Otsdarva

The IRL should rethink running Open-Wheel cars on Ovals, especially those NASCAR frequently run as the banking allows them to run with no to minimal braking. That being the key difference, the lack of braking is what allows them to remain bunched together so well. The last thing you want is a field of 34 Open-Wheel race cars running 200 laps less than a foot apart from each other. There's also the catch fence, which at the speeds they were going sheered the cars the sheds. Having a cockpit first impact, it was a wonder he wasn't killed instantly. It's said that death comes in 3's. A terrible shame that Dan Wheldon had to die and he will be truly missed. And sadly he wasn't the only death in Motorsports. Shortly after the death of Wheldon Off-road racer and champion Rick Huseman was killed in a plane crash in California. And finally, I'm sure even if you haven't been a fan you'll have probably heard by now of the death of MotoGP Rising star Marco Simoncelli who was killed last week after losing control of his bike and getting hit by two fellow riders. All Three men were class acts and caring, friendly people. All three will be greatly missed. Please let October end without any more tragedy.

My little sister loves the show and is always asking me to head to youtube and watch an episode with her.

The Sudden thud caused an unsettling feeling between the two pullers, fearing they might had ran someone over until a youthful mare leaned over the front of the wagon and addressed Douglas. Her voice, soft and familiar, but her speaking seemed off. The phrase itself brought a smile to his mouth, it was something a performance pony would say. Looking back to better see who it was, Douglas could feel his jaw drop when he saw her. "M-miss Mint? Uh-I mean, Ginger?! You made it. You...look amazing." Douglas blabbered, looking over the western get-up. It surprisingly made her facial features stand out stunningly. He quickly turned his head forward and took a sip of the water bottle clipped between the pullers. He had to calm himself down. Finishing with one last sip, he straightened up and tried to hide his sudden elation. Gathering his cool again, he turned back to face Ginger with a big smile. "You sure can make an entrance, though you could'a just waited fer us to stop." Just then another pony stirred in the wagon, he had apparently been napping and thought Ginger's entrance was them running over a rock. He seemed rather tired from Douglas' perspective. "Yah hear that, lookout? We mite have to trade ya in when we return to the station. Keep them eyes sharp!" Douglas teased with a wink and a wry smile at Ginger. "You brought that one on yourself, Miss Mint." He thought with a chuckle, looking forward again. Soon enough only a line of lamps hanging off to the side guided them as they walked along a small road until the Corn Maze came into few. Standing outside it's entrance were a few ponies, taunting and daring one another to enter as the Hay Hop came into view, it's elaborately bright decorations getting a few odd stares as it slowed to a stop. Douglas gripped the nearby bell in his muzzle and gave it a gentle ring. "Corn Maze! Next Stop, The Haunted House! All Aboard!" He greatly bellowed again, allowing those who wanted on or off to do so. Douglas felt excited, they were already on their second stop of the night. Why shoot, they could probably pass the earlier wagon if they kept their pace!

Lesson 46: The person you're currently dating is cheating. And the one person you never thought you'd have something in common with is the only one for you. Lesson 47: Love is fickle if the man in the relationship isn't constantly dogged by the woman. Otherwise it's meaningful.

Douglas had carefully listened to Bramble explain the art show, it caused him to chuckle. "I admit, never saw it that way. Puts a whole new spin on tall tails!" Douglas said, keeping a nice smile beaming across the table. It was after that that he heard Ginger speak up about the odd weather further north, it was something he could attest too. "Oh, yes up there it does come faster, not to sure what's up with that. You grow used to it after awhile." He continued to listen to Ginger as she mentioned she had a brother who had a 'flying contraption.' Surely no better interest getter than that. Douglas could picture one he had seen before but he wasn't sure if it was the one she was referring too "Uh..big fan on top...you 'pedal' it with all four legs, right? I might have seen one before." He agreed, letting her finish before jumping back in. "I suppose he wouldn't know the road conditions then, but yeah they get rough. When you start heading out towards Appleloosa though is where it really gets nasty! The roads aren't even roads, just paths where nothing grows from being walked on so much! You have rocks and wild animals aplenty, it rarely rains so the dry sand just becomes mush when it finally does. Ugh, I pity anyone who gets caught in a storm out there, they'll be spending the rest of the day covering only a smidgen of ground." Douglas exclaimed, feeling he finally had something he can relate to in conversation. Soon Ginger Mint began to tell her story about her brother and how she grew up as well as her Cutie Mark story. He got a nice little laugh at her getting her mark first before her older brother, he could probably relate to her brother. It was a rather touching story and he was happy she was willing to share it, but now he started to feel like he was being a grump in the group. He took another cookie and couldn't hide his pleasure as he ate it, a hum of approval coming from him as he let his body shake quickly. Soon Bramble took his turn to tell the story of his Cutie mark, starting off with a humble blush at it's embarrassment. Once he began though, it was interesting to see him so riveted about it. "That's a very sweet story. I feel a bit low for leaving mine out now. I suppose if the both of you are interested." Douglas spoke calmly, looking at the table before clearing his throat. "I didn't live in an honest home until I was well on my own. My father, like me, was a Wagoner. He was an old broad fella, but a little stocky like me. I suppose it's where I get my physique. Anywho, my mother was an old farm hoof that had left the farm to travel the world with my dad. They mostly worked with one constant merchant who was always moving something so they were in constant employ. Shoot, I was even born and raised on the open trails. Spent my time in one of the covered wagons with my mother and the filly of our wagon's puller. Whenever we'd stop for the night we'd circle the wagons and make a big fire to stay warm. Those was the few times I got to play with the other foals on the trail." Douglas let himself smile nostalgically as he took a nibble of a cookie. "Course whenever we got too tired to run around we'd sit by the fire and listen to all the pullers talk about where they've been and where they want to go. That's probably where I got my love for traveling, those Stallions were so quiet or aggravated on the trail...to see them light up like a foal when they spoke made me want to see the world even more!" Douglas took a quick breather, making sure he didn't lose anypony in his story. Catching their faces, Douglas figured he stewed them enough. "Like yer brothah' Ginger, I too was a late bloomer. In fact, I was probably only three years from Stallionhood with no Cutie Mark. I couldn't get it, I knew my mark was related to seeing the world. There was no way I could be tied down, but out on the open just didn't seem to get me my cutie mark. Or so I thought..." Douglas ended, his wry smile accompanied by a shifty set of eyes, oh had the hucksters of the west taught him to spin a yarn or what?! "One day out on the plains, the sky became darker than the darkest night Luna has ever graced us with. Some of the fiercest clouds started to roll in over top of our wagon train. Everypony was a murmuring with worry when just then..." He brought his hoof down on the table, with a stern clop. "Thunder and Lightning set the sky alive! Oh, had it poured! Sure enough, that dry sand turned to slop beneath our wheels!" Douglas leaned deep forward on the chair, hanging over the table as he head turned slightly, his eyes locking with Bramble's as he lowered his brows. "It was terrible! Ponies were losing grip and wagons were getting stuck. There I was, old enough to help but too stupid to know where to go. Just then a loud clatter of objects echoed during the only moment of silence in the storm. The second wagon on the train was stuck, blocking the others. Everypony was too busy to lend a helping hand, 'cept fer me. I sunk my teeth into a spare harness and ran up as fast as I could to get strapped in. Whoo-wee, first real experience pulling a wagon and in the worst of weather, it wasn't looking good! My body was so tired, I slipped and slammed into the mud...that's when I heard a scream. I looked at the first wagon, the one my daddy was pullin' and I could'a swore that thing was doing a dance from how jerky it bounced around! His voice was in pain as he pulled that thin' by himself. Well I tell you what, I hated being in that mud just laying there while my dad did more than all of us were. So I dug my hooves into that mud, deep as I could send 'em and I tugged and I pulled, my body hurt, my head was screaming for me to stop...but I just couldn't, not with my one chance to make my daddy proud!" Slowly Douglas sat up straight in his chair, a sly smile upon his face as he looked his friends over, gauging their interest. "The wagon learned then and there I wasn't going lay down and quit, she started jerking in the mud, the puller beside me coaching me when to pull as we worked that heavy thing through the storm! Well, once that mighty rain had stopped and we found hard ground we all climbed out of them harnesses and just dropped where we stood! Not a single one of us could go any longer. That is 'cept my dad, he walked right over to me and sat there, eying me up. Satisfied with his judging, he gave me a hard pat and said 'At'ta boy!' It wasn't till we washed off that I had my Cutie mark staring right at me." His gentle look returning to his face, he let out a big breath before he sat back in the chair with a toothy grin. "Didn't waste too much time now, did I?"

Douglas and the other puller slowly leaned forward, the wagon soon beginning to move as they set off around the Festival Grounds. A quick look back caused him to notice that a photographer had climbed aboard. He had to admit, he could feel a little giddy at the spectacle. Her costume was bright and elaborate, although he didn't have much clue of what she was. Craning his head back a bit he addressed the photographer. "Good Evening, so you're a photographer? I hope you can get some nice shots of the fair grounds. Might I pry as to what you're dressed as?" Douglas asked, quickly turning his head forward again. Making sure the coast was clear he turned his head back to catch the Photographer's reply, should she give one. "Uh-oh, here comes the fun part, everypony hold on!" he called back, giving a quick nod to the puller next to him. Breaking from the course they picked up their pace into a steady canter, leading the wagon around in a big figure eight on open fair grounds as the fillies and colts oohed and awed as the wagon shifted it's weight, causing little giggles to erupt before slowing back down and getting back on the route. They started to pass by the stalls of the Festival grounds. Games, snacks, shows and so much more could be seen from the wagon, all colorfully decorated and glowing in the light of the lamps hanging above. "We got a little ways to go before we reach the Corn maze, everypony. Get'ch yer filla of the scenery now....it's gonna get spooky soon!" Douglas spoke eerily, trying to give the little ones a fright. Sure enough, just as he said The wagon trotted onward as they moved through the fair grounds. The stalls and stands slowly started to die down as they moved about. The area began to become silent, the joys and hollers of the Festival Grounds soon faded out. Crickets chirped, Owls in the distance hooted, and the sudden snap of nearby twigs all wanted to bring one shriek after another from the little foals mouths.

Trust me, I understand but I've caught quite a bit of flak over something as simple as dubbing. It's crazy at times! Anywho, another guilty pleasure is probably Singing Tears for fears "Everybody wants to rule the World." Eventhough my voice is that of a tugboat's horn. Seriously though, it's so rare that the nearest 80s rock station even plays this song I'll probably have to call in during the request hour should I wish to hear it while driving.

Lesson 39: Rubbing is Racing.

English dubs in anime.

Douglas looked at the festival map provided for him. He was giving it one last once over before strapping into the wagon. He had walked the route on his own earlier in the day, but now that night has fallen and stalls are all lit up and grounds are becoming crowded it was best just to give it one last glance to make sure everything was alright. Looking over the map, the first stop for them would be the general Festival grounds where ponies would be able to take part in of both the dances going on there as well as the games. After there we was take them the Corn Maze followed by the Haunted House. After that was the Scarecrow Corner and the Pumpkin Patch before wrapping back around to the Hay Hop Stop. Putting the map away, Douglas approached one of the organizers and introduced himself. The Stallion was fast to show him where the Hay hop wagon was. Coming to a shed, the doors slowly slid open. A pair of wagons inside, one being pulled out by two ponies while the other sat unused. Douglas looked at the passing wagon. It's sides were decorated with brightly colored streamers running all down the side, with paper cut out pumpkins nailed into the side for effect. Each pumpkin had it's own silly face on it to appeal to the crowd. On the back of the wagon was a sign acting as a tail gate with "HAY HOP!" on it. Surely it was all gussied up and ready to move. "Alright, Mr. Trotter. If you're ready, let's get you and your partner harnessed into the second wagon and you can begin making your rounds!" Said the organizer, much to Douglas' agreement. After being harnessed into the wagon Douglas and the other pony began to pull the wagon out of the shed, bringing it to a halt before the organizer. "Wonderful! Please, I won't hold you up no more." Said the Stallion with glee, before going over the little bells and whistles of the wagon. "That bell right there is for you to ring at each stop, make sure to announce the next destination as well. The water is for drinking, we'll refill it once you return to the Hay Hop stop and give you a five minute rest. Good luck, have fun, and Thank you for taking the time out to do this for us!" With the pleasantries through the two ponies began to pull the brightly decorated wagon. Making sure they kept in step to keep from tiring out the other before they reached their first stop, the Festival Grounds. Douglas tilted his head back to grab the bell, giving it a good ring before putting it back in place. "All Aboard! Next Stop, The Corn Maze!" Douglas bellowed, announcing their next stop. He slowly watched with a happy smile as ponies piled into the wagon, both parents with foals, and single ponies all the same. Looking at his pulling partner, Douglas gave a quick nod ready to move out. ((Let's see just how well this works. If anyone wants to be the other puller you can, but I'm fine leaving it vague. Who wants a Hay ride? :3 ))

Douglas intently listened to his friends shift their conversation to the blank poster on the far wall. He looked it over as they spoke about it, listening to Bramble's explanation of the poster. He couldn't help but feel a little perplexed at it. He eyed it silently, thinking how it just looked like an empty sheet of poster. Shoot, if the cultured type of ponies are so repressed that they must look into something that isn't there than who was he to judge. "I must say, I've never been to a gallery or an art show. I just couldn't take interest in it, although I have seen some nice paintings." Douglas said, making sure to keep up with the conversation as it soon shifted to the on-coming winter. Winter was a time of year he both enjoyed and loathed, if only because snow covered roads were a pain to haul wagons through. "Hm? Spooktacular? Oh! The Harvest festival!" Douglas said, catching Bramble's correction of season. They had of course only just brought in Fall with the Running of the Leaves, no need to get so antsy for winter just yet. Back to the festival though, it had been awhile since he last attended one and he was actually planning on helping out this year. "That reminds me, I agreed to work the Hay hop at the festival in Fillydelphia! It should be fun, don't be afraid to drop in and say hi if any of you are there." Douglas soon saw Bramble reach out for a cookie, slowly thinking he had waited enough to not be impolite he followed Bramble's motion and took one for himself. Happily he ate it with hum of approval. "It really is good! One of the best snacks I've had in quite awhile." Douglas spoke in agreement before deciding to let his two friends speak while he enjoyed the cookie for all it's worth. As he finished his cookie he heard Bramble bring up their Cutie Marks, albeit with a sort of hesitation toward Douglas'. He was rather used to having a bland mark though, it gave it's own uniqueness to him. "Well the story behind it is more exciting than the mark itself, but I won't bore you with it. I'm a wagoner, simple as that. To put it frankly, I pull wagons for a living. Mostly for merchants or tradesponies, but every now and then I'll pull a carriage. It's rather liberating to always be out seeing the world." Douglas spoke, his eye's drifting off in nowhere particular as he listened to himself. He knew the call of the road would be upon him soon enough, but that didn't mean he couldn't stop and enjoy the roses from time to time. "Although...some times it can be a down-right bother... Shoot, just trying to avoid ditches, lumps, sinkholes, or muddied ground can be right exhaustin'!" Douglas rambled, his voice taking a sort of annoyance at the many problems that plagued several of his trips. Clearing his throat, Douglas made sure to regather himself before finishing. "Ahem...Still, pays the bills and leaves enough left over to enjoy myself. Saw quite a few nice sights as well so's it ain't all bad." He sat still for a moment after finishing, just letting his usual self slip in before he remembered it polite to return the question. "Oh yes, Mr. Rose how did you get your Cutie Mark, if you don't mind my prying?" Douglas chimed, letting himself finally relax in his chair.

Lesson 12: When Police arrive on a scene after a big shoot out, even if you're just a civilian, leaving with your arm wrapped around the one you love will signify to them that you are not bad and they will just run right past you. Lesson 13: Your partner is corrupt and you should wait for backup to arrive before confronting him about it, otherwise he'll get a gold star and you'll get a hero's burial.

Lesson 6: No matter where you shoot the Big Bad Guy...if you only use one shot, no matter how much blood he's lost or how long he's been down...He. Is. Still. Alive!

Sweetness! Three weeks?! This should be good! I am so in for the RP!

Hm...why not?

Just as Douglas had begun to feel he should begin looking for another cafe he noticed a pony turn around from a wall, having looked over something but Douglas wasn't sure what. The slender stallion was Bramble Rose, the friend of Ginger's that had suggested meeting for tea. The stallion sat before him and offered a gentle greeting. Douglas smiled, giving a nod. "Hello to you too, Mr. Rose. It's nice to know I didn't pick the wrong cafe." Douglas replied. Looking over the stallion, Douglas seemed to think Bramble was a little unsure how to handle talking to him when he began again. "The weather? I suppose it has been very nice lately, what with the fall breeze coming in. Those weather ponies do an amazing job." Douglas heard him mention a lovely Rainbow-maned mare but he had never seen such a pony yet so Douglas let it slide. Douglas glanced around at the other tables, taking in the atmosphere around them for a second before letting out a light hum. "This is a very nice place, I can see why you suggested it. I hope Miss Mint isn't rushing herself, muscle aches can make even common chores a struggle if you're not careful." Douglas mused aloud, catching sight of the earlier waiter passing by. Douglas had considered seeing if they should at least order their drinks while they waited on Ginger to arrive. "Do you think we should place our ord--" just then a clank of a tray cut off his question as Ginger had arrived, laying her cookies on the table. "Miss Mint, you made it! I was just about to ask if we should order our drinks now." Douglas explained, listening for her to continue. "Oh, please. You're not that late, I just got here a few moments ago myself. Take a seat, relax!" Everypony was here now and after a slight peak at the side of the tray he could see a few treats hanging out and they looked amazing. "Ginger, is it alright if I take one now?" Douglas asked, rather sure that it would be impolite to just grab hold of one and begin eating. Douglas was trying to ease himself down, while he didn't show it he was being way too strung with the way he referred to the others and wanted to stop that. Waiting for her reply with a smile Douglas saw the waiter beginning to make his way to them, he slowly started thinking of what he could have to drink.

Douglas slowly rose up with the new day, his muscles felt stiff and he'd rather spend the morning in bed. He knew otherwise though, forcing himself to roll out of bed and onto his hooves. Slowly he moved about the room, gently stretching his body out over a course of steps throughout the room. While Douglas often pulled wagons that worked his muscles, it wasn't often that he just straight sprinted without anything to hold him back, the end result being a few sore muscles in places he forgot could get sore. "Ooh...pushed it a little hard at the end yesterday, Trotter!" He groaned gently as he ran his hooves under a sink, using them to wash his face and then slick back his mane. Content he looked awake and decent, Douglas slipped on four little cuffs around his hooves and made for the door. Leaving the inn, Douglas began to wander around Ponyville. He remembered where a few buildings were, but most of the town remained relatively unexplored except for the main street and marketplace. It was with a little luck that he didn't cause any trouble with his aimless wandering. At one point he could smell the baked goods at Sugarcube Corner, but after a wrong turn he lost the scent. "Well this has become quite a task. Odds are they're already waiting for me" Douglas chided to himself. At least his wandering had gotten his muscles moving again and the soreness was fast fading away. Douglas was beginning to grow a little upset at his lack of directions when he finally came upon the marketplace, it was bustling quite well. Still, it was a place he had moved through the times he had delivered in Ponyville so he relaxed a bit now that he was on familiar ground. Douglas waddled his way through a few crowds, pushing through the thick of the market with ease and now starting to feel in a more comfortable area as he moved down a few more streets. Douglas felt he had his bearings now and sure enough located a nice little cafe that he could only assume was to be the place the three ponies would gather. Moving to one of the tables, Douglas took a seat and carefully looked around the at the other ponies enjoying tea and sandwiches and it started to make him feel a little hungry. Against his tummy's plea though, Douglas decided it would be better to hold off eating until Miss Mint could arrive with the Cookies she said she would bake. Although, he didn't know how long that would be. Just then a little menu was passed to him. He didn't even notice the waiter until he was standing over Douglas. "Oh, I'm waiting for two friends to show up. Can you hold off until they arrive?" Douglas asked, receiving a neutral look from the waiter before he nodded and left Douglas at the table. "Well then, it seems like I'm first to the cafe...or I found the wrong one. Either way, all I can do now is sit and wait for the others." Douglas thought, nodding slightly to himself. The thought of who would arrive second not to far from his mind as he leaned back in his chair and tried to relax himself.

Mine would have to be the Inglip Memes... Spoilered for size and minor violence.

Indeed, I think we all had an amazing time. I wonder how many other events we'll have in the future.