Answering the Questions, and asking you guys some.
Added 2024-10-16 01:05:36 +0000 UTCLet me know what you think.
Comments
If you make merch that you personally would be happy to buy and use, or wear, or whatever you're supposed to do with it, and make some extras for others to buy too, then it's not selling out. It is possibly a way to discover you might have appalling taste in merch, but you can at least do so with your pride, dignity, and morals intact.
Guy that got suplexed by an Atlas and only mostly died
2024-11-11 07:11:25 +0000 UTCMoonshine Diplomacy, a novel about Van Zandt
Jay McIntyre
2024-10-23 03:14:50 +0000 UTC:: shakes hands :: Civil discourse. A rarity and quality often missing online. Much appreciated and respect granted.
MrToBeNamedLater
2024-10-23 00:48:36 +0000 UTC-Save voice- I'd be very interested to see what an Aux/BPL Con would be like! I've been to other conventions, but they're either boardgame, video game or anime centric. They'll typically have game test tables, actors, panels and so on. As for merch, I have supported Eldonius with buying shirts with his art on it. I love some wearables. Depending on what is sold from the BPL merch store, I would probably buy something there too. I know you'd source it from the right partners who don't use sweatshops or ill--gotten means to churn low-quality products. Also! I know I did not comment yet on Twycross! You and the team continue to impress. The work is awesome! When my friends ask - "why do I laugh at Clanners?" I point to Kai Allard-Liao doing his thing and blowing up a cluster of 'mechs. Thank you and the team for all of your efforts. I'll keep sharing them with my Battletech community - they love your work.
Scott Hamilton
2024-10-22 13:54:51 +0000 UTCConvention? Yes! Sounds like a fun time to meet new folks & enjoy the fun stuff we have in common. I'd be willing to help out in any way if volunteers are needed. Have a good week y'all!
RobinWhiteTX
2024-10-22 12:30:32 +0000 UTC(Mr. Tex, please save your voice) Great questions, merch is nice but not required. Convention is a bit much, speaking from personal experience from one who has volunteered and run conventions for decade plus. A con can go sideways fast. That's why insurance and retaining council is expensive. Best of luck, from someone who eats one less burger per month to fund art.
Steve Constant, 'Splash Mountain'
2024-10-21 18:09:51 +0000 UTCYou have many people telling you to take a paycheque from your fans (for want of much better phrasing) and personally I feel there's room for you to do so. I reckon with the merch idea as well as Patreon and whatever that perhaps you might be able to temporarily do BPL full time. You will probably say no but perhaps you could give it a shot doing it full time. You have your head on straight and your fellow production crew obviously do as well so if after giving it a try you find yourself going down the path of the YouTubers you've mentioned time and again then you can go back to how things are now. Like I said, you'll probably say no but I think there's enough people here who would like you and your team to succeed that maybe, just maybe it would work.
Diobovinius
2024-10-21 03:54:47 +0000 UTCGreetings Tex, always a pleasure to hear from you. Save your voice if you desire. I want you to know that I appreciate most dearly you and your team’s approach to your endeavors. I also appreciate your Van Zandt Willie Wonka “World of Pure insanity” promise. Yes, yes I would buy BPL merchandise, but I understand the trepidation. Van Zandt the LUNCHBOX, Van Zandt the FLAMETHROWER, et cetera. All about more poetry. I appreciate the Teddy Roosevelt approach towards the Grim Reaper. In the Van Zandt vernacular, “Git ‘em!” In fun news from me, I was accepted into the Catalyst Game Lab Demo Team for BattleTech/Alpha Strike. Joy of the day to you and your team, Rest and Bite, and Northwind Forever.
Bolo Unit BRL of the Line
2024-10-19 12:04:01 +0000 UTCGood evening Mr. Tex. Save your voice as needed. Don't know about anyone else. But I'd love some BPL merch. Shirts, coffee mugs, stickers, whatever. I'm pretty basic with my tastes so I'd love a shirt with "GM Autocannons, because fuck THAT guy in particular." I just don't have the skills, equipment, or time to make it myself. Perhaps charge enough to cover the cost, and a bit of profit. Half to charity, half to help fund the next film so you don't have to put as much our of pocket. As to a convention, well, it would give me something to do with my vacation time other than stay home, so I guess I'd be down, circumstances permitting. I'm backwards in that I'm reticent on online interaction but vociferous in person, so I think I'd rather enjoy a convention. Actual Battletech question, what's the Van Zandt millitia paint scheme for their mechs and vehicles? I've decided I'm going to paint my favorite mechs in my collection the colors of various Luchadores, but can't decide on a scheme for everyone else and my vehicles. So I may as well go with Van Zandt in honor of the random YouTuber that reminded me I love Battletech one day when I was feeling down. Thank you for what you do, have a good rest of the week.
Santo
2024-10-19 00:43:43 +0000 UTCSave your voice if you prefer, but I have to ask: what kind of environment is Van Zandt? I’m picturing a combination of the plains of Texas, cornfields of Nebraska with some mountains like the Appalachians. What kind of camouflage or paint scheme would the VZFSM use as standard (if such a word could be applied) for their vehicles and equipment?
GillyMonster
2024-10-18 22:00:59 +0000 UTCI am a slut for merch.
Antisocialmunky
2024-10-18 21:53:54 +0000 UTC-Voicebox not required- Pardon the stream of consciousness as I write, I'm pulling thoughts together as I re-listen to the update I can relate to a lot of what you're describing, especially as I hit the end of my career path and look back on the past decade while trying to figure out what the now very uncertain future is going to look like. A lot of time spent...and a lot of it I fear mis-spent. But one thing I do want to comment on is the bit about rest. It's something of a paradox, because I understand what you mean about not looking back and thinking "man I regret not resting more", but at the same time without due rest one loses out on strength that could have been used to do the things that in the end went undone. It is, at least from my perspective, why I do encourage you to rest and take the time off where possible. You can't pour from an empty cup and everyone needs to recharge from time to time to be able to rise to the tasks before them. It's not easy but it is utterly crucial. And I daresay many of the people here who try to encourage you to do less have that in mind. The hopes and wishes that you'll rest so you can be all the stronger in facing the trials and tribulations ahead, of which there are many. On that note, my sympathies on the health issues regarding the thyroid. I'm not a religious man but I pray that whatever higher power is out there cuts you a break with some good news. You and the team are a good, ethical bunch. The outpouring of well wishes and good vibes are well deserved. A question regarding the Christmas Dump: are there any surprises in the wings akin to the Urbanmech? Not asking for another last minute major production, but more curious as to the scope of shenanigans this year's got in store. The Dumb has been a grand time each year I've tuned in and man I'm excited to see what you and the crew do, whether its streams, shitpost videos, or forcing another hapless legion type to try the one chip challenge with malort chaser. Answering your questions three: Merch: yes* BPLCON: yes** Poetry: you already did the big one with Invictus, no input on this end *I'm on board with the merch idea for the same reason I'm on board with the missus having her shop that dabbles in WBPL merch: there's a demand for it, and I have full trust in the ethics behind the decision making that respects rights holders, the creators, and the customers all equally. I cannot see you authorizing the creation and sale of anything that isnt reasonably priced, of reasonable quality, and chock full of shitposts that serve to improve the general silliness quotient of the world rather than detract from it. Also dammit after your comment about spray painting faces on cheap material now just for the meme of it I want to get the cheapest blank t-shirt i can find and go to a local fair or carnival or something and get the black pants flag airbrushed onto it or something to that effect. Because I'm dumb like that and the irony tickles the smoothest parts of my brain. **So...uh...didn't you already have that conversation when you had Tycho on the podcast? I'm pretty sure he talked through the inception of PAX and it was similar to what's being suggested here. That said, I'm on board with this too with the caveat of only if the herculean effort that would be required both in planning and funding does not cost you and whatever team sets it up in health and wellness. It's not worth it if doing so makes it harder to manage your own affairs and ability to function. Bit of word vomit, appreciate your time in humoring it. Hang in there, Tex. We're rootin' for you.
Iden DeSeer
2024-10-18 17:07:56 +0000 UTCNo voice. Would buy shirt. Would not go to con. Sleep soon.
Captain1nsaneo
2024-10-18 07:36:25 +0000 UTCI'd love some merch T-shirts, as long as it's dye and weave, not print, those always wear out too fast. Mugs could be nice too. I'd love to go to a con, though travel could be a problem for me.
Ironguard
2024-10-17 20:51:42 +0000 UTCsave your voice tex im from the uk so the con is out for me Yes to merch as youll do a great job tshirt and patches please !!! some generic bpl type and some meme type please keep up the great work !
rhys vokes
2024-10-17 17:40:56 +0000 UTCHey Tex, please save your voice. A weird thing happened to me and it wasn't unexpected because I had all the alarm bells go off. So new job, new challenge and boy is it a challenge, I become the one man company running team. I had run into similar ads before and they often had very bad vibes. So I start and I'm very cautiously optimistic. It first glance all looks legit, trying to get to a standard get everything working, but after trying to cram it all in I see a weird email and this afternoon I got the boot. I had the same issue a few weeks ago where they tell me it's OK to start, but someone has to confirm it, I keep checking, all is OK until of course I call for the final confirmation and they tell me no. From my perspective they were bad places to work, but I can't shake the feeling I somehow jinxed it. So weird feeling today ...
Nonkel Bob
2024-10-17 14:07:13 +0000 UTCPraise The Dump! \o/ I can't speak for everyone on the topic...but I'm going to anyways. You make quality merch, it will be bought, just just because people like to show support, but also quality product is hard to come by these days, and to have something, even simple things that are made well and hold meaning to us is better than many get the chance to spend their money on anyways. Also an AuxCon sounds great. Beans for all!
Brooks
2024-10-17 03:03:33 +0000 UTCYeah to that extent I don't disagree. The way I look at it, sooner or later someone is going to make the stuff - might turn out to be totally unaffiliated with BPL in any way, just some soulless AI trawl with absolutely cheap crap and it will end up selling because it's the only search result, and people will end up disappointed. Having some kind of official store, even if it's extremely minimal and unpromoted, at least guarantees that there will always be a legit source that is up to the quality standards that BPL expects. And that is sort of a service to the community. It is just, as you suggest, a question of how much time and sweat that is going to take up.
Berthold
2024-10-17 02:46:05 +0000 UTCTex, your out loud voice is optional... Merch: I'd happily pay a premium price for a premium product with whatever madness your team can dream up. Convention: YOU SONOFABITCH, I'M IN! My wife runs the art show at our area sci-fi & fantasy convention, and would be happy to help with an art show at the Legion's con. She's also happy to welcome any of the BPL's artists in her show if they're interested. Feel free to DM me (or have interested artists DM me) on the Aux Discord for more info. Poetry: May I suggest The Mower by Philip Larkin. It brings me to tears every time I read it, and the message is one that, in this cold hard world, we would do well to remember.
Tory II-C
2024-10-17 02:40:45 +0000 UTCQuality merchandise that will last... has anyone suggested black BPL tin pants?
Bluecardboardbox
2024-10-17 00:27:33 +0000 UTCI'll buy a lotto ticket with you folks in mind.
Maehock
2024-10-17 00:20:15 +0000 UTCOutstanding as always on the Talks . Ah I don broke down and singed up to this Patreon thing. On the plus side got my old nick name back. Is there any chance for a Laser Tits shirt? As far a a poem? Fiddlers Green Thanks for you and your friends madness over the years and keep raging against the day
Frosty
2024-10-16 23:54:57 +0000 UTCIf y'all make thing, I will buy thing. That simple. If y'all do con, I will go to con (Schedule permitting). That simple. Darkness by Lord Byron. Levergun is best gun.
Korehammer
2024-10-16 22:37:49 +0000 UTCAs much as I want my BPL challenge coin and branded underwear, it's probably not the best plan. Although if it would add to the shush fund and for movie grease, then I'm for it..... A very big thank you to the Team! You guys phucking Rock! Thank you!
Boogums
2024-10-16 22:34:53 +0000 UTCYou are one of the few people I expect to pull off a limited run merchandise. if you do it, just a spare a bit from the proceeds to yourself and the team(rest going to charity by default). That or genuinely do one for the machine gun fund. I am of two minds about the con. I think it can be used or channeled to be a force of good and fostering a place for different kinds of people to interact. At the same time I don't want for you to lose a bit of your privacy or be forced to wear a mask in public. I would genuinely force it to be no photos apart from selected spaces.
Tele Tanker
2024-10-16 22:04:34 +0000 UTCWell I give thru patreon with no other expectations other than what was offered and I am happy. If you want to do merchandise that's fine by me. I will buy if I find it interesting or unique but that's just how I am and won't change my patreon either way. I enjoy what I get and I feel like I'm helping so yay me. Auxcon? Sure, I've never been to a con really. Bit of a misanthrope so. And the whole, never meet your heros thing cause they may not like you! LOL BUT I may go depending on location and time. I must work and pay bills. I'd like to participate in any way I could but it's not been offered or asked so a silent partner is satisfactory. Stay well my friend and keep on keeping on..
Tempest Crow
2024-10-16 22:01:48 +0000 UTCTex, please save voice. If there was a con, will there be a poll on discord for various possible locations? I would fly from one end of the country to the other if I had to, but I recognize not everyone has that option. Thank you again for all you and the team do. Seyla 🫂 🤗
Nerd_Power
2024-10-16 20:58:22 +0000 UTCMaybe this is a cliche suggestion but "Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening" would make for an excellent Christmas dump poetry read.
RavenCarver
2024-10-16 20:43:16 +0000 UTCHey Tex,
Nerd_Power
2024-10-16 20:35:58 +0000 UTCI would love merch, especially if it were premium quality like we all trust you guys would strive for. If anything just getting small merch like VanZant or BPL stickers I would be super proud to display wherever clanners need to be reminded their place in the universe. Can't wait for the next traveller episode!
Ryan Foster
2024-10-16 19:22:34 +0000 UTCThe concern I’m raising is that it’s a very slippery slope, potentially. I don’t think anyone starts by going all in on merch for money at the expense of everything else. It just tends to end up that way more often than not. We’ve all seen it and he spoke to that point in the weekly update and it’s a concern I share. I was a massive RT fan and a very early sponsor and what happened to them and their employees was sad. I don’t want to see the BPL follow suit. I said it in my post but I’ll say it again: if there’s a plan in place to do merch without becoming ensnared to either pushing it or chasing profit, then do it by all means. I’d probably buy a few things.
MrToBeNamedLater
2024-10-16 19:07:38 +0000 UTCHey Tex, To answer your questions.... Merch: I agree that any merch needs to be of great quality. Challenge Coins, Lapel Pins, And/or Hats will generally last for some time. BPL/AUXCON: sign me up! I think it's a good idea, even though there are a lot of factors that can cause failure when creating a large event. I have a considerable amount of experience with large events/concerts. Message me if you would like help/advice. Poetry: You already knocked my favorite poem of all time out of the park. "I Have a Rendezvous With Death" was amazing, Thank You. That said, "The Soldier", by Rupert Brooks is a very close second for me. I would love to see it get the Tex Talks Poetry treatment. How is your foot? Hang in there Brother, and get rest when can.
davezero
2024-10-16 18:59:49 +0000 UTCPlease save your voice. First, good job on the Twycross movie. I need to watch it again to see things I didn’t pick up on during the premiere viewing, but it was pretty damn cool to see the work put into it from all the artist and production team. And maybe had a preview of what we’ll see in MW5 Clan on Wolcott. Second, I am actually really excited to see how y’alls StarWar game plays out. FFG’s Star Wars RPG is what got me out of a several year hiatus from TTRPG’s. After burning out on D&D 3.5 and bouncing off of 4e, it was a really easy and enjoyable system to run, if flawed in a few aspects. So I am very curious how BPL crew in comparison to the other games on the podcast and how I approach running my campaigns. Speaking of, the Traveller game that the podcast inspired is reaching a crescendo you might find humorous. Our arrested-for-vagrancy hobo turned ship engineer has manage to successfully use “moonshine diplomacy” to foment a mutiny amongst the Imperial Navy enlisted in quarantine Red Zone everyone is stuck in. While this is going on, the Army Lawyer PC is questioning the actions of the antagonistic cruiser captain, the Ref roleplays out his response with General Ripper’s speech to Captain Mandrake (Dr. Strangelove) without missing a beat or looking at any reference material. Just replace some of the terms reflecting our current setting, such as the President with the Emperor and Communist Conspiracy with Zhodani Conspiracy. He got a, out of character, round of applause. It’s been amazing.
swiftdraw
2024-10-16 18:56:28 +0000 UTCIt feels like you're suggesting merch would be an all or nothing affair; it seems like it would be possible to have an outlet for quality merch that wouldn't require it to be "pushed" or maximized and wouldn't fundamentally change the economic model that BPL runs on, and that's what I took him to be asking about.
Berthold
2024-10-16 18:40:06 +0000 UTCRe: Conventions, I would definitely be down for AUX Con, preferably somewhere in middle America, or Texas (I dearly miss PAX South in San Antonio). And from my recollections of the early days of PAX, yes, it very much started in a somewhat similar fashion. I too would be down for some merch. A challenge coin would be wonderful, as would a patch, and maybe a mug!
Team CasterClan
2024-10-16 17:08:55 +0000 UTCTo be honest, as for the Merchandise, if the art lives in the artist, no matter how it is monetized, the art will be the art. I have a feeling you will keep the faith there; no matter how the money comes, the money will be there. It will let us knowingly nod to one another when we see each other. So keep the faith and drive on you crazy bastard
Opie74
2024-10-16 16:52:17 +0000 UTCGood Morning, Mr. Tex. I hope you have a great day today, and get to recover a bit. I know its hard at times, but you gotta take time for yourself to avoid burnout. Regarding BPL Merch- Instead of going straight to an active store model, how about several limited runs? Maybe once a quarter release a number of curated items that the core BPL Team thinks the masses will like? I personally would love a VZFSM patrol cap, Magistratum Mundanus artwork prints, or even just BPL branded Magpul P-Mags. You could gage the demand for different items, and if they sell well, move to an active store later on. Just my 2cents. I have never been to a Con before, so have no idea how that is supposed to work, but if its within a days drive of SE Texas, I would love to go. I am still a newbie to the Aux, and haven’t interacted as much as I would like, but I really want to get more involved. I am nowhere as creative as I was in my younger days, but what I see you and the BPL doing has inspired me, and makes me want to contribute in some small way. Even if its just a bunch of us nerds meeting up in a field somewhere, Ill bring the BBQ and smoked pork-butts. I have never been one for poetry, but one of my Warrant Officers introduced me to some good Kipling writings. “If-“ is one of my favorites. Of course there is always “Beowulf” if you have a bit of time on your hands. One last thing: Thanks to you, I downloaded the BT3062 mod, and have been putting way too much time into it, but it does make it a whole new game. Hope to see more of your playthroughs in the future.
Sgt CRAB
2024-10-16 15:11:08 +0000 UTCI would like to get a Clans Participation Trophies shirt. Make sure they come in big fat guy size, please.
Slappy McSpankBottom
2024-10-16 14:51:30 +0000 UTCA Tex Talks challenge coin would be a piece of merch I'd buy. But only on the condition that you use the money on yourself! You're joy a greedy man, but it is not greed to desire to some day retire or at least have some savings in the event of your health preventing you from working as hard as you like.
Iain Hutchinson
2024-10-16 13:33:39 +0000 UTCPlease save your voice. A BPL/AuxCon could be fun, logistically it might not be a bad idea to have a smaller event at an Adepticon/GenCon/Nova Open style event. Maybe something like the “Van Zandt Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Meeting and Militia Bake Sale” that people in the know could spread by word of mouth
Chris Stochaj
2024-10-16 13:22:23 +0000 UTCMerch is not bad, I fully agree with your concerns - people that just take the most exploited market (cheap mugs and shirts, etc) and copy/paste whatever they can to generate more merch. If done right, especially sticking with the charitable mindset using local builders/makers/erc I think it can work all around by benefitting the community on both ends: the buyer and the maker. I would absolutely love a convention. I'm not sure where it would be located geologically but if it's within three states or so of the midwest I'd absolutely go. On that note, I also have experience with Con organization, I served as a volunteer for Penguicon a couple times, organizing panels. I also have been a panelist for about 12 years running now. I know that's *way* down the line, but if I can help get things somewhat organized I will.
Caboose
2024-10-16 12:38:03 +0000 UTCA few comments for the legand.. I like the idea of merch, even digital things. Mainly to pay for your medical bills…. Being in da north…. We tend to not have the same strain as our southern brethren do, So yes I suppose this action,. A con sounds like a fun time for the Tex’s Charder, awesome or Hunhbsck to waffle stomp all of us flat… If you ever find your way up north, you and your crew have a place to stay. I live out west, so it may not be as fancy as the GTA, but you can atleast get a quiet place to sip coffee and listens to the wind, shitpost with the sunrise, and just maybe…. Have some BBQ Keep your stick on the ice Brother,,, I’m pullin for ya
Belariean of Canada
2024-10-16 11:27:47 +0000 UTCNew to the BPL as a paying supporter. Merch? Maybe think of a way to maximize the benefits for both your people and a Charity? So I am from North Carolina; Gamer's Nexus is located in Cary North Carolina. They are doing a two week run on some special shirts that will benefit charities in western North Carolina (Hurricane Helene) and I'm going to pick that up. You could do something similar with your shirts/hoodies/hats/merch whatever. I always appreciate your organization for charity. Con: I think people would surely enjoy that. Depending on the location I would do my best to come. Poetry: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night- Dylan Thomas Lottery: Guess I will start playing to win enough for you to make a movie. To Mr.Tex: what's your favorite mech for Van Zant's milita and what are their colors? I'd like to paint up on of my many plastic crack CGL minis in a scheme.
cgdeth
2024-10-16 11:08:05 +0000 UTCI'll add a few comments to this one, for a change. 1. Merch is something that I'm not opposed to for the station or for some of the stuff that WBPL-76 and the BPL do, and it could help with funding charities if you would wish to. The biggest thing that I'd want to see occur if merch were to be a thing is that it would be accessible and fairly-priced. 2. BPL-Con: I would want to attend, but it would be a concern that this would have a geographical limitation. An online con would also have some issues, since there's the matter of so many people who wanna talk to people and see and learn things. I still wanna audition someday when I'm in a better place to do some vocal work for BPL Studios, and that I'd want to help contribute to the community of good that I've seen you all founding. 3. For Poetry, I can make a few suggestions of poems, and there's one or two that I would love to hear you read. These are Mulga Bill's Bicycle and The Man from Iron Bark, both by A.B. 'Banjo' Patterson. These poems are amusing little anecdotes and fun things which I reckon you'd get a laugh from.
Rhys Lawson
2024-10-16 09:13:11 +0000 UTCYou asked some heavy stuff, so a very long post. Read in your head and take a minute to process, save your voice for poems. You remember we talked about Rooster Teeth a few months ago and what happened with them and you had some very pointed statements on why you feel what happened to them happened. You said words to the effect of they stopped being focused on content creation and more about line go up and huffed their own farts. They ran a massive merch store and had a CON with RTX. Somewhere, somehow they lost their grounding and it killed them. A merch store would require a lot of time and effort to maintain. That’s time and effort redirected from the creative process. And then you have to advertise its existence more or less constantly to some degree to keep it going. What you’re proposing sounds eerily familiar to Rooster Teeth at first glance and I would be horribly dishonest if I didn’t say so. All for what? A Van Zandt T-shirt or BPL whiskey tumbler that you buy once and forget about? Now, I’m not saying do or don’t do merch. My question is, and you gotta be honest with yourself on this one, are you ready to push merchandise and do you have the self control to not only keep that in check but also tell others around you including trusted confidants “no” with firmness when they may become more focused on the dollar signs than creating content? That’s insanely difficult to do. How many content creators have we seen go down the merch rabbit hole only to become enslaved to it? Beware the parasocial relationship, you’ve warned us of this so very often. Now, you know your situation better than anyone else. If you sell merch and feel it’s the right path forward, hey, you captain this ship. You may think from the above post I’m against merch. I’m actually not. I believe in the power of capitalism, but only when done ethically and correctly and so long as you don’t become enslaved to money for the sake of more money which is the pitfall for so many. As a man of faith, the Bible talks a great deal about money. Not only the dangers of worshipping it, but also how to manage it and ethically earn it so it doesn’t become a false god. I’m also pragmatic to know that you can’t make stuff with just feelings and goodwill. Nothing is for free, and people need to be paid. All this to say, merch is a Pandora’s Box and once you open it you can’t put it back. Rather than hammer on what merch I would like to have or not have, I have an open-ended question for you: what’s your plan to keep the merch monster in check and on a leash if you decide to go that route? What’s your plan to ethically earn money with merch and to promote it without becoming enslaved to either the process or profit? If I may make be so bold to make a suggestion: about a year ago I mentioned a raffle or other specially limited run of merchandise as a one time or special event like for the Christmas dump or something similar? Noodle it out but maybe start small and limited, see how it goes and how you and other people respond. Does it take up an inordinate amount of time and brain space? Did the money parasites come outta the woodwork? If not and the parasocial money monster doesn’t rear one of its many hydra heads, maybe keep doing it. If it did, you are still at a point you don’t repeat and change your direction. As for a CON, I’m in Oklahoma so depending just where in the world you wanna do this thing, I might be able to make it and would probably like it. I have a lot more I can say on this but I’ve gone on too long already. For a poem, High Flight, please and thank you good sir.
MrToBeNamedLater
2024-10-16 09:08:03 +0000 UTCTex, Yes on Merch, AUX CON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELL YES! We could have multi-location and set up video and had games and competitions through ... well somehow..! Can we write poetry and send it in to you? Breath, Rest and Rock on! Pistol6699
Pistol6699
2024-10-16 07:23:39 +0000 UTCLoved the last film. As far as merch maybe something like a Van Zandt free company Zippo. I'd be down for a Con depending on when and where. I know you probably won't but try to get some rest even if just a little.
psycophantic
2024-10-16 06:43:11 +0000 UTCTex, on the subject of merch... You've always been vehemently anti-greed. Now, that is certainly something to commend in this modern world, but in my humble (and often careless) opinion, you may have taken too firm a stance. You should try it. Something simple and characteristic, doesn't even have to be shirts or mugs. Something like a flag to hang on my wall or prints of art you've had commissioned in the past is definitely something I'd be interested in. A challenge coin or medal, even moreso. Hell, BPL branded pens would be cool. Tops for inner sphere, high tech clickys for the clanners. The shirts and mugs...nah, not for me. You could always stop after 1 run if you got grossed out over it or decided it just wasn't what you wanted. As for a convention, I think that depends on you. Sure there'd be the WBPL section, maybe a battletech section and stuff, but 80% of the focus is gonna be you. Whether or not you yourself are in a mental state to handle that is the real question you have to ask, I think. Edit: I love the poetry readings. Damaged or not, your voice is *chefs kiss* perfect for it.
Teyanis
2024-10-16 04:36:23 +0000 UTCGood whatever time you read this Tex. Feel Free to read quietly As someone who wishes to join the BPL one day, and I will scour to find the entrance (found the one on the video a while ago and didn't realize it had since closed.) I would love a BPLCon. My suggestion would too have a BPLCon during GenCon. You'd already have all the nerd things there, and have the ability to just have a group take over a massed area to game, hang, and chat. And as for merch, do what you wish there. Don't create something that you don't think is truly what you represent, and don't do it because of us. I would definitely buy some of the merch and add it a favor I wear while fighting in the SCA. But in the end, keep on keeping on, and make certain to do whatever ya want. I've learned life is short, and that there is nothing to do but to simply to do what your heart and mind wants. You and others have inspired me to not sit around and wait for things to happen, but to grab life by the scruff and say listen hear fucko. Sorry for swearing there.
Fireonfriendly
2024-10-16 03:42:11 +0000 UTCTex, save your voice. I want to tell about the fortune teller back in August, but I need to review the audio then I'll make another post. Merch: 90% chance I won't buy it. No offense intended, I just have too much stuff and I need to get back into decluttering. Con: Depends on where it is and if I feel comfortable driving there and home on my own. Given that we're states away, that's probably not going to happen. But don't let my answers stop you. I'm just one casual who's still trying to figure things out even at 50.
Jason Youngberg
2024-10-16 03:33:54 +0000 UTCHey Tex.... Merch: I'm not opposed, I think it would be another outlet for Auxiliaries and Legionaires alike would buy bc we would know the quality. 2: Convention, honestly depending on where it would be I'd be down to attend. 3:Poetry uhhh...That one poem from the one dude...Poet McPoetryFace Not much else from me....2024 has come at me again knives out and I had to draw steel....btw VOTE VENDRETTE FOR MAYOR!
The Mailman
2024-10-16 03:27:09 +0000 UTCTex, As always - please save your voice. Merch is an idea that I support in theory, but I recognize that meeting your standards for both quality and ethical production while remaining generally affordable is…complicated. BPLCon sounds like a hell of a time to me. As someone who devotes a fair chunk of their time to helping run both in-personal and virtual cons / events, it is another area where the event lives or dies on logistics. That said, if someone brings a few BBQ smoker trailers I bet we could swing some pretty righteous eats. Also, I have a high powered nerf rifle if we can get some likeminded nerds into a game or two of dart tag. Shame that most hotel rooms no longer have windows that can be opened. I won’t even try to ask you to take a break - you’re one of God and Dr. Thompson’s prototypes never even considered for mass production. It’s just not in your nature. Take care, keep yourself fulfilled, and thanks again to you all for what you do. -Mahalo
BZArcher (Blind Zen Archer)
2024-10-16 03:25:25 +0000 UTCG’Day Tex Finally a topic I can bring personal experience to offer, running a convention * no need to read out loud In 2006 me and a couple of other people started a LEGO fan convention. Now it is a bit different in Australia as not as many hotels have attached convention centres of the size we required so we had to shop around universities and town halls. This is something I understand from American LEGO events is less of an issue. Lessons we learned • The first one definitely will have major problems, since if it’s a fan run one you may not have the logistics experience (there that comes up again • You really need to set up a clear definition of roles and responsibilities. We formed a committee after our second one to resolve this with executive (president , vice president, secretary& treasurer) • You need a very clear timeline of when things need to be completed by before the event • A timetable of things that will happen at the event with slack time between them • You will almost certainly run at a loss for the first one. Now we had a public day and did not charge exhibitors so our model is very different but since it takes a while to find your feet on this expect a financial loss first time around You can read again * It has been, at least for me, a lot of very hard work but I have helped build a still running and successful LEGO convention that other talented people have stepped in and are now assisting everywhere to run this event. If nothing else, I have this as part of my legacy if I pass, this will outlive me and perhaps people will remember what I helped bring to life.
Lord Travis Lance the 3rd Matheson esq
2024-10-16 03:06:39 +0000 UTCIn for a BPL flamethrower
Wulf202
2024-10-16 02:55:12 +0000 UTCNo need to read aloud: 1) Merch would be well received. If anybody is going to get money for Van Zandt memorabilia I am sure we would all rather have it go to and be spent or distributed by someone we trust. And obviously it's hard to absolutely ensure quality but I do not think anyone else could do it better than you guys. 2) Con? Yeah that'd be interesting. 3) Any individual part of "Breathing Tokens" by Carl Sandburg. The first three sections are short and run a range of moods; can be somewhat hard to find if you don't already have it though. Here's #2 which I think will have some resonance for you (though for me #1 hits home): "There's no harm in trying. Nothing can harm you till it comes. And it may never come. Or if it comes it is something else again. And those who say, 'I'll try anything once,' often try nothing twice, three times, arriving late at the gate of dreams worth dying for."
Berthold
2024-10-16 02:48:56 +0000 UTCHi Tex and crew. Answers: 1. Yes to merch, merch is a physical representation of a memory or affection for something. I prefer things like tshirts or baseball caps, because they're practical and serve many purposes. Patches are nice too, but they usually only make it on my range bags. I trust your team to make good merch, you already know the evils of it, you'll do good. 2. Yes to a convention and gathering of the legion. You never know what you get into until it happens. 3. Definitely excited to hear more poetry. I wouldn't mind hearing something from Robert Frost or even "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae.
Sean O'Donnell
2024-10-16 02:45:52 +0000 UTCFrom all the way in Australia, I would buy BPL merch in a heartbeat. If it means supporting the work that BPL does, the collaborators and artists, and the continued comfort of Tex, I am down to support that endeavour. Also, I have a Degree in Writing and I would offer my efforts as a Script Editor for free.
Schmick101
2024-10-16 02:34:42 +0000 UTCTex, as always, hoping you're doing as well as can be. As a friend once said, "It's better to have more good days than bad and call that a victory." In any case, watching Twycross was enjoyable as always. As you've always said, you want to produce quality material and I must say you succeeded yet again. Whenever a TTB video drops, so does everything I'm doing until it is over. I kick back with a cold drink, some snacks and enjoy it straight through the credits and advertisements. After all, it isn't TTB without Discount Dan or Duncan 'Goddamn' Fischer helping to close things out. As far as your questions, I'd say this...a BPL challenge coin would be nice, maybe one with the Black Pants flying with Hail Cargonia! to show fellow fans the love. Beyond that, I can't think of a time when one of the artists have ever come up with anything that wasn't spectacular, so whatever else ya come up with, I'd be down for it. Just avoid the Black Pants Flamethrower...even if the kids would love them (Mel Brooks / SpaceBalls joke there). I have to agree with Magus Zeal's comment about a BPL Con though...you've always mentioned how you're not big on being the center of attention, but a Con would kinda put the spotlight on you. Something to think about. However, if one were to be put on, I'd make every effort to attend. In the meantime, try to relax as best you can and Hail Cargonia!
MarauderTDL
2024-10-16 02:34:35 +0000 UTCMerch is always great. And charity is great, but BPL also needs to maintain a nest egg for sustainability and kickstart projects. Folks need to be compensated for their time, need to buy equipment, emergencies happen, et al. Wiping out your retirement for a medical incident is not sustainability. If running BPL as a business is out, setting up an art centric non-profit is a possibility. Plus it'd be funny. Van Zant Art Foundation and BBQ Historical Society or whatnot. Honestly, I loved listening to the poetry teaser and replayed it several times. I would recommend Kipling, of course. Suitable for BattleTech. Poe would be fun for Halloween.
Chris Casper
2024-10-16 02:29:33 +0000 UTCTex, feel free to save your voice... I'm sure I've said it before and I will risk repeating myself on the matter of the concept of merch... "Dewit." And am I hearing noises that a BeepleCon is seriously being considered? "Dewit." I know you have reservations in regards to selling pieces of this thing you hold precious, if it's just a desire to ensure quality items are on offer I'm sure if you put 1/100th the effort into finding a good shop to put out such quality items that you did in gathering-up the motivated talent involved in one of your recent moving pictures Before said talent all rolled-up their sleeves and applied axes to grindstones you'd have found such a shop yesteryear. I know this can be hard for you, that it weights heavily on your soul the possible yards towards evil this beast may slouch if you slacken too much on the leash. That... maybe, this could knock a chink into the armor you and yours have so diligently worn against the perils of parasociality and change your relationship with the audience for the worse. That... maybe, this could represent the cornerstone of a new temple to Mammon where the repeating mantra of 'Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching' may whisper insidiously to you that your audience is a resource for you to exploit. Maybe... Maybe.... but consider it from the fans' perspective, what do these trinkets actually represent? They're memories. Some small physical talisman in which we imbue the spirit of a moment in time, a moment when things happened, when feelings were felt, when words were spoken and heeded. Something of quality which could see real use and doesn't need a glass case to preserve it can go on to hold more memories still, memories which can become stories, stories which can bring communities together. And what of the Con? What are conventions, really, but a grand excuse to bring together a community? To gather and share news and bring news back to those who couldn't be there? To tell stories? To make memories? You could even attend virtually. Not that you need to put your face in front of a camera if you don't want to... but maybe... Put the camera on a screen or projectable surface and then walk into screen-frame but not into camera-frame with a spotlight throwing your silhouette up, kinda like how Hitchkok used to. Might be a neat way to do the intros/outros for a watch-party. Anyway, I've belabored you enough with my peevishness at your reticence. This is world is obviously not kind, but nor is it cruel. It's just so absolutely callous that it feels like cruelty, and in the face of that I would suggest it was a sin to see an opportunity to put a piece of joy into this world and instead turn-away. Be that as it may, the recreational attack-sheep abides.
Molly McAllister
2024-10-16 02:18:49 +0000 UTCMy favorite poem is "The Chaos" by Gerard Nolst Trenité. I like the challenge to properly pronunciate every word.
ShellBack Beau
2024-10-16 02:16:43 +0000 UTCI would totally travel for a BPL Con! As for the merch, I love my KFC shirt… I know all the choices would be very cool!
Laird Stanard
2024-10-16 02:10:03 +0000 UTCIt's always important to let everyone you cherish know how much they mean to you every time. I lost my brother suddenly 4 years ago, while I miss him terribly, we always knew how much one another meant and the last works he heard from me were "i lover you", I'd enjoy some merchandise and enjoy a con also, even if i likely couldn't make it to it. As always you do great work and I great appreciate the effort you and your team put in.
WinglessRayven
2024-10-16 02:07:16 +0000 UTCMerch: I'd definitely be in the market for a well-made BPL t-shirt or two. Knowing how you operate, I have no doubt that they'd be of high quality and that the artists would be compensated appropriately. Maybe some of the profits could go to charity, as well -- though not ALL the profits, since, as you point out, you need to start thinking about building nest eggs. Convention: As much as I like the idea of BPLcon, there are some significant issues to consider. Even with a full, dedicated team, running a convention is *hard*, and running a decent convention is harder still. It sounds like you're already running yourself ragged trying to keep up with your various obligations (self-imposed and otherwise), and trying to run a whole-ass convention on top of that, even with the help of other Legionnaires, would add a major stressor to the pile. Furthermore, if the BPL meetup is already pushing 50-60 people, I can easily imagine a full BPLcon reaching ten times that number or more, and like it or not, the vast majority of those people are going to want to interact with you. You describe yourself as a fairly private person, so I can't imagine that dealing with those kinds of crowds would be pleasant for you. If the idea still appeals to you, though, then as something of a stepping stone to a full BPLcon, maybe the BPL and Aux could arrange some sort of coordinated meetup at a pre-existing con? Interested parties could set up BPL-themed panels or events at the convention, and people could perhaps use the Discord to coordinate things outside the official con schedule. This could give you a chance to get some experience with con organization without having to shoulder the entire burden yourself, and if you still want to go ahead with a proper BPLcon afterward, you'll have a better sense of how to do it.
Scott Jennings
2024-10-16 02:02:26 +0000 UTCJust a little bit of time off, he says, when you could've taken months and no one would blame you. Yes, we know you work too hard, Tex. We keep TELLING you. 1. The Van Zandt logo/crest on a shirt would be good. 2. Sounds good, as for myself attending it would depend where it was. 3. I've made suggestions before. Fearful Symmetry/Tyger Tyger Burning Bright. A longer one would be "Reminder" by Buck Coulson. I will copy/paste here, obviously save your voice. The stardrive was discovered on a planet in Centaurus, By a race that built their cities when the Earth was burning gas. They swept across the starlanes in the dawning of creation, And a million years of empire came to pass. Their successors were a swarm of mighty insects from Orion. They did not have the stardrive, but they did not ever die. They smashed a dying empire and then settled down to rule it, And another million years or so went by. The Insects were supplanted when the drive was rediscovered. They could not stop rebellion when they could not catch their foes. And the Tzen became the rulers. They were reptiles from Arcturus, And they worshiped the dark swamps from which they rose. But the Tzen were few in number and the universe is mighty, And they felt their domination slip away between their claws. Others fought for domination and the universe was chaos, While on Earth a creature shaped flint with its paws. Now the first ones are forgotten and the Insects but a memory, And the creature called Man stands upon the threshold of his fame. But remember, puny Earthlings, there were others here before you, And still others who will follow in your flame. -- As for you, of course you have my prayers. And your body is telling you what we all knew, you need a better job!
Jay McIntyre
2024-10-16 02:01:30 +0000 UTCPoetry is an excellent idea. You definitely have the voice for it. If you do choose to offer something in the way of merch I'm sure you'll take as much care with it as you do with your productions and it'll be worth having. A con isn't a bad idea either though personally I have a hard time making time for that sort of thing. I hear ya about the wanting to make up for lost time bit, you just gotta watch and not run yourself into the ground, doing which would help no one. False humility irritates me as well. Oh and lever guns are very underrated, though they do seem to be seeing a bit of a surge popularity wise lately. Ever see a revolver chambered in .45-70? They're a hoot.
Juryrigged89
2024-10-16 01:54:18 +0000 UTCAny BPL merch should be functional items or gaming related, I think. Poem requests: the Second Coming by W.B. Years A Dream Lies Dead, or Inventory, by Dorothy Parker An Aux/BPL fan get-together could be fun. Could result in war crimes. Either way, I'm probably in.
Ginger_Bitters
2024-10-16 01:53:19 +0000 UTCMerch? Yes. Source quality and local. Meet up? Fuck yes! Question: Real time strategy or turn based strategy?
ManUnmade
2024-10-16 01:46:15 +0000 UTCAs far as merch and all that is concerned? i'd buy a bpl challenge coin, certainly if not more. your art deserves support, thats why im here now. as far as bpl con? how many people would you want to meet face to face, including dumbasses like me? i'd go for many reasons otherwise, but you'd have to deal with *people like me*
that guy named dan
2024-10-16 01:45:05 +0000 UTCHell yes, I'd wear some merch! It'd be an honor!
PitViper
2024-10-16 01:44:53 +0000 UTCSave your voice: My Knife Fight City shirts are nice, I'd buy an "It is Noted" shirt, a Cargonia shirt or any number of the hilarious things you've come up with over the years if they're the same quality. I'm happy to help pay the artists and lessen the financial burden you personally bear via merch purchases. You haven't tucked your pants into your boots yet. I'd be down for a BPLcon. You joked at one point about renting out the Corn Palace, I drove past it Saturday on my way to a nephew's football game... Mitchell South Dakota seems like a nice place. As for Poetry: Aspects of Robinson by Weldon Kees. If you don't do it, I just might. Can't wait to see the Mass Christ Dump, it's a highlight of the holiday season. What is your 5 second assessment of Gen Pershing? He's becoming a favorite figure of mine as the more I read the more the modern American military can be described as, if not his child, at least his Grandchild.
They Call Me Soup Can
2024-10-16 01:40:34 +0000 UTCFor a BPLCON, consider this: how many of your fanboys/fangirls do you want to see you in person, up close? That should set your expectations appropriately.
Magus Zeal
2024-10-16 01:29:31 +0000 UTCPoem request: Edgar Allan Poe: "a dream within a dream". It is abit hopeless, but always struck a chord with me.
EeTher N. Hunt
2024-10-16 01:25:24 +0000 UTCI wear my Battletech merchandise from the Hairbrain Kickstarter all the time. I would love and be proud to wear anything the BPL would/could come up with. A challenge coin or something small but cherished would be cool as well.
Anacryon
2024-10-16 01:22:55 +0000 UTCWill listen and try my best to answer.
Maxx31
2024-10-16 01:17:53 +0000 UTC
