fishy

that's so fair, I'm a sucker for intricate world building, even when it's not directly always propelling the plot. which makes it easier for me to get through them

I've never read epic fantasy before because I struggle to get through the history and lore. But the way she writes it makes it so easy to digest and understand. 

You know what....yeah if you win I'll do it lol

@Members
 
It's that time of year again! The beginning of the VHL Holiday season and therefore the Charity Auction!
 
So this post is our call for items, you can see what has been done in the past here. This gives you an idea of what other's have done if you want to replicate it but feel free to come up with something new. The way the auctions function is simple, we put up the "items" you offer and as members you put your money bids down and fight over who gets it. Once the time runs out the highest bidder takes the prize.
 
So what's this thread for? Well we need to know what to put up for auction of course! So, reply below if you're willing to auction anything, digital, real, or otherwise. You can also offer up incentives for group milestones or cumulative goals. These would be stuff like the Zoo Tycoon 2 stream I've done the last couple of years. Essentially if, as a whole, we meet a certain amount of money raised then the milestone is met and the reward is "paid out" to everyone. Alternatively a cumulative goal would be if that specific auction item reaches a certain amount raised so like "$100 = a stream" or something and everyone puts forth money toward the same goal instead of budding against each other.
 
Notes:
- We've had amazingly creative auctions the last two years, check out the subforum for ideas for this year. It's okay to repeat things.
- Staff will have the final say on which volunteered items make it to the auction. Ultimately some things like permanent discord mutes or something might be funny but we aren't going to intentionally harm the league or do anything illegal for this.
- As always, everything must be SFW.
- When you bid on an auction item, you are agreeing to pay that amount in full if you win. Do not bid if you aren't willing to pay.
- If you sign up to auction off an item or your time please consider it a commitment. If you offer to do something please follow through with it. People are paying for these things so don't ignore them.
 
Once we get the items for the charity auction sorted, we'll set fundraising goals and share the corresponding rewards for hitting each goal. As always @Commissioners have final say if an item is appropriate and what items will be chosen. Volunteering an item in here doesn't mean it will automatically get chosen but putting something in means it can so make sure you're willing to do whatever you say in here.
 
Happy holidays! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

on a related note, Palestinians have said that resources are being restricted and are requesting that donations to organizations sending said resources be paused until they're able to actually access them. if we decide to go that route, we would need to monitor conditions on the border to optimally support

@ZetterbergI highly suggest you shut your mouth, as we both know you couldnt do any better seeing as you got fired from recruitment team LMFAO... Just STFU and let us work

I think this is a super, super important point. If a post on there isn't interesting or meaningful to someone who has no idea what the VHL is, then it's not doing anything. This is an area I've personally done a lot of looking into over the last couple years and I still have a ton to learn but I'll try to share some thoughts that hopefully come across as helpful and not critical..
 
The pinned post on there is good - now I would probably prefer the wording "5 points to build your player" or something to "5 uncapped TPE" because the terminology "uncapped TPE" is sorta gibberish to someone just scrolling by, but you can definitely infer what "points to build your player" means & that it's a good thing, even if you don't know specifically how it works. I'd make that section more prominent as a reward that could draw someone in - but anyway, it's a good post with a lot of good information, promotes the league, tells people why they should be here.
 
But as Z said, a post with a Kris Letang jersey swap and the name Reese McFleury on it doesn't mean anything to anyone except the people that are already here. And that kind of thing is 90% of the Instagram. In addition to not making much sense to someone who isn't here, it also doesn't draw anyone in. Even if it looks cool, it doesn't really scream "there's a league here, check us out" - where stuff like standings, draft rankings, playoff/stats races do.
 
Put a call to action on the stuff that goes up there - just like a "this could be you!" on an award or championship graphic, or a "join the VHL // vhlforum.com" on something general, or something so that if something does catch someone's eye, they know there's a fantasy league & they immediately know how to check us out. It being in the description means they have to decide they want to read the description to get there. People don't get that far very often. That's another key point. If you really want people to see something, it shouldn't only be in the description.
Promote the players of standout first gens / new members especially, when you can - so that people don't feel like "oh they're 90 seasons in, how am I going to catch up in something that established anyway".
I don't have any specific ideas as far as engaging with users goes, but stuff that makes people want to interact & respond is huge... especially if you can get it to be of interest to non-VHL members & something they can contribute to.

Completely missed the point

Unrelated to the recent issue that went to mods I think it is definitely necessary to have someone who can give a final say on whether something is “worthy” if it becomes flagged or controversial.  Also someone that can recognize that for both written pieces and graphics.

Matty Socks, Class of Season 90
User: @fishy
 
TPE: 1309
Position: D
Nationality: Canada
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs.
VHL Drafted: 22nd Overall, by the Chicago Phoenix
VHLM Drafted: 5th Overall, by the Miami Marauders
Played for: Las Vegas Aces, Miami Marauders, Chicago Phoenix  
 
--
 
Career Awards
 
Individual
All-VHL Second Team (3x) | S76, S78, S80  
Team
Victory Cup | S78
Continental Cup | S76
 
--
 
Introduction & VHLM
 
  Matty Socks was had an early birthday, and the relatively unknown prospect jumped right into the VHLM headfirst. The Las Vegas Aces took a chance on this player on the waiver wire in S72. Progress was slow for the first couple of weeks, but then there was an explosion of growth, growing Socks into a 57 point defender by they got to their drafts.
 
Miami in particular was eager to jump on this up and coming player with their second of three picks in the middle of the first round. This was the expansion franchises’ first drafts, and with a legendary start to their existence, Chicago selected to-be Hall of Famer Jean Pierre Camus with their first selection, and then to-be Hall of Famer Matty Socks with their second.
 
With the future settled, Socks turned their attention back to making the most of the VHLM, and preparing to be a high-impact VHL player. Miami gave them the opportunity to be a top player, and explode offensively, nearly doubling their previous points, while putting up 35 goals from the blueline. This is exactly the sort of momentum a fledgling franchise needs from their initial prospects, and everything looked to be going perfectly to start.
 
While Miami fell dramatically to Minnesota in the S73 finals, this playoff experience and extra game time was very valuable to Socks moving towards the VHL.
 
   
Regular Season Stats
 
72 (LVA), 70 Game Played, 14 Goals, 43 Assists, 57 Points, +23, 154 Shots, 40 PIMs, 91 Hits, 104 SB, 3 GWG, 8 PPG, 2 SHG.


73 (MIA), 72 Games Played, 35 Goals, 69 Assists, 104 Points, +54, 235 Shots, 28 PIMs, 43 Hits, 72 SB, 7 GWG, 20 PPG.    
 
 
Playoff Stats
 
72 (LVA), 6 Games Played, 1 Goal, 2 Assists, 3 Points, 0, 15 Shots, 12 PIMs, 11 Hits, 11SB,  1PPG.


 73 (MIA), 15 Games Played, 2 Goals, 10 Assists, 12 Points, +2, 43 Shots, 2 PIMs, 14 Hits, 22 SB, 1 GWG, 1 PPG.    
 
 
 
--  
 
Greatness in the VHL
 
  While Chicago didn’t particularly (yet), Matty Socks certainly came ready for action in S74. Entering the team as the top scoring defender in their rookie season, and leading the recently birthed franchise to a 6th place finish in the North American Conference. With a point (minus one) per game season under their belt, expectations were high moving forward for Socks and the Phoenix.
 
The next season was a step forward for the team and Socks. They squeak their way into a playoff position, and Socks scores a few more points than the season before, while becoming a plus player. Already the 4th highest scoring defender in the league, a few points, and 2 places behind fellow Phoenix superstar Jeff Downey. Chicago would beat out some historical giants in Seattle and Calgary before falling to the Dragons in the Conference Finals.
 
Expectations were big heading into S76, and Matty Socks was ready. Hurtling up the standings, and the scoresheet, Chicago dominated North America, finishing first in the Conference, and scoring the 2nd most goals in the league along the way. Socks led the way by a significant margin on the back end, finding major success with team points leader Kyle Oferson. But most importantly, Chicago catapulted themselves through their Conference, taking down Seattle and Vancouver on the way to clearing out Warsaw for their inaugural Continental Cup victory. Socks tied for the team lead in points and played an over half of games on average. The two top picks from their debut draft came to work this playoff, with Camus only dropping two games along the way to the win.
 
There are always questions the season after a Cup victory as to whether the team has the power to repeat. Acquiring big name Spencer Elsby, their defensive core looked ready to dominate North America once again. Once again winning their Conference, on top of another great offensive effort, although this time the competition was a bit more primed to tighten up the standings. Socks scores another 80 points, leading their top unit and landing another top 10 D scoring performance. Everything fell apart rather quickly in the playoffs, failing to secure a single win, despite a team-leading 6 points from Socks.
 
As the epitome of consistency, Chicago came into this season ready to compete. They squeaked their way to a Victory Cup win, on the backs of a new top line featuring Darius Marimoto, Christian Mingle and Pekko Viitanen. With three 100 point players, Socks and with some help from Elsby, led this team to an offensive dominance. They would not keep up their usual success against the Bears, as they crumble in the Conference Finals after beating the Dragons in their opening round.
 
With a Cup under their belt, and a body of work already, Socks enters S79 attempting to maintain that level of success, and phase their way out of the league in style. Chicago would take a small step backwards finishing in a dismal second place in their Conference, behind the surging Bears. With Spencer Elsby out of the picture this season, Socks took on the brunt of the play again, leading the top unit to another great offensive season. Socks leads Phoenix defenders in points again, and the team comes into the playoffs in exactly the shape the league had come to expect. Chicago fought a long and hard battle against Los Angeles, who got the better of them in a 4-3 OTL.
 
It is in S80 that Matty Socks would eventually play their final VHL game, as victims to the debut of the Vancouver Wolves dynasty. Socks would come out swinging, and end their career with a career high in goals, assists, and points. They gave their all right to the very end, leading the team to a 109 point finish, just a few wins back of the unbeatable Wolves. Things were looking to be setting up for a Wolves and Phoenix showdown in the Conference finals, that being until the Dragons dealt the killing blow in yet another Game 7 4-3 OTL. Rumour has it this was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as Matty Socks would retire following the season, having had a fulfilling and successful career, entirely with Chicago.   
 
Regular Season Stats
 
74 (CHI), 26 Goals, 45 Assists, 71 Points, -24, 270 Shots, 88PIMs, 113 Hits, 181SB, 3GWG, 13PPG.
75 (CHI), 24 Goals, 56 Assists, 80 Points, +2, 277 Shots, 24PIMs, 45 Hits, 154SB, 4GWG, 9PPG.
  76 (CHI), 20 Goals, 72 Assists, 92 Points, +13, 295 Shots, 92PIMs, 149 Hits, 150SB, 3GWG, 9PPG.
77 (CHI), 24 Goals, 60 Assists, 84 Points, +13, 269 Shots, 112PIMs, 132 Hits, 179SB, 5GWG, 12PPG.
78 (CHI), 18 Goals, 68 Assists, 86 Points, 27, 271 Shots, 62 PIMs, 78 Hits, 171SB, 2GWG, 9PPG.
79 (CHI), 19 Goals, 57 Assists, 76 Points, 11, 277Shots, 94PIMs, 123 Hits, 165SB, 4GWG, 10PPG.
80 (CHI), 29 Goals, 75 Assists, 104 Points, +37, 348 Shots, 114PIMs, 172 Hits, 157SB, 5GWG, 14PPG.
 

Playoff Stats
 
75 (CHI), 4 Goals, 14 Assists, 18 Points, +2, 53 Shots, 20PIMs, 27 Hits, 31SB, 1GWG, 4PPG.
  76 (CHI), 3 Goals, 13 Assists, 16 Points, +10, 30 Shots, 30PIMs, 40 Hits, 26SB, 1GWG.
77 (CHI), 1 Goals, 5 Assists, 6 Points, -5, 11 Shots, 10 Hits, 7SB, 1PPG.
78 (CHI), 2 Goals, 6 Assists, 8 Points, -4, 34 Shots, 8 PIMs, 10 Hits, 16SB, 1PPG.
79 (CHI), 1 Goals, 5 Assists, 6 Points, -1, 28 Shots, 12PIMs, 20 Hits, 19SB, 1GWG.
80 (CHI), 5 Assists, 5 Points, -5, 35 Shots, 8PIMs, 14 Hits, 23SB.
 
--
 
Legacy
 
  Matty Socks was a legendary leader on and off the ice. They led their team consistently and reliably every season, bringing the same energy and the same exceptional level of performance we came to love and respect from them. Taking a franchise from inception to their first championship is not something many player get to boast of, and is an experience that one never forgets. Matty Socks separated themselves from the rest of their incredible peers in that COVID era of the VHL, jam packed with talent and ultra competitive leading into the 80s. As a first-gen, Matty Socks showed us how one can break into this league and dominate from day one. fishy would go on to have another incredible and single-team career with Bubbles Utonium, leading a second franchise to their first title, 10 seasons after fishy’s first with Socks. Congratulations on the (two!) great career(s), and we hope to see some more in the future!
 
Regular Season Career Record
 
160 Goals, 433 Assists, 593 Points, +79, 2007 Shots, 586 PIMs, 812 Hits, 1157 SB, 26GWG, 76 PPG.
 
Playoff Career Record
 
11 Goals, 48 Assists, 59 Points, -3, 210 Shots, 78 PIMs, 121 Hits, 122SB, 3GWG, 6PPG.
 
 1500+ words!

No love for Pouta smh. No but great news!

Bubbles Utonium, the first ever Bosnian-born goalie! Followed now by Amir Redzic! @Slav_Sloth

Congrats @fishy! Very well deserved.

D.C. Dragons Special Announcement

We, the incredibly proud Dragons family, have always felt the need and in that a great honour to look for the best in our midst. 
It is that time to commemorate a career of a true D.C. Dragon, a player who embodied the true heart and soul of this team. 

In this case, we are talking about a player that had a tenure under 2 different GMs. 

Here is the comment from GM Eno Rama, the founder of D.C. Dragons : In my entire tenure as GM, I always positioned competitive windows around my goalie. If I had a good goalie under contract in a given season, I wanted to be competitive in that season. We had a couple really solid goalies even stick it out with us for a full career. Only one goalie ever brought us home a cup.

To comment on this myself, as a GM that has spent only few seasons here, there were few players that I could always rely on and I knew they would keep pushing and make us all strive to do better. That strong backbone for us was no other than our D.C. Dragons career goaltender. 

Before the start of S91, we are proud to announce jersey retirement of our own Bubbles Utonium, the amazing Nr.27! 


Congratulations @fishy - you managed to not only build a truly wonderous and talented goaltender in Bubbles Utonium, but you also managed to set an incredible standard for any goaltender that joins our franchise!

Good luck in the retirement and thanks for the amazing seasons spent with the Dragons!

i didn't even realize i'd be eligible for this lol

ratings out of 10 are out. smash or pass is in

The longest books in my read list, according to Goodreads:
 

 
Funnily enough, I also started The Stand around February 2020. (also lol at the Bible being in there)

For me, it was The Stand by Stephen King, a great read for when the covid pandemic started. The Czech translation has like 1050 pages. I'm pretty sure it's the only 1000+ pages book I've ever read

I'm not sure for a single book, but I have read several omnibuses, most of which were over 1000 pages, the longest probably being Paths of Darkness which was 1184 pages according to good reads
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62482.Paths_of_Darkness_Collector_s_Edition
 
Not sure if it counts since its multiple books put together but i did carry these around in HS with my textbooks to read when I had time

Upcoming in the next few months I have Inheritance by Christopher Paolini which is 860 pages. That's definitely going to be my longest book.

I don't, generally speaking, track page count on books I've read, but I just started a 987 page book. what're the longest books y'all have committed to?

Tbh Rainbow Colours should be LW

“Ruutu Is Gay” woulda been better