AT8 update & CSM5 news

Look mum we're on TV! (actually is it going to be televised?)

Details are here.

At least we have a well-known team for our first round and previous winners to boot. What will a pack of low-sec living pirates do against HUN Reloaded? I have no idea but I hope we get into a position to ransom one of them!

Our prep is progressing but it is no secret that the Bastards are going to have a great time. We've been more aggressive in our roams just to ensure that we can properly battle-test our ships and tactics, Sisi is too controlled in some ways and the sheer randomness of tranquillity is the best test. Unfortunately, we've had a few set-backs but some successes too.

==Other bits==

Biggest news items by far is that Mynxee got the most votes for CSM5, automatically making her the chair-person. To be honest, she's the best bet for that position and I am immensely proud of her for stepping up and volunteering to do it. I just hope she has time to squeeze it all in!

Check this out:

Votes	Character Name	Real Name	Country
4,116	Mynxee	Carole Pivarnik	United States
3,360	Ankhesentapemkah	Eva Jobse	Netherlands
2,521	Dierdra Vaal	Valentijn Geirnaert	Netherlands
2,196	Korvin	Andrey Antonov	Russia
1,649	Vuk Lau	Vuk Lau	Serbia
1,553	TeaDaze	Jason Renouf	Guernsey
1,519	Meissa Anunthiel	Stephan Pirson	Belgium
1,463	Trebor Daehdoow	Robert Woodhead	United States
1,260	Sokratesz	Tim Heusschen	Netherlands

Now that is a mandate for Mynxee as as Keith had pointed out, the number two on the list has quite different views on piracy so we shall see.

Oh, shout out to Kane and co for reversing a carrier drop to their advantage; nice!

Arrhidaeus - RIP Navy Slicer

RIP
It was with some sadness this morning that I saw the destruction of Arrhideaus's Amarr Navy Slicer. This ship has been one amazing little craft, made more so by Arrhideaus's skilled piloting. In fact, his solo efforts this year has been recognised with a strong vote for the April 2010 solo kill of the month. It is May now so I will tally up the votes and present a medal to Arrhidaeus soon with a shiny new T2 frigate hull of his choice. I think I might have an Amarr Navy Slicer in the hangar already, so might just drop it in...unless I lent it out to someone already? Hmmm.

This has reminded me that I need to update the list and post it - there's some impressive solo kills over the last 12 months from us and why shouldn't I toot our own horn now and again?

Speaking of tooting horns, the campaign and voting for CSM5 has begun and I have decided to throw my vote behind Mynxee. There are other fine candidates out there but I like her message and ideas in general, especially when turned on the direction of low-sec. All low-sec needs is to make it more attractive for people to come and occupy it. There is no need for 'pirate' content - so long as miners come to mine, mission runners arriving to run missions, traders trading etc - then piracy will thrive. So am against the idea of tweaking sentry guns for example. It doesn't benefit anyone except those who camp - and they do it so well already.

Anyway, like the current UK elections - go out and vote and make it count.

Tournament preparations

The Tusker Bastards have been busy preparing for the AT8 for a few weeks now and we just can't wait to get our teeth stuck into the competition. While preparatory work is important, it all boils down to how well the team of team will perform on the day. We've seen the list of participants and there's no fear here. Our AT fund is growing (albeit slowly) so if there are any well-wishers who want to aid us poor and rag-tag pirates with purchasing new ships and modules - drop your donations to me, Flashfresh and I will promise that it will be put to very good use. Persephone and TheHermit are also thinking hard on what special event they can organise to help us. It's all go-go here and the energy is great!