Oh, the power to be strong
And the wisdom to be wise
All these things will
come to you in time
On this journey that you're making
There'll be answers that you'll seek
And it's you who'll climb the mountain
It's you who'll reach the peak
Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be
Though there's no one there to guide you
No one to take your hand
But with faith and understanding
You will journey from boy to man
Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be
In learning you will teach
And in teaching you will learn
You'll find your place beside the ones you love
Oh, and all the things you dreamed of
The visions that you saw
Well, the time is drawing near now
It's yours to claim in all
Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be
Son of Man,
Son of Man's a man for all to see
-- Phil Collins, Son of Man

-- Bob
---------
For Jor-El so loved the Earth, he sent his only begotten son...

"The Trees"
from the Hemispheres album by Rush
There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.
There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
Effect: Causes any Oaks or Maples within AoE to suddenly start arguing and fighting. The only way to keep them in line is to have either a hatchet, an axe, or a saw handy.
Not entirely sure how this would be useful, but it would certainly be amusing. Well, unless the trees started to get violent...*********
Touched By His Noodly Appendage
www.venganza.org

It's weird, how concepts drifting randomly around one's brain can collide and suddenly stick together.
In this case, it was Bob's recent mention that Doug needs more songs that empower other people, that crossed paths with an old memory.
In a novel that shall remain nameless for the sake of spoilers, the lead character (with a rep for being a rather cold, uncarning type) was about to be used (against his will) as a vessel for a Major Voodoo Loa, with the blood sacrifice of all his friends used to fuel the spell. In an attempt to save *them,* he made a decent try at killing himself, and botched it -- but made himself bleed, just before the spell hit the slice&dice part....
...and in doing so, he unkowingly *took the whole process over.* The trick being that a single *willing* sacrifice, even botched, still trumped a baker's dozen UNwilling sacrifices.
So... just how much power can a completely willing sacrifice achieve, when someone holds back nothing of themselves?
=====================================
Cruxshadows: "Winterborn (This Sacrifice)"
Dry your eyes and quietly bear this pain with pride
For heaven shall remember the silent and the brave
And promise me, they will never see, the fear within our eyes
We will give strength to those who still remain
So bury fear for fate draws near and hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt a better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember, and avoid our fate.
And in the fury of this darkest hour we will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice and I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith is come that I have never known
I hear the angels call my name and I am Winter born
Hold your head up high-for there is no greater love
Think of the faces of the people you defend
And promise me, they will never see the tears within our eyes
Although we are men with mortal sins, angels never cry
So bury fear for fate draws near and hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt a better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember, and avoid our fate.
And in the fury of this darkest hour we will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice and I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith in God that I have never known
I hear the angels call my name and I am Winter born
And in the fury of this darkest hour
I will be your light
A lifetime for this destiny
For I am Winter born
And in this moment...
I will not run, it is my place to stand
We few shall carry hope
Within our bloodied hands
And in our Dying
We're more alive-than we have ever been
I've lived for these few seconds
For I am Winter born
And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be the light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith in man
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born
Within this moment now
I am for you, though better men have failed
I will give my life for love
For I am Winter born
And in my dying I'm more alive, than I have ever been
I will make this sacrifice for I am Winter born
================================
Power: Lets Doug empower any *completely willing* volunteer within AOE with truly ridiculous levels of power (whole-MegaTokyo-node levels of power)-- which lasts the length of the song, but completely consumes said volunteer by the time the song ends. Essentially, Doug 'catalyzes' the volunteer into a sort of one-shot magical supercapacitor. He's acting, in effect, like the base current junction in a transistor, supplying a small trickle of current that causes the main collector-emitter path to pass vastly larger amperage. (yeah, my degree's in EE, can you tell?)
To put it another way: Doug basically plugs said volunteer into a power socket far too powerful for him to use himself, but his gloves are heavy enough to handle running the extension cord. So to speak.
Not sure what *kind* of powers it might give a volunteer -- something appropriate to the moment, perhaps, or just something that matches the volunteer's personality and capabilities. It would be a savage sort of irony, I suppose, if Doug could, frex, empower someone to bring back the dead, or blanket the whole world in peace&harmony (ref his little Christmas stunt in MegaTokyo)... at the cost of their own life. This would certainly be a song that Doug would almost categorically refuse to use.
Of course, there's the problem of how he would ever find out what it does in the first place....

Or, to be more precise, "NEGI's GIRLS", courtesy of Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl."
Power: after the Negima Arc, allows Doug to summon avatars of any one (or perhaps more?) of Negi's Girls, with their Pactio powers, much as he summoned the Warriors in DWII.
(yes, I know the lyrics aren't entirely appropriate. But the idea of someone filking "JG" into "NG" just grabbed my brain and wouldn't let go. Besides, it's *funny.* And Doug's subconscious has a definitely wacked-out sense of humor....)
Oh, yeah -- lyrics.

Jessie is a friend,
Yeah I know he's been a good friend of mine
But lately something's changed
It ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl
And I want to make her mine
And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body, I just know it!
And he's holding her in his arms late, late at night
You know I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find her, a woman like that?
I'll play along with this charade
That doesn't seem to be a reason to change
You know I feel so dirty when they start talking cute
I wanna tell her that I love but the point is probably moot
'Cause she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body, I just know it!
And he's holding her in his arms late, late at night
You know I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find her, a woman like that?
Like Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find her, a woman...
Where can I find her, a woman like that?
And I'm lookin' in the mirror all the time
Wonderin' what she don't see in me
I've been funny; I've been cool with the lines
Ain't that the way love's supposed to be?
Tell me why can't I find a woman like that?
You know I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find her, a woman like that?
Like Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I want, I want Jessie's girl

Long as I remember
The rain been coming down.
Clouds of myst'ry pouring
Confusion on the ground.
Good men through the ages,
Trying to find the sun;
And I wonder,
Still I wonder,
Who'll stop the rain.
I went down Virginia,
Seeking shelter from the storm.
Caught up in the fable,
I watched the tower grow.
Five year plans and new deals,
Wrapped in golden chains.
And I wonder,
Still I wonder,
Who'll stop the rain.
Heard the singers playing,
How we cheered for more.
The crowd had rushed together,
Trying to keep warm.
Still the rain kept pouring,
Falling on my ears.
And I wonder,
Still I wonder,
Who'll stop the rain.
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Who'll Stop The Rain?, written by John Fogerty, from their 1970 album Cosmo's Factory

Anyone who remembers the Africa arc from Nadia knows why I want a song that summons rain for Blue Skies, Blue Water, and (ignoring the metaphor) this one looks to fit the bill...
-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

(Spoken)
'Allo, I'm-a Guiseppe, I got-a something special for-a you.
Ready, uno, duo, tres, quattro...
(Sung)
When I was a boy,
Just about-a eighth grade,
Momma used to say,
"Don't stay out-a late
With-a bad-a boys
Always shoot-a pool
Guiseppe going to flunk-a school."
Boy, it make-a me sick,
All the thing I gotta do.
I can't-a getta no kicks,
Always gotta follow rules.
Boy, it make-a me sick,
Just to make-a lousy bucks.
Got to feelin' like a fool.
And-a Momma used to say, alla time:
"Whatsa matta you? Hey!
Gotta no respect?
Whatta you think you do?
Why you look-a so sad?
It's-a not so bad,
It's a nice-a place.
Ah, shaddup you face."
(Spoken)
That's my momma, can-a remember it. Big accordion solo!
Aaa-ha!
Play that thing!
Really nice, really nice.
(Sung)
Soon-a come a day
Gonna be a big-a star.
Then make-a TV shows and-a movies,
Get-a myself a new car.
But -- still I be myself,
I don't-a want-a to change a thing.
Still-a dance and-a sing.
I think about-a Momma, she used to say:
"Whatsa matta you? Hey!
Gotta no respect?
Whatta you think you do?
Why you look-a so sad?
It's-a not so bad,
It's a nice-a place.
Ah, shaddup you face."
(Spoken)
Momma! She said it alla da time!
(Sung)
"Whatsa matta you? Hey!
Gotta no respect?
Whatta you think you do?
Why you look-a so sad?
It's-a not so bad,
It's a nice-a place.
Ah, shaddup you face."
(Spoken)
'At'sa my Momma.
Hello, everybody 'at's out there in-a radio and TV-land.
Did you know I had-a big hit-a song in-a Italy with-a this?
"Shaddup you face."
I sing-a this-a song, alla my fans applaud,
(sound of applause)
they clap-a their hands,
That-a make-a me feel so good.
You oughta learn-a this-a song, it's-a real-a simple.
See, I sing, "What's-a matta you?"
You sing, "Hey!"
Then I sing-a the rest, and then at the end, we can all-a
sing, "Ah, shaddup you face!"
Okay? Let's-a try it, real easy:
Uno, duo, tres, quattro...
(Sung)
Whatsa matta you? (Hey!)
Gotta no respect? (Hey!)
Whatta you think you do? (Hey!)
Why you look-a so sad? (Hey!)
It's-a not so bad, (Hey!)
It's a nice-a place.
Ah, shaddup you face.
(Spoken)
That's-a great. We can-a do-a better this time, I bet. Hey!
(Sung)
Whatsa matta you? (Hey!!)
Gotta no respect? (Hey!!)
Whatta you think you do? (Hey!!)
Why you look-a so sad? (Hey!!)
It's-a not so bad, (Hey!!)
It's a nice-a place.
Ah, shaddup you face.
(Spoken)
Okay, one time for Momma! Everybody!
(Sung)
Whatsa matta you? (Hey!!!)
Gotta no respect? (Hey!!!)
Whatta you think you do? (Hey!!!)
Why you look-a so sad? (Hey!!!)
It's-a not so bad, (Hey!!!)
It's a nice-a place.
Ah, shaddup you face!
-- Joe Dolce, Shaddup You Face
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

How about Heather Alexander's March of Cambreadth.
Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining armour's piercing ring
Horses run with polished shield,
Fight Those Bastards till They Yield
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to Keep this Land Your Own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Follow orders as you're told,
Make Their Yellow Blood Run Cold
Fight until you die or drop,
A Force Like Ours is Hard to Stop
Close your mind to stress and pain,
Fight till You're No Longer Sane
Let not one damn cur pass by,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Guard your women and children well,
Send These Bastards Back to Hell
We'll teach them the ways of war,
They Won't Come Here Any More
Use your shield and use your head,
Fight till Every One is Dead
Raise the flag up to the sky,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Dawn has broke, the time has come,
Move Your Feet to a Marching Drum
We'll win the war and pay the toll,
We'll Fight as One in Heart and Soul
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to Keep this Land Your Own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
REPEAT FIRST VERSE
--Werehawk--
My mom's brief take on upcoming Guatemalan Elections "In last throes of preelection activities. Much loudspeaker vote pleading."

but where did everybody get the idea that Xander goes to Africa after the end of season 7?_______________________________
"We few, we happy few. We band of buggered"
_________________________________
Take Your Candle, Go Light Your World.

Sorry about inverting the usual order of the Game, folks...
There's a few scenes that I'd like to put into Blue Skies, Blue Water (currently at 39K spread out over the entire fic, BTW) but I can't find or think of appropriate songs.
First effect: "stop being an idiot and come back here". I'll settle for just "come back here"...
Second effect: "trust me, I'm harmless - really!"
Third effect: either "save your own life" or "get out of what you know is a dangerous situation".
Any ideas, anyone?
-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

from GetSomeNoise.com
Muppets -
Cigarettes and Whiskey Lyrics
(spoken
A preachment, dear friends, you're about to receive,
on John Barleycorn, nicotine, and the temptations of Eve...
(sung
I once was happy and I had a good life
I had enough money to last me for life
I met with a gal and we went on a spree
She taught me to smoke and to drink whiskey.
Cigarettes and whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy they'll drive you insane.
Cigarettes and whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy they'll drive you insane.
Cigarettes is a blot on the whole human race.
A man is a monkey with one in his face.
That's my definition, believe me dear brother,
A fire on one end and a fool on the t'other.
Cigarettes and whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy they'll drive you insane.
Cigarettes and whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy they'll drive you insane.
Write on the cross at the head of my grave
To women and whiskey here lies a poor slave
Take warning dear stranger, take warning dear friend.
They'll write in big letters these words at my end.
Cigarettes and whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy they'll drive you insane.
Cigarettes and whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy they'll drive you insane.
They'll drive you crazy they'll drive you insane.
Hallelujah brother.

I think the singer was Peter Sellers, based on other Google results, but I'm not sure.That which does not kill us... has made its last mistake.
SERVO: Loook *deeeeply* into my eyes... Tell me, what do you see?
CROW: (hypnotized) A twisted man who wants to inflict his pain upon others.
Next morning, Harry found himself butt-naked in the other side of town, mouth tasting of lima beans. - from Uzumaki Harry by Shadow Crystal Mage
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows