Star Wars Clone Wars CGI trailer is up.
------------------
Epsilon

EML wrote:

Quote:

---

A few lesser runes may have come along for the ride, if it's amusing enough.
Chitatsu Star (7 ... well, it's always Viki, and with her powers she's got an excuse to be anywhere. In fact, she may well be a Hibiki. Hibiki Viki...
Likewise, Jeane will be along for the ride as Chiketsu (40). That leaves local talent for the rest.
Reusing a bit of weirdness from another fic idea that never got off the ground, I'd like to have Mousse be the Tenki Star and master strategist -- that's Sun Mu Tzu to you.
Chimei (67): Happosai, or Ataru, or (fill in lech here).
Chiyu (84): Edogawa Conan.
Chiaku (9 : Shampoo.
Chizou (93): Iron Wok Jan.
Tensoku (20): the current Hiko Seijuurou

---

June 17th, 2010
Location: In transit between Mars & Ceres
The time is 13:45 Zulu.
I was looking at the threads while eating breakfast this morning, and I've noticed I'm getting non-insignificant amount of traffic from Danside, asking me all kinds of questions about where I've been. Woohoo and all that, more souls for my ever hungering cauldron of shadows is always nice. But it reminded me of something that I saw drinking Jazz with Perry a couple weeks back while we were docked at The Island. Some guy, obviously a tourist from the fact he gawked at everything and wore clothes that screamed I am a 40ish upper middle class white collared marketroid peon for some huge multinational corporation trying to fit in among you crazies, treat me with the disdain I deserve, was continually walking up to people and asking them questions, then inevitably irritating them enough they just yelled something and walked away. Eventually, he made his way over to our table and asked, somewhat warily now, where they had the girls who dressed up like Sailor Moon.
Oi.
I won't print my response, but it's safe to say anybody who has read anything I have written or talked to me longer than five minutes can probably guess it was laden with flowery sweet endearments, cheerfully informing and educating this guy. I'm a big bag of hearts and lollipops that way.
Back to the point. It got me thinking, the first diaspora of humans into space is still well on it's way and really showing no signs of stopping. But it also is now the case where there's enough infrastructure that significant numbers of people are coming up for purely holiday like reasons, and not planning on setting up shop on Starbase 1 or wherever. And because these people aren't Fen, there's gonna be some friction you always get when different cultures brush up against each other. So, to help acclimate these peeps who come up from dirtside, and because I needed something to write as nothings going on, I've compiled a short guide on some common things you Danes should know before visiting us up here in the Black.
Jon's Easy Steps On How To Not Get Stranded On Top of Olympus Mons By An Unimpressed Fen: A Practical Guide
Odds are, you'll get your ride from some guy in his 'waved up Honda Civic for a free dinner at Panda Express. It'll probably remind you a lot of a taxi ride, only it flies and the driver's speech is just as stereotypically unintelligible, but it's not an accent as thick as tank armor muddying the waters. Oh no, this guy's speech seems to be English (or whatever language they speak at your homeland. My Americanized brain still defaults to English no matter how worldly I get), but it's so laden with jargon, idiom, and slang that he might as well be speaking Tagalog. Don't worry about what he's saying. All you need to know is the names of locations and how much pork fried rice it's gonna cost to get there, and that's pretty easy to get across. The other stuff is probably him just geeking out.
#1: Don't Panic:
Seriously, freaking out or otherwise wigging is not gonna do you any good and probably will cause you to make a poor choice in regards to speech and actions. Don't fall into this pit. You just keep calm and things will be 100x more likely to sort themselves out. We're mostly good people up here, so asking for help, even if it makes you look like a newb, is a million times better than trying to half ass your way through. That'll just make it infinitely more likely your whole ass is gonna get flamed by some Warsie with a chip on their shoulder and a lot of time on their hands.
#2: A Green Lantern Shirt Doesn't Make You Fen:
I've seen a lot of tourists try to fit in by dressing up how they think the Fen dress. It's embarrassing to watch. Don't be that guy. You're going to stick out, it's a fact. You're very posture and manner will betray your origins as if you wrote I'm from Schaumberg Illinois! on your forehead. So own it. There's no shame in being a tourist. Everybody has had trip to Mt. Rushmore or Yellowstone. But be aware, that there are some Fen who will look on you with contempt. This stems from the fact that a lot of us were a somewhat maligned social minority back on Earth, and being in positions of social authority makes them giddy with vengeful triumph. Either they are too stupid to be aware of the irony of being abusers of power or are assholes who don't care. Either way, they're jerk faces and pay them no heed.
#3: Read the Fucking Manual
Before you come up, do a little research huh? Maybe read a faq on the major factions, browse a little wikipedia, glance at a pamphlet. Something. One of the greatest sources of fubars is some guy not knowing the difference between a Trekkie and a Browncoat or something like that. Now, I'll be the first to admit the Fen can be daunting at times. There's a lot of factions, we all have our own peculiar foibles, and get our backs up if we precieve them to be under attack or slighted in any way. Again it comes from a lot of us not sitting at the cool table during lunch and wanting to avoid that again. So your best bet is to treat it like your visiting a foreign country and be mindful of social taboos. And that's what we are really, another country that sort of sprouted up in the span of a couple years.
#4: Don't Gawk at the Catgirls:
Come on now, this should be easy. Yes, there are factions with substantial numbers of members who's outfits are... provocative. Yes, there are a number of individuals who've been biomodded into various anatomically flattering animal people hybrids or hair colors that came out of the 64 pack of Crayolas. Yes, they are frequently hawt like the Sun hawt. But don't leer at them like some frat boy at the gym. It's like nude beach etiquette. They're there but you don't pay attention to them, you go on with your business even if that Senshi's skirt could be classified as a belt in some nations. And no, I'm not just targeting guys. I've seen more than one multi person pile up because some lady was staring at some Bishi's ass in leather pants and not watching where they were going.
#5: This Is Our Lives:
In a similar vein as #4, don't be a yokel and stand rooted in middle of a traffic lane while you take pictures of some hover dolly that is carrying drill bits for Rockhounds. We're trying to live our lives out here, and gumming up the works by being in the way is a sure fire way to piss us all off. We don't come to your place of business and stare at you while you give the Q1 report to Ted from accounting.
#6: It Better Be AAA Approved:
Stick to the reputable locations and guides. There's a lot of people with access to 'wave and the common sense of a banana slug, not to mention those who are just shady. It will most likely end in tears if you try to cut corners here. They'll be yours. So if you want a tour guide, ask the Help Center on Stellvia or Kandor City or Utopia Planetia. They'll steer you to somebody who will be smart enough not to get you stranded on the moon Triton because they couldn't be bothered to read that Triton is full of ice geysers and parking on top of one is a maybe not so good an idea. You think I'm kidding, but I've made this pick up.
#7: Have Fun:
Seriously, you're in friggin space! How cool is that? Don't be afraid to show some enthusiasm. The average Fen will forgive a lot if you're actively being friendly and enjoying being out here with them. Don't be a moron about it, but being a tourist is about visiting the locales and living it up there. Do so, and you'll be planning your next trip for soon and not never. Maybe you'll even like it so much you'll move out here. Weirder things most certainly happen.
Well there you go. Follow these simple to understand words of wisdom, and you'll greatly increase your chance of not being a complete toolbox while visiting us. I'll set this off onto a permanent sidebar on the site, and edit it periodically if anything new comes to mind. Now, I'm off to play World of Starcraft. My level 70 Protoss Dragoon Headinajar needs him his a epic phase disruptor cannon. My Life for Auir bitches!
[Calli's Note: Everybody here aboard the Truth is well aware of the irony of JON writing a guide on how not to enrage various Fen. This from the guy who told a senior member of the Senshi during an interview about terraforming Venus that he'd view it as a challenge to his writing skills to work in and then she fell over exposing her panties every three sentences without seeming to repeat himself. He's a bit dim, but we love him anyway.
ps: Fuck Protoss, Zerg 4 eva!]
Last edited Sept 4th 2010
---------------
-Jon
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
The population density of Wyoming is very low, but that doesn't mean the people there aren't also out to kill you.
---
Jon
"And that must have caused my dad's brain to break in half, replaced by a purely mechanical engine of revenge!"

Lynyrd Skynyrd Call Me The Breeze (5:06)
Call me the breeze
I keep blowin down the road
Well now they call me the breeze
I keep blowin down the road
I aint got me nobody
I dont carry me no load
Aint no change in the weather
Aint no changes in me
Well there aint no change in the weather
Aint no changes in me
And I aint hidin from nobody
Nobodys hidin from me
Oh, thats the way its supposed to be
Well I got that green light baby
I got to keep movin on
Well I got that green light baby
I got to keep movin on
Well I might go out to california
Might go down to georgia
I dont know
Well I dig you georgia peaches
Makes me feel right at home
Well now I dig you georgia peaches
Makes me feel right at home
But I dont love me no one woman
So I cant stay in georgia long
Well now they call me the breeze
I keep blowin down the road
Well now they call me the breeze
I keep blowin down the road
I aint got me nobody
I dont carry me no load
Oooh mr breeze
Power: Turns Doug into a breeze. Allows him to get past any barrier that isn't airtight, sneak through airvents quickly and quietly. Visual perception is replaced by an echolocation sort of sense, Hearing is quite good though. On the downside, he needs to keep track of how long he has left, just because a breaze fits in a certain area dosn't mean his body will if he suddenly reverts.
***************************
Lynyrd Skynyrd Dont Ask Me No Questions (3:27)
Well everytime that I come home nobody wants to let me be
It seems that all the friends I got just got to come interrogate me
Well, I appreciate your feelings and I dont want to pass you by
But I dont ask you about your business, dont ask me about mine
Well its true I love the money and I love my brand new car
I like drinkin the best of whiskey and playing in a honky tonk bar
But when I come off the road, well I just got to have my time
cause I got to find a break in this action, else Im gonna lose my mind
(chorus)
So, dont ask me no questions
And I wont tell you no lies
So, dont ask me about my business
And I wont tell you goodbye
Thats right
Well, whats your favorite color and do you dig the brothers, is drivin me up a wall
And everytime I think I can sleep, some fool has got to call
Well dont you think that when I come home, I just want a little peace of mind
If you want to talk about the business buddy, youre just wastin time
(chorus)
I said dont ask no stupid questions and I wont send you away
If you want to talk fishin, well I guess thatll be ok
Power: low grade SEP effect. As long as Doug looks roughly like he belongs there, people will ignore him. Walking around a secret research lab dressed in a labcoat or something resembling the security uniform works, walking around said lab dressed as a clown won't.
Side effect: for the duration of the effect, Doug is a pathological liar.
******************************************
Travellin' Man - Bob Seger
Up with the sun, gone with the wind,
She always said I was lazy.
Leavin' my home, leavin' my friends,
Runnin' when things get too crazy.
Out on the road, out 'neath the stars,
Feelin' the breeze, passin' the cars.
Women have come, women have gone,
Everyone tryin' to cage me.
Some were so sweet, I barely got free,
Others, they only enraged me.
Sometimes at night, I see their faces,
I feel the traces they left on my soul.
And those are the memories that made me a wealthy soul.

Travelin' man, love when I can,
Turn loose my hand 'cause I'm goin'.
Travelin' man, catch if you can,
But sooner or later I'm goin'.
Travelin' man ... Travelin' man, yes I am.
Sometimes at night, I see their faces,
I feel the traces they left on my soul.
These are the memories that made me a wealthy soul.
These are the memories that made me a wealthy soul.
Power: gate song__________________
I bet that if you cooked an elephant, you'd have a lot of leftovers.
___________________________
"I've always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific." - George Carlin

File this one under usefull wierdness.
effect Summons one brassier of appropriate size.

Quote:

---

BETTE MIDLER LYRICS
"Otto Titsling"
"This next story is a true story.
It concerns two of my favorite subjects:
industrial theft . . . and-a t-ts!
Mmm, what a combo! This is the story . . .
The inventor of the modern foundation garment
that we women wear today was a German scientist
and opera lover by the name of Otto Titsling!
This is a true story.
His name was Otto Titsling.
What happened to Otto Titsling shouldn't happen to a schnauzer.
It's a very sad story. I feel I have to share it with you."
Otto Titsling, inventor and kraut,
had nothing to get very worked up about.
His inventions were failures, his future seemed bleak.
He fled to the opera at least twice a week.
One night at the opera he saw an Aida
who's t-ts were so big they would often impede her.
Bug-eyed he watched her fall into the pit,
done in by the weight of those terrible t-ts.
Oh, my god! There she blows!
Aerodynamically this bitch was a mess.
Otto eyeballed the diva lying comatose amongst the reeds,
and he suddenly felt the fire of inspiration
flood his soul. He knew what he had to do!
He ran back to his workshop
where he futzed and futzed and futzed.
For Otto Titsling had found his quest:
to lift and mold the female breast;
to point the small ones to the sky;
to keep the big ones high and dry!
Every night he'd sweat and snort
searching for the right support.
He tried some string and paper clips.
Hey! He even tried his own two lips!
Well, he stitched and he slaved
and he slaved and he stitched
until finally one night, in the wee hours of morning,
Otto arose from his workbench triumphant.
Yes! He had invented the worlds first
over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder. Hooray!
Exhausted but ecstatic he ran
down the street to the diva's house
bearing the prototype in his hot little hand.
Now, the diva did not want to try the darn thing on.
But, after many initial misgivings,
she finally did.
And the sigh of relief that issued forth
from the diva's mouth
was so loud that it was mistaken by some
to be the early onset of the Siroccan Winds
which would often roll through the Schwarzwald
with a vengeance!
Ahhhhh-i!
But little did Otto know,
at the moment of his greatest triumph,
lurking under the diva's bed
was none other than the very worst
of the French patent thieves,
Philippe DeBrassiere.
And Phil was watching the scene
with a great deal of interest!
Later that night, while our Brun Hilda slept,
into the wardrobe Philippe softly crept.
He fumbled through knickers and corsets galore,
'til he found Otto's titsling and he ran out the door.
Crying, "Oh, my god! What joy! What bliss!
I'm gonna make me a million from this!
Every woman in the world will wanna buy one.
I can have all the goods manufactured in Taiwan."
"Oh, thank you!"
The result of this swindle is pointedly clear:
Do you buy a titsling or do you buy a brassiere?
"Ohhh! Thank you!"

---

RightStuf just sent me an e-mail saying my pre-prder of volume 1 of Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is in their shipping dock - I should be getting it shortly. (How shortly depends on Canada Customs.)
So the Haruhi collector's box (with all the extras, including the mini-pencilboard) should be showing up on store shelves Real Soon Now. Just thought you'd like to know...

-Rob Kelk
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

www.sigilprep.com/index.htm
" Deep in the heart of the plane known as the Outlands, inside a tremendous floating ring above the infinitely tall Spire, is the city of Sigil, most renowned of all the planar metropolises in the multiverse. In the city of Sigil, there sits a large conglomeration of huge, majestic buildings and bustling populace. It is the Sigil Preparatory Academy, a school where young men and women (and things) learn the fine arts of adventuring.
Sigil Prep brings together students from around the planes, from Toril to Oerth to Eberron to Krynn, and places beyond. Students are allowed to start here as early as 16 (human equivalent), though most start around 18 or so. Most students are on a five-year program: Freshman, Sophomore, Midyear, Junior, and Senior. Graduate programs are offered, as well. A degree from Sigil is one of the most prestigious documents a young person can earn.

Sigils campus is vast and twisting. Nobody can even venture a guess as to the total student body, and sometimes it takes hours to find ones way off campus. It is absurdly large, with hundreds of buildings, divided into numerous campuses.
They have a huge sports program, playing a number of sports that dont exist on the material planes, such absurdities as football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Football is their particular specialty, and they lead the division in this violent and machismo-laden sport.
The Dean of Schools is a mysterious being known as The Lady of Pain, who never appears at school functions, nor does she accept appointments, or see students or faculty, or even allow her name to be mentioned. This is not terribly different from the Dean at most colleges. If in doubt, refer to her as Our Beloved Headmistress, though even this may tick her off.
The Faculty is vast, composed of many races, most of whom are in their early epic levels. Important department heads have reputations far beyond the academic, including Mordenkainen of Greyhawk, Dove Falconhand and Storm Silverhand of the Seven Sisters, and the elusive Raistlin Majere of Krynn.
In a giant donut city
On top of an infinite spire
Stands our dear Sigil Prep
Ever to inspire
We love her standards and her halls
And her headmistress, all the same
Even though we never ever
Call to her by name
Beneath her glowing ring and sigil
With its white and gold
I hope I graduate from this place
Before Im very old."

Crey condemns Task Force Hunter
PARAGON CITY (AFP) - Countess Crey called for the arrest of Task Force Hunter today, following clashes between Crey Industry security and the heroes in Paragon City - blasting their actions as a campaign of deliberate percecution against Crey Industries.
But Freedom Phalanx member Manticore defended Task Force Hunter's actions, calling them within the autonomy afforded to registered heroes by the Federal Bureau of Super-powered Affairs. Praising their actions, he insisted the Task Force had the Freedom Phalanx's full support.
Task Force Hunter was composed of Evangelia, Wide Receiver, Brightsky, Cyberman 8, Shizuru, Frenetic Sublimation and Space Mage, all of The Legendary supergroup, and the notorious hero MechaDeuce. Several of them also hold reserve membership in the Freedom Phalanx.
Task Force Hunter exposed alleged illegal research being conducted at a Crey facility late on Friday. Reports say Rikti technology was seized on-site following Task Force Hunter's raid.
Task Force Hunter later responded to the kidnapping of Paragon City Councilman John Birch, rescuing from what were apparently Crey Industries personnel. Task Force Hunter later arrested Countess Crey's personal assistant, Hopkins, in connection with the incident.
Countess Crey insists the illegal Rikti technology and the alleged kidnapping were staged in a deliberate smear campaign to damage Crey Industry's reputation. The Paragon Police Department and Federal Bureau of Super-powered Affairs are investigating the incident. City Representative Brighid Moreira had no comment for the press at this time.

Task Force Hunter poses in uniform

The heroes in individual costumes
...
Or in other words, Evangelia, Wide Receiver, Brightsky, Cyberman 8, Shizuru, Frenetic Sublimation, Space Mage and MechaDeuce did the Manticore TF last night.
Aside from some hiccups here and there, mostly issues with coordination - we seriously kicked ass.
Thanks, folks! =D
-- Acyl

Linky linky. There's also samples of the new songs she sings on on the site.*********
Touched By His Noodly Appendage
www.venganza.org

"QUESADA!"
"Yes Dark Lord?"
"I told you to 'MANGLE' Marvel Comics, not 'MANGA' it!"
"Potato, potahto. Here, look through these."
(Dark Lord flips through comics)
"I see your point. Carry on."

WILL SOMEONE SHOOT QUESADA ALREADY?!?!?!?!
Dear GOD, when will the madness end??
-Logan
-----------------
"Wake up! Time for SCIENCE!"
-Adam Savage
-----------------