Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

ISML 2014: Let's get this party started!

ISML 2014: Let's get this party started!

By JR Salazar
February 3, 2014

It's time for another season of the International Saimoe League. This is the seventh edition of the world's premier anime character competition, the 2014 ISML. As predicted by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue, the turnout for Preliminaries Match Day 1 exceeded 15,000 in number and is expected to continue, as anything below that on Preliminaries Match Day 2 would be rendered a disappointment by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue.

The usual suspects took the top spots in the Stella Division, while new faces peppered the landscape in the Nova Division. But with the defending ISML Champion hailing from the Stella in Ruri Gokou, can the Nova's best measure up to the challenge?

Here's a roundup of a strong turnout on ISML Preliminaries Match Day 1.

STELLA DIVISION

In Group 1, the defending champion, Ruri Gokou, got off to a flier, winning 4578 votes to move on. Konjiki no Yami was not too far behind with 3363 votes and Last Order was third with 3285 votes. Rounding out the order were Ui Hirasawa (2620 votes), Konata Izumi (1603 votes), Fuuko Ibuki (1479 votes) and Nanoha Takamachi (935 votes), who exits the tournament on the very first day.

In Group 2, Kanade Tachibana steamrolled to victory with 5758 votes. Kurisu Makise (3051 votes) beat out Meiko Honma (3049 votes) for second. Rounding out the order in this group are Holo (2140 votes), Mikuru Asahina (1361 votes), Maria (1204 votes) and Tsukasa Hiiragi (1141 votes), whose ISML run is done.

No surprises in Group 3, as Eucliwood Hellscythe earned 4782 votes to finish first. Hinagiku Katsura was second with 2873 votes and C.C. was third with 2656 votes. Rounding out the order were Yozora Mikazuki (2547 votes), Kagami Hiiragi (1726 votes), Ami Kawashima (1383 votes) and Rika Furude (1225 votes), who leaves the ISML race.

Mikoto Misaka was first in Stella Group 4 with 5331 votes, easily defeating Hitagi Senjougahara (3312 votes) and Aria Holmes Kanzaki (2917 votes). Rounding out the order are Kyou Fujibayashi (2677 votes), Nagi Sanzen'in (1487 votes), Suiseiseki (1235 votes) and Chii (831 votes), who is eliminated from ISML contention.

Mashiro Shiina's first forays through the Stella Division have been successful, as she won 4887 votes to win first place in Stella Group 5. Yui Hirasawa (3628 votes) was second and Masami Iwasawa (2859 votes) was third. Rounding out the order are Index L. Prohibitorum (2340 votes), Erio Touwa (1975 votes), Minori Kushieda (1287 votes) and Souseiseki (933 votes), who is eliminated from the ISML.

Ayase Aragaki takes Stella Group 6 with 4983 votes, easily beating Haruhi Suzumiya (3291 votes) and Kotomi Ichinose (2603 votes). Rounding out the order are Nymph (2357 votes), Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere (2220 votes), Shiki Rpyougi (1231 votes) and Kallen Kouzuki Statdfeld (920 votes), who departs the ISML.

NOVA DIVISION

The Nova Division is where the newest and freshest compete, although there are some veterans that get nominated consistently but have not won the favor of the voters due to some backlash from a certain tournament in Japan. While this is actually coincidental in terms of the argument, it can't be denied that the Nova Prelims are where the ISML and 2channel divert in terms of tastes. Of course, there are few exceptions to the rule, but few is few.

One of those few exceptions is Yoshino of Date A Live, who did reasonably well at 2channel AST last season and handled Nova Group 7 relatively well, winning 4680 votes ahead of another candidate that also shined in Japan in Azusa Azuki and her 2986 votes. Nyarlathotep was third with 2432 votes but could sneak into the mix later on in the process. Rounding out the order are Furano Yukihira (2022 votes), Yuno Gasai (1969 votes), Yuiko Kurugaya (1878 votes) and Sayaka Miki (1361 votes), who finished runner-up in 2channel AST but did not acquit herself here.

Yaya Machine had the highest vote total among the Nova nominees and will be one to watch after winning Group 8 with 3720 votes. Yui of Sword Art Online was second with 3004 votes and Renge Miyauchi was third with 2991 votes. Rounding out the order were Ririchiyo Shirakiin (2598 votes), Ai Astin (1832 votes), Himeko Inaba (1625 votes) and Takao (1310 votes).

Momo Velia Deviluke was first in Nova Group 9 with 2811 votes. Madoka Kaname, the incumbent 2channel AST champion, was not too far behind with 2767 votes, beating out Mitsuki Nase with 2553 votes. Rounding out the order were Manaka Mukaido (2422 votes), Natsume Tsuchimikado (2182 votes), Ai Fuyuumi (2013 votes) and Komari Kamikita (2007 votes).

Mirai Kuriyama is another face to watch out for from the Nova Division, winning 3626 votes to win Nova Group 10. Origami Tobiichi was second with 3242 votes while Touka Takanashi was third with 3202 votes. Rounding out the order were Frey (2342 votes), Suzuka Dairenji (1880 votes), Kouko Kaga (1376) and Kazusa Touma (1141 votes).

Kotori Itsuka is one of the heavyweights that is expected to advance to the main draw, and her 4944 votes to win Nova Group 11 are an example of that. Noumi Kudryavka was second with 2436 votes and Mika Yuuki was third with 2331 votes. Rounding out the order in this group were Ouka Yuuouji (2187 votes), Asuka Kudou (1724 votes), Yui Yuigahama (1706 votes) and Hotaru Ichijou (1383 votes).

Finally, the strongest of the Date A Live characters, Kurumi Tokisaki, bossed Nova Group 12 with 5190 votes. Rin Natsume was second with 2243 votes and Kaura Bodewig was third with 2230 votes. Rounding out the order were Ai Shindou (2002 votes), Emi Yusa (1992 votes), Neptune (1963 votes) and Celestia Ludenberg (1393 votes).

Match Day 2 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Preliminaries is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

I Touch Myself

I love myself, I want you to love me

When I feel down, I want you above me

I search myself, I want you to find me

I forget myself, I want you to remind me

I don't want anybody else

When I think about you, I touch myself

Ooh, I don't want anybody else

Oh no, oh no, oh no

You're the one who makes me come runnin'

You're the sun who makes me shine

When you're around, I'm always laughin'

I want to make you mine

I close my eyes and see you before me

Think I would die if you were to ignore me

A fool could see just how much I adore you

I'd get down on my knees, I'd do anything for you

I don't want anybody else

When I think about you, I touch myself

Ooh, I don't want anybody else

Oh no, oh no, oh no

I love myself, I want you to love me

When I feel down, I want you above me

I search myself, I want you to find me

I forget myself, I want you to remind me

I don't want anybody else

When I think about you, I touch myself

Ooh, I don't want anybody else

Oh no, oh no, oh no

I want you

I don't want anybody else

When I think about you, I touch myself

Ooh ooh ooh ooh ah ah ah ah oh ah

I don't want anybody else

When I think about you, I touch myself

Ooh, I don't want anybody else

When I think about you, I touch myself

I touch myself

I honestly do

I touch myself

I honestly do

I touch myself

I touch myself...

Seattle Seahawks: Super Bowl XLVII Champions

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Believe it, Seattle — after 38 years, the Seahawks are finally Super Bowl champions.

In fact, by the time it ended, the only thing unbelievable about this one was how easy it was, as the Seahawks cruised to a 43-8 win over the Denver Broncos to take Super Bowl XLVIII in front of 82,529 at MetLife Stadium.

A young and brash Seattle defense made Peyton Manning and Denver’s record-setting offense merely look old and slow, dominating the action from the start and forcing two first-half turnovers as the Seahawks jumped to a 22-0 halftime lead, the third-largest in Super Bowl history.

Percy Harvin then ended any thoughts of a Denver comeback as quickly as possible, returning the opening kickoff of the second half 87 yards for a touchdown to give Seattle, which entered the game as 2½-point underdogs in most sports books, a 29-0 lead.

Harvin’s touchdown, as did a safety on the first play of the game, came 12 seconds into the half — a symmetry that Seattle’s fans, the self-named 12s, surely found fitting on a day when everything went the Seahawks’ way.

The Super Bowl title is the first championship for a Seattle team in one of the four major professional sports leagues since the now-departed Sonics captured the NBA title in 1979.

And it came in the Seahawks’ second Super Bowl appearance, Seattle having lost to Pittsburgh 21-10 in Detroit following the 2005 season.

The game turned Seattle’s way from the start, as a mistimed snap on Denver’s first offensive play led to a Seahawks safety, credited to Cliff Avril, just 12 seconds into the game — the fastest score in Super Bowl history.

Seattle turned the ensuing possession into a field goal, and then after forcing a three-and-out, drove for another field goal.

Then came a pair of back-breakers forced by the Seattle defense.

Late in the first quarter, Manning threw a wobbly pass over the middle under heavy pressure into the hands of Seattle safety Kam Chancellor.

That led to a 1-yard-touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch that put Seattle ahead 15-0 with exactly 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

At that point in the game, Seattle had a 165-11 edge in yards and 9-0 in first downs.

Denver finally got a couple first downs on its initial drive of the second quarter.

But on a third-and-13 from the 35, Manning was hit by Avril as he threw with the ball falling into the hands of linebacker Malcolm Smith, who had an easy path to a 69-yard touchdown that made it 22-0 with 3:21 left in the first half. The non-Seahawks fans in the crowd beginning to look to the Bruno Mars halftime show to make it interesting again.

Then came Harvin’s return, sparking a second half that increasingly had the feel of a Seahawks home game as orange-clad Denver fans began to leave in droves.

Seattle scored again with 2:38 to play in the third quarter when Russell Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse with a 23-yard touchdown pass to make it 36-0. On this day, Wilson was a quiet star.

Denver averted the embarrassment of suffering the first shutout in Super Bowl history when Demaryius Thomas scored on a 14-yard pass on the final play of the third quarter.

But it was a momentary intrusion into Seattle’s fun. Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin early in the fourth quarter to make it 43-8 as the party on the Seahawks sideline kicked into high gear in what might be the greatest moment in the history of Seattle sports.

The Seahawks had been as far as a conference title game just twice since entering the NFL in 1976 before this season, a year that began with high expectations after a young team began to find itself late in the 2012 season to advance to the divisional round.

Seahawks players, in fact, began talking Super Bowl the minute they lost in Atlanta a year ago, and Seattle was a popular pick among preseason prognosticators.

Still, some wondered how a team that ended the season as the seventh-youngest in the NFL would handle the hype.

Turns out, they did it “very well,’’ the joking response coach Pete Carroll often gives to questions about how he thinks his team will handle something.

The win also gave Carroll a slice of coaching history as he became just the third coach to win both a college national title and a Super Bowl — the others being Jimmy Johnson (Miami, Dallas Cowboys) and Barry Switzer (Oklahoma, Dallas Cowboys).

The Seahawks turned to Carroll after the 2009 season, Seattle having won just a combined nine games in the previous two years, and surprisingly firing coach Jim Mora after just one season.

Carroll, who had twice been fired by NFL teams (Jets, Patriots) before rehabbing his career at USC, was anxious to show he could succeed at the highest level of the game.

He, too, set a high bar when the season began, saying the team expected it could get to, and win, the Super Bowl.

And if there was a time that seemed an unbelievable thought, it doesn’t anymore.

Points	Game	Matchup	Halftime lead
Largest halftime leads in Super Bowl history
The Seahawks built up the third-largest halftime lead in Super Bowl history. Coincidentally, the Broncos were involved on the wrong side of the three largest deficits, including Sunday’s game against Seattle.
25	Super Bowl XXI	Redskins vs. Broncos	35-10, Redskins
24	Super Bowl XXIV	49ers vs. Broncos	27-3, 49ers
22	Super Bowl XLVIII	Seahawks vs. Broncos	22-0, Seahawks
20	Super Bowl XVI	49ers vs. Bengals	20-0, 49ers
20	Super Bowl XX	Bears vs. Patriots	23-3, Bears

Margin	Game	Result
Largest margin of victory in Super Bowl history
The Seahawks’ 43-8 victory tied for third-largest margin of vicory in Super Bowl history.
45	Super Bowl XXIV	San Francisco 55, Denver 10
36	Super Bowl XX	Chicago 46, New England 10
35	Super Bowl XLVIII	Seattle 43, Denver 8
35	Super Bowl XXVII	Dallas 52, Buffalo 17
32	Super Bowl XXII	Washington 42, Denver 10
29	Super Bowl XVIII	LA Raiders 38, Washington 9
27	Super Bowl XXXVII	Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21
27	Super Bowl XXXV	Baltimore 34, NY Giants 7
25	Super Bowl I	Green Bay 35, Kansas City 10

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @bcondotta.

BoBA ISML 2014 Predictions: Preliminaries Match Day 1

ARENA 01: [Last Order] Hirasawa Ui Ibuki Fūko Izumi Konata Takamachi Nanoha Konjiki no Yami [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)]
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 02: Hiiragi Tsukasa Asahina Mikuru [Holo] Makise Kurisu [Tachibana Kanade] Honma Meiko Maria
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 03: [Eucliwood Hellscythe] C.C. [Mikazuki Yozora] Kawashima Ami Katsura Hinagiku Hiiragi Kagami Furude Rika
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 04: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Suiseiseki [Misaka Mikoto] Fujibayashi Kyō Chii Sanzen'in Nagi Kanzaki H. Aria
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 05: Kushieda Minori [Shiina Mashiro] Iwasawa Masami Index L. Prohibitorum Tōwa Erio Sōseiseki [Hirasawa Yui]
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 06: Kōzuki Kallen Ryōgi Shiki Nymph Ichinose Kotomi [Aragaki Ayase] Louise Vallière [Suzumiya Haruhi]
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 07: [Azuki Azusa] Miki Sayaka Yoshino Yukihira Furano [Nyarlathotep] Kurugaya Yuiko Gasai Yuno
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 08: Inaba Himeko Ai Astin Miyauchi Renge Yui [Yaya] Takao [Shirakiin Ririchiyo]
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 09: Fuyuumi Ai Kamikita Komari [Nase Mitsuki] [Kaname Madoka] Mukaido Manaka Tsuchimikado Natsume Momo Belia Deviluke
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 10: Frey Kaga Kōko Tobiichi Origami [Kuriyama Mirai] [Takanashi Tōka] Tōma Kazusa Dairenji Suzuka
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 11: Yuigahama Yui Yūōji Ōka [Nōmi Kudryavka] Yūki Mikan [Itsuka Kotori] Ichijō Hotaru Kudō Asuka
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ARENA 12: Yusa Emi [Natsume Rin] Shindō Ai Celestia Ludenberg Laura Bodewig [Tokisaki Kurumi] Neptune
Over/Under: 15000
Over

Koi no Megalover.

ビーチユーロ消えろ! ケチ遊泳

ビーチユーロ消えろ! ケチ遊泳 YEAH!

SWINGサマーアイスクリームゲッチュ!メガ☆ラバ

すっぴんグラマーすっぴんが自由メガ☆ラバ

ピンク修羅場スピーカーCHU!メガ☆ラバ

アニキLOVERサイン

SWINGサマーアイスクリームゲッチュ!メガ☆ラバ

すっぴんグラマーすっぴんが自由メガ☆ラバ

ピンク修羅場スピーカーCHU!メガ☆ラバ

アネキLOVERサイン

「超ブルー」黙れ!優雅なSEXアピールPEOPLEメス

絶望生物系の熱弁

冬挽回憂鬱夏来る不安感レイディー

塗ればネバネバ・デスペイント

不運なワンチャンあんた夏ゲーム魔羅が氾濫サスペンス

メロメロエロプレイガール!プレイガール!

H都合なドラマスティック結合なご満悦プレイ

ディスコでコネ御礼!

誰も彼もハリキリ妄想

フルビキニ着れて逃走

トロピカル年々上昇オゾン層ゾーン無残ビーサン

あれま祭りで抗争

出店がらみの乱闘

的屋の兄ちゃん姉ちゃんぼろもうけするマスター

不運なワンチャンあんた夏ゲーム魔羅が氾濫サスペンス

メロメロエロプレイガール!プレイガール!

H都合なドラマスティック結合なご満悦プレイ

ディスコでコネ御礼!

HEY!いれろ冷房!

チェリー強引TOベッド

グッバイエロ細胞

ヒロイン全滅トゥーレイト

悶えリトルボーイ

手詰まりの猛威

おまえラブ理論さえ才能

妄想集まれ幻滅と憂いのレイン

ただいつも俺振られインマイルーム

ノーメイク風呂へ

気分はスター・ラメ

浴衣風鈴ダーリン

今ロマンロック・ハニー

OH… !!レディオ爆音浜辺罪色(つみいろ)

皆フォーリンLOVE

エキゾチックパーティ ShakeYourBody!

ノーブラ溢れ黒くサマー YEAR!

SWINGサマーアイスクリームゲッチュ!メガ☆ラバ

すっぴんグラマーすっぴんが自由メガ☆ラバ

ピンク修羅場スピーカーCHU!メガ☆ラバ

アニキLOVERサイン

SWINGサマーアイスクリームゲッチュ!メガ☆ラバ

すっぴんグラマーすっぴんが自由メガ☆ラバ

ピンク修羅場スピーカーCHU!メガ☆ラバ

アネキLOVERサイン

「超ブルー」黙れ!優雅なSEXアピールPEOPLEメス

絶望生物系の熱弁

冬挽回憂鬱夏来る不安感レイディー

塗ればネバネバ・デスペイント

不運なワンチャンあんた夏ゲーム魔羅が氾濫サスペンス

メロメロエロプレイガール!プレイガール!

H都合なドラマスティック結合なご満悦プレイ

ディスコでコネ御礼!

はみ毛にんまりどすけべ無礼講

カモメも揉めケツ猛烈のパレード

有り金やれ!ビキニトレード

花火あがれ発火俺の肛門へ

不運なワンチャンあんた夏ゲーム魔羅が氾濫サスペンス

メロメロエロプレイガール!プレイガール!

H都合なドラマスティック結合なご満悦プレイ

ディスコでコネ御礼!

HEY!いれろ冷房!

チェリー強引TOベッド

グッバイエロ細胞

ヒロイン全滅トゥーレイト

悶えリトルボーイ

手詰まりの猛威

おまえラブ理論さえ才能

妄想集まれ幻滅と憂いのレイン

ただいつも俺振られインマイルーム

ノーメイク風呂へ

気分はスター・ラメ

浴衣風鈴ダーリン

今ロマンロック・ハニー

OH… !!レディオ爆音浜辺罪色(つみいろ)

皆フォーリンLOVE

エキゾチックパーティ ShakeYourBody!

ノーブラ溢れ黒くサマー YEAR!

SWINGサマーアイスクリームゲッチュ!メガ☆ラバ

すっぴんグラマーすっぴんが自由メガ☆ラバ

ピンク修羅場スピーカーCHU!メガ☆ラバ

アニキLOVERサイン

SWINGサマーアイスクリームゲッチュ!メガ☆ラバ

すっぴんグラマーすっぴんが自由メガ☆ラバ

ピンク修羅場スピーカーCHU!メガ☆ラバ

アネキLOVERサイン

ビーチユーロ消えろ!ケチ遊泳

ビバ!貧乏!

美貌リンスマニア!!

In the end, you're responsible for you.

I told my friend from the Philippines, Aries, in an email that I don't need her assistance anymore in Pangya because I'm settled with points, pang, active items, etc. It also didn't help that she dragged me into a game without considering that I was occupied with a quest of my own. I did say that it was unfortunate that this was situation she was dealt with, but when you ask for other people's money when they earn little, and you do it consistently and you run up the score on them in stroke play matches, those people can have deep amounts of resentment for you. They don't want to play with you and they don't want anything to do with you.

To be honest, it started when I was selling a rare set for Cecilia, one of the playable characters. Either that or it was glasses. And then my friend adds me to her friends list. She thinks I'm a millionaire. She didn't realize that she was demanding too much from me. Eventually it got to a point where I had to let her go because she's asking for my money when she's not even working because she lives in the Philippines. I told her in the email, go find a job, or get a raise or budget. Don't rely on me, I'm not your bank or fellow family member. I don't do remittances. This would have been avoided if she asked someone else to play with her on that Daily Quests game. I am not a Plan A, B, C, D, E, or even F. I'm just a Pangya Researcher, opting to play the game by practicing the courses in different wind variations.

So she realizes now that she really was asking for way too much from me and it left me pretty pissed off. The good thing about it is that now any point I purchases will be mine's, I won't engage in any more rare trading, and so on. I didn't win the Lottery. I worked for my cash. And I'm so glad that now she will ask someone else for points because she's done enough for me. I've done enough for her, too, and I'm ending it there.

After I sent the email, and I took a long nap where I started to appreciate my family and why I plan to give back to them this Friday if I do get my overtime pay, I took a few photos of Hana in her Black Widow Set. I think it does match for a good Halloween night inside Deep Inferno. But since Halloween isn't for a while, I placed the dress inside Dolfini's Locker after the photo shoot finished.

I've Been Everywhere

I was totin' my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road,

When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.

"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."

And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.

He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.

And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"

I've been everywhere, man.

Crossed the desert's bare, man.

I've breathed the mountain air, man.

Of travel I've had my share, man.

I've been everywhere.

I've been to:

Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,

Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,

Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,

Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,

Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,

Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.

I've been everywhere, man.

Crossed the desert's bare, man.

I've breathed the mountain air, man.

Of travel I've had my share, man.

I've been everywhere.

I've been to:

Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,

Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,

Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,

Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,

Tennessee to Tennesse Chicopee, Spirit Lake,

Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.

I've been everywhere, man.

Crossed the desert's bare, man.

I've breathed the mountain air, man.

Of travel I've had my share, man.

I've been everywhere.

I've been to:

Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,

Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,

Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,

Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,

Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,

Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.

I've been everywhere, man.

Crossed the desert's bare, man.

I've breathed the mountain air, man.

Of travel I've had my share, man.

I've been everywhere.

I've been to:

Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,

Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,

Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,

Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,

Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,

Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.

I've been everywhere, man.

Crossed the desert's bare, man.

I've breathed the mountain air, man.

Of travel I've had my share, man.

I've been everywhere.

I've been everywhere.