Trying to upload one gives a filename instead of a visible image in the profile control panel page where you're supposed to be able to pick one, and the image itself hasn't been showing for a long damn while.
--
"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

NCSoft is trying to make some of that sweet MOBA lucre... perhaps a little johnny-come-lately for the US market, but might their Korean market strategy let this one last?
http://www.playmxm.com/en/about-mxm
"MxM" or "Master vs Master"
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

http://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/Hh8 ... S&did=null
http://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/W05 ... S&did=null
http://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/W05 ... S&did=null
___________________________
"I've always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific." - George Carlin

Am SOVI-NETTE, from Russian concured Paragon.  Serviette is the french one who is about as usefull as a Napkin.
Oh, and does anyone besides me play STO on a regular basis???
Hear that thunder rolling till it seems to split the sky?
That's every ship in Grayson's Navy taking up the cry-
NO QUARTER!!!
-- "No Quarter", by Echo's Children

I'm surprised we don't already have a thread for up-and-coming musical acts... so, here's a thread.

I found these "10 Emerging Acts to Watch" lists while looking for music for my Halifax trip. There's lists for Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, and North of 60, each complete with full songs:

http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18751/hali ... s-to-watch
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18770/otta ... s-to-watch
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18710/toro ... s-to-watch
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18655/vanc ... ch-hayleau
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18593/mont ... s-to-watch
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18589/the- ... tum-tangle
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18688/calg ... s-to-watch
--
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

It was twenty years ago today, Harry Potter taught the band to play...

Well, maybe not a band. But twenty years ago today, June 26, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published.

CNN article here.

Edit: Fixed link. It was empty, don't ask me how.

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

… as a Slytherin.
Also a little bit of discussion about how fanfic writing itself used to be kept in the closet, but is now socially acceptable for pro writers.
-- ∇×V

Okay, Saturday's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic in Ottawa. It's being held on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General.

This is the equivalent of having a local hospital fundraiser on the front lawn of Buckingham Palace or the White House, letting everyone wander around (and giving tours of the building). "Gravitas"? "Security"? What are those?

Does this sort of thing happen in other capital cities, or is this something that only us oddball Canucks do?
--
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

Canadian sniper kills Islamic State terrorist from 3.45km (over 2 miles) away.

Apparently, this is a new record for a successful long-range sniper shot off the practice range.
--
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

Lyrics:

The Man Who Rocked The World
Gavin Dunne 2016

Little Sophia Strange in ‘73
Her daddy’s yelling tirades at the TV
Hey man be cool!!
Sweeping the screen - rebel freak with a twist
A skinny genie come to grant her a wish
Changes the rules
He’s a real pretty thing!

But now she looks to the stars
Oh with an ache in her heart
For now the man who rocked the world
Is going home
She’s reaching up for a song
Oh but the music is gone
For the man who rocked the world
Is going home

Big Johnny Butterfingers in ‘81
Searchin' the discos for that special someone
It gets so tough
Feelin' the pressure under laser lights
But his feet go magic dancin’ when the song is just right
Yeah that’s the stuff
Let’s dance, Johnny

But now he looks to the stars
Oh with an ache in his heart
For now the man who rocked the world
Is going home
He’s reaching up for a song
Oh but the music is gone
Because the man who rocked the world
Is going home

Spaceman blasting away into the big black sky tonight
Smiling, riding a trail of stardust home

Little Gangly Geeky strainin’ through ‘95
Left on the outside flyin' far from the hive
He don’t fit in
Heart got a lesson from a stranger deranged
Said it’s ok man, it’s cool to be strange
Make a new spin
Seems so far away

And now I look to the stars
Oh with an ache in my heart
For now the man who rocked the world
Is going home
I wanna hear one more song
Oh let the music live on
For the man who rocked the world
Is going home

Effect: Summons a simulacrum of David Bowie, any one friend Doug made during his travels, or Doug himself (but not a recursive copy of his song powers.)
Caution: If Doug isn't concentrating on a specific friend (or RL David Bowie, who may or may not have been a freind in his native world) to summon, his subconscious chooses a David Bowie character to have appear instead. This can range from helpful (Jean Genie can grant wishes as long as some amount of mundane effort could fulfill them, Ziggy Stardust can control any spiders whether martian or not, etc.) to very unhelpful (Goblin King Jareth is a powerful, high ranking fae, this should be all the warning anyone needs) but it should be remembered that Doug's subconscious is a dick.
Availability: most modern Earths ca. mid-2016 or later; almost certain after BGC.

The lyrics are highly likely to trigger Doug's portal search criteria, with "the man who rocked the world is going home" repeated twice per chorus. Two Dougs with their music power occupied is only more useful than one Doug and any other simulacrum or effect in specific situations but they do exist, the most obvious being the ever popular "prove that I'm not my secret identity."
--
"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