# Opus=Zen Master? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 13, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276 "2004-09-13T17:51:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/1 "2004-09-13T17:51:44Z")
_Aaaaaaahhhh_ Long time, no MPSIMS. The theory has been forwarded that one is not a serious Doper, is merely “second or third tier,” if one spends too much time in MPSIMS. So. I’ve been lurking of late, mostly in GD, GQ, & the pit, occasionally posting to my movie game thread and not much else. I’ve noticed a subtle shift in my attitude since I left this forum. And, frankly, am not liking it. Snarky, snarling, downright bitchy sometimes. Y’know the dandelion patch Opus used to go to when it all, finally, became too much and he needed to just lay there and enjoy filling his head with nothing and everything, sniffing the dandelions? MPSIMS is my dandelion patch. And I think people vastly underrate its importance. So, today…I’m not gonna care about the assault weapons ban dying, or the upcoming presidential election, or how many of our rights as citizens of this fair country in which I live (HA!) are being suppressed, or the state of healthcare, or the state of the world at large. Not saying I cease to care about those things completely, or that I won’t go out and fight the good fight again tomorrow. Only that, for today, I am going to lay in the grass, sniff the dandelions & fill my head with the everything and nothing that I enjoy so much here. Anybody wanna look at cloud shapes? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/2 "2004-09-13T18:01:31Z")
That cloud looks like a banned assault weapon 😉 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/3 "2004-09-13T18:07:17Z")
MPSIMS is like the front porch of the Dope – it’s where we hang out, kick back, BS, enjoy ourselves. It’s where we become a community of Dopers, and not just a bunch of autonomous automatons posting from our individual computers. This forum is the one I keep bookmarked, so it’s my entrance to the boards. Yeah, I spend way too much time here, but damn, it’s what makes the Dope the Dope for me. The people in GD and the Pit are _scary_. Ahhh — look at that cloud there – it looks kind of like a carousel horse – see the pole going up out of its back? ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/4 "2004-09-13T18:09:09Z")
It’s definitely all become too much for me of late. I’ll just lie under a tree in the park and watch the ocean’s rolling waves. Not many clouds here…I miss my home in Gulfport. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/5 "2004-09-13T18:38:47Z")
_Waves_ Heya, **Twickster**! Iced tea? I thought that was a sailboat… **Nightwatch Trailer** , you’re welcome in my dandelion patch any time you need it, buddy. **Greenback** , I don’t think we’ve met. But a sense of humor is absolutely necessary, so stick around. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TwoTrouts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@TwoTrouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoTrouts)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/6 "2004-09-13T19:39:52Z")
“Hi!” (flops/lays down in the dandelion patch) “Ahhhhh…” (cares and worries wash away) “Lovely day! Hey, there’s a cloud that looks like the face of Homer Simpson. Life sure is good here!” ---
**Author:** ![PussyCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@PussyCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PussyCow)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/7 "2004-09-13T21:19:02Z")
Well, if you don’t mind… … dandelions are mighty tasty. Mmm - momph - chomp chomp. ---
**Author:** ![PussyCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@PussyCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PussyCow)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/8 "2004-09-13T21:20:22Z")
Oh, and **Greenback** , I first read that _banana_ assault weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/9 "2004-09-13T21:35:21Z")
Hey, **Two Trouts**. You’ve been quiet lately. Or have we been missing each other? Don’ matter none, plant yerself. So to speak. YAY, **PussyCow** is here! My little thread is honored. Nice to finally meet you. ---
**Author:** ![harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmless)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/10 "2004-09-13T21:55:06Z")
> [@Maureen](#): > > The theory has been forwarded that one is not a serious Doper, is merely “second or third tier,” if one spends too much time in MPSIMS. Yeah, I’ve heard that crap too. 😉 My take on it is: ATMB - It’s there when I need it and there are plenty others who know more to help those that do post Comments & Comments - eh, don’t have any besides _They’re very informative_. GQ - I browse, but hardly ever see anything I can help with and on the rare occasions I do, someone’s beat me to it. Great Debates - I leave it up to better minds than mine (ok, usually I don’t give a flying what 😛 ) Cafe Society - I like that one…mostly reading others opinions of movies and such. IMHO - If I have one to give, I will. MPSIMS - The mundane for the insane so this is where I live. 😃 The Pit - Too depressing when it’s not too scary I just try to make a habit of checking out “New Posts” a couple of times a day to get a good mix and see if I’m interested in any of the topics. 'Sides all that: Nice to see unlurked, **Maureen**. 🙂 Vote Bill the Cat 2004! **AAAaaaAACCCCKKKKK!** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/11 "2004-09-13T22:43:06Z")
> [@PussyCow](#): > > Oh, and **Greenback** , I first read that _banana_ assault weapon. Would that be something like [this?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=266235&highlight=dildo+double+headed) Glad I could brighten your day **Maureen**. ---
**Author:** ![PussyCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@PussyCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PussyCow)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/12 "2004-09-13T23:35:37Z")
Aw **Maureen** , you’re too much. Thank you!! You’ve brightened _my_ day. And for the record, about the only time I go to GQ is when _I_ have a question. I’m largely ignored in GQ and GD. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/13 "2004-09-13T23:59:09Z")
Nice clouds indeed… time for a poem. > [@Opus](#): > > The wind doth blow so bittersweet, > Like jasper wine and sugar > I bet it’s blown through other’s feet, > Like those of Caspar Weinberger. OK, so sometimes Opus didn’t completely get away from it all in the dandelion patch… ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/14 "2004-09-14T05:05:49Z")
Didn’t he have a thing for Margaret Thatcher, too? One kinky little penguin (puffin?) is our Opus. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/15 "2004-09-14T05:47:41Z")
> [@PussyCow](#): > > Oh, and **Greenback** , I first read that _banana_ assault weapon. Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring, banana assault weapon. That one, up there, looks like an ice cream cone with sprinkles. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/16 "2004-09-14T06:55:38Z")
All I see are bunny clouds. Maybe if I turn my head like this… ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/17 "2004-09-14T14:41:13Z")
\ ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/18 "2004-09-14T15:24:31Z")
Thanks, all. I feel better already. Hard to be in a bad mood when you see **balance** with a dandelion stem hanging from one nostril… ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/19 "2004-09-14T16:01:39Z")
Knock knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad I didn’t say banana assault weapon? ---
**Author:** ![PussyCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@PussyCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PussyCow)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276/20 "2004-09-14T16:38:34Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > Knock knock. > Who’s there? > Orange. > Orange who? > Orange you glad I didn’t say banana assault weapon? You know, this is becoming oddly erotic. Am I the only one turned on by talk of this WMA (Weapon of Mass Arousal)? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opus-zen-master/264276.md?page=2)