Chronicles of the Blade: April13th, 2001

There is a whole grundel of excuses, reasons, and obstacles that are racking our circle. Deteriorating not only our system of recreation but loosening our grip on our mortal coils. Some of these excuses are absolute and unresolvable, eliminating members of our clan indefinitely. Other reasons are more temporary, like finals and other scholastic pursuits. The semester is coming to a close and the pressure is on. It is not a time for distractions. It is a time of focus. A time of thinking. Therefore things will be put on hold (or at least slowed down quite a bit) until the semester is over and summer starts proper. There will still be updates, there will still be posts and Emails. There will be less Hockey/Motorball games announced. In this "down" time, I think it would behoove us to think about this. On the third of this month a new Chronicler Question poll was created, and it asked, "What Should the Future of Motorball Be?" Below are the options and the results as of today.

Chronicle Question What Should the Future of Motorball Be?
Total abandonment with a decree to never speak of it again. (0) 0.00%
Retire the sport, reference it daily, exaggerate it greatly. (8) 32.00%
It hurts and therefore is evil and should be avoided. (0) 0.00%
Once a month or less. (1) 4.00%
Twice a month or more. (1) 4.00%
It should be played and played often-P.S. I won't be there (0) 0.00%
I am not allowed/able to play, so I really don't care. (2) 8.00%
New stats! New armor! New blood! Bring it On! Tonight!!!! (4) 16.00%
A video game substitute should be found. (2) 8.00%
Detachable cybernetic bodies in a post-apocalyptic world. (7) 28.00%
25 Total Votes

You did have the option to vote for more than one selection to best represent how you felt, and thus the larger number of votes. As you can see the highest reaping selection was, "Retire the sport, reference it daily, exaggerate it greatly." with 32.00% of the vote. In truth, this surprised me. Of course there was a strong Pro-Motorball turn out but the persistent Anti-Motorball presence, got me thinking. This poll was sent out to test the waters, to see if Motorball should be retained in our itinerary, but because of the mixed response, it is time to shed the anonymity and discuss this as a Forum. To be totally fair, I will be moderating the posts for flaming or trash talk, before they are sent to the Forum, so that we can maintain the discussion where everyone can express their views without fear of criticism for having an opposing view. It is time to use the forum like a forum. I want to get everyone's input, and I want everyone to argue their opinion. Your participation will be greatly appreciated.

-The Chronicler

P.S. For those who haven't figured it out, the Florianopolis Intro Gif is a parody of the over-used missionary farwell hit, "I Will Find you My Friend" and the equally over-used story that inspired it.

Chronicles of the Blade: April 3rd, 2001

Pablo Picasso once said, "Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction." The question that enters my mind is, "What has to be destroyed to make a baby?" Of course that might be a very personal question that varies with each set of parents. But regardless of what has been destroyed the babies have come. The once "little unnamed Boyle" will be known as "Charlie" in the eyes of God. I, however, have decided to call him "Algernon" and I will try to persuade others to follow suit. Jake and his Al pal had their kid, naming him "Tate", opening the door for such gems as "Tater-Tot", "Tater sauce","Tate Crimes","Tatred","The Ol' Tate and Switch","David B. Tate", "The Tatekeeper" "Tater Control Crest" and so forth.
For those who do not know, Motorball was not held this weekend. There is no information on the reason at this time, but I will keep you up to date on any late breaking news. There was a drop in voter turn out for our last poll, "Motorball Vs. Hockey," with an even 30% attendance. But regardless of this it was evident that Hockey is predominantly more popular than Motorball. I think this is very interesting. I belive Hockey is based more on skill and therefore has more of an art to it than Motorball which seems steeped in endurance and brute force. Motorball on the other hand is an adaptation of a comic, and there fore totally unique to our circles. It also holds an enthralling mystique with the numbers, shirts, symbols, stats, lingo, and armor. Something we have yet applied to Hockey. Playing Hockey "well" is based on how one skates, steels, scores, and handles the ball. Playing Motorball "well" is based on how one suppresses the instinct of self-preservation. Where Hockey is a surgeon's scalpel, Motorball is a baseball bat. After Hockey I feel like I have been sharpened and honed, after Motorball I feel like a Survivor. Motorball brings on a paradigm shift, as if a freeing of the soul comes from the destruction of the body. One feels beaten and so very alive. Maybe that is what Picasso was talking about. I think Hockey and Motorball has a yin yang effect. The one providing where the other lacks. I believe it would be a mistake if we were to abandon one or both. Of course, these are my thoughts and opinions, and I welcome any and all who have opposing or supporting opinions that you want to share. Please send them to me and I will post them on this page, or you can post them on the forum. It is up to you.

-The Chronicler

Hockey: March 22nd, 2001

The unexpected highlight of Hockey on March 22nd was the sudden and totally unforeseen appearance of Brandon "Bushido" Shoemaker. Despite the months of missing in action, he held his own and, at times, even schooled those who have been playing this whole time. Others in attendance were Ammon Shepherd, Jacob Boyle, Angus McKay, Jessica Shepherd, and Kohl Glass. Head injury jokes were made before, after and during the intense Hockey that went on.

Chronicles of the Blade: March 19th, 2001

Congratulations
To Tim for becoming the first CRAAB father
To Iris for emerging victorious in her battle against pregnancy
To the little unnamed Boyle for making it here OK

Emerson's parking lot, MCC's Wheelchair Course, and Deep Space . . . silent, so very, very silent. Spring Break came and went and the silence remained. There have been many theories formulated to explain this phenomenon but Aaron Shepherd said it true when he said, "We should have played Hockey this week." Yes, Aaron, we should have. I apologize for the silence on my end. Things were . . . hectic. Beyond the smaller turn out of our last game, and then the absence of games these last two weeks, things are going well. Here it is the 19th of March and we have already past the total number of posts in February. All of the site's links and "extras" are up and working. We also had a (record) 64.075882353% turn out at the voting poll, which was somewhat controversial because it delved into the true identity behind The Chronicler. Steve received one vote, Chris received one vote, Josh received one vote, and Bruce Laborin received one vote, but the mass consensus identified The Chronicler as Tim Boyle, with a sweeping six votes. As The Chronicler, all I have to say is, you couldn't be more wrong. I wanted to keep my identity a . . . "secret" doesn't seem right to say . . . a less known fact, because I wanted The Chronicles of the Blade to be fair, equal, and devoid of agendas, opinions, and biases. This can only be done if an unknown entity, also fair, equal, and devoid of agendas, opinions, and biases is the one who moderates and maintains the forum. I can conceal my identity but I cannot conceal my personality, and therefore I think it has become a little too easy to identify who I really am. So no more charades. I will maintain the title as The Chronicler when dealing with this forum, but no longer will I continue under the pretense that my identity is a secret (as of late, I am the only one who thought it was). I am Kohl Glass, I am Katana. You can call me what you want but don't you dare call me late for dinner!

-The Chronicler

Hockey: March 2nd, 2001

The call had gone out and answers of confirmation given. Promises of presence made. Yet upon the dark pavement moved only four figures. These alone had been true to their word. They fought like lions and found sweetness of victory and agony of defeat. Yet these emotions were shared by so few. Do they stand alone in this world of uncertainty? Will the call go unheeded forever? Let it be known that those present were Boo McAllister, Angus McKay, Steve Crandell and Leslie Edmunds. May those four who stood true to their word and their blades find great blessings in large numbers poured out upon their heads. And to those who hid their faces, a pox be upon them and their posterity. Will you show your faces and attempt to redeem yourselves? Or remain ever in exile? When the call goes out, who will answer?...

-Beast

Chronicles of the Blade: Feruary 26th, 2001

Everything is going according to plan. Extra-Chronicler posting is now the rage. And there was a 55.555% voter turnout at the Chronicles of the Blade poll, with the "Oh . . . Boyle Vomit! Everywhere!" option getting 60% of the votes. Weekly Street Hockey is again weekly. Also, the last two Hockey games were well peopled. The Friday (16th) game was a little too numerous for most player's tastes, but the Thursday* (22nd) game was just right, at an average of four against four. Maybe this will reveal me as an elitist but I feel that as Hockey goes three on three and four on four are optimal numbers. Even five on five is OK but not more. In fact I would rather play two on two that six on six. The reason being is the court is not big enough and everyone tends to start playing like they did when they played soccer in the third grade. The ball wanders all around the court with a large mass following behind it. At this point skill fades behind the glaring randomness of luck. And the point of playing is not as obvious. The exact opposite is true about Motorball, the more the better! Anyway, that is why we don't play on Friday every week. Though at times it excludes many, weekdays have less of a turn out. Regardless there will be a Hockey game 8:30pm on Friday the 2nd of March, 2001 at Emerson. To be there will be to take a stand against entropy. Think globally, play locally.

-The Chronicler

*Read Thursday's game write up by the Beast!

Hockey: February 22nd, 2001

A small cluster of young men and women, dressed in tattered clothes, pads and blades, was found gathering on the premesis of Emerson Elementary, at approximately 8:00 pm. They appeared to be carrying sticks and attacking a small spherical object with relentless vigor and fury. Several wounds were incurred, but the players carried on, unheeding. Players were identified as: Kohl Glass, Chris Glass, Matt Vanderwalker, Boo McAllister, Angus McKay, Steve Crandell, Louie the Red Shirted Gnome, and Leslie Edmunds. The players faced off in their divided teams and wreaked havok upon the pavement and upon each other. Several goals were scored by Boo McAllister from the start, with an occasional answer from Kohl. Matt Vanderwalker showed a great deal of skill and agility, but was thwarted by misfortune on his attempts to score. Then Steve and Leslie(never to be seen one without the other) arrived on the scene and the pace picked up to a much more intensified rage. The players all had their share of victories and despairing over follies. Several collisions were incurred, mostly between Angus and Boo. The game arrived to the final minutes with the teams divided as Boo, Kohl, Steve and Leslie (never to be divided) against Chris, Lou, and Angus. The decision was made, "First team to three wins", and the face off began. The first few goals were shared between teams equally, then the larger team broke away with two quick shots to win the match. Blessed are they who played, and may there be more upon our next encounters.

-Beast