The Fandom High Times, Volume 6, Second Edition
SPOTLIGHT ON POLITICS
by Dolf Wega
I was planning to write this article about Turtle & Canary's monopolizing habits in the Fandom market this week. But that is not what this article will be about. This article will be about kids.
We were all confronted with kids last weekend when they came to us out of nowhere. Some of them were strange and we didn't know how they could have happened, but they were there. I had two, their names were Sjoerd and Femke. They looked like they were taken care of well.
I have taken care of kids before a long time ago. I was in the past: the year 1212. In the past, kids did not get to run around yelling for pancakes or putting paint on each other's faces or throwing snowballs without caring about anything else. Kids were just little grown-ups who couldn't do as much. They were pushed to work as soon as they could, they got hurt, they got married off, they were left in corners hungry. Nobody cared.
It is still that way in some places. Like Sudan and Pakistan. Like Haiti and India.
My kids back then learned to walk in freedom and be strong, and they never complained. If they were attacked, they fought back. If they were hungry, they went out and caught fish. If they were cold, they built fires and crawled up together. Kids can bounce back from a lot, but they have to get a chance.
So for our kids that came and went, I think we should all think a little about other kids who don't have it that well. Some of your worlds must have problems with them too; look after them. Think about them for a minute. Pay a little money to some charity this once. Kids are important. We should do more for the ones we don't know, too.
Steve Quaker vs. The Earth
by: Ellie Bartowski
For those looking for a funny, well written film with dazzling special effects, Steve Quaker vs. The Earth is a must see. It's the story of a Canadian twenty something musician, Steve Quaker, who can't seem to figure out his love life or his life in general. When he falls for the mysterious girl of his dreams, that's when his life is turned upside down, sometimes literally. Unfortunately for him, her evil exes want to destroy him, video game style. He must defeat them in order to win her heart. Oh, and maybe win a battle of the bands and figure out his direction in life while he's at it.
This film has a lot to offer. For those looking for great performances, there are many. From the two main characters to the evil exes, some of whom are terrific scene stealers, to some of the smaller roles, they all bring something to the table. For those who enjoy special effects, there is very little to be disappointed about. The mix of astonishing video game visuals as well as old school one-ups and coins fit well in the Steve Quaker universe. The script, based on the graphic novel series, is well defined, wonderfully bringing these characters to life. All of these aspects combine to make a fun and charming film. One does not have to be a gamer to enjoy it.
Though it didn't achieve box office success, this is sure to be a cult favorite for many years to come.
My grade: A
THE DARLING REPORT
by Juliet & Jeremy Darling
We aren't sure why you're even reading this when there is important spring break packing and pre-tanning to do! Don't forget -- stop by the Ritz and get a massage from Kamaka if you have the chance. She has the best fingers on the island.
Anyhow, the big chat on the island was the V-day dance and the kids who showed up right after. We missed out on kids, but we totally got to scope out all the hotness at the dance. Up for cutest couple: Raven & Jono, Alex Karev & Effy, Emma & Peter, Rilla & William and -- for the old folks -- Mr, Fraser and his wife Robin, plus lots of hot single people.
We had midterms this week, but was anybody really paying attention between the kids and the vacation next week?
In celebrity news, Paris Hilton turned the big 3-0 this week! Happy birthday to a total inspiration. Another true pioneer, Lady Gaga, released a brand new song. It's way better than that new Britney Spears one, but I'll still be dancing when "Hold it Against Me" comes on.
And speaking of Gaga, she arrived at the Grammys last week in an egg. Couple that with the meat dress she wore to the VMAs last year and she's got herself a hearty breakfast! Don't tell anyone, but we are kind of glad no one took her example when staging their arrival at our very own dance.
That is it for this week. Until next time, aloha!
Everyone has a week of sun and sand and sea ahead of them with Spring Break next week, but the future holds so much more! Find your horoscope and dive into the excitement ahead! Enjoy! <3, Ariel
ARIES (March 21 - April 19) (NEW DATES: April 18-May 13)
You are on fire, Aries! Not literally, but a good jump in the water will cool you off a little, too. Just make sure to look before you leap, or else you'll be likely to get a sea urchin in your butt! I know it's hard to rein it in when you've got a good momentum, but there's always time to slow it down and do it right!
TAURUS (April 20- May 20) (NEW DATES: May 13-June 21.)
You're a big strong bull, Taurus, but sometimes it's important to show a softer side. No one likes someone who's just always a big BULL-y, so make sure to do something really nice for someone this week!
There was also a lot in the charts about twinkling stars, like a crown or something, so I think you should also have a starlit dinner with the king or queen of your heart, Taurus.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) (NEW DATES: June 21-July 20)
Feelings a little flighty this week, Gemini? Don't let the excitement of all sorts of new holiday stuff get you feeling all out of sorts. Write it down, maybe, and get yourself a nice organized agenda so you don't miss a thing! This week is all about enjoying yourself, but you won't be too happy if you wound up missing something good or, even worse!, forgetting someone!
CANCER (June 21 - July 22) (NEW DATES: July 20-Aug. 10)
I think I know what's gotten under your shell, Cancer. You've been feeling a little lonely lately, haven't you? Whatever you do, don't let it get you down! A smile's your best feature, and you never know who might be falling in love when they see it. No one falls in love with a frown. Okay, maybe some people do, but not as many. Try turning that frown upside down and get out there and charm the pants off some people. Literally or figuratively, it's your choice!
LEO (July 23- August 22) (NEW DATES: Aug. 10-Sept. 16)
Whoa there, Leo! What are you, a mighty lion, or a drama llama? The world can be a difficult place sometime, but if you put on the dramatics too much this week, you're going to annoy a lot of people who want to have fun in the sun! You should follow their example, let go, and enjoy things for a while. Not everything has to be so serious. If you need to, find someone to just talk it out of your system, and then leave it there!
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22) (NEW DATES: Sept. 16-Oct. 30)
Let me guess, Virgo: you've got an agenda all set up for the trip, but you know something? You might as well just throw that right out the window. Things probably aren't going to go the way you expect them, too, and you've got two options: let it rain on your parade because all your carefully laid plans are ruined, or you can just lay back, ride the breeze, and see where it takes you! For the record, I'm all for the second option!
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22) (NEW DATES: Oct. 30-Nov. 23)
Libra, you're always the lucky one; everything seems in balance for you this week, and there's smooth sailing ahead! That's good, since we'll all be in the same boat! And it might be nice to enjoy the comfy ride, but don't let yourself get too comfortable. This is the perfect time to finally make a big decision in your life, when there's not too much else to get in the way.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21) (NEW DATES: Nov. 23-29)
Feeling a bit jealous this week, Scorpio? I hope it's not because you can't make it on the trip and everyone else can! I Or maybe it's someone you've got your eye on that only seems to have eyes for other people. Either way, let it go, man. Just let it go. I know it's cliched, but if you let it go, and it's meant to be, it'll come back to you. And if not, guess what? There's probably something better out there for you, anyway. You just have to go out there and find it!
NEW SIGN! OPHIUCHUS (Nov. 29-Dec. 17)
There's a tough decision ahead of you, Ophiuchus, and it isn't going to be easy, but you're strong, and the people you care for are strong, so whatever choice you make, everyone will be able to shoulder through it and be happier in the end. So go with your gut, go with what really feels right, and you won't have any regrets. No one likes regrets!
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21) (NEW DATES: Dec. 17-Jan. 20)
Sagittarius, your optimism and cheerfulness will serve you well this week! Keep it up, and you'll have a really great reward headed your way. That's not too bad of a deal; just smile and reap the benefits and kick negativity straight to the curb!
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19) (NEW DATES: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.)
You're a hard worker, Capricorn, but don't overwork yourself! You've got friends who like to spend time with you, but they can't do that if you're all business, all the time! Make sure to have a good laugh this week; it'll be a great way to help you get out of work mode and in the mood to just soak up some sun!
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18) (NEW DATES: Feb. 16-March 11.)
The hard thing about a vacation for you, Aquarius, is that it throws the usual order of things all out of whack. You're good with order and things like that, but lay loose this week and give some spontaneity a try! Something tells me you'll be pretty happy with the results. And, if anything, just remind yourself, it's back to things as usual next week!
PISCES (February 19 - March 20) (NEW DATES: March 11-April 18.)
Feel like the tide's working against you, Pisces? You've got to let more people in! You're very good at expressing yourself creatively, but that creativity can also work as a wall to keep people from seeing the real you! Don't hide behind that painting or your music or your mine-in-a-box trick; open up and start a conversation about something else for a change. You could discover something surprising about someone you thought you knew...yourself included!
Outside Perspective: Valentine's Day
By: Blackagar Boltagon and Cally
Cally: This week's Earth holiday is one that, though we don't celebrate it on my world, I can at least agree with the sentiment behind.
Blackagar: Although I am not certain why a day dedicated to romantic gestures and affection is associated with a human that was murdered due to religion. Though I must admit, the research on this Saint Valentine was very confusing and contradictory.
Cally: Perhaps the purpose is to encourage us to avoid doing that to the people we love? Which would seem self-explanatory to me, but then so does using meteorological equipment to predict the weather instead of small mammals.
Blackagar: I suppose that could be the purpose. Though I remain uncertain as to the customs. Are chocolates truly necessary to express love?
Cally: They are tasty... I'm sure my life could proceed just fine without chocolates or flowers, but it was nice to receive them, all the same.
Blackagar: The flowers I received were aesthetically pleasing, but no more than I may find on any other day. The meaning behind them was more of note. The day seems to be prompting existing feelings to be expressed rather than spontaneously appearing.
Cally: Speaking of spontaneously appearing... Small flying people with arrows? Books rewriting themselves? It's difficult to tell which of last week's oddities belong to the holiday, and which to the island, but either way, it seems like overkill to me.
Blackagar: The appearance of the children was enjoyable once the shock was gone, however.
Cally: That one, I am fairly sure we can blame directly on the island; I could find no Valentine cards in my online searches addressed to mothers and fathers from their possible offspring. Though there might well be a market for it on Fandom; perhaps they could be sold at Turtle and Canary.
Blackagar: Now that it is over, I believe I enjoyed this holiday more than the rodent festival.
Cally: As did I. I find myself still puzzled about the significance of the monkeys, though.
Blackagar: Yes. I think it is best to assume that is an island oddity.
Cally: Have you noticed that something in this area seems to be preoccupied with small animals?
Blackagar: I have been assured they're considered adorable. But I see no draw.
Cally: Except for puppies, obviously.
Blackagar: Obviously.
~
Adorable Puppy Pinup
Coffee Pinup
credits:
editors: Blackagar Boltagon, Cally
words: Ellie Bartowski, Blackagar Boltagon, Princess Ariel of Atlantica, Juliet and Jeremy Darling, Cally, Dolf Wega
pictures: The fabulous Chloe Sullivan, the amazing Rory Gilmore, the marvelous Peter Parker, the effervescent Rikku, the middling Cal Stephanides, the talented Joan Girardi, the effusive Hoshi Sato, the silent Blackagar Boltagon and the fluffy haired Cally
adviser: Steve Rogers
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