Happy March, Rangerphiles!

Again, the year's going quick. Seems like the Olympics just started yesterday and they're already over! Well, there's a lot to talk about today, so I'll get to it.

For a while, I've been talking about changes coming to the boards, but it's taking longer than I thought to implement so I'm going to tell you about them today. First, there's an update coming to the Rules page to reflect the current rules. There's also a new page taking over the slot the now-defunct Other Messageboards page currently holds.

For a long time, we've needed an FAQ page on common practices here at the board, and I've made one. You'll find that page here:

http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/indyranger/FAQ.html

I included everything I could think of from a practical standpoint, and also common things every Rangerphile should know in general, plus questions that often come up. Number one is how to register, which comes up more often than any other question. If there's a question that needs to be covered here that I don't include, then let me know.

There's also some design changes coming to the Story Board and the Off-Topic Board, plus a couple of minor changes to the greeting on the Cafe page. Mainly, these are links to the new rules page and the new FAQ (which are linked on all pages).

Okay, caption time! This week's was challenging, I though, because I asked for three comments. Again, everyone rose to the challenge! Great stuff, but since I can only pick one for the display it's Rennod this week. Congrats, Rennod, and now here's the ones that really made it tough to choose...

KS

Dale: "Is the drug test really necessary?"

Gadget: "All Justice League members have to be certified drug free, Dale- er, Rubber Bando."

Chip: "I still can't believe Superman asked you to join, they must be desperate!"

Loneheart

(I see Julie unsheathing her Magic Sword (TM) even now...)

Dale: So you say this home pregnacy test you invented "SHOULD" work, Gadget?

Chip: Ah ha. So, uh, does it say you're pregnant?

Gadget: Yup, and acording to this Zipper's the father!

Race

Gadget: Use my new product called oxy clean!  it cleans even the most delicate fabrics... EVEN LACE!

Chip: Uh, Gadget, just make sure Dale's scarf gets cleaned

Dale:  Wowie! I'm gonna have the cleanest scarf when i go crime fighting!

Dumpsterside

(Maybe this'll get me box seat at the premiere)

Dale:  Hey Gadget, what does this test prove?

Gadget:  It says that Dillon Harrigan's fanfic will be coming real soon.

Chip:  (sarcastically) Oh great.  Now we get to hear from Mr. "I'm gonna write a movie!"

Oh, and we can't leave out this one...

Karl

Dale: Wowsers! It's crawling right into the bottle!

Gadget: All it took was the right bait...

Dale: Remember, kids! Even Rangers can catch tapeworms!

Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Karl--winner in the category of Ickiest Caption in a Supporting Role! Yay! You'll find the current week's offering on the Caption Page. This time it's just Gadget. She's made something in her workshop, and looks pretty pleased about it. I wonder what it could be, and why she has that knowing look on her face...

And now, for the week that was...

On Monday, Inkari, a new voice here at the Cafe (hi there!) mentioned that Chip 'n Dale appeared on "House of Mouse" in the role of the Chip 'n Dale Dancers. Guess work for the lads must be hard to come by these days...

Kongo brought up the reference to Dale in "Kiwi's Big Adventure" where the Kiwis refer to him as "the flying god" when they see him using two leaves as wings. Kongo also brought out that Dale's flown other times, which started a conversation on the topic. I don't know if Dale would consider himself a "really great flying god", but then he did go Wagnerian in his pilot's role in "Song of the Night 'N Dale". Dale's ego knoweth no bounds.

Another new Russian artist! On Tuesday, Postmaster informed us of Head's debut on the NGS. What a picture--Gadget the android. Like Ray Jones said, "I'll take one!"

Kongo chimed in again with a pretty specific question. If the Littles and the Rangers had an air race between their respective crafts, who would win? I remember the littles, and I liked the show. But I have to go with the majority here--Gadget would find a way to win. However, that's not to say that the Rangers would win, because if the race got too personal I could see one of the Littles doing some sabotage or as one comment pointed out, Fat Cat could get in on the doings. Nothing like the fun of speculation...

Ray Jones informed us of our missionary Rangerphile, Jeff Parkes, now stationed in Barcelona, Spain. No internet for two years--certainly the most primitive of conditions. Still, he did think to take his Gadget and Dale figurines along so he won't totally be alone. Maybe he can find us some new Rangerphiles while he completes his missionary duties. Thanks for passing the info on, Ray!

Bw grabbed a lot of attention with his idea of doing a sit-down interview with the Rangers. A lot of questions and comments came in on this one, and there seems to be a good deal of curiosity as to just what the Rangers would say. Actually, I'd like to get a similar opportunity with some of the voice actors--Christine Cavanaugh's bowing out this week makes me realize that they won't be in the business forever.

Robert Knaus wondered just how famous the Rangers were. The general sentiment here is that they're probably pretty well-known, at least in their own circles. We've seen examples in the episodes where one of the Rangers was well-remembered for deeds they'd done in the past ("When Mice Were Men" and "When You Fish Upon a Star" come to mind). You can figure that at least in the local areas where they've done something good and were recognized for it, their names will be known. As for more general recognition, that's up in the air but possible.

On Thursday, Painless Doc Johnson returned the fold and told us his true story of how the Rangers have affected his life. It's not unlike a lot of us, and I think there's similarities we all can see. That was courageous of you, Doc, and you need not worry about opening up. We're a pretty easy-going bunch, and glad you felt you could trust us. Just another case that shows the values of strong role models in story-telling. Gadget, I know, is pleased with that kind of testimonial :-)

The painless one also commented on the old Gadget debate I posted at the Museum, wondering if Gadget saw the times when the munks took hold of her arm as examples of friendship. I'm no expert on the interpretation of touching as communication, but generally it's known that touch is an important part of emotional well-being.

It's also generally true that females tend to use touch in addtion to speaking more often than guys do. From that perspective, I would expect Gadget to hold their hands or take hold of their arms more often than the reverse--however, I don't think that was the case. Maybe someone will do a study on that, and the ramifications of it.

The painless one spoke again (actually, it would've been better to keep those last two in a single thread, Doc) and asked which fanfic he should read--based on the one that was the most faithful to the series yet had more depth. I'd have to go with Rhyme and Reason. It's a sentimental favorite, but still my favorite.

And then ::TRUMPETS BLARE:: this Thursday was the First Anniversary of the new Cafe and the celebration of the Fourth Anniversary of the Acorn Cafe's beginning. It's been a great run, folks, and one we can all be pleased with. Here's to you, Rangerphiles, and long life to the Cafe and all its members!

Kongo asked what Chip 'n Dale's responses would be to a cop gone bad. In short, I think they'd say, "Bite him, Plato!" Nothing like taking a bite out of crime...

On Friday, Gorilla reminded all the Rangerphiles who haven't visited his international map site to please do so! His original locations were lost and he needs everyone to re-enter them. This is a cool resource, so be sure to drop by.

Loneheart asked a question that sort of parallels the "are the Rangers famous" topic. He asked if the Rangers are a single organization or part of a larger whole. This is an idea that I don't believe has ever come up in quite this form. While they do appear to be a single organization, it could be possible that there are other auxiliary Rescue Ranger groups out there--based on them as a founding example. That's an interesting idea--RR Britain, RR Germany, RR Russia, etc. Hey, it could happen!

Mr. Unknowndude (hello, mysterious one!) asked about Elwood and Chet, Chip's cousins. Immediately, our band of knowledgable Rangerphiles was on the scene. Thanks for taking that one, folks, and showing that we're always ready to answer a newbie question.

Ray Jones, the Sculpy Master and man with the plan, came out with the March calendar last night and it's a doozy! Wonderful art, cool Gadget sculpy and an informative calendar to boot. Wonderful work as always, Ray, and believe me we don't mind at all that it went a little past deadline.

Finally, TheGreatHawkster returned for a visit today. Greetings, and glad you could join in again! As he noticed, things have changed since the old Cafe days and they're about to change a little again once the updates are in.

Well, that it for now folks. I'm going to go give my fingers a rest from all this typing and let you explore the FAQ and the Captions. Until next time, if you learn to fly a plane make sure you take the course on landing!