The Golden Neep IC

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Montrose Magpies (11-0-0 1.000) versus Falmouth Falcons (3-7-1 0.273)
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Play Started:2000-04-12 at Scottish National (The Lamb)
Snitch caught in : 3 hours, 38 minutes
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Montrose Magpies : 630
Falmouth Falcons : 220
Congratulations, Montrose Magpies
( And that's a wrap for the regular season, with no deaths to speak of, again. Look for playoff schedules and times in the Daily Prophet and other sources of news... )

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Kenmare Kestrels (7-3-0 0.700) versus Montrose Magpies (10-0-0 1.000)
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Play Started:2000-03-24 at Irish National (Conamara)
Snitch caught in : 7 hours, 18 minutes
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Kenmare Kestrels : 190
Montrose Magpies : 590
Congratulations, Montrose Magpies
( That'll bring the block's average up. It'll bring a lot of the league's averages up... )

Who: MadFusty
What: An overdue conversation about professional and personal boundaries.
When: Saturday, 17 March 2000, morning
Where: MacFusty Dragon Reserve
Warnings: Language.

( Mostly, I just hate how all of this is unfair to you. )

Who: Family, Friends, Furbabies, Teammates... oh, and probably Ada and Alasdair.
What: ENGAGEMENT PARTY
When: Saturday, 17 March 2000. Evening. backdated
Where: A&A's home on the outskirts of Dunvegan, Skye.
Warnings: Drinking. Language? (Hopefully not the latter)

( time to celebrate these two lovebirds making a move )

Who: Anyone related to Scottish Quid/Affairs/Press/Books in general (so pretty much all of you if you want) and all current and past members of both teams (NPCs welcome!)
What: The release of the Golden Neep companion book
When: March 16th 8pm
Where: Portree and Montrose clubhouses
Warnings: Language maybe? Drinking

( Whizz Hard Books is proud to present... )

What: Just a few wizards taking in a football match (not a shenanigan to be found!)
When: 15 March 2000, Evening
Where: Celtic Park, Glasgow
Warnings: Football Shenanigans (drinking, language, a million questions, friend wrangling, Statute toe-ing)




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Celtic (21-9-6) versus Kilmarnock (8-15-35)
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Play Started: 2000-03-15 19:45 at Celtic Park, Glasgow
Attendance : 55,194
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Celtic : 4
Kilmarnock : 2
Congratulations, Celtic
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( Only 90 minutes? And they never fly? )


(OOC: feel free to tag yourself!)

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Montrose Magpies (9-0-0 1.000) versus Wigtown Wanderers (4-5-0 0.444)
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Play Started:2000-03-11 at Scottish National Stadium at The Lamb
Snitch caught in : 6 hours, 0 minutes
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Montrose Magpies : 950
Wigtown Wanderers : 940
Congratulations, Montrose Magpies
( It's always a sad day when they don't let us out of the stadium until after happy hour ends... )

[Montrose +]

Time to take on the last scottish team! We have a bit of experience playing with and against them from the charity match and unfortunately that means the opposite too so they will be a bit more ready for some of our tricks.

This is a mediocre write-off season for them (they’re 4-5), but it’s a rebuilding season for the league. They’ve got a firm grasp on 12th so this isn’t a playoff year for them, but that’s mostly because they haven’t been in any high scoring matches this year. In fact their top score was 350 with the snitch last bloc. Their offense struggles a bit too much with putting big points on the board for this ranking system I’m afraid. So on paper they are deceptively bad. Really, their season numbers look average to bad across the board and if we hadn’t played with them earlier and if you don’t look at the matches on an individual basis, it’s easy to believe that.

Wigtown Notes

Chasers: Better than they are at first glance frankly. Have suffered from some big injuries that seem to have thrown them off, and haven’t really been able to put together the points they need to push themselves up. The chasers alone though have held their own against some big teams and even been ahead before they lost the match on the snitch. You can tell from the fact that none of their matches have seen huge point differences (160 points is the highest final point difference of their season and that was with losing the snitch). Parkin is their big scorer and Maddox their main defense and support type, so hold off whichever of them you can.

Beaters: They had a promising beater in Okeke but alas too promising as Portree poached her a few blocs ago. The remaining ones are respectable but so far haven’t been anything to write home about.

Keeper: Another case of better than she seems on paper. She was knocked out early in one match and her stats have suffered since. Other than that match, for all but one other match she’s been a solid 80-90% keeper.

Seeker: Alright. Blythe suffers from poor timing, as they’ve lost a few matches within their grasp from that snitch. Although she oddly enough has had more success against seekers that were better than her in skill (Mather and Lynch most recently). She’s capable of coming through for them just hasn’t been consistent at all about it.

Lineup:

Chasers: Jason, Roger, Angus
Beaters: Kal and Georgi
Keeper: Ada
Seeker: Kenna

As for the team sporting pink this match:

It should be a surprise to none of you that I’m fully for it.

But this is not something mandatory or enforced, that would ruin the good spirit behind it. I do want to say though that if you are hesitant for any reason, that I hope you consider doing this for this match. At the very least in personal support of those in our Magpie family involved in this wave of pink that’s sweeping the League.

If you want to talk to any of the staff about it still, our doors are open. And if you have concerns about the PR side of things: there’s Alex.

Dani has ordered boots with pink, and there should be a stack of rosettes too. If you’re interested they should be somewhere by her office (or ask her) and will be around on match day in the locker room too.

Jason, I believe Mick and Dani may have something for you soon.

[Gabi]

Between Lorna's birthday just now and Florrie's coming up, I have never seen so much glitter everywhere. It's almost resistant to magic.

Is the night before the match still the big Pão de Queijo making night?

Does anyone have a solid contact inside the Department of Magical Transportation?

[WARD to MONTROSE ALL]

My family has expressed interest in coming out to the Wigtown match on Sunday. I believe some of you may have met them at the Solstice Sprint. They have a limited working knowledge of the sport, but want to come see me play to support me. Especially as they are not able to join me in Sweden.

My father is an engineer and will bore anyone and everyone with maths and physics questions about quidditch. It also my niece’s first birthday. She is adorable and may steal your birthday thunder, Florrie. I am sorry.

[//WARD to MONTROSE ALL]

[WARD to AUGUSTUS PYE]

Pye, I had an interesting meeting the other day with Fraser Macmillan. I had asked if the Macmillan Foundation would be willing to support a Mental Health Practice at the Montrose Free Clinic, specializing in War Trauma. There is a lack of training programs and specialists to treat the issues are facing as a community and I think this could be a solid solution.

I know you deal in the other kind of trauma, but can you think of anyone who might be interested to sit on a committee to make this happen or even serve as director?

This is just in the idea phase right now, but there is momentum. I want to capitalize.

[//WARD to AUGUSTUS PYE]

[WARD to MONTE & JUSTIN]

I met with Fraser Macmillan on behalf of Montrose ownership and the Macmillan Foundation. Uplift is going to be entering into a partnership with them, hopefully to start a mental health practice at the Montrose Free Clinic. I think we can all agree that this is something we need.

I have also asked that someone either among ownership or BIQL publicly come out against what happened with Flint.

If you feel comfortable, I would appreciate if you accepted the invitation. I think it could give a good amount of weight to our movement.

[//WARD to MONTE & JUSTIN]

[WARD to DUNBAR]

I have been having some interesting conversations. What do you think QUABBLE can do to address hostile work environments in the league? Specifically with bullying among players. The Flint incident is not an isolated event, but surely there needs to be policy in place. Thoughts? Anything in the works?

[//WARD to DUNBAR]

[MEL (can be seen but looks like a bunch of scratches)]

I imagine we'll be seeing more than a few changes happening in the coming weeks and months here at DOMGAS. [...] I don't suppose you've heard anything at all about how

[PRIVATE]

It's not as if it's a bad thing if they did take over management of Lamb and Rannoch but... I've worked hard keeping them up to standard and all, and... ugh, I know it's all new and there's no telling what'll happen but I hate the not knowing.

Just have to hope this doesn't all turn into some big complicated mess.

[OWEN]

So how's my favourite older brother doing?

Went to one of the gigs my siblings' band, Tears of Lethe, had last weekend. (Yes, Maddock, I actually left the office to do something fun. Willingly.) Really proud of how far they've come along in the last couple of year.

Recovery is going good! I'm trying to get back to some kind of exercise routine. Champ is not a helpful workout partner unless it involves running.

Spell-o-Taped in

©tessisamess

( Not an IC cut. )


Pink clothing felt like cheating since I wear it all the time, so I came up with something new!

[Montrose+]

Alright team this is a big month for us. We're nearing the end of the regular season and the first Neep on the 31st.

Since at this point in this season, with only 3 blocs left, we have a very solid grasp on a good playoff seed, I’m going to turn our attention to starting strong with the Neep. We are not going easy on the regular season teams, but we are going to try and save some of our strength for hitting Portree hard right off the bat.

Which means the lineups for this month are subject to change and up in the air but I will tell you ahead of time some of my plans for them so a few of you are prepared. Please note these are tentative.

Tentative line up notes:

Chasers: I don Wigtown will be Jason, Roger, and Angus. Maddock, listen to Florrie and heal well. We still have a lot ahead we need you for. Unfortunately nothing much to give you lot right now other than the Wigtown lineup, it’s all up in the air.

Beaters: Lex and Georgi, you’re on Neep. But Kal, I’m playing you for both Wigtown and the Kestrels. You’re more than ready for both. Who's playing which match with you is still to be determined but one for each either way.

Keepers: Micah is leading us into the Neep so Ada you’ll be getting one of the two regular season matches. I’ll get back to you on which.

Seekers: Lennox, normally I’d rest you for the match the week before the Neep, you’re going to be absolutely vital there, but that match is against the Kestrels. And Lynch is the only one experienced and levelheaded enough to give you any kind of a challenge. So that’s not one I can rest you on, unfortunately we’ll need you to play both those matches. So Kenna, I’m giving you Wigtown. We’ll talk about their seekers in detail later.

[Montrose Staff]

Regarding having a pink team at the match:

I’m going to say again, it’s not mandatory, I want people to do it in the spirit of support and solidarity not because it’s mandated.

But I want to support this how we can. Roger had a mention of pink boots in Jason’s entry, that and rosettes might not be a bad idea? Opinions? Whatever we do will need to be a rush order though.

And Jason wants the magpie on his robes to be a neon pink, I’ve told him I’m very happy for him to have that screw any fines. But seeing as he won’t have time to fiddle around with designs...Mick? Should be a fun project for a change. Take the practice uniforms and experiment so that Jason has options to choose from.

[PRIVATE]

To Do list:

• Follow up with Florrie - Maddock for the Kestrels match?
  
• Speaking of Florrie: bday gift + dinner
  
• Dinner at mum’s this week
  
• Work out tentative lineups for the next 3 matches (Wigtown/Kestrels/Neep)
  
• Line up considerations:
  
  • Maddock recovery time (out for Wigtown, ?Kestrels but if so then iffy on playing him for Neep)
    
  • Jason’s Broom Race
    
  • Need for starter rest
    
  • Captain or ViceCap needs to be in play for each match
    
  • Kestrels > Wigtown, unfortunate timing though
    
  • Neep lineup needs to be saved up where possible, but balanced with what’s reasonable to put reserves on
    
  • Lennox vs. Lynch needs to stay
    
  • Georgi/Lex: Which on wigtown, which on kestrels
    
  • Ada - Wigtown or Kestrels
    
  • Chasers - who the hell knows right now
  
  
• Buckle down on Portree research
  
  • Roberts era Portree (focus on the prime years)
    
  • Old Ballycastle - Pepper (+possibly Okeke)
    
  • Dig up Wigtown matches - Okeke
    
  • Galbraith in case (no way they don’t play McCormack) - Cannons (this will be painful to go through) + Wanderers if there’s time
    
  • Listen to Parkinson recordings Gregor dug up - their giant hasn’t completely found his spot in the BIL style of play just yet, there’s more that can come from him
  
  
• Celtics for Kai’s potential debut on the 15th
  
• Attend Portree vs. Cats
  
• Consider updating Potential Future Players list for offseason wants/needs
  
  • Revisit Georgi’s contract pending Peppard’s progress
  
  
• Ideally keep the top seed for the postseason run (fuck the Bats)
  
• Follow up on pink additions for the match (for players/staff)
  
• Find some extra pink to wear or charm something pink for self

Thursday, 15 March 2000, Celtic v Kilmarnock at Celtic Park in Glasgow- who's in?

if I can get a good count, I can see about group ticket sales. We can bring food and make a day of it. Please let me know by 8 March.

If you can see this, you're invited! ....and, since it's unwarded- You're Invited!

my socks of the month have chimeras on them and i hope my pants don't catch on fire.

TERRY BOOT:

guess what i bought at lunch.

( Memo from Montrose Magpies Public Relations )

(Please feel free to use this post as an IC/OOC, or we can treat it like a journal if your staff member/team player prefers the written medium.)

To all the “Pink” & Uplift Supporters:

Thank you to everyone who showed up at the Kenmare match. It was refreshing to see such a presence in stands. Rest assured we plan to keep this momentum going.

We are here. And we are not going away.

[WARD to MONTROSE STAFF & PLAYERS]

In taking a cue from Kenmare presence at their match, I would like to formally request that Montrose considers a uniform alteration as a statement of unity. After the Falmouth incident, we cannot afford to be silent.

As you know, I have been at the forefront of this movement. What I am asking for now is for Montrose to publicly show unity and support for those with muggle heritage and their loved ones.

Please stand with me. Let us all come out against Wigtown in black, white, and pink.

[//WARD to MONTROSE]

[WARD to COACH McG & SHONA]

And as I ask you to stand with me, I also realize that Maddock’s injury was unexpected. Although I had requested to be rested the week before the Annual Broom Race, please have no doubt that Montrose comes first.

I am fully prepared to start against Wigtown. I am ready to change, and even cancel, my Annual Broom Race plans. Please just keep me updated.

[//WARD to COACH McG & SHONA]

I keep thinking there's no possible way that the season can get even more grinding and then I remember Montrose is up for three matches next month instead of two, and that we'll probably be on a week to ten days for turnaround for most of the next ten weeks. Three more league matches, two or three Neep matches, plus tournament play.

I'm going to be exhausted by the end of it and I don't even leave the ground during most matches.

[Lorna]

What are we doing for our birthdays this year? Do you think we can just take an evening off and go somewhere and do something fun, just the two of us? Or do we need to wait until May for a night off?

[Montrose +]

What I want for my birthday is for everyone to come away from the Wigtown match without injuries. I know you can't promise me that but I'd appreciate it if you tried.

[Magpie players + Gregor]

I have a proposition for all of you. Stop what you're doing immediately, this is more important.

As some of you may know, I lost my last girlfriend in the wilds of Canada during my holiday by the sea a few years back. Dinna fash, I'm fine, it's onward and upward for Angus Campbell. The trouble is now I've come back from that I'm getting a bit long in the tooth, I live on a wee island, and for various reasons I've not been in the dating game lately. Reckon I need a wee bit of help.

I'm going to need each one of you to set me up with a woman during the next month. I dinnae have many criteria except that she should be female, single, relatively age-appropriate, not affiliated with Portree, and not deathly bored by Quid. If she should happen to be Scottish, lovely, appreciates the outdoors and the sea, and has a flush account at Gringotts, so much the better.

All right, all of ye have your assignments. Operation Forward March is go.

Good News: I've been cleared by the Healers to return to the pitch.
Bad News: Due to others' injuries, hockey might be delayed. If we run out of the season of ice, I'm sure we can come up with some sort of work around. Like maybe socks on freshly waxed wood floors.