MuseBlog

A thread whereon MuseBloggers can guess what other MBers look like, continued from 2008.1.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Friday, November 21, 2008*

Further information about creating and sending signatures can be found on the previous thread.

*By that we mean, if your signature is in the Inbox when we wake up the morning of the 22nd, you’re in. For snail mail participants, we’ll accept them if postmarked by the 21st, but let us know to expect it.

Signatures we’ve received:

Adeia
Agrrrfishi
AJAR
Armada
AthenianPsycho
Beavo
Bookworm
Brendan
Cinnamoon
Cliff Eagle
earthgirl
Eccentric the Afterthought
Gimanator
groundhog22
IBCF
Kagcomix
Kari
kiwimuncher
Kokonilly
LadyG
Leafygreen
Logogeo96
Luna the Lovely
marfwarrior
Midnight Fiddler
Nora the Violist
Piggy
Purple Panda
Queen Francois
Raynpho
Red-tailed HAWK
speller73
Syllabub
Tesseract
The Guy Your Parents Warned You About
TNÖ
Vendaval
Zinc the sorceress
ZVX

The following have requested we use their previous signature unless they change their minds:

Alice
Cat’s Meow
Jadestone
Kiki the Great
oxlin
Taiwan Hippo Fan

Waiting for:

AvalonGirl
the mole

Many, though not all, of the signatures can be seen in one of my Photobucket albums. It’s not a public album, but guests should be able to log in with the following password: woodnesse

There is something so haunting about heading into the third monthly random thread….

(Users’ Manual: Obey The Rules. Consult The Guide. Have fun!)

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.

The truth is out there…the Kokonspiracy lights our way into the second installment of the October random thread.

(Users’ Manual: Obey The Rules. Consult The Guide. Have fun!)

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

= NaNo BrainStorming = generating ideas for NaNoWriMo = National Novel-Writing Month, which takes place in November and will have to be described on the thread.

As the monthly Random Thread for September continues, let’s not forget where you’re really getting your education. (Feel free to download the image to put on notebooks and such.)

(Users’ Manual: Obey The Rules. Consult The Guide. Have fun!)

Yet another installment of this ever popular pastime. The Big Idea: Post under a false name, and try to guess who other posters are.

Continued from v. 2008.6.

NOTE: Check your posts before sending them. The Administrators will not rescue you if you accidentally submit one under your “real” blogname. Many an alter ego has fallen victim to a careless “submit” click.

A thread on which Musers who have written, are writing, or want to write books can bounce ideas off others who share that interest.

Continued from v. 2008.2

Need help? Comfort? A place to vent? Find relief here.

Known Muser birthdays this month:*

09-02 Der Wachtelschlag’s/Queen Julietaini’s birthday (1993 – orange)
09-02 Loupgarou’s birthday (1991 – blue, purple, or green)
09-09 jammin j’s birthday (1993 – green)
09-15 The Man For Aeiou’s birthday (1995 – Muse Shirts)
09-17 rachael’s birthday (1993 – yellow)
09-17 eragon’s birthday (1997 – blue/rainbow)
09-18 Sweet Melpomene’s birthday (1990 – black-and-white)
09-19 The Bookworm’s birthday (1995 – green, purple, blue, silver)
09-19 marfwarrior’s birthday (1995 – green, with multicolored flecks)
09-24 Zinc the Sorceress’s birthday (1997 – any green except vomit)
09-25 Lioness’s birthday (1995)
09-28 Dracasting’s birthday (1993 – green or purple)

You turn 5,000 days old this month if you were born between December 25, 1994 and January 23, 1995.
You turn 6,000 days old this month if you were born between March 30 and April 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.

Unlike the random thread, this discussion thread stays on topic until the topic changes.

Newcomers should read The Rules and The Guide before plunging in.

Current topic: Travel
Gardens

“Neophyte” comes from Greek roots meaning “newly planted.” If you’ve landed on the blog and think you might want to put down roots here, stop in for a friendly welcome and some helpful tips from those already here.

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.

Attention, non-neophytes! Please don’t fill this thread with non-neophytic chatter. If there’s no one around to welcome, there are plenty of other places where you can post.

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
Ships’ Logs (IBCF, kiwimuncher)
Pieceful Pie Planet (IBCF)
Muse Academy Student Lounge (Piggy)
Muse Scouts (Zinc the sorceress, Leafygreen)
Muse Academy (Zinc the sorceress, Leafygreen)

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

SILLY FUN
Off with their Heads! (IBCF)
Stupid Senseless Smiley Stories [SSSS] (IBCF)
Polling Place (kiwimuncher
Coy Woodnesse (kiwimuncher)
Harry Potter Trivia-Off (Luna the Lovely, Taiwan Hippo Fan)
BA: The Next Generation (Zinc the sorceress, Leafygreen)
You Know You’re Addicted to X When You Y (Rainbowstar)
Dissing Mr. Joe (Rainbowstar)

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

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

OTHER THINGS WE LIKE
History (Purple Panda)
Visual Arts (Purple Panda, Taiwan Hippo Fan)
Chess Lesson (Purple Panda)
MuseBlog Chess v.3 (Piggy)
Cooking and Food (Taiwan Hippo Fan)
Soccer and Cryptids (Cat’s Meow)
Music (Midnight Fiddler)
Song Lyrics (Midnight Fiddler)

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

The discussion that started on Bunny Apocalypse (we think) and has been wandering about the blog may reconvene here. Once you’ve figured out what you want to do, we can tweak the title and this description as necessary.

The Rules:

~No characters, powers or technology that don’t fit the setting or plot line. Technology: Almost anything steam-powered goes, but analog computers are stretching it. Powers: Please, no magic. Characters: For cryin’ out loud, no ninjas (although pirates are acceptable) or time-travelers from the future. Or aliens. Normal, vaguely European-colonial (or vaguely African, if you decide to play one of the Forest People) human beings.
~No power-playing. Everybody can control non-player characters, but you cannot control other players’ characters.

Continued from Part the Eighth.

Map by Red-tailed HAWK (click to see larger image):

The final installment of the August random thread has been cooling on the window ledge a little longer than usual, but we trust there are a few pies left to fill out the month.

Continued from Part 2.

(Users’ Manual: Obey The Rules. Consult The Guide. Have fun!)

Before the discussion takes over the Romance and Relationships thread, we should move our little idyll to its own thread.

We started with oxlin’s comment:

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.

Here’s how to participate:

1. Create your signature, using whatever “natural” or digital media you like.
2. Scan the results, if necessary (preferably at 200 or 300 dpi) A digital photo might work, also, if you have a steady hand.
3. Send by email to gapa @ musefanpage.com (except without the spaces)
OR if you have no way of scanning your signature, you may send it by U.S. mail to: Rebecca Lasley c/o P. O. Box 3, Jamestown NC 27282.

For those of you who email us PLEASE USE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT IN YOUR SUBJECT LINE, i.e., “Rebecca’s signature.” Avoid generic phrases like “my signature” and such.

ONE signature per MuseBlogger, please.

We have not established a deadline yet. Best guess based on current data is that it will be sometime in September.

No last names on the signatures, please–blognames and/or first name plus last initial only. Plain or embellished, as you prefer. Take a look at the previous edition to get the idea.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

LINE WIDTH: the graphics will print best if the lines are not too thin or light. For drawing with natural media, something at least as thick as a “fine” Sharpie (not “ultra fine”) is perfect, though you may have to write larger letters than you’re used to. Pencil and fine point pens will simply get lost, especially when reduced to fit on items smaller than shirts. For digital drawing, use a brush that is at least 5 pixels, 10 or more is better, for those programs which allow you to specify (medium or large on MS Paint).

SIZE: make it big. Probably bigger than you think. There are so many variables, it’s hard to be specific, but if the file size is smaller than 80k, it’s likely too small. Most of those that proved easiest to work with last time ran from 150k up to 1 MB. No one has ever sent anything too big. It’s much easier for us to reduce a graphic cleanly than it is to enlarge one that is too small.

If you can, print a hard copy at 200 dpi or higher to see how it looks. Most signatures should print out to at least a couple of inches wide and no less than half an inch in height. Do not judge size by what you see onscreen.
Onscreen appearance can be very misleading.

FILE FORMAT: Most any graphic programs will support the following: JPG, BMP, PNG, or GIF. (When you save the file, look for “save as” or “export” in the file menu). Some allow TIF. Rebecca has Photoshop CS2, Adobe Illustrator CS2, InDesign CS2, CorelDraw suite X3, Corel Painter IX, and Paint Shop Pro XI, among other things, so you can send a file in their native formats. PDFs are also fine. Ask if you have something else. (If at all possible, avoid MS Word and AppleWorks. Their results are unpredictable.)

IF THESE INSTRUCTIONS DON’T MAKE SENSE TO YOU, DON’T WORRY. Just do what you can and send it in. We’ve learned a trick or two since last time and will find a way to make it work.

In general, keep your designs bold and simple. Don’t let details get too fine. DO NOT add tag phrases longer than a word or two. They simply will not show up.

Previous Participants: You may send in a new design or request to reuse your old one. Just let us know if you want to be included.

Continued from Part 4.

*Round Robin ‘Riting

Continued from Books and Reading, 2008, Part 2.

Last month conversation at the H&H turned to the subject of creative alphabets and shorthand techniques. Do you use special symbols or abbreviations when you take notes? We’ll extend the question to include alphabets, invented languages, or any idiosyncratic note-taking habits.

To start off, here’s a shorthand system created by Nora the Violist.