I really had escaped, you know - before my relapse.

I had taken up such wholesome hobbies in the interim! I would sometimes consider altruism as I sat beneath a poplar. On more than one occasion I scooped up a field mouse, and though it cowered in my palm I did not bop it. The urge to do so was powerful, but the period I am describing was characterized by tranquility.

I don't know if you've ever been in the same position. I've been in guilds for games considerably less amusing than World of Warcraft, and it was the guild itself that made me quit - which is to say, the slow conversion of my leisure activity into responsibility, which historically I have shirked. But there is a threshold that has never been reached prior to this: being the more PC attuned out of the two of us, I always scout the genre out ahead of time. I've usually quit before he ever even considers playing a game. Now I've got him, Kara, Pork, and an iron chain of acquaintances cinched around my trunk, a dark convocation projecting a fierce gravity.

I can't even imagine the money this perverse force represents to the Massive industry. What use have they for an "accounts retrieval" department, when every peer group represents a shuddering cabal of junkies hot for Shadowcraft or Wildheart?

I "rolled" the "toon" as a priest, which makes their plaintive cries shudder with greater intensity. I've got friends everywhere I go with this simple menu selection, made months ago. After a short absence from the game once before, I came back from "summer vacation" to find that I was suddenly very popular. People I did not know were sending me very friendly whispered messages, and it was not apparent to me initially why that was. The reason was so inherent to my being I couldn't perceive it. Oh, that's right, I thought. I can raise the dead.

(CW)TB out.

i got some dragstrip courage

Our new Gabe and Tycho laser cell is now available. It’s priced at what I believe is a very reasonable $25.00 and you can get it from our online store. This particular print is not a limited edition. We thought it was important to make a run of prints like this so that everyone who wanted to own a PA laser cell could. It’s the same quality as the larger limited edition prints and even comes matted ready for framing.

-Gabe out

The concerts and Omegathon games have been finalized. On Friday Night, the show look a little sumpin' like:

The Video Game Pianist - yes, the startlingly talented "blindfold" guy you saw in all those videos - will get this party started right.

The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets are an unbelievably entertaining rock outfit from up north that draws inspiration from the surreal, verbose horror of H. P. Lovecraft. Yes, I'm being serious.

Optimus Rhyme, a local hip-hop institution, will deliver us from evil because theirs is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The Neskimos will also be "up in," with a unique approach to eight-bit tunes you can check out here, here, or here. The last one, especially - you won't be disappointed.

Then, on Saturday Night:

Conney Lin will again be performing a medley of Final Fantasy tunes arranged by Michael Huang.

MC Frontalot, author of the Penny Arcade Theme Song, in addition to many other songs, all of which are great.

MC Chris needs no introduction, or at any rate he needs very little.

The Minibosses concert last year was a moving, nigh spiritual experience. I've honestly never seen or felt anything like that.

The games in the (by now) legendary Omegathon are as follows:

Round 1: Diceland

Round 2: Mariokart: Double Dash

Round 3: Quake

Round 4: Karaoke Revolution - One of four songs: Flashdance... What A Feeling, Careless Whisper, Beat it, or Someday. The competition takes place in a packed theater, before Saturday night's concert.

Round 5: Katamari Damacy, in which our contestants will roll the biggest Katamari they can, and the two smallest Katamari drop.

Final Round: SECRET, REQUIRES OMEGA LEVEL CLEARANCE

That'll give the Omeganauts something to prepare for. Round four should be especially terrifying.

(CW)TB

Scott and his wife recently started a new WOW guild for fans of his comic. Everyone is aware of our long standing rivalry so as soon as I heard this news the wheels were already in motion. Then I read this on his page today:

Someone convince the guys at Penny-Arcade to start an alliance guild on Dark Iron so we can be at war with them. We all think that would be kick ass.

No convincing is necessary my friend. Work has already begun on a Penny Arcade guild on your very server. I’ll make an announcement on the site as soon as the guild is ready to start open enrollment. In the meantime I urge PA fans to roll characters on the new “Dark Iron” server.

And a message to all you “Panda Attack” guild members

/spit

-Gabe out :o:

The Penny Arcade assault on the Dark Iron server was pretty incredible. Please check this forum thread for the whole story.

-Gabe out