Quick hits, November 30, 2008

And as November ends with one month to go in 2008, today has been a very interesting day. It wasn't a perfect day, due to Long Beach State men's water polo continuing their role as the Jobbers to the Stars and Cal Poly ending their season on a two-game losing streak as well as the likes of Auckland City and Melbourne Victory losing its winning touch, but it did have more highs than lows.

First off, the Lakewood Lancers are where they were during the days of Luther Brown. Mission Viejo was upset by the Noble Thanes of Thadd, 28-7, on a cool November evening at the John T. Ford Stadium grounds before a standing-room only congregation. I saw the score and thought, "If it's Poly we're facing, they might as well have divine right to win it all, those lucky Jackrabbits." They faced Esperanza tonight.

Grambling State shrugged off its two-year slump of fail against Southern, winning the Bayou Classic, 29-14. Kill Jackson State, Rod Broadway. Get it done and put yourself in a position to be tops in the Sheridan Poll by season's end. Get to it.

Hawaii is going bowling...again. a 24-10 revenge win over Washington State sends them to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. In a season without Colt Brennan, Davone Bess, Ryan Grice-Mullen and a whole lotta other stars from last year...this had to be a good season under first-year coach Greg McMackin. If he gets WAC Coach of the Year Honors, he should.

And Saturday had shootouts galore. Throw defense out the window, it's time for some Heisman and BCS-stat padding sessions, STAT! #1 ranked Alabama shuts out Auburn, 36-0. Florida and Tim Tebow are set to pull off a season of Archie Griffin proportions with a 45-15 scalping of Florida State. In the Civil War, USC's hopes to be at the Rose Bowl for two straight matches were improved by a 65-38 demolition of Oregon State. Sam Bradford of Oklahoma made his case to be in New York clear with a 61-41 steamroll of Oklahoma State in the Bedlam Bowl (the BoBA Master is pleased with this one). Boise State and Ball State ran over Fresno and Western Michigan, 61-10 and 45-22, respectively. Where they will be bowling remains to be seen. The Georgia Bulldogs got Ramblin' Wreck'd by Georgia Tech Between The Hedges, 45-42, while Charlie Weis could be shown the door after a 38-3 defeat to the Trojans as the cauldron lit through the Coliseum air. Colt McCoy and Texas made their intentions clear with a 49-9 crushing of Texas A&M.

In volleyball, the Long Beach State 49ers took out Colorado State in four games after dropping the first set, and now will find out where they will be heading off to (or whether they will stay home) for first and second round matches.

India. Bloody hell.

And so President Obama's work begins before he is even inaugurated. Have fun, Mr. President.

From the Wall Street Journal.

Mumbai Attack is Obama's First International Challenge

By PRASHANT AGRAWAL

I moved to Mumbai six years ago from New York City, and I have seen India change with each terrorist attack. Wednesday night's attack will prove a defining turning point. India will go from being "resiliently defensive" to "resolutely offensive."

To understand the impact on the financial capital of India one needs to know the unique place the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Oberoi Complex (both the Oberoi Trident and the Oberoi) play in the fabric of the city's life, especially for its professionals. The Taj Mahal Hotel and the Oberoi Complex are not just the Four Seasons and Pierre of New York City. They are Mumbai's lifeline and blood.

Prashant Agrawal, CEO of Indipepal.com, says the attacks have change the Indian landscape.

As a consultant and a hedge fund manager, I, like thousands of Mumbai professionals, could count on being at these hotels two to three times a week. In any given week, more than a dozen conferences are being held at either hotel attended by the city's lawyers, bankers, consultants and entrepreneurs. The hotels are the Ellis Island for foreign firms and foreign professionals. Whole floors of these hotels serve as offices. The first outpost office of any major MNC is the Taj or the Oberoi: McKinsey, Blackstone, Texas Pacific Group, the list is endless.

But the hotels are much more than financial destinations; they are cultural centers. The best bookshop in Mumbai is in the Taj. Out of the 10 best restaurants in the city, half are in these two hotels. After a late night out, the 24 hour coffee shops of both hotels are filled with young people using them as late-night diners. Visit these same coffee shops in the day and you might see two families having a cup of tea discussing a matrimonial alliance. For a Mumbaiker, these hotels serve as a second home.

Every Indian is familiar with the Taj, its iconic red brick architecture façade serves as the backdrop for so many stories and Bollywood movies. So when Sonia Gandhi, the President of the ruling Congress Party, says that these are attacks on India's prestige, she means it.

If the attacks on the two hotels were not enough, the CST train terminal was hit. One out of every 10 commuters uses the CST (formerly known as the Victoria Terminus) daily. And after attacking the CST, the terrorists hit the Cama Hospital, a hospital for women and children. The last major target was a Jewish center. Mumbai has housed an Iraqi Jewish community for centuries. Not once have they been targeted. That has changed.

These attacks are going to serve as a tipping point for India. India has had no less than 10 terrorist attacks over the last five years described as India's 9/11. And so now is the latest assault.

As the Indian landscape changed, so has the Indian attitude. The first Bollywood movie on the attacks highlighted the resilience of Mumbai citizens. But in conversations, writings and film, people have shifted from resilience to wanting revenge. One of the most successful movies of 2008 highlights an ordinary citizen taking revenge. The surprise hit of 2008 in India is a low-budget thriller called "Wednesday." "Wednesday" is a taut thriller where the audience is held in suspense. The person the audience believes is a terrorist hell-bent on releasing his jailed compatriots is actually a vigilante. He doesn't secure the release; he blows them up.

The audience cheers as he tells the police, "We (the people) are tired of being resilient. Our hands are not tied, we too can hit back." Audiences around the country clapped and cheered his soliloquy. And now with these attacks, the attitude hardens even more. CNN-IBN, the local English news channel, not known for hyperbole, is calling its coverage not Terror in Mumbai, but "War on Mumbai." Local anchors refer to the rescue operations as urban warfare.

Last week, at an Indian leadership summit, I watched Shashi Tharoor, the former U.N. Undersecretary General and India's candidate to be Secretary General, ask Henry Kissinger how India should react to Pakistani agents attacking the Indian Embassy in Kabul. Mr. Kissinger said it wasn't his place to answer. Fair enough, but the question remains what should India do?

India faces tough decisions over the next few weeks and months. Every time India has been hit, there has be no counter reaction. The vast majority of Indians believe that the attacks emanate from Pakistan. While most Indians don't blame Pakistanis, they do blame instruments and agents of the Pakistani government, specifically the ISI. With the bombing in Kabul, the U.S. confirmed that the ISI was involved adding an independent credible voice to India's charges of Pakistani involvement.

In his first speech on Thursday to the nation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said "It is evident that the group which carried out these attacks, based outside the country, had come with single-minded determination to create havoc in the commercial capital." There is little doubt as to which country Prime Minister Singh has in mind.

The people will demand action against the masterminds of the attacks. And perception in India is that it is the ISI guides and masterminds the attacks. Elections in India are in due in the next six months and pressure will mount on the Indian government to act. Joe Biden was right, Barack Obama will face an international test in the first six months. South Asia looks to be that test.

—Prashant Agrawal is CEO of Indipepal.com, an Indian Social Portal launching in December

The Bedlam's list of thanks.

So I have taken this Thanksgiving Day to refurbish my blog layout, as well as my profile on MiniTokyo, apart from doing regression work and paper compiling, to come up with this [partial] list of thanks. I am thankful for...

* The fact that I am still alive
* The fact that my family is still alive
* My sister being engaged (the wedding is next year)
* I passed my first two grad school classes
* Harvard beating Yale in football...again.
* Working as a staff member at AX three straight years
* Graduating from Cal State Long Beach
* Getting in at Keller
* Still having a house
* Still having food on the table
* Barack Obama winning the election
* DVDs and DVD-burning software
* Torrents
* Kagami Hiiragi winning 2chan Saimoe
* Fate Testarossa Harlaown winning ISML
* Holo winning Anizone Best Moe
* The USA women winning gold at Beijing
* The USA men's volleyball team winning gold at Beijing
* Lee Bodimeade for getting the USA women's field hockey team back to the Olympics
* Michael Phelps' swim towards history
* Manny Pacquiao still showing his stuff against Mexico's finest
* Working at four elections in one year
* The LBSU Athletics Department allowing me to finish attending the rest of the games before paying for them as an alumnus after my one-month layoff.
* The fact that "MBA" exists
* The CSULB Anime Club still existing
* danbooru, gelbooru, moe.imouto.org, deviantART, MiniTokyo, AnimePaper, and all the other image-hosting sites that haul in the good stuff
* TenYardTorrents, for their American/Canadian football stash
* Maxxed Football Forums, for the finest the round ball has to offer
* The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for finally letting the Ventures in
* The Ventures themselves, the best instrumental band on the planet
* Aya Hirano, Rie Kugimiya, Emiri Kato, Rie Tanaka, Ryouko Shiraishi, Saeko Chiba, Mai Kadowaki, Mai Nakahara, Ryo Hirohashi, and all the other cool seiyuu chicks that have dominated the airwaves as of late.
* Nutella
* Special orders from Kinokuniya
* Not joining the military
* Eurovision
* My green-feathered buddy, Peedy the Parrot
* My blog, Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
* Las Vegas
* Everyone out there on the Net visiting this blog, and all the other blogs on Blkogger.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Bedlam.

So long, MySpace.

I am so through with MySpace. I had to cancel my account out of a personal decision. I don't go there as much as I used to, and because of that, I decided to euthanize my account.

It's as if a big weight has been thrown off my shoulders. A really big weight. I feel thousands of pounds lighter now.

Some statistics mumbojumbo

Dr. James Lott, a professor at DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management, as well as my stats professor who I allegedly (and unfortunately) annoyed when converting statistical mumbo jumbo into the Ebonics vernacular (i.e., "Yo, I called the BoBA Stat Guy on my Berry, and he told me this bag be the real deal. It cheap too. You in?" "Absolutely, dog! How much that bag?"He told me, '99 cents,' man. And it can hold 50 pounds, too." "Fo' real?" "Yep. It be a good trash bag." "I gotta head on down there. Lates." "All right. See you."), was kind enough to provide an interesting taste of what really goes on Wednesday night during the November 2008 session by the airport. Have a look.

Quick hits, November 22

Why is it that people are infuriated when I am yawning? One of the people in my class told me, as I was yawning to stretch during break said, "You have to shut up already." I said, "I'm just yawning, what's your fucking problem?" I was ready to counter any first punch coming my way. He chickened out, and I told him after class, "You need to calm the fuck down. Seriously. Making a mountain out a molehill will not warrant any sympathy from me."

And then this Hispanic undergrad comed over, as I was looking at the USA Women's U-20 team beat Argentina 3-0, and I got into a little confrontation with him. I waited for the bloody idiot to throw the first punch. I referred the guy to security to have him settle the situation. I am not afraid of my life being taken away-as a student, I want to make my skin as thick as possible, but at the same time, threatening students by force is not going to help you, even if you are taking a test. This guy should have just said, "If you don't quiet down, I'll have to refer you to the Dean." I have a counter-offer: I refer you to security, and have him report this threat of violence to the Dean. That will make it easier for both of us. Take it or leave it.

===

A mixed bag of wins and losses awaited the teams I followed today. Aside from the U-20 women heading to the playoff stages in Chile while the men prepare for a date with their old friends from Mexico, the Lakewood High School Lancer varsity football team broke a four-year hoodoo of not winning a postseason game with a 35-34 win over the Servite Friars last night in double overtime. Whoever snags Dion Bailey has all the makings of a star on their roster. When it comes down to it, batting balls like that will really make you look good. This defensive back has seven picks this year, and should be All-Moore League first team on defense. He earned his stripes last night.

The Harvard Crimson finished 9-1 with a 10-0 win over the Yale Bulldogs at the Harvard Stadium earlier today. They share the trophy with the Brown Bears, who took the hapless Columbia Lions to the woodshed.

At least Tim Murphy knows who he has to outdo on the recruiting trail this offseason. If the Ivies wanted to be in the postseason, Harvard would be invited.

I was happy with Melbourne Victory, Aldershot Town and AFC Wimbledon getting back on the winning track with 2-1 (over Central Coast Mariners), 1-0 (over Chester), and 3-1 (over Worcester City - FA Trophy First Round Proper) victories, respectively. I was especially pleased that the Dons found a way to win on the road again. And Long Beach State's men's water polo team did something right for once: a 7-4 win over UC Irvine to wrap up the regular season. Where have those wins been, Gavin Arroya? Huh?

What I was dissatisfied with were the results from Cal Poly, FC United of Manchester and especially AFC Liverpool. The Mustangs' kicker Andrew Gardner couldn't make conversions out of a wet paper bag. He gave Wisconsin a 36-35 gift of a victory. Choker.  A 1-0 loss to Worksop Town could mean that the promotion run for FC United ends this season, while AFC Liverpool are reeling off three straight defeats (including Vodkat League One losses to Irlam and Padiham). Gracious.

Also, while Long Beach City College's men's water polo team could lift a finger to Grossmont (17-11 win for third place at Merced College), the women were unimpressive against rival Cerritos, 11-6. Average, if not below-average, outing for the Viking water polo sides, with the weight being on the women's letdown against the Falcons. Chelsea (0-0 draw with Newcastle) and Accrington (1-1 draw with Chesterfield) should have fared better, too.

On to seeing how the Rainmakers's crew did against Weber, as well as Hawaii taking on Idaho at the Aloha Stadium, then.

Of Statistics, Ebonics, and Football Mechanics

At my Stats class today, I made a joke about converting statistical data into Ebonic speak when analyzing something. The instructor, who is African-American said, "You know, you're trying to be funny, but you aren't." I thought, "Well EXCUUUUUUUUSE ME for putting the ASS in CLASS, but that's just the way I am, chief." And while I went into Diplomat Mode after class, I stil thought, "And you know, that's not the worst epithet I can lay on you, either. At least be happy the bloody N-word wasn't decked out in a nod to the KKK being reformed as a result of the election a couple weeks ago, and that I am doing my role in making this class fun like you are. You ungrateful instructor."

He was even gargling a bit while talking about the 5-Step Hypothesis Test. For a few fleeting seconds, I thought, "My god, is Screamin' Jay Hawkins teaching the course? Did he somehow get back from the dead? Damn you, Henry!" Henry is Jay's little butt-smoking skull friend on a stick. Something like that.

As I left for the 111, I was like Kyou Fujibayashi post-Tomoya Okazaki Bitchslap of Horror: "Sheeesh, why do professors who gargle like Screamin' Jay Hawkins show a lack of gratitude? Are they taught to be that way since childhood? If so, may the Devil Incarnate save them."

===

Speaking of elections, what took the damn pricks from CNN so fucking long to call Missouri to McCain. I mean, it's TWO WEEKS after the fact, and just today...they called it.

God help whoever was working the map, or compiling the exit polls down there at the Election Center. They call Missouri a bellweather state...I beg to differ; Missouri got its bell rung today. Guess they showed them, huh?

===

And aside from my little chastising moment a few hours ago, I am actually in a good mood overall. The Socceroos and the USA men's national team (unlike the U-17 girls against Kim Jong Il's young Arirang Mass Games gymnasts-in-training) actually won. Australia's 1-0 win against Bahrain was funny. It looked like the goal winner by Marco Bresciano was a Steven Bradbury-esque goal. The seas party like the Men's 1,000 meters in short track at Salt Lake 2002, and the most unlikely of heroes takes advantage of the unexpected opportunity.

Ironically, Mark cycled a cracker against this same Bahraini side two years ago in Sydney. One thing's for sure: Bresciano is a hated man in Manama now. He may have as well ruined their hopes of even coming close to the fifth-place match.

As for the guys, it was just plain cleaning up in a 2-0 win over Guatemala., So they enter the Hexagonal with Mexico (I mean, come on, a CONCACAF Hexagonal would not be a CONCACAF Hexagonal without the USA and Mexico in it...it just wouldn't be the same without both of them qualifying), Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago (who dealt Bob Bradley's guys the only loss in the third round).

One has to feel for Jamaica, though. In spite of a 3-0 blasting of Canada, they are set to be in a state of lux (and their manager is destined to be sacked like a gift in Santa's gunny) after Mexico failed to do their share of the dirty work in a 1-0 defeat (with two red cards; ugh!) against Los Catrachos. Poor Reggae Boyz..now they will get the epithet of "Reggae Toyz" for four more years.

It's a cruel game, football is. But that's what makes it fun to watch.

===

Once agaim, I said it again...good riddance Ted Stevens. Thanks to Mark Begich unseating the old geezer, we Now all that needs to happen in Norm Coleman and Saxby Chambliss to fall in their races in Minnesota and Georgia, respectively. They will be luckier than Steven Bradbury if they do get re-elected, the GOP rubes.

Alaska is no longer the laughingstock of the country...

But Norm Coleman and Saxy Chambliss will be lucky if they are reelected.
And THAT, my friend, is the bottom line.

Ted Stevens' defeat in Alaska marks end of an era
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD – 12 hours ago

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Sen. Ted Stevens' election defeat marks the end of an era in which he held a commanding place in Alaska politics while wielding power on some of the most influential committees in Congress.

It also moves Senate Democrats within two seats of a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority and gives President-elect Barack Obama a stronger hand when he assumes office on Jan. 20.

On the day the longest-serving Republican in Senate history turned 85, he was ousted by Alaska voters troubled by his conviction on federal felony charges and eager for a new direction in Washington, where Stevens served since Lyndon B. Johnson was president.

Alaska voters "wanted to see change," said Democrat Mark Begich, who claimed a narrow victory Tuesday after a tally of remaining ballots showed him holding a 3,724-vote edge.

"Alaska has been in the midst of a generational shift — you could see it," said Begich, the Anchorage mayor.

Democrats now hold 58 Senate seats, when two independents who align with Democrats are included, with undecided races in Minnesota and Georgia.

"With seven seats and counting now added to the Democratic ranks in the Senate, we have an even stronger majority that will bring real change to America," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement.

Stevens' pursuit of a seventh term was damaged by his conviction in federal court — just days before the election — for lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations from an oil field services company.

He was trying to become the first convicted felon to win election to the Senate. A survey of people leaving polling places conducted for The Associated Press and television networks found that two of three voters considered Stevens' trial a factor in their decision. Begich voters cited it as an issue more often.

Stevens' lawyer had demanded a speedy trial, hoping for exoneration in time to fight the first serious threat to his seat in decades. But the trial in Washington not only left Stevens a felon, it deprived him of time to campaign in his home state.

"I wouldn't wish what I'm going through on anyone, my worst enemy," Stevens told reporters in Washington on Tuesday before the vote count. "I haven't had a night's sleep for almost four months."

Still, he said he will not ask President George W. Bush to give him a pardon for his seven felony convictions.

Tuesday's tally of just over 24,000 absentee and other ballots gave Begich 150,728, or 47.76 percent, to 147,004, or 46.58 percent, for Stevens. There are about 2,500 overseas ballots yet to be counted.

A recount is possible. Stevens did not issue a statement, and campaign aides did not respond to calls for comment.

In Alaska, the losing candidate or a collection of 10 voters has three days to petition for a recount unless the vote was a tie, in which case it would be automatic. If the difference between the candidates is within 0.5 percent of the total votes cast, the state pays for the recount, to be started within three days of the recount petition. The state Elections Division has 10 days to complete the recount.

The crotchety octogenarian occupies an outsized place in Alaska history. His involvement in politics dates to the days before Alaska statehood, and he is esteemed for his ability to secure billions of dollars in federal aid for transportation and military projects. The Anchorage airport bears his name; to Alaskans, it's simply "Uncle Ted."

"He symbolizes Alaska's legitimacy, that Alaska is a player on the national stage as much as anybody else," University of Alaska Anchorage history professor Steve Haycox said.

His defeat could also allow Republican senators to sidestep the task of determining whether to kick out the longest serving member of their party in the Senate.

When counting resumed Tuesday, 1,022 votes divided the candidates out of about 315,000 ballots cast. Most of the those votes came from areas that had favored Begich — the Anchorage vicinity and the southeastern panhandle around Juneau.

It is a testament to Stevens' popularity — he was once named "Alaskan of the Century" — that he won nearly half the votes, even after his conviction. He routinely brought home the highest number of government dollars per capita in the nation — more than $9 billion in 2006 alone, according to one estimate.

In a state where oil and politics have always mixed, the conviction came as part of a long-running investigation into government corruption centered around VECO.

Following the trial Stevens said he wanted another term "because I love this land and its people" and vowed to press on with an appeal. Professing his innocence, he blamed his legal problems on his former friend Bill Allen, the former VECO Corp. chairman, the government's star witness.

Begich will be the first Democrat to represent Alaska in the Senate in nearly 30 years. He is the son of Nick Begich, Alaska's third congressman, who died in a 1972 plane crash.

Stevens refused pleas from his own party leaders to step down after the verdict, including Sen. John McCain, the GOP presidential nominee who said the Alaska senator had "broken his trust with the people."

Stevens' fall came shortly after another Alaskan, Gov. Sarah Palin, emerged as a national figure on the Republican presidential ticket. She called for Stevens to step aside at one point, but appeared to back away from that the day after the election, when returns showed Stevens with an edge.

"The people of Alaska just spoke," she said.

Associated Press writers Jesse J. Holland and Andrew Taylor in Washington and Rachel D'Oro in Anchorage contributed to this report.

I will say this loud and clear:

Why bother with a recount, Ted Stevens? A crotchety old bastard like you should be done with politics. You put yourself in this mess, and not even the Lord above can save you from the hell hole you are in.

Now get the bloody fuck out our sacred Hill. You scumbag.

Mauricio Ingrassia has got to go. Seriously.

I am in a very sour mood today. Long Bech State's women soccer team had one of the biggest opportunities to win a postseason trophy...and they wasted it. They lost to UC Santa Barbara on penalties, 6-5, after drawing even 1-1 through 110 minutes.

After the Gauchos converted the match-winning penalty, I couldn't stay. I saw enough and I disgracefully stormed out. I invested $8.00 to watch these guys get it done...only to see our status as bridesmaids continue for another year.

Because of this, I sent an e-mail shortly after to Vic Cegles, the school's athletic director, to consider not extending Mauriocio Ingrassia's contract, and even sack him. Fire him. Do anything we can to get a new head coach who can get us the hardware as well as the wins, like Ali Khosroshahin of USC (formerly of Cal State Fullerton).

I have lost faith in Mauricio, as well as exhausted my patience. He should be gone if we don't get an at-large bid.

More acrimonious shortcomings

I'm a Yomiuri Giants fan. I have a cap that features the world-famous mascot, Giabbit (Giants Rabbit), and I purchased that many years ago at a Foot Locker store in Lakewood. But I read this news below, and I have to wonder if manager Tatsunori Hara is really ready to help manage his national team to victory at the World Baseball Classic next year. Looking at this result, the Bedlam's prognostication is a clear NO. In fact, if Hara is able to even make the knockout stages of the tournament, let alone make the title game or even win the whole enchilada, I will be surprised.

Lions defeat Giants to win Japan Series

The Associated Press

Published: November 9, 2008

TOKYO: The Seibu Lions won their first Japan Series title since 2004 on Sunday by defeating the Yomiuri Giants 3-2 in Game 7.

Former major leaguer Hiram Bocachica hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning and former New York Yankees pitcher Alex Graman recorded the final six outs for the save as the Lions won their 13th Japan Series title.

Infielder Hiroshi Hirao drove in the winning run with a single up the middle in the eighth inning at Tokyo Dome.

Seibu pitcher Takayuki Kishi, who was named series MVP, won Game 6 to set up the decisive Game 7.

It was a disappointing end to the season for the Giants, who built a 3-2 series lead before heading back to their home stadium for the final two games.

The Giants signed former major leaguers Alex Ramirez and pitcher Seth Greisinger from the Yakult Swallows before the 2008 season. They also signed hard-throwing reliever Marc Kroon from the Yokohama BayStars in the offseason.

Yomiuri manager Tatsunori Hara was named manager of Japan's team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic before the start of the Japan Series but couldn't guide his team to their first championship since 2002.

The Giants are the oldest professional team in Japan. The team's owner is the Yomiuri Group, a media conglomerate which includes two newspapers and a television network.

Not a good way to end your season, and I can only hope that that will be the last time the teams I follow choke today.

YouTube is Kadokawa's Bitch.

I just realized something today. All the hard work I put in had been removed. This is going to be the last fucking time I upload ANY MORE anime music videos to YouTube. When you see sites like this bow down to the big-name industry dictators like Kadokawa, you know you see a site that sucks. All the hard work I put in compiling the video, and this is what I get. It's like being a McCain supporter: you spend countless hours asking your constituents to vote for your candidate, only to see him lose to Barack Obama.

You know what...in fact, I am considering leaving YT, but I have not made any serious debating in my head. But this isn't a step in the right derection. Hell no. In response, I have already posted that same vid on AMV.org and on Veoh. Bloody low-lifes...

This is Fate's Tiara!

This is Fate's Tiara!

Testarossa-Harlaown takes the 2008 International Saimoe League crown

By JR Salazar
Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
November 4, 2008

On the same day that Barack Obama won the US Presidency, Fate Testarossa Harlaown made 2008 "The Year Of The In-Joke," as said by Nanoha Takamachi, her long-time friend and partner. The top ranked competitor in this tournament, Fate proved that she earned her ranking, never dropping a single match in the 2008 International Saimoe League Tiara phase. Her magical run ended with an emphatic 1220-956 thumping of Yuki Nagato of the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Surrounded by everyone she had worked with in the Time Space Administration Bureau (who decided to fly over to the tournament, though some of the low-ranked staff remained on stand-by), including Naoha, Hayate Yagami, Reinforce Zwei, Vita, Shamal, Signum, Subaru Nakajima, Teana Lanster, Caro Ru Lushe, Erio Mondial, her adopted mother Lindy Harlaown and her son Chrono (also Fate's adopted brother) and Yuuno Scrya, Fate showed that she was human after all, shedding tears of joy, and letting out a victory scream, as her compatriots joined in.


"This has to be the greatest day of my LIFE!" said Fate, who was still in disbelief at the entire result. "I am so happy all the years of suffering finally paid off today, here in the gretest city on Earth! Yeeeaaahhhh!

"I cannot thank you any more from the bottom of my heart. I wanted to leave this tournament a winner, and retire from these tournaments on top. And that is exactly what I have done. I wanted to face Yuki, and I knew what I had to do. But it wasn't easy. Nothing in this world is easy. The only way you can make it look easy is to believe, and to hope, like our brethren from across the oceans, Senator Barack Obama of the United States of America, and his compatriot Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware. They brought with them hope, and through their cause and your votes...we have done it!"

Banners in the air showing Fate's calm countenance, with simply the word "FATE!" at the bottom, were hoisted, as well signs such as "This is for Fate!" and "It's Fate that drives you!" and "Number One, from start to finish."

"I have so many people to thank. To my love, Nanoha...I wear this Tiara for you, and with it, my love for you." She said this as she kissed her, to the roar of the crowd, some who had to be hospitalized due to epistaxis. "To my friends. Everyone gathered here on this stage. You have given me the strength I needed to win. I dedicate this Tiara to you. You have given me strength. You have made me a Champion, who stands with you in solidarity tonight."

"To someone I wished I knew better, and someone who wished she knew me better...my deceased mother, Precia. Tonight, I extend my hand in the hopes that I make amends with you. To my sister who I never knew, and wished knew me, to Alicia...I hope you are happy with what your sister has accomplished. It's the least I could do to make you happy."

"Finally, to everyone gathered here who watched this battle...thank you for the support these past eight months. Because of your undying commitment and belief in what I can do for you, I came into the Tiara phase on top, and finish this 2008 season on top. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

The crowd roared one last time as the fireworks blazed over Tokyo's 23 wards and cities, as well as in Mid-Childa, to the tunes of "Eternal Blaze" and "Innocent Starter." Confetti streamed from the heavens, as well as sakura petals and feathers. Decked in her mage outfit, Fate raised her weapon Bardiche Assault high, who said, simply, "Great job, sir."

"I told you so," said Nanoha after the battle. "This was going to be Fate's. And it was fate that gave Fate this Tiara. Plain and simple."

"I have a REALLY tough act to follow next year," said Hayate Yagami. "I'm gonna give it everything I got, but I don't think there will ever be anyone who can top the way Fat

This one's for Kagami!

This one's for Kagami!
Hiiragi rebounds from loss to Nagato, takes 2chan Saimoe title

By Bongaboi
Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
November 2, 2008


She may have finished third in the 2008 ISML Tiara race, but none of that mattered to Kagami Hiiragi, who took home the 2008 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament title to Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture. The sweets-loving tsunderekko and partner to Konata Izumi got her redemption, defeating her younger sister Tsukasa, 1037-976.

Fireworks went off and confetti drizzled the skies at the victory rally in Private Ryou High School in Kasukabe, where a huge overflow crowd of just about everybody in the city, along with some dignitaries from the nation's capital, were jumping and dancing to one of the school's favorite songs, "Motteke! Sailor Furu" (Take it! Sailor Uniform) and "Kaeshite! Knee Socks" (Return It! Knee Socks). Flags where flying in the air, and banners praising the twins' effort this tournament could be seen. Signs congratulating Kagami were plentiful, with a number saying "We love Kagami," with an "e" crossed out. One even said, "Kagami wins. No fake either!" alluding to her loss last year to Rena Ryuuguu at the hands of proxy votes.

"Onee-chan wanted it more," said Tsukasa. "This was going to be her tournament. And she got it done. I have no tears to cry. It was either gonna be onee-chan or me. And I would be happy with it either way."

"That's my Kagamin!" said a belated Konata, who was jumping up and down, screaming like a kid at Christmas. "My waifu...she did it! She is the best! I am so proud of my Kagamin. To be the partner to the Saimoe 2008 champion...I feel like I have won too! This is a day I can never forget. This is G-R-E-A-T!!!"

"Everybody, thank you so very much," said Kagami, who was shedding tears of joy as she was surrounded by Tsukasa and the other members of her family: father Tado, mother Miki, older sisters Inori and Matsuri, and Tsukasa; as well as Konata (who was clinging on to her) and her father Soujirou, Miyuki Takara and her mother Yukari, Misao Kusakabe, Ayano Minegishi, Yutaka Kobayakawa and cousin Yui Narumi, Minami Iwasaki and her mom, Patricia Martin, Hiyori Tamura, Akira Kogami and Minoru Shiraishi of Lucky Channel, Nanako Kuroi, and even Meito Anisawa.

"Because of all of you, I was able to finally realize this dream, to become the best in Japan. You helped me get there. I feel like I am in heaven, surrounded by everyone I know, and I am pinching myself-well Konata's pinching me-to make sure I am not dreaming. I'm not.

"I may have lost to Yuki Nagato in the ISML Tiara, but I was not gonna be denied this time!" The crowd roared in approval. "And neither of them will be in the ISML 2009 season, so it can only get better.

"I want to thank a lot of people today. First, my younger sister, Tsukasa. You put up a great fight, and there shouldn't be any shame in finishing second to someone who will always be by your side, no matter what. Second, to the rest of my family, thank you for all the support you gave me this year. I feel that through your guidance, I become stronger every day.

"Third, to my partner, Konata. We may have had our differences, and some of your jokes may have been questionable, and I may have poked a little too much fun at your flat chest..." The crowd laughed while Konata blushed. "...but the bottom line is that this is what makes us happy together. You are someone who will be a tough act to follow, and you are the love of my life. I draw a lot of my energy from you, and I could never have made it this far without you. I love you, Konata."

"Kagamin..." Konata said, as her lips touched hers. The crowd erupted as streams of blood sprayed into the air. "Yu-ri! Yuri! Yu-ri!" chanted some of the guys.

"Fourth, to all my friends who are on the stage with me. Miyuki. Yutaka. Misao. Ayano. Patty. Minami. Hiyori. Akira. Minoru. Yui. Kuroi-sensei. All of you have been instrumental in helping me win this tournament. To each of you, thank you very much."

"And finally, to all of you in the crowd who have supported me and Tsukasa. You have helped us get all the way to this very night. This 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament is something that none of you should take for granted. It is a privilege to be with the likes of Suiseiseki, Sakura Kinomoto, Nanoha Takamachi and Rika Furude. This is a very special tournament for me and Tsukasa, and I know it has been a very special victory for all of you here. Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my hearts. I love you. Thank you!"

She bowed to the crowd, who roared. A few, then some, then all asked for the people on stage to do the "Motteke! Sailor Fuku" dance.

"Shall we do it one more time?" asked Kagami to Konata.

"For you...let's do it! One more time!" she replied excitedly. Her pheromones were are bright as the fireworks that went off. And so everyone on stage did the dance while the crowd jumped and joined in singing the song as the fireworks continued to go off into the Kasukabe night.

BoBA Predictions: The 2008 ISML Tiara Final

BoBA Predictions:

The 2008 ISML Tiara Final

Cleansing of the Arid Foundation

November 4, 2008

Tokyo

#1 Fate Testarossa Harlaown vs. #6 Yuki Nagato

With the 2008 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament concluded, our attention turns to the big one. This is it. The 2008 International Saimoe League Tiara championship match between #1 Fate Testarossa Harlaown and #6-ranked Yuki Nagato for the right to call herself the world's best female anime chracter for this year. For both these fighters, this will most likely be their last battle before their days competing in Saimoe are effectively over. One of them will end their campaign a winner, the other will ponder for the rest of her life on what could have been. Everything is now on the line this match. And the Bedlam has been waiting for this very match, too. Each and every citizen in Tokyo already snapped up tickets to see this match.

On one corner, you have the #1 seed, Fate Testarossa Harlaown, who flied the flag for the Nanoha franchise. She is an experienced, accomplished fighter who overcame a past that few could be able to survive to become one of the strongest mages in the world. Armed with Bardiche Assault, Fate is able to slice and dice anyone that stands in her way. Of course, she has the looks to back her artillery. Her blonde twin tails, naive nature and coolness have added to her consistent performances this season. Fate is also the only competitor that has yet to drop a match in the 2008 ISML Tiara postseason tournament. Her compatriot and best friend (and partner), Nanoha, declared that this year "...would be the year of the In-Joke," alluding to fate calling for Fate to prevail, because it was fate, after all.

On the other corner you have Yuki Nagato, who flies the flag for Haruhiists all over the planet. One of the greatest artificial humans since Rei Ayanami of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Yuki's paranormal abilities allow her to rebuild, restructure, and rethink how the world works. From superhuman strength, to picking up an instrument, to reformulating a baseball bat and restoring a classroom, it is no surprise that Yuki is in this final. In fact, oen may say that Yuki know that Fate wanted to face her long before her interview with Brian Griffin on the Lunch Hour on 97.1 WQHG earlier last week.

Now, the way the final works is as follows: Fate needs to win once to earn the Tiara. Yuki needs to win TWICE. If Yuki wins the first match (which I would think a number of people would do just to prolong the match to its final day), then we go to the November 7 runoff vote, the "Revelation of the Holy Tiara," round, which will determine the winner. Fate is keen to not let this go all the way to November 7, and the Bedlam is calling for Fate Testarossa to win the 2008 International Saimoe League championship.

BoBA Prediction: Fate by more than 100