Ingredients (including topping options)
Brats
Mashed Potato (or rice)
Gravy
Sliced (or diced) Onion
Shredded cheese
Bacon Bits
Sauerkraut
Croutons
Sour Cream
Cherry Tomatoes
Ketchup
Mustard
BBQ Sauce
Horseradish

Slice the brat in half (and peel if it's a tougher skinned brat) and lay them in a bowl (or plate), then scoop mashed potatoes (or rice) on them, then start topping with whatever you like… gravy, bacon bits, sour cream, cherry tomato on top.
Alternatively, you might want to put some of your condiments on the brat before adding the potato.

I think it turned out rather well.

What music do you all like to listen to as you write? What helps your muse to speak and what hinders it?

Dominus vobiscum

To start off;

Amarrato's Story (Forgot the name),
Emergency Transformation- Vi turned into a draconian because of a dragon's heart inside of her.

"Alright, number 422, your name is…"

"Bruce!"

"Right. Bruce. Okay, looking here I see that you are trying out as
an 'underrepresented' morph species… I'm sorry, Bruce, but we have
several dog-morphs."

"No worries, mate, I'm a dingo!"

"A dingo… okay. Aussie—so you're a marsupial, then?"

"No way! I'm the largest land predator in the outback!"

"Umm… okay. Sorry."

"No worries."

"So let's try a little improv. Here's one. You're in Keeptowne, and
the Duke has sent you with an important message to deliver to Misha.
As you are rushing through the courtyard, you run into an old friend,
who waves to you. Alright? Go."

"G'day mate! Sorry can't stop t' chat, but the Duke has me flat out
like a lizard drinkin' at the moment."

"Wait, wait, wait. Cut. Cut. What's all that?"

"I'm just sayin' I'm busy."

"Well, can you just say that without all the slang. This is more a
northern European flair we're going for."

"By crikey, if I don't speak like an Aussie, how will they know I'm a dingo?"

"Look, I'm sorry I can't help you if your just a wild breed of dog
brought by humans across the Torres strait."

"Maybe I could wear a hat!"

Sigh. "Next!"

For anyone interested, you can see how the island's radar is looking here: http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=jua&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no

[http://ursulav.deviantart.com/]
[http://www.metalandmagic.com/index.php]

This was prompted by my comment about how it would be great to see a Mongol transformed into a 3 foot Siberian Dwarf Hamster. With a large axe. (Have no idea how to work that into a story, but I just love the imagery)

-Tatsushu

Hallan

It's about 95 degrees out here, with extremely low humidity. It's sweaty, but it's home, and I'm here!

On Monday sometime, I should be on a stable IP. Our router is supposed to get here by then. Also, if it really matters, I have a date on Friday with a doctor who should be cutting out my ingrown toenails… Pretty, ain't it?

I'm off, to randomness elsewhere!

"First invasion of Metamor by Nasoj (689 CR). Second invasion of Metamor by Nasoj- Battle of the Three Gates (699CR). Tornado [I don't remember when, but I remember Phil writing one occurring.] Third invasion of Metamor by Nasoj- Winter Assault (706CR). [Plus however many other city-wrecking events]. We've got wizards, we've got warriors, we've got alchemists, we've got smiths. What we don't have is housing insurance. (Too expensive!)

Metamor Keep… bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase 'urban renewal' since (whenever the universe got started)."

Hallan

I posted this today on the Metamor City wiki, but I'm cross-posting it here for the amusement of those not involved in the project. :) It's written from the perspective of Janus Starson, the Lightbringer field commander from the Metamor City story The Sentinel (which was heard on episode three of the podcast). Enjoy!

A Lightbringer's Christmas Tale

'Twas the night of the solstice, and snowfall was heavy
As it covered the skyways of Metamor City.
Though this town never slumbers, or turns out the lights,
It still paused to reflect, this most magic of nights.
For tonight all the veils between worlds grow thin —
And where wizards reach out, things can also get in.

Our rifles were loaded and oiled with care
As they waited for targets that soon would be there;
And I in my armor, with sword polished bright,
Had gone out with my troops for the long winter's night
When from inside my earpiece there came such a clatter
That I signaled to Candace and asked, “What's the matter?”

“It's him again, boss,” my comm officer said.
“I don't understand this! I thought he was dead!”

“His kind,” I cautioned her, “never can die,
So long as some child believes in the lie.
Their faith gives him power, their thoughts give him form,
And I'd place any wager he gave us this storm.
Call up the Air Force to send out the CAP.
Then find me some children. We'll lay him a trap.”

Our bait was an orphanage, three levels down,
Just a few blocks away from the middle of town.
My team set a guard and I ventured within,
Feeling pleased at the thought that I'd face him again.
In our duel last year I had put him on ice;
It was true, he'd re-formed, but I could just do it twice.

The cookies and milk were laid out in the hall
With stockings the orphans had hung on the wall.
Such a lure this Sidhe Lord could never resist,
As he followed the call of his Naughty/Nice List.
I drew out my longsword and hefted its weight,
Then settled back deep in the shadows to wait.

Two hours dragged by; I knew something was wrong.
With one night to work, he could not delay long.
Then Candace called back with a voice full of fear:
“He found our headquarters! The Sidhe Lord is here!”
With a heart full of outrage, I rejoined my squad
And we rushed back to base with our thoughts set on blood.

The defenses were shattered, our soldiers laid low,
All trampled by reindeer and left in the snow.
They hadn't been slain, but he'd trussed them up tight
with fey-crafted ribbons of glowing moonlight.
“Dispel those!” I ordered, then strode through the door
Where my nemesis waited to face me once more.

His obese appearance was shocking to see,
For he moved with the grace of a fish in the sea.
His eyes glowed like embers, then burst into flame
As he turned 'round and saw me, and called me by name:
“Hello again, Janus. I'm so glad you've come.
I'm afraid you're too late, though; my work here is done!”

I looked 'round at my staff: all were most tightly bound.
With bows 'round their mouths, they could make not a sound.
My gaze fell on Candace; her eyes had grown wide.
With scarcely a thought I drew close to her side.
His trap became clear in the instant I checked:
At his word, the fey ribbons could wring the girl's neck.

“I have meant thee no harm,” the Sidhe said with a sneer.
“But the long night comes only this one day each year.
My work must be done with the children in bed,
Which is quite hard to do when you leave me for dead!
Their bonds will dissolve with the morning's first light.
But now my work beckons! To all a good night!”

He gave us a wink, and then swiftly he went,
Pursuing his mission with purposed intent.
My men couldn't stop him, and I didn't try,
For fear if I did that poor Candace would die.
I drew out my sword and with care cut her free,
And she sobbed as she wrapped her arms tight around me.

“We're none of us hurt,” she said, though her voice shook.
“But he left you a message.” Where she pointed, I looked.
A sooty black lump sat by my office door;
Its note said: “To Janus – I wish I'd brought more!”
Then I bellowed aloud for the city to hear:
“You've won this round, Santa, but I'll get you next year!”

*Looks around nervously!

Question 2: I get commissions drawn every year when I go, and this year I think I'll get illustrations of scenes in my stories. Are there any scenes that you'd particularly like to see drawn? I can't promise I'll get every suggestion drawn, but I'll definitely consider each.

Hallan

Just wanted to let you know that the interview with Kim Harrison I did at ConClave 32 is now up and ready for download.

I Should Be Writing Special Episode #26

If you haven't heard it before, I urge you to subscribe to ISBW and start listening to the back episodes. I credit Mur with getting me back into writing after nearly 3 years of doing almost nothing.

Is it random, for this forum, somewhat so. But, it might give other people ideas, for other things, and might inspire someone, so I'll give it a whirl.

Of course, first I've actually got to get ahold of the kit and customizations! I HATE Ft. Hood! I've had to send it to my house-house, waaaaay back in Florida! Drat it! At least it'll give me a project to try and get it here first!