Category Archives: Roc’s Ramblings

Random spewings from the mouth of Roc Wieler

Contest Administration

Posted by Roc Wieler on

How does one deal with those that say they will do, then do not? Are they to be called out, reminded of their commitments? Or do we act with patience and tolerance, as we would hope would be extended to us in a similar situation?

Come to think of it, I still owe Manasi that 3D action figure he won for his story so long ago.

Let’s take the high road then.

As I try to gather up all the prizes for the Advent Celebration, I notice many items that were pledged were not in fact received. As such, I am asking for patience from all the winners that have not received their prizes. I’m hoping it’s just the holidays, people getting busy, etc, etc… but in case that isn’t what’s going on at all, I will do my personal best to honour all the prizes myself.

It will more than likely take me a bit of time, but it was my contest, and therefore my responsibility.

Advent Celebration Grand Finale – Dec 24th

Posted by Roc Wieler on

I reclined in my office, feet up on my desk, boots unlaced. My arms were up, my hands locked behind my head. I still wore the red Santa hat, and a large smile was etched on my face as I skimmed the Scope and other various news sources from across New Eden.

All around the galaxy people were being nice to each other: good will gestures, ceasefires, races embracing even a moment’s respite from the otherwise harsh life our universe offered. It was good to see the media focusing on these things, if only for a few days.

I was exhausted. Corporate duties, military responsibilities, political maneuvering; it had left me drained. I couldn’t wait to simply unwind for a few days.

An unexpected knock at my door nearly felled me from my chair. It was Leo. “What are you still doing here, Leo?” I asked.

“Got us one more contract arrivin’ lad.” Leo said. I double checked the records. There were no more contracts coming in.

“You sure?” I asked, confused.

“Aye I am.” Leo handed me the datasheet, and I quickly scanned to see who the sender was. It was signed Santa Claus. My eyebrow immediately raised, but before I could say anything harsh to Leo, he spoke.

“Twasn’t me, Colonel, and I doubts it be any of your crew. Either someone’s be sending ya a good yank, or ya gots a gift from the fat man.”

I let it go. For once in my life, I didn’t rant. I stood up, put my arm around Leo’s shoulder, and walked from the flight deck office to see the gift that had been left under my tree for me.

Merry Christmas New Eden!

ADVENT DAY 24

PRIZE: This is it folks! Today is the final day of Roc’s Advent Celebration. I hope you’ve had as much fun as I’ve had, and in all honesty, it really did get my Christmas Spirit going. I’m still waiting on some of the donations that were volunteered, so please, once again, if you’ve said you’d donate, do so.

And here is today’s prize list:

  • $100 Racial Theme Pack from the EVE Online Store, care of CCP
  • Mystery Fit Retribution
  • Dramiel
  • Rupture
  • T2 Shield Purge Fit Arbitrator
  • 1 Year FREE Hosting at Lone Trek Hosting
  • 20,000 Units, winner’s choice, Federation Navy hybrid charge
  • 200 million ISK
  • Cameo appearance in a fiction piece by Roc Wieler
  • Cynabal Cruiser
  • PLEX, care of CCP

Holy jumping Jesus!!! I really hope that gets people participating today.

TASK: I’ve warned you all twice now during these festivities what was coming for today’s task. It’s the mother of all tasks for some, while others might find it easy.

YOU WILL HAVE TWO DAYS TO DO THIS TASK

So here it is:

Create a holiday video for your fellow Eve Online players

I don’t care how you do it, where you link to, or what it’s of, but you’re going to need to make a video today to win all that sweetness in the grand prize package.

Post your link in the comments below, or email me at adventcelebration@gmail.com.

I will post the Grand Prize Winner SAT DEC 26 th 10 AM EST.

Ok, let’s cut to the chase. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all again in the new year. I’ve had a fun time doing these contests, and I hope everyone else enjoyed participating in them. There are a lot of interesting things in the works this coming year for me, and I hope you’ll all stick around to see them unfold.

I received good video entries at the adventcelebration email address, which will be defunct after this contest, as well as those posted here, but for sheer epic awesomeness, the winner of the grand prize is Miningzen. Please email me your character name and race so I can get your grand prize package put together.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Advent Celebration – Dec 23rd

Posted by Roc Wieler on

I looked down at the contract again. It was signed Miranda Tenoba, a capsuleer Hauler pilot whom had not only decided to hopefully donate a Navy Comet to the Advent Celebration if it was within her means, but also had a “mystery ship” enroute to me in Dal.

She had decided even I deserved a Christmas gift.

I smiled. That smile remained all day.

ADVENT DAY 23

PRIZE: Well, these last two days we’ve got a lot of stuff to give away still. Here’s the list:

  • $100 Racial Theme Pack from the EVE Online Store
  • Mystery Fit Retribution
  • 1 Dramiel
  • 1 Rupture
  • T2 Shield Purgers Arbitrator
  • 1 Scythe
  • 1 Rifter
  • 1 Year Free Hosting at LoneTrek hosting
  • 20,000 units winner choice federation navy hybrid charges
  • 1 Ishkur Assault ship
  • 500 million ISK (100 million part of Dec 21st prize)(100 million part of Dec 22nd prize)
  • Cameo Appearance in a fiction piece by Hallan Turrek
  • Cameo Appearance in a fiction piece by Roc Wieler
  • 1 Cynabal
  • ` PLEX care of CCP
  • 1 Navy Comet

TASK: The last two days before Christmas are upon us! I hope everyone has finished their shopping! In fact, why don’t you share with us one of your most dreadfully funny Christmas shopping experiences with us! That’s an order, pilot.

Post your entry in the comments below, or email me at adventcelebration@gmail.com. I will announce today’s winner at 10 PM EST.

Congratulations to Idemus, whom has won the following:

  • 100 million ISK
  • Navy Comet Blueprint Copy
  • Ishkur Assault ship
  • Rifter
  • Cameo appearance in a fiction piece by Hallan Turrek
  • Scythe

Wow, what a prize pack!

Advent Celebration – Dec 22nd

Posted by Roc Wieler on

The flight deck was bustling with activity. I had extra contractors on hand to help with the additional workload. Leo, my chief mechanic and Senior Hangar Manager was scurrying to and fro, bellowing orders as he went, trying to get things in order for me.

“An’ there’s still more a comin’ in.” Leo said. “I ne’er seen the likes of this, laddie. Ye done yerself some fine work eer.”

I still really only understood about half of what Leo said to me on a daily basis, but when put into context with his body language and wild hand gesturing, it was enough.

The capsuleers of New Eden had indeed made this a Christmas worth remembering, and already my message center was constantly lit up like a Christmas tree with thanks and appreciation from across the galaxy.

I checked another contribution off the list, accepted the contract, and moved on. Soon I would have to hop into my Republic Fleet Firetail, the Renegade, and begin my hasty journey around the universe, covering all four Empires to collect the donated ships and items; I felt like the fat man himself.

Leo dropped a red hat on my desk, with a white puffy pom pom on top, and white fur trim around the base. “What the hell is this?” I asked him.

“Tis the season.” he replied, a wide grin spanning his face.

Ordinarily I would’ve had some glib and sarcastic response, but my view regarding Christmas had changed a lot in the last few days, so I figured, what the hell.

I donned the toque, and headed for my intergalactic sleigh. So help me, if anyone took a picture…

ADVENT DAY 22

Before we get started with today’s contest, I just want to thank those of you who contracted your donations to me already. Here is our remaining prize list, including yesterday’s prize package, which I don’t actually have in my hangar yet, so please, if you committed to donating, do so as soon as you can.

  • $100 Racial Theme Pack from the EVE Online Store
  • Mystery Fit Retribution
  • 2 Dramiel
  • 1 Stabber (part of Dec 21st prize)
  • 1 Rupture
  • T2 Shield Purgers Arbitrator
  • 1 Republic Fleet Stabber
  • 1 Scythe
  • 1 Rifter
  • 1 Year Free Hosting at LoneTrek hosting
  • 20,000 units winner choice federation navy hybrid charges
  • 20,000 units winner choice republic projectile ammo (part of Dec 21st prize)
  • 1 Ishkur Assault ship
  • 1 Nemesis Stealth Bomber
  • 500 million ISK (100 million part of Dec 21st prize)
  • Full set of +4 implants
  • Cameo Appearance in a fiction piece by Hallan Turrek
  • Cameo Appearance in a fiction piece by Roc Wieler
  • 1 Cynabal
  • 2 PLEX care of CCP

That’s one helluva list, and we’re going to make some pilots very happy over these final few days. Thanks again!

PRIZE: ???

TASK: The 12 days of Christmas is a very popular seasonal song. Today’s task is to rewrite that song, making it Eve related. Post your submissions in the comments below, or email me at adventcelebratoin@gmail.com. Usually I post the emails I get into the relevant blog. Yesterday I did not simply due to lack of time. I apologize.

BREAKING NEWS

With all the hustle and bustle in the loading dock, a synthpaper reporter managed to sneak himself in with a work crew and snagged this picture of Colonel Wieler before he was caught and summarily thrown out.

* thanks to Orthaanc Isengard for creating this image

Congratulations to Nathan Carver, who has won himself the following:

  • 1 PLEX, care of CCP
  • 1 Dramiel
  • 100 million ISK
  • 1 Nemesis Stealth Bomber

Advent Celebration – Dec 21st

Posted by Roc Wieler on

They should have titled it “Roc’s Christmas Miracle”, but in keeping with the theme it was simply another day of Advent. You see, it was that day on which the tough as nails, gruff and grim Matar Colonel’s heart did melt. It was upon that day, three before the mass of Christ, that he came to understand the true meaning of the season.

“Sir! The contract offers, they justa keep pourin’ in!” Leo, the Colonel’s chief mechanic, spat out, barging into the flight deck management office unannounced. For the past 24 hours, several capsuleers whom had followed the memoirs of Colonel Roc Wieler had been offering up prizes for his Advent Celebration, much to his surprise.

The Colonel had been sitting at his desk, his glasses off, his hands wiping away tears from his face. There was a datapad in his trembling hands.

“You want my boot up your ass, Leo? Knock before you come here!” Roc snapped harshly. Leo understood, and backed out of the office. He had seen nothing.

The Colonel was flustered. He hadn’t expected any to answer his call, let alone this abundantly. Now his dilemma was what prizing to choose and give away for the remaining days? But even moreso, that is not what had moved him to tears.

He had received a very moving communique, one which bespoke of what Christmas truly was all about:

Roc Wieler,

I would like to donate to you my friendship. I have been following you for a fair amount of time in the media, and have come to admire and envy you for all that you do. As of late, my Corp is in shambles, and I have been considering various paths for my future, my wallet is a bit tight and I’m trying to make money, or I would contract you items. In the future I pledge to repay you for all the inspiration you’ve given me. Awhile back I was an advent day winner in which I won a signed autograph of you, and although I VERY much wish to have it, if it has not been shipped off, I wish to offer it to another worthy deserving capsuleer. If all I get is a conversation from you sometime I will be content, and if not I understand. I’ve lost so many ships, so much isk, that game items have become relativly un-important as I generally sit in station doing corp duties and such, helping friends. Do what you think is right, if the autographed pic has not been sent I wish to donate it
back, and regardless of it has or not, I wish to give you another pilot, to add to what you say is a short list of trustworthy friends. How a leader so great has so few friends I do not know; I’m sure you have a great number of pilots you can rely on though.

The Colonel just knew in his heart that he had found Holiday Spirit. It was unexplainable, but profoundly true. A single pilot, having not to give, gives up the very thing that matters most, his genuine appreciation, and the very gift he had won. And it wasn’t like it was a fantastic gift! It was an autograph of all things!

Yes, that pilot got through to Roc Wieler that day, and it was going to be a very Merry Christmas for all!

ADVENT DAY 21

PRIZE: ???

TASK: Today’s task is to simply spread Christmas cheer. You decide how, but post about it below, or by emailing me at adventcelebration@gmail.com.

I will announce today’s winner at 10 PM EST.

Congratulations to Swearte Widfarend, whom has won the following:

  • 100 million ISK
  • 1 Stabber cruiser
  • 20,000 rounds Republic Fleet ammo of your choice

Advent Celebration – Dec 20th

Posted by Roc Wieler on

The gifts had run dry. I had expected as much. There is only so much one person could do in the end, and I had given it my best. Nineteen days of Advent Celebration; not bad for someone who really had no interest in Christmas.

I had asked for help, and some fellow Capsuleers had stepped up and made great donations towards the festivities; that was what started me on this pursuit of “Christmas Spirit” in the first place.

Ah well, I thought to myself. I really didn’t expect it to go any other way.

I had to admit one thing I had come to appreciate was the taste of egg nog; what a delicious drink.

“Scuse me, Colonel, but I hear you’re in need of Advent donations still. Is that correct, sir?” I turned my attention to the pilot before me.

“It is, but I had just resigned myself to the conclusion that Christmas was meaningless, and inherently folks are selfish bastards any time of year.” I smiled coyly.

The pilot replied by showing me a digital contract made out to me. A fully fit T2 Hulk had been donated to the celebration.

It was quite the donation. I felt humbled and a little embarrassed for having reacted so sarcastically.

“Thank you, pilot. This is very much appreciated.”

We saluted each other before taking our leave, I finished my egg nog, then I headed down to my flight deck to look into how I was going to get this Exhumer sitting in Amarr high sec into my hangar bay.

At least the donating pilot knew how to make things fun.

ADVENT DAY 20

PRIZE: Fully T2 fit Hulk

TASK: Sadly, we’re almost out of prizes. Today’s task is really going to put Christmas spirit to the test. Today you’re going to donate something to this contest. Should be interesting to see how few entries there are.

List your donation in the comments below, or by emailing me at adventcelebration@gmail.com. The selected winner will need to contract their donation to me ingame, if applicable. Remember, it doesn’t have to be ingame items, it can be any use of your talents that you wish. Ideas:

– Christmas Eve phone call
– Short story written about that day’s winner
– artwork
– etc, etc

I will post today’s winner at 10 PM EST.

Um, wow! I really don’t know what to do at this point! So many gifts! Screw it! Let’s do this up right, pilots! All donations are welcome and accepted. These coming final three days of advent are going to be something intense!!!

The winner of today’s fully fit T2 Hulk is Edema.

Additionally, today’s winner of the unannounced Republic Fleet Firetail I am giving away is DarkCoro

And finally, today’s winner of 50 million ISK, also unannounced and from yours truly, is Weslon.

I am literally overwhelmed with gratitude to each and every one of you!

Advent Celebration – Dec 19th

Posted by Roc Wieler on

I just didn’t understand how it worked. Was it Jovian? Terran? Sleeper or some other technology? I had no idea.

Maybe that is why I had such a hard time believing in fairy tales. How could one drunk fat man fit enough gifts in his tiny vehicle, pulled by reindeer of all things (I mean how did they even breathe in space or at such high velocity), manage to travel the entire universe in under 24 hours?

Obviously, Santa Claus was a lie.

DAY 19

PRIZE: ???

TASK: Explain how Santa Claus’ Sleigh works. Present your arguments well in the comments below, or email me at adventcelebration@gmail.com.

I will announce today’s winner at 10 PM EST.

Congratulations to Anjerrai Meloanis who has won a PLEX care of CCP. Please email the character name you want this PLEX to go to. Thanks!

I’ve also just noticed I’m almost out of presents! I need donations please!

Advent Celebration – Dec 18th

Posted by Roc Wieler on

Less than a week to go, and the misery is over, I thought to myself. It didn’t look as if my attitude towards Christmas was going to change. I knew, deep down, it wouldn’t. How could it? People were hypocrites. Dec 25th would come and go, and I could guarantee you that even on that day of family and celebration there would be those at each other’s throats, screaming and fussing, and even if not, 24 hours later everyone would go back to exactly how they were.

The war wouldn’t stop. The death and violence wouldn’t stop. The enslavement of my people wouldn’t stop. Not because of Christmas.

Christmas was nothing more than an exercise in commercial socialism. People had to participate in the spending of Christmas or be frowned upon by their peers, judged by rules none could quantify, and their perceived worth lowered within in their caste. It might not be a legal or official proclamation, but it was true nonetheless. Christmas was about competition, with coworkers, with family members; who spent the most money on gifts, who had the biggest and best party, etc, etc. It wasn’t as selfless or giving as the media would have us believe.

I was a simple man. I didn’t have room in my life for the complexities and shallow nature of Christmas. And yet somehow, I was ok with myself, and the life I led.

ADVENT DAY 18

PRIZE: ???

TASK: First of all, I hope everyone had a good chuckle at yesterday’s stories. I know I did. If you didn’t, go back and read them please; they are worth it.

Time is running out! Roc Wieler still doesn’t believe in Christmas Spirit! Today, your task is to interact with Roc directly with respect to your own view of Christmas.

This can be in character, out of character, a mix of the two, whatever you want. It can be happy, sad, angry. For all we know we could be Jewish and support Roc’s position on Christmas. I really don’t know. It’s up to you.

Please post your entries in the comments below, or email them to adventcelebration@gmail.com.

I will announce today’s winner at 10 PM EST.

Boy, am I ever late announcing this one. Saw Avatar late last night. Good movie. Today’s winner is Miningzen, whom has won himself a set of posters, care of EON Magazine. Please email your shipping address so I can get these out to you.

*** SNEAK PEEK FOR DEC 24TH ***

PRIZE: $100 US Racial Gift pack from the Eve Online store

TASK: Create a holiday video for your fellow Eve Online players

Advent Celebration – Dec 17th

Posted by Roc Wieler on

“Every child grew up with these. They are classic!”

I had been pondering those words for a few days since they were first spoken to me in shock and judgement. Some forget that there was no Christmas for slave children. Every day was simply about surviving until your next meal. I never grew up with the luxuries the Gallenteans had; I didn’t know about the classic kids tales everyone had been going on about when I walked into the conversation.

I had asked innocently about one particular cartoon title, and was then told at great lengths about the wonders of classical animation and how it was simply unheard of for an adult to not be familiar with these. What about my kids? Had they seen them?

Christmas was complicated.

ADVENT DAY 17

PRIZE: ???

TASK: Today you will be submitting a short script/story detailing the next big “classic christmas cartoon”, featuring Roc Wieler of course.

Post your entries in the comments section below, or email me at adventcelebration@gmail.com.

I will announce today’s winner at 10 PM EST.

Congratulations to Rettic, whom has won himself a copy of EON Magazine Issue 19 when it comes out!

Advent Celebration – Dec 16th

Posted by Roc Wieler on

Christmas was clearly not for me, I thought to myself. I lived my life by rules; I needed structure. The holiday season was chaotic, and seemed to bring out the worst in people. I wondered how family would react to the gifts they received if they knew to what morally questionable lengths their loved ones went to get them, how they mistreated others, shoving, pushing, cursing, filled with impatience at every turn; in their vehicles, in their shopping, everything. It was deplorable.

If any of my pilots were to act the way I had witnessed innumerable civilians act in the name of Christmas, I would have them under court-martial faster than they knew what hit them.

I was losing myself in the madness. I needed order. I needed direction.

ADVENT DAY 16

PRIZE: ???

TASK: Today you will be creating a witty yet insightful Christmas Rule. Not only will the winning rule win today’s prize, it will be featured as an official Roc’s Rule. Post your entry in the comments section below, or email me at adventcelebration@gmail.com.

I will announce today’s winner at 10 PM EST.

Congratulations to Song Li, today’s winner! Not only is your quote today going to be an official Roc’s Rule, but you’ve also won yourself a free ad on Capsuleer! Check this LINK out for details. Ignore the ISK part; that’s on us!