- Well, Grisly Silence, I have to take back the comments I made about two years ago on your story. Yes, your story still have a simple plot, but you did put in a lot of thoughts and feelings, as well as a lot of description.
21)No title, andy killian. This story is too a good one, very similar to "kill or be killed." And although I don;t like the idea of cannibalism, I still feel I have to say this story is top ten quality.
22) Narrow House, Ukraine. This story was from somewhere in the forum. I am getting tired of saying 'this is a good one', so I wouldn't say it again. Nice character and description. I like it.
23) The story by B. Miller. ( I don't know the title for this one)- this story is condensed- it did not waste me too much time to read them. Also, aside for some very menial matter (names ,only), the story was great.
Now, Midnight Rambler and Ian c, don't feel sad because I did not put yours in, because... I think you [bold] Will be in the top ten! [/bold]
24) the inhuman condition- I like every bit of it. greed, honour (in a sense), camaradie character... this story all have it! Very well-descript and written. I shall say, this one will be in the top ten
25) The difference between you and me- this is the story that is among the stories I like [bold] the most [/bold] I don't dare to say much- you guys just have to read them before you can say much.
(end)
26) Prey of One, Predator of another- this might be bias, but I think that this story had top ten quality too. ( every stories I put in has the catchword (top ten quality) ) Why? I really crafted the story well, spent lots of time on research and stuff, and finally write and rewrite and type and check them. Yes, I think they are top-ten quality, but there are up to the readers who had actually finish them. For one, I'll only listen to Nauris Krauze for the moment because he was so far the only one who had finish reading them all.
Next, onto effort. I shall continue to type after I go and get today's newspaper for my mom. 
Great, independant Iraq War journalism: http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/
From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli'
We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines. - US Marines Hymn
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| 07:55:24 5 March 2004 |
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Amoki
back with a vengeance
(V.I.P.)
On forum: 07/31/2003
Messages: 1729
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Stories with effort
1) Look at me, I'm dead! - written by an Italian, nevertheless I have to admit there is some quality in it. I would not worry too much about the plot, because STALKER actually underwent 2 major plot change in the last few years. THe writer put in lots of thoughts and feelings. Good one.
2) The stalker chronicle. It is quite ordinary in the sense of language and stuff, but it has a very creative plot indeed. Well done.
3) no time to die- well crafted plot too, but because there is nothing as -to be continue-, I just take the story as completed. But anytime there is something that cropped up as the second version, I'll transfer it to the top ten quality.
4) Shagrath- creative plot (not really that good), but nevertheless tried. I'll say this story did made a lo of effort.
5) Journel of Ludwig- this story is well descripted. There's feeling and thoughts. But I think that the plot is not really that clear (I do understand it). THe writer focused too much on conversation on engagement (which is in certain sense I like it), but he too shall eleaborate some more on the plot- clarify the why part especially, make more.
6)disappointment. Again, thsi story is special from the rest, but... its too short. The writer shall elaborate more to make it better.
7) There's no bluebird in The Zone - the writer do made a lot of effort on this one- the length tells. Aside from short clipped sentence almost everywhere, the writer did a good job in telling his story. Good one
8) A difficult parth to truth- a little more logic in it (etc- shouldn't be saying that the stalker became a veteran that really fast) and the story could have been great.
Additional note
1* the effort part is something that crops out of my mind almost at the end of my reading, but will update the part whenever I see one.
2* These stories do have the possibility of being top ten too- they are just borderline of being a top-ten quality story.
Special effort should go to Wilmer donkor. I have no dbout on that. Why? This kids demonstrated a willingness to learn and even survived under me as a Drill Instructor. Hell, this is the first tiem I ever had someone arguing and discussing for over a week. Yup, he did make a humangous effort to learn then most guys I have met here.
Special story
1) Hell's gate. It's a poem, so I don't dare to judge it because I am not familiar with poem
2) The eye. YOu can find this story at the very bottom of the ratings. Yet I mark it as special- it is VERY VERY FUNNY! Check it out! It is very, very entertaining :l
Now, onto stories that could have been good
1) NO title- ragss. This story had a lot of potential. The plot is scary, the atmosphere was something for 'the texas chainsaw masscare'... but it lacked description
2) No rest- it only there is some character in the Spec Ops guy instead of a no-name face. The story was well done and well describe.... but it was just the kill-without-feel part you see.
And a lot of the other stories... most of them had problems with realism, and using realism to judge the story is the only way I could isolate the really good ones out of the 120 of story.
Not that the rest of teh story that I did not mention is crap deserve for the bin= I understand that I could be harsh on the new guyslike telling Justin Timberlake to sing like Josh Groban (for one, I had a view that Justin Timberlake cannot sing for real, but Josh Groban can  ) . But it is downright hard reality- the good ones are the one that will win. The ordinary ones are still ordinary. So sorry, if I did not mention any of your stories- either that I haven't see them, or I take them as being too ordinary.
But again, I may be wrong.
Great, independant Iraq War journalism: http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/
From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli'
We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines. - US Marines Hymn
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| 01:10:26 6 March 2004 |
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Midnight Rambler
(Novice)
On forum: 10/17/2003
Messages: 30
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Well Amoki, you have certainly impressed me with your determination to read through all the stories, and give each one your due consideration. Probably not many people have bothered to do that. I thinks it's great that you took such an interest in this whole thing. You are a great asset to this community. Thanks again for the kind praise of my story. I appreciate that very much. See you later....
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| 16:26:20 6 March 2004 |
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Chansd5
(Senior)
On forum: 11/26/2003
Messages: 124
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You mean you read ALLLLLLL of them!?!? How many did you count?
Love to the cool and the genuine people, the last real diplomats on earth.
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| 16:51:59 6 March 2004 |
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Amoki
back with a vengeance
(V.I.P.)
On forum: 07/31/2003
Messages: 1729
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---QUOTATION---
Well Amoki, you have certainly impressed me with your determination to read through all the stories, and give each one your due consideration. Probably not many people have bothered to do that. I thinks it's great that you took such an interest in this whole thing. You are a great asset to this community. Thanks again for the kind praise of my story. I appreciate that very much. See you later....
---END QUOTATION---
Thanks for the praise, mate. I do hope that I win, because it doen't take a fool to know that I have by far type the most word in the contest. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Great, independant Iraq War journalism: http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/
From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli'
We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines. - US Marines Hymn
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| 16:57:18 6 March 2004 |
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Amoki
back with a vengeance
(V.I.P.)
On forum: 07/31/2003
Messages: 1729
|
---QUOTATION---
You mean you read ALLLLLLL of them!?!? How many did you count?
---END QUOTATION---
let me see.... around 120? I can't say I read all of them, but I read all of the ones in teh contest. For the ones here, I read the bits and pieces I can find. Even now, I am starting to read "The Boy who have three bullets in his head." But that is, if the "Left Behind series" didn't get too much of me... I can't take my eyes of my PDA screen. Never thought Christian-themed stories are so damn good, to a point that I can point to Harry Potter's author and say "You can go to hell now." (Of course, I never read Harry Potter's series, and I don't intend to read tehm because of my religious beliefs)
Great, independant Iraq War journalism: http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/
From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli'
We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines. - US Marines Hymn
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| 07:37:54 7 March 2004 |
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Amoki
back with a vengeance
(V.I.P.)
On forum: 07/31/2003
Messages: 1729
|
---QUOTATION---
w00t, good job Amoki, I'm gunna have to read all those on your list.
Oh and you're not missing out on anything with Harry Potter, I dont know why everyone loves those books so much.
---END QUOTATION---
Thanks, but be warned of bias. Example, like the Black Squad, I don't think a lot of people would like it, but I find it damn realistic.
Great, independant Iraq War journalism: http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/
From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli'
We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines. - US Marines Hymn
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