Rōnin

1. What’s the difference between justice and revenge? 2. If babies are considered innocent, when do people cease to be innocent? 3. Where does your self-worth come from? 4. Why are drugs banned but not harmful food additives and alcohol? 5. Is it ever okay to share a secret? 6. How long will you be remembered after you die?

And here I thought this week was theme week, and so I patiently waited until today to potentially record a podcast only to learn that no- it is not theme week afterall!! So, here I come welfare button, and while I did debate recording an Ask Tate, I have settled on writing a .com article because it’s going to take less time and effort. I guess that tells you all you need to know about me. In the VHL world we’ve not come out the way we wanted to in Vancouver, but there is still plenty of season left and there is no way our team does not come out looking good at the end of this. Yes, there is an adjustment period and a rocky one at that, but there is no reason to believe that this team does not have what it takes to succeed. I think that if this were NHL 22, I would swing a trade to see if that changed the chemistry but that is the last thing I want to see happen here. I like who we have, and such is the challenge of playing in a league like this with real people, and it’s an interesting dilemma nonetheless. (205 words)

1. Is there a species more advanced than humans in the universe? 2. Is defining people according to race a social construct or a biological category? 3. If all the currencies in the world did not have monetary value, would our world be a much better place? 4. Is there a difference between fair trade and free trade? What is it and which is of greater importance? 5. Is it possible time is being altered right now? 6. Is preservation of a country’s culture a good reason for limiting immigration?

Brandt Fuhr had been made aware that he was wanted in the press conference room to discuss his veteran role on the team. Veteran role? He wondered what that meant, these humans were so odd in their ways and customs and although Brandt had moderately adjusted – he still felt like he was living on another planet, and well the truth was that he... er… was. The living being that was housed inside Fuhr’s frame was an alien in every word, and not at all human – but one that had enough intelligence to understand how to maintain his everyday ruse. It was critical that he was not caught and allowed to continue his mission to study the Stone of Enchantment and unlock its powers for his own. It wouldn’t be enough to take this planet, Fuhr would capture the galaxy that encompassed it and continue from there until the entire universe was under his control. Sure, it was lofty expectations, but that was the sort of power one could gain from the stone… if only he could unlock it. The path to doing so had alluded him until now and he wondered if the gift the stone could grant was beyond his abilities, what if he wasn’t the chosen one? What if his successful theft of the stone was like any other in the past… doomed to fail? But no! He mustn’t think that way! For he is the chosen one, destined to rule all galaxies!!!! “Mr. Fuhr?” A voice called to him from behind, and a completely nude Brandt Fuhr turned to see an assistant from the Vancouver Wolves standing in the doorway to the Wolves dressing room. “Yes?” Fuhr answered without reacting to the fact that the Wolves assistant was clearly eyeing him up and down. “They’re ready for you…” The assistant told him. “Very well,” Fuhr said has he strutted forward. “Uhm, Mr. Fuhr?” The assistant seemed to block the dressing room door, looking concerned as Fuhr approached him. “What is the matter?” Fuhr asked, confused. “Would you mind putting some pants on?” The assistant asked as he motioned to Fuhr’s nude body. “What!?” Fuhr remarked, “You do not approve of my magnificent figure?!?” “I do, sir,” The assistant said with a hint of genuine honesty, “It’s just that it is not appropriate to be nude on camera.” “Very well,” Fuhr huffed, “You humans are confusing.” Fuhr looked around and donned the first jock strap he could find and strolled into the press conference room, both stunning the audience of reporters and also forcing looks of admiration at his Greek, Godlike, body. “I am here now!” Fuhr yelled into the microphone with his mouth about an inch away from it, “Ask me your questions!” “Brandt, what does it feel like to be a veteran on the team?” “A veteran!? What is this word?” “Uh… a senior leader… an experienced member.” “Ah yes!” Fuhr yells out, “It feels good! Thanks!” “Brandt, how does it feel different than being a rookie?” “Cookie!? Where!? I am very hungry.” Fuhr stands up and the room gasps and marvels at his nearly naked frame. “You lie!” Fuhr calls out as he points at the reporter, “There are no cookies here!” “I said rookie, Brandt.” “I know not what you mean, fool!” Fuhr is noticeably angry, “And the next time you mention cookies you bring cookies to me, understand?” The reporter nods. “I am done now,” Fuhr said as he stood, “I make many plans now to rule the galaxy. Soon, all of you will be my slaves and only the best cookie makers will rule this world!! So start cooking fools!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA” Fuhr exited the room while everyone stood in silence, until somewhere in the ground a reporter was heard saying, “Did you see the pecks on that guy?” (623 words)

Not only is it nice to be back, playing again, but it’s also a beautiful thing to be involved in a season where winning is a real possibility. I love checking the sims each day to see how Vancouver is progressing and it’s such a better feeling to have excitement around doing so. Great work so far, for all of those involved with the Wolves, and I’m proud to play a role on the team. Speaking of that, while I haven’t had exactly the kind of results I’ve been looking for- I am still happy with my build and happy with the direction it is heading. I have something in mind for either finishing with a total TPA build of either 850 or 900 but I haven’t fully decided yet how far I’ll go. What I do know is that I will not go past 900 because in my mind it’s more than enough for what I am looking to achieve. I think when you look at Fuhr on paper right now- he’s pretty as is, so the rest of the way from here on out in terms of building is just pure gravy. (194 words)

1. Is humanity doomed to head in a destructive direction? 2. Do you make your own decisions, or let others make them for you? 3. Should full access to the internet be a fundamental right? 4. What is reality? 5. Is peace the only way to stop a war? 6. What is the truth? 7. Can memories be erased?

Claim 2 of 2

F - Ronan Lavelle @BarzalGoat

F - Brendan Marner @Kisslinger

@MexicanCow123 Looks like you’ll have to make Olis picks as your the Group Manager and we need to get this done. Please and thank you.

Damn right I do! Haha

I need 3 TPE

1. Why do we do things we do not like to do? 2. If lying is wrong, are white lies okay? 3. Do atheists make their own gods? 4. How should people live their lives? 5. Can artificial intelligence be creative? 6. What is intelligence?

G - Brandt Fuhr @Johnny_HX

@Kisslinger D - Alessandro Nano - Tate’s pick

A big thank you to producers @JetsGoalie101 and @Phil(28 min mark) for their questions! You two rock! And another big thank you to the best outro recorder in history of time @DarkSpyro for his fantastic addition to the the No Fuhr podcast! Thank you!!

F - Saku Kotkakoivu @Oli-La-Poutine

D - Tui Sova @Kisslinger

This month has been a rough one for me when it comes to being sick. My son is new to daycare this year and so far, it’s been one where he has gotten sick more times since he’s been to daycare than in all the years that he’s been alive. So anyhow, I thought I had Covid at the start of August (just a flu I guess), and then I got a sore throat/head cold from him (my son) mid-August, and now I’ve tested positive for actual Covid at the end of the month. This time I realized how aggressive Covid can be, how uncomfortable and debilitating it is. Say what you will about vaccines, but I wonder what this would have been like without them? In VHL news… WHAT AN OFFSEASON!!! Like what!? I was not even remotely expecting Vancouver to be so successful in attracting free agents that my mind is literally blown. I am beyond impressed at what Frank has done to change the courses of this team in a single offseason. I think it’s more than reasonable to look at the Wolves next season and expect us to do some damage. There is a part of me that wonders how he did it, and what exactly went down behind the scenes, but I am not going to question it. The Vancouver Wolves now look like a full pack, ready to take down our prey and claim our territory. 242 words

1. Can achieving nothing make a person happy? 2. Does the Law of Attraction exist? 3. Have gadgets and apps taken away emotions? 4. Does observation alter an event? 5. If everyone spoke their mind would this world be a better place? 6. Where does the universe end?

Congrats everyone!

As good of choices you can get, congrats to you both and I know the league is going to benefit tremendously from your leadership!

I would like to apply for both with a preference for New York, please and thank you.