October 2011

(According to the computer stats, CHUY DAH has passed the 60-post mark!)

Greetings, one and all, to the October issue of the Empire's top newsletter, the excellence that is CHUY DAH. . .

This is going to be a short newsletter, because let's face it, not much is really going on right now. Not because of apathy or inattention, but due simply to that daemon we call "real life". And that's okay, because it's been a helluva year for us all, a hell in various forms. Not to say there haven't been high points, but it's been hard, and I think we've all needed the time to take care of things.

That being said, onto business:

I'm suspending this month's meeting, as well as next month's -- but would like to suggest an event for this month, which is somewhat related to our "Dinner and Movie Night":

On October 21st, a new version of one of my all-time favorite movies -- "The Three Musketeers" -- is due to be released. One of the major stars is our late Thought-Admiral's dream girl, one Milla Jovovich (as Milady DeWinter). And since our movies were going to be a Milla retrospective anyway, I suggest that we attend this movie and have dinner at New Towne Mall. As for me, I plan on seeing the movie on the 21st (or 22nd) regardless, but I'd like to think that the boss would appreciate the symbolism of this event.

Also, a certain member of this crew (who is currently MIA at this time) has a birthday around this time, so we can celebrate it as well...

I'd appreciate crew input on this.

And now, before I sign off for the time being, a moment of Zen...

Hell May Have Very Well Frozen Over...

Crew, today is a special day. "Why is that, Admiral ?" you may ask.

(Go ahead, ask.)

It's a special day because today, after 28 years of swearing he'd never get married, my favorite bass player and one of my personal heroes, Gene Simmons, is finally tying the knot with his lady, Shannon Tweed.

In honor of this cosmically rare event, I raise a flagon of the Clan's best bloodwine in their honor, and am officially ordering bloodwine to be served freely in the galley all day today!

TO THE MARRIAGE! QAPLA!

Lest we forget

On this day in our history, let's make sure that we at least took a moment to remember the events that occured, as well as raise a flagon of bloodwine and the howl to the valiant souls who were taken far too early along with the warriors who continue to fight the good fight even now.

QAPLA!

SEPTEMBER 2011 -- BACK TO THE ACADEMY

Greetings one and all! The halls of the ship are far quieter now, thanks to the fact that all the cadets are back at the Academy -- and it's not a moment too soon; I was getting tired of all the foodfights in the galley!

It's September, and this is the Back To School issue of the one and only CHUY DAH -- accept no substitutes!


FROM THE ADMIRAL'S CHAIR

Okay, I guess there are those of you who've been wondering what the heck's been going on with me and why things have been so quiet. Here's the full explanation:

About a month or so ago, I began developing spasms in my upper back that would alternate between my shoulder blades. A CT scan showed me something I wasn't expecting: possible cancer cells in one of my rib bones. Needless to say, I was freaked out for a bit, as was my family. But the docs started me on a new type of chemo that's in pill form, and that I can take at home (4 pills, twice a day - bleh).

Good news: The spasms stopped.
Bad news: The side effects of this new drug include potential muscle and joint pain.

Couple that with the sudden influx of tropical storms and the changes they make, and I'm down with a little thing called "barometric orthralgia", which translates into arthritic-like attacks in my knees and ankles. Bottom line, I'm not walking far, not without a wheelchair, walker, or cane. The pain got bad enough that I ended up in the Aultman ER one Sunday, wondering why I can't even stand without screaming (you know how the pain scale goes 1 to 10? I found 12).

But, over time (with the help of certain lovely painkillers), this cleared up, and now I'm walking normally, just a little slowly right now as I get my strength back. I couldn't get to the computer easily, so that's why there's been no newsletter. Till now.

Okay, there's more. If you've been following my recent Facebook postings, on August 18th, I also became a great-uncle for a 2nd time! My nephew Mark and his fiancee Joy had a son, Layne Michael Miller, who came into the world at 5 lbs. 10 oz. and 18 inches long. From what I was last told, he's coming along just fine. So this also means we have a new Cadet as well!

And last -- but by no means least -- I have finally gotten published!

The book in question is an original manuscript I wrote in 2009, titled JERICHO HILL AND THE CASE OF THE FALLEN ANGEL. It's my try at hard-boiled detective fiction, and it's available through a direct link at www.lulu.com (I've got the link, so let me know if you'd be interested...). The Dover Public Library has the second copy -- my parents have the first one.

Enough about me.

This month's meeting location has been changed from 1 pm at Bread Head Bakery to 2 pm at my house, due both to a fire on September 3rd at the Main Moon resteraunt and the fact that I will be house-sitting September 10 (which is this Saturday). This is not the Dinner and Movie Night; just bring some kind of snack, and I'll provide the drinks. Hope to see everyone then.

The Calendar of Events is next...

CHUY DAH - July 2011

If you're hoping for the Empire's Swimsuit edition, sorry, this ain't it...


INTRODUCTION
To start off this issue, a belated Happy Birthday to our Chief Logistics Officer, Lt. Cmdr. K'Ana! Hope you had a great day and drank as much bloodwine as you could...

SHIP'S BUSINESS
This month's meeting will be at our usual meeting place -- of course I speak of the Bread Head Bakery -- on Saturday, the 9th of July, at 1 pm (this is due to the new closing time of the BHB: 3 pm).

Since most of our cadets are now much older, it's time that our roster illustrate this. So I've taken the liberty of retooling it to better reflect the changes. It'll work a little something like this:

Ages 0 - 9: Trainee

Ages 10 - 13: Specialist

Ages 14 - 18: Officer

Any crewmember under the age of 18 will now carry an NCO rank without any honorific, and will be summarily promoted at the appropriate age.

While I'm on this subject, I've decided to personally add an special Honorary Member to it; my pastor, Reverend Michael Lowry, who has recently left my church and returned home to Maine, will now carry the office of Ship's Chaplain, with the honorary commission of Commander. You may be wondering why I've done this. Not only has he been a good friend and spiritual guide to me and my family, he's the first minister I've ever known who freely admits to being a science-fiction fan (especially a fan of Doctor Who). This was my tribute to him.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 9th: Doomslayer General Meeting @ Bread Head Bakery -- 1 pm.

CHUY DAH - June 2011

Okay, to start things off, I've discovered I'm going to have to borrow a page from the Federation and get myself an aide -- my desk looks like a battlefield (not that that's a bad thing, mind you, but it does make one fall behind on matters).

Belated Happy Anniversary wishes to my 2nd and 3rd in commands. . . I couldn't ask for a finer duo to work with.

In honor of their anniversary, I'm mandating that there will be an extra ration of bloodwine with all meals for this coming week!

This month's meeting will be held at the New Towne Mall's miniature golf course on June 11th at 1 pm -- that's right, once again, it's time for the Doomslayer Invitational (Mini) Golf Classic!

Calendar of Events to follow. . .

CHUY DAH - May 2008 (Mother's Day Special)

This issue of CHUY DAH is dedicated to all those of the maternal persuasion -- of course I speak of Moms everywhere -- on this special day. Like I always say, without our Moms, where would we all be?

Additionally, this month's issue is also dedicated to the members of the elite Special Operations team known as SEAL Team Six, the team that took out the world's most wanted terrorist, Usama ben Laden. To you gentlemen, KAI KASSAI and a big HOORAH!

Okay, now onto business. . .

This is May, and according to the ship's calendar, our event for this month is the annual Ship's Picnic, which will take place on the 14th at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia at 1 pm. As usual, it's BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic), and we'll need an advance party to find a table for everyone (I'm taking volunteers for this detail). I'd also like to add that I'm lifting the moratorium on fried chicken and watermelon; let's just be careful where we are at the time, okay?

I had a good visit last month at Borders with Captain Kh'Per, who sends greetings to everyone.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 8th: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

May 12th: Chief Engineer Sebastian's birthday

May 20th: "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" released

May 21st: Captain Kh'Per's birthday

May 30th: MEMORIAL DAY (where we remember the warriors who fought for us)

May 30th: Adm. Konnor's birthday (did you think I was going to let this pass?)

CHUY DAH -- April 2011

FROM THE ADMIRAL'S CHAIR

First of all, I'd like to begin this newsletter by thanking everyone who attended last month's memorial dinner at The Manor. I think we all enjoyed the evening, and even the Chancellor would have loved it as well. (K'Ana -- sorry to hear that you had tonsilitis; you were missed, let me say for the record.) It's still hard to believe that it's been over a year now since Chancellor Klaad went on to the Black Fleet...

This month's event will be our semi-annual "Operation: Get out of Town" excursion to the Canton Sector this coming Saturday afternoon. The gathering point -- as usual -- will be the Borders bookstore on The Strip in North Canton.

You don't have to exclusively stay there; there are plenty of stores in the area -- but as for myself, you know where I'll be found. I'd like for all of us to meet around noon (or whenever you can get there).

An update on my medical condition: I've completed all the radiation therapy, and am now concentrating on healing from the burns that I suffered from it (unfortunate side-effect, I'm told). I'll be seeing my oncologist this Thursday, and find out what the next step in my treatment.

The Calendar of Events (and any further news) will be coming next...

MARCH 2011: Remebering and looking forward

From the desk of the XO, Capt. K’Dot-Ka’li sutai-Makhleod


It's March, 2011... Didn't we just start the year? Where does the time go? I look out the window here and see the grass is green and some of the trees are starting to bud already. There are children with skate boards instead of snowballs. I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose. Having spent all of my time here on Terra in this one area, I should be used to the fickle changes in weather. Ah well.

The regularly scheduled meeting is being replaced this month by a quiet family dinner on March 17th in honor of Chancellor Klaad. Take a moment my friends and raise a glass, drink a toast, and remember not only our fearless leader, but all our fallen brothers and sisters. They deserve no less.

As we remember those who have gone on, let us also look to the future as we celebrate the birthday of our youngest member, Cadet Recruit Rha’lyn! Happy Birthday little sprout!


Calender of events:

March 13th: Cadet Recruit Rha’lyn’s birthday

March 17th: Doomslayer family dinner

March 17th: St. Patrick's Day

February 2011 -- the Valentine's Day issue

Greetings, brothers and sisters! Yes, I'm back in action, still somewhat sore from recent surgical procedures, but as I always say, you can't keep a good Klingon down for long! (Unless there's a good Klingon woman and a great deal of bloodwine involved, but enough about my therapy...)


FROM THE ADMIRAL'S CHAIR

I'd like to start off by thanking all crewmembers who attended the first meeting of 2011 at my residence -- this was the largest meeting we've had in quite some time!


The Bread Head Bakery has recently informed me that they have changed their closing time from 6 pm to 3 pm on Saturdays. Given that our standard meeting time was usually 1 pm, this might serve as a problem. . .but since we of the Mighty Doomslayer strongly adhere to the principles of "improvise, adapt, overcome", there is a solution.


Starting in February, any Ship's meeting that takes place at the Bread Head will start at 12:30 pm, instead of 1 pm. One of the staff members (a friend of mine) has said that as long as she's there working and cleaning up after 3 pm, we're welcome to stay if our meeting runs longer then usual. So this problem is covered -- but make note of the schedule change, folks!


Continuing on...


As we discussed at the January meeting, we will be collecting for the ship fund from every crew member to build up operating capital for future missions. The amount will be $3.00/month (to be collected at meetings/events) or $36/year (how you choose to pay it is up to you). I'm not going to say that if you fall behind, you're barred from the next event or anything like that; just remember to keep up.


I'd also like to receive individual reports for future newsletters, people. That's all I'm going to say. And will keep on saying till I start getting them on a regular basis!


I'd like to congratulate two newly-promoted noncoms who joined the ranks of the crew at the January meeting:

Master Chief Petty Officer T'Lisen, our newest Security Specialist

Petty Officer 2nd Class Qod, our newest Operations Specialist

(Ah, they grow up so fast...) Congratulations, young warriors - - I know you'll serve this ship well!


Now, before I put up the February Calendar, allow me to leave you with a moment of Zen:

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February is Avocado and Banana Month! ( I had no idea)

Feb. 1st: Working Naked Day
Feb. 2nd: Groundhog Day (Punxsutawney represent, yo!)
Feb. 2nd: Commander Kha'Vid and Lt. K'Hammie's Anniversary
Feb. 2nd: Imbolic (???)
Feb. 3rd: HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR (The Year of the Rabbit)!!
Feb. 6-12th: National Jell-o Week
Feb. 8th: Lt. K'Wendah's birthday
Feb. 8th: Extraterrestrial Culture Day
Feb. 12th: Doomslayer General Meeting @ Bread Head Bakery -- 12:30 pm.
Feb. 13th: Get a New Name Day
Feb. 14th: Cadet Qos' birthday
Feb. 19th: The 30th Anniversary of the death of AC/DC's original lead singer, Bon Scott
Feb. 28th: Public Sleeping Day

January 2011: A New Year, A New Log

From the desk of the XO, Capt. K’Dot-Ka’li sutai-Makhleod


Another year here on Terra has passed. 2010 is gone and I can’t say I’m sad to see it go. It’s been a rough year for many here on the Doomslayer, and for many others through out the ‘verse. Let us raise a glass of blood wine and remember all those that have gone ahead to Sto‘Vo‘Kor and in salute to all who have survived to continue the battles that have been set before us!


I am happy to report that Admiral Konnor has dealt well with the medical issues he has faced this past year. The surgery went very well and was completed in less time than it was expected to take. He is recovering well and is in very good spirits. Qapla! Admiral Konnor! We, the loyal crew of the IKV Doomslayer, are honored to serve with you and provide all the assistance we can while you continue your recovery!


As with every new year, it is time to rethink, reorganize, and redo many things for the ship! This means we will all be filling out paper work and updating the Ships Calendar as well during the upcoming meeting. Also, please keep in mind that Admiral Konnor has offered up the option to reinvent your self (character wise) if you so choose. So think about whether or not there are any changes you would like to make to your persona. Due to the Admiral’s health, we will be meeting at his house this month at #pm. Please bring any information you may need to update your medical forms as well any information regarding an activity or away mission you would like to see the ship undertake this year.





CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

January 3rd: National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day.
These treats can also be made with prunes! What a delicious treat for every Klingon warrior!

January 4th: Lt. Kammie’s Birthday

January 8th: Doomslayer General Meeting: Admiral Konnor’s Dwelling at 2pm

January 8th-14th: Universal letter writing week- Don’t forget to write home to Mom.
She misses you and longs to hear of the battles you have won!

January 10th: Chancellor Klaad’s Birthday (RIP)

January 15th: Cmdr. Kha’Vid’s Birthday