http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/news/even ... _event.php
this is what we get to play with this year, 3 new badges, the Murder of Crows costume change emot and a bat aura...
and they have titan weapons in some of the screen shots... hoping that we get them when this rolls around

From an old edutainment game that I just recalled:


It generates a vehicle, which persists after the song ends, but is only able to get Doug 90% of the way to his destination, and engenders huge amounts of annoyance while driving/using it, for Doug and anyone he is transporting in the vehicle.� Once the 90% point is passed, the vehicle dissipates gradually enough that those inside aren't taken by surprise, and have time to stop and get out without being harmed.� Usually.
Edit:
Upon further reflection, I think it might be a good idea to drop the whole 90% thing, and have the vehicle (almost always a car or van) just vanish upon reaching the destination.� It would be too easy to get around, by setting an initial destination further than you actually wanted to go, though having to do the math for figuring out what to set as the destination would fit the song's source...� Hmm...
-----
Stand between the Silver Crystal and the Golden Sea.
"Youngsters these days just have no appreciation for the magnificence of the legendary cucumber."  --Krityan Elder, Tales of Vesperia.

Yep.  The boys and I sure cooked up a doozy this time.  We had to fiddle with the ages a bit to get this to work, but everything else, we think, is purely plausible.  Ideas welcome
Ages:
Cloud    9/8
Tiffa    9/8
Yufi    7
Aeris    15/16
Zack    15~17
Nanaki    36 (psychologically 9)
Yuffi, on yet another expedidtion (read: escape) from her home town, passes through Niblehiem.  On the way she encounters Cloud and Tifa and press-ganged them into her service so that she can make them hunt for treasure with her.
First stop is Shinra Mansion where they somehow find Vincent.  After momentarily waking him, Yufi makes off with his gun, Cerberus.  Vincent, simply wanting to get back to sleeping like a dead man, doesn't notice for the first week or two.
Then, along the way, they manage to rescue Nanaki from Shinra.  Nanaki keeps his mouth shut, but talks only when he and Cloud are by themselves.  The two quickly wind up developing a Calvin and Hobbes raport.  (At times, Yufi becomes the Suzie Derkins to their Calvin and Hobbes)
Eventually, they wind up out by Northern Crater by stowing away on various boats and airships.  (How, you may ask?  Beacuse it's Yufi.)
Meanwhile, Zack, a newly minted Third Class SOLDIER, is on his first solo milk run to the Icicle Town to retrieve a package when he runs into these three kids somewhere out by North Crater.
The wildlife being what it is, a big monster pops up just as they meet.  Without hesitating, Yufi whips out Cerberus and blows it away in one shot, but winds up breaking her wrist in the process.
Taking charge of the group, Zack confiscates Cerberus, heals Yufi, and brings them back to Midgar.  He has no idea where the hell Nibbleheim is, and it's not a good idea for him to bring Yufi back to Wutai village on his own.
Since he can't bring the children to Shinra HQ (he'd lose all his credibility) he convinces Aeris to watch after them.  Yufi, Cloud, Tifa, and Nanaki naturally make life hell for the young woman.
Naturally, over the three days it takes for Zack to make arrangements for the children to be sent home, word gets to Angeal from the Turks about the strange goings on at the church and what it may have to do with Zack.  Troubled by this turn of events, Angeal discusses the problem with Sephiroth and Genesis.  Eventually, the three decide to go investigate together.
When the three arrive at the church, Cloud fan-glomps Sephiroth, who takes it with a bit of bemusement.  Fangirls he can't stand, but a kid is another thing and entirely forgivable.  Of course, he cranks the snark up to eleven and implies that Cloud is Aeris' son.  That goes over like a lead balloon with Aeris.
Its around here that Genesis notices that one of his pockets is feeling a bit lighter.  And then Yufi hits them all with the Stop materia that she just stole from Gensis, and takes off with Cloud, Tifa, and Nanaki
Ideas for how else things can go wrong? 

Well, I'm feeling kinda dumb.
Just got the hardware pack for a multiple machine upgrade, it's going to eliminate one server and one workstation, combine their duties and deploy them in the garage (where we need the heat, all things considered). The problem with this is, now I have a server machine that I'm going to be playing mp3s, surfing, and viewing youtubes off of...   that other people are going to need to log into, preferably with GUI support, to move files and make changes (media streaming from the machine is easy-peasy). In an all-windows network, I'd use Remote Desktop Connection to get the functionality I want, but this machine is planned as Ubuntu/64 bit.
So far I've looked at X over TCP, which should be a viable solution. I am, however, very interested in other suggestions.
-No view or change access to user logged in at local console
-Multi-user support, seperate logins
-runs on 100m/full duplex ethernet
-clients for Ubuntu, Win 7, Winxp, Mac OS.
Please advise.
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

...consider me officially pumped for this...



Day....um...

-Logan
--------------------
"If we can't protect the Earth, you can be damn sure we'll avenge it!"
--------------------

Who would want to run a Shard TF?
Not Dr Q (hell no, only did it once and that was a pain in the ass 7 and a half hour grind), but stuff like Sera Moor, Justin Augistine or Faathim the kind.
Any takers?

'Can't stop Laughing' by The Trews
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7dbOAyl0OU&ob=av2n
Here's something funny,
Gone is the one I love,
I've got some money,
I'm hitting Piper's Pub,
Tonight I'll drink until the sun comes up,
'cause I don't care no more,
I'm gonna fill my cup,
Life isn't fair for sure,
It's clear I've had enough.
? I can't stop laughing,
I can't stop laughing
I can't stop laughing,
I'm not even happy.
She said she's had it,
That she was movin' out,
It hit me so hard,
I'm tryin' to drown it out,
Tonight's the night,
I'll dance like no one's watching,
And I'll sing a song,
Like nobody is listening,
'Cause I'm just that drink,
And heartaches's blurred my vision,
Ain't it fun?
?
Where will I go now,
The Life I knew is gone,
Someway and somehow,
We'll all keep moving on (and on and on and on),
Tonight, tonight,
C'mon and set me free from yesterday,
And all it's haunted memories,
But now its closing time,
And I don't wanna leave.
?
?
Power: Everyone in Doug's area of effect can't stop laughing.  Against opponents with voice activated abilities (tech based or spells requiring specific words/phrases) it would be quite useful.  It would probably make it rather difficult to aim as well.
On the other hand, The Joker wouldn't even be slowed down as he's used to fighting while laughing.  May not effect beings without lungs/equivalents.
*************************
'Big in Japan' by Alphaville
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c98qdFQF7sw
Winter city sides
Crystal bits of snow flakes
all around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
That I'd ever find a glimpse
Of summer's heatwaves in your eyes
You did what you did to me
Now it's history I see
Here's my comeback on the road again
Things will happen while they can
I'll wait here for my man tonight
It's easy when you're Big in Japan
Ahh when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan, oh be tight
Big in Japan
Ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan alright
Pay then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh when you're big in Japan tonight
Big in Japan, oh be tight
Big in Japan,
Ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Neon on my naked skin
Passing silhouettes
Of strange illuminated mannequins
Shall I stay here at the zoo
Or should I go and change my point of view
For other ugly scenes
You did what you did to me
Now it's history
ohhhhh... you see
Things will happen while they can
I'll wait here for my man tonight
It's easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan tonight
Big in Japanoh be tight
Big in Japan ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh when you're big in Japan tonight
Big in Japan, oh, be tight
Big in Japan, ooh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan alright
Pay then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Ahh, when you're big in Japan
Ahh when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan oh, be tight
Big in Japan Oh, the easternsea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan, oh, be tight
Big in Japan, ohh, the eastern sea's so blue
Big in Japan, alright
Pay then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan...
Power: Doug grows to Kaiju size (or local equivalent)with proportional strength and durability, but only works if he's in Japan and it doesn't provide additional powers.  In the EVA step he could become EVA/Angel size, but it wouldn't help him neutralize an AT Feild (though his Improability Feild might act like one on defense).
**************************
'Invicible' by Headly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub9RSrVcBvs

Took a long hard look, at my life.
Lost my way, well I was fighting the time.
A big black cloud, stormy sky.
Followed me, while I was living a lie.
So heartless, so selfish, so in darkness, when all your nights are
Starless,
You're running outta hope.
But I found the strength inside to see, found the better part of me,
And I'll never let it go.
I've come a long, long way,
Made a lot of mistakes,
But I'm breathin, breathin, that's right and I mean it, mean it.
This time I'm a little run down, I've been living out loud.
I could beat it, beat it, that's right, 'cause I'm feelin, feelin,
Invincible.
Woah-oh-oh-oh (x3)
[
When you're gone for a day, on your own.
Tear your heart out just to find your way home.
I've been so high, I've sunk so low.
I've come so far, with nothing to show, for it.
Mistaken, I got so good at taking,
But now I'm tired of faking.
This story's getting old.
So I found the strength inside to see, from the better part of me,
And I'll never let it go.
I've come a long, long way,
Made a lot of mistakes,
But I'm breathin, breathin, that's right and I mean it, mean it.
This time I'm a little run down, I've been living out loud.
I could beat it, beat it, that's right, 'cause I'm feelin, feelin,
Invincible.
Woah-oh-oh-oh (x3)
Invincible.
I'm not the only one,
To crash into the sun, and live to fight another day.
Like a super nova, that old life is over.
I'm here to stay.
Now I'm gonna be,
Invincible.
Woah-oh-oh-oh (x3)
Invincible.
I've come a long, long way,
Made a lot of mistakes,
But I'm breathin, breathin, that's right and I mean it, mean it.
This time I'm a little run down, I've been living out loud.
I could beat it, beat it, that's right 'cause I'm feelin, feelin,
Invincible.
Woah-oh-oh-oh (x3)
Invincible.
Woah-oh-oh-oh (x3)
Invincible.
Power: Maybe  not so much a power song as much as a confidence booster for the Children in the EVA step
___________________________
"I've always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific." - George Carlin

For
more then six month it had been a viral thing that had cruised through
the Internet and the Interwave. Six month of videos, messages, blog
posts and tweets about an event that would happen on March 1st 2014,
near Lake Tetzuka in Kandor City.

The City council obviously knew what would happen, but no one had told anything about exactly what would happen.

Slowly
some light had been shed on what would happen. It was going to involve
music. It was going to be a big celebration of music and to a degree of
the Fen. It was going to be a one time thing. The even would be
broadcasted live. On TV. On the ‘net and the ‘wave.

And the most important thing.

It was going to be Epic with a capital E.

And so Fen and ‘Dane found a prepared area near Lake Tezuka that had been off limits for days before the event.

A
large stage, shrouded by dark energy fields and topped by a large
inactive holographic display. Large sound system towers with smaller
hologram projectors to make sure that everyone was going to see what was
going to happen at the stage as if they were standing in front of it.

Everything had been set.

During
the entire March 1st, people had gathered in front of the stage, Fen
and ‘Dane alike, young people and elder ones, men and women, ‘mods and
non-’mods, staring at the large stage, wondering what would happen. And
most importantly when.

It weren’t even few people who had gathered. Later the Kandor PD would speak of at least fifty thousand people.

And
they all had to wait for the artificial night of Kandor City to fall
and Earth to slowly raise above the large stage when the first sounds
could be heard from the massive speakers.

A low drone, combined with the cry of sea gulls, followed by a low drumming, knocking and some people talking.

It
was right then and there that some of the people in the large audience
realized what was happening. Some of then stared at the stage, some
cheered, some cried out.

A long drawn out ‘Hello’ was then followed by a question.

Is anybody out there?

More
people cheered out as the music finally started and the holographic
display awoke to life showing scenes of the daily grind on Earth. People
hastening over crowded streets, traffic jams, traders at the Wall
Street.

Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?
Come on, now,
I hear you're feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again.
Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?

The
scenes on the hologram switched to show a black and white picture a
small boy sitting in front of a TV, the Apollo 11 moon landing playing
out on it.

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child I had a fever
My head felt just like a balloon.

Again
the scenes changed, this time showing two astronauts, John Young and
Robert Crippen, standing in front of the Mission Symbol of STS-1. It
switched to Columbia lifting off the pad, before going through a montage of different Space Shuttle missions.

Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.

More
and more people on front of the stage began to cheer at the still dark
stage, more and more realizing just what they were witnessing.

The scenes from shuttle missions up to docking with the ISS followed through the entire guitar solo.

I have become comfortably numb.

A short section of debris of the Columbia
streaking across the sky followed by more daily grin on Earth followed,
this time with some images of old politicians of all sorts cut in.

O. K.
Just a little pin prick.
There'll be no more AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But you may feel a little sick.
Can you stand up?
I do believe its working. Good.
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go.

The
scenes changed again. Another young boy sat in front of another TV set,
this time with an eposide of the classic Star Trek playing out on it.
Later it was exchanged for Star Wars and Babylon 5, each time with
another boy sitting in front of another TV set.

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown,
The dream has come.

Now the scenes changed to the YouTube video of the SS Uncertainty lifting off.

I have become comfortably numb.

Throughout
the second guitar solo more YouTube videos and other videos followed,
showing the wonders of Fenspace. A Jetta docking with Stellvia, Wave
Convoi waving at the camera, Mal Fnord standing in front of Ptichka while giving an interview, Atlantis docking with the ISS one again, the Toy Box bringing in space debris, Crover’s Corners raising out of the atmosphere.

As
the last notes of the song played, the dark energy field of the stage
lifted and spotlights slowly faded in, illuminating the entire stage and
the people standing on top of it.

Nick
Mason, Roger Waters and David Gilmore smiled down at the audience,
playing the last notes of this version of ‘Comfortably Numb’. The only
one missing was Richard Wright. In his stead TBD played the keyboard.

“Welcome to Pink Floyd’s Side of the Moon!”

----------------------------------------------------------

After
more then three hours of pure Pink Floyd, including full length
performances of ‘Echoes’ and ‘Shine on your Crazy Diamond’, the band
finally stopped.

A
spot illuminated an old radio and Gilmor stepped up towards it, turning
it on, seeming to tune it, while Waters reached for an acoustic guitar.

TBD
stepped back from the keyboard, a holographic image of Richard Wright
flickering to life next to him, only to nod at him and walk to the
keyboard.

On
the opposite side of the stage a holographic image of Syd Barrett
flickered to life, walking up towards the rest of the group.

The audience fell silent as the radio began to play a familiar guitar sound, with Waters slowly joining.

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,

The
holographic display awoke to life again beginning to show a montage of
images, flowing into each other. The first one to be shown was Robert
Heinlein.

Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field

A switch to Isaac Assimov.

From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Do you think you can tell?

Gene Roddenberry

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?

A scene of DeForrest Kelly with Leonard Nimoy as their best known characters, arguing about something.

Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?

A scene of James Doohan knocking his head against a beam from Star Trek V

And cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange

Sir Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi.

A walk on part in the war,
For a lead role in a cage?

Finally
a long switch from image to image, showing lesser and more well known
deceased actors as their parade characters, authors and finally fen.

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

With
the final notes of the song, the lights slowly faded out, leaving the
stage and everyone around in darkness, leaving the entire place in
silence for minutes before a final cheer rose from everyone who had
gathered.
----------------------------------------------------
I thought that I should write this down...
I hope you like it and wonder who would make an acceptable keyboarder to replace Wright for this Great Gig in the Sky...

"And here's a more ambitious scenario of how the crises approaching as the clock counts down at the end of Bob Schroeck's IST 1990's timeline might play out:" http://forums.sjgames.com/showpost.php? ... stcount=51]%[link=http://forums.sjgames.com/showpost.php?p=1260806&postcount=51]http://forums.sjgames.com/showpost.php? ... stcount=51]
--
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

I ran across this under the google search box, and thought it was something that needed to be shared, if anyone hadn't heard about this yet.  I think it has some interesting potential, as opening up the floor for public suggestions for experiments to be done in space has never been attempted before, in all the history of space travel.
Seriously though, some of the comments kinda scare/depress me.  For example:

Quote:TheAmanda4life wrote:

---

 what if they could bring a star back from space and use it as light to save electricity? the only ting im concerned about is when the stars life runs out and the star explodes. but it would be awesome to have a star as a? nightlight!!!