The Starmen.Net Newsletter
Edition IV

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE:
"We wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy new 
year!"
-CARPAINTER

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------[ T A B L E - O F - C O N T E N T S ]-------
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// 1. Introduction
Read an introduction by Starmen.Net's newsletter 
maintainer, Carpainter!

// 2. Latest Starmen.Net News
Lots has gone on with Starmen.Net in the past few 
weeks, and this is the best place to read it all!

// 3. Interview
This edition of the newsletter has a special 
interview with someone I happen to this is pretty 
cool.  This week, I'm interviewing ... FOUR 
PEOPLE.  WHAT?  HOW?  It's sort of like a 
conference call.  We have Jim, OnionRingofDoom, 
PsychicKid and Mansion_Maniac!  Enjoy!

// 4. Word Search
FIND ALL THE WORDS!  ZOOM!

// 5. Carpainter's Rant
This rant is by far, the most enjoyable rant I've 
had to write.  Since it's been a month, I'm 
explaining what's happened in my life, and what 
I'm planning for Christmas!

/\/\/\/\/\/\
INTRODUCTION -
\/\/\/\/\/\/

Wow.  Edition Four.  How sweet it is.

Sadly, I was hit with exam after exam, and had 
test after test to the point that I just said 
"Forget it, I'm faking sick to complete 
newsletter."  It's sad, but that is what I had to 
do.  It's 11:34 in the morning, on a Friday, and 
I'm excited to say that the newsletter will be 
completed!  Hoorah!

-Carpainter

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LATEST SM.NET NEWS -
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FUNFEST WINNERS -
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There were many submissions, and many won. Here 
were the winners of Best Overall Entry!

BEST OVERALL ENTRY:

1. The Nameless Movie by Wasabi Milkshake
2. Test of Essence by SaturnStorm
3. Earthbound: Funktastic Funhouse by DarkLink570

The rest of the winners can be found here!
http://starmen.net/funfest/halloween03/winners/

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ANOTHER FUNFEST -
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After the recent success of her Hallowe'en 
Funfest, Luna has taken over the Holiday Funfest 
as well!  The page can be found here:

http://starmen.net/ff/

Luna has been quoted as saying that the funfests 
are perfect for her as well!  Sweet deal!

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WINTER CONTINUUM TOURNAMENT -
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Led by DSB ERs, atty and Wizenbane, #subspace is 
holding a Winter Continuum Tournament.  This will 
be by far the best one due to the fact that atty 
can basically control anything.  Reset flags, 
timers, et cetera.  It will be very interesting.

DSB Tourney: Dec 20th 6PM PST | 
http://students.washington.edu/gpr2/continuum/intr
o.htm <-- Tourny FAQ, must read for new 
participants'

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STAFFER OF THE UPDATE -
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My top choice for staffer of the week, is none 
other than ShadowX.  Check out his section here:

http://starmen.net/merchandise/

/\/\/\/\/
INTERVIEW -
\/\/\/\/\

This time, I took PsychicKid, Mansion_Maniac, 
OnionRingofDoom and Jim and threw them into one 
channel.  We're going to discuss Starmen.Net, and 
I'm sure you'll enjoy!

<PsychicKid> Wooo-woo-woo!
<@Carpainter> Welcome to the INTERVIEW portion of 
Newsletter.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> whoa, cool!
<@Carpainter> With me today are Mansion_Maniac, 
OnionWreathOfDoom, PsychicKid and Jim.
<@Carpainter> How you four doing?
<PsychicKid> I'm fine.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> spifftastic
<PsychicKid> Except I'm sick today.
<Jim> Wicked good.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> and my speakers are tweaking 
out
<@Carpainter> I'm faking sick.  I just wanted 
Newsletter to be finished!
<PsychicKid> But, it gives me time to plot 
complete social and economic collapse.
<PsychicKid> Whoa Carpy, me too :P
<@Carpainter> That's great, OROD.  WE NEED YOUR 
LIFE STORY!
<OnionWreathOfDoom> ok
<@Carpainter> Mansion will be right back.
<Jim> Sure he will.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> Well, I was born in a deep 
fryer a few years ago
<@Carpainter> Anyway, the first topic on my agenda 
is the Holiday Funfest.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> ok
<PsychicKid> Sure.
<Mansion_Maniac> uh...I'm good?
<@Carpainter> We just finished the Hallowe'en 
Funfest, and people seem to be tapped out on 
creativity.  Was it a good thing to have the 
Holiday Funfest IMMEDIATELY follow the Hallowe'en 
Funfest?
<OnionWreathOfDoom> hmmm
<PsychicKid> Hmm.... ya know that's a VERY good 
question.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> It's good for me, cause I 
didn't do anything for halloween funfest
<Jim> I'm having no problems with creativity. 
They're two completely different themes.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> and I have a really cool idea 
for the holiday one
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah
<PsychicKid> Jim's got the right idea there.
<Jim> Besides, both have been part of the site for 
years. I'd hate to see either one go.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> exactly
<Mansion_Maniac> For me, it's one or the other, I 
worked a good amount of time for Halloweiners, and 
I'm not very creative to make up two storylines 
for fanfics in 2 month's time
<PsychicKid> Two different themes = Different 
creative stuff (I hope)
<@Carpainter> But time consumption is a major 
factor.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, but people like me who 
don't write and don't have to think up story lines 
have it a bit eaiser, I think
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yes, and free time is what I 
lack
<@Carpainter> I know people who started their 
Hallowe'en submissions long before it was 
announced.
<PsychicKid> To be honest myself, I'm not much of 
a funfest enter-er.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, I started my winter one 
like, a while ago
<Jim> It is a factor, but each funfest lasts at 
least a month.
<Mansion_Maniac> heh, I procrastinated
<PsychicKid> But I do like looking at other 
entries.
<@Carpainter> As do I.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> in fact, it wasn't gonna be 
for the funfest originally, but if I smack a few 
eb sprites in there, then we instantly have a 
contender for most impressive entry!
<Jim> Nobody's asking for a Lord of the Rings, a 
month for each and a month in between is enough 
for most entries.
<PsychicKid> Heh.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> Jim, go make me the lord of 
the rings
<PsychicKid> LotR is one DEEP story.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> ;)
<@Carpainter> I'd love to see the Funfest pull a 
"World Wrestling Entertainment" and have a Funfest 
every month.  How interesting would that be?
<@Carpainter> Onto the next topic:
<@Carpainter> OROD sort of mentioned this a few 
seconds ago,
<@Carpainter> But how do you feel toward the 
treatment of flukes?
<OnionWreathOfDoom> well, I like GOOD flukes
<OnionWreathOfDoom> but I'm not a big fan of bad 
ones
<OnionWreathOfDoom> we need fluke judges
<PsychicKid> To be honest, I think flukes are 
underrated.
<Jim> Flukes are a nice way to contribute, 
especially during the funfests.
<Mansion_Maniac> Well, on the one hand, I'm not 
very happy about Wampa's treatment of the section
<Mansion_Maniac> I mean, as far as the Hall of 
Shaem goes
<Mansion_Maniac> wtf?
<PsychicKid> Sure, they can be made in a few 
minutes, but they can be funny still.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> like, before we submit flukes 
to the site, somebody should judge them
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah
<Mansion_Maniac> but on the other hand
<Mansion_Maniac> you have the infamous "I'll whack 
your butthole" fluke
<OnionWreathOfDoom> lol
<PsychicKid> The Hall of Shaem has some of the 
best flukes on the site ;)
<Jim> Not everyone can draw or write a good 
article or fanfic, and flukes are something 
everyone can do.
<@Carpainter> BaronFel, CherryBomb and BC are 
examples of people who have been able to make 
flukes funny.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yah
<PsychicKid> Yes.
<@Carpainter> By treating fluke makers with this 
much disrespect, a really good creator might be 
overlooked.
<PsychicKid> That's true.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> see, you don't need artistic 
talent to be good at flukes
<OnionWreathOfDoom> you need humor, which a lot of 
people have
<OnionWreathOfDoom> unfourtunatly, I don't have 
much
<PsychicKid> The reason why people don't like 
flukes is because of all the "crappyness" that 
happened with AoE.
<Jim> You know what was good fluke usage? 
Moonside.net's old "Where's Ness?" flukes.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, I like fluke comics
<Mansion_Maniac> See, that's what SM.net needs
<PsychicKid> Those were good Jim.
<@Carpainter> I loved those "Where's Ness?" 
things.
<Mansion_Maniac> A Where's Ness subsection for 
Flukes
* PsychicKid gives Man_Man a cookie.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> heh, whenever I see Man_Man, 
it reminds me of some cracked out anime smilie
<OnionWreathOfDoom> but anyway, I like flukes
<OnionWreathOfDoom> just not the crappy ones
<OnionWreathOfDoom> and there are A LOT of crappy 
ones
<PsychicKid> Yes, flukes rock.
<Mansion_Maniac> yes, just look at Ur2LOCO's 
flukes
<Mansion_Maniac> man they sucked
<PsychicKid> It's one thing if they suck, but it's 
another thing if they suck so bad that they make 
me fall over laughing and in tears.
<@Carpainter> lol
* OnionWreathOfDoom checks the fluke section
<Jim> There are crappy articles and fanfics too, 
but flukes are just easier to go through.
<@Carpainter> Then again, nobody is perfect.
<@Carpainter> Onto next topic:
<OnionWreathOfDoom> true
<Mansion_Maniac> must be a long topic
<OnionWreathOfDoom> crap, I'm all out of candyu
<@Carpainter> reidman was recently quoted as 
saying that we had a really good current staff 
roster, and that fans should enjoy it while it's 
here.  Do you believe that we have one of the 
better rosters of staff in recent years, or could 
it be better?
<OnionWreathOfDoom> I think it could be a bit 
better
<OnionWreathOfDoom> for example, we need the links 
section to be updated more
<Mansion_Maniac> I agree, I think this is the best 
staff roster I've seen since I started coming here
<OnionWreathOfDoom> and not just with earthbound 
links
<PsychicKid> Well, we have had our share of 
awesome people and not-so awesome people.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah
<Mansion_Maniac> but there are the few among the 
many who should update more often
<Jim> It's a solid staff. Most of them are doing 
their jobs on time.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> **cough**contests**cough**
<Jim> Then some of them have to wait until they 
can skip school to update.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah
<PsychicKid> Right now, we DO have some great 
staffers. But stuff such as Flukes and whatnot 
need to be updated.
<PsychicKid> Wampa updates like, 3 times a year.
<@Carpainter> Let me say, reidman is looking into 
Links, and there are some really good candidates.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, wampa never updates
<OnionWreathOfDoom> we need more fangames too
<PsychicKid> But still, he does say most of the 
flukes he gets are crappy, so maybe we should cut 
him SOME slack.
<Jim> Dish it out man, give us the scoop on Links.
<@Carpainter> As for contests, SLing is planning a 
final update for SSS, and Hard trivia is always a 
pleasent surprise when it's updated.
<Mansion_Maniac> PK, ask him to be a judge
<Mansion_Maniac> I got a collection of flukes from 
him once
<PsychicKid> Wait what?
<Mansion_Maniac> and honestly...
<PsychicKid> Ask who?
<@Carpainter> Wampa.
<Mansion_Maniac> Wampa
<PsychicKid> Oh.
<PsychicKid> Ok.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, we need more links that 
arn't eb related
<@Carpainter> They do have judges for flukes.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> like, funny site links
<Mansion_Maniac> OROD, we'd have so many off topic 
links it wouldn't be funny
<PsychicKid> www.google.com
<@Carpainter> OROD: I might have to disagree 
there.  Links are for little known EB sites to be 
noticed./
<PsychicKid> That place is good for a few laughs.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, that's why we would put 
them in the links section
<Mansion_Maniac> like..."Mansion_Maniac's Invader 
Zim Fanpage Of Doom"
<PsychicKid> I'd visit that ;)
<OnionWreathOfDoom> no, but I mean like, really 
funny sites
<Mansion_Maniac> what about sites that had to deal 
with gaming or any form of it?
<PsychicKid> www.albinoblacksheep.com?
<@Carpainter> Fangames will be updated when 
Fangames are created.
<Jim> Like Game Enders?
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, that works
<Mansion_Maniac> I could sure use help getting 
Game Enders off the ground via Links
<PsychicKid> That could work.
<Mansion_Maniac> yes Jim
<@Carpainter> Onto next EB-related topic ;)   :
<Mansion_Maniac> Game Enders
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yay next topic
<Jim> Then end earthbound for us.
<@Carpainter> And this will be final topic for 
this interview:
* OnionWreathOfDoom pops a paper bag
<PsychicKid> Gasp
<@Carpainter> Favourite staffers and why:
<PsychicKid> Oh dear. >_>;;
<OnionWreathOfDoom> hmmm
<@Carpainter> Right now, ShadowX by far.
<@Carpainter> In my opinion.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah
<Mansion_Maniac> hoooo boy...uh
<OnionWreathOfDoom> ShadowX is good
<OnionWreathOfDoom> reid
<PsychicKid> Yes, ShadowX has been doing a GREAT 
job with auctions.
<Jim> On a personal level, Mike is my favorite 
staffer. <3<3<3 HEARTS FOR MIKEY
<OnionWreathOfDoom> er, reid's updates are always 
funny
<@Carpainter> I also love to read SimonBob's 
updates, and he makes me want to read the FanFic 
section just by updating.
<Mansion_Maniac> I admire SimonBob's drive to get 
his job done
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, me too
<PsychicKid> SB has good updates.
<PsychicKid> VERY good.
<PsychicKid> To be honest, I don't have a favorite 
staffer. They're all worthy of thanks. (Except the 
deadbeats :P)
<Jim> The Picky and Colin- combo has worked out 
pretty good so far.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah
<Mansion_Maniac> oh yeah
<Mansion_Maniac> so has the Mikey-Falcon combo
<@Carpainter> Mother 2 has been updated 
constantly, and that's awesome.
<Mansion_Maniac> always good to read the Mailbag
<PsychicKid> Hehehe.
<@Carpainter> Articles has been stellar as well.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yeah, Pappy is working really 
hard
<PsychicKid> Mother 2 is a fun game. And articles 
pwn my socks.
<PsychicKid> Then there's the newsletter...
<OnionWreathOfDoom> Ebounding has been doing a 
good job too
<@Carpainter> ON THAT NOTE!
<PsychicKid> ...who does that again?
<Jim> YANKEES SUCK
<@Carpainter> I think it's time to end this 
interview, and thank you four for coming out.
<PsychicKid> Oh, I can't remember who does the 
newsletter... *thinks*
<Jim> sweet I got it in before the end
<PsychicKid> Oh yeah, it's Carpy.
<@Carpainter> Newsletter should be on the site 
within an hour, and you all can read.
<PsychicKid> You're welcome carpy.
<OnionWreathOfDoom> no prob
<OnionWreathOfDoom> yay!
<PsychicKid> Now where's that $50?
<OnionWreathOfDoom> alright, I'm off to play drums
<Mansion_Maniac> I want these 20 minutes back >:|
<OnionWreathOfDoom> see ya guys later
*** OnionWreathOfDoom 
(~onionring@DynastyNet-46572.ne.client2.attbi.com) 
Quit (Quit: )
<PsychicKid> 20 more like 10.
<@Carpainter> Later Days, OROD.
<@Carpainter> LATER DAYS, TO EVERYONE!
<Mansion_Maniac> 10 more like 5


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WORD SEARCH -
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R T T N S R O S C F E R F F N O L F L I L S A D E 
O M S H D D L E B S E O B F T O D L T R R E O E C 
A I A A T A F I A O R A O N H F P A L I M S C F C 
T C C I E H E T N I H L S E E M A T G M I I R O O 
I U N T L E R I B K F G N F R C E N N B A P N C I 
S I O A A B H G G A S M T T O N U U A S A T I A E 
O S N D O L A S U G S M A N R I A A T R E D E L A 
A C R F R R F G T G T O O E N D E E O S T U T P N 
A R O T I B M A N S S U L A R L G H T F T C K L A 
F T T D R I S O N O A O G F T O S S N L O N M R B 
A E O I G N S N B F F E H I E E N R L N C R I C S 
F F A S C S E I L N I C O K P I I I S H S C A C M 
F O E R M L A W I D P C P I A O L O D T F L A N R 
N N R E T L E N S C I A T E H R F M H R R S L F E 
F G O U T H O S I L S G R I S A A C T A A A A O S 
D P E S M I B F A N E C M O O I M T O O U I T P P 
S E R B T A N O P E O T N F C N D E O S N O R S O 
A R O A A F B N U O T E T N C R T N S S T N T O O 
T N N M E E E K G N P F N E S A E S A R N D M E E 
T O T T I L M E L A D F N E R A H E T H T N R M O 
D C L R A O R A L N I T S I O L I C E E C N H E P 
E I T O T H R T H S N G N L S M L U E R R R E I N 
R M N T F F C R A L S G S A S O I O S H R R E L L 
O I H S R N D N O T F L L T I N N M A C F D O M E 
R A E C F F A P T I E S E I S N A T U R O L A S R 

Merchandise Newsletter EarthBound Links 
Forum Articles FanArt FanFiction 
Mailbag Polls Chat Contests 
PoemsSongs DONATIONINFO 

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CARPAINTER'S RANT -
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Let's see.  Where to start.

Let's just say, that the whole girl situation 
rules all due to the fact that I'm over the ex, 
and everybody seems to hate her.  That's right.  
You don't mock the Carpmeister.

Example.  Playing basketball at lunch with my good 
friend 'Mittens' (Her name is Kat.) and the ball 
bounces over to the ex-girlfriend.  She 
sarcastically gives the ball to me, and whispers 
to a friend: "He's so bad."  Not only did I make 
the 30-foot shot with a swish, but I gave a 
sarcastic bow.  I love it!

Basketball is probably my life right now, due to 
the fact I've somehow learned to jump higher in 
the past week.  I can dunk right off the ground, 
which I've never been able to do, and it's given 
me an excuse to be with my crush.  Sweet deal.  I 
even subliminally took her number.  She wears #33, 
and now, so do I.  How weird is that?  Anyway, I 
hope it all works out.  Mittens is good friends 
with this girl, and she said she'd talk to her 
Monday.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Another thing that surprised me, is my 2nd worst 
teacher ever, has quickly become one of my 
favourites.  Apparently, I single-handedly changed 
the class when she moved me from one side of the 
room to the other.  It was a good thing she did, 
because I'd have never become friends with Mittens 
and GOAT. (The crush shall be known as GOAT from 
now on.  She's the Greatest of All-Time.  :D)  All 
three of us work on labs together, and we always 
seem to keep the class happy.  Given, it's not 
just us, but Cory and Chris chip in as well.  This 
may not make sense, but pfft, I enjoy it.

I've had two wonderful ideas lately.  I'll explain 
the one that doesn't involve Starmen.Net.  You 
must wait for the good stuff!  Well, let me put it 
this way ... Mittens, Goat, Myself, Cory and 
Mittens boyfriend are going for a world record.  
We're going over to Ché's house (The boyfriend) 
for approximately 69-70 hours.  Why?  We'll be 
watching movies.  If you've heard on the news, the 
record is 66½.  We're intending to attempt to 
break this record.  How sweet would that be?  It 
could be fun, it could not.  I think we'll try and 
stick it out.

The second idea we've had, is a Candystand.com 
Bowling Tournament.  We'll be taking applications 
for league soon, and we'll be having tournaments 
based on application averages.  Basically, you 
bowl three games, and the average score will put 
you in a certain spot in the tourney.  Top score 
against bottom score, and so on.  I'll probably 
accept 16 right away, so apply as soon as you can! 
 Kudos to Mansion_Maniac for helping with this 
idea!  Should be fun. (My average is 199 as of 
now.  Woo!)

Also started FAQin' again.  This time, it's DONKEY 
KONG COUNTRY!  WOO WOO!

Well, this is it for Edition Four!  Hope you 
enjoy!