Dark_Respite

Mine aren't necessarily related to the NPCs, although they do weave through their storylines. (Some were the inspirations for my characters to become heroes or villains, others helped shape their powers, etc.) In one notable character (and fanfic) instance, said character is now dating Positron in a rather awkward, geeky, nerd-flirting relationship. On the flipside, one of my villains has a major hate-on for Arachnos and has every intention of making Ghost Widow wish she were actually DEAD.

And as for making them related, you never know - second cousins? Foster child? Genetic sample stolen by a villain that led to your character? There are possibilities...

Good luck!

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

For those who have expressed interest in donations or charity in Brian Wood's name, one has been created (and my initial post modified to reflect that). You can find it here:

http://www.brianwoodmemorialtrust.com/

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

When I tried it with my Mercs/TA MM, I had a split second to go "oh CRAP" as the hail of debuffing arrows and gunfire came my way. Not a pleasant experience.

So I tried it with my bots/dark MM... an unfortunately similar experience. So next time I will take several friends in with me.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

If I might ask, what are the odds for revamping some of the oldest pieces that still remain quite popular? That way we'd get the best of both worlds...

Otherwise, I vote option 1.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Hmmmm... do I show up with my party animal character, or with my videographer to cover this event? Decisions, decisions...

But chance at the party pack? Oh yeah, I am there.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Rather than let this devolve into a "was he heroic or not", can we simply agree to mourn the untimely passing of a young man, who has left behind a wife and unborn child, and who died because of someone else's drug use?

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Add my voice to the chorus of "spread your meals throughout the day." It keeps your metabolism higher-revved than one big meal all at once (believe me, I'm the same way). And look at the 4000 calories you're eating - are they mostly carbs? Proteins? Fats?

I also agree on the walking laps in the pool, or even if you do the hang-on-the-edge-and-kick-your-legs thing for a while (or else drape your arms on the edge of the pool like the back of a couch and bicycle-pedal). The buoyancy of the water takes some of the strain off your joints and muscles.

I'd also recommend isometrics to try and help build up some muscle tone - doesn't have to be a complicated regime, just focus on the large groups and go from there.

That you drink milk and water is a help - however, if you drink whole milk, I'd recommend dropping to 1-2%.

Start taking a good multi-vitamin. Cannot stress that one enough. Your doctor or pharmacist can make a recommendation for you.

Barring medical supervision, at MOST you want to lose 1-2 lbs a week (AT MOST). At first you may lose more, mostly because it's water weight or detox. Do not try and do more than that - it can be a horrible shock to your body.

One thing I'd like to suggest from when I was on my doctor-monitored diet - if I was absolutely craving food between meals, she had me drink a cup of chicken bouillion. A little salt and flavor to feel like I'd gotten something into my system. I kept a jar of bouillion cubes in my cubby at work, and would go nuke water in the microwave, toss one in, let it dissolve, and slowly sip it for a few minutes. Food cravings were usually lessened and I could make it until lunch. I'd usually also have a glass of ice water right afterward.

Oh yeah, one other thing - in addition to tracking your weight, measure yourself. You might not see pounds come off, but when your waistline or neck size drops, you will be reassured that the weight is coming off.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Scrappers - "Flash of the Blade" by Iron Maiden
Blasters - "Click Click Boom" by Saliva
Masterminds - "Master of Puppets" by Metallica

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

As an update, I've tried to find any mention of possible donations/charities specified by Brian's family, but not found anything yet.

However, updated news reports have confirmed that Erin Wood and the baby are both out of danger.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Company of Heroes Designer Dies Protecting Pregnant Wife

I know it's theoretically one of Those Topics, but it just deserved to be mentioned - that in his last moments, a man willingly put his life between an out of control car and his wife and unborn baby. If that's not heroism, I don't know what is.

EDIT: Some folks have asked if there is a charity or donation fund. One has been created, and can be found here.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Hippo birdie two ewe!

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Oh please tell me it's a return to the best love story in the COH-verse.

"Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it a little while."

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

In the middle of some amazingly awesome event that I'm filming, John will abruptly hear me scream:

"NO NO NO TURN OFF THE COSTUME CODE NONONONONONONO-"

Followed promptly by a string of profanity that I could bottle and sell to construction crews for stripping paint off walls.

On other occasions where I am filming (especially when the devs/mods are involved and ESPECIALLY if Positron is there)...

"Don't you dare turn off my Flight... no, Posi, don't... I need to be up here to film... MATT I'M GOING TO GET KILLED IF I FALL, DON'T TURN OFF POWERS-"

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

If WW and/or Apex finally got their own TF, I call dibs on making the teaser trailer to get people stoked for it. I've even got the music.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

A guy I'd seen created a remarkably good rendition of Winnie the Pooh as a SS/Inv tank, called the Poohgilist.

Then there was the guy who had an absolutely GODAWFUL costume, can't remember his powers, but his name was My Wife Dresses Me.

A friend of my husband created a character in green and white, called Green Arrow White Dot... because that's what she looks like on the map.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Okay, I was wrong... I will not able to get this thing done by August 31st... mainly because I FINALLY seem to be attracting attention from recruiters and employers, and have been heading out for interviews and meetings and phone conferences and whatnot.

But I am TRYING to get it done, I swear. I want to impress everyone with this thing, including myself.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

That defeat animation has so many possibilities in videos... now if I could just design Revenant...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Excellent suggestion. Steelclaw, we are awaiting your next selection on the jukebox.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

In light of the success of the revamped Positron's Task Force and the Maria Jenkins arc (not to mention the awesomeness that are the Praetorian arcs), it's clear that the new writing team of Dr. Aeon and Protean is on its A game. And between that and the spiffy new mechanics that were developed in I-17 for the new arcs (Nance/Adair and Dean/Leonard), it raises a question...

What arcs would you like to see redone? (To that end, I'm asking for specific TFs or story arcs, not the individual filler missions that a contact might give you while you wait for the story arc's next mission.)

Some of mine:

1) The Citadel Task Force. Please, God, please - someone turn these two loose on the Citadel Task Force. Make it something other than "Go. Hunt. Kill Council."

2) The Vanguard arcs, including the Lady Grey Task Force. I have to clarify this one - most of the arcs are okay. The LGTF is awesome. But I think they could take it to true greatness.

3) Daedalus and Sister Airlia's arcs. It breaks the heart - there was so much potential there and yet... nothing.

*****

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite