1190: "Time"

[ucim]

The Pope is coming? Glory Be! You are to be infinitely blessed!

(cue discussion as to whether it is a countable infinity or one of those other ones)

edit: It seems the Pope has already arrived, and it is me! As Pope of NP 2657, I hereby decree that we gather OTTers, especially cute ones, and those that have fallen into the basement (who are also cute, in their own way).

Jose

[lmjb1964]

Shall we prepare the Summoning Circle? Hm, where the ch*rp did I put my bottle of I Can't Believe It's Not Goat's Blood?

[taixzo]

No idea. Perhaps this otter has a bottle of ICBINGB?



RSIR

Spoiler:

[balthasar_s]

It would not give us more power.

[ucim]

Wow... I think that's the first time a decree has been answered by a new TAT frame! But do consider that, as the Pope once said, each droplet is nothing next to the sea, but together they make up the sea. Together let us use this awesomeful power to let all OTTers everywhere know how much they are missed. Perhaps it could be on a new TV show: Welcome Back OTTer!

Jose
Or a stage play: Waiting For BlitzGirl

[lmjb1964]

Welcome back, the ONGs were your ticket back...

I should do more of an ottification, but nothing else is coming to me.

[ZoomanSP]

New OtherComic.

[balthasar_s]

Spoiler:

Wait for it.

Importand frame again!
For the firsttme in a TaT which looks like Time (size, style, etc.) the frame shows not what's happening in in the story but something the character is talking about.

The LHC is large!
It is so very large that they just had to put it in its name, so that everyone knows tha it is large¹.
Compare this with the Humble telescope...

¹or maybe the hadrons are large, name can be interpreted this way too...

[ergman]

consider me summoned. Randomly thought about the thread today, now I guess I know why.

[SBN]

consider me summoned. Randomly thought about the thread today, now I guess I know why.

Welcome back, hope others will follow. I may be in that crowd too. I've been reading along, just without much to say.

I do have some news. GHWFP is doing much better, so much that GHW is officially retired, and is now a pet wolpy, not a working wolpy. He's not completely adjusted, but he is doing well, enjoying the fact that life can now contain table scraps. GHWFP has a new job, as an Escape Artist.

[lmjb1964]

Locate the characters again

And here they are,
together with the whole building.

Now you can become one of them again.
Who will you be?
[39:15:36]
>Be the girl_

bsta is getting tricksy. It snuck an "Um" in on the last frame, and now "Be the girl" is there, below the timer. How did this happen?
Ah, I just learned that if you click on the BB in the bottom right corner, you can just cut and past the code to post the newpix. I've just been quoting the last post with a new bsta frame, changing the numbers and text, and then copying that to a new post. Leave it to me to make it more complicated. But when you click on the BB right now, the "Be the girl__" doesn't get quoted.

And I went to Coincidence and was reading through all the chat. I feel certain there is some meaning that that is important to bsta, but I can't figure it out. I wish ggh or GnomeAnne were around, they might have some insight. Who else was playing around with Coincidence and Two Words?

Hi, Ergman!! So glad the summoning worked, even without the ICBINGB.

And hi, SBN! That's so wonderful about GHWFP. I hope that GHW learns to relax and enjoy retirement. Still trying to figure out how one gets paid to be an Escape Artist. Unless you're Houdini!

[balthasar_s]

bsta is getting tricksy. It snuck an "Um" in on the last frame, and now "Be the girl" is there, below the timer. How did this happen?
Ah, I just learned that if you click on the BB in the bottom right corner, you can just cut and past the code to post the newpix. I've just been quoting the last post with a new bsta frame, changing the numbers and text, and then copying that to a new post. Leave it to me to make it more complicated. But when you click on the BB right now, the "Be the girl__" doesn't get quoted.

It was always behaving this way.
The text of the link to the next frame is always revealed before the actual frame.
It is revealed when only 1/3 of the time to next ong is left.

If you click "BB" then the text below the frame is replaced with BBcode to copy. If you click "BB" once again then only the BBcode is left.
There is no link to remove the BBcode and bring the undertext back.
That's because...
...I haven't figured out a good name for the link.

The link text is not part of the bbcode to copy because it belongs to the next frame. It can be later quoted as the title above the next frame.

[ZoomanSP]

New, physONG-RELATED OtherComic.

ETA: As SBN quotes below, I put in the wrong URL. Fixed now.

[SBN]

New, physONG-RELATED OtherComic.

Is that the link you meant?

Todip's OtherComic

And hi, SBN! That's so wonderful about GHWFP. I hope that GHW learns to relax and enjoy retirement. Still trying to figure out how one gets paid to be an Escape Artist. Unless you're Houdini!

The same way SubWay employees are Sandwich Artists. She works at an Escape Room, laughing at assisting those attempting to complete the puzzle.

[ucim]

And hi, SBN! That's so wonderful about GHWFP. I hope that GHW learns to relax and enjoy retirement. Still trying to figure out how one gets paid to be an Escape Artist. Unless you're Houdini!

The same way SubWay employees are Sandwich Artists. She works at an Escape Room, laughing at assisting those attempting to complete the puzzle.

Would that make GHW a houndini?

Jose
I wonder where BlitzGirl went!

[Lode]

I wonder what thermodynamics says about Time having a sequel...?)

Maybe after the heat death of the universe

[ucim]

I wonder what thermodynamics says about Time having a sequel...?)

Maybe after the heat death of the universe

We'll be here, Waiting For It!

Welcome, Lode, to the One True Thread! Come and set a spell - you'll find that there are a lot of sequels, prequels, and imagiquels already, and other molpish stuff going on here!

Jose

[ZoomanSP]

Is that the link you meant?

Todip's OtherComic

Of course! Thanks, good catch! That was a case of MTAM (Mobile Time Accessor Mustard).

[SilentTimer]

I wonder what thermodynamics says about Time having a sequel...?)

Maybe after the heat death of the universe

In some sense, that's what we are currently working on ...

Welcome, Lode, to the One True Thread!
Yes, as ucim wrote, there is a sequel. (Or is this an imagiquel? See the bottom of that page.)


ETA: Being the girl in a weird situatiONG ...

Be the girl

You're being the girl again.

Something just happened.
You don't know what.
In this situation, what will you do?

Hm... look around for clues what happened?

[ZoomanSP]

New OtherComic.

[ChronosDragon]

i have been summoned! rawr!

in my case, i'm summoned by distressing news from GANDI, the registrar from chirpingmustard.com. it seems the domain is expiring todip, and while i'm still listed as an administrative contact in the WHOIS info, i can't get into my GANDI account! i recall this happening in previous yips but i seem to recall it was taken care of by the owner (Aluisio?). i shall keep trying to hack GANDI's matrix and do what i can, but if the site molpies down, this is why! anywho, if y'all see Aluisio (or whomever takes care of the site these dips), please let him know of the problem! i think GANDI has a grace period where they will hold the domain for you but that only lasts a month or so, so we'll need to act soon.

ETA: oh, and hello from beyond the basement~ lots has happened and i wish i could come back here more often but i'm always dreadfully busy i think of y'all fondly every time i see a sandcastle!

[balthasar_s]

New style of TaT frames is still ongoing.
We have it all covered already.

elementary model of standard particles...

It's time to analyse everything again?
Here we see 5 things, which are examples of "everything which affects our lives"

• A piece of DNA. It's a very important element of all live on Earth.
• A nuclear power plant. This is the "from nuclear fission" part.
• A space rocket. This is the "to space travel" part.
• Some chemical equipment. I don't know what exactly this is.
• An SR latch made from NOR gates. Any digital circuit you imagine can be built entirely from NOR gates. Or NAND gates. (see examples) The SR latch is a very important electronic element.

[ZoomanSP]

New OtherComic.

[moody7277]

New OtherComic.

Which states that we should be calling this a castleraft:

[taixzo]

Hi, ChronosDragon!

Spoiler:

New style of TaT frames is still ongoing.
We have it all covered already.

elementary model of standard particles...

It's time to analyse everything again?
Here we see 5 things, which are examples of "everything which affects our lives"

• A piece of DNA. It's a very important element of all live on Earth.
• A nuclear power plant. This is the "from nuclear fission" part.
• A space rocket. This is the "to space travel" part.
• Some chemical equipment. I don't know what exactly this is.
• An SR latch made from NOR gates. Any digital circuit you imagine can be built entirely from NOR gates. Or NAND gates. (see examples) The SR latch is a very important electronic element.

Specifically, the space rocket is the Saturn 5, which launched people to the Moon.
The more I look at the chemistry equipment, the less I'm convinced it makes sense. If this is an actual setup for some process, someone please let me know!

Which states that we should be calling this a castleraft:

Whereas the other raft is, of course, a yurtraft.

edit: also, hi moody7277!

[balthasar_s]

The S&S productiONGs are getting interesting

Spoiler:

Wait for it.

[...] calculating the path of a space probe is complicated but it only needs small parts of general relativity.

But are the parts relatively small or are they generally small parts?

[...] a thermonuclear bomb just scratches the surface of quantum theory.

It must be very solid if even a thermonuclear bomb can only scratch its surface...

[ZoomanSP]

The S&S productiONGs are getting interesting

Spoiler:

Wait for it.

ENHANCE!

Spoiler:

RSIR:

Spoiler:

[svenman]

Hello from the basement (if it counts as being there if you still follow the thread but don't post anymore).

Very personal stuff in

Spoiler:

Alas, I'm in the basement for a literally¹ most endish reason. My Mum had been battling with the least molpish component of the sea, and in the course of the last few months and weeks, her health had been deteriorating so far that I had to move back into my parental home and take care of her in my free time while commuting to work from there.

Two dips ago, she passed away.

I'll need to stay in the basement some more as I now have a lot, both practically and emotionally, to handle all on my own, having neither siblings nor a life partner.

¹In the literal sense.

Even longer than my forum presence, my wiki work has been suffering. In particular, the TAT page's entry on bsta badly needs to be updated and expanded, and a new entry for the phys series needs to be added. It would be awesomeful if somemolpy else could take care of this.

And now, please excuse me back downstairs.

Edit: Endish personal stuff spoilered.

[SBN]

Hello from the basement (if it counts as being there if you still follow the thread but don't post anymore).

I'm sorry for your loss, and hope you'll rejoin when you can. Take care of yourself.

Maybe it's the attic if you stay following along.

[ucim]

I am so sorry svenman - those are very unmolpish happenings. Know always that you are not alone - you have friends here like unto the sea. You, me, and everyone here are but droplets in the sea, but together those droplets make up the sea. Your mum will be with you always, for as she has returned to the sea, she is likewise all around you and around all of us.

Be blessed, as your mum was blessed in her life to have had you around.

Jose

[mscha]

SPRONGHOUSE...

Spoiler:

Wait for it.

(Colorization by oddcat.)

OTT Time Travel

MRORL HAS YIPS, IF YOU HAVE TREBUCHAT

-- posted by randompixbot

[ZoomanSP]

New OtherComic.

[karhell]

Hello from the basement (if it counts as being there if you still follow the thread but don't post anymore).

Sincerest condoleances, svenman. Jose pretty much nailed what I wanted to say, but I'll add this. Grieving is a lengthy, and strenuous process, but you are, indeed, not alone. If you ever want an ear to vent to, a shoulder to cry on, a friendly chat to take your mind off things, or anything else, don't hesitate (even by PM if you feel it's too personal to post publicly). Just remember that we're always here, and sending molpish thoughts your way.


ETA:

Maybe it's the attic if you stay following along.

That or the garden. Still around, but not exactly inside.

[Sustainabilizer]

Hello, svenman.

I can just add myself to the wonderful words others wrote above and send molpish thoughts in your direction. Mein herzliches Beileid. If you need me for anything, you know how to find me.

Hello from the basement (if it counts as being there if you still follow the thread but don't post anymore).

I think that's not the basement. That's lurking, a form of full participation.

Even longer than my forum presence, my wiki work has been suffering. In particular, the TAT page's entry on bsta badly needs to be updated and expanded, and a new entry for the phys series needs to be added. It would be awesomeful if somemolpy else could take care of this.

I'm considering to take care of that when I find the Time. Right now, I'm buried in outside stuff (plus a story-shaped thing), so don't hold you breath. (But, of course, be welcome to wait for it.)

ETA:

>Try to recover from what just happened._

Makes sense. Waiting for it …

[lmjb1964]

My dear svenman, sending many molpish thoughts your way. I'm so sorry for your loss, and like everyone else here, stand ready to help in whatever way I can from so many miles away. It is such a difficult journey, both during and after losing a parent, and I'm sorry you must travel it alone. I hope that you have friends nearby that can help to support you in ways those of us here cannot.

I think what Sustainabilizer said is exactly right--if you're lurking, you aren't in the basement, just being very quiet. ggh talked about being in the shed at one point, so I suppose you might have popped out to the shed briefly. Of course, ggh has been in the shed for so long now that I fear she's found some sort of connection to the basement.

Hello, ChronosDragon! Nice to see you, even if it is due to m*stard. I suppose we should not be surprised that a domain called chirpingmustard.com would have some problems now and then. Have you tried a PM to Lu? I think he's also on Facebug. I could send him a message there.

Hello also to moody7277 and karhell!

I think there were other things that I wanted to comment on, but I don't remember now what they are. Lots of Outside right now--I have some micro-Zancleaness happening in a couple of areas right now--in my raftcar (personcar?) and in my raftcastle (my coffeewaterbaconbabiesice heater); I'm woring extra hours at my FFS; and my rapidly aging meowply needs extra care. But everyone and everything here is treeish and molpish and wowterful.

[ZoomanSP]

New OtherComic.

[SBN]

H
I think that's not the basement. That's lurking, a form of full participation.

That works too.

TGW (Tiny Grand-Wolpy) is here for the week, while her FP's vacation nearby. Yesterdip we went to a place where they were going to be, and watched stealthily while a certain question was asked and answered. 'Twas answered the way 'twas expected, and then it was revealed that we were there, and much joy was shared.

Hoping those in the path of Florence are able to make good preparations, including get out of the path, if that's appropriate. Please check in so we all know things are well.

[lmjb1964]

Congratulations to TGWFP!!

[Sustainabilizer]

SOMETHING FEELS WRONG …

Try to recover from what just happened.

KXA: What was this?
B: I have no idea.
I don't even know the right words.
KXA: Something feels wrong. I don't know how to say it.
I feel a little different than always.
I try to move and it feels like something's not ok with it.

The wheelstick is right at your feet.

Something feels wrong. I don't know how to say it.
I feel a little different than always.

I think I know that feeling.

Spoiler:

Time travel sickness.
You can stand it better as you get used to it.

The wheelstick is right at your feet.

I have no idea what it is for,
but when it is there, why not pick it up?

What else is in reach?

[...] a thermonuclear bomb just scratches the surface of quantum theory.

It must be very solid if even a thermonuclear bomb can only scratch its surface...

Indeed. Quantum theory is extremely solid.
It can easily deal with extreme forces.

The force which pulls us down is gravity. It can be very strong.
The forces which hold us (and stones and metal and everything solid) together – electromagnetic forces – are much stronger.
The nuclear forces which hold a nucleus of an atom together – and are used in a nuclear power plant or weapon, including a thermonuclear bomb – are much stronger again.
And these very strong nuclear forces are just the small remainder of the even much stronger gluon forces when they cancel each other almost entirely.
(To learn more, read here about the correlation between the nuclear force and Quantum Chromodynamics – or just wait for it.)

[ucim]

Chapter 63

The rising sun lent a golden cast to the landscape as the Great Doors of the Cathedral were opened for morning services. But this would be no ordinary service; the crowds had been gathering for days in anticipation. Somebody was returning from Holy Quest, and the excitement was uncontainable. The Pope looked out from his perch at the top of the stairs and beheld the seaish sea of people gathered below, and thought to himself how ironic it was that this new BlitzGirl, who had wanted to simply slip by unnoticed, was instead the unwitting subject of the largest convocation the clerecy had ever seen.

Nobody gets by The Pope, although sometimes they have to wait for it.

The Pope looked intently towards the cliff above the Grotto, where the Great Cascade had once been, but did not see what he was looking for. Down below, the clerecy was gathering for procession, the Choir of the Raft People was in place, and even yappobiscuits was at the podium, ready to begin the opening accolade. They all looked up to The Pope, but in return saw nothing but the familiar invocation to follow the First and Greatest Commandment.

Second Scribe came up to The Pope wondering if perhaps she had misread one of the Sacred Scrolls, but The Pope reassured her that that could simply not be the case. What was written about what is to be is just as valid as what will be written about what once was, and there is nobody better qualified to interpret these Sacred Writings than her.

Something caught his eye, and he pointed to it. "There - out at the bottom of the cliff", he said. "Do you see that?"

Spoiler:

Second Scribe peered out. "Something's moving, but... what of it?", she replied. "That's so far away, and it could be anything. A bird, maybe?"

"You wish enlightenment?", asked The Pope. "Shall I have that... bird... fly out here to demonstrate that not all is as it seems?" Second Scribe demurred. She knew all about the enlightenement of birds. The Pope continued: "It is time. Xe comes. Let us begin." And with barely a nod, he signalled yappobiscuits to give the downbeat and the Smopu Hvala softly wafted across the valley. One by one the clerecy, garbed in their finest ceremonial robes, took their places on the Great Stairs of the Cathedral. They were followed by the BlitzGirls taking their appointed seats behind the clerecy, and by the two Near Heralds, who stood flanking them at the top of the stairs. As the Smopu Hvala came to a close, First Cleric joined The Pope and Second Scribe, his hands tucked inside a fold in his robes.

Out by the Grotto, Sustainablizer heard the sweet strains of this Most Holy Hymn, and realized that he had gotten his dates mixed up. This must be Seadix and xe was missing the services. Xe was going to have to correct the logbook, but that was going to have to wait. Maybe if xe followed the Second Commandment he could still make it to services in time for the chanting of the Kampucha. But when xe heard the sound of the Ram's Horn, he knew this was more than an ordinary matin service. This was something big, which would explain all the people that were gathered. It probably had to do with whatever it was that they were digging up on the shore. But whatever it was, xe hurried along without stopping to ask so xe wouldn't miss it.

The Pope stepped forward, and in a voice that carried clearly throughout all the land, spake thusly: "I speak now of endings and beginnings, for every end is the beginning of a beginning, and every beginning is the end of an end. It is often said that the ends justify the beginnings, and the beginnings justify the ends, but that is not the kind of Holy Contradiction upon which our Great Faith and Community is built. Such justification does not work even in typesetting, let alone in life. Rather, every end is truly an end, and should be experienced as one, for this allows us to completely embrace and appreciate that which it was that is at an end. And every beginning is truly a beginning, a new opportunity, a new life, a new branch of experience that we cannot fully enter into if we do not focus on what it is rather than focusing on what once was."

The Pope's voice was strong, and Sustainabilizer heard it all clearly. But xe couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Xir own voyage had just come to an end, but somewhat abruptly due to the unexpected lack of depth compared to what the charts had indicated. But that got xim to thinking. The shore was also odd in some way... lower. It was as if the sea was ending. But that couldn't be - the sea was, well, the sea. It did what it wanted. But as he approached the Great Cathedral, a feeling in his gut managed to rise to consciousness - the sea must want to end. But why? And what did that mean for us? The sea was a comfort as well as a danger. It was where xe went to wait for it. It was a much slower pace than even the Monestary. It was relaxing, it was fulfilling, it was, well, the sea. So, why? Now was not the time for the First (and Greatest) Commandment - it was time for the Other (and Just as Great) Commandment.

RUN!

The Pope's words rang out as Sustainabilizer raced towards the congregation: "We are all on a voyage through Time, but some of us are called to make another voyage through Time, perilous, arduous, and glorious, even as the first voyage continues apace. All voyages must end, and the end of this voyage is cause for great honor and celebration. For in ending, the voyager completes the Most Holy Quest, returning to us as a BlitzGirl. We are here now to celebrate the Glorious Arrival of Sustainablizer.

"Sustainablizer - arise and kneel!"

By this time Sustainablizer had just reached the congregation. It took a moment for xir to realize what this was, as he thought he had managed to slide in unnoticed, even hiding in his sailcastle for a wip. Can't fool The Pope though! In a bit of a daze and still out of breath, Sustainablizer stepped up on the dais and knelt before The Pope.

The Pope placed his hands upon Sustainablizer and continued, "Sustainablizer, in honor of your completion of the Most Holy Quest upon which you have embarked, sailing the sea of Time in your time at Sea, in which you have truly Waited For It as it was meant to be, by the power vested in me as the Pope of the Holy Contradiction do I concescreate you and bestow upon thee the title of BlitzGirl the Next. And furthermore do I consecrate your ship's log, the Gospel of Sustainablizer, a True and Holy Record of your Quest, to be counted among the Holy Books alongside the Gospel of BlitzGirl and all the rest of the Holy Books, that it provide inspiration to all who follow, whether by sea, by land, or in BlitzRocket, indeed to all Timewaiters, for all time and all of Time."

Stunned by the thunderously molpish response from the congregation, Sustainablizer got up and turned around just as yappobiscuits gave the downbeat for a glorious fanfare in the form of a fugue that had been composed specifically for this occasion.

After the music had come to an end, The Pope continued, "While absent you were present, and while present yet you were absent. Such a Holy Quest is of awesomeness like unto the sea. Smopu Hvala nuvi dict amuah!" And with these words, the crowd cheered so, that the mountains themselves might come down from the thunderous accolades. But fortunately, they remained where they were, and Sustainablizer was carried away for the most glorious feast that had ever been had. The Pope remained behind for a moment to deal with a few minor benedictions, which gave First Cleric a chance to break away and congratulate Sustainablizer personally.

"I have made something extra special to commemorate this most momentous moment!", he excitedly blurted out. It is a dish I have devised myself, that nomolpy has ever before tasted. I've been wanting to make this since..."

Sustainablizer cut him off, fearing for the worst. He'd heard about some of the things First Cleric considered food. "I am certainly not worthy of such attention!", xe stammered. "I'm just me - nobody special."

"I'll not hear of it!", declared First Cleric as he took Sustainablizer to his cauldron. "Your Quest is Glorious - it deserves the molpishest!". And with that, First Cleric whipped out the tiny slab wth the whirly things, held it over the cauldron, broke it, and to a communal gasp that felt like an earthquake, dropped its delicate ribbon into the roiling liquid.

Jose
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