*Drum roll*... the Mother 3 Handbook!

Yes, I thought I'd better do a proper post about receiving the Handbook. As everyone on the planet must know by now, the greatest fan-made creation in a while (at least since the Mother 3 fan translation) has officially started hitting people's mail boxes.

If you're unaware of this work of dedication and love, I highly suggest you check out the... Mother 3 Handbook!

With a production quality surpassing any official guide, the team behind its creation (notably: John Kay, Reid Young, Andrew Rogers, Clyde Mandelin, Camille Young, Steven Campos, Emilio Orsi, Sebastian Hardy, Christopher Warriner, Brian Jaworski, Charlie Verdin, Kevin Williams, Jeff Erbrecht) along with the Starmen.net community's love and support have really acted as a shining beacon of what a true online community can be capable of.


Now, what is Mother 3, you ask?

It's strange, beautiful and heart-breaking. Please, I urge you to head to the fan translation site and begin a journey that will change you for ever. It was never released in English (and probably never will be), so fans created an unofficial English translation. It is the third in the Mother series. Obvious, really.

Beneath its quirky exterior of transvestite magypsies, pig mask soldiers and cross breed creatures (horsantula, anyone?) lies a social commentary you won't want to miss and a heart that beats to a rhythm that is immediately familiar; an idealistic push for what is good and pure, despite what our broken world keeps throwing at us. It has tragedy, crushing defeat and death. It has courage, strength and friendship.

I must stop here. Just thinking about it, I'm starting to tear up a little.

The Handbook itself contains hundreds of illustrations, tons of humourous references and over 50 clay models. It's a worthy addition to any gamer bookshelf.

Also, you may note the necklace above. It was a limited addition key chain (depicting the courage badge from the game) that came with books ordered prior to the middle of January this year (2009). However, as I don't have many keys, I figured a better use would be something I could wear. After trips to three jewellers and a cheap jewellery store I managed to modify the key chain into the necklace you see above. It cost me a total of $7.00AUD. I'm very pleased with it. Although, as I've said, it won't replace the necklace I normally wear.

Unless of course I'm in a particularly nerdy surrounding.

Seriously, check out the game, then get the book. If you see me afterwards, feel free to come up and hold me without explanation. I'll understand.

TheSovietChairman

Left wanting, left wandering

"Map it to a sphere! Do it!"

Ah, terrain generation. Good times. I look at his project and think: "Goodness. I'm struggling with sorting algorithms and now he's programming pure awesomeness into his virtual world.

*sigh*

I wish I was a programmer.

I'm reading a fantastic book on feminist theory (or freedom from gender roles) and how it can be compatible with Christianity. I don't believe the husband should lead. I think, ideally in my life, I'd like to share leadership and function as a team with my wife. I think a healthy dose of idealism is important.

*sigh*

I wish I was an arts student.

I've been having more fun writing short stories and working on my novel than I've ever had on any one day at uni. I get a kick out of a well-structured, beautifully flowing piece of prose. I admire those who produce wonderful creative bodies of work. I enjoy getting lost in an environment I've constructed and conveying a message or simply an entertaining tit bit to whoever will read it.

*sigh*

I wish I was a writer.

I love the feeling of accomplishment I get when I manage to jog further than I thought I could. I have fun upping my weights (I'm no power lifter) every now and again. I'm not narcissistic. I'm not vain, but I like to look at my physical being and see something I've had an effect on.

*sigh*

I wish I was a regular gym goer.

I had a fantastic day at the galleries the other day. I relaxed in the sculpture garden. I saw an amazing exhibit on different styles of furniture and the balance between aesthetic beauty and functionality and when they meet in creative ways. Seeing my sister produce beautiful/provocative works of art for her course in Fine Arts makes me so jealous.

*sigh*

I wish I was an artist.

Well...

I came up with a novel construct in one of my algorithm classes yesterday that I'm quite proud of. I guess I'm not a bad programmer.

I had a great conversation on the merit of different political systems and the state of social attitudes this afternoon. Hmmm... In many ways I am a student of the arts.

My book is coming along quite well, with some very positive feedback so far. At least I'm finding an outlet for my writing.

I've been maintaining nightly jogging sessions for many weeks now. I can run further than I would have ever thought, even compared to back when I was a little lighter than I am now. I'm not unfit, certainly.

I gave my sister an idea for a work I'd like her to start on. She's taken too long, so I'll begin without her. I don't want to disclose the details. It's quite special, I'm sure. Here goes my attempt at constructing and conveying meaning from a collection of symbols. I'm about to try ART (Heh heh... I love teasing my sis with words exactly like these)!

Things are actually quite good.

I'm smiling,

TheSovietChairman

P.S. My girlfriend? She never leaves anything wanting (except for more time with her).

The play and the play thing

Well, I've had a lot of fun over the last few hours. Last night I saw my mother's production (she was musical director) of The Sound of Music, with the Lighthouse Theatre Company. Fantastic show. A real showcase of the talent we have on the peninsula.

Yesterday I also received the parcel that had been waiting for me, waiting to greet me and tell me how it loves me and show me its wonders. You guessed it! The Mother 3 Handbook! I was particularly impressed with the clay models, entertaining writing and fan references.

Truly a work of dedicated fanaticism. People, don't spend your passion on war or heartache, but on intricate works on fan art.

The handbook, if ordered early enough, came with a "courage badge" keychain. I don't have any keys, and I like wearing necklaces, so I did what any Mother 3 fan would do... I made a courage badge necklace! Yipee! The people at several jewellery stores were very helpful. It cost next-to-nothing and none of the work cost anything.

Here it is below.


The cross below is necklace I normally wear. It was a Valentine's gift from my beautiful girl and is dearer to my heart (at least the two loves it symbolises are) than any piece of fan art could ever be. It's much nicer and I'll continue wearing it every day, however... my courage badge, if worn in the right nerd circles, one day, will score me a knowing look or an appreciative glance and it'll all be worth it. Oh, yeah. It also deflects lightning attacks.

Chapter 1, page 1

The iron chains bobbed up and down, became taut, then loosened again as the waves pushed and pulled the giant pontoon around the inlet. A pier reached out to it with a hinged boarding ramp that scraped against the deck in time with the waves. Its movement added rhythm to the night. The only other sounds were the breaking of waves on the shoreline, the creaking of the chains and the occasional rustle of the wind through the native grasses behind the boardwalk. The evening seemed to breathe heavily, but without any obvious signs of life.

An entire college rested on the floating platform, complete with dormitories, kitchens, laboratories and a gymnasium. From the pier it appeared to be as tall as the inlet was wide. The hulking shape of the school made for a terrifying view in the moonlight. It was widest near the middle and the silhouette was jagged with balconies and platforms. Approaching the entrance, the dark, angular shape of the greenhouse could be seen immediately above the large front door. Several lights shone from the surrounding dorm rooms.

From one such room, a paper boat fell and landed silently on the water. Another followed, seconds later. Then another. After a few minutes, a fleet was gathered beneath the window. Some were upright, others lay on their sides, each a different design.

Inside the room a boy paced from his desk to the window, deployed another vessel, then returned to his chair. A desk lamp illuminated his small, wooden bedroom. He pulled another piece of paper off the pile and started folding, first in half, then he pressed in the corners. He turned the paper over in his hands, folding and unfolding until he'd formed a hull and and a cabin. He put this last boat on his desk, pulled out a pen and wrote “H.M.S. Riley” on each side. After switching off the lamp, he pulled himself up onto the bed, lay on top of the blankets and stared at the ceiling.

==========================================

Well, that was the first page of the first chapter of my first children's novel.

That's all you get until it's finished.

Wish me luck,

TheSovietChairman