They’re not all connected, so sorry, the clues don’t add up to one big giant reveal! Here are the details though, by the clue:

“Stand by for action!”

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My life’s about to get a lot more crazy.

You probably don’t realise, but 2009 has been pretty sedate for me – which isn’t really my preferred mode of operation. I like to be busy, I like to be challenged, and while I have had stuff to do, I haven’t been rushed off my feet. Why? Well….

In November last year I visited the USA to interview for a job in an MMOG company based in California; those of you with good memories might remember that I told you I got the job. There was only one small detail; I had to get a visa, so that I could emigrate and legally accept the position. (Right now, I’m still a remote contractor and not employed full-time.)

With my wife being American, in theory, this was supposed to be an easy process. In reality, it took the best part of six months… and it’s not over yet. However, three weeks from today, I’ll be having my final visa interview, and not long after, I should be granted the visa itself. (Fingers very much crossed, although by this stage, we should be golden.)

Not long after that, I’ll be jetting Stateside to join colleagues and prepare for E3.

After that, in early June, I’ll be returning to the UK to wrap things up so we can ‘properly’ move, hopefully in time for a good ol’ July 4th barbecue.

So yeah: compared to my current routine of “sit around working remotely, occasionally going to the coffee shop and updating Twitter”, things are about to get a lot more mad. Which frankly, is awesome.

Hence: stand by for action.

“We’re putting the band back together.”

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Sadly, no – this wasn’t a reference to reforming Creative Concepts… but I guess it’s sort of close.

Instead, I’m really happy to say that Mat and myself – both now ex-NCsofters – will be attending Bristol Comic Expo as ‘official’ Draw the World Together helpers on May 9th and 10th. We might not quite be on a mission from God, but you know how dedicated we can be!

Bear in mind, it’ll be a far cry from previous years (not least because the Expo is going to be a lot smaller) but we’re both totally stoked about helping out, seeing the DTWT crew again, and perhaps some of you as well.

More details to come on this, but I have to apologise up-front; this literally came together in the last two days (once I could pin down a date on when I was going to the US) and tickets have now sold out for the Expo itself.

However, we will be organising a grand old piss-up on the evening of the 9th, so if you can get to Bristol – do it. There will be an almighty “I’m leaving the UK!” party in June, but hey, what’s wrong with a bonus party?

“I just don’t want to get there and find out it stinks.”

Even more obscure, this; basically just a reference to my feelings regarding the move.

Make no mistake, from our perspective, this move is “it”. It’s not a casual jaunt across the pond or a six-month sabbatical. As far as we’re concerned, we’re leaving for good; the only things likely to tempt us back would be an unbelievable job offer or quite possibly – ahem – the provision of free NHS care when we retire.

Up until now, I haven’t spoken much about this part of things because frankly, it didn’t really feel ‘real’ to me. Well, it’s about to get a lot more real, baby. Both of us have already started to deal with this emotionally, but I think it’s just starting to sink in.

Because as Sundance points out, it’s a long way to go… but hopefully, we won’t get there and find out it stinks. (He’s referring to Australia with that line, so maybe we’ll be alright.)

“Win.”

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Overall though, as they say: mustn’t grumble.

Shaking off the traditional English malaise for a moment, this is really the opportunity of a lifetime, and we’re both going to try and make the very most of it. It’s going to be hard work – not unlike, y’know, training for a prize fight – but there’s a great prize at the end of it.

Or alternatively, you can just look at this whole situation as being chock full of WIN.

In summary then: life’s about to get a lot more crazy, we’re getting back together for ‘one last hurrah’ at Bristol Comic Expo, I’m nervous and anxious about emigrating but overall… things are looking up.

Oh one more thing: I can’t say who I’ll be working for yet. All will be revealed by mid-May.

Oh, it’s big.

Well, it’s a slice of it – the right hand side with all the files. That’s a pretty good indication of what I’m working on now… you know what they say about pictures, right?

So in lieu of a new episode tomorrow, here’s a little sneak peek at what we filmed today… some behind-the-scenes shots.

Just in case you haven’t seen the first seven episodes yet, click here to see ‘em all in order on YouTube. Not that the order matters, really….

Hint: that’s German text.

Neil Edwards has painted a PC. A PC covered in WIN. City of Heroes and City of Villains WIN to be precise. Yes, this is for a follow-up compo to Andrew Wildman’s painted PC. You’ll be able to get your hands on it… if you (wait for it) WIN. Details to come.

We had big casting WIN. Well probably. One more step, Wednesday.

Costuming for said casting WIN. Talking about PVC versus leather actually got me excited. Not like that. Pervoid.

Secret community video thing… WIN. Several wins actually. One, two, three.. more to come. All edited by me. In some cases scripted by me. In all cases shot… I am a multi-hyphenated man.

Secret Games Convention quest thing WIN. Order goes out tomorrow for the first of many, many Moo cards….

And then I get home, and it’s all Xbox 360 new interface WIN! Rock Band 2 WIN (Who cares about making music when it’s got Livin’ on a Prayer??)!

Good day.

Which means inevitably, tomorrow will be a disaster. Karma.

Lots of video embedded below.

What to do on a date

Remember: always listen to your brother. He knows best.

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What makes a good party?

A question we’ve all wrestled with at some time in our lives.

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Are you ready for marriage?

Well… are you??

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If you can’t handle the sheer brilliance of those vintage – genuine – instructional films, then treat yourself and watch Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s pastiche. We usually circulate these amongst ourselves about once every six months just to remind ourselves how damn brilliant they are.

These were created (as I recall) when Universal Studios was taken over by Seagram (a drinks company!!) to explain to employees what it all ‘meant’. As I seem to remember, Seagram execs weren’t happy with the results…!

Part One

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Part Two

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We only wish we could be this good.

The question is… we were watching these as research into what…?