I could see Doug trotting this out during the Evangelion step during the battle with the 5th(?) angel (the geometric one that they kill with the electron beam cannon they black out all of Japan to power). Angel manages to sever the power cord? No problem; we'll run it through Doug!

Quote:

---

Light Up My Room
by Barenaked Ladies

A Hydro-field cuts through my neighborhood
Somehow that always just made me feel good
I can put a spare bulb in my hand
And light up my yard
Late at night when the wires in the walls
Sing in tune with the din of the falls
I'm conducting it all while I sleep
To light this whole town
If you question what I would do
To get over and be with you
Lift you up over everything
To light up my room
There's a shopping cart in the ravine
The foam on the creek is like pop and ice cream
A field full of tires that is always on fire
To light my way home
There are luxuries we can't afford
But in our house we never get bored
We can dance to the radio station
That plays in our teeth
If you question what I would do
To get over and be with you
Lift you up over everything
To light up my room
A Hydro-field cuts through my neighborhood
Somehow that always just made me feel good
I can put a spare bulb in my hand
And light up my yard
Light up my yard
Lights in my yard
Light up my yard

---

Today is the one-year anniversary of the release of chapter 11. I had hoped to release chapter 12 by today, but that is not to be. However, you'll be glad to know that it is almost complete. Right now (in between tasks for the Book From Hell) I'm doing final polishing, and hopefully I'll be able to release it either by this weekend or if not, then next.

-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

In the deserts of Sudan
And the gardens of Japan
From Milan to Yucatan
Every woman, every man
Hit me with your rhythm stick.
Hit me! Hit me!
Je t'adore, ich liebe dich,
Hit me! hit me! hit me!
Hit me with your rhythm stick.
Hit me slowly, hit me quick.
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!
In the wilds of Borneo
And the vineyards of Bordeaux
Eskimo, Arapaho
Move their bodies to and fro.
Hit me with your rhythm stick.
Hit me! Hit me!
Das ist gut! C'est fantastique!
Hit me! hit me! hit me!
Hit me with your rhythm stick.
It's nice to be a lunatic.
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!
In the dock of Tiger Bay
On the road to Mandalay
From Bombay to Santa Fe
Over hills and far away
Hit me with your rhythm stick.
Hit me! Hit me!
C'est si bon, mm? Ist es nicht?
Hit me! hit me! hit me!
Hit me with your rhythm stick.
Two fat persons, click, click, click.
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!
Hit me!
Hit me!
Hit me! Ow!
Hit me!
Hit me!
Hit me! hit me!
Hit me (x5)
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me
-- Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick,
Ian Dury and the Blockheads (1979)
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

This is going to be the "theme song" for the Sailor Moon Step. Assuming I actually write it, which is looking more and more likely, dammit. And thanks to Gryphon, without whom I don't think I would have rediscovered this song.
--------------
Doin' time... where it takes you
You know it's time that can break you
We get caught in a moment...
Just sleepwalkin' most of our lives
In your mind (when you need it)
With a song (to help you believe it)
You can reinvent your world
Anytime you like
CHORUS:
To be alive again...
Wakin' up from where you been
Younger now than you were then
You're comin' 'round again
Do you remember when...
Life was so much simpler then
Like summer nights that never end
To be alive again
Find the smile...
You've been missin'
There's someone that you could be kissin'
So open your eyes and you'll see
What's been there all along
Letting go (of your feelings)
With doubt and fear (you don't need it)
Break the chains on the heart of the soul
That's been waiting so long
REPEAT CHORUS
To be alive again
You're not among the walking wounded anymore
There's a time to fall
There's a time to rise above it all
REPEAT CHORUS
To be alive again
(to be alive again)
-- To Be Alive Again,
Journey

-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

I like the show. A lot. I like the character of Yui even more.
And, more importantly, I like the music. So I went looking for mp3s.
Well, I found several. One of them, however, was from the character vocal collections.
It was so cool, I thought of Doug. The effect I see is giving him the power to summon (and, for a few minutes, control) one screaming howling hailing galeing mother-whopper of a thunderstorm.

Aoi Arashi
nemuru mori wo zawamekase
tori no mure ga nigete-iku
kowai kurai utsukushii hoshi no shita ni
saa tatsu no
A flock of birds flies away,
stirring the sleeping forest.
Underneath the almost frighteningly beautiful stars,
I stand
me wo tojite inoru toki
kono sekai ga owaru
When I close my eyes to pray,
this world shall end.
hashiridashita inazuma ga
watashi no koe matte-iru
shinjitai to omotteta
anata no kao utsushite'ru
The lightning that came racing out of the sky
is waiting for my voice.
Picturing your face,
I thought I wanted to believe you.
komiageru nikushimi ni
kokoro wo kimete-iku
With welling anger,
my heart was decided.
kiete shimae aisarete'ta maboroshi-tachi yo towa ni
uragirareta mune no itami
ima omoishireba ii
aoi arashi ga kuru
Vanish forever, illusions who have loved me.
It's best that I realize now
the pain of a heart that was betrayed.
A blue storm comes.
kaze wa ikari arekurui
sora wa koware kudakete mo
sou yo negai kanau nara
ashita nante hoshikunai
The wind rages angrily,
even if the sky is destroyed.
Yes, if my wish is granted,
I won't have any such desire for a tomorrow.
anata dake shiawase ni
kesshite sase wa shinai
I'll make it so
you alone will never be happy.
awaremarete ataerareru
ai nanka wa iranai
nido to daremo
watashi no koto kizutsuketari dekinai
unmei wa kono te ni
I don't need the kind of love
that gives me pity.
I can't let anyone
hurt me again.
I'll take fate into my own hands.
kiete shimae aishite-ita maboroshi-tachi yo towa ni
uragirareta mune no itami
ima omoishireba ii
aoi arashi ga kuru
Vanish forever, illusions I have loved.
It's best that I realize now
the pain of a heart that was betrayed.
A blue storm comes.
===========

===============================================
"V, did you do something foolish?"
"Yes, and it was glorious."

While taking care of a couple of chores yesterday evening, I dug out a tape I hadn't listened to in a long, long time, and discovered the perfect song to play over the "closing credits" of the entire series, when/if it is ever completed:

The Wild Rover
(Traditional)
CHORUS
And it's no, nay, never,
No nay never no more,
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
I've been a wild rover for many a year
And I spent all me money on whiskey and beer.
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more.
CHORUS
I went into an ale-house where I used to frequent
And I told the landlady me money was spent.
I asked her for credit, she answered me, "Nay,
Such a custom as yours I can get any day."
CHORUS
And then out of me pocket I took sovereigns bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight.
She said, "I have whiskey and wines of the best
And the words that I said sure were only in jest."
CHORUS
I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done,
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
And if they caress me as ofttimes before,
Then I never will play the wild rover no more.
CHORUS X2

-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

Just what are the capabilities of Dougs Helmet? What are its limits? So far I know
- it contains a computer with
- an (at least) vaguely Unix-flavoured OS
- hosts a database on the UN
- hosts a lyrics database
- a sh*tload of music files in MP4
- multimedia capabilities, at least two audio channels
- speech recognition
- wireless LAN
- probably a software development environment of some sort
- it is sound proofed, has separate internal and external speakers
- visor HUD as a monitor for the helmet computer
- radio telecom
- tactical display? What tactical data (apart from music title and playtime does it offer?)
- is shock resistent and anti-static
- comes with an amazing power supply. Does it ever run out of power? Does it give off heat?
- any extras like light aplification / flare comp?
Greets,
Cal

A metal that's twice as hard as titanium, but can be molded like plastic at temperatures of only 750 degrees fahrenheight. It's currently competitive with titanium but they hope soon to have it competitive with stainless steel.

I know this comes a little late to be of any use in giving any neat speculative ideas on Boomers and the like, but who knows? It might come in handy in some other step. Maybe they make the plating for the Evangelion armor out of this stuff? Progressive knives? Maybe Skuld is working with the stuff in the OMG step? Whatever - This is just damn nifty. Check it out!.
-Logan

The Powers That Be have decided that the Shifters playtest will be extended, at least long enough for me to catch up with all the digests my lead has sent me. It was supposed to end yesterday. Now I don't know when the anticipated end will be.
More on this as it develops.

-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

I just had a truly sick idea for a song and effect. I'd put it in the thread for songs that Doug should *NEVER* play, except for the fact that it's... well... sick. Have I mentioned that this idea's just plain sick? Anyway... scroll down for it.

Do Not Scroll below this Point if Under 18.

"Every Sperm is Sacred", by Monty Python.
Possible Effects: General increase in fertility rates, including an increase in multiple pregnancy, in the area, sudden disappearance of condoms... you get the idea.