Message Incoming... Source Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection γ Aquarii [Lucky Homes] Ascension 22h 21m 39.37542s Declination –01° 23′ 14.4031″ Distance 178.211ly Equinox J2000.0 SOL Year 2447, QEC adjusted [Autotranslator enabled...] Susan, Speaker Elect of Cheer Systems, 14th Pod ::: Blessed be, travelers of the verse~ Our election results are in and the crowds are celebrating their victories and consoling each other on well run campaign losses in equal strengths this evening. The cats, in their wisdom, have decided that the powers-that-be in the Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection have been doing a excellent job of it and should continue in power with few minor interruptions. The Dictator Elect of War, 1st Pod, will be stepping down and a committee will be taking over as Committee Elect of Defense, 1st Pod. We join with our feline partners in sending our warmest wishes to Quyst Trombone in his next endeavor. We also are welcoming a new Counselor Elect of Education, 4th Pod, Somm Jaravangian. Somm will bring a unique perspective with their background in non-human relations. Our citizen participation was quite high in this election cycle with all pods reporting at least 80% of the population providing their input for candidates to the cats. Once again our school systems held a get-out-the-vote fundraiser and community dance which drew major crowds as always. I can personally attest that the children of Wendy McdDonald's Elementary in the 14th Pod run an excellent sock-hop. Diana's blessings be upon them. In news from the surrounding verse we've heard and acknowledge distress calls from several vessels as well as wake-up initiatons from some ships just beginning their journeys. Following our encounter with the Dekaosan people and the tribulations witnessed on board the Melchizedek, our 14th Pod non-denominational coven voted to create a ritual of safety and happiness upon the human exodus. They have begun preparations which will take place over the next 9 days, local time. The community is pulling together big-time for this one. We have donations in spell material coming from several other Pods including a loan of the great holy relics of Martina McBride, may her song carry true. This incomparable gift comes from the exhuberent generostity of the 1st Pod and their infinite-unitarian conglomerated congregation. The 14th Pod is setting up a special ritual hall next door to Francine's Wine & Pastry, which is holding a special 2-for-1 sale on all perishable intoxicants if you imbibe them during the ritual itself. Thank you to Francine and company for that great gesture of solidarity. We amongst the Starbloom Communal Distributive Projection are also begining our preparations for Yule. A seed-ship passing in-system late last year brought news of a variant of the ancient reindeer of Scandanavia, Old Earth. We managed to procure the genetic material and a herd of reindeer are being grown for that festival. According to the traditions they will be tied to a sledge and flung through the air on the night of Yule. The cats are quite excited about the event and a large turnout is expected. Field-trips from several Pods are being organized to witness the landing. This year's Yule celebrations are also a time to welcome art into our homes, often in the form of tragic poetry. It has been the tradition amongst our people to celebrate the dark poetry of our teenage youth by holding dramatic readings around the Yule log. Families will orient their angst toward the flames and burn away the suffering together. This year we would like to welcome you among the stars to join us. The practice is simple: 1. Recommend to your teenagers that they compose their poetry of the darkest natures and haunting visions with their most eloquent language and imagery. 2. Gather around the Yule log together in traditional sweater and ornamentation and sing the songs of death and rebirth. 3. Drink the sweetened intoxicants and profess your joy. 4. Recommend to your teenagers that they stand before the group and perform their works in most dramatic fashion. If they feel they are not up to the task, recommend the eldest family member among you to stand in their stead and read the poems with great furvor and vim. 5. Other family should embrace the teenager and shower them with attentions and questions about these personal feelings. Then the poem can be tossed into the flames and everyone can sing again songs of death and rebirth. 6. (Optionally) drink additional sweetened intoxicants and profess more joy. The response here has been just so joyous. May your own familial blessings be as bountiful. Finally, I have been asked by our Senior Committee on Cheese Culture and Propaganda to ask any terran communities passing by the Lucky Homes if you would be willing to trade bacteria. We have an excellent collection here and are always open to expanding our horizons in the culinary sciences. As always and forever, blessed be.