Embassy- The Great Land of the Moon

[Girlsandboys]

...a moonling will arrive shortly...

[Willowinds]

This intergalactic travel thing really slows one down! My apologies for my delay, but between the solar wind, moon dust and darting in and out amongst space clutter, the journey took a little longer than I'd expected.

On behalf of The Great Land of the Moon, I'd like to extend our warmest greetings. It is our hope that the reciprocal opening of our Embassies will help us both deepen our diplomatic relationship, and encourage friendship between our two regions.

I'm Willow, currently Delegate of TGLM. I use the term "currently" because elections are "currently" taking place. I have the distinct honour of being Ambassador to 10KI, and am very much looking forward to becoming somewhat of a fixture on your forum.

Our latest update is due to be published next Monday, but in the meantime, please feel free to ask me any questions you might have about our region, our gravity, our insanity meter, etc.

~ Willow

[Girlsandboys]

Thank you Ambassador Willow, a warm welcome from XKI your co galactic region..
Would you be so kind, for starters, to describe to us Islanders the rough outline of your region's political format? As well, I'm particulary interested and curious about the TGLM's tradition of member nations dressed in court jester hats handing out lollipops...do the various flavors/colors of the lollis represent any sort of symbolic significance?
I'm very pleased that you have wet your feet on Taco Island but do not personally understand your preference for spam or spammers to antags, nearly as much as I understand the benefits of diplomatic immunity..
Wishing your region and ours all the best in developing interregional relations, Luna Lunatic.

[Willowinds]

Thank you! I will be sure to pass on your warm welcome!

I suspect the best way to describe our region's political format would be as a proto-democracy. When the region was first founded, the founding nations decided not to opt for democracy until the region had both grown and stabilised. We are in the process of developing democratic processes, but nothing is quite set in stone yet. Hence the fact that we are currently in the process of having our first elections for all cabinet positions and the delegacy. Even those positions may well change over the next few months as we seek to balance workloads, and review whether or not we wish to stay with a unicameral system, or move to something else.

We have several nations whose ... idiosyncrasies ... are unique to TGLM. However, we have only one Jester! If you will recall, in medieval times, not only was the jester a source of amusement, but often an adviser, albeit a very cautious one, to the Court. Our Jester is both humourous and a fount of wisdom. He also has an endless supply of lollis, and no one has quite had the courage to ask him where he gets them all ... he might actually give an answer!

The significance of the colours/flavours varies daily and depends upon the moods of both the Jester and the recipient. One never wants to antagonise the Jester!

I truly did try to join the antags, but as I explained in TGLM, as a very positive person, this business of always going down simply doesn't work for me! And I am pushing the limits on the diplomatic immunity a little, aren't I?!?

~ Willow

[Girlsandboys]

regarding pushing the limits- absolutely not! In fact, in extremely recent history I have switched teams for political reasons; Spammers have paid more attention to my recent initiative (rubberstamps) than antaggers. Both teams are influenced by flow and flux, what's signicant is that no side has ever even nearly approached their goal.
Do you know what the various cabinet positions in TGLM will be titled? What is the ratio more or less of TGLMs regional membership vs. contributors to your forum?
We Islanders are quite fond of medals..does TGLM have any particular awards?-Luna

[Willowinds]

girlsandboys said:

Do you know what the various cabinet positions in TGLM will be titled? What is the ratio more or less of TGLMs regional membership vs. contributors to your forum?
We Islanders are quite fond of medals..does TGLM have any particular awards?-Luna

As it sits currently, the Cabinet is comprised of the Ministers of Internal Affairs, Immigration, Foreign Affairs, Role Play, Cartography/Ruler of Charon (our Capital), the Delegate and the Founder. Our Supreme Court Justice and Judge also form part of the Cabinet at present, although we would like to form a separate Judicial Branch of the Government as amendments to the Constitution go through. We also have grave concerns that the workloads of the Ministers are inequitable, something which we also hope to address.

Our ratio of participation on the forum is roughly one in eight. Those members who are active tend to be very active except during predictable slumps, such as seasonal holidays, exams, etc. Other members make sporadic appearances.

I've noticed many of your members sporting quite splendid medals! No, we've not even discussed such other than in passing. May I ask what types of things you award medals for?

[Girlsandboys]

Medals are awarded for outstanding or notable contributions to the region as a whole, and most often through services provided to TITO, but not always. Sometimes they are awarded for special work in Immigration or any of the other Depts. Recently a new medal was invented to give to regional UN Delegates to celebrate their monthly services.

[Willowinds]

Thank you, GnB. A medal for recruiting is one of the only medals that has been discussed, but after talking with a friend in TNP as well, this may be something we should look into.

Without further ado, our first update:


Update #17 from TGLM
Tuesday February 13, 2007


Number of Nations: 168
UN Delegate: Willowinds


Government


Election Update

There were three nominations for the position of UN Delegate: Kel-thuzad, Papercuts & Skittles and the incumbent, Willowinds. For almost three days after the nominations, none of the nominees either accepted or declined their nominations, nor did any of them state their platforms. It was only after Kel-thuzad publically declined the nomination, that Willowinds accepted and stated her platform. At that point, the question and answer period began, lasting for another two days.

After four days of voting, Willowinds was elected the Delegate for another six month term.

The nomination period for the last round of Cabinet elections for the positions of Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Cartography/Overseer of Charon and any other positions that may become available begin February 20, 2007.

For this, our first round of elections, it was decided to go with staggered terms in order to provide continuity. With the exception of Delegate, all Cabinet positions are three-month terms, and we may well decide that the staggering is not necessary come the next round of elections.


Other News in Government

TGLM is extremely pleased to announce the establishment of reciprocal Embassies with 10000 Islands, ITALIA and the Confederation of Free Nations. It's our sincere hope that the diplomatic ties we've just formed will strengthen and deepen over time, as will the friendships which are starting to develop.

We are still in the unfortunate position of having three of our Ministers on limited duty due to RL commitments and/or illness. We wish them well, and hereby officially retract their sentence of fifty lashes with a wet noodle!


UN Resolutions

Repeal "UN Educational Committee": Against
Nuclear Responsibility: Against
Continuity Of Government: For
Emigration Rights: For


"Let the Good Times Roll"

"Chat Aways" has seen three new threads take off!

"What NOT to stick in an electrical socket" has sparked a flurry of replies ...

To quote our new Ambassador from 10KI, Luna Lunatic, "Gilda Trota used to flip the cards and spin wheels on game shows. Her big debut in XKI television, The Fish Bowl, flopped miserably. She doesn't know EVERYTHING but she's awfully opinionated." Well, Gilda's back and making her debut in " ... ask Gilda". To give you some idea of the wisdom imparted over the last couple of weeks, one need only look at the following questions, and Gilda's replies:

Dear Gilda,

Is the world going to end soon?

Dear Armageddon,
'Soon' rather depends on your current interpretation of the space-time curve, which truthfully, doesn't exist. Accepting a hypothetical premise of perspective however, the end of the world will come according to a thousandth monkey..ie. once a certain as yet mysterious quantity of monkeys, err..I mean humans, around the world succeed in carrying lightweight boards on their front and backsides with 'Doom' handpainted and misspelled on them, then the world as some know it, or pretend to, will certainly become perceived to have ended at least, in it's current form.

Dear Gilda,

I just superglued my hands to my face and then fell into a swimming pool. Luckily I was carrying my laptop and managed to log onto TGLM with my feet and post this with my toes. The swimming pool is shut for the next 18 years so how should I escape? I think I might be able to create a rope from my nasal hair and somehow create a pully system but it could be tricky. On the other hand you could ring the emergency services fo me...

Dear In problematic circumstances, I telephoned the local Emergency Ridiculousness chapter hotline and they said they'd send a rescue team over immediately. However I warn you, the scene is being videorecorded for a new trash reality tv program.

Last, but certainly not least, our Founder, Eternal Moon Child truly climbed out on a limb and left herself with no way back to the trunk of the tree! She asked that members of the region see what they could come up with in terms of alternate names for her using her initials, EMC. To date, some suggestions have been: Easily Made Crazy, Extra Meaty Croissants and Evil Malicious Cancer to name but a few ... Someday she'll learn! :lol:

The spammers ... no ... wait ... they said I couldn't say that ... avid posters in our region ... much better ... have been enjoying themselves hugely in our "Fun and Games" forum.


Stay tuned for updates from our "Role Play" forum in our next update!


Quotes and Sigs

From Shaby Cities

Strong like bull, Smart like tractor.

From Random Textbox Inputs

Did I detect an actual sophisticated conversation arising?

*gets out Surface-to-Conversation missiles*

From Willowinds

Sikey is the classic anime version of the '64 vette split-window coupe that would have been painted baby blue if it had wheels rather than oysters for eyes.

That is all for this edition of the TGLM Update. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to post them and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

[Girlsandboys]

Thank you Ambassador Willowinds for the informative newsletter from your great region. Congratulations on your reelection as UN Delegate!
Gilda Trota writes a regional version of her column in the 'Mad Islander' ( taco island subboard ).
-Luna Lunatic

[Anime Daisuki]

willowinds said:

Our ratio of participation on the forum is roughly one in eight. Those members who are active tend to be very active except during predictable slumps, such as seasonal holidays, exams, etc. Other members make sporadic appearances.

That's very good. Over here i think its like 1 in 15.., and over at Anime its like 1 in 50, duh....

[Willowinds]

Thank you, GnB. My apologies for not replying sooner, but I've been offline since the morning (well, my morning, your afternoon, lol) of the 15th, and just returned late afternoon on the 17th.

Anime Daisuki, our participation on the forums averages one in eight. During a slump, it can be incredibly poor. Unfortunately, I think it's endemic to NS at the moment. It would be nice to find strategies that would encourage forum participation.

[Willowinds]

Just a very quick update ...

Our new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donchatryit, was acclaimed. Very surprisingly, we had no candidates running for either Minister of Internal Affairs or Cartographer. As our Constitution is still in the process of being revised, a restructuring of duties may well be in order.

Our Founder, Eternal Moon Child has finally been persuaded to take a quick hop to a spot with slightly higher gravity, and should return sometime within the next couple of weeks!

Grovelling and begging, and with bribes of free shipments of chocolate from the soon-to-be-opened "I LOVE Chocolate", our new MoFA has agreed to allow me to remain as Ambassador to 10KI. My apologies, but I'm afraid that you're stuck with me. I've become far too addicted to tacos to give them up without a fight!

~ Willow

[Girlsandboys]

Donchatryit reminds me of youdontknowdoya? one of XKI's most elusive nations. Congrats to him as new Minister of foreign affairs, we're thrilled of course that you will remain ambassador here...there presently is no de-tow center for taco addiction, but maybe some day you'll get on our rich list!

[Willowinds]

Update #18 from TGLM
Wednesday March 21, 2007



TGLM has always been a very closely knit community. Yesterday, we received word that two of our members, AFL and SAM, currently stationed in Iraq, had been wounded. SAM is in critical condition. This, after seeing their last posts on the forum at 10:22 p.m. EST the night before.

In speaking with SAM's wife, she'd asked that we keep them in our thoughts and prayers. I'd like to go further than that. I'd like to respectfully request that all of you with whom we have developed diplomatic relationships, and in many cases, friendships, also keep them in your thoughts for the next few days.

This issue is dedicated to all of those men and women fighting overseas and their families, regardless of where they are and regardless of whether or not any one of us is in agreement with the cause over which they've been ordered to wherever they're stationed.

May they all come home safely.



Number of Nations: 151
UN Delegate: Willowinds


Government

TGLM has just finished it's final round of staggered elections. We're very pleased to announce that Donchatryit is our new Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Assorted Fruit Loops, better known as AFL, is our new Minister of Internal Affairs.

Regrettably, no one stepped forward for Minister of Cartography. At present, with the map up to date, this is not a problem.

Fortunately our current Constitution is still under revision, and one of the Delegate's priorities when elected was to endeavour to restructure the Cabinet in order to better distribute workload. It would appear that that election priority came at an opportune time.


UN Resolutions

Repeal "Free Education": In Favour
Radiological Terrorism: Against
Repeal "Hydrogen Powered Vehicles": In Favour
Repeal "UN Biological Weapons Ban": Abstain
Climate Refugee Commission: Against
UN Economics Prize: Abstain


On the Forums ...

TGLM is extremely pleased to welcome the return of two of its founding nations, Assorted Fruit Loops, AFL, and Squeaky Annoying Monks, better known as SAM. They've been unable to access the forums for some time, and their ability to do so now has added a smile to all of our faces. A very warm welcome back, guys!

Our off-topic forum has seen a fair bit of activity as Kel-thuzad, TGLM's official Mascott has cried for the help of the Supreme Court in apprehending and charging those who suddenly appear to be sporting his title. Theories of conspiracy are running rampant, and so far, no one has confessed to being responsible for the dastardly deed. Treachery, indeed!

On a different note, our RP Mod, no doubt watching for infractions, has been found to be logging in "anonymously". Why, one might ask? No one knows for sure, but according to a poll taken on the forums, consensus has it that he should be deprived of his power to log in anonymously, have all of his chocolate stolen and THEN be beaten with a large stick! Poor, poor Kyato!

TGLM has captured and is busy colonising two new moons, Phobos and Deimos. Credit for the idea goes to The Iroqouis, whose initial proposal, now off the "Eyes Only" list, we can now reveal:

I propose we conquer and inhabit two objects which we can turn into outstanding sources of industry, while maintaining low environmental impact. I speak of two objects that really are not moons, but pretenders to the title. They orbit their planet in dull ignorance to the fact they are asteroids. I speak of Phobos and Deimos. They must be overtaken and taught a lesson. We can teach them this by delivering colonists from TGLM to build stardomes with scenic views of Mars, where we can have five-star resorts at low costs, beach homes that never get swept away in hurricane season (on Mars that is), and Par 10 Golf Courses. The orbits of Phobos and Deimos are erratic, so that residents will never be dulled by the same view of the solar system every day. And, since sound does not travel in a vacuum, the colonists will not be bothered by government mining operations on the far side of the moon, which could generate more funding for even more lunaforming. Finally, our own home of Charon will be less crowded and less stressed by the enormous amount of citizens contained here. By lunaforming Phobos and Deimos, we can make them into the moons they want to be.

At the same time, it was found that unlike terrestrial surfaces, TGLM is actually able to MINE one of the world's greatest treasures! CHOCOLATE! As the priceless commodity was stockpiled, in recent weeks, the formation of "The Great Land of Chocolate" has occurred. In recent days, the region's first store, offering numerous chocolate delicacies opened. "I LOVE Chocolate" is a welcome addition to the forums. Feel free to drop in for a visit!


In "Fantasy Isle" ...

One of the strangest role plays we've ever seen on our forums has been resurrected. I'd try to explain this reverse role play, but with "Galileo Hannibal Columbus Blue", I ... uh ... erm ... wouldn't even know where to ... can't remember the word ... stop? ... no ... our kind doesn't remember well ... start. Yes. That's it. Start. Does anyone know if low gravity warps the mind?

Mutual Betrayals is a fantasy thread in which the Prince of Kel-thuzad demands that the King of the Werewolves, one of the Five Clans of Kel-thuzad, find a book for him. Adenar has sent out messengers, and his messengers have rounded up a most ... eclectic ... group of mercenaries. This thread has involved far more members of TGLM in RP than any other to date.

With the return of two of our most avid role-players, Bainram's Bar has also seen a sudden rejuvenation. Shenanigans inside the bar have taken a sudden turn for the worse as an outside force seems intent on destroying all those within.

Several years ago, a group of scientists from various nations worked on a project code-named "Brandy". Their results were so horrific that they dismantled the project, hid all data and schematics collected and then disbanded, hiding themselves as best they could throughout the region. Agents from various other nations have always been on their trail and many of them have been forced to move time and time again. In Reconciliation, a lone agent from Assorted Fruit Loops, the nation which originally called the scientists together, has been instructed to find the scientists, get the original plans and dismantle what was created.


Our apologies for the tardiness of this update. Our MoFA has been away, and we've found ourselves plagued with illness of late. As a result, although this update was started March 5th, it's taken until today to actually get it out to you.

As always, please feel free to post comments and or questions, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

[Anime Daisuki]

The GRO of Anime Daisuki's prayers go to AFL and SAM

[Girlsandboys]

On behalf of XKI and as Emissary to your region I thank the Ambassador for the most recent newsletter...we will be holding vigil for SAM and AFL and their families and loved ones....our deepest regards and warmest hopes and prayers-Luna

[Willowinds]

For you, Sam ...


This is a sad day for the Great Land of the Moon.

Yesterday, at 2.15 PM EST, Sam was forced to give up the fight due to the overwhelming nature of his injuries. We have no precise details.

Sam was 25 years old. He loved the marches, the rations… but he wanted to go back home. He wanted to go back to his wife, Brenda.

He won't be able to, at least not in the way both he and she had hoped.

Once again, this isn't a post aimed at criticizing the USA, their politics, or their presence in Iraq. Nor is it one to support them. It’s a post aimed at honouring and remembering a friend who is no longer here, fallen in a distant country. It’s a post to remember a man like us all, perhaps even younger of some of us, and to ask all of you to spare a moment of your time to wish him well on his journey.

[Girlsandboys]

again thanks Willowinds, and our condolences to Sam's family and loved ones. I began another thread under 10000 islands board called Moon candles, you might want to check it out...

[Willowinds]

My thanks, Girlsandboys. My alter-ego has been on your forums many times, but having made the last post in this Embassy, I've had difficulty coming back and reading what was posted. Foolish, I know, but I suspect that it will take time before many of us fully come to grips with our loss.

On the upside, AFL, although in serious condition, is on the mend. He is now in rehab, and although it will be months before he has fully recuperated, both he and SAM's wife are now back posting on the TGLM forums.

~ Willow

[Willowinds]

The Three Moons Times

Feature Story


Cartographer Found

In an effort to place the last piece in the jigsaw that is TGLM's Cabinet, the Founder and Delegate again appealed for volunteers for the role of Regional Cartographer. Though certainly not lacking those of an artistic and administrative bent, updating the map can be tedious at times. Dolore Matice, a relatively new member to the region who has done outstanding work designing avatars was nominated for the position. As no other nominations were received, Dolore Matice is the new Regional Cartographer for TGLM, and took no time at all correcting the ... (fill in kind word here) ... that the Delegate had made of the map in her attempt to keep it up to date.


Regional News

Beauty is Skin Deep

It's the ultimate question: how much does appearance really matter? Well, with TGLMers recently voted on the new skin for the forums. Choices varied from the garish, to the smart and they can all be viewed here. Once it was down to three choices, a four day voting period ensued, with Skin 5 narrowly beating out the other options. Imagine the Founder's surprise when she began working with the new skin, only to find it totally illegible! What we have now is a custom design skin by EMC based on Skin 5.

Did the Bill of Rights Take This Long?

TGLM is working on its semi-annual review of the constitution. Having introduced a new legislative body, combined and/or eliminated Cabinet positions, and redistributed the workloads of certain Cabinet Ministers, we are now at the stage of coming up with new titles for office bearers and members. This will, for example lead to the Minister of Foreign Affairs being termed "Lunar Explorer", the delegate being named "Lunar Guardian", and members being called "Moonlings". Anyone who doesn't join TGLM will, of course, be called a "lunatic". (Ed: Okay, I made that last one up! lol)

RP News

In the newly kick started Bainram's Bar, the dwarf, Merrow, has just been thrown back INTO the bar after running outside to help protect his bar from an unknown force. Meanwhile, Leniah and Rowan and the others are turning to an outsider for assistance while still trying to find a way to work together.

In Mutual Betrayals, the King has finally persuaded each agent to put a price on his/her services, and having agreed to meet their prices, informed them all that they had best be prepared to die rather than give up in the quest he assigns them. It appears that the Prince of Kel-thuzad himself is their actual employer, and that the book he seeks has a conscience of its own ...

To date, in Saving Terra, a new sci-fi thread, we have only the introductory posts of some of its characters. From what we can tell in the OOC thread however, this role-play promises to be an exciting one.

Finally, in Moonlight RP Academy, we've seen the introduction of three new characters: an office administrator, a teacher and yet another new student.

Moon Colonisation Takes Shape

In a move which smells like interstellar capitalism, new companies have been eager to grab a slice of real estate on Phobos and Deimos, the two moons that circle TGLM. So far, mining, hotels and employment agencies have set up bases off planet. Many hope that this will lead to fully fledged economies taking root on this newly claimed land.

Chat Aways:

The Founder has opened a new birthday topic which immediately saw the celebration of two people celebrating another year of life. One of our cabinet members celebrated a sixteenth birthday. If you would like to wish people of TGLM a happy birthday, this is where you can do so.

Fun & Games:

I like you because is a new game where people may compliment another member of the forum. Reasons vary from the absurd to the genuine.

Interesting Quotes:

I confess that I don't care about my weight.

Me?!? A mind reader? Nah ...

(*faints, overwhelmed by the enormous amount of traitors inside the region. immediately, a legion of ninja.gif appears at his side, smiting the scottish pikemen, the monsters, the gorilla-dog and ALL the incoming reinforcements*)

Tip of the Fortnight From the Chat Away Forum

I don't care HOW good you think the music will be, do not plug your headphones into an electrical socket.

Thank you.

Prepared by Dotryit,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

---

Feel free to post any comments/questions/ insults/what-have-yous, and I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able to!

~ Willow

[Willowinds]

Simply popping in to say hello. Our MoFA is having difficulty accessing the web, so the update will be delayed yet again.

[Zurarich]

The last post was May of 2007. I felt the need to update.

Regional Power: Moderate
WA Delegate: Zurarich
Number of nations: 11

Zurarich

[Zurarich]

A raider has recently been kicked and banned from our region.

[Anime Daisuki]

Thanks for keeping us updated. It's good to have you here.

p/s: nice siggy btw. I imagine some of those fishes will be found in the waters of 10000 Islands

[Zurarich]

Thanks...

I made it myself (notice the R on the upper left, that stands for "Rayvier", my name for games and random graphics crap XD)

I made it after I finished my AOWD course back in December. Too bad I didn't get a pic of the thresher sharks.

All the pictures you see were taken by me... that includes the bg. The ones that don't belong to me are the logos of PADI, Project A.W.A.R.E and the dive flags... ^.^

I will keep you guys updated... Seeing as I'm acting ambassador XD

[Zurarich]

TGLM is surely declining. More and more nations are ceasing to exist. I've tried recruiting new nations into our gates but with only me working on that, it's really hard to get a good result.

Current number of nations: 9

Zurarich

[Zurarich]

I am proud to inform the 10000 Islands that our founder, Eternal Moon Child, has returned!

Zurarich
WA Delegate
TGLM

[Twobagger]

That's outstanding news! (=
Glad to hear from you by the way.