Month: October 2008

November 2008 “Happy Birthday” Thread

11-09 Phoebe’s birthday (1993)
11-12 lifewithoutanipod’s birthday (1993 – black or very dark green)
11-16 Kiwimuncher’s birthday (19__? – green)
11-18 Cello-Playing Mathematician birthday (1993 – violet)
11-24 peary moppins’s birthday (1997 – blue)
11-26 kt the gr8’s birthday (year? – green)
11-27 Purple Panda’s birthday (1991 – purple)
11-27 Birthday of Vixen in the Eyes of the Moon (1992 – ruby red)
11-27 curious and questioning’s birthday (1993 – green)
11-27 Cinnamon Moon’s birthday (1994 – yellow)

You turn 5,000 days old this month if you were born between February 24 and March 25, 1995.
You turn 6,000 days old this month if you were born between May 30 and June 28, 1992.

*Note: Listed MBers who have been inactive for several months won’t appear on next year’s birthday calendar unless they show up again.

O Canada!

By request of Kagcomix, a thread about Canada. About time, eh?

By request of Kagcomix, a thread about Canada. About time, eh?

Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Our Reclusive Gardens, Part 2

This online daydream started with a comment by oxlin:

Bah. I’m sick of society. I want to go live in a shack somewhere with Teal and not pollute and eat mushrooms and herbs we gather and carrots we grow and draw and write and be happy.

Where would you rather be right now?

Continued from Part One.

MuseBlog Chess, v. 4

Most games on previous chess threads have gone inactive. We’ll move those still in progress to this thread to keep them visible.

Board 1: The Bookworm (White) vs. earthgirl Robert (Black)
###pgn###
1. d4 g5
2. e3 h6
3. c3 Nc6
4. g3 Bg7
5. a3 d5
6. Nf3 Nf6
7. Bd2 a6
8. Bd3 Bh3
9. Bf1 Bxf1
10. Rxf1 Qd7
%%%pgn%%%

——————————
Board 2: bookgirl_me (White) vs. Robert (Black)
###pgn###
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nc3 Nc6
4. d3 Bb4
5. Bd2 d6
6. a3 Bc5
7. Be2 Nd4
8. O-O 0-0
9. Be3 Nxf3+
10. Bxf3 Bxe3
11. f2xe3 c6
12. d4 Re8
13. d4xe5 d6xe5
14. Qd3 Ng4
15. h3 Qxd3
16. c2xd3 Nxe3
17. f1e1 Nc2
18. Ra1c1 Nxe1
19. Rxe1 Rd8
20. Bg4 Bxg4
21. h3xg4 Rxd3
22. Rd1 Rxd1+
23. Nxd1 Rd8
24. Ne3 Rd4
%%%pgn%%%

——————————
Board 3: SyllabubSequoia (White) vs. Logogeo96 Cromwell(OB2012) (Black)
###pgn###
1. Nh3 d5
2. a4 e5
3. Nc3 c6
4. g4 f6
5. e3 Be6
6. Bg2 Bd6
7. f3 g5
8. Ra3 f5
9. Nxg5 Bxa3
10. b2xa3 Qxg5
11. Bh3 Qh4+
12. Ke2 Qxh3
13. Qf1 f5xg4
14. f3xg4 Qxg4+
15. Ke1 Nf6
16. Qxf6 Rf8
17. Qxe5 Nd7
18. Qd6 Bf7
19. d4 Bg6
20. Nd1 Qg2
21. Nf2 Qxf2+
22. Kd1 Qxc2+
23. Ke1 Qxc1+
24. Ke2 Qc2+
25. Ke1 Bd3
26. Qe6+ Kd8
27. Qg4 Rg8
28. Qxg8+ Kc7
29. Qg3+ Ne5
30. Qxe5+ Kd7
31. Qg7+
%%%pgn%%%

——————————
Board 4: Raynpho (White) vs. LadyGaladrielRoseQuartz (Black)

###pgn###
1. e4 c6
2. Bc4 g6
3. Qf3 Nf6
4. Nc3 Nxe4
5. Qxe4 d5
6. Bxd5 c6xd5
7. Qxd5 Qxd5
8. Nxd5 g5
9. Nf3
%%%pgn%%%
——————————

Board 5: Cello-Playing Mathematician (White) vs. Errata (Black)

###pgn###
%%%pgn%%%
——————————

Board 6: Enceladus (White) vs. Sequoia (Black)

###pgn###
1. e4
%%%pgn%%%
——————————

(For reference, the squares are coded like this:)

BLACK

a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8
a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 b6 c6 c6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1

WHITE

Muse Academy Halloween Ball, 2008

The sun has set, the candles are lit. A foggy mist rises mysteriously from the ground. Eerie sounds and creepy music float out from the ballroom to greet the MuseBloggers as they arrive….

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please check your posts before sending them. The GAPAs will NOT rescue you if you accidentally submit under your “real” blogname here or your “masked” name elsewhere.

The description below is copied from Raynpho’s summary on the planning thread. If anyone has anything to add or correct, please let us know.

Who: Any MuseBloggers who wish to participate, but costumed and posting under corresponding alter-egoed names. You may send in a picture of your costume to the GAPAs, but detailed descriptions would work just as well.

When: Starts October 13, unmasking will begin around the 29th and progress over several days.

Where: On the Halloween ball thread. On MuseBlog. In Muse Academy, of course, possibly in a rooftop garden, if the weather is warm enough to permit it.

Food and Decor: Appropriate food, such as eclairs and apple cider (see a much more detailed list in comment 13) will be catered by H&H. Decorations will be tasteful and elegant, probably 19th century style, with not a shred of plastic or crepe paper in sight. Typical decor will include jack-o-lanterns and many candles. A giant pumpkin with the Muse Academy logo carved into it is essential.

The Going-ons: As of yet undecided. Possibly a scavenger hunt, if it is, in some way, feasible. Probably will end up fairly calm, with sophistication at every turn and minimal craziness/wild adventures.

Important: No bunnies. You may dress as one if you so wish, but no bunny attacks or the sort. Srsly.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please check your posts before sending them. The GAPAs will NOT rescue you if you accidentally submit a comment under your “real” blogname here or your “masked” name elsewhere.

Election Countdown 2008

This conversation was taking over the Welcome, Neophytes thread, so we’re moving it to a home of its own. See inside for the comments from the other thread.

Here’s the conversation from the Welcome thread:

152. ⚡☽Luna the Lovely☾⚡ (7 Potterpoints!) | October 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

150, 151–i understand you guys aren’t fond of Palin for whatever reasons, but as governor, at least, she really hasn’t been bad. Overall, she has been a pretty good governor. Admittedly, I don’t know that she would make a good VP–I don’t really think she has any national experience to speak of. But as far as AK goes, she really hasn’t been a bad governor.

153. Armada (17 piepoints) | October 11th, 2008 at 5:56 pm

152-You have a point. But she’s a Republican. I don’t think we need all that much of an additional reason to not like her.
Hey, you’re eighteen, aren’t you? Who’re you voting for? Sorry, maybe that’s too personal a question, but you’re a Democrat, aren’t you?
Now that I’ve said this, you’re probably seventeen. What the heck. Sorry.
This discussion should probably move to the Hot Topics thread.

154. ⚡☽Luna the Lovely☾⚡ (7 Potterpoints!) | October 11th, 2008 at 7:02 pm

153–Yes, I’m 18. As far as whom I’m voting for, and whether I’m a Democrat….well, to the latter, I really don’t know what I would classify as. I honestly don’t really think of myself in terms of Republican/Democrat, when I registered to vote, I registered as undeclared, although undecided might have been closer to the truth. My family is definitely Republican (not that they wouldn’t ever vote for a Democrat, but they tend to be pro-Republican)….

Honestly, I don’t like either of the candidates. However, from what I’ve heard (admittedly, mainly from my parents/sister/grandmother) McCain seems like the lesser of two evils. But like I said, I don’t think I like either. But I will probably end up voting for McCain. *dodges rocks thrown by the bulk of MBers* Sorry, I know most (many) of you are democratic leaning, but…..

As far as disliking Palin just because she’s a republican, well to me that seems just as bad as the people who completely dislike/will never vote for someone just because they’re democratic. For me, I think it would be more based on individual policies, rather than solely on a person’s political leanings. but, to each one’s own.

Sorry, luv, I know that’s probably not the answer you were hoping for.

155. YodaShmoda | October 11th, 2008 at 7:16 pm

154- i sooo agree with you. i’ve kinda been thinking that maybe McCain might be a bit better but just for like one term. of course i cant vote so that’s just an opinion that will never be voiced.
which reminds me… has anyone seen the play VOTE? i watched it with my QuEST group (don’t ask) it was really good, somtimes it was sorat chessey but mainly it talked about how important it is to vote. The girl gets sent bact to during the Reveloutionary times when no one votes then to the womans sufferage when woman couldn’t vote then to MLK times when technicaly blacks could vote but people made it hard for them to do so and then to the Vietnam war era when 18 year olds wre sent to war without a choie and they couldn’t even voice their opinions about the war because they vote, but so anyways it was really really really good.
but if i could vote i would vote for Kokopelli!

156. YodaShmoda | October 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

can i start by saying that sorry bout the last post and the many spelling erroers and that i meant in the theird to last line “they couldn’t even voice their opinions about the war because they couldn’t vote” pay most attention the the added couldn’t.
and also i have a neopyteish question. Is there a poetry thread? and if so how do i find it?

157. Armada (17 piepoints) | October 11th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

154-Oh. Hmph. I suppose that’s true (about Palin), but how is McCain the lesser of two evils? If I was undecided, I would probably vote for Obama, because he’s more concerned about the enviroment (that’s what I’ve heard, anyway), and– you’re probably going to not agree with me on this– he’s black. I know you’re probably going to give me a lecture about how it’s not a good idea to vote for someone based on what gender or color they are, but, since I’m democratically inclined anyway, I think it’s awesome that there’s finally a black candidate running.
Though, if Hilary hadn’t lost, I would have been torn.
Not that my opinion matters anyway. Yet, that is.

*coughcoughhottopicthreadNOWcough*

158. YodaShmoda | October 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

can i start by saying that sorry bout the last post and the many spelling erroers and that i meant in the theird to last line “they couldn’t even voice their opinions about the war because they couldn’t vote” pay most attention the the added couldn’t.

159. The Man For Aeiou | October 11th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

154- She sounds more idiotic then Bush

Robert’s Time Capsule: Children’s Theater

When GAPA Robert Coontz was Muser-age, he acted in a couple of plays with the Children’s Theater of Arlington (next door to his home town of Alexandria, Virginia) and worked as a stage hand for various children’s and adult shows. He’s still in touch with some of his fellow actors, including the mother and aunt of new MuseBlogger Ham.

Pictures after the jump.

When GAPA Robert Coontz was Muser-age, he acted in a couple of plays with the Children’s Theater of Arlington (next door to his home town of Alexandria, Virginia) and worked as a stage hand for various children’s and adult shows. He’s still in touch with some of his fellow actors, including the mother and aunt of new MuseBlogger Ham.

A few photos from that era:

Robert (second from left) played the Tortoise in “The Great Cross-Country Race,” a retelling of the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Ham’s mother (second from right) is practically invisible in this photo in her role as an all-black bird, a rook. Ham’s Aunt Diana worked on the costume crew and made the Tortoise’s shell, which was even more uncomfortable than it looks.

——————————

Ham’s mother, center, looking pert in “Rumpelstiltskin.”

——————————

Ham’s Aunt Caroline, kneeling at center, in “The Prince and the Pauper.” Caroline excelled in emotional roles and got to plead and cry a lot.

Welcome, Neophytes! (October 2008 edition)

A neophyte is a fancy word for a newcomer. If you’ve just arrived on the blog, MuseBloggers on this thread will welcome you with pies (momentarily) in hand and help you find your way around.

Please read The Rules. You might also glance at The HG2MB (Hitchhiker’s Guide to MuseBlog), which contains helpful hints regarding local customs, lingo, and other peculiarities of the blog; smiley information included.

Don’t Forget These Threads (October 2008 edition)

Help others navigate the blog by signposting your favorite threads here, when they’ve scrolled off the main page. As always, we start this thread anew from scratch every month.

(Note: Please include the URL (Web address) with your requests. It also helps if you limit your requests to a few at a time, four or five at the most.)

Current categories:

ADVENTURES IN THE MUSIVERSE
Pieceful Pie Planet (IBCF)
Ships’ Logs: Beyond Museica (IBCF, kiwimuncher)
Muse Academy Student Lounge (vaxiddxvii)
Muse Academy Halloween Ball Planning Thread (vaxiddxvii)
Muse Scouts (Zinc the sorceress)
“Mostly Harmless” Theme Park (Zinc the sorceress)

LIFE BEYOND THE VIRTUAL DIVIDE
College/University/Higher Education (Axa)

SILLY FUN
Off with their Heads! (IBCF)
Stupid Senseless Smiley Stories [SSSS] (IBCF, Midnight Fiddler)
Round-Robin Smileys (Zinc the sorceress)
Alter Ego Thread (Piggy)
The Polling Place (kiwimuncher)
Let’s Get Physiognomical (Armada)

DAYDREAMS
Our Reclusive Gardens (kiwimuncher)

ROLE-PLAYING GAMES
World of Piecraft (kiwimuncher)
Muse Academy RPG (IBCF)
RPG Alternative (Zinc the Sorceress)

WRITING – RRRs
Sea Roc (kiwimuncher)
Alchemy (kiwimuncher)
Etheterre (kiwimuncher)

WRITING – ASSORTED OTHER
Theme with Variations (Vixen in the Eyes of the Moon)
Muse FanFiction (muselover)

OTHER THINGS WE LIKE
History (Purple Panda, Midnight Fiddler)
Visual Arts (Purple Panda)
Chess Lesson (Purple Panda)
Harry Potter Trivia-Off (Luna the Lovely)
Music (Midnight Fiddler)
Song Lyrics (Midnight Fiddler)
Books and Reading (Syllabub)
Coy Woodnesse (kiwimuncher)
Cooking and Food (Taiwan Hippo Fan)

USEFUL ITEMS
Suggestion Box
Last Month’s DFTT
HG2MB v.2008.1